Finally, another post! (It's been awhile)

 Ari at here 21st birthday celebration at the Wilde Rover Celtic pub. Our friend Safe bought her a CD by our musician friend Dan (to the right).

 It's thistle season in the Northwest

Anni leading the way on our recent hike through the woods.

 Anni went to gourmet cooking camp for a week. Here's the salad Nicoise she made during
French cooking day.

 The sun is shining and the veggies are growing. Here we have sage, chives, zucchini, berries, Thai basil, salad, greens, peas, squash blossoms, Italian basil, mint, calendula, and tomatoes.

 We took a trip to the San Juan Islands aboard the Washington State Ferries.

 We had a wonderful breakfast at this restaurant overlooking the harbor.

 We laughed at the name of this boat from our home town.

 Why is Ari so enthusiastic about this tree?

 She loves its cool umbrella shape.

 Alex attempting to hit peak speed along the Sammamish River trail.

 Here's the set-up for my camping trip with my friend Lisa, who'd never been camping.

We spent Thursday through Sunday camping at the NW Herbal Faire.  We enjoyed organic food, workshops on Herbalism and more, terrific music, and friendly folks, all in a beautiful lake side setting in the Walker Valley, near Mount Vernon. And the weather was gorgeous!

A dragon fly resting on a wild cherry twig during an herbal plant identification walk.

 Rafe Pearlman provides some beautiful tunes at the Faire.

 While the farmer was away, the garden got to play and grow and grow and grow. This was the daily harvest when I got back on Sunday.

 And here's today's harvest. Veggies galore! Today we went to Pike Place Market. We ate hombows and chatted with merchants. Today's finds were fresh oysters, local apple sausages, mushrooms, peaches, cilantro, French bread, basil garlic pasta, giant tomatoes, huckleberries, and peanut butter doggie biscuits (for Barkley, the wonder doodle). It was a beautiful warm day in the Seattle area.

 What's in this beautiful mini bouquet? Thai basil leaves, mint flowers, radish flowers, dandelions, and clover flowers. Who says weeds can't be fun?

This one has radish flowers and mini flowers. It was our centerpiece for dinner tonight. A lovely, no cost, no mileage bouquet!

The weeks in review

We've had a really busy couple of weeks. We've been busy hiking up mountains, going to camps, and finishing up classes.
Anni enjoyed her science camp. Next week, she's at gourmet cooking camp.

Alex finished up his math class and is enjoying a break with his video games.

David and Ari are still slogging away at college for another few weeks. Ari had a great time at her 21st birthday celebration. She even got up on stage and sang Happy Birthday to herself with the Celtic band at the pub.Then she danced!

I've got a great tan this year thanks to all the time in my garden. The sun came out and everything suddenly grew and produced. We've been getting a zucchini a day! The tomatoes and berries are in too. Yum! Tonight, for dinner, we make back garden pizza, full of veggiliciousness!

Seattle Highland Games

We went to Seattle Highland Games. It was a ton and a half of fun. Lots of plaid, clans, pirates, and even a few ren. faire folks. Alex liked the caber tossing. Lisa liked the pipes and drum bands, and I loved the dancing music, especially the celtic tribal band. It was awesome!

 Caber tossing.

At least three steps forward, toss end over kilt-er, and line it up at 12 o'clock.

 Massing of the Clans

 Getting ready for the grand parade

 Pipes and drum galore.

More lads in skirt, oops I mean kilts, than lassies.

Drums

One, two, three breathe

I was rather partial to the green kilts.

Mmm, Aren't those supposed to be in front?

Awesome funky Australian Celtic tribal band, Brother.