Fall arrived a few days ago with an abrupt change in the weather. The wind picked up and the rains came. My lawyer tells me that we had about four times the normal amount of rain in September! Being new to the area, all I knew was that it was rainier than last year. The trees are breaking out their fall wardrobe, and I hope to have some impressive pics in a week or two.
So, while we’re hunkering down, it’s time for another round of the Friday Random 5. To see what other great bloggers are up to, visit Nancy at A Rural Journal!
Here’s my Random 5 for the week:
- I made it to the Olympic National Park for a lovely hike on the Aurora Ridge [link not available due to government shutdown — boo hiss]. This hike doesn’t offer the scenic vistas that other hikes do, but it’s a gorgeous trip through the woods. I thought I’d share a photo from where we stopped to have lunch!
- I’ve been planting like a fiend: tulip, iris, and hyacinth bulbs, evergreen huckleberry, Oregon grape, and lots and lots of native ground cover. My plan is to turn my yard (eventually) into a “food forest.”
- I’m on my way to the Write on the Sound writing conference. Thanks to author Erica Bauermeister for freely sharing all the wonderful opportunities that exist for Pacific Northwest writers. If you’re looking for some good books, check hers out.
- This week I canned tomatoes and turned some homely apples into delicious applesauce and apple butter. The pretty ones are in the crisper, waiting to be eaten! I still have more ripening on the trees. We weren’t expecting any fruit this year (the trees are new), but ended up with a wonderful crop.
- Next week I start my semi-annual “Colorado Cleanse.” It’s a gentle but effective way of cleaning the digestive system. I like it because creator Dr. John Douillard emphasizes keeping blood sugar levels healthy. Sometimes I do the cleanse on my own, but this time I’m signed up for the group cleanse to get the extra support.
Have a great weekend, everyone!
That is the most incredible stunning magnificent image I have seen.. I truly love it. I would hike with you any day. Tomatoes and Apple butter sounds wonderful. B
Thanks! It was a wonderful, magical day.
That is a beautiful photo! I love being among the trees.
Apple butter? Yummy!
Have fun at the writing conference. I really need to try to get to a conference.
I haven’t been to a conference in a long time. In fact, I signed up for two and then canceled. I was going through some writerly angst, I think. Anyway, don’t know if it works for you, but the AWP is having their annual conference in Seattle at the end of February, and I’ll be going to that. One of our other blogger buddies/She Writes friends may be attending as well. Just throwing it out there…https://www.awpwriter.org/awp_conference/overview
What a fantastic shot! And occasional cleansing is good for the body, as writing is good for the soul! Aloha!
Thanks! I try to cleanse twice a year…and if I don’t write regularly, I get cranky! Thanks for stopping by.
Gorgeous photo Nadine! Just perfect. Enjoy your conference!
Thanks, Nancy! Day 1 was really great…looking forward to the rest!
Your one on planting makes me regret not buying some bulbs that I was looking at yesterday. I really should have bought some.
Ah, get thee back to the nursery stat! 🙂
Your bulbs will be gorgeous in the spring. I’m going to look at the cleanse you suggest. Too many goodies and it’s time before the holidays to start to get the sugar out of my system. Enjoy the conference!
I’m excited about seeing the bulbs come up! The previous homeowners planted some bulbs, but they’re in strange spots and not very visible. I just got another box full of irises to plant (irises are my fave flower).