spokane

We went to the Spokane Garden Expo, where we saw this sign. I got a very nice brochure about composting from this group.

B made calzones (using boule dough from Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day).

I made cream-cheese blondies (from Martha Stewart’s Cookies).

I initially got both of these books from our library (I test recipes before buying). I am thankful for the selection at our library, and I like to think that all our taxes go there (and Manito Park).

I love art for art’s sake. And I find a scarf on Mr. Lincoln amusing. (And appropriate…we had hail [hail!] a few days ago.)

This statue garners a fair amount of attention. Last year it was covered with black plastic and yellow tape for a few hours: The tape said “imagine a life without art.” I don’t want to.

We had the pleasure of seeing some antique quilts at a small show last weekend. I find the textures of these much-used pieces inspiring.

(From a Double Wedding Ring quilt made in 1929.)

And Spring is still playing hide-and-seek. There is a lot of hiding, so far.

This year my brain is seasonally ahead of reality. It is now February: I’m not making soup, I’m eating (refrigerated) salad. I’m not knitting scarves, I’m whipping up dresses (which I won’t be able to wear for another four months).

I don’t know why this is.

But a visit to our local Conservatory sure isn’t tipping the scales.

And back outside

Just a new cover for a humble ottoman. No pattern, just some rough measurements and simple sewing.

I love the way linen looks rumpled most of the time. It feels rather relaxed.

And, just in case you were wondering, we have had some snow here but it is not record-breaking. It might feel that way as you shovel the sidewalk yet again, but it isn’t.

All photos by B.

(tracks from Canadian geese)

We headed up to hear the bells on Christmas Eve. We are not religious, but they welcomed us anyway. The music was amazing. First the bells, then an oboe. Beautiful.

We took a moonlit wander before bed. Mars was visible, as well as an almost-full moon. I’m sure any passers-by wondered what we were doing with binoculars…outside…in the dark…on Christmas Eve.

I can only hope that everyone had as lovely an evening.

Spokane at 7 a.m. (the moon was still up).



Really enjoying these napkins. I went into Pottery Barn with a very practical plan (we have needed a coat rack for about three years). And then there were these napkins. Oh the places they’ll go (pillows? tote? scarf? pouches?). Click here for a better image (this camera and I are not sympatico…which is a nice way of saying that I can’t seem to get it to work the way I want it to).

This is an “oh” post, isn’t it?

Especially when I tell you that someone walked outside wearing garden clogs to shovel the walk and snow got in her shoe (she said “Oh!”). Serves me her right for being too lazy to dig out the boots.

Taken out the window…

Of this cathedral.

I started a few blocks for a new quilt, but can’t seem to get excited about it. A thought came to me last night (actually, 4:25 am this morning). I might play with it and see if I can’t gain entry to this quilt in a different way.

We’re lucky that this town has a very lovely park. We visit there less than we did when we first moved here, but we always come away feeling like the world is going to be ok.

In the formal garden

In the Nishinomiya Japanese Garden

In the perennial garden

In the rose garden

My favorite house in Spokane (it borders the park)