Close of October

It's nearly the close of October and fall just keeps on coming. The trees are blazing with color; everything underfoot goes "crunch, crunch."













Peter and I spent the weekend close to home. Our free hours were filled by long walks around the neighborhood, making a few prints from collected leaves, weeding the small strip of garden next to our patio, potting some evergreens and chatting with neighbors.













Linda (aforementioned neighbor and Open Mic organizer) has a friendly exchange going with us. After she lent us her stock pot for our tomato endeavor, we returned it with a jar of sauce and a note of thanks. A few days later we found a squatty silver pot and a note on our door step: "Thought this would help with your cooking addiction. Lids are 99 cents at Goodwill." Yesterday afternoon, she brought over a little boxwood, some grasses, and a spidery climber from her backyard.

Clearly, now it's our turn to reciprocate with a neighborly favor. Perhaps, dear reader, you have a good suggestion. Toss out an idea and I'll keep you posted on this budding relationship.

Fall Visitor

I'm back. While Seattle saw rain, this blog saw a serious drought. The reason for my distraction? We had a visitor! My sister, Ann, was here for two fabulous weeks. If you ever find yourself in the Pacific Northwest with a dear sister (or brother, mother, father, or friend), I highly recommend the following agenda:

1. Cut yourselves some slack. Sleep in.

2. Take lots of hikes. Collect leaves of elephant proportions, as well as other interesting specimen you may find along the way (moss, lichen, branches from a monkey-tail tree).















3. Go for a run in the rain along Salmon Bay - you'll feel like a true Seattleite once you're drenched.

4. Head to Pike Place Market and buy the freshest, best-looking salmon and veggies you can get your hands on.













5. Find a happy hour location that boasts good micro brews and live coverage of the vice presidential debates.



















6. Take a ferry to Bainbridge Island. Wander through town to find the Harbour Public House. Get out of the rain, cozy up under the outdoor umbrella and order yourself a tasty beer and some fish and chips.





























7. Drive north along the Chuckanut Trail toward Bellingham. Along the way, enjoy the craggy coastline and stunning views. Pull over at the Oyster Bar for a delicious lunch and the best Puget Sound views in the state. May I suggest that you a) look fancy or b) bring a dramatic scarf to divert the other diners' attention away from your hiking boots and dirty pants? It'll make everyone more comfortable. Trust me.















8. Pick fresh apples at one of the many orchards near Samish Bay. When you get home, throw a crisp in the oven. Nothing nudges you into fall more gently than the smell of cinnamon and apples bubbling in the oven.

9. Stay up late, dream good dreams, and, with a little reluctance, send your lovely visitor home.