Cats and Trails and Garden Tales
Musings on cats, travel, gardens and life
Let’s Go Visit the Daffodils!
At least virtually! It was a year ago that we went to see the daffodils in bloom in Skagit Valley, the first time ever, though I’ve lived in Washington my whole life!
We made the journey 60 miles north of Seattle to Roozengaarde, which according to their website, “was established in 1985 by the Roozen family and Washington Bulb Company Inc. The Roozen family business of growing Tulips, Daffodils and Irises is the largest in the world, covering Skagit Valley with more than 1000 acres of field blooms and 16 acres of greenhouses.”
During the last part of March the yellow beauties are on display while tulips are the stars of April.
It was wonderful traipsing through the fields – on the designated pathways of course –
and visiting the charming town of La Conner afterwards for lunch and shopping.
The virtual tour will have to do this year. The display gardens at Roozengaarde are closed as are all other nonessential businesses due to the nasty coronavirus.
We do our part to flatten the curve.
Stay safe.
~ Susanne
Ohi’a Lehua Hawaiian Flower
On our recent trip to Oahu I kept seeing this beautiful flower – endemic to Hawaii – and recognized as the Big Island’s official island flower.
Even the name is lovely – Ohi’a Lehua – for Cee’s Flower of the Day.
~ Susanne
Gleanings from Oahu’s Turtle Bay Resort
I’ve already posted the highlights from last month’s trip to Oahu – it seems like a lifetime ago!
But as we are all in need of armchair travel during these pandemic days I thought I’d share a few more pictures from Paradise, with more from Turtle Bay Resort.
Every morning the sun would pour through our window and I would enjoy this view of Kuilima Cove from our balcony.
We walked the undeveloped grounds and found many places to sit and reflect.
We even came across an historic pillbox from WW2 which made my husband happy.
And every night we gathered to watch the sun go down
and were mesmerized by this unique water feature which would occasionally blow up as a water spout.
Remembering the beauty of Oahu while sheltering in place.
~ Susanne
Social Distancing on the Green River
During these times of social distancing I’m thankful to have access to so many beautiful places nearby; and as long as we are allowed to visit our state and national parks we will continue to do so.
So yesterday we drove south to Kanaskat-Palmer State Park to walk through the forest along the beautiful Green River.
Imagine my surprise when the first pictures I took looked like this!
Apparently I had inadvertently selected an artsy function while fiddling with my camera settings.
Here’s the river in its natural state.
And here it is in motion.
There were only a few folks on the river and with them we exercised social distancing.
But I am not social distancing from this man – we are in it together.
~ Susanne
Photoshoot in the Garden with Tiger and Benji
“Hey boys, can you stop what you’re doing for a minute? I’d like to get some pictures for your portfolios.”
“Can’t you see we’re busy Sue??”
“It will only take a minute Tiger. Just one good headshot. That’s all I need.”
“Okay, okay, how’s this?”
“Great Tiger!”
“Benji??”
“Just a minute Sue. I almost got this varmint!”
“Sure Benji.”
“Okay, Sue. How’s this?”
“Perfect Benji! You’re the best!”
~ Susanne, Tiger & Benji
Let Them Make Soap!
Forget hand sanitizers! When soap is at a premium why not make your own?
I’ve been making soap for close to twenty years now and I thought it was the perfect time to share the process with you as it’s both enjoyable and relaxing and yields the most creamy and fragrant – and of course cleansing – soap you can imagine!
You’ll need a recipe – and though I’ve acquired many over the years – my favorite is the one I received when I first learned the craft.
I don’t expect you to read the instructions above; I just wanted to show you how wonderfully low tech they are.
The gist of it is this – mix lye and oils together and stir until a chemical process called saponification takes place.
First the Lye
I use Red Devil Lye (sodium hydroxide) added to water. This stuff is caustic and requires the most caution. I usually mix it outside, let the fumes rise in the open air, then bring it back inside to cool down (for yes, it becomes very hot.)
Then the Oils
I melt these together in a stainless steel pot on the stove. My recipe called for coconut oil, olive oil and vegetable shortening, but many different oils can be used.
Once melted, the oils need to cool and when both the lye and oils are lukewarm I mix them together and stir.
This is the fun part, when the solution slowly changes before your eyes, dreamily, imperceptibly thickening, until ‘trace’ occurs and you see an imprint remain when you dribble the soap on top. (Or when it becomes thick like split-pea soup.)
If you’re lucky and have a good recipe, this will take 15 or 20 minutes. Then you add your essential oils or fragrances and pour into prepared molds. I sometimes split the batch to make two different fragrances, one of which is always lavender.
When it hardens, I cut it, let it cure for 30 days and voila – I have soap! And yes, those really are sleeping kitties. 🙂
Wasn’t that fun?
~ Susanne
Welcome to my Garden!
Good morning! And to all of you who are housebound, welcome to my garden!
That includes you hummingbirds –
you are welcome to stop by for a bath anytime! 🙂
~ Susanne
A Walk through Paradise – in Waimea Valley!
Need to get away? Come with me for a walk in Waimea Valley!
Tucked away on Oahu’s North Shore, across from Waimea Bay,
you’ll find Waimea Valley, a valley deeply rooted in Hawaiian history, and Oahu’s last intact ahupua’a, a traditional Hawaiian land parcel extending from the mountains to the ocean.
It’s 80 degrees as we enter the gardens, home to 5,000 unique plants from Hawaii and around the world.
Close your eyes and feel the warmth of the sun on your skin.
Listen to the flowing stream.
Rest awhile under the trees
then follow the paths beneath them
absorbing the beauty and color of the flowers around you.
Walk slowly, stopping to enjoy the unexpected,
until you arrive at the falls
and plunge into its cool waters.
Do you feel better, now?
I do!
~ Susanne
Everybody’s Gone Surfing on Oahu’s North Shore!
Coronavirus got you down? Time for some armchair travel to the North Shore where surfing is king!
Yes, on our recent trip to Oahu – before the world went into quarantine – we spent four nights on the North Shore next to the Seven Mile Miracle, the most concentrated stretch of big wave surfing on earth.
Our first night at Turtle Bay we were delighted to watch the surfers as the sun went down.
And the next morning after sunrise –
we were even happier to watch this doggie surfing. 🙂
But for the big wave surfing we headed to Ehukai Beach Park, aka the Banzai Pipeline.
According to Wikipedia, “The Banzai Pipeline, or simply Pipeline or Pipe, is a surf reef break located in Hawaii, off Ehukai Beach Park in Pupukea on O’ahu’s North Shore. A reef break is an area in the ocean where waves start to break once they reach the shallows of a reef.”
And here we are riding the waves!
HA! Only the experts dare to surf the dangerous Pipe. In fact we were firmly planted on the beach watching the action off shore and even that was a thrill.
The Banzai Pipeline is one of three beaches where Vans Triple Crown of Surfing takes place during the winter where the best in the world compete. Fortunately our trip did not coincide with that event or we’d not have gotten close to any of these beaches, not to mention a room at Turtle Bay Resort.
Eventually we had our fill of surfing and headed to the famous North Shore beach town,
where I managed to find something to buy – no surprise there – a new bathing suit! The young woman who waited on me was originally from Brazil, but spends the winters on the North Shore during the surfing season. Ah to be young and free! 😉
After a full day we headed back to Turtle Bay where I took this picture and applied some artsy editing for an Instagram post.
More adventures to come from the North Shore including a walk through beautiful Waimea Valley!
Stay tuned. 🙂
~ Susanne
FOTD – Azaleas Heralding Spring!
I thought we could use some early spring cheer and I found it in my backyard where the azaleas are starting to bloom.
For Cee’s Flower of the Day Photo Challenge
~ Susanne
Cats and Trails and Garden Tales 