Spring and Tulips

Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm, located  in Woodburn, Oregon is a long time tourist attraction in the spring. Yesterday turned out be a perfect day, weather wise, for a visit.

Royal Star

One of my neighbors is a master gardener and after I fruitlessly searched the internet I did the simple thing and asked my neighbor to identify the mystery miniature tree. Well, not to keep you in suspense any longer it is a Japanese Magnolia. From my neighbor I found there are dozens of varieties of Japanese Magnolias and this petite one in the yard is one of a variety that can grow into a large tree. Also, blooming in profusion around Portland is the more familiar pink variety, that I have heard called "tulip trees," when I lived in Alabama.

Close look at a bloom and bud on the Japanese Magnolia

This variety is the Royal Star Magnolia. The following information is from the Willis Orchard Company web site.
Willis Orchard

"The Royal Star Magnolia tree is a beautiful tree, able to grow 15 feet tall by 10 to 15 feet wide.

It is deciduous, with multiple branches that are close to the ground, and fragrant white star-like

flowers that have a slight shade of pink."


 From there I found the botanical name - Magnolia stellata -  and went to Wikipedia for the in depth
information.  

Magnolia stellata Wikipedia

The Royal Star is native to Japan and the Tulip Magnolia is originally from China but has been cultivated for centuries in Japan.

Just went out in the rain and am editing this post to add a photo of the more common Japanese  (Tulip) Magnolia.

These grow profusely in the South. They were in full bloom  last weekend, which was a beautiful, sunny, Easter weekend. Today they are rapidly shedding their blossoms.

Magnolia Liliiflora

Can you identify this miniature tree growing in my neighbor's yard?

Spring and Sunshine

Just finished a toddler sweater for my granddaughter who will be four next month. I see a few mistakes but it is a bright yellow spring color and I take pleasure thinking of her wearing it.

I bought the yarn at Stitches West last month in Santa Clara, which was a delightful part of my visit to California.

Warm California Sun

My recent trip to California was blessed with perfect weather. A visit to San Francisco included a stop at the de Young Museum which was having an exhibit of Dutch Masters. In the spotlight was the famous "Girl with a Pearl Earring." No photos allowed. Visiting with friends, we took some time to ride up to the tower at the de Young and enjoyed the spectacular view of the city.

The de Young has a fabulous collection and the museum on the Sunday we were there was crowded with art lovers but you know museum crowds seem to be a gracious group, so it is easy to enjoy.

Taken with my IPad

View from the tower

Outside the museum in Golden Gate Park

Next stop was lunch at a unique restaurant in Golden Gate Park overlooking the Pacific Ocean.This was my first visit to the Beach Chalet and 

 the grand murals inside done by the WPA in the 1930's are a must see attraction. Sorry I didn't take a photo of the view of the Pacific from the upstairs dining area. 

POWELL'S IN PORTLAND

BIGGER THAN BIG

Powell's City of Books on Burnside is a Portland treasure. Plan to spend hours if not half a day.

Visit their website  http://www.powells.com

But nothing compares to being immersed in the three floors of books, books, books. The store has over an acre and a half of retail floor space. I continually get lost in the stacks.

Today, one of my purchases was the novel by Matthew Quick, "Silver Linings Playbook." The movie was so good I want to read the book that inspired it.  

Just one small area

Just one of many information desks

Baja in the morning

Sunshine, sea, and bougainvillea. Lovely! Off to Saturday market, more later.

Mexico Preview

Yikes! I haven't posted anything since November 1. What happened?  Let's see - my excuses are I moved to new digs and then the Portland grey skies and rain, rain, rain, began leaving me uninspired and I think suffering from  SAD. Yes those are my excuses. Tomorrow is a new day and  especially since I am leaving for Mexico I am happy.  Just to get in the mood, here is a photo taken on a previous trip to Los Barrilles. Just look at that blue sky. LOVELY!

New shawl

I finally finished my Color Affection shawl. It was a successful knitting project. The yarn  was soft and lovely to work with. I posted all the information about it on Ravelry.

Fall Leaves - Portland - Last Hurrah!

Today we had a brief bit of sun and I stopped my drive home a few times to capture some of the spectacular autumn leave before the ongoing wind and rain take them all away.

They wont last long. Japanese maples grow beautifully here and they are on a breathtaking red display.  You will see a stop sign that was on a corner by some vivid yellow/gold maples.  Yes, stop and take this in I thought.