Look at me I'm three

Garden in the rain

There is a very tranquil spot in downtown Portland - the Chinese garden.  I was there in October and revisited today to find that different flowers are blooming and it felt like a new experience. Also there is a tea room where you can gaze out at the garden and ponds and feel like you have escaped to another world.

Today we saw an osprey sitting in a tree eyeing the koi for a dinner repast.

Tea house behind this tree

Walkway

Watercolor on screen. Part of the current art exhibit

Camellias

Bright yellow

Japanese Maple

 This Japanese maple, to me, was very unusual with these dramatic  pink leaves.

Oregon Coast

A trip to the coast included SUNSHINE! Here are a few photos from Astoria and Oysterville. 

I love the blue, blue, sky framing the Cannery Pier Hotel
in Astoria

A view from the high bluff above Astoria

I like to take photos of signs to remind me of places I've visited

Charming church in Oysterville

Friday - Sunshine

Welcome sunshine today.

Cherry blossoms in bloom. 

New knitting

I am off to my knitting group this morning and will post more later.

Cowl made from yarn purchased at Stitches West

Looking Good on my daughter

Finally another knitting project to post.

Napa to Portland

My friend Carol has been busy posting lots of neat photos on her blog - and all that yarn   We spent a weekend together going to Stitches West In Santa Clara and then spent a glorious day in Napa soaking up the sun and tasting some delish wine at the Aroyo Winery.

The sky, the grape vines, the hills of Napa -
ahh lovely. Pix taken at Arroyo Winery.

Arroyo Winery

For the last week or so this is the third day of sun here in Portland and it is ABOUT TIME! I should not complain. We had a sunny Sunday and it seems everyone in Portland was out to enjoy it at the opening of the Saturday/Sunday market by the river. I should have taken more pictures. There were food tents, craft tents, musicians, mimes, and lots of folks strolling with pets and children.

Street Artist

More Baja

Afternoon wind - Los Barriles is a kite surfing mecca

Roadside shrine

Cristmas Cake

Christmas in Baja

Here in Los Barrilles on the Baja peninsula it has been a warm Christmas. Friends and family all relaxing.

Packin up

I am moving to Portland Oregon. Will this be for just a year or permanent - I don't know? While I am still here in Philadelphia I am a full time grandmother helping to care for my granddaughter while my son and his wife sort out some problems. Maybe Portland will be like my year abroad - I am looking forward to author lectures at Powell's Books and catching up with West Coast friends.