Just what I needed.

It was kind of a rough week this week. Too much work, too many boxes still waiting to be unpacked, too much clutter everywhere, too many things on my to-do list… it just felt like TOO MUCH. 

Yesterday, I decided to forego the farmer’s market and stay home and tackle more of the chaos. It was actually a very productive day, although I’m still struggling with too much stuff and not enough places to put it. It ended with take-out fish and chips and an episode of Candice Renoir on Acorn tv, so all in all a pretty good day. 

This morning, my plan was to get to the grocery store and hardware store (conveniently located in the same shopping area) early, then return and make some more progress on setting up my sewing room. But on the way home, while I was waiting to turn left at the traffic light to head home, I realized that I’d never gone straight across that intersection to see what was down that road.

Another spontaneous meander. And reader, I am so glad I meandered.

Remember I said there is water in every direction? (I guess that’s what living on an island means, now that I think about it…) There it was. This turned out to be Mutiny Bay, on the west side of the island.

So beautiful. There was a tangle of blackberry bushes on the side of the road with a sign marked “private” so I left them alone.

I went a bit further and found a public beach. There were a few meandering people — it was early, still — but it’s hot this weekend I expect there will be a lot of people later. There are a lot of driftwood on these beaches and I often see casual wood sculptures. They make me happy. 

Heading back in the general direction of home, I was struck(as I often am) by how much I love just driving on these tree-lined roads.  And while I was cruising along, I saw a sign for an art and craft fair down a small road. It was the same road that led to the pick-your-own dahlias garden I discovered last week, so I figured that was a good omen.

A bumpy road led to a big mown field/ parking area, which led me to a pretty garden with tents and umbrellas  and artists scattered among the trees.  

It was early enough to be cool and pleasant, and it felt like I’d stumbled into a magical market. You know, the sort that in a children’s book everyone would later deny ever existed.

The flowers were lush with just the right sort of overgrown-ness to them. Kind of how I’d like my own garden to be some day. 

Around a corner was a charming house — oh my, will you look at that perfect porch. One of the artists told me that the grounds used to be a nursery, and that the owner maybe closed it down but still lived on the premises. 

I wandered around, admiring the art, chatting with the artists, and falling in love with the garden.

There were hidden delights at almost every turn.  Look at this screened cabin. I could picture what a perfect reading hideaway that would make for lazy summer afternoons, or even rainy spring and fall days. 

There were inviting seating areas. That’d be a good place to sit and do a quick sketch, don’t you think? (If I could find my sketching supplies. I haven’t found that box yet.) 

A metal cricket, guarding the flowers… 

I think I need some old rusty tubs to hang on a wall. And a Bluey-pink hydrangea just like this.

I don’t have an anvil but if I did, I wouldn’t have thought of doing this. Now I need an anvil. 

I gasped when I turned the corner and came upon these hydrangeas. Have you ever seen such a deep, rich blue? 

So many delightful touches tucked in the bushes. This sweet bird bath.

As I headed back to the car, I peeked inside a greenhouse that looked like a very happy house for tomatoes. None for sale, but I was able to get some local ones at the market earlier, and seeing this made me decide that we’ll be having BLTs for dinner. Oh, and now that I think of it, there is a ripe avocado ready. Make that BLATs for dinner.

But I digress. Bumping back down the road from the art fair, I passed the “U-Pick Dahlias” sign. I could not resist. 

This time, I just meandered and enjoyed the peaceful garden. I wonder if the owners would mind if I brought a picnic blanket and camped under the trees for an afternoon?

I thought I was the only one there, and then I spotted this guy. Turns out he and his friends were busy enjoying the flowers too. 

I wandered around, taking pictures of the flowers, wishing idly that I’d thought to put my big Nikon in the car when I go on these errands… and thinking how, after a kind of crummy week, the morning had been exactly what I needed.  

And then the most magical thing happened. 

Can you see them?

A flock of some sort of sea bird went overhead, bright white and black against the blue sky. 

\

Some sort of tern, perhaps? 

They did two big circles over my head, and then drifted into formation and flew out of sight.

There are times when I feel the presence of my brother, who died 4 years ago, very strongly. I am sure my brother sent those today to say hello. Thank you, Gregg. 

Here’s the thing I keep finding about this magical island. Over and over, and in ways that surprise me, it keeps giving me what I need. 

I hope you find the little surprises in your world that give you what you need, dear readers.

And then there was Raji

 

Seeing as how I am getting to know this new and beautiful place, I try to turn down a new road every time I am out running errands. One of the biggest surprises to me is how this south end of the island is still so heavily forested. Every road seems to take me through lush green stands of trees with soft ferny undergrowth. Houses are tucked back in pockets. Sometimes all I see is a friendly mailbox or a gravel driveway.  

I have learned that Whidbey Island is 12 miles wide at its widest. That means that my roaming often lands me at a beach or neighborhood of waterfront cottages or a lovely water vista. 

Today, my roaming led down a rutted dirt road to a “Pick Your Own Dahlia” garden.

There was a friendly little table with an assortment of clippers, a box of glass jars to fill with your selections, and a money canister. Don’t they call those Honesty Boxes?

Oh, the dahlias. There were all colors and types, with poppies and pods poking up among them. The only sound was of bees buzzing. 

I could not have asked for a better Saturday discovery.

Except, maybe, for this surprise outside of the local market. 

This is Raji. He lives in the pet store next to the market and keeps an eye on the parking lot. You can’t really tell from this picture but his shell is about 20 inches long. 

We will be enjoying my selection of dahlias all week. 

When I got home, I’d planned to empty a few more boxes.  But Caroline had a better suggestion. We headed out to visit a nearby, cats-only branch of WAIF, Whidbey’s animal shelter system, so she could sign up to volunteer. She’s been missing that volunteering. It was literally a cottage full of cats and kittens. How could THAT not be fun?  

And from there, it was a hop to Langley, where we decided an early dinner was in order.

I had the shrimp roll. It was just as delicious as it looks.

I am really loving these Saturday adventures. 

A Whidbey Saturday

 Even though living here on Whidbey Island for the 5 weeks I've been here now feels like being on vacation, I'm still working. Some day's it's part time, and some days I have so much to do that I work all day. So when Saturday rolls around, I am ready to play. Well, ready to not work. And that means some unboxing and then play.

About a mile or so from my house, there is a wonderful Saturday morning farmers' market, and it is a delight. I had a grand time wandering around. By the time I left, I had a backpack full of produce for the week, a bouquet of sweetpeas in my hand, and a few cartons of delicate raspberries... just because.

 

 The first thing I spotted was this amazing array of sweet peas. You can smell them from there, can't you? How could I resist? A bunch of them is now on my kitchen table.

Apparently I was drawn to pink this morning, because these turnips caught my eye. I've never cooked turnips (if you do, how do you do them?) but I enjoyed looking at them. Maybe another saturday I'll bring some home.

 

Seahorse sourdough bread. Just $1 more than a plain old baguette. How could I resist? 

There was a "bag lady" booth selling tote bags made from big plastic/fabric feed bags, with proceeds going to charity.

I was kind of tempted by that bag with the cow, but I have promised myself not to buy any "things" until I unbox and put away the things I've moved here.

There was a goat-petting section filled with little kids -- of both kinds. It was a swirl of constant movement so this was the best goat picture I could get. They are quick, those little guys.  

And there were lots more flowers. These, I learned, are Sea Holly. So pretty. I've added it to the list of perennials for the flower beds I am dreaming of planting in my big yard.

After leaving the farmer's market, I popped into a nearby nursery that I was introduced to by my realtor Mary, an avid gardener. Bayview Farm and Garden. Oh my. It had section after section of beautiful, healthy plants and blooms, laid out so you can wander through as if you are in a beautiful garden. Today I was drawn to coneflowers for some reason - perhaps because just this morning I'd just unpacked Anna Maria Horner echinacea fabric. This one. 

I have no idea what I will do with it but it's so pretty. Anway. The real coneflowers. They are on the "future perennial garden" list.

 

Oh look, there are dahlias!

 

 

And then I stumbled onto these pretty flowers -- some sort of annual, I think.

 

I resisted buying any plants, because I figure I need to deal with the inside before I start fussing in the garden. But I am starting to make lists and look at garden stuff online. Today I discovered a Facebook group called "Creative Gardening" and boy, is it inspiring. 

Oh wait, I did make a purchase at Bayview Farm and Garden. When I was there a few weeks ago, I spotted a little fountain. I had to leave my bigger fountain behind in Healdsburg because it just didn't seem prudent to move three huge concrete bowls along with everything else. But this little one stayed on my mind... so today, it came home with me.

Pretty, huh? I figure I'll put it on the deck nestled among some pots of flowers and plants... which I have yet to acquire. But this is a good start, don't you think? I need to start checking yard and estate sale for flower pots. 

 Leaving the Bayview garden center, I passed Whidbey Donut - which I'd read about and figured was a little strip mall donut shop. But NO! It is a rather charming cafe with a pretty outdoor eating area surrounded by lush blooming plants, and a full breakfast and lunch menu. Tempting, but it was crowded and I had sweet peas to put in water.

So, from there to the grocery store for a few things. The market close to my house has guys outside grilling and smoking meat on the weekends... it's a heavenly smell.  I stopped for the first time today and bought some barbecued ribs for dinner. I got some fresh corn on the cob, too -- just 2 minutes in the Instant Pot I now know (having tried it that way for the first time this week) and it will be perfect. 

And for dessert, a real treat from local Greenbank Farm: 

 

 All in all, a very enjoyable Saturday morning.  

And in other good news, my Bernina came out of the box this week! I have yet to get set up with thread and supplies nearby, and I have yet to sort the UFOs which are what I should start on once I get sewing, but it's a start. It makes me happy just to be able to see my machine.