Deepwood Estate

Another wonderful garden,{it's Spring, what can I say!} this one a little smaller and a little closer, in downtown Salem, open to the public, and surrounding the beautiful house of the Deepwood Estate {which can be toured}. John and I indulged in a short garden ramble in this lovely place after a follow up visit at the hospital only a couple blocks away.

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Garden Photos - Take 2

We found a wonderful spot at the back of the house that had this charming door complete with blooming Wisteria over it and lamp above it. Table and chairs also were in this shady spot and were strategically positioned for a spectacular view of Mt. Hood through an opening in the trees.

"The view from that point was a magnificent one" 

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 Ben pestering the fauna.

This Columbine looks startled that I've dared peek beneath her

frilly pink bonnet.

  

Mother's Day Weekend

Although our whole family was together for Mother's Day in our own garden on Saturday {sorry no pictures} Sunday remained open until Shannon suggested an excursion to a garden in Lake Oswego, The Bishop's Close, that we so enjoyed on our girl's weekend a while back. John, Ben, Shannon and I headed up there for the afternoon. It was a perfectly warm and sunny day, almost too warm. {we're not complaining, mind you, we've had so few this spring!}.


The garden was wonderfully in bloom. We love the variety of intimate paths, stone steps, clipped boxwood hedges in wonderful shapes, wide open grassy spaces, and panoramic views overlooking the river and Mt. Hood and of course the flora and fauna; Huge Rhododendron trees, cascading Wisteria, down to small diminutive flowers like Columbine and Primula. 

     

Little Grand Daughter in The Garden

"Happiness is something that comes into our lives
 through doors we don't even remember leaving open."
~  Rose Lane ~

  

Ilex. Is. 16 !

How did that happen?

{ Is it only me? }

Wasn't it only yesterday she was little?

And she's stepping out in style.

Easter Blessings

Inspiring church service---
Family gathering at our house--
Wonderful food contributed by everyone---
All in their Easter best outfits---
Beautiful, sunny day---
Kids table set up outside---

And why did I only manage to come up with two pictures? I don't know!


However the Karsten family was so beautifully dressed and matching {and came early} that we had to snap some of them as soon as they arrived.

Leif helped me with this fun cake a couple days earlier so it was fitting he have his picture with it before we cut into it. {Idea gleaned from the back of the Easter M&M bag.} He was very excited about it and trying to keep it a surprise. "I'll tell them we didn't work on anything like a cake!"

It's good to have my blog back. I've been having 'Issues' with it for a few months so I've totally gotten out of the habit of posting and probably have absolutely no readers left. {Except Mom and Dad who, of course, keep waiting for more pictures from here}Thanks, Russ, for fixing things! Seems we just can't manage around here without you! This will be a good note to start back up on.

Books

Source: blessedwildapplegirl.tumblr.com via Cheri on Pinterest

2011 was a book year for me.

I don't know if I just had more time to read or just more desire to investigate issues in an in-depth way . Sometimes one book on a particular subject leads to an increased interest in that subject and even more reading about it as a result.

I may try reviewing some of my favorites as I get a chance. It will be fun for me to revisit some of these marvelous books as I try to remember (!) all that struck me and what I gained from their pages.

Books enjoyed in 2011: (in no particular order)


"The Island of the World" Michael D. O'brien

"Father Elijah" Michael D. O'Brien

"One Thousand Gifts" Ann Voskamp

"The Secret Knowledge": on the Dismantling of American Culture - David Mamet

"Unbroken" Laura Hillenbrand

"Jihad in the West: Muslim conquests from the 7th to the 21st Centuries" Paul Fregosi

"Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy" Eric Metaxas

"The Road to Serfdom" F.A.Hayak

"Out of the Silent Planet" C.S. Lewis

"Perelandra" C.S.Lewis

"That Hideous Strength" C.S.Lewis

"Sharia-The Threat to America" Center For Security Policy

"Portrait of a Spy" Daniel Silva

"The Twelfth Imam" Rosenberg

"7 Tipping Points that Saved the World" - Stewart

"In The Garden of Beasts" - Larson

"Villette" Charlotte Bronte

"The Three Brontes" May Sinclair

"Armadale" Wilkie Collins

"Basil" Wilkie Collins