Orcas Island

August 28, 2013

Last week Walker’s parents came to visit and over the weekend we went to the San Juan Islands. Apparently there was a lot going on that weekend so we stayed on Orcas Island which was nice because it was a bit quieter.

We headed to the ferry very early Friday morning and made it on the ferry we intended to get on. The views from the ferry were quite beautiful. Once we arrived on the island we drove north to the downtown area. On the drive I had my window down and I was loving the remote island feeling and the heavenly scents wafting in from the woods. Oh my!

After a bite to eat we explored some shops and a few artist studios, we caught the artist studio tour that was going on. We also drove up to a high point on the island to get some fantastic views. Finally we made it to our lodging and once we were all settled in we drove even farther on to have dinner. The place we chose was so cool. It was set right beside an inlet and it had huge windows on the inside so you could see the bay. It felt really open and breezy. Also the food was amazing and surprisingly locally sourced. It was kind of awesome. When dinner was over Walker and I sat in some chairs near the water and kind of wished we could have stayed there for the rest of the night.

As it was though we headed back to our rooms. Walker and I played some outdoor games-including tether ball-which I can never beat him at! Then we hung out on our little balcony and continued our night with some wine and nature sounds. Walker also took some really cool pictures which I’ll share tomorrow…

Last night on orcas island

August 27, 2013

Last week Walker’s parents were in town visiting and I’m sharing the pictures out of order. I can do that right? After a couple of days in Seattle we headed to the San Juan Islands for a long weekend. I’ll be sharing more of the trip in the next couple of days. The last night we were there Walker and I decided to spend some time outside taking long exposure pictures (he loves doing this). We got a few by the marina and then ventured up to the hilltop toward our hotel and took a few more. Then things got interesting…

As we were overlooking the water I looked to my left and saw a buck (as in a deer with antlers) standing about 5 car lengths away. I wasn’t all that alarmed since we had been seeing does all over the property and they didn’t seem to notice or care about us in the least. At this point Walker and I were standing and looking at the deer. It was also just standing there looking right at us. I told Walker to take a picture and if you’ll notice below a ghost of a buck right in the middle. That is because while Walker was taking the long exposure of the buck it started to walk right at us.

Now I was still not too concerned but Walker was getting pretty worried. We backed away a little but he kept coming. We walked backwards up a hill that swung back to the left so that now we were parallel to the deer instead of in front of him. I thought well now he can keep going wherever he was headed. But instead he turned and walked right up the hill behind us! Now I was freaking a bit also. Between us and a set of antlers was nothing…

We both thought and said now would be a fine time for a car to drive up the road and what do you know it did. I’m pretty sure there was a split second that I covered my face thinking oh great the deer will get scared and run right into us. Luckily he took the shorter route and headed up a steep hill in the opposite direction of us. Phew! It was crazy!

Now I can say, “Hey Walker remember that time we got chased by a deer?”

Berry monday: tea

August 26, 2013

It’s berry Monday again! With summer coming to a close I have just one more berry post for you next week and then we’ll be moving on to something else. I hope you’ve enjoyed these berry recipes.

Today I’m sharing a berry tea recipe that I made. I’m sure there are endless berry tea combinations but I decided to make a blackberry mint tea.

What you’ll need:

-2 cups of blackberries
-a handful of mint leaves
-about 1 1/2 TBSP of black tea
-sweetener of your choice (optional)

Method:

Blend the blackberries in a blender and put the liquid in batches through a fine mesh sieve to separate the seeds. Set aside. Put mint leaves and tea in separate containers for steeping. Add boiling water to both-about 1 cup to each. Let the mint sit while you steep the black tea. Let black tea sit for 2-3 minutes and then drain out the leaves. Add more boiling water to the leaves and steep again. Let sit 3 minutes and drain tea leaves. Add tea to a pitcher or large jar. Now drain water off of the mint leaves and add to the pitcher or jar. Now add the blackberry pulp. At this point you can add about a cup of water since your tea is a bit strong. You can also add some extra sweeter if need be.

Put a few ice cubes in a cup and add some tea. Put the remaining tea in the fridge to cool. Enjoy your tea!

What’s your favorite summer tea? Does it include berries?

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