05-31-11 Orange

05-31-11 Orange, originally uploaded by roswellsgirl.

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Was looking for orange today for my dailyshoot. The first of my poppies are starting to bloom. Used another photo for my Dailyshoot, but decided that this could be the photo of the day.

05-30-11 Believe

05-30-11 Believe, originally uploaded by roswellsgirl.

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This barn is an ever changing canvas near Stanwood. Not sure what the artist wants us to believe, but it is an interesting site in the farm field.

05-29-11 Canoe Dock

05-29-11 Canoe Dock, originally uploaded by roswellsgirl.

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I have gone to work with Erik the last few weekends and each time, I have taken a version of this picture. Today, it finally won out as my photo of the day. Some days are just hard to pick just one.

05-28-11 Market Flowers

05-28-11 Market Flowers, originally uploaded by roswellsgirl.

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Today we celebrated the opening of our Farmer's Market. We enjoyed a nice walk down town. Visited with people and dogs. Listened to some good music and looked at all the great bounty already available this season.

05-27-11 About to Pop

05-27-11 About to Pop, originally uploaded by roswellsgirl.

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Came home to find my poppies just about to pop.

05-26-11 Gig Harbor

05-26-11 Gig Harbor, originally uploaded by roswellsgirl.

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In Gig Harbor for a meeting. Unfortunately, not very good photo opportunities, with timing and weather. So this was the shot. I played with processing to make it a bit more interesting.

05-25-11 Morning Gift

05-25-11 Morning Gift, originally uploaded by roswellsgirl.

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Had to get up at 4:30 am this morning to get to a meeting. I was rewarded with a beautiful sunrise.

05-24-11 Blue Iris

05-24-11 Blue Iris, originally uploaded by roswellsgirl.

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Lots of pretty irises in bloom in my garden right now. They are one of my favorites.

5-23-11 Skagit Spring

5-23-11 Skagit Spring, originally uploaded by roswellsgirl.

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I wish that I knew my northwestern birds, but I still have much to learn. Saw several of these little guys on an old apple tree when Holden and I took a walk today.

Thanks to katerha  I learned that these are Cedar Waxwings.

05-22-11 Lab Dog

05-22-11 Lab Dog, originally uploaded by roswellsgirl.

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Holden has been going to work with Erik most days. Today, Erik had to go do some readings at one of his plants so we went along. I love to go and walk along the dike. Beautiful place. Holden loves spending time at the lab, and the beautiful surroundings. I am a little jealous of the time he gets to spend with Erik, but happy that he is getting to be out and about and not stuck at the house.

05-21-11 Camas Flower

05-21-11 Camas Flower, originally uploaded by roswellsgirl.

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This pretty flower is a native bulb to our area. It plays an important part in Native American history and the settlement of the West. whatcom.wsu.edu/ag/homehort/plant/camas.htm

05-20-11 Sunshine and Poppies

05-20-11 Sunshine and Poppies, originally uploaded by roswellsgirl.

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It has been 198 days since we have seen 70 degree weather here. Not sure we made it today, but if not, we came close. Back to cloudy and cool tomorrow. But we sure enjoyed it while it lasted.

05-19-11 Ribbit

05-19-11 Ribbit, originally uploaded by roswellsgirl.

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Another beautiful Spring day. Another colorful sign of Spring.

05-18-11 The Early Bird

05-18-11 The Early Bird, originally uploaded by roswellsgirl.

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Finally a lovely spring day. I enjoyed a walk in the Discovery Garden. Lots of beautiful things to see on a day like today.

05-17-11 Snoozing with a Friend

05-17-11 Snoozing with a Friend, originally uploaded by roswellsgirl.

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Decided I should use this for my photo of the day because I am not sure that this octopus will survive many days of Holden at play. After I took him on a long walk tonight, Holden snuggled up with his new friend and went to sleep.

05-16-11 Yellow

05-16-11 Yellow, originally uploaded by roswellsgirl.

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I thought this was a sunny picture on a not so sunny day. Looking forward to finally seeing some promised sun this week.

05-15-11 5th Avenue

05-15-11 5th Avenue, originally uploaded by roswellsgirl.

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We took Erik's mom to see Guys and Dolls at the 5th Avenue today. The old theater is really amazing. This is a quick non flash shot before they announced no photographs.

05-14-11 Dandelion Dance

05-14-11 Dandelion Dance, originally uploaded by roswellsgirl.

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Holden and I went with Erik to Warm Beach today. We enjoyed a walk along the dike. Holden loves to capture the seeded dandelions in his mouth.

05-13-11 Allium Bud

05-13-11 Allium Bud, originally uploaded by roswellsgirl.

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Quick visit to my garden for my photo today. Boy do I need to do some work there this weekend. This Allium is just starting to bloom. I like to see flowers at this stage. So much promise for good things to come.

05-12-11 Bee Boxes

05-12-11 Bee Boxes, originally uploaded by roswellsgirl.

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Much nicer day today. Still lacked inspiration, but decided on these bee boxes in the raspberry and blue berry fields.

05-11-11 Blooming Confetti

05-11-11 Blooming Confetti, originally uploaded by roswellsgirl.

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Really not a good photo day today. Rain, rain and more rain. Decided to snap this shot on the way out of my office today. Doesn't look as dreary as it actually was today. All throughout town, the sidewalks are "littered" with this blooming confetti.

05-10-11 Someone Else's Dandelion

05-10-11 Someone Else's Dandelion, originally uploaded by roswellsgirl.

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Laughing that I actually took this photo in someone else's yard, like there aren't plenty of similar opportunities in my own yard.

05-09-11 Colorful Cactus

05-09-11 Colorful Cactus, originally uploaded by roswellsgirl.

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This little potted cactus caught my eye.

05-08-11 Sunbreak

05-08-11 Sunbreak, originally uploaded by roswellsgirl.

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Setting sun breaking through a blanket of clouds as we landed in Seattle last night. Nice ending to a blessed weekend with my family in Texas.

05-07-11 7-Up Cake = Love

05-07-11 7-Up Cake = Love, originally uploaded by roswellsgirl.

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Today we celebrated the day my mom became a grandmother, my sister became a mother and I became an aunt to my now 24 year old nephew. For the celebration, my mother made a 7-Up Cake. She got this recipe from a neighbor probably 40 years ago. Since then, she has made over 500 7-Up cakes. This is definitely one of her signature treats. She takes them to people who are sick or celebrating. She welcomes new neighbors and shares at family get togethers. I know that each time I travel home, there will always be a yummy 7-Up Cake waiting for me. My nephew and his wife even used her recipe for their wedding cake last summer. A family celebration is not complete without my sweet Mama's 7-Up Cake.

Grandma’s Seven-Up Cake



Cream together for 20 minutes (or until thoroughly blended):

3 sticks of butter

3 cups of sugar



Add 5 eggs, one at a time.

Add 3 cups of flour.

Blend in 2 tablespoons lemon extract.

Fold in ¾ cup 7-Up.



Pour mixture into a well greased and floured 12 cup Bundt or Tube pan.



Bake at 325 degrees for 1 ¼ hours.



Allow to cool slightly, then dump and turn so that “crispy” part is on top. (When using a tube pan, the side that was “up” when baking.)



Glaze after cake is cool:

Mixture of powdered sugar and milk. (The thickness should be such that it will hold onto the cake and drip a little over the sides.)

05-06-11 Accessible Garden

05-06-11 Accessible Garden, originally uploaded by roswellsgirl.

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Last year at this time, my dad had just been diagnosed with Myasthenia Gravis and had undergone surgery to remove a thymoma. One year later, my dad is doing better and has gained back some of his strength. He is also learning ways to have a better life even with the muscle weakening symptoms of MG. He's figured out how to get around and do what he likes to do. My future niece's dad sent this nifty table top garden to my dad who loves to garden. My future niece and my nephew put it together for him, and now he can garden without having to bend over. Very cool. I wish that my dad did not have Myasthenia Gravis, but I am glad to see him learning how to enjoy life and the things he loves to do even with this obstacle in his life.

05-05-11 Circles

05-05-11 Circles, originally uploaded by roswellsgirl.

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I flew from Seattle to Houston today. Always lot of neat things to see from an arial view. The farmland here looks like a modernist painting.

05-04-11 Cool Stuff Sold Here

05-04-11 Cool Stuff Sold Here, originally uploaded by roswellsgirl.

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This store always has "cool stuff" in their window. Rolled down my window and took this photo while waiting at a light.

05-03-11 Ready to Bloom

05-03-11 Ready to Bloom, originally uploaded by roswellsgirl.

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Searched my garden for something besides tulips or daffodils. This flower is just getting ready to bloom. I like the textures that you might not see when in full bloom.

05-02-11 Tug O' War

05-02-11 Tug O' War, originally uploaded by roswellsgirl.

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Tonight was Puppy Kindergarten. Holden had fun playing with his good friend Max. After having to listen and follow directions and playing and playing, he will sleep well tonight..

05-01-11 Snoozing in the Sunshine

05-01-11 Snoozing in the Sunshine, originally uploaded by roswellsgirl.

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Finally some sun! After romping outside as Erik and I did yard work, Holden crawled up on the couch and went to sleep in the sun. (He just discovered he could crawl up on that couch if all of the conditions are right.)