The Black Drop

The Black Widow, a specialty espresso drink from one of my favorite coffeehouses: The Black Drop.

Blue and Yellow

I love how color-coordinated these folks are. How many blue and yellow things can you count in this picture?

(Outside Espresso Avellino on Railroad Avenue)

Curls

The sleeping girl has masses of curls.

Aren't you glad you don't have to brush them?

Black, taupe and ivory

I would like to decorate my living room in canada goose colors; those lovely, rich layers of subtle taupes and ivory with a warm black contrast. And then maybe a splash of turquoise here and there to spice things up. We can't have things TOO sophisticated around here, you see.

Is it weird that whenever I see a canadian honker I feel like redecorating?

(Lake Louise, Sudden Valley)

Head

This sculpture by David Marshall is called "Head." Hmmm... I wonder why? Those mysterious artists, always making us search for clues...

Weekend Reflections: Silver Spring

Hope springs eternal...
but I don't hope
or wish or want or yearn.
I'm happy just to be,
to let the forest help me learn.

Supermoon!

We had several prettier pictures of the perigee moon from March 19, but I chose this one because it made me laugh. It looks like the moon is so bright these people are shielding their eyes from it! Either that, or they're about to be beamed up into a moon-like spaceship. In reality, someone had just turned their headlights on.

This was taken at Bloedel Donovan.

Spiral Fractal #2

The morning sun shines through a sculpture by Don Anderson in Big Rock Garden Park.

Also, thank you Sally for the Stylish Blogger Award!


I'm passing it on to two stylish ladies in Arizona:
Magpie and Tracy!

Not too long ago...

...this would have been a little girl's dream phone.
Today's little girls says, and I quote:
"What's that?"

Long-time locals will recognize the area code from days of yore.

This was taken at Penny Lane Antique Store on Holly Street.

Dry Docked

The bottom of this boat is aching to feel lake water once more.

(Lake Louise, Sudden Valley)

Amending Table for Talk

This sculpture, like yesterday's post, is on the lawn outside the Bellingham Public Library. For a full view of the sculpture, by Kay Kammerzell, click here. Yesterday's post was a sculpture by Ed Haddaway called "Meeting of the Minds."

Weekend Reflections: Birdbrain

I'm not sure what the statement is with this piece of two men greeting each other with birds on their heads. But who cares? It's a cute and friendly welcome to the children and parents who walk past it into the children's section of the Bellingham Public Library.

Ponderosa Pines

My dad and his twin brother turned sixty this past week. To mark the occasion we met up at his cabin in the backwoods of Washington near Okanogan. On a hike into the national forest above the cabin we came upon this stand of Ponderosa pine.

Happy 60th!

Camouflage

Mount Rainier hides amongst the clouds near Bonney Lake, Washington.

The cherry blossoms are here...

...and my heart sings with Spring.

I've had a house full of sick kids...

...so I haven't been out taking pictures.
Here is a get-well tulip from a friend.
I thought it was preferable to a picture of a sick kid.

Winter Remnants

Melting snow clings to ambered winter ferns.

It may feel like spring in the lowlands, but Mount Baker is looking to break the world's snowfall record yet again. Mount Baker has received more than 12 feet of snow in the last two weeks. If the forecast is correct, Mount Baker may top its own world record for both the most snowfall in one year and the most snowfall in one month. Meanwhile for us below the mountain in Bellingham, it's mostly just been very, very wet.

Beep Beep!

Now you know where that mysterious Acme Company in the road runner cartoons operates from.

(Actually Acme is a township outside Bellingham-- Acme Testing is just named after the township.
Still funny, though!)

The Center for Expressive Arts

The Center for Expressive Arts on Commercial Street hosts events for kids, including family yoga, toddler dancing, art classes, and even hula hoop jams! On this particular Saturday, kids made St. Patrick's Day-themed art. 

She's only five...

...but she's already dreaming of the day she can wear a dress like this.

(taken at Belle Bridal & Formal Shoppe on Holly Street)

Skywatch Friday: Bubble Blue

If only Glinda the Good Witch were in this magic bubble.

Our Japanese friends are in our hearts this morning.

There's a light at the end of the tunnel...

...I think it's called Spring.

Lichen Likes a Stump

The tiny Martians have landed and are sending out exploratory tentacles to check out their new environment.

Mamacita

On Sunday we went out for a drive in the country and ended up at Everybody's Store, in the township of Van Zandt. Everybody's Store has just about anything you could want... well, anything I could want, anyway, since they have what is probably the best cheese selection in Whatcom County. And I loooove cheese! They've got local nokkelost and goudas, five different cheddars from five different regions, sage derby, marigold goat, italian parrano, and much, much more. They carry fine wines, too, many of them local, including their own red table wine. 

Any store that carries fancy cheeses and fine wine already has my love, but one with a cat, too? Now we're in undying devotion territory. The store cat is fat, black and sleek, and very friendly. We ordered sandwiches (also fat!) and were eating them in the garden behind the store when my five-year-old daughter asked what the cat's name was. I didn't know, so she told me to go ask. I said no, I'd like to finish my lunch. 

"Well, I'll find out myself, then!" She cried. She stomped resolutely all the way back into the store, where she confronted a store employee. My husband sneaked up and peeked in on her through the front window. 

"Do you work here?" She asked the woman. 

"Yes," the lady replied. 

"Do you know you have a cat?" 

"Yes," the woman said, smiling. 

"What's her name?" she asked. 

"Mamacita."

"Thank you."

And she stomped back out to the garden, very proud of herself. As she should be! And now we know. Nice to meet you, Mamacita.

Little Red Caboose

A weathered railroad car sits by an old section of track near the south end of Lake Whatcom.

Window on Old City Hall

Weekend Reflections: Storm Clouds and Blue Sky

In downtown Everett, WA, this skyscraper mirrors the brief window of blue sky between rain showers.

Pink Moon

The full moon reflects the coming sunrise.

"Pink Moon" by Nick Drake

Rain

One from Palm Springs

Since I have a dearth of Bellingham photos and I have SUCH a lovely one from Palm Springs, I thought it would be okay to post just this one from my trip to California. This friendly little guy wasn't shy at all and let me snap several pics of him before he flitted away.

I need to get out and get some good Bellingham pictures! The weather (not to mention my busy schedule) has not been conducive to photography lately and my local pics are running low. If any of you 'Hamsters have good ideas for indoor shots, I'd love to hear them. Anything you guys want to see that I haven't covered yet?

Bird's-Eye View of Bellingham

Although it was taken through a scratched and dirty airplane window, I thought this aerial view of Bellingham at daybreak was pretty enough to post. This picture was taken on Friday, when I left behind the gray skies and intermittent snow of Bellingham for blue skies and palm trees in Palm Springs, California. I shopped, ate great food, hiked the hills, and laughed with my companions, all under the glorious California sun. I enjoyed my little getaway... but there's no place like home!