A blog of food, travel, rescue dogs & creativity from a young-at-heart baby boomer.
It’s time for more awesome adoptables from Story County Animal Shelter . Please consider saving a life by adopting your next furry, family member. If these dogs don’t tug at your heart strings, then look at more of the dogs or cats available by clicking on the link above. Can’t find one? Then check out a shelter near you and save a life. Remember, please adopt – don’t shop!
Scroll down the page to learn more about these three lovable dogs that are ready and eager to be your next companion!
When my daughter and I did a Girl’s Weekend Out on Orcas Island, the bed & breakfast we were at served yummy Morning Glory Muffins. Click here and you can find their recipe and my post about the Blue Heron Bed & Breakfast. I decided I wanted to change the recipe a bit making it gluten free and a bit healthier.
I love apples so I added not only applesauce but big chunks of juicy, tart apples. I also wanted to make it gluten free as I had developed issues with gluten a couple of years ago. I’m not a huge fan of shredded coconut (I think it is a texture thing) but, I found fine macaroon coconut that was just the ticket! It is sweetened with honey and just a tinge of brown sugar, plus all the yumminess from the apples, carrots, raisins, and cranberries. The medley of spices (cinnamon, cardamon, ginger – both fresh and ground) gives the tongue just the right tingle!
The spring rains stopped for a couple of days so I took advantage of the brief respite and headed down into the timber with Charlie, our rescued golden retriever. Even though she is a “senior” now, she still loves exploring in the timber. She would be heartbroken if left behind. Deer trails criss-cross the timber and a fox den shows recent activity. Add the numerous squirrels running, teasing and then sprinting up a tree trunk, and it’s a smorgasbord of different scents for a dog.
I love this time of year. The tender, just opening foliage and grasses created a gorgeous tapestry of textures and varying shades of light green. Continue reading “Springtime Timber Hike With Charlie!”
I’m so excited. I’m doing photo shoots for Story County Animal Shelter to gain more publicity for the dogs that are ready for adoption. Please consider saving a life by adopting your next furry, family member. If these dogs don’t tug at your heart strings, then look at more of the dogs or cats on their website http://www.storycountyiowa.gov/animal Can’t find one? Then check out a shelter near you. Remember, please adopt – don’t shop!
Look at these two lovable dogs that are ready and eager to be your next companion!
Our last day on Orcas Island. Sunday morning was misty with occasional rain. Our plan was to have breakfast on our balcony, pack-up, and then go back to Eastsound to the bookstore before getting on the ferry for our return to the mainland. We had fresh squeezed orange juice, a yogurt parfait with strawberries and granola, pumpkin bread and scones. The Blue Heron Bed & Breakfast had been a wonderful home away from home. I know Carrol and Bogdan are looking to retire and have their beautiful home up for sale. I hope someone as friendly, professional, and accommodating buy it and run it as well as they do.
An afternoon of shopping on Orcas Island was perfect for a girl’s weekend out! It was a treat of unique stores, yummy food, and spectacular scenery. We decided as soon as we got back to the bed & breakfast, that we would eat just a little cheese and fruit to tide us over until we got back to town to find a cafe. My daughter had to use the internet to work for a tiny bit, so I took off to explore the water’s edge just across the road.
Day 2 had us on our way back to Moran State Park. It was a quick drive through beautiful pastoral farms as we headed for Cascade Falls. The friendliness of the island is present everywhere from friendly waves to fresh eggs left on the side of the road. No price marked, just leave a donation.
Former teachers, Carol and Bogdan have lovingly run the beautifully historic 1910 Blue Heron Bed & Breakfast in West Sound for the last ten years. Their motto is, “At the Blue Heron Bed & Breakfast, hospitality is our number one goal for your stay in our home. We want you to feel comfortable, welcomed, and relaxed. If you are traveling with your pet, we will make every effort possible to see that your stay is enjoyable for everyone.” They certainly fulfilled their goal.
Continue reading “The Blue Heron Bed & Breakfast, West Sound on Orcas Island”
There’s something unique about the San Juan Islands. Perhaps the islands should have been named “Peace and Serenity” as that is the feeling you have as you step onto the island. It’s as though all the stress and problems you arrive with, are immediately whisked away and you are embraced in a cozy blanket of calmness. People drive slower with no impatient drivers honking their horn. There are no traffic jams. The locals, as well as the visitors, have an unspoken law of friendliness with the “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you” attitude.
Continue reading “Orcas Island – Day 1- Going to Mt. Constitution”
Anacortes is called the “Gateway to the San Juan Islands” — that is exactly what it was for my daughter and me. Although we didn’t have a lot of time to explore the town before we had to be in line for our ferry to Orcas Island, we did find some very interesting things and had fantastic views of the islands. I know we will come back to this town on another day with more time to do some extended exploring!
Our first stop was Cap Sante Park, gotten to by climbing a steep winding hill up to the park. The views were spectacular in all directions. To the west, we looked down on the town of Anacortes, the marinas and the San Juans in the distance.
