Got to visit Seattle’s waterfront briefly today, and thank goodness the clouds pulled back enough for a spot of scenic. Those are the Olympic Mountains way in the distance.

A ferryboat on Puget Sound at Seattle’s waterfront

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This is a banner year for roses, I can tell. One of my top fave roses is Double Delight with its strong, sweet and spicy fragrance. This elegant rose bud in the late-day light poses with some Proud Land red roses blooming their heads off behind.

Double Delight rose bud begins to open

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Hubby’s birthday was the other day and I baked him a cake. From scratch, of course. I really prefer wholewheat flour and there’s no way to have a cake like that without baking it myself. I think wholewheat tastes better, feels better, and of course is actually food instead of truly empty calories. But this is really a sentimental cake as my mother used to bake it and taught me how. I even used her old tube pan. It’s super light and fluffy and has a hint of orange. Wish you could have a slice! Happy birthday, hubby!

Orange-y, lemony Perfect Sponge Cake on an old glass cake plate

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Oh, the peonies. I picked a huge bunch of them, just for me.

Pink peony opening in a bouquet

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This scene at the edge of Puget Sound in Seattle is from a couple of years ago at this time of year. I felt like posting something with water. I think this qualifies, and the sailboat is a bonus.

A sailboat at rest at the Seattle waterfront near Ivar’s restaurant

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My next door neighbor has a Chinese dogwood tree planted on our common property line, and we are lucky to enjoy the blossoms every spring. This tree is getting pretty big already and I’ve read that they can get to 30 feet tall. Whew.

White Chinese dogwood tree blossoms in close up, about 3″ or 10 cm. across

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This year the roses in front of my house are doing very well indeed. I fertilized them at the right time and it made all the difference. The sweet alyssum border reseeded itself very vigorously and just adds to the general fragrance. Wish you could come to my house and I’d pick some for you.

Roses blooming in a Seattle front yard garden

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A young friend is graduating high school and I am so happy with how my roses are coming along that I went and cut these for her as a gift. There are lots and lots more out there for more bouquets very soon. Cut your roses and enjoy them!

Many colors in a rose bouquet, with a Double Delight in the middle; yellow with magenta edges

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My roses look like they are going to be really good this year. A combination of alfalfa meal (slow acting) and shameful systemic rose food has finally come together for a sturdy, healthy and abundant bunch of buds.

One rosebud gets ready to bloom

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I adore this kind of cloud. I know it means that rain could come soon, but I don’t care. The joyous abandon of the white swirls and streaks, painting on the sky. And then they are gone.

The sky on a warm evening, strolling downtown in Burien, Washington

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