Back Out in Nature

 April 24, 2020

It had rained quite a bit this morning. Of course, living in the PNW that's nothing new however it doesn't always pour, it's usually light steady rain for hours and sometimes for the entire day. It does make one want to stay home and there are times, with cozy weather like this we did but, it's also fun to go out and enjoy the day God so graciously had blessed us with. 

We visited the Seattle Arboretum. The PNW is truly a playground for people who love the outdoors. There are no shortage of trails from the Arboretum, Botanical Gardens to neighborhood parks. There are trails in abundance here and a lot of them are shaded by all the evergreens which makes hiking even in the Summer not only doable but enjoyable.

It's nice seeing all the new growth in Spring. 

I also love seeing squirrels and listen to the different variety of birds.

I love nature but besides cloudy/stormy weather I love gray clouds and trees, with or without leaves. As you're aware, there are so many different varieties of trees. Some definitely more interesting than others. 

This one tree here had what looked like rings from the trunk all the way to it's limbs. 

I also like how moss grows on trees and ferns that grow around them too. 

After walking for a bit we developed an appetite, so we grabbed pizza at our favorite pizza place. 

The water was very choppy as we drove back across the floating bridge. 

The following day started out slow. Because of the pandemic even our church closed. Although they had online service it just wasn't the same. God wanted believers to be among other believers as we worshipped Him. 

It was irritating that one couldn't live life as usual. A lot of businesses were closed which didn't give one many options to have fun. Although we usually prefer being out in nature, sometimes it's fun to do indoor activities. This was especially frustrating during the week.

After we watched a movie we longed for fresh air and a change of pace. 

I just love these different shades of gray sky. It sure beats a sky that's entirely blue. 

Snoqualmie Falls is so neat to see after it has rained and very relaxing when the area is devoid of tourists. 

Words describing Snoqualmie Falls embedded in the ground. I only took a picture of this one since it's what we like to do on the weekends, meader.

A lot of public places, even parks were closed off. Abuse of power is such an ugly thing.

Freedom is not free - we must fight for it. We live in the land of

the free and home of the brave, but we cannot be free if we're not brave.

And being brave is something we ALL can do to help save America's future!

-Ben Carson

Delightful October

Usually, we prefer to hang out by the water but in Autumn we don't mind visiting certain places in the middle of Seattle ... like the Seattle Arboretum. It does contain a decent amount of deciduous trees that happen to show off among the evergreens.

Tree branches are fascinating to me. I've mentioned (on Instagram) how I like the tree's bare branches in the winter. They're interesting and a bit eerie looking ... and even though this tree still had it's leaves the branches were quite cool to look at.

The trail along the Arboretum loops (that's always a good thing) but there are several paths that split from the main trail. This particular path takes you across a bridge and into a neighborhood that will eventually lead you to some shops.

There's definitely a benefit about visiting Seattle (aside from the Puget and parks of course) and that's the restaurants. We are a big Yelper family. We like quality food. I mean if you're gonna spend money on food it better be on food that's worth it. When it comes to food we don't just settle to what's in our neighborhood only.
I'm pretty sure I've mentioned on here that the best gyro's are from the Greek joint right at Pike Place. They do it right! and the flavor is wonderful plus their Greek dressing is creamy, as it should be!

After we ate we walked to the flower area and Jacob got me a dahlia bouquet. It is such a pretty flower. Then we ventured out onto the fairly new overlook area. Although it's got a great view of the waterfront it is wide open therefore hardly any protection from the sun. I was only able to sit out there in the open for about five minutes. However, it's definitely an ideal place to linger at and observe the scenery on a cloudy day. Yep, sure is!

After Pike Place we took Riley to Swanson's Nursery where they held a Fall festival. They put together several kids activities, a maze and arts and crafts. They also have a cafe but we haven't eaten there yet other than a cookie. We would definitely like to try them out.
As we were leaving the nursery I had Jacob go down one of the neighborhood streets and we came across this gorgeous view. Imagine how nice the views are from the people that have homes facing the water without any obstructions. Just wow!

The best part after an outing is going back home, freshen up, and get cozy. I love living somewhat of a distance from a big city. It's definitely calmer and driving through fields full of trees and some farm animals is definitely relaxing and ideal. I do miss the water though. And when I say water I mean the ocean water and in my case I mean the Puget (since it's part fresh water and part ocean water). The smell of the ocean is something that's ingrained in me. I love how it makes me feel and the memories it brings forth and I miss it often.

I will keep God's law continually, forever

and ever (hearing, receiving, loving, and

obeying it). And I will walk at liberty and

at ease, for I have sought and inquired for

(and desperately required) His precepts.

-Psalm 119:44-45

An Autumn Afternoon Walk

The days following Riley's emergency room visit were spent mostly at home. The emergency room doctor prescribed an oral steroid medication which Riley hated. He only took a lick then didn't want any part of it. I sat there trying to convince him to take it and how important it was but my efforts were useless ... even after mixing it with hawaiian punch he still didn't drink it. So I gave up, whatever. Nights were less than restful. Although he no longer had that barking sounding cough his breathing was loud and kept me up and stressed out. I'm sort of a light sleeper so I had a hard time falling asleep during all these nights.

We took him to see his regular pediatrician for a follow up and he said that his lungs sounded good. We told him Riley didn't take any of the oral steroid medication and so he had him take some during this visit and to our surprise Riley took it without any trouble ... darn kid. I swear, next time I'll just request for his doctor's office to give it to him instead of me having to get a headache over it.

Every day Riley would ask if he was gonna go to school and every day I would tell him no. He was sad about that, he really likes going to school. Once the weekend came around he was feeling tons better. And since we were mostly cooped up at home I felt a little crisp fresh air was necessary.

We went on a leisurely walk at the Seattle arboretum.

It was a pretty walk. We saw lots of families taking Fall pictures.

Jacob and I talked about Reagan. He's always very present in our minds. I am finding that I am slowly able to think of him and not get completely devastated. These instances are rare though. The Autumn colors help brighten up my mood. There's so much beauty in this season, it's so vibrant! To me, everything about Autumn is cozy and full of tradition.

Those yellows and reds back there, gorgeous!
Riley's hair is definitely the shortest it's been in a long while. Hopefully now it'll all grow even and next time he gets a haircut they'll be able to give him a decent haircut. But I couldn't tell him I didn't approve of his haircut because he pretty much liked how it looked. Long hair or short really doesn't change how cute he is so I told him he looked handsome like always.
As he continues to grow he's looking more like Nathan. It's so crazy to me.

Here I am wearing that pink & blue ribbon pin with pride.

After the arboretum we headed over to the waterfront. It had been a while since we were here. I saw a mexican fruit stand. I was like, what??? They were selling those yummy mango's & pineapple cups drizzled with tajin and other mexican spicy yumminess. I hope to get one next time.
Whenever we come down to the waterfront it never ceases to amaze me how pretty it is here. Too bad it's not a red state, it would be that much more awesome to live here. And if it were a red state I'm sure not so many transients would be hanging out here making camp. But what can you expect from a liberal state right?

This, the Puget is why I like hanging out here.

Spending the afternoon out was exactly what we needed. It helped clear our minds. Seeing those Autumn gorgeous colors and breathing that crisp sea air filled my heart with happiness.

In the midst of movement and chaos,

keep stillness inside of you.

-Deepak Chopra