'TIS THE SEASON

Onions so sweet you can eat 'em like an apple

The Walla Walla Sweet Onion is grown exclusively in the Walla Walla Valley in southeast Washington state. The seed was brought from the island of Corsica in 1900 by a French soldier named Peter Pieri. Over the years the Sweet Onion was developed by selecting and reseeding onions that possessed the qualities of sweetness, jumbo size and round shape. 

Historically, Sweet Onions were grown by the valley's Italian farmers many of whose ancestors continue in the onion-growing business today. Family names such as Locati, Castoldi, Taruscio, and Deccio are synonymous with Walla Walla Sweet Onions, although today about 20 growers cultivate onions on nearly 800 acres.

Walla Walla Sweets are available to purchase beginning mid-June through July. But because of their high water content, they have a shorter shelf life than a typical dry onion.

While Walla Walla Sweets are sold in local grocery stores, many roadside stands pop up during the season that sell single onions as well as 5, 10, and 20 pound bags.

CDP JULY CHALLENGE/Upside Down

Let There Be Light

Upside down lighting as seen by Susan this weekend while visiting Seattle's Pike Place Market.

WASH & WEAR

Mateo and his buddy do a bang-up job on my rig which was way overdue for a wash. 

Pop-up car washes like this utilize underused DIY stalls making it easy to get a hand car wash at a decent price.

 I like supporting independent entrepreneurs like Mateo in my community.

PROGRESSIVE GARDEN TEA PARTY

Twelve years ago, a group of women, most of whom were teachers, gathered together to view lovely gardens, drink tea, and celebrate the beginning of summer vacation. Today, most of these women are retired (a few are still teaching) and others (not necessarily teachers) have joined the group, but we still meet during the third week in June to visit three home gardens, sip tea, and enjoy an array of (mostly) authentic English afternoon tea fare.

The collection of tea cups always makes for a colorful picture. Most cups come with a story which the owner is asked to share with tablemates.

 Minted fruit salad along with scones and other fruit breads are a traditional part of afternoon tea.

A variety of teas, both herbal and caffeinated, are offered at each garden.

Garden hats are also de rigueur attire.

OOOOOPS!

Signs, signs, everywhere there's signs

Blockin'' out the scenery, breakin' my mind

Do this, don't do that, can't you read the sign?

by Five Man Electrical Band, 1970

FIRST TOMATO HARVEST

On the vine . . .

In the hand . . .

On the lips. Sweet!

MONDAY MURAL-- Wall of Words

A lovely little mural tucked away along the pedestrian walkway between the public library and the Armory between Poplar and Alder streets

The artists

FROM MY GARDEN

Flowers for Everyone

Late Spring/Early Summer Blooms in Situ

 Montbretia/Crocosmia

 Asiatic Lily

 Last of the Sweet Peas

 Oriental Poppies

Shasta Daisies

A PORTAL TO HEAVEN

A heart-shaped void in the clouds . . . 

thinking of my father on this Father's Day weekend.

ONCE A TEACHER, ALWAYS A TEACHER

These were signs I saw at the same stall at last night's Farmers' Market.

 Hmmmmm . . .

Ouch!!!!!!

One out of three correct. 

That's still only 33%!

Errgghhh!