by | October 15, 2011 · 4:28 pm

A Transplant Grows Native-Crazy

Posted by Sandi

In case you haven’t noticed yet, I’m a native plant buff. When I moved from Florida to Orcas I was excited to start learning about the extraordinary native plants here in the Pacific Northwest. Our property is sloped and rocky, partially wooded, with moss and deer everywhere. So gardening with natives has turned out to be both practical and rewarding. An even bigger benefit, though, is conserving and promoting biodiversity. (Read this article to fully understand why this is so important.) I thought I’d share a few of my most-used resources and links:

Wallace W Hansen Garden Planner

This hand-illustrated guide is no longer on the Wallace H Hansen website, but I have a pdf copy I can share.

My hard-copy library includes the following:

  • Wild Plants of the San Juan Islands – Atkinson/Sharpe
  • Gardening with Native Plants of the Pacific Northwest – Kruckeberg
  • Native Plants in the Coastal Garden – Pettinger/Costanzo
  • Landscaping for Wildlife in the Pacific Northwest – Link

I just had a fantastic onsite consultation this week with Michael Budnick and Laura Gibbons of Northwest Concepts. They are the go-to native plant landscapers in the San Juan Islands. I’m going to start implementing some of their ideas this fall and will post updates.

Got any favorite native plant resources? Please share!

 

Looking to enjoy the simple life on beautiful Orcas Island?
Contact T Williams Realty  – we’ll help you find your way home.

2 Comments

Filed under Gardening, Nature

Tagged as , , , ,

by | October 8, 2011 · 8:10 pm

Slideshow of Fall Color on Orcas Island

Posted by Sandi

Coming from Florida where it’s virtually one season year-round, I’m very attuned to (and appreciative of) the change of seasons here on Orcas. Spring and summer are wonderful, but Fall is my favorite.

In late September the pace slows and year-round residents reconnect after a busy summer. Days remain mild and light rains resurrect the mosses and replenish our aquifer. But I have to admit, it’s the eye candy that delights me most!

Here are a few of my favorite scenes (click on pictures to enlarge.) If you have any pics you’d like to share, I’d love to see them!

Looking to enjoy the simple life on beautiful Orcas Island?
Contact T Williams Realty  – we’ll help you find your way home.

3 Comments

Filed under Community, Nature

Tagged as , , , ,

by | October 1, 2011 · 2:49 pm

Part Two: My Perfect Birthday Weekend – Boating in the San Juan Islands

Posted by Teri

(Continued from Part One)

Resident orca whales in the San Juan Islands

Birthday whales! What more could you ask for?

…I looked at the mouth of Friday Harbor to the north and saw a whale jump! I could hardly believe my eyes when the pod of resident orcas started towards us. A few swam to the west of Turn Island but soon came back and headed past our boat toward the deeper waters of the channel. The activity unfolding in front of our eyes took my breath away. If you’ve not witnessed these graceful animals frolic in the water you really need to put it on your bucket (or birthday) list! I told Jay these were birthday whales and a gift I’ll never forget.

Sunset at Parks Bay, San Juan Islands

A perfect ending to a perfect day...Life is good.

After the show, we crossed the channel to the protected waters of Shaw Island’s Parks Bay, one of my top spots for viewing the sunset. It has good bottom for anchoring and is surrounded by undeveloped land owned by UW. Although you can’t go ashore, a row around the bay is a treat. You might see raccoons harvesting oysters  or a blue heron patiently fishing in the shallows.

Sleep comes easy after a day on the water. Sunday morning we awoke refreshed enjoyed a leisurely breakfast – meals always taste better on a boat! We reviewed the currents and charted our course for motoring back to our slip at Bay Head. I like to head back early before the waves get sloppy and boat traffic heavy.

My birthday weekend was filled with love, laughter, good food, nature’s gifts and boating. I can’t imagine a better way to celebrate another year of life in the San Juan Islands!   

Looking to enjoy the simple life on beautiful Orcas Island?
Contact T Williams Realty  – we’ll help you find your way home.

2 Comments

Filed under Adventure, Boating, Nature

Tagged as , , ,

by | September 27, 2011 · 10:07 pm

Part One: My Perfect Birthday Weekend – Boating in the San Juan Islands

Posted by Teri

As the cooler weather creeps in, I like to assemble my favorite memories of the summer to keep me warm throughout fall and winter. Topping the list this year was my birthday weekend in late August.

Birthday Boating in the San Juan Islands

I can feel the warmth all over again when I look back at this blissful picture! My first gift was perfect weather.

It started with my husband and I sailing to Deer Harbor Marina where four of my closest friends had prepared a dockside dinner. They treated us with fresh crab, marinated local prawns, melt-in-your-mouth corn on the cob, chocolate cake from Roses Bakery and lotsa good wine. The weather was ideal for a night on the dock, and visiting boaters were friendly all around us.

Controlled burn on Yellow Island in the San Juan Islands, WA

Yellow Island on fire... on purpose

Saturday morning Jay and I headed out to sail San Juan Channel between Orcas and San Juan Island. While cruising past Yellow Island we spotted smoke and called 911. We were relieved to find out this was an annual controlled burn by the Nature Conservancy to keep the undergrowth from encroaching on the grasslands – a practice first used by Native Americans to protect camas bulbs and other food crops.

We continued out into the channel pushed by favorable warm wind. We were on the same path as the historic Adventuress and mirrored her course while feeling the pirate in our souls-arrrgh…. Only to be left behind with a few practiced tacks by the large crew aboard her deck.

Beach at Turn Island State Park, San Juan Islands WA

Approaching beach at 35-acre Turn Island State Park

Midday we headed south to hook one of the buoys located on the north side of Turn Island. The entire island is a state park with nice easy trails, camp sites, and several sandy beaches on the west side- yes I said sand!  I had just settled in with refreshment in hand, taking in the warm sea air and thinking ‘this is a great birthday’ when all of a sudden…    (To Be Continued in Part Two!)

Looking to enjoy the simple life on beautiful Orcas Island?
Contact T Williams Realty  – we’ll help you find your way home.

2 Comments

Filed under Adventure, Boating, Nature

Tagged as , , , , , ,

by | September 12, 2011 · 2:39 pm

Crab Salad in Crisp Wonton Cups

Posted by Teri

Here’s another use for our delicious dungeness crab – I found this recipe in Fine Cooking Magazine. Wonton wrappers baked in muffin tins make a perfect crunchy cup to hold this succulent crab salad spiked with sweet mango, cilantro, scallions and lime. Fresh and light – a great summertime appetizer!

Crab salad in Wonton CupsFor the Wonton Cups:

Cooking spray

18 wonton wrappers

2 tsp. canola oil

¼ tsp. kosher salt

For the Dressing:

2 Tbs. fresh lime juice

1 tsp. finely grated lime zest

¼ tsp. kosher salt

¼ tsp. fresh ground pepper

½ tsp. crushed red pepper flakes

2 Tbs. olive oil

For the Salad:

½ lb. lump crab meat

1 rib celery, finely chopped

½ c. peeled and finely diced mango

¼ c. thinly sliced scallions

2 Tbs. coarsely chopped fresh cilantro

Heat oven to 375 degrees. Coat muffin tin with cooking spray.

Make the Wonton Cups:

 Brush both sides of the wonton wrapper with the canola oil and place each wrapper into a section of a muffin tin. Gently press each wrapper into a tin and arrange so that it forms a cup shape. The edges will stick up out of the cup. Sprinkle with salt and bake until brown and crisp, 8-10 minutes. Allow the cup to cool then remove from tin. These can be prepared a day ahead and stored at room temperature in an airtight container.

Make the Dressing:

 In a small bowl, whisk the lime juice and zest, salt, black pepper and red pepper. Add the olive oil and whisk until well combined.

Make the Salad:

In a medium bowl, gently toss the crabmeat, celery, mango, scallions and cilantro, trying not to break up the crab too much. Add the dressing and gently toss to combine. This can be prepared a day ahead and stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container. To serve, fill each cup with crab salad and serve immediately.

Yields 18 wonton cups

 

Looking to enjoy the simple life on beautiful Orcas Island?
Contact T Williams Realty  – we’ll help you find your way home.

1 Comment

Filed under Recipes

Tagged as , ,

by | August 27, 2011 · 7:05 pm

Letter to Grandma

Posted by Teri

Dear Grandma,

I know what unconditional love feels like because you gave so much of yourself to me.

I could count on the flowers in the yard, the vegetables in the garden, kitties in the basement, hay in the barn, pie in the oven and swimming in the neighbor’s pond after the day’s chores.

You took me blackberry picking. Told me stories about my grandpa and how he logged the land and how these spots were the best for berry growing. I put every berry in my coffee can so I would have a full can by the time your can was full. You taught me to bang my cans together to scare away the bears. I was never afraid because I was with my grandma. 

There was always pie. I love pie. Today, when I make pies I think of you for many reasons. You shared memories, one being that syrup came in a round glass container, we now use as a pie dough roller. I have several and cannot pass one up at a second hand store. You gave me your pie plates so I could make pie and you shared your secret to making the best cherry pie (almond extract).

It was important to you to hold my babies and give me fearless advice on being a mother.

You taught me that making a crab salad was an art and that the right kind of lettuce mattered. Iceberg lettuce, boiled eggs, olives, celery, ripe tomatoes and Thousand Island dressing. I cannot eat crab salad without thinking of you.

You took me clam digging as a young girl. We slept in the back of the truck and cleaned clams for days.  I took you back to Ocean Shores not long ago and we feasted on clams and salmon. You won $400 in the casino that now sits along our clam digging beach, no campground in sight, but, oh the memories we dreamed about together that weekend.

You showed me the strength that generations of woman embodied before me and that I was part of something that mattered.

Thank you Grandma for all you have given me. Most importantly allowing me to see myself through your eyes. 

Lenora Alice Whitmore Carlson Larson

My Grandma

Lenora Alice Whitmore Carlson Larson
January 29, 1916 – August 19, 2011

Comments Off on Letter to Grandma

Filed under Community

by | August 10, 2011 · 8:07 pm

Take Your Garden to Work

Posted by Teri

Bountiful garden at T Williams Realty in Eastsound, Orcas IslandWhen I bought my corner commercial units in Eastsound three years ago, I got more than just prime office space: I gained an enviable street-front garden area.  Since I spend almost half my time in the office and my desk looks right out to this greenspace, I decided to make it my own. After the first season, I banished the landscaping service and some of the so-so shrubs in favor of a riot of color I could putter with.

Yarrow and lavender at T Williams Realty in Eastsound, Orcas IslandAt home my garden is mostly veggies, so at “work” I’ve chosen to indulge myself in flowers and fragrant herbs. I like to arrive early and snip here and there, bringing fresh cuttings inside the office for our centerpiece bouquet. On Saturdays you’ll often find me weeding and chatting with the passersby on their way to and fro the Farmers Market.

Fortuantely for my plant habit we have several nurseries on the island:

And when I’m on the mainland I love to lose myself at the amazing Christianson’s Nursery . Worth a day trip!!

Driftwood beach signs at T Williams Realty in Eastsound, Orcas IslandRecently I painted signs for a fun garden focal point. The directional driftwood arrows point to beaches on Orcas, some not so well known – so they should be a conversation starter.

I feel fortunate to be able to bring my hobby to the office. This garden, like every garden, is a labor of love and work in progress. Next year it might look completely different!

Looking to enjoy the simple life on beautiful Orcas Island?
Contact T Williams Realty  – we’ll help you find your way home.

6 Comments

Filed under Gardening

Tagged as , , , , ,

by | August 4, 2011 · 2:03 pm

Summer Strawberry Hand Pie

Posted by Teri

I found this recipe in an OPRAH magazine and had to rip it out to try when my strawberries were ripe. Even though this includes fresh fruit, it’s not a fat free, good-for-you recipe. BUT it’s yummy and the hand pies are small, so calorie count is tolerable (unless you are like my husband Jay and you enjoy 2 or 3.) 🙂

I doubled this recipe and put them in the freezer. I tried to make fresh, but had problems with filling running out onto baking sheet, and under-cooking. I had no run or doneness problems with the frozen pies. DO NOT over fill or under cook no matter how you prepare your pies to cook! Double makes approximately 18-20 pies. 

Strawberry hand pie made with Orcas Island strawberries

Mmmm....better make a double batch!

Single Recipe:

4 oz. cream cheese

1 stick butter, softened

¼ cup heavy cream

1 Tbsp sugar

¼ tsp salt

1 cup flour, plus more for dusting

1/3 cup strawberry jam

¾ cup chopped strawberries

1 egg, beaten

1 ½ Tbsp raw (turbinado) sugar

  1. In a food processor (or with a hand mixer) mix cream cheese, butter, cream, granulated sugar and salt until smooth. Add flour and mix until a sticky dough forms. Cover dough snugly in plastic wrap; chill until firm, 2 to 3 hours. You can keep over night.
  2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Working on a floured surface, roll out half the dough until very thin. Using a bowl or glass, cut out 4-1/2” circles.
  3. Drop about 2 tsp of jam onto one side of each circle and top with 1 Tbsp of strawberries. Brush outer edge of circle with egg, then fold over to make half moons. Press edges together firmly and seal with the tines of a fork. Place on a parchment paper lined sheet tray and cut 3 small slits in each top. Brush with egg, sprinkle with raw sugar and bake until golden brown, 30-35 minutes.

Got a favorite strawberry receipe? Please share it soon — I’ve got berries to use!!

 

Looking to enjoy the simple life on beautiful Orcas Island?
Contact T Williams Realty  – we’ll help you find your way home.

3 Comments

Filed under Recipes

Tagged as , , , ,

by | August 1, 2011 · 8:13 pm

Island Watercolors

Posted by Teri

Indian Island watercolor by Debi Madan, Orcas Island WAMy post on Indian Island  the other day reminded me of a notecard I have with a watercolor painted by my good friend Debi Madan. I’ve always admired her talent, and earlier this year she agreed to give me lessons! On Fridays we get together at various inspirational locations around Orcas – Crescent Beach, Crow Valley, my garden – and as she shows me the technical aspect of painting, I try to unleash my creative side. Maybe someday I’ll feel confident enough to post one of my creations. 🙂 Until then, look for more of Debi’s inspiring art in future posts!

Looking to enjoy the simple life on beautiful Orcas Island?
Contact T Williams Realty  – we’ll help you find your way home.

1 Comment

Filed under Community

Tagged as , , , , , ,

by | July 27, 2011 · 7:52 pm

Discovering Indian Island

Posted by Teri

Driving into Eastsound for the past 23 years I’ve noticed my view always gravitates to the south toward Indian Island to check out the tide situation. During low tide there are people that look like little ants exploring it. I’ve often thought “I want to do that!”  Then I go about my day of business forget about the little rock.

Indian Island in Fishing Bay, Orcas Island WA

The 1.25 acre island in Fishing Bay is only accessible by foot during low tide.

Well, researching for my recent post on its history kept this curious island lingering in my mind. I made a mental note to check the tide tables and get a closer look.

My son Eric accompanied me one morning as we started out from Eastsound Waterfront Park. The park itself is a wonderful spot to take in the long view down the dramatic fjord of East Sound.

Ochre starfish at Indian Island tidepool, Orcas Island WA

The Ochre Sea Star comes in a variety of colors

We took a leisurely stroll along the emergent sandbar, then skirted the island’s perimeter to examine the many tide pools . Full of color and critters, each was fascinating and worthy of a long stare to notice some of the more subtle sea life.

There’s life on the rock itself too. The knolls are covered with wildflowers and in season, birds nesting. The day we were there we happened upon Canadian Geese nesting. I later found out there were Black Oystercatchers nesting too.  It’s important not to disturb them; these are a sensitive ‘indicator’ species of ‘high concern.’

Indian Island was the first of three Marine Health Observatories in the San Juan Islands. There is important ongoing research being conducted there by scientists and volunteers.

Indian Island is another example of how we’re learning about and caring for our fragile ecosystem in the San Juans. I feel fortunate we’re able to enjoy its beauty and creatures up-close. And I won’t be waiting 23 years to go back!

Looking to enjoy the simple life on beautiful Orcas Island?
Contact T Williams Realty  – we’ll help you find your way home.

4 Comments

Filed under Adventure, Community, Nature

Tagged as , , , ,