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Yellow Zucchini

Shaped like the green zucchini but sweeter, the yellow zucchini is one of the easiest vegetables to grow in a mild climate, and it is known among home gardeners for overwhelming production. Sometimes referred to as a summer squash, the yellow zucchini is said to be first grown in Central and South America and broughtContinue reading “Yellow Zucchini”

Mount Rainier National Park, Paradise Vicinity

This 369-miles squared park is home to the iconic Mount Rainier, the tallest mountain in Washington state, which is also an active volcano. Receiving an average of 643 inches of snow every year, it is the most glaciated peak in the US. Ascending up to 14,410 feet (4,400 meters) above sea level, you can seeContinue reading “Mount Rainier National Park, Paradise Vicinity”

Lavender

Lavender ( L.angustifolia ) There are over 40 varieties of lavender but it is mostly the Spanish, French, and English lavender that is found around the Washington area, both in the wild and in cultivation. They bloom from late Spring onwards to Fall or beginning of frost, as they prosper when they get at leastContinue reading “Lavender”

Creatures Big and Small-Canadian Geese

Canadian Geese (Branta canadensis) Bigger than a Mallard Bird, smaller than a Mute Swan, the Canadian Geese is a common sight in the Pacific Northwest in spring and all through summer and fall. Relatively huge water birds with a long neck, long body, huge webbed feet, and a wide, flat bill, the Canadian Geese areContinue reading “Creatures Big and Small-Canadian Geese”

Off the Highway – Olympic National Park

One of the first places we visited in Washington State is the Olympic National Park., the largest national park in the state. At 1,442 square miles, it is slightly more than five times the size of Singapore. Hence it is impossible to see and experience the park in a couple of days. Since we hadContinue reading “Off the Highway – Olympic National Park”

Creatures Big and Small-Black-Tailed Deer

Black-Tailed Deer (Odocoileus hemionus columbianus) They were the first to welcome us to our new home when we arrived in the greater Seattle area in July 2019. Two black-tailed deers had come ruminating amongst the wild berries that were growing in our backyard. Coming from Singapore where the only time you see a deer wouldContinue reading “Creatures Big and Small-Black-Tailed Deer”

Snoqualmie Falls

Snoqualmie Falls We first visited the Snoqualmie Falls on our very short visit to Greater Seattle in December 2018. Our realtor brought us there because she used to work at the hotel, Salish Lodge, next to it. She said she would watch the Falls while having her lunch, and it was one of the bestContinue reading “Snoqualmie Falls”

From the Garden-Radish

Radish One person in the house really enjoys radish and it’s not the kids or the person responsible for grocery shopping. Since the shopper has somehow always conveniently forget to put radish into the grocery cart :-0, the radish lover decides to grow them in the garden instead. One of the easiest and fastest cropsContinue reading “From the Garden-Radish”

Lupine

Lupine Blooming in late spring and early summer, the lupine (or lupin in Europe, Australia and New Zealand) is one of the most elegant and majestic wild flowers here. It greets you in the parks, along the sidewalks, and stand tall in the meadows and slopes. They spring up in our backyard too. Lupines comeContinue reading “Lupine”

Summer Wild Berries

Summer Wild Berries Summer is the berry season here in the Pacific Northwest. Wild berry plants greet you everywhere you walk. Here are some of the more common edible berries. Oregon Grapes One of the first types of berry plants to fruit is the Oregon grape, also known as hollygrape because its leaves resemble theContinue reading “Summer Wild Berries”