Friday, May 15, 2015

Falls and Wildflowers

Hello and thanks for dropping by.  We had a sunny day yesterday which was nice as my sister Denise and I volunteered at Multnomah Falls in the Visitors Center.  It's nice when it's a pretty day.  I went out to buy an iced latte and mocha for us and while the barista was making them I walked up to snap a photo of the falls.  See the sun shining on the new green of the leaves?


I love seeing people on the bridge admiring the massive waterfall, there is a big pool of water there and then the water passed beneath the bridge and then falls again.. a fun experience for the hikers.


I noticed that the sun was hitting the very top of the falls so zoomed up for an image.


As I walked back to the coffee kiosk I saw these cute little flowers.. they have the funniest name.. "Stinky Bob" - or Herb Robert.  


They are termed as a noxious weed.. but the flower sure is cute.  And little - the size of a quarter.


I then saw these pretty yellow flowers - I googled to find what it is and the closest that I could come was "Dwarf Cinquefoil", "Potentilla canadensis".



After a fun day of helping people to make the most of their visit to the gorge and meeting people from around the world, we closed up the center, brought in the signs, turned out the lights and locked up.  On the drive home I pulled over and got out of the car to take photos of a pretty group of Lupine wildflowers I'd seen on my way to the falls.  The far hills across the Columbia River are in Washington State!



I adore these spiked beauties!  Do they grow where you live?


At my favorite spot for a pretty view of the river looking downstream to Portland.  I opened my sun roof of the car and stuck the camera up and hoped for the best.  This is on the freeway entrance at Bridal Veil Falls.  Good old iPhoto - I straightened the image and then cropped it and it looks fine.  :-)



Have I shown you this painting I did when living in Louisiana?  It's the Cypress trees that grow in the swamps and have Spanish moss hanging from their limbs.  Those little points in the water are called "Cypress knees" - the cone-shaped exposed growths on the buttress roots of a bald cypress.



I found a new cookie recipe and Kristi made them for us.  They have Grape-Nuts cereal in them and are really crunchy!  I got the recipe from the King Arthur Flour website - click on the name if you want the recipe.  Loaded Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies


I will be getting ready today to attend a big event tomorrow - the Oregon State DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution) State Conference.  The leader of the organization worldwide is President General Lynn Young and will be attending.  I am signed up to sing in the State Chorus for the event.  I'll snap a few photos to share.  Do you have any fun weekend plans?  Do tell!  ((hugs)), Teresa :-) 

25 comments:

  1. Hi Teresa, I never tire of seeing photos of your waterfall , just gorgeous, as is your painting :)
    Jillxo

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  2. I'm with Jill I never tire of seeing the waterfall either. It must be amazing to be a volunteer at the Visitors Centre. Have fun singing what a great honour.

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  3. Beautiful photos my friend. How can such a pretty flower has such a stinky name? Have a grand time at your big event, it sounds like a lot of fun.
    Hugs,
    Meredith

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  4. The falls are looking splendid.Enjoy your weekend Teresa x

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  5. The waterfall is so beautiful, such a lovely place to visit. The flowers look a bit like lupins, but it's unusual to see them in blue. The cookies sound delicious, I could happily eat one right now. Two in fact, I could definitely eat two. Your painting is really good, you're very talented Teresa. I hope you enjoy your big day tomorrow. CJ xx

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  6. I love those falls! So beautiful! I would love to visit them someday!

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  7. The falls looks absolutely breathtaking! Oregon is definitely on my bucket list of places to visit. Singing at your event sounds like an honor...enjoy your weekend.


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  8. That is a wonderful painting you did Teresa and reckon Kristi's cookies would taste great ☺
    Always love the falls and very beautiful flowers xo

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  9. Oh great....Now all I can think of are cookies!!!!
    Always so pretty to see your photos of the falls! You will be singing you say? How nice! I didn't know you sing too!!!
    No big plans here.
    XO Kris

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  10. I just love the pictures of the waterfall! I don't think I would ever get tired of looking at it! Pretty. Pretty flowers. Your painting is fantastic.
    So many years since I have been to Oregon! I was by the Columbis River. But I wish I would have seen the waterfall.

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  11. Dear Teresa, thank you for sharing your beautiful artistic views of the world around you, through photos, words, painting and ... I am imagining you singing in the chorus Sat. :) I hope you have a grand time at the DAR event. We plan to meet up with available Saylor family members at a park in Napa tomorrow for a picnic. I should take name tags to label everyone since I will probably not recognize my ever growing great nieces and nephews! xx

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  12. Grest pictures my Friend and i will try. The cookies, they look delicious!!!

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  13. Very nice painting Teresa! I like the colors! I have several plans this weekend...but I need to talk my hubby into having the same plans. LOL:)
    Blessings, Aimee

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  14. Beautiful images as always. No Lupines here but still plenty of things blooming which surprises me. May is usually much hotter here so I'm thankful for the somewhat mild temps. You always have something to keep you busy. We had breakfast with my boss yesterday and then brought home some of his plants since he is starting the process of packing up after being here 12 years. Have a fun time at the DAR. Best wishes, Tammy

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  15. Hi Teresa, Lovely photos as always, love the sun when it shines down in one spot! The yellow flowers look a little like buttercups, I know they aren't but just sayin! I will have to try that recipe because King Arthur flour is minutes from my house! People come from all over for baking classes and retail!
    Happy weekend, we don't have any big plans, farmers market here in town, xoRobin
    Have fun singing🎧

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  16. I never get tired of the Falls pictures. It's gorgeous especially this time of year. Hope you have a wonderful time today at the DAR event. We're at the lake and it's amazing weather this morning. I'm sitting outside on my iPad watching the fishermen catch fish after fish. :-)
    Blessings,
    Betsy

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  17. You keep busy in the most delightful ways. I LOVE all your images of the Falls no matter how similar or what the season!
    Happy Singing! Can't wait to read about that event

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  18. The Falls look amazing, and I loved seeing all the wild flowers. We have herb robert growing in our garden! Have a wonderful weekend, Teresa!
    Helen xox

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  19. P.s. Forgot to say, I love your painting too!
    Helen xox

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  20. I always love to see the falls Teresa and they are looking especially pretty at the moment. We have lots of Herb Robert, but not wild Lupins....wonderful!
    Jacquie x

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  21. The falls are spectacular as always. Thanks for sharing the wildflower photos; as much as I love roses and other cultivated plants, wildflowers are really my favorite. I hope you have a wonderful time at the DAR conference. I'll sing a round of the CAR song in your honor. :)

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  22. A beautiful place. I love the energy of the water.
    Amalia
    xo

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  23. Hi Teresa, hope you are well.

    I love your painting such pretty colours. And the photos of the falls...somehow reminds me of scenes from the Lord of the Rings, it is so pretty.

    Helenxx

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  24. Lovely photos, as always, Teresa. The falls are absolutely gorgeous, and I love the photo you took from the sun roof! Your painting is gorgeous!!

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  25. You are such a talented lady Teresa. Love your painting. xox

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