Category Seattle
Denver!
I spent most of last week in Denver doing site visits within our logistics network. We do these periodically to make sure we (the legal team) stay grounded in the physical reality of world operations, as opposed to the Ivory tower of the corporate headquarters. My favourite part was a training centre for drivers, which […]
The saga of the Seattle bathroom
I bought the house in 2014. The primary bathroom was just fine. The tiles weren’t necessarily what I would have chosen, but I loved the big window in the shower, and I decorated with some eclectic things collected on travels. The before – original But there were hidden problems Beefier long in started noticing mineral […]
Orchid
Spring is a season of change. This weekend our clocks will move forward into daylight saving time. Three years ago exactly, I was spending my last night in London before moving back to the states. And nine years ago I gave notice to my law firm that I was leaving to take a new job […]
Meanwhile in the garden
Despite the chilly dampness of the last many months, the garden knows that we’re nearing solstice. The long days have coaxed the roses into their first flush of blooms. They’re so lovely. In the opposite corner the Mexican fleabane is as exuberant and joyful a ever, framing a wee pink dahlia. I just love those […]
Misty hike around Coldwater Lake
It has been so chilly and wet in the Seattle area that it’s hard to believe we’ve almost reached the summer solstice and are about to turn the corner to shortening days. I really miss the warm springtime and early summer of other places I’ve lived. The risk of course is that if you wait […]
First roses
The pink-and-white speckled roses have started to bloom. Seems earlier in the season than last year, and the other varieties are probably still about a month out from their first bloom cycle. But the bush looks healthy and the flowers are a nice colourful addition in the dreary Seattle spring weather.
It’s finally garden season in Seattle
As March, April, and May plod by under chilly clouds with temperatures steadfastly in the 45-55 range, spring in Seattle can feel like quite a slog. But then a sunny, mid-60s weekend arrives and all the joy of spring comes rushing out at once. That’s how this weekend has been–and oh, what good it does […]
The hand bouquet
The second task in my floristry class was to create a hand bouquet—meaning a bouquet constructed with stems held in hand, rather than inserted into a vase. The result was supposed to be compact, roughly symmetrical and appealing from all sides—something in the vein of a bridal bouquet. I chose to build mine with a […]
Home gym
Well, I’ve joined the Peloton bandwagon. This is what happens when you realise that two years of pandemic DoorDash orders have not been kind but still cannot even with the never-ending chilly grey Seattle weather that makes outdoor cardio such a drag. So the “gallery” hall that leads to the roof will double as home […]
Floristry! First task: the vase arrangement
Back in, hmm, maybe 2010 I spent a few days in Guatemala City with my friends Jennifer and Mark who were living there on assignment with USAID. I have a lot of good memories from that trip, but one that has had a surprisingly long lasting impact is of an enormous vase of stargazer lilies […]
A More Gentlemanlike Manner 