An Old Bank

This is an old bank building downtown on Fourth Street in Walla Walla. I don't know what fills the upper storeys, but the lower level is occupied by John L. Scott Real Estate.

No Appetite Now

This really grosses me out. I mean, besides the fact that I'm a vegetarian, I just don't understand why bacon and chocolate together is a good idea. I spotted this at Bright's Candies on Main Street in Walla Walla. And no, I didn't buy it.

Espresso, Please!

Your typical after-lunch scene at one of several high-class downtown restaurants. This was taken after an out-of-the-ordinary splurge on an expensive lunch with friends at Brasserie 4 on Main Street, just a week or so ago.

Déjeuner Avec Ciel

Last week my friend Ciel was in town, visiting from France, where she maintains Versailles Daily Photo, always posting fabulous photos and fascinating history tidbits. Every time she visits her friends here she makes time to see me; last time we grabbed coffee at Starbucks and this time I introduced her to the Patisserie, where she got breakfast (blackberry scone and OJ) and I enjoyed a mid-morning snack (mocha and a chocolate chip cookie). It was so good to see her; I love making new friends and learning more about different cultures, and Ciel is all of that wrapped up in one great conversationalist. If any of you come to the Walla Walla Valley, please let me know; I'd love to meet you, too!

The Cycle

I love how spring has a predictable cycle. In my part of the world, there is an order to how the pieces of spring fall into place, starting with the crocuses near the end of February or beginning of March. The daffodils are next, bobbing their white and yellow heads across town and soaking in the inevitable spring rains. Tulips follow, in bright yellows, purples, reds, oranges, pinks, whites, and everything in-between, accompanied by hyacinths - pink, white, purple, red and more. As the last of the daffodils shrivel and brown and dry, the dogwoods begin to blossom. And that is where we are today - I've noticed small pink blooms on the trees lining one particular section of College Avenue in College Place, and the infant dogwood pictured here is just a block or so from my office. I also noticed this morning that the lilac outside my office window has tiny dark purple balls ready to pop open any day - that happened over the weekend because last week that bush was still all green! The lilacs will last only about two weeks, the dogwoods about the same, and then come June we'll be blessed with roses that greet us through the summer.

The Photographer

This is Ruth. She's an amateur photographer taking pictures for the sheer thrill of capturing life in images, and a student attending a local university with the goal of becoming a special education teacher. Though she'll miss many people in the valley, Ruth says she's excited at the prospect of a move this summer; she's getting married in July and will follow her husband to California as he enters medical school.

#2 in my "Real People" series.

Perspective

A different perspective of yesterday's vista; this is, perhaps, what a small animal would see while perusing the field for dinner. A coyote, perhaps? Or a fox?

Scenic Spring

While out for a drive on the outskirts of the city, we came across a curve in the gravel road that looked out over this breathtaking scene. The deep green of the infant fields, the dusty blue of the newly uncovered mountains, and the grey-white of the unpredictable sky...all of this epitomizes the Walla Walla Valley in April. Welcome to my world.

Lonely, Yet Brave

The only object in the entire field braving the temperamental spring weather was this windmill, which was a fun object to photograph with such a tumultuous, threatening backdrop. This was taken in a field outside of Milton-Freewater.

Layers

I love how the water, island, hills, sky and clouds all seem to come together to create a layered effect. The rivers and creeks in our valley are swelling with the snow melting in the mountains; there have been two minor flood watch warnings already this season, and we didn't get any last year. While that might seem like a bad thing I really am glad to hear it; this means we won't have a drought this summer (or if we do it won't be terrible). This, I believe, is the Walla Walla River.

Curves

I love how the curve of the tracks kind of follows the flow of the hills here. This is just outside of Milton-Freewater on a grey, dreary, rainy Saturday in April.

Another Perspective

I posted the original of this picture earlier this spring; I promise this is my last edited photo for a while, but I'm really trying to learn basic photo editing and have been playing around with different effects. Thanks for putting up with me!

Abandoned?

An edited photo of the swingset in a friend's yard. A toddler uses it occasionally, but not without Mommy or Daddy right there with her. The set is still a bit large for a toddler...

Hot Chicks

These particular baby chickens were being taken care of by my mother-in-law when her friends went on a weekend trip. Some friends of mine who live in the heart of Walla Walla actually raise chickens and though I haven't gotten out there to see them yet this year, they do have some new chicks currently. They raise chickens, selling the eggs, eating the meat, and making their own egg products such as mayonnaise. Incidentally, those eggs made the absolute BEST deviled eggs I've ever tasted.

A Sweet Ride

This is a fairly common vehicle style in this valley. There are a lot of young Hispanic people in the valley who really enjoy this kind of "ride" and they take great pride in them. They are often cleaned from the inside out, waxed and kept in perfect working order...which of course includes amplified bass for the stereo! I bet the person who owns this truck is the envy of many friends. I'd love to go to the drive-in theatre in this rig!

Cash & Gas

I have no idea where these signs originally came from, but they were part of the decor of our yard when we moved into the house in which we currently live. I actually really like them, but I think they'll stay when we move (if that ever happens). I edited the photo to look a little more antique - just like the signs.

Signs of Spring 5

You can tell winter is losing its grip on the valley when the mountains stop looking whitewashed and start looking...well, more blue! (They are the Blue Mountains, after all!) This photo covers two signs of spring, actually - the mountains without snow and the clear blue sky with fluffy white clouds (you will also note that where I am in the car taking this picture there isn't sunshine). Unpredictable weather that requires one to dress in layers is another sure sign of spring.

Schwan's

I see these trucks all over the valley. They're food on wheels, basically, but not the pre-cooked, ready-to-chow-down-on dishes. Instead, they sell frozen vegetables, ice cream, meat entrees, pies, cookie dough, and more - everything frozen so you can grab it and have quick meals (or desserts or side dishes) when you need them. I ordered a few things from them a couple of times and by far my favourite was the frozen grasshopper ice cream pie. (Mint chocolate is always a winner.) You place your order and they deliver it a couple of days later, when you can order more if you'd like. You can also set up regular deliveries of items you use all the time and they'll deliver it on a schedule to either your house or your office. Does your area have anything like this?

New In Town

No, he's not mine, but I will claim him as one of the cutest baby boys I've ever seen. This is Josiah, and at the time this picture was taken he was barely 24 hours old. His mommy is one of my best friends, and I was so excited to be able to meet him that I had to share my joy with you. Mommy is fine, baby is healthy (8 lbs, 1 oz!) and they get to go home tomorrow. Can you look at this picture and not feel perfect peace? I can't. Welcome to the world, Josiah...welcome to the Walla Walla Valley. Welcome home.

Silhouette in Pastels

A heavenly painting in the western sky just a few days ago. You saw another silhouette backdropped by this sky about a week and a half ago.

Backyard Flower

A small tree bearing these white blooms has taken up residence along the fence in our backyard. I'm not sure where it came from because no other tree like it is nearby; I suppose that's the beauty of nature; wind, the unseen force, carries whatever it likes and drops them wherever it prefers. No telling where this came from, but I think in early spring it's lovely.

Desserts

I edited this photo I took of my friend's daughter, waiting patiently in the Colville Street Patisserie for a bite of gelato (Italian ice cream). (She eventually got some; I shared my strawberry and Mom shared her vanilla.)

Theatre Turned Overpriced Store

I posted a photo of this building facade about a year ago, and the only reason I'm featuring it again is because I think the colours look a lot better and more vivid in this shot. This used to be an old movie theatre, but is now Macy's, an overpriced clothing and home supplies store on Main Street in Walla Walla. Macy's is a chain store, but I believe it's only in the northwest United States. You can read more about it at my previous post (click the link above).