15-16 Sept: beginning the fall projects

Tuesday, 15 September 2015

Tuesday was intermittently rainy and became a day of blogging all about the Cannon Beach Cottage tour.  We sort of called the weather wrong and could have worked and yet it was satisfying to get the cottage tour posts all done in one day.  Allan was proud of the tasty dinner he made with tomatoes, apples, and peppers from the garden.

in the frying pan

Wednesday, 16 September 2015

The Anchorage Cottages

I felt inspired to start working our way down the fall projects list by pruning viburnums at The Anchorage.  I knew resort manager Beth did not like the viburnums being up over the gutters.  Also the more leaves it has, the more it stinks when it rains.  (Yes, this viburnum is a bit of a stinker.) It is unfortunate that they were planted so close to the cottages.  I also wanted to make it possible for the staff to get back there to wash windows and do building maintenance.  (The flowering quince in the corner is also due for a trim, but not today.)

If I had been a guest in the cottage behind the green wall, I’d have not wanted to lose the green privacy, so for that reason I felt bad about cutting it down.  Beth thinks that guests will appreciate having more light.

before

Allan’s photo

I am obsessed with privacy and felt sad when the guest who IS staying in that room said, “I liked the privacy.”  Once you cut it, you can’t put it back.

There is a new Japanese maple there that will grow up and provide some privacy without being right next to the wall.

after

Allan’s photo

Fortunately, the guest’s darling corgi gave me a kiss, which I was told was unusual, and everything was better.

She gave me a smooch.

I had to choose between tree-like or shrub-like on that viburnum, and so much shrub-like growth had started from below that it was easier to cut it down than to keep clipping all the lower sprouts.  My idea is that it will come back like the hedged virburnum in the center courtyard and can be allowed to be about a third of the way up the window for privacy.

center courtyard

center courtyard hedge; there is a path behind it for building maintenance

The center courtyard arbutus is stunning this week.

Arbutus detail: Strawberry-like fruits will follow.

 

our load of debris (Allan’s photo)

Now we had a big trailer load of debris to dump so we drove up Sandridge Road to…

Peninsula Landscape Supply

…where I took some photos for their Facebook page while Allan offloaded the branches.

We live in the land of double wides, including living in one ourselves.  On the way, Allan photographed one arriving while we waited on the shoulder to let them pass.

on Pioneer Road

Peninsula Landscape Supply

offloading debris (Allan’s photo)

The debris gets ground up into mulch.

new planters that look like bark

shell planter

This water feature basin looked like concrete but was lightweight plastic…with peeling paint so I wondered if I could afford it.

Not wanting to think about another project, I did not pursue my thought about the possible lower price of the peely water bowl.

Another customer had a cute old ’54 truck.

He was using it as a hauling truck despite its vintage, cute appearance.

Wiegardt Gallery

On the way to our next job, we swung by the Wiegardt Gallery just to have a peek at our old garden which is now in the fine care of Todd, artist Eric’s brother.  Who should be parked between us and the front garden but our good friend Bill Clearman, there to work on the carpentry of the front door.

That’s our Bill!

the familiar sign of the Wiegardt Gallery

Todd has the north garden bed much better weeded than we did…

Marilyn’s Garden

Today was our week to go to Surside and attend to Marilyn’s garden.

view from the street

colchicum by the driveway

the north end of the garden

The Miscanthus zebrinus below is all splayed out from wind, with a tidy little new tuft coming up in the middle.

Miscanthus zebrinus

We could get in there and trim the old growth off, and we just might…next time.  Although I kind of like the wild swirly wave-like look of it, I have forgotten what other good plants might be buried in there.

center: Solidago ‘Fireworks. The whole garden is blown about and whirl-y by our big wind a couple of weeks ago.

view straight across from back porch with neighbours’ garage hidden

looking northwest from back porch

Bees were all over the Helianthus ‘Lemon Queen’.

a big bumble bee

looks furry and pettable…better not.

Klipsan Beach Cottages

Bella watched us from the deck. (Allan’s photo)

At KBC, I was inspired to do another fall clean up project.

Self-seeded ferns blocked the view of Denny’s bubbler.

I tackled this side and Allan came in from the other side.

after…We were out of time; next week we’ll get the roots of those ferns out.

Mary’s tree peony is looking autumnal (the brown leaves behind the cosmos).

(I suddenly have an ominous feeling that I lost my start of that yellow tree peony in my own garden.  Must look for it!)

Coreopsis ‘Flower Tower’ as tall as the greenhouse.

Schizostylis brightening up the garden.

the weekly view southwest across the birdbath

As we gardened at KBC, the sky got continually darker and I wondered if we would be able to complete our next job before considerable rain arrived.

Golden Sands Assisted Living

The rain did hold off while we did almost an hour of strimming the lawn and weeding and deadheading in the Golden Sands courtyard.

The lights glowed from the rooms and the residents were in the dining room having dinner.  (Southwest quadrant of the garden)

Southeast quadrant

Northeast quadrant and dining room window (left)

northwest quadrant

As we drove home, the rain arrived with perfect timing.  After yesterday’s watering, this will hold all the Long Beach and Ilwaco planters well into next week.

A good rain fell overnight.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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14 September: repairing Long Beach

Monday, 14 September 2015

Long Beach

Today we went round all the planters fluffing them up after they were so sat upon by Rod Run spectators.  Even though a big rain was predicted, we watered them as well.  That way they will be well soaked enough to not need watering again till next week.  (And there is always the hope at this time of year that the necessity of the watering of planters will end soon.)

We both found lots of beer cans tucked in among the foliage.

Allan’s photo

Allan’s photo

Allan found a remnant of a different kind of drink.

Allan’s photo: The ashtray is right there, but the planter is the preferred receptacle.

A vestige of Rod Run at The Wooden Horse gift shop.

Allan’s photo: It is officially post-tourist season!

I was pleased that some plants had survived unscathed.

Others did not fare well.  (Note the sideways cosmos.)

Geranium ‘Rozanne’ got sat upon on the side facing the cars.

same planter on the side not facing oncoming traffic

Allan’s photo

Allan’s photo

Allan’s photo

Allan’s photos, before tidying

and after, all fluffed up

Allan’s photo (This planter used to have trailing plants on the edge)

One dangly section escaped the sitters on this one.

Almost every planter needed extensive trimming and fluffing.

I do wish the sitters did not scooch their butts so far back.

some snails trying to escape as I carried them to a new home (a weedy wild area far from planters)

This planter held up well.

The lambs ears by NIVA green came through beautifully.

at NIVA green: I wish I had a planter-shaped cage for each planter during Rod Run.

inside NIVA green: some cute new dog ornaments

NIVA: a shop stuffed full of wonders.

I should have bought this bird for our Halloween decor (and will if it is still there next week).  (It wasn’t!!)

I found some very big smashing in my favourite planter by Dennis Co.

All fluffed…could have been much worse.

Back when Rod Run had an official car parade through town, and was on Labor Day weekend, the planters were thoroughly destroyed and turned to blackened mush by people standing in them.  Now the event is the weekend after Labor Day and the official parade is only at the north end of the Peninsula.  Even though onlookers gather in Long Beach and party into Saturday evening, and the car owners drive their vehicles round and round the town, the damage to our plants is not as extensive as in the past.

This lovely daphne has been blooming all summer.

Much to my surprise, we got done in Long Beach in time to attend to the gardens at The Red Barn and Diane’s home next door.

The Red Barn

Red Barn garden got a good weeding.

Diane’s garden

I sent Diane this photo of the back porch container garden to remind her to smell the chocolate cosmos (right)

Diane and Larry’s roadside garden

the other end of the roadside garden

cosmos

This pink heather was the inspiration to make this roadside garden; Diane fell in love with it when she saw it at The Planter Box.

the heather in question

I did not want to plant a whole border with one plant that would have a short season of bloom, so other complementary plants got included.

heather with Sedum ‘Autumn Joy’

Ilwaco 

We had a little bit of time left before a dinner engagement and we used it to water and groom the Ilwaco planters.  Because of expected rain, we did not have to water the street trees so we chose to bucket water the planters.  That goes much faster than using the water trailer.  While Allan filled the buckets at the boatyard, I walked ahead and did some light grooming of the boatyard garden.

some new boats

Janice R is getting a paint job.

Allan’s photo: bucket watering

sweet peas on the chainlink fence

sweet peas and cosmos

sweet pea ‘Black Knight’ almost to the top of the fence (planted where a faucet dribbles sometimes)

Blue flowers by Azure Salon

Azure folks have planted two handsome containers by their door.

Allan’s photo: planter grooming

Allan’s photo: Spruce Street by Queen La De Da’s

Allan’s photo.  To the right: Note how the Ilwaco Market has made a sideways sign after their big sign was blocked by the sign for a new café (which is now “closed for the season”!)

We just had time to drop off the work trailer at home.

new Fremontodendron by the garage

a quick excursion into the back garden (with my oddly shaped Robinia pseudoacacia ‘Frisia’)

sweet pea by the patio

I’m loving Sedum ‘Strawberries and Cream’

Smokey was hoping we were home for the evening.  But no.

The Depot Restaurant

Our Kathleen was down for a week at her cottage.  We sure do wish she could move here full time; her job up north offers a pension, so she has to stick it out for a few more years.  To celebrate her vacation and her upcoming birthday, we took her to dinner and were joined by Dave and Melissa.

Allan’s photo: The gardeners are more slumped than the gal who is on vacation!

the view from our table

Allan’s photo

artichoke fritos appetizer (after we had dived in): “Fried Artichoke Flowerets served with traditional Spanish Almond Romesco Sauce and Olive Mix”

Allan’s photo of Kathleen’s “Peruvian Mango Sea Scallops: Three giant pan seared wild Atlantic Sea Scallops on a spicy Mango Salsa topped with Pickled Red Onions”

Allan’s photo of his “Parmesan Chicken: Crispy Parmesan Crusted boneless naturally raised Chicken Breast on Yukon Gold Smashed Potatoes topped with house Pomodoro Sauce”

Steak Killian

for Melissa: “Kowloon Duck: Pan roasted Duck Breast simmered in Orange Supremes and Brandy Glaze Sliced and presented on Charred Pineapple Sticky Rice”

vanilla bean flan

The food and socializing were superb.  Later: Our Kathleen reminds me that she had the duck and Melissa had the scallops. The memory is clear to me now. 

Speaking of restaurants, I just finished my last book by Jon Ronson; he will have to write more!

Among many scintillating true stories, he tells of a conservative politician named Rupert Allasan who did not tip well.   The tale is a bit blurry here, but well worth a read.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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13 September: back to Cannon Beach

Sunday, 13 September 2015

Back we drove, early (for us) to be sure to get to Debbie Teashon’s talk on time.  She was speaking at an 11 AM tea as the closing event for the 2015 Cannon Beach Cottage and Garden Tour.

On the way, we saw a large number of bicyclists along the side of Highway 101.  It did not look like much fun to me with cars whizzing by.

Sometimes singly, sometimes in groups along the narrow shoulder….

Cannon Beach: Tolovana Park

When we arrived at Tolovana Park, we realized that it was the morning’s destination for all those bicyclists.

bicyclist and mascot

This was one of the two unconnected groups.

They took each other’s photos with Haystack Rock (not shown) in the background.

Justifiably proud of themselves.

Right next to them, a woman read quietly.  (far right)

On the beach, a man was making fast time with a sand wheelchair.

chair made for going over sand

the other bicycle group (Allan’s photo)

The America by Bicycle group is averaging 67 miles a day. They started in Astoria and are heading to souther California.

“Ride the West is a western state adventure along the Pacific Coast from Oregon to Southern California. This 23-day fully-supported touring-pace ride averages 67 miles per day and crosses through 2 states (California is really long!). The 1398 mile route begins in Astoria OR and wends its way south to Costa Mesa, CA.”

Debbie Teashon’s garden talk

The treats were all laid out near the Tolovana Inn conference room.

a fancy sort of tea

much nicer than most bagged tea

Each table had a beautiful bouquet.

I finally got to see in person what Debbie means when she says that doing the “hero pose” before an event gives one strength and confidence.

She says it really works.

hero pose (Allan’s photo)

That’s our Debbie.

I have known Debbie online, and soon after that in person, since the year 2000 when I discovered her Rainyside website and began to participate in the forum there.  That forum has been overtaken by her Facebook page and Facebook group where the core group of Rainysiders is still strongly connected.  Jeanne and her mom Mary Kay from Portland were at this talk because of Rainyside.

waiting for the talk (Allan’s photo)

Rainyside Jeanne on the right

Debbie’s topic was extending the garden into fall and winter.  She reminded me of two shrubs that I used to have in my old garden and want to have again.

Every time I’m asked if I want someone to look for a plant for me, I mention this one.

I had completely forgotten about this euonymous with amazing pink and orange flowers.

Sedum ‘Autumn Fire’; Like Debbie, I find it hard to tell this improved one apart from ‘Autumn Joy’. It is said to not flop as much.  (Allan’s photo of Debbie’s photo)

Allan’s photo

Debbie’s new book, Gardening for the Home Brewer (Allan’s photo)

After the lecture, our table chatted till we had to leave the room for the next event.  At our table was a woman from Port Townsend named Marilyn; it turned out that she sometimes reads this blog!

Jeanne, Mary, Debbie, Allan, and I had lunch at Mo’s, a convenient spot because it is just north of the Tolovana Inn.

east side of Mo’s

Allan’s photo

After Debbie, Jeanne, and Mary Kay had gone back to their cars, Allan and I saw bunnies on the lawn by Tolovana Park.

Allan’s photo

I would not like them in my garden, but they sure are cute here. (Allan’s photo)

Allan’s photo

home again

On the way home, a grocery stop at Costco netted me more bags of bulbs than I want to admit.

Costco bulbs

Costco bulb shopping advice:  Sometimes different sorts of bulbs are hidden way at the back where they cannot even be reached.

A bag of iris reticulata was barely visible way in tbe back.

It is sometimes possible to scoot a rack away so that one can reach in from behind, or ask a floor clerk for help if the racks are not on wheels.  I was determined and scooched in from the back to check out all the bags, scoring some hidden Fritillaria imperialis.

The Astoria Megler bridge was lined with cars going south, among them many “rods” from this weekend’s Rod Run in Long Beach and Ocean Park.

They are heading back home.

This marks the final festival of the tourist season and the beginning of the quieter time on the peninsula.  I am so happy.

Feeling exhausted by the social whirl of the Slow Drag followed by two Cottage Tour Days, we hoped to not have to water the Ilwaco planters even though they had not been watered since Wednesday.  We poked our fingers in several and were thrilled to find them just damp enough to hold till tomorrow.

overjoyed that it does not need water

planter and tree garden by Azure Salon

At home, I thought about fall gardening and made a list of projects on the work board.  The projects can start at any time; the fall clean up will wait till October or November along with bulb planting time.

the autumnal work board

 

 

 

 

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12 Sept: our own cottage and garden walk

Saturday, 12 September 2015

After the Cannon Beach Cottage Tour, we took a walk back along the westernmost road and then into town to meet our friends for dinner.

Across the street to the east from the Ave Maria House Retreat, our last official tour stop, is a stairway and path to downtown that I used to take with ease.    The big house to the right was on the cottage tour in 2007.  It has been expanded hugely behind its original small cottage.

It is kind of the owners to let the public walk down their stairs “at their own risk”.

I contemplated it with cane in hand and thought about what is was like to be younger!

The upper garden is more overgrown than it used to be, so perhaps the gardener is also no longer spry.

telephoto of the lower garden

the garden in 2007 (right)

just to the north, a public path to the beach

We turned and walked south along the street.

well trained nasturtiums on an east wall

Hutchins House, which we have toured before.

Hutchins House is one of my favourites of the vacation rentals we’ve toured.  It was on the cottage tour in 2013 and we also toured it in 2007.

Hutchins House

You get to the east side deck by climbing out a bedroom window.

cute shed in Hutchins House back yard

On the east side of an ocean view house is an arbor that I have admired for years.

peeking in to that garden under the dragon-topped arbour.

a similar fence for an ocean view house

a tiny guest house or shed

One of my favourite cottages, The Bears.

Allan’s photo

Allan’s photo; same purple trim colour as ours

The Bears on tour in 2007: Sadly, I’ve lost the larger versions of these photos.

The Bears window today still has dangling shells.

lots of walkers along the road (Allan’s photo)

a windswept beachfront garden

This garden is right above the dunes.

white lilies by the beach

the beach path at that corner (Allan’s photo)

ocean view bench in front of that same house

Allan’s photo

looking south along the beach front houses

While I usually go for the older houses, I like this one’s stone foundation.

And I remain smitten with its beachy landscaping, which I’ve admired on previous walks.

looking north

hydrangeas, rugosa roses, and dahlias right by the beach

Sedum ‘Autumn Joy’

Allan’s photo

hydrangeas, artemisias, sedums, rugosa roses

Artemisia ‘Powis Castle’ and Sedum ‘Autumn Joy’ and Hebe (Allan’s photo)

rugosa roses with hips and flowers, with Haystack Rock

rugosa rose (Allan’s photo)

beachfront hebes and Sedum ‘Autumn Joy’

I meet a poodle (Allan’s photo)

We found Debbie just finishing her tour at the Liberty House.

We collapsed for awhile at Debbie’s rental cottage (at The Beaches) while waiting for Jeanne and her mom.

Debbie gave us her new book, Gardening for the Home Brewer!

I learned that pear cider has a particular name: perry.

Debbie and her book (Allan’s photo)

Once reunited with Jeanne, Mary Kay, and Debbie, we repaired to The Irish Table for dinner.

The Irish Table

We were not sure we’d be able to get into the Irish Table, so we eyed a fall-back place right next door.

Allan’s photo: Hardware Store and Pub

However, we were fortunate and got into the Irish Table without a reservation.  They only take reservations for five people (and they won’t take a party of more than five).  Smaller groups and couples have to line up outside and hope for the best.  My dear friend Carol and I had a memorable meal here a few years ago so I was especially glad to get in.

Inside The Irish Table

a salad of onions, arugula, beets, with an “Irish Wake” drink (cranberry, lemon, Irish whiskey)

an amazing halibut for Debbie

I got the shepherd’s pie. It was not as amazing as I expected, and I wished I’d gotten the steak or the halibut or the mushroom Wellington. However, I’d had that excellent salad…

chocolate pot de creme for dessert

We walked down the hill to Debbie’s cottage and on the way, we found some birds for Mr. Tootlepedal.

We passed the same courtyard gate as earlier in the day… (Allan’s photo)

a driftwood fence (Allan’s photo)…

And one more Cannon Beach landscape to admire, featuring cosmos.

The hour long drive home over the bridge in the dark scared the geewhillikers out of me, and tomorrow we turn right around and go back to Cannon Beach for Debbie’s 11 AM garden tea talk!

 

 

 

 

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12 Sept: Cannon Beach Cottage Tour: Cannons, Cozy, Sea Dance, Ave Maria

Saturday, 12 September 2015

Cannon Beach Cottage and Garden Tour

a benefit for the Cannon Beach History Center and Museum

Cannons Cottage

Situated on the edge of the forest, this beautiful blue classic cottage was built in 1928, according to country records.  This home is considered typical of a 1940s transitional bungalow style cottage in keeping with the traditional white picket fence and painted weathered shingles.  Painted cottages were once more common because they better repelled the constant weathering effects of Cannon Beach’s seasons.

Cannons Cottage is a vacation rental, so you can see more photos here.

Debbie found out that this colour is known as Cannon Beach blue.

Allan’s photo: I was happy to see a cottage garden

Allan’s photo: living/dining room

downstairs bedroom

Allan’s photo; he went upstairs.

Allan’s photo

Allan’s photo

Allan’s photo

a lower room down a couple of steps (Allan’s photo)

lower sitting room (Allan’s photo)

booth-like feeling in kitchen (Allan’s photo)

back deck (north side)

woodsy back yard

outside again: Cannon Beach blue and a nice little flower border

interlude

cute and just my size

also just my size

How I long to tour more of the cottages that are not vacation rentals.  I can understand how people hesitate to open their homes to strangers, but it is for such a good cause.

Cozy Cottage

from the program:  This California style beach bungalow was built in 1940 and is a great example of pre-WWII cottage architecture with exposed shingle siding.  The easy to build rectangular California style was found in mail-order design books and was adopted throughout Cannon Beach for summer homes and rental cottages.  The small bedroom was originally a garage and was converted to a bedroom prior to the seventies.  The home received an extensive interior remodel and continues to remain a true original cottage of Cannon Beach.

Cozy Cottage

Allan’s photo

on the front patio

the south side garden

love this hanging over the kitchen window

interlude

Across the street was High Jinks Cottage, which we have toured before.

High Jinks Cottage

detail (Allan’s photo)

Sea Dance Cottage

from the program: Built in 1948, this California craftsman dream home was one of the first houses in Cannon Beach to feature a white picket fence.  The current homeowners purchased Sea Dance seventeen years ago from a mother and daughter who were their own contractors.  The home was expanded and connected with roofts that also stretched over spaced between them and covered carports, emulating new motel designs.

Sea Dance is a vacation rental, so you can see more photos here.

Sea Dance, southwest corner

Sea Dance Cottage

I was so smitten with the fireplace that I think my hand was shaking.

Allan’s photo

Allan’s photo

I should have straightened the rooster!

Allan’s photo: looks to me like he straightened it.

upstairs (Allan’s photo)

Allan’s photo

upstairs view (Allan’s photo)

upstairs deck (Allan’s photo)

looking down (Allan’s photo)

Lewis and Clark on the Lower Columbia

out the kitchen door

looking back, nook at north side of house

south side of house

windblown

on the south side picket fence

faded hydrangea

plate depicting the house (Allan’s photo)

Ave Maria Retreat House

from the program: This beautiful historic home was built in 1928 in the New England maritime architectural manner, complete with a widow’s walk.  Controversy remains about whether it was built by, or for, a ship’s captain, although Cannon Beach did see many captains build their homes during the early years.  Its previous owners include Reuben Adams, who was an executive at Meier and Frank.  Today, it is magnificently preserved and maintained by the Sisters of Saint Mary of Oregon.

Ave Maria Retreat House

Allan’s photo

living room fireplace

dining room

I remember those round window cupboards from when this house was on the tour in 2007.

I was confused about which parts of the house were open to tour.  I thought maybe only the living and dining room so I did not explore the rest of the downstairs, which Allan later told me was open to view.  By then, I had gone outside to look at the view.

chapel (Allan’s photo)

the kitchen (Allan’s photo)

the view (Allan’s photo)

Allan’s photo

Allan’s photo

old fashioned tub (Allan’s photo)

perfect for reading (Allan’s photo)

Allan’s photo

Allan’s photo

one of the nuns on retreat (Allan’s photo)

photo on display from 2007 tour

The house is right on the low ocean bluff.

view to the north

Next: we take a walk past more cottages and gardens to rejoin our friends for dinner.

 

 

 

 

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12 September: Cannon Beach Cottage Tour—Oznick-Muncy, Quinn’s, and Sea Salt

Saturday, 12 September 2015

Cannon Beach Cottage Tour

a benefit for the Cannon Beach History Center and Museum

Oznick-Muncy Cottage

from the program:  This modernized traditional craftsman style dream home was built in 2007 and is a great example of how the past meets the present.  The owners used a contemporary approach to their living quarters by featuring original art by Cannon Beach’s own Bill Steidel and Portland’s Richard Thompson.  Be sure to check out the beautiful man-made fireplace which is constructed from original Oregon river rock.

Allan’s photo; as you can see, we were allowed to take photos here.

The table settings had belonged to the owner’s great grandmother.

Allan’s photo

from the local shop Sesame and Lilies

 

Quinn’s Cottage (a vacation rental)

From the program: This classic maritime architectural style cottage was built in 1930 and the current homeowners purchased the home in 2004.  This home is a traditional Cannon Beach cottage with exposed shingle siding and parlor windows.  The cottage is thought to have started as a single-walled fishing shack in the early 30s and slowly got added onto over the years, with the most recent addition of the second floor from about the 1970s.

Quinn’s Cottage

Allan’s photo

Quinn Cottage living room

borrowed from the vacation rental website, as I failed to photograph this cute desk by the front door.

kitchen

Allan’s photo

Allan’s photo

The upstairs was not available to view because of the narrow stairs. The volunteer host’s daughter guarded the way.

You can view photos of the upstairs on the vacation rental website.

Sea Salt

from the program: This beautifully tranquil home as built in 1986 and formerly sat across the street from an earlier version of the Surfsand Resort, which was located on Spruce Street.  It is rumored that Sea Salt was one of Surfsand Resort’s units and was later relocated and remodeled in 2006 to its current location.

Sea Salt is a vacation rental, so you can see more photos here.

Sea Salt

Allan’s photo

Allan’s photo

Allan’s photo: The house looks modern on the outside but has cottage charm inside.

downstairs bedroom

A peek out the bedroom window revealed this chimney!

and a Buddha in the back garden.

upstairs bedroom: Allan’s photo

Allan’s photo

Allan’s photo, upstairs deck

Allan’s photo from the upstairs deck

Sea Salt side yard

The view down the street toward the beach, two blocks away.

interlude

We had a walk to a few blocks to the next cottage and we photographed cottages, gardens, and beach.

a cute little cottage

with a corner table

We walked down the highway for a block and admired the gallery building across the street.

cottage just uphill from the gallery

Allan pointed out that we could walk west for a couple of blocks and take the beach road to the next cottage, so we did.

What I liked about this fancy big house was the copper roof.  This two bedroom, two bath home two blocks from the beach with hardly any yard is for sale for $635,000.

my kind of cottage

I took so many photos of that white picket fence cottage exterior that I felt I might be bothering the folks inside.  They must be used to it.  I knew they were home by all the shoes on the front porch.

note the windowboxes!

Allan’s photo; I was using my cane and was mighty glad to have it.

I like the porch and dormers.

house with honeysuckle arbor

Allan’s photo

just my size, with garden space: would sell for $325 to 400 thousand or so here.

a back yard of the beachfront row of houses

I asked “May I photograph your horse?”

“Yes, you may.” (Allan’s photo)

intersection of beachfront road and dune path

looking north

Allan had a look at the rock.

Allan’s photo: the iconic Cannon Beach symbol, Haystack Rock

Allan’s photo: grass planted to stabilize dunes does not look to us like native beach grass.

Allan’s photo

Next:  We turn the corner at the end of that block and arrive at the next cottage.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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12 September: Cannon Beach Cottage Tour—Hidden Villa

Saturday, 12 September, 2015

Cannon Beach Cottage Tour

a benefit for the Cannon Beach History Center and Museum

Cannon Beach. This year the tour was in the “presidential blocks”, pretty much right above the words Cannon Beach.

Hidden Villa Motel

From the program: Hidden Villa Motel is a reminder of the vintage beach cottage resorts of the past  These cottages represent a bygone era in which beach-goers typically stayed in small, comfortable cottages rather than large hotels.  It has weathered well, accumulating the patina that comes with years of salt and mist, as well as stories and memories.  Locals rumor that author Ursula Le Guin found inspiration here as have numerous visitors who return year after year,

I would love to stay here sometime.  I wish I had discovered it as a vacation spot back in the day when it was run by a woman who lived there and was beloved of all her guests; back then, the courtyard was, I hear, brimming with flowers.  While it is now managed by a vacation rental company, the cottages are still entirely charming.  They have been recently refurbished with careful attention to vintage detail.  We had visited this resort before on the 2012 cottage tour.

Allan’s photo

Not all of the cottages were available for touring as some had guests.  We somehow managed to miss one of the units that was open to view.

Nautical Cottage

Nautical Cottage bedroom

peaceful view from bedroom along the street to the west

Allan’s photo: cottage bathroom

Allan’s photo; He liked the sailboat photos, too.

Allan’s photo: bottled water and tote bags were offered to guests.

The courtyard, where a big tree had blown down this past winter.

Allan’s photo

Allan’s photo

A tour guest enters Sunflower Cottage.

Sunflower Cottage is my favourite.

I dibs the sunflower daybed.

a pretty corner fireplace

Garden Cottage in tones of green

Garden Cottage

Allan’s photo

Shell Cottage

Shell Cottage

Shell Cottage

interlude

roses as we walk to the next stop on the tour (Allan’s photo)

 

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12 September: off to the Cannon Beach Cottage Tour

Saturday, 12 September 2015

We departed Ilwaco for the Cannon Beach Cottage tour, a highlight of my year and something I look forward to all summer.

7 Dees garden center, Seaside

Dennis’ 7 Dees, Seaside

Of course, we had to stop at 7 Dees on the way down to Cannon Beach.  Having just finished planting my ladies in waiting at home, I found myself not in the mood to buy new plants.  This may be the only time I have ever stopped here without buying.

I was sorely tempted by the violas in the foreground and now have non-buyer’s remorse.

Allan’s photo

I do love this arbor that is often set up in the covered display area.  Seems like it is more beautiful than practical, though.

Look! They have Fatsia ‘Spider’s Web’.  I should have bought it as a present for someone.

a harvest display

A tomato tasting was in progress.

Allan’s photo

all sorts of tomatoes large and small

Allan’s photo

Allan’s photo

Allan’s photo

Allan’s photo, just some of the tomatoes

If I could transport myself back there, I’d taste more tomatoes and buy some plants.  I was in a hurry to get to Cannon Beach so we’d have plenty of time to find parking.

Cannon Beach

In our quest for a parking spot, we passed this cottage and had to pause for photos:

whale arbour

gate detail

I almost missed this mermaid in the lawn; Allan pointed her out.

We went to the Cannon Beach History Center and Museum for our tickets, because museum director Elaine Murdy Trucke had arranged for us to get press passes so that we could take photos in the cottages.

Allan’s photo

The other ticket sales and tour map venue was the Coaster Theater downtown.

Yay! This gave us special dispensation to take photos.  Thank you, Elaine Murdy Trucke!

Even with the press pass, we always ask permission to take photos in private (non vacation rental) cottages and explain that we write a blog and love to share cottage detail vignettes.  We then found parking closer to the tour by this cottage with geraniums in a porch cut-out.  I have admired and photographed it year after year.

geranium cottage

2013

geraniums in 2012

I could also call it Hydrangea Cottage.

I was smitten with a little bridge that crossed over to another cottage.

Underneath runs a stream with a seasonal waterfall. It would be pleasantly noisy in winter; today it was just a trickle of falling water.

stream at front of cottage, delightful!

We did the tour from front to back because of where we parked.  Our friends Dave and Melissa had come, as well as Debbie Teashon, who would be giving a garden lecture the next day, and longtime garden friend from the Rainyside.com forum, Jeanne from Portland and her mum.  We did not see much of them during the tour as they had begun at the other end of town.

As we walk between cottages, there are so many sublime gardens where I have peeked over the fence and longed to go in and explore.

a cottage across the street from the Hidden Villa Cottages, our first stop on the tour.

You know that the kind of cottages that make my heart go pitter pat are the very old ones and especially old ones that are privately owned.  You might want to go back to past tours and look at some of my favourites: A Collector’s Cottage (2013), this sweet one from 2011, and Priddy Cottage, which has been on the tour a couple of times.  My all time favourite was Windshell Cottage from 2010.

Next: The Hidden Villa Cottages

 

 

 

 

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10 September: north and south

Thursday, 10 September 2015

Before getting down to serious work, we went to the port office to see if the baskets had been turned around to show their best side.  Last night, I had trimmed the dead trailing ends off the plants facing the water and had sent an email asking that the heavy baskets be turned around to show their good side for the Slow Drag on Friday evening.

They had been turned around.

After the busy summer, the Port office staff had gotten a nice bouquet from CoHo Charters.

On the way out of town, we checked up on the planter that had gotten knocked into the street yesterday.  It looks like it has revived as well as could be hoped for.

battered but unbowed

The Depot Restaurant

On the south side of the dining deck, the requested ornamental grasses are slowly gaining height. Next summer, they should provide a screen.

Our flower garden on north side got weeded and watered. The hops are up to the top of the lattice screen.

Golden Sands Assisted Living

Today was our day to go north.  At Golden Sands, I again contemplated the future removal of the ugly patch of parched siberian iris at the entry to the courtyard.

As you can see, while going in there with a pick will require caution because of wiring, it looks like the wiring probably just goes around the outside.  So we might leave a bit of iris.  I’d like to replace the rest with Sedum ‘Autumn Joy’, of which I have an endless supply.

Sedum ‘Autumn Joy’ is a repeater along the front of the four quadrants.

I also sadly contemplated my pitiful dahlias in the different quadrants.

pathetic dahlias!

I decided I need to read up on how to grow them.  I am not a “dahlia queen” like Shelly of Flowering Hedge Design.  The article I read years ago told me that dahlias do not like mulch or fertilizer.  Serendipitously, this same evening we watched an episode of Ciscoe Morris’s telly show and he said that dahlias need a LOT of fertilizer.  With that knowledge, maybe I can get these to do better next year.  (P.S. A week later, Todd told me he does not fertilize his spectacular daylilies and the ones at Golden Sands might have virus. So I am still uncertain.)

At least my two patches of sweet peas, climbing up on ‘Joseph’s Coat’ roses, are good.

I wish I knew what this rose is.

The coppery red rose from my mom’s garden was probably ordered from Jackson and Perkins or Wayside Gardens.  I am going to try to propagate this year just by laying some cuttings in the ground.

Klipsan Beach Cottages

KBC was as far north as we went today.

the east gate of the fenced garden

Sarah

my good friend Sarah

Timmy

just inside the east gate

feathery pink sanguisorba (canadensis, I think)

Schizostylis, a bit of a runner but so worth it in late summer

In a lecture, Dan Hinkley said that schizostylis runs more in a dry area, and clumps more in a damp area, as it grows on riversides in South Africa and seeks moisture.

looking southwest over the birdbath….the changing view that will be a slideshow this winter.

the main wheelbarrow path and the center circle path

Japanese anemones that escaped the purge!

inside the south gate with Persicaria ‘Golden Arrow’

Sedum ‘Autumn Joy’

outside the south gate

The Anchorage Cottages

My good friend Mitzu kept me company while I deadheaded container plants.

Agastache ‘Acapulco Salmon and Pink’ has been a great doer. Today is the first time I had to do any serious deadheading on it.  Beth says it has been a hit with hummingbirds.

Long Beach

We filled up our last hour with a thorough weeding of the Long Beach City Hall garden beds.

Peggy’s Park: memorial garden for Peggy Taylor Miles, east side of city hall

Basket Case baskets in the fog

The weather all day had been annoyingly windy, and a heavy fog rolled in over Long Beach as we worked.  It had been slowly drifting in all day.  I love the fog but not coupled with a cold wind so I was glad to be done when dinnertime arrived and we drove to the Peninsula Golf Course to meet Dave and Melissa (Sea Star Landscape Maintenance).

The Cove Restaurant

Parking Lot Cat was deeply interested in this tire.

some sort of message here

Allan’s photo

Allan’s photo, me and restaurateur Sondra inside

Allan’s photo

The apricot cider tap “blew” so Melissa and I each got a bonus of the new cask, apple cider.

so delicious new pear and goat cheese salad

Dave and I could not resist having the chicken alfredo again.

spicy Cajun chicken alfredo

prosciutto wrapped halibut for Melissa

Allan opted for a burger, not the “flame thrower” spicy one. (Allan’s photo)

After dinner, in the parking lot, Allan showed Dave and Melissa our long handled Fiskars pruner, the one that doesn’t use an annoying rope to make it open and close.

more gardening talk

We’re hoping that Dave and Melissa can come down to Ilwaco tomorrow evening for the always fun Slow Drag at the Port.  I’ll be posting about that on my other blog, Our Ilwaco.  Then we have a busy weekend with the four of us going to the Cannon Beach Cottage Tour (one of my favourite events of the year), followed by another trip to Cannon Beach on Sunday to hear our Debbie Teashon speak for the cottage tour garden tea.

You can read about the Slow Drag here, in a slideshow of the vehicles, and here, in a story about the race.

 

 

 

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9 September: return to the watering round

Wednesday, 9 September 2015

Todd came by just as we were leaving to pick up divisions of Thalictrum ‘Elin’ and two different sanguisorbas.  I was glad to have some good plants for him after all the great plants he has given us.  I told him that last night Allan had a dream about a bunch of friends living in a big house with an organic garden outside.  Todd said that would be great for old age because we’d have people to talk with about plants without their eyes glazing over.  Let’s see, Dave and Melissa own a big property!

We had put off watering the Long Beach planters and street trees for as long as we could, thanks to a good rain on the weekend.  Fortunately, we had not waited too long.  Watering Wednesday means we only need to water once this week, which is so good, because Monday was a holiday and would have been too crowded, and on Friday Long Beach will be crammed with folks sitting on the planters watching cars come in for the Rod Run to the End of the World annual car show.  Watering Tuesday would have been too early for them to hold till next Monday.  (I spend a lot of mental time on the watering schedule.) So it all worked out perfectly after much suspense (on my part).

Today was Tam the Smoke Shop’s dog’s third birthday.

The thin blue spikes of Agastache ‘Estella Indigo’ still look great.

First Place Mall

Cosmos ‘Sonata’ and a white tigridia in a planter. I plan on planting many more tigridia next year.

Around the edges of the planters, I left foliage that on any other weekend I would have trimmed as being not in the best condition.  That is a likely futile attempt to discourage car fans from sitting right on top of the edge plants.

I left the poky bits.

Allan left this old Eryngium flower up under a street tree in hopes it will help protect the garden from being trodden.  (Allan’s photo)

Allan photographed the soft edge of lambs ears at the planter by NIVA green to see if it looks this good by next Monday!

This barberry, left over from when the planters were done by volunteers, should be a good sitting deterrent. (Allan’s photo)

Allan watered the street trees and the two north blocks today and photographed my favourite planter by Dennis Co.

Fish Alley (Allan’s photo)

Fish Alley planter closeup (Allan’s photo)

Allan’s big find in Third Street Park!

Fifth Street Park, east side, with schizostylis blooming

behind the pond, Darmera peltata and Gunnera

The “rods” are already appearing on the street, along with car fans discussing their finer points.  These are probably vehicles belonging to local people who have them stored in garages till this special week.

Allan’s photo

This isn’t a “rod”; it’s our good friend Terran of Flowering Hedge Design gardening driving by between jobs.  Check out the cute little trailer for her mower.

Allan’s photo

Fifth Street Park, west side

Ilwaco

After four hours of watering, deadheading, and parks fluffing, we drove south to Ilwaco where that town’s street trees and planters also needed watering.

While Allan did that, I weeded along the boatyard garden.

Allan’s photo

Dream, one of my favourite boats (because of its name) had just arrived today.

I had tried growing sweet peas on the chainlink fence, and some of them have done well. This one (Black Knight) is almost to the top. More next year!

I know why Black Knight did best of all:  It’s by a hose faucet that sprays a little water when boat people turn on the hose!

north end of the boatyard garden

another sweet pea success

This aster, probably ‘Harrington’s Pink’, did much better last year when the weather was not so dry.

Aster ‘Harrington’s Pink’ last October 13th was so much better.

second flush of bloom on the Echinops (blue globe thistle) after cutting back hard

I could see Allan at the first intersection beginning to water, after filling the pump trailer at the boatyard.

I began a walk down Howerton Avenue to check on all the planters there.  Friday evening (September 11th), the Slow Drag will take place along that street.  Even though everyone will be looking at cars instead of the gardens, I want to make sure that a stray gardener or two won’t see weeds.

looking west at the west end over the gardens we struggled hardest to water this year (took three hoses to reach them; was glad the rain may have ended that struggle)

It is almost time to start moving the extra special plants (eryngiums!) out of these two beds into the beds adjacent to easily accessible hoses.   Today I pulled out a few assorted plants that had died from lack of water despite being chosen for drought tolerance.  One nice dianthus was especially mourned.

The low evening light makes it hard to find a garden tool when one sets it down.  It’s all glare-y and blinding, pretty to look at but annoying to work in.

Round about this time, Allan called me to say he had found a problem.  Over by the old Doupé Building, someone had driven way up on the curb and knocked one of the planters into the street.

tire marks showing how wide the vehicle, probably towing an RV (caravan) had turned.

Allan called the police because the planter was a traffic hazard and he could not lift it on his own.  However, three passersby insisted on helping and as a group, they were able to wrestle it back uo onto the sidewalk.

helpful passersby paused while walking their dogs (they’re watching on the right)

back in place and well watered

Right after that, Allan saw this guy sitting right smack dab on a planter.  Before Allan could protest, the bus came and the fellow hopped on.

The plants are saying OUCH!

He squashed nasturtiums that had been so nicely dangling down.

The Ilwaco City Hall planters, looking better after their post-storm re-planting.

Meanwhile, back at the Port:

Salt Hotel has their simple and elegant new sign up.

low tide, photographed after checking the garden on the south side of the port office

Allan joined me after completing his watering.

Dave kayaking in the marina (Allan’s photo)

Allan’s photo

We finished weeding all the way to the east end.  I was mighty tired and hobbling and ever so glad to be done.  Tomorrow should be an easier day.

 

 

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