Fukuda Family

 As you can see, the cherry blossoms are in full swing here in Portland.  Yesterday we took a bike ride down to the waterfront and took in the sights.  Irene was quite busy people and dog watching.  Today we took the girls on a hike to Ridgefield Wildlife Refuge--a large marshy wetland area north of Portland in Washington,  I think we went on a hike with maybe Marie and the boys when Paul was around Irene's age.  One of my favorite things about the park are the large oak trees--so picturesque.  Also the wide open sky--we saw 3 bald eagles circling overhead and more waterfowl than we could identify--w/o a guide or binocs.    As you can see, it was a beautiful day for a hike.  The girls walked the whole way!  "Girls who walk the whole way get a treat!"  They were happy to munch on kettle corn on the way home ;-)  Hooray for Naomi and Irene!  (And for funny Uncle P...

Saturday, we celebrated Leia's fifth birthday with an outing to Jindaiji. I drove to Chofu Station where Norie, Hero, Mrs, Matsushima, and Leia joined the group. Thank you Ken, for figuring out the GPS on my phone! After a lunch at our favorite shop, we found a spot under the cherry trees to spread out a ground-sheet. Norie brought a cake she had made and decorated. I was able to scare up enough candles and a book of matches. Isn't it pretty? It sure did disappear quickly. Leia was off to pick tiny blue flowers in the grass while we tidied up. Next stop was at the pond. Those fish were so huge, they hardly needed more food. I wonder what will happen to plans for cherry blossom viewing in April. These trees were pretty well in full bloom Saturday. We needed a bit of bubble blowing on the wide lawn. While Leia and Hiro were doing the bubble thing, the rest of...

I've had it on my to do list for a while to get certified in the local program called Backyard Habitat Certification, which is co-administered by the Audubon Society of Portland and the Columbia Land Trust.  I didn't know they would certify me on the fi rst site visit, although I suspected that with all the mature native plantings I had in my yard that I would qualify for some level.  As soon as I eradicate a weedy patch of Lesser Celadine , they will move me up from Si l ver to Gold certification.  (Don't tell them that I removed a n eno rmous Pacific nine bark , mock orange, and a couple quaking aspen that had gotten out of control , sited carelessly. )  We now ha ve a plaque that we can post to identify us as participants in the p rogram. 

Good morning! Today is the Vernal Equinox, a holiday here. Papa had to run out early so I got to walk with Nikko to the park. After such cold and blustery weather, the late-blooming plum blossoms were blasted off the tree but other stuff has been lurking in the shadows waiting for today. the house with the yappy little dogs had pansys on their steps. The next house had cherry blossoms just testing the air. The magnolia at the park entrance was in full bloom. Though some of those flowers seem to have taken a beating in the wind. This Illicium anisatum  is beginning to bloom two houses down. I have been admiring this every year but couldn't figure out what it was until this Fall when I found the seeds as I was sweeping. I remember collecting these for Norie when we lived in Nishi Eifuku. A few volunteers are in tthe hanging planters. The white Sweet Daphne has followed the lead of Norie's bush...

One week ago, Norie and Leia were here. The Sweet daphne decided to peep out a little in celebration. I guess it took a clue from big sister's tree. There was a lot of activity in the kitchen. Norie made cupcakes for Leia to take to school in celebration of her pending birthday. Peter, Papa, Nikko, and I celebrated Peter's acceptance to grad school. Of course a meal was needed. The chef made sure everything was done properly. The magnolias have begun to open on the sunny side of the street. Some are a bit battered by high wind we have been having. And the neighbor's flowering quince is peeping over our shared wall. It had a bumper crop of fruit last year. It is never picked but drops into out entry each fall. Friday I spent a lovely day with a blogging friend and Saturday from early morning, taught knots to Scouts on the first class trail. Then it was a very late night because of dinner with the Oshimas who were in town. Today a very early start...

I purchased a bunch of new shrubs last fall, and planted over the winter. Here are some of my new babies in the back yard! Red twig dogwood: Cornus sericea 'Hedgerows Gold' Hydrangea paniculata 'Limelight' And in the front yard, our newest installation:  A Little Free Library, which Lucien won in a Portland Children's Museum drawing.  It came today, along with a collection of new children's books.  I added some paperbacks, and already this evening books were gone.  We're in business!

This is a story from our Mejiro days. I was reminded of it by the late blooms in our garden, Here is a picture of Norie's Sweet Daphne. (well, it is a cutting of a cutting from the original plant). You may notice that Norie's birthday has just passed and this flower that ALWAYS blooms on her birthday, is still waiting for something. Now, Here is a picture of Julie's plum blossoms taken on her birthday, a flower that until now, had never failed to bloom on that day. Are you beginning to make a connection? Well, I remember well the time we tried to hire a babysitter one evening when Papa and I had to go out to attend some bank function. Julie was upset because SHE didn't need any sitter, so she went into her room and shut the door and would not come out. That set the mood for the whole clan. When Papa and I returned home, the "babysitter" was wringing  her hands in the living room and all the kids were shut up in their rooms. It was clear that all...