Comings, Goings, and Staying at Home

The rising wind and darkening skies hinted at the weather to come. We thought we'd get a walk in before the rain began, but we didn't quite make it. 

The Songhees Walkway follows the Inner Harbour on the west side. Two enormous yachts lie at the dock on the opposite side. A flock of Canada geese, intent on feeding, were sublimely uninterested in the view.

In spite of the weather, the harbour was a busy place. Several float planes took off and others landed. The little passenger ferries bounced from stop to stop. Whale watching boats came and went. A cruise ship came into dock. I'm sorry for the passengers who were likely hoping to wander through town in the sunshine. 

Knowing the rain was coming, I worked in the garden for a few hours yesterday, picking tomatoes, pulling down the climbing beans whose leaves are yellow and spotted. There were a goodly number of pale tan, completely dry pods that I harvested, both for seed for next year, and to use as dried beans for eating. I dug up some carrots and picked enough kale for a grilled kale, nectarine and goat cheese salad. So yummy, and all eaten before I thought of a photo. I clipped long stems of hydrangeas for the dining room table. 

On Thursday night I had peeled and chopped enough tomatoes for a double recipe of salsa, and refrigerated them, so I put that on to simmer Saturday mid-afternoon. By 8 pm the lids of 7 pints and 4 half-pints had popped most satifactorily. 

After our walk today, we've spent a quiet afternoon at home. Rain fell intermittently. I picked some marigolds for the mantel and baked a yogurt cake. Carrot Ginger soup is simmering on the stove for supper. Our neighbours have a eucalyptus tree and I can see the branches tossing wildly. It's a good afternoon to be indoors.