Monday Sunshine!🌞………....North Cascade Wanderings

This morning dawned sunny and cool. A beautiful day to start the day in the hot tub! It was a nice soak. While in it, mama deer and baby stopped by. My phone was indoors so I didn’t get a picture. Baby was very curious about the humans in that strange contraption!

I began a project of going through an old stack of junk mail that somehow accumulated. That stuff’s like rabbits-it multiplies if you aren’t careful! 🐇

We haven’t heard from Bill and Agi, nor baby Olivia yet. I kind of don’t expect to as there’s quite a bit of family and friends to get with. I do have this interesting pic Bill took mid flight.

He said the sky looked different from previous flights. When I asked him how, he said it’s layered. I’ve got my own theories to that…..

Late this afternoon, we made a trip to Lynden for a couple of errands and stopped for a treat!

Later yet, we took Miss Phoenix out for a stroll. Along the side of the road was tons of Queen Anne’s Lace.

See that purple/reddish flower in the middle? That’s a true Queen Anne’s lace plant. It’s also known as a wild carrot. It is edible, but always do your research prior please.

I asked ChatGPT about it and here’s the response:

Queen Anne’s lace (Daucus carota) is a delicate wildflower in the carrot family, also known as wild carrot. It is native to Europe and Asia but has become widespread across North America, where it grows along roadsides, meadows, fields, and disturbed ground.

Here are some interesting facts:

• Appearance: It produces flat-topped clusters (called umbels) of tiny white flowers that resemble lace. Many flower heads have a single dark purple or reddish flower in the center, though not every plant does. Legend says this represents a drop of blood from Queen Anne pricking her finger while making lace.
• Blooming season: Typically flowers from late spring through summer, depending on the climate.
• Leaves: The leaves are finely divided and feathery, giving them a fern-like appearance.
• Root: In its first year, it develops a slender white taproot that smells like cultivated carrots. It’s the same species as the modern carrot, but the wild root becomes woody and fibrous as it ages.

Wildlife value

Queen Anne’s lace is an excellent nectar source for many beneficial insects, including:

• Bees
• Butterflies
• Hoverflies
• Wasps that prey on garden pests
• Beetles

Its flower structure provides an easy landing platform for small pollinators.

An unusual feature

As the flowers mature and produce seeds, the flat flower cluster folds inward into a cup or “bird’s nest” shape, helping protect the developing seeds.

Is it edible?

Young roots and leaves have historically been eaten, but foraging is not recommended unless you are an expert because Queen Anne’s lace is easily confused with several highly poisonous relatives.

The biggest concern is confusing it with poison hemlock, which is extremely poisonous.

Queen Anne’s lace is admired for its airy, intricate blooms and is often used in wildflower gardens and floral arrangements. However, because it self-seeds readily, it can spread aggressively and is considered invasive in some regions.

The flowers while similar are different if you look and the poison hemlock stems have purple veins while the Queen Anne’s lace plant does not. Still, if someone’s in a hurry, they might not pay attention! Hence the reason for due diligence and maybe consulting an expert prior to foraging.

After the outing, Miss Phoenix was tired. Cot can be seen lounging in the background with a look of disdain on his face. It’s as if he’s asking, what is SHE doing on MY couch! 🙀

Interestingly enough, he’s given her wide berth this time around. Not sure why exactly. They’ve touched noses a couple of time. Perhaps Cot is just in a mood!

My steps for today:

That’s gonna be it for now. Take care and enjoy the rest of your day wherever you are! 🙏🌏🙏

👣🐑☕️🌞🐶🙀🐇🌞😎😁👍🌙🥱😴

BSB 1 Peter 5:5-9

Young men, in the same way, submit yourselves to your elders. And all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because,
“God opposes the proud,
but gives grace to the humble.”
Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, so that in due time He may exalt you. Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.
Be sober-minded and alert. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in your faith and in the knowledge that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kinds of suffering.

🙏🌹

Picture taken by me and altered by cliptocomic app

@elizabethbit is a member of ladiesofsgs4eva
a sweet group of lady stackers of SGH