Gig Harbor Garden Tour 4: The Garden of Megan Manning

We are greeted in this garden by some interesting garden art from local vendors.

 We knew from reading that this is a big garden, but as we rounded the house we were not sure what to expect. 

 Wow!

 Well, how much of this will we check out?

 We stay up by the house at first, taking it all in. An artist in action has limited her view. 

 Our number one good idea of this tour, growing carnivorous plants in an old sink. 

 A very interesting maple, glowing red in the sun on the underside of the leaves, almost white on the top. 

 Second good idea, growing tiny hostas in a sunken pot so they don't get lost. 

 Well, we were drawn down into the lower reaches of the garden.

 We had to go see this pond. 

 And peek through this cool gate to the big vegetable garden. 

 What a wonderful tree house. 

 We did not explore every foot of this acre of garden, but we saw most of it. 

Gig Harbor Garden Tour 3: The Knapp Garden

Paint your house a bright color and then plant your garden to match it. 

 Galvanized watering troughs are painted to match the color palette and are used for growing flowers and vegetables. 

 Arts and craft vendors blended into the colorful setting. 

 Textures on the court yard gate include bug hotels. 

 The gate is an artful creation of tools. 

 The courtyard contains a lovely pond

 a colorful seating area,

 and plants to add texture and color. 

 Around the side of the house and to the back, there are more planted tubs.

 Along the other side of the house is another water feature.

 The passageway back to the front is a lovely mix of foliage plants. 

 As we return to the front we can peek over the curved wall of the entry court. 

As the guide book says, "The touch of the artist is definitely on view in this colorful garden". 

Celebrating America

Our Fourth of July festivities have settled into a nice routine.

Tom and I attend a potluck brunch in Normandy Park, on the parade route, where we visit with friends prior to the parade.

Meanwhile, the kids are busy getting set up to be in the parade. Gus the Bus is a fun feature in the Normandy Park Community Parade.

The parade is made up mostly of vintage vehicles, so Gus fits right in.

Then we all meet up at The Cove, where the community gathers for free hot dogs and popcorn and ice cream. People get close up looks at the old cars, and many of us eventually wander out to the beach.

After a quiet afternoon at home, we pack up our food contributions, and head for Jan's place on Henderson Bay, across the Narrows Bridge, on the Kitsap Peninsula. 

 Cherry pie for the 4th of July.

 The kids paddle about in the bay.

 We eat, too much, and wait for the big show to begin.

 Jill and the kids always bring a bang up bunch of fireworks of their own.

 All around the bay people are setting of their own displays.

 Then from the barge in the bay, the big show erupts.

It's Americana at it's best, celebrating our nation's birthday with community, family, and friends, having fun together, and feeling grateful for the freedoms we enjoy in this great country of ours. 

Happy Birthday, America!

America! America!
God shed his grace on thee,
And crown thy good with brotherhood, 
from sea to shining sea. 

Celebrate our nation's birthday for what it is, our birthday party.
Have fun, experience joy, express gratitude, show kindness, and exhibit our nation's code of "liberty and justice for all".

Let's crown our goodness.

Happy 4th of July!