end of summer brunch

a beautiful way to celebrate the end of summer......last month we were invited to enjoy a beautiful end of summer brunch in the garden with good friends and family. It was a sunny summer day - we dined in the garden along the shore with a view of blakely harbour .... sipping fresh fruit nectar and prosecco mimosa's.

we dined on colorful garden fresh food prepared with the bounty of the homeowner's garden. after brunch, she invited me to tour the garden and take in the beauty of the setting. a memorable and magical way to say so long to summer.

Photography: (c)  backroads of bainbridge

postcards from the island

island style......
although I'm not the tattoo type........love this bainbridge island tattoo!

OUT + ABOUT - The Bainbridge Island farmers market

One of my favorite ways to start my weekend, is with a visit to the Bainbridge Island farmers market. Visiting the stalls and planning the weekend menu with what's fresh at the market. Late summer is beautiful and abundant - the stalls overflowing with goodness.

I always start with a visit to La Belle Saison - for my sweet fix! Amazing pies, tarts, cookies and scones. Then,  in need of some sunflowers to brighten my world - I picked up a bouquet from one of my other favorite vendors - Farmhouse Organics.  I can never get enough of summer, and the ripe and tasty heirloom tomatoes - from Butler Green farms.  I'm thinking a caprese salad is in my future!!

Just before departing - I spotted and couldn't resist a little sweet pea bouquet for my desk - it will help bring me joy during my work week. After my morning at the market, Madrone Lane is such a perfect spot to sit and enjoy people watching and a pastry or latte after my morning excursion at the Bainbridge island Farmers Market. I hope your weekend is just as enjoyable as mine has been.

photos: (c) backroads of bainbridge

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bainbridge in bloom - garden tour

Last month, on a beautiful summer weekend........

I spent part of my time attending Bainbridge in Bloom - The annual garden tour on Bainbridge Island.

Six intriguing gardens open to the public, to wander through for inspiration and to gain ideas for your own gardening efforts and pursuits. Here are some highlights I photographed as I traveled from garden to garden admiring the colorful and varied island landscapes.

 

all photos (c) backroads of bainbridge

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lunch with a view

My favorite island spot for lunch with a view..........
As a blogger based on Bainbridge Island, I'm often asked my favorite place for lunch with a view of the water. My choice would be the Harbour Public House, affectionately known by islanders as "The Pub" - One can arrive by foot, ferry, your own boat, car and I suppose even by sea plane.

It's my go to place for fish and chips.....and while I was waiting for my order, I visited the pub's pretty little garden and the tall hollyhocks of summer.

Photos: backroads of bainbridge
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Summer - Sunday Market

I'm so excited........a new Sunday market has sprung up right here on Bainbridge Island and the good news is that it's right in my own neighborhood. The Bainbridge Island - Lynwood Community Market is small but growing. I found a handful of vendors selling farm fresh produce and handmade crafts and products. Everyone was so friendly! Islanders love and support efforts like this, so I'm sure as more and more people find out about the Sunday Market, they will support it. As for me, I'm so thrilled that I now have an option right around the corner that I can walk to - with my produce basket in hand.

Beautiful fruit and farm fresh produce from Terrapin Farms

Metal Petals and Suyematsu Farms

We tried the green tea and apricot kombucha from Symbiosis Farms. The market runs through the
summer, Sunday's 10-2.
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POSTCARDS from the island - roadside flowers

To me, summer on Bainbridge Island is about enjoying the simple pleasures of island living. On summer days, you may find Gus's flower cart parked along the roadside....... with a freshly picked bouquet.

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in the garden - Harvesting Lavender

in the garden...........
It's lavender time. This is the first in many years that I'm actually picking and harvesting the lavender in my bainbridge island garden. I have been picking away and it still doesn't look like I've made a dent.  The plants are covered in lavender, so the garden still looks good. Now hung to dry and to be shared with friends.

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The 4th of july....island style

At home on bainbridge island, were gearing up for the 4th of July. The holiday will be spent with family and friends - Grilling hamburgers and ribs, playing croquet on the lawn and strolls down to the beach.  In the afternoon  we will venture down to The Grand old Fourth - Our home town parade which is always a chance to see so many of our island friends and neighbors. Hope you all enjoy the holiday too.

what spring looked like

     at home on bainbridge island.....
     this is what spring looked like.

     a very nice spring, indeed!!