Dodger Fever!

Steve took Grady to see the Los Angeles Dodgers play the San Francisco Giants at Pac Bell Park in San Francisco today.  G was torn between wearing his LA hat and his SF hat.  Fatherly guilt helped him figure it out and he left with Dodger Blue atop his head.  The Dodgers beat the Giants 8 - 2 and G filled himself with cotton candy, chocolate ice cream bars and the like.

A father-son memory was made and that brought a smile to my face.  My two Dodger fans.

Where the Red Fern Grows

Last night we watched Where The Red Fern Grows.  I had never read the book or seen the movie.  What a tear-jerker.  Of course, my dog-loving son really enjoyed it too.  According to an old Indian legend, only an angel can plant a red fern and wherever it grows is sacred.

The movie actually motivated me to repot my very own fern that has been getting beat up by the garden hose for almost four years.

In the one shady spot on our property, in back of our house, lives a sad looking fern that has been trying to grow up through the rock bed.  It is constantly getting stepped on and abused by our green garden hose when we watered the flower and vegetable gardens.  I finally transplanted it into a wine barrel, mixed up the soil and gave it a good watering. 

It's doing great after being transplanted and I look forward to cutting fern fronds to help beautify the house, as well as using them for art projects with G.  It only took me four years to get around to doing this.  Hmm.  Glad we rented that movie.

Umbrella Fix

I went to Recycle Town in search of a garden umbrella and umbrella stand.  I scored this umbrella (minus the stand) for $5.  Our property is great, but is has absolutely no shade.  Zilch.  Therefore, an umbrella was essential if I wanted to spend more time outside this Summer and Fall during our warmest/sunniest months.

My handy husband drilled holes and created a brace in this wine barrel we had and, voila, we now had an inexpensive umbrella and stand for our garden sitting area.

Reduce, Reuse & Recycle.  Done.

Kite Flying

When was the last time you flew a kite?

Summer Happy Hour

I played Bunco today.  Remember Bunco?  My mom used to play it back in the day.  Another way for women to spend time together, roll dice and do some light gambling AND have a glass of wine in the middle of the day.  Genius.

I rolled most Buncos and won a whopping $15.  To celebrate this win, I came home and made cocktails (and one mocktail) and sat out in the garden to enjoy the remainder of this gorgeous Friday.  Friends popped by and homemade pizza was consumed. 

Such a nice way to end this Summer day.

Smith-Corona

I spent the day thrifting with my good friend and neighbor in Petaluma.  I had been waiting to find her the perfect graduation present and stumbled upon it today.  A greenish-blue vintage Smith-Corona typewriter in its original case.  It just needed some new ribbon (which I quickly ordered online) and it was good as new.  G was excited to give it to her and typed up a little poem to accompany this gift.  I love it when the thrifting Gods shine down upon me.

Homespun Camp: Day 2 - Woodwork & Sculpture

Today the kids at camp created a large totem using reclaimed and recycled materials found on Peter's property.  I love how the kids were able to create art from found objects (which they so naturally do anyway) and now have a permanent structure to honor their work on the Pastures property.

Homespun Camp: Day 1 - Leatherwork

The leatherwork class at the Homespun Summer Camp was a huge success.  G created a pouch for his Pokemon cards and a leather "magic wand".  He also made many new friends and learned from local artisan leatherworkers.  He was hesitant about going to this camp and literally thanked me up and down when I picked him up.  He can't wait to go back tomorrow.

Summer Solstice: Read Me!

Summer is officially here.  The longest day of the year and we spent it reading, reading and reading some more.

Father's Day Love

Number 8 is my favorite:  He Tells Me Things That Are True.

Yodel-A-He-Who?

Sweetest yodeler title went to my little man.  He yodeled nine times and received a free dessert for his efforts.  It was like he won the lottery.  He was so brave, funny and, yes, very sweet.

Virgin Harvest: Update #3

:: Garlic volunteers have finally been harvested.

:: Garlic flower balls.  Yes, balls, have been cut and arranged in the kitchen.

::  Butter lettuces and edible calendula flowers.  The petals are so beautiful on top of a salad.

::  Seed pods from Opium Poppies.

::  I transplanted some chives and parsley to add to my kitchen window box.  The chives are wonderful in scrambled eggs, potatoes, salads, etc.  Having it all nearby helps when throwing a quick, summer meal together.

Summer Luncheon

G and his friends dined on homemade pizza on our back deck this lovely Summer afternoon. I spied them through my bedroom window and listened to their sweet conversations.  We had a full day of fun planned - hillsides to climb, golf balls to hit at the driving range and a game of soccer.  Yes, I was trying to tire them out before they tired me out!

Seven Mile Stretch

This is my Summer road trip.  Highway One from Bodega Bay to Valley Ford.  Seven miles and we have the best of both worlds.

Valley Ford:  Open pastures, llamas, cows, dirt roads, trips to the post office, eating locally and sharing stories with our neighbors, running into friends in town and walking our dog.

Bodega Bay:  The beach at low tide, getting ice cream, visiting the Bodega Bay Marine Lab, chatting with locals at the post office and visiting our friends at the wine shop.

Poppies in Bloom

Summer Reading

The new nightly ritual for G has been to go to bed, grab a stack of books and his flashlight.  He puts himself to bed by reading until he can't read anymore.  No hard and fast bedtime, just read until you're tired.  I love this new Summer drill.

Valley Ford Sunset

Rio Nido Roadhouse Pool

My Little 'Ole Self

I've been having a hard time coming back to write on this blog over the last few months.  I've tried to post pictures and little notes that I want to remember, but I'm really uninspired and a little sick of myself.  I read a lot of blogs that inspire me and have spurred all sorts of experiments in terms of reading, cooking, travel and being a mom.  I thought perhaps I'd take a break from sharing my hum-drum daily life, but something keeps nagging me to continue.  The risk of typing up the littlest of things that happen in my life is that it could be fodder for others and putting myself out there feels a little scary.  However, what's done is done, so now what?

I think I'm going to try to post one image a day throughout this Summer and add a line or two if I feel like it.  No pressure.  Taking the Summer off, so to speak.  Perhaps I will feel recharged as I approach my 40th year on this earth.

Summer vacation is here.  No early morning wake up calls.  No making lunch at 7 am in the morning.  No rushing to meet the bus.  No structured homework time.  Nightly bath time is now optional.  The plastic pool will need to be hosed off and filled.  The garden will beckon us early before the heat of the day is upon us.  The BBQ will take center stage.  The farmers' markets will become our grocery store of choice.  Afternoon cocktails will help us end the day.  Flip flops will rest by our front door until the first rain greets us in late Fall.

Welcome Summer vacation.  I'm so glad you're here.

Unti = Summer Sipping

I received the most lovely delivery today from Sissy of Gourmet au Bay.  This is a sure-fire sign that Summer is almost here and rose Wednesdays will have to recommence with my gal pals.  Unti's rose is my absolute favorite and once it's gone...it's gone.