Happy 2023

We've had enough wind and rain to sprout my clover seeds I had hiding under an awning. I ended up tossing the whole mess into the green waste, but I'm sure there will be red clover popping up in spring! 

I love that our daisies grow in January. When everything else has passed and gone to seed, we get this happy pop of color at the front of the driveway. I have even caught college girls coming up to the patch with scissors to cut some for their own. Not cool! At least ask. Sheesh! 

After the rains, if you look long enough you will find wee cities of fungi all over the yard. These weren't here yesterday...er...last year! 

Rain or shine, the cat gets her daily outside time and here she is hiding out in the red flax which is blooming way too early, thanks to that rain! You can't see it, but we put a bell on her to keep track as she is a mad birder and we have so many birds that come to our yard! Happy New Year! I hope 2023 is a healing year. Get yer boosters, wear your masks, stay home if yer sick, and always, always, be kind. 

la la la

Do you ever have conversations or great blog posts going through your mind that are so detailed you could have sworn you actually did them? In real life? 

I could have sworn I had been blogging about our great pandemic year, but it seems I have...not. One year since my last post and I have to confess that my neighborhood walks have slowed down big time. BIG TIME. I need to get back on the walking horse, but yeesh. My brain is mush, and I have so many excuses that all seem valid. I think I need a time out. Ima gonna put myself in the corner and have a good talking to. 

I do have drafts of posts I started but never published. Maybe that's why I thought I did them? Who knows. I don't even know if anyone out there actually reads blogs anymore, but I'm still gonna tip type away now and then if not for you, then for myself...for prosperity's sake. Ha!

So, what's going on in a-go-go land? Not a lot of big. new, or exciting news other than we're ok. We are for the most part well, covid-free, and vaccinated! I just picked up some fall fabric to make a new round of masks, because...variants and breakthrough infections are not on my wishlist. And yes, we know it makes more sense for a sick person to wear the mask to prevent spread, but we're still going to don them when we head into stores, etc. It's been nice meeting up with friends for chow and walks, and treats. I hope we can keep this momentum. 

Stay safe, and healthy friends! Be kind to yourself, and others. Peace, love, and coffee dates! 

the concords are here!

They grew much better down in Los Angeles, but we'll take what we can get. Yay for homegrown grapes! 
 

park date

 

Yes, I know it is August, but August on the coast can be chilly! Once it warms up around noon, you forget you even were chilly in the morning.

I now have a park date basket in the trunk of the car. In my basket I have reusable plates, cloth napkins, water for washing, utensils, soap, and a washcloth. The camp chairs also seem to have moved into the vehicle.

Park dates with good friends are great and are only made better when those good friends bring you home grown veggies! 

daily pretties

august bed linens

grapevine portal

 

slow mornings

 

colors outside the window

it takes me forever to finish my coffee

waffles for lunch

sandbox tomatoes, firecracker lilies, and frugal shopping

 

The sandbox tomato plant I pulled from my old classroom produced the pretties! Looks like we'll add them to tonight's salad! Yay for home grown goodness. 

Like clockwork every year, these firecracker lilies make an appearance near the end of August. Aren't they pretty? It;'s still smokey outside, and it's still hot and muggy inside, but we're doing our best to remain hydrated and cool. Sleep however, has been elusive. 

Confession time. Our most recent grocery haul comes from the 99 Cent store. Yep, you read that right, the 99 cent store. here we have ground turkey, and ground beef (from a distributor that also provides organic meat to Whole Foods market), yellow cauliflower, green onions, crescent rounds, a bunch fo herbs, not pictured. Grand total $15! 

the return of the masks

Elastic was sold out everywhere and I found it irritated the ears more often than not. I cut up t-shirts to make t-shirt yarn but I cut the strips too thin. Finally gave in and bought some yarn and I am so happy with how it feels. If ya gotta wear a mask to help keep others protected, comfort is key. I have also found that the basic pleated masks work best for me as a wearer of eyeglasses. While the wired masks seal better, they also knock my glasses off-center, and sometimes off my face. The pleated masks can be pulled up just under yer ol' eyeballs and still cover your chin. If I have to, I can also wear a paper mask underneath for added protection. 

It also helps that my fabric choices are fun. 

fire season

 

Our summers are relatively cool compared to much of the country. We tend to have June gloom as early as May and as late as August. The heat begins to creep in at the end of August and settles down for a nap throughout September and October. It seems the heat is here a little early this year, and today it brought it's ugly cousin, fire. 

Usually we know there is a fire somewhere in the state when the sky lurks murky and the air smells of campfire. Sometimes, even when there is no smoke, I know a fire is nearby by the instant asthma attack that decides to visit and party down in my chest. 

This Complex Fire is a helluva doozy. It is devastating in a year when we really do not need any more devastation. The weird like might be pretty, but when the sky looks like this, and the air feels so still, and you cannot even hear your local birds twit-twittering away, it is time to head back inside, close all the windows and keep yourself hydrated. 

Here, at the casa, we live in an area that is known for a temperate climate. It doesn't tend to get too hot, and it doesn't tend to get too cold. Many of the homes were never built with air conditioning. The casa here has no neat, and no air. There are two ceiling fans in the house, and two gas fireplaces that radiate a little warmth in the rooms they are in, otherwise, we are grateful for the double paned windows. We have had the windows closed now for two days and while it is much cooler inside, it is still around 80 degrees with the evenings warming up even more. The mister and I have been keeping cool with our water soaked bandanas on our person all day and all night long. While it is not ideal, we are very lucky to be able to be indoors, and away from the flames that are ravaging the land not too far north of us. 

Stay safe, hydrated, and as cool as you can. Leave water out for the birds, bees, neighborhood pets that may be stuck outside, and the wild animals looking for a cool place to rest. Follow your local fired departments on Twitter and sign up for alerts if you can. 

masks r us

 

the june bed

 

sneak peek: june bed

 

first of the season

 

uncanny

 

last day of zoom teaching

 

when life gives you bad apples...

 

daily walk: june 7

 

then I prettied them up

 

A little washi tape here, a little bit of scrappy scraps there and voila! Pretty jars of plants to be. It's both pretty and it protects the roots from too much sunlight! I miss making things. These last few years have been spent creating bits for the classroom but now I have to think outside the crafty box and figure out how to get my mojo back. 

herbs and seeds and seeds and herbs

scone date at the covid cafe