Coal Oil Point

Right before I had Harvey, Andrew purchased an updated point-and-shoot. We call it our real camera and it doesn't get as much action as the iPhone. Still, I've made an effort to use it when I get outside. The hard part (compared to my phone) is pictures take so much more effort to upload and share.

I wish I knew this family so I could give them this picture. Frolicking on the beach, the place kids and dogs love best.

I love my community! I'm glad Harvey was born here: SB will always be an extra special place for us, no matter where we end up.

A question on my mind: Should I sell my surfboard and/or wetsuit? I got the wetsuit right before getting pregnant. The board has been used about twice a year...and mainly by guests-from-Hawaii. Also, I was swimming in the ocean sans-wetsuit a lot last summer but we had SO many shark warnings that I decided I better stop (Harvey was in me!). So, hmmmm...I know I ought to banish clutter but then again, what's a house without a surfboard?

Summer

 Summer is here. Being a teacher is intense and I don't know if it would be possible to keep it up without a break. I am finally finding time to organize my home and exercise outside and cook.  And sleep--I'm not tired!

 The Santa Barbara Botanical Garden meadow and wildflowers.

 I'm finding time to play around in the kitchen again. Shopping for quality ingredients (and new veggies) makes me happy.

Andrew and I had an indulgent breakfast at Jeannine's. And then walked it off at the beach. I like to go the dog beaches and laugh at all the happy offleach pooches.

 A wedding giftcard to William and Sonoma was burning a whole in my pocket (almost two years later). I spent the last bit on a Zoku Ice Pop maker. I've been a little obsessed with fruit. I also like to put frozen fruit through my juicer on the puree setting and eat it like sorbet.

I'm getting into oatmeal (and fruit!) again. I really appreciate the Steel Cut instant oats from Trader Joe's. The great thing about oatmeal is you can add so many different toppings--it never gets dull.

Happy Simple Stuff

 I love our new (to us) car. My old one was 22 years old, with a challenging trunk that only opened sometimes. This one has a button for locking and unlocking and the back pops open. With the seats down we can lay in it.  I also appreciate our new grocery bags, representing my homes. I have to walk a distance from where I park. I like reusable bags not only because they are pretty--they don't tear open.

Our juicer has been getting some play.  Tonight was wilty celery, carrots, a fennel bulb, green apples and some ginger for a kick.  Thanks Uncle Greg. We really do use all of our wedding presents.

Aren't the newest love stamps so pretty? My fancy thumbnail is thanks to Sally Hanson's Nail effects polish strips. Cheaper than a pro manicure and really fun. I actually get a little freaked at nail places...strangers holding your hands and hacking at your feet. And the fumes are a little too intense and likely very bad for you. But if you ask me to go with you I'd probably say yes.

I got a new bike. My dream bike (after trying a ton and ignoring the prices) turned out to be a rental Jamis Commuter. I had them call me when they sold their rental fleet. Six months later--I'm stoked! We road them at the beach during low tide. which is probably very bad for them but seemed daring.

I have been walking uphill every day at lunchtime. This means I barely have time to eat... but still, it is often the highlight of my day. I keep my shoes in my car and get some vitamin D, my heart rate up, and often get lost in a book on tape. My school is in a much fancier neighborhood than I live in. I like walking fast up the hills and admiring the homes, fountains, views, and landscape. That's an agave blossom, framing the photo above.

What simple thing is making you happy? Please tell me!

Beach Wandering

We plodding through a field to a beach I heard was somewhere around here...

At the edge: The view from the top.

I scaled down this cliff. It was scary.  But going up is always worse.

But worth it! There were very few people around.  A teenage couple nearby had found a whale bone. And then a guy paddled up on his stand up board to chat...he had no idea where this beach was and planned to bring his girl back here.

Driving back through Hope Ranch. I love the mountains here.

Horse crossing.  Pretty, pretty town.

Swan Lake

Andrew's birthday weekend was super low key. We went to the beach twice...and got in the water Sunday. I also decided to revamp my old camera habit. My iPhone has been my camera since I got it. Why lug around two? Anyway, while I am due to invest in a big heay REAL real camera, I broke out my Panasonic Lumix.

Walking down a dirt road...

...to the nearby "lake."

Another cute couple....

Pretty (hungry?) swans in the background did a little show for us. I love the self-timer, and precariously balancing my camera; I'd never dare ask a stranger for a picture. Though I am quite comfortable around people I know, I have severe stranger danger (I'm shy).

Happy 29th birthday A-ditty!

Mac Nuts and Hula Hoops

Walking at the beach on a foggy morning. Never know if I'l see dolphins or horses.

The iPhone app instagram kind of became my new blog. I posted these pictures over the last few months with a short caption. I thought I'd share some of my favorites on my blog....the old fashioned way, right?

These macadamia nuts grow in our friends' yard. They don't mind if I snack on them, but you gotta work for them. You place the nut in a hole in their cement. Then you delicately drop a heavy brick on it. The goal is to shatter the shell and not smash the soft white nut. By the way, raw macadamia nuts are way better than roasted.

Evidence of fog through the peer.

An evening at home depot inspired impromptu hula hoop making. It's just a precut pipe and a connector. Pretty cheap...around $6 total? It would be fun to pretty it up with electrical tape.

The Aina: Maui

 

Fly into Maui at sunrise...patchwork quilt of sugarcane.

The drive home: House of the Sun, Haleakala--
A beautiful mountain, she stands all alone so peacefully.

Paia Town: sugarcane burns in the background

How we get our sugar.

Night photographry attempt. Paia Bay after sunset.

View from other direction: the tranquil summer waters.

"Ua Mau Ke Ea O Ka `Aina I Ka Pono" 

"Life of the Land is Perpetuated in Righteousness"  

State Motto and intro to the heartbreaking song by Iz.

Remembering Ashley

Photos from the Ashley Marie Smith Memorial Fund, by my sister Holly.

Click on people's faces in the photo to tag them. Chris will be asked to approve all tags before others can see them.

Click on people's faces in the photo to tag them. Chris will be asked to approve all tags before others can see them.

A collage my sister Lantana put together of her dear friend Ashley.  So many of these pictures make us smile.  It reminds me of the importance of taking picture and celebrating moments.

 Ashley's Hawaii ohana gathered at the beach to remember our ocean-loving friend's beautiful life.

 

 Paddling out for prayer and tossing loose flowers.

Click on people's faces in the photo to tag them. Chris will be asked to approve all tags before others can see them.

 You are loved and will live on in our hearts.   To learn more about Ashley and her legacy you can visit The Ashley Smith Memorial Fund page on facebook.

Favorite Beach. Favorite Run

The first leg of my run.

Exciting news!  I learned how to run.

A friend told me she was doing the Couch-to-5K Running Plan.  I was curious.  So, as an experiment, I tried it. Honestly, the first week is as easy or challenging as the 7th. Your body gradually adapts to more and more running time. 

I've had a life long committed to non-running, due to a natural aversion of discomfort.  So, the idea that I can run 30 minutes straight without feeling like hell is a marvel to me. I am feeling pretty proud of myself.

Things that have helped:

A motivating spot:  I run at the beach.

Running barefoot: Strong feet, plus no sweaty socks stinking up the laundry.  There's no need to panic if you forget your shoes.

Music: An ipod helps me keep track of time. I'll know a song is 3 minutes and tell myself, just til the end of this song--mental trickery--then start another.

Rewards: I jump in the ocean afterward for cooling dip in the sea.  Sometimes I body surf and feel like I'm on Maui.

Scheduling it in:  Going to the beach straight from work helps. That way I don't come home and start to concern myself with dinner plans, email, chores, etc.  I come home in a much better mood and deal with everything better.

I recommend it! You might be as surprised as me.

My Flower Girl

Rian paints the Mission.

What a terrific visit! I have many wonderful days but the love and joy I felt in my heart were almost overwhelming during the afternoon pictured. I was reunited with my Oregon family.  The most wonderful people I have ever known adopted me into their extended family. I was witness to their strength and grace through the most difficult experiences imaginable.  They lost two beautiful children that are embedded in our hearts forever.  They also have three amazing children still here making our world a better place.  I'm featuring Rian Elizabeth... a spirited child, four years old, who has agreed to be my flower girl.

 

Water babies.

From the Oregon Ocean to the California Sea.

I helped care for her from her first week.
It was amazing.

 

Magic dolphin ride.

Playing tag in the cool grass.

Nonstop entertainment!

Sunday Morning in May

On my way to one of my favorite beaches...

I let out a shriek when Andrew almost stepped on this! 

More wildlife: This baby was posing on the rocks til a rescue team came for him.

A fun impromptu morning of surfing, sand, and sunning.