Reasons to Celebrate Springtime

View from my front door: Rain makes the mountains green--and golden. I do love this Golden State.

 ..winter was over and gone with the thrill of delight that spring never fails to bring to the oldest and saddest as well as to the youngest and merriest.    --Anne of Green Gables

 It's poppy season again!  They grow so effortlessly, with their blue-green carrot-top foliage. I love to pluck them and arrange them in bouquets.  It isn't illegal to pick them--I looked into it.

 The sky is bigger. The roads are wider. And clouds add great dimension. 

 Branches you'd want to lay under, if the ground weren't so soggy.

Urchin

 

 Another benefit:  Rain showers and overcast skies keep the regulars away from the beach. No crowds.

Whelk.

And the tumble-y stormy sea spits up cool treasures: yours for the taking.

Today I returned to work after Spring Break. I have had amazing Spring Breaks in my life: backpacking in the Utah dessert, San Fran, Sicily (junior year of college), National parks. This year I intended to leave town but ended up sleeping in instead...about 13 hours a night. And wandering about and exploring. I am feeling restored!

I kept thinking this was my first stay-at-home Spring Break. A blog post from three years ago entitled Wildflower Drive and Rainbow Dance (hippie, hehe) proved this was not true. We were the same people, pretty much living the same life. Only back then I took pictures with a camera rather than phone. We were also way poorer, not engaged yet, and maybe not quite as beaten down by the man. Enjoy!

I will end this post with a question like I did back then.

For what reasons do you celebrate Springtime?

Pretty Much a Perfect Day

Upon reflection, I just realized I just had my perfect day. A balanced day. A happy day.  Note: Last week was underwhelming full of long demoralizing meetings and a generally crappy feeling in the air.

I skipped coffee yesterday or all weekend. It made the coffee I started sipping around lunch time really work.

I tucked myself in before 10pm last night. My sister called at 10:01 and I couldn't move to answer it.

Breakfast was steel-cut instant oats (from TJs) with chopped apple, some cinnamon, and a sprinkle of walnuts. So wholesome and filling and cozy-ish.

I had parent teacher conferences today. The two kids whose parents I met with are such gems.  My eyes watered when I talked about how delightful they are to teach. 

One conference was cancelled. So I took a walk. I walk for about 15 minutes up hill and then 10 minutes back...I keep my athletic shoes in the car and switch out of my work-lady shoes. It is so fun to look at all the beautiful houses and fantasize about what living in a house might be like someday. I love the Mediterranean landscape of Santa Barbara. I  love looking down at the sparkling sea. Ocean views almost make me feel like I'm at the beach. And, I'm addicted to sunshine.

I snuck out of work early enough to run a few errands (a price adjustment on a skirt from Banana Republic).  I happened upon the bustle of the downtown Farmers Market. I missed it last Sunday in my neighborhood. The colorful  dendrobium orchids were 2 bunches for 5 dollars. I'm in love! I feel so happily indulged when I buy myself flowers. And then I greedily bought lettuces, celery, carrots, kale, broccoli.  Everything was so pretty and fresh.

I went to yoga. My favorite and original yoga studio welcomed me back, even though I've been cheating on it with groupons to other places. Andrew always says, "You mean there is ANOTHER yoga studio?" Yaaay, California!  It was a level 2 class which was challenging but luckily still doable. The instructor is so sweet and she plays really great music. And I bumped into a co-worker I admire there. I barely get a chance to talk to her at work. She is so fit and committed and has a frankness about her that impresses me. I am determined to make this a habit (again).

I love driving home in my new car. Andrew installed a bluetooth radio that hooks up to my iPhone. So my phone conversations or audio books play through the stereo. So cool!

Dinner was a BLT: an open faced tomato, fake-bacon, lettuce sandwich and a huge salad with my new goodies...and an improvised tahini/mustard/yogurt/garlic dressing. Andrew and I polished off our refreshing dinner. I got in the bath while he drove down the block to pick up his latest goods from the pottery studio. Which I am now going to admire.

 I know everyone is reading them right now and probably already knows but I am loving a Game of Thrones. I refer to it as a fairy tale because in general the genre of science fiction is rather off-putting to me. It really is so good! Going to go snuggle with it right now...

P.S. Does this blog post look naked with no picture?

April Living

Thumbprints...

Friends on the road...

Annual poppy outing.

I haven't taken as many pictures as I ought to.  I need more adventure.  

Summer is almost here. 

Can't wait! 

Farmers Market: Fall Version

Pom Poms.

More Jewels.

 

Fresh flowers...smell like Hawaiian leis.

Where almonds come from.

 Healthy mama.

Early Summer in the Garden

 

Dainty, delicious daffodil-yellow squash.

Ruddy red-green rhubarb--my first batch ever!  Looking forward to strawberry rhubarbness all summer long...

The zucchini monster is welcome in my garden.

Forget-me-nots for remembrance.
There's something amazing about a blue flower.

No Saturation Required: The Rose Garden

One of my very favorite places is the Rose Garden.
I like the sound of the fountain, the warm stone benches, and the fragrance garden that surrounds it.
I like the golden retriever that regularly takes a plunge into the fountain.
I like the old ladies with motley mutts, who tell me once a week that their dogs are vegetarian.
I like the beautiful Spanish style homes across the street with trellised lemon trees.
I like telling the tourists who ask me, the local, about the Mission across the street.
I like watching commercials filmed and photography students set up shoots.
I like the purple mountains just beyond and witnessing their colors change with the season.
I like looking up at the monstrous eucalyptus trees and thinking about how pleased my dad would be with the quality of their care.
I like slipping off my work shoes and putting my toes in the cooling grass.
I like looking down at the glittery ocean and the sailboats dotting the waters.

I like the roses.
They makes me feel dreamy about a celebration of love
with flowers, friends, food, family and fun.
These days I especially adore deep saturated jewel tones.
Please pass on the pastels and give me the rich festive hues of of Summer.

May Play

Artichoke season is upon us. I am growing them as a substitute/replacement/barrier to the awful thistle weeds in the garden. I am hoping for a harvest before long.

Now the stone version: A hummingbird was having a blast playing in a fountain at the mall. A happy moment for us both.

Sweet pea season again. They are prolific in our school garden and I make a point to distribute them to each classroom and the office. I have my own bounty at home. I never tire of them. Can they grow in Hawaii? Could I get them to bloom this August?

My 23rd Birthday. The date is now set for marriage: 8-9-10. I am partial to this man. I am partial to the number 9. August 9th is also my grandmother's birthday. I am having a lot of fun arranging and dreaming about the fun and happy details.

Death Valley BLOOMAGE

Flowers in the desert are especially appreciated.

Vision in White

I have a soft spot for flowers. The brightness of white flowers is especially refreshing. We brought our Saturday morning smoothie out to the table in the garden.This stunning white iris awaited me.They're back! The magic of bulbs.

These came back too. I originally had them in my window box. Once they were faded and sad looking I stuck them in the garden. They also returned to celebrate.  Happy spring equinox! 

Calla lilies are prolific in this climate. A few years ago I stuck tiny bulbs in the ground and clumps of this spherical flower return yet again. Thanks to the winter rain the garden thrived despite neglect.

 One of the most thrilling aspects of any wedding for me is the flowers.

  I can't wait!

Dedicated to my Siblings

Forrest Walker,
Green and gold can
Describe my only brother.

Holly Mahina,
Timeless grace and
Constant cheer.

Lantana Kolea,
Wild, thorny,
Bright and unique.

I am...

Reading…"The Middle Place."  It has a cancer-theme so part of me thought enough already while the other part of me thought the-cover-is-so-appealing and Oprah-Magazine-recommended-it and there-it-is-sitting in-the-library's honorback-pile.  

Keeping…my spirits up. Yoga, great friends, a fun job (kindergarten!), and an easygoing boyfriend all contribute greatly. So much to be grateful for.

Baking… A gigundo Italian squash a neighbor offered me from his garden.  For ratatouille-ala-Emily.  But thinking about baking coffee cake .

Watching…last seen: Friday night double feature of "Shrek the Halls" and "A Charlie Brown Christmas.” Gosh we are wholesome.

Making… Vegan food. And not deliberately.  I find windows to grocery shop ｗhen not headed home therefore avoiding things that require refrigeration (eggs, butter, cheese, yogurt). Guess I have to fatten my man up on olive oil.

Grinning... over the 2 month-old Bulldog puppy I saw at a coffee shop today.  She was a drawing a crowd with her sparkling-pink-collar and roly-poly piglet-like body. Is my new affinity for bulldogs due to my results on an online quiz entitled, What Dog Breed Are You?

Admiring...the white gerbera daisies sitting before me, carefully arranged in an Andrew-made-vase. Flowers= the best $2 I spend at the Farmers Market each week.

Congratulating…Boyfriend for completing his Oral Exams--now an official PHD candidate, Sister for finishing up her part in decorating the Trump Tower in Honolulu, and Cousin for running the 13.1-mile Las Vegas Rock n Roll Half Marathon, to raise funds for a cure for Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis.

What's up in your life readers?  Feel free to comment with a verb from your life.

Textures of Thanks

So much to be thankful for.
The colors and textures of this holiday captured me
As I meditated alone in my kitchen.
Savoring moments with beautiful plants
Carefully grown for us to enjoy.

Colors were collected for display:

Prehistoric pink proteas,
Purifying white sage, 

Cheery citrus boughs,
 And golden pomegranate branches 

Dotted with jeweled fruit.

 

Celebrating *true* riches 

With good-hearted people.

So much to be thankful for. 

Different Sides

My roses lean over the fence into the bramble to compare stories with the gone-to-seed wild artichoke. After teaching low-income kids in a hard-knock neighborhood I now find myself teaching a more privileged set. Kids are kids, but there are definite fences in this town (and this country).

With Silver Bells and Cockle Shells

Last season I purchased a pile of tuberose bulbs (something I had written and posted on a Things To Do list）at the Farmers Market. I was so happy to harvest my very first of these fragrant flowers. I grew up with them in leis but never had actually seen one growing.

This sassy hummingbird kept frolicking about in my pineapple sage and flirting with my camera. The sun had already dropped so low-light didn't make for any good shots. I love that tuberoses also suit him.

I planted milkweed, since it's the only food source for monarch caterpillars. These caterpillars are enjoying it and will eventually pollinate my plants as lovely butterflies. Though I think they are also pretty charming as chubby caterpillars, don't you?  Our community garden is an official monarch waystation on their seasonal migratory path. You can see them clustered together in the branches of the nearby eucalptus.

I Spy Pink

Wild wind = wild hair on the Pali lookout.

Sister's sunrise shell necklace.

Farmers Market Ginger

Heavenly Plumeria

Bounty

1 : something that is given generously

2 : liberality in giving : generosity 

3 : yield especially of a crop 

 Lacey, lush hydrangeas

We carried our bouquets home in our arms,

Looking a bit like bridesmaids.

Neighbors I hadn't met, urged me to make a selection

from their pumpkin pile. Heaps of kind folks around here.

I liked the Weird One dressed in gorgeous green.

The little orange-y ones grew in my garden.

Please don't let the organic, farm-fresh veggies

Petrify in the drawers.

Carrot hula or root vegetable ballet?

Twenty Eight is...

Cyclamen in custom pot--courtesy of Rachel.

Stuffed skunklet.I have issues I need to work out. Thanks Gina!

A California tradition: birthday orchid from TJs.

 
Like old maple syrup 
and not specifically intended for those born in October, 
but fitting just the same.   

Amber (my middle name!) earrings from Andrew. The guy has good taste (he picked me, after all)--and writes clever notes. 

Affordable Luxuries

While I'm busy boasting about the talented people and lovely things in my life I thought I would remind you all to treat yourselves to some regular doses of beauty. As mentioned before, I've been collecting pieces by my friend Hawaiian artist Renee Coates. You can bid for an original ebay style or buy a limited edition print for an extremely wallet friendly price ($1 for the first, $2 for the second... All past archived prints are about to move up to $75 each so get them while they are still a steal.

Homegrown dahlias in an old pepper jar.

In yet another ode to flowers I must remind you that they are an affordable luxury. Having flowers around will make you feel indulgent, loved, and celebratory. Your eyes always land on them when you scan a room. Growing, Planting, Picking, or even Buying flowers are all worthwhile pursuits.