The Cherry On Top

I was very very pleased to find this sort of happiness at the farmer's market. Just what I had been hoping for... I also stocked up on apricots & got a 10 lb bag of organic oranges for $5.

I harvested my first homegrown leeks.We made fava beans on the grill with great edamame-like results.

I have been learning about shading and the value scale in my drawing class. I spend every free minute playing around with the handful of Prismacolor colored pencils I've acquired. We have an "art show" the weekend after our class ends. ;-)May Gray is upon us. I am loving the coastal fog that has rolled in: It sure beats smoke! And the purple jacaranda trees remind me of Upcountry Maui.

Clayfulness

I love this picture hanging in the pottery studio. The preschooler who made it really captured someone at the wheel. Check out Andrew getting down and dirty in a comparable image:

There are masterful artists who work and fire in the studio. Watching them unload the kiln is an enthralling art show. Most potters are generous with their knowledge. I am trying different decorative techniques out. Below is a bowl designed with pencil when leather hard, dipped in colored slip, coated with wax resist, then recarved and filled in with iron oxide. Next step: salt kiln. I'll post an "after" if it makes it. Here are two bowls I made after glazing:Same bowls after:I read an NPR article on the phasing out of the boombox, A Eulogy for The Boombox, the same day I noticed these folks still partying like it's 1988.

Meet the Neighbors

This little skunklet was hanging out in a neighbor's caged in garden plot. Note: This is why my garden plots aren't barricaded/suburbia-ed off. The poor little guy was shaking in his booties as the neighborhood kids tried to rescue capture him. He must have been too young to spray (shucks) but don't worry, I broke out my bossy teacher voice and had them release him.
We rode our tandem bike right next to this dangerous looking sunbather. Andrew had me turn and check him out only after we passed him by. Rumor is he is a gopher snake who goes for little animals that eat our veggies so I'm supposed to like him. Snakes bring out a primal fear in me. Maybe because I didn't grow up with them--Hawaii is a snake-free zone. Snake lore is intriguing, I just don't want to see them.
Yes, there are a few trees in this desert. It's hard to imagine but this whole area was once an oak forest. I was laying under this tree and I found its beauty striking. I was doing sit-ups (!?) Yes, I'm officially committed to getting in shape again. I am going to reduce the layer of pudge that accidentally accumulated when I wasn't paying attention. Plus, due to working with germy little people, I really need to boost my immunity and avoid this whole pig flu scandal.
The last neighbor I am featuring is Fairview Gardens. I love walking through this organic farm admiring the fair view and picking up small-scale growing inspiration. Plus, they have cute chickens. I took this pic from the library window. Yes, I'm the person wandering the stacks with my zoom lens out. ;-)

If You Don't Like My Fire...

...then don't come around.
--Ben Harper

The awesome--and terrifying--power of nature.

When Jesusita Fire (named after the hiking trail near where it started) in Santa Barbara started it was considered manageable, and sort of old hat. We've had three fires since I moved here, and two in the last year. The one that was raging nearby when I moved here had been going on for 3 months.

Unfortunately, the Sundowner winds and hot-hot-hot temperatures led it to an out-of-control, raging mess.

At the start:
My friends and neighbors gathered as if there was a lunar eclipse and watched the flames lunge in our direction.

We prepared to evacuated, since the warnings were just one exit away. Fortunately, we've been safely situated. We stayed inside all weekend (so NOT my style) to avoid falling ash and lung damage. I did pressing things like clean our spice rack and detail the vacuum cleaner. We made it out to the theater at one point to see the latest X-Men movie (great distraction) and gathered with friends to watch "Milk" (I heart San Francisco--and Sean Penn).

I've been a ball of nerves but the coastal fog has rolled in and it's cooling off out there and things are looking a lot better. My heart goes out to all those who lost their homes and I am in awe of and full of gratitude for the firefighters who came to the rescue from near and far.

Random Confessions

From the same strawberry plants in the title picture

My cute lil computer has become dysfunctional to the point where I need to send it in. The mouse doesn't work and windows randomly open and close. Somehow, I am attempting to squeeze a blogpost in before that day comes.

I miss blogging. And twitter. And gmail chat. And sorting through my digital pictures.

I picked two pints of homegrown strawberries from the field tonight.... and I found flats of Dahlias for $2 each. They're labeled as summer annuals when they're actually perennials that will return year after year... I can't wait to get my planting on.

I've been working long hours these last few weeks. It isn't at my ideal job but I am thrilled to be working in my field (sort of) and making money (sort of). I am trying to put my heart into it, pay my dues, and learn along the way. So far I have had a fair balance of pleasant and hellish days.

I dropped out of two of my classes, photoshop and sewing, due to new work commitments. But I am still in drawing class...which I love and strongly recommend. So far we have drawn hands and shoes. I spent two hours yesterday working on shading, which is all new to me. I bought myself a red colored pencil and hope to find time outside of class to lose myself in this new found hobby.
*I rejoined sewing class--just switched to the evening class. I learned how to hem pants!

Santa Barbara is on fire! I've been watching the plumes of smoke balloon out from the flames and have been hearing helicopters and firetrucks all evening. It got up to 95 degrees today with atypical wind which is only contributing to the mess. Most of downtown is evacuated. This is the fourth fire we've had since moving to the area. I am grateful I live just far enough away from this one.

What's new in your world readers?

Easter Glory

On Easter, our friends picked us up in their fast sports car and we headed out for scenic Sunday drive in the mountains. We went on Figueroa Mountain Drive, a route known for it's spectacular wildflowers. I mentioned this colorful spot before, but we hadn't seen it in full show-off mode. This part of California is appropriately nicknamed "God's Canvas."

The view up.

A close up of the lupine and poppy frenzy.

After our picnic on the mountain top we went down a canyon and hiked along a stream where there was an old chromium mine. We came across this super old-school car in the middle of nowhere:

Upon further examination, we noticed a fascinating detail:

Look what's snoozing under the steering wheel!
I am seriously grateful for my zoom lens.

Our pals had an awesome guide to Santa Barbara's wildflowers. I munched on this Miner's Lettuce, which is prolific in shady spots. It was a popular snack for the Chumash Indians and pioneers (and miners I assume).

A hillside decorated with purple Fiesta Flowers.

From the car window: The California hills framed by wild (invasive) mustard.

I grilled up a platter of farmer's market and garden veggies and we ended the evening at a lovely potluck with friends and neighbors. Three picnic tables pushed together, a pink tablecloth, flowers from the garden, candlelight made for a beautiful meal al fresco.

Roses are Yellow

Today was hot. The tomatoes and squash plants are inches bigger each time I check on them, but it is the bounty of roses that thrill me. Now that serious bloomage has started, my house (and garden teaparties) will be prettier than ever.

A and I finally broke in the 8 ft board peaking into the background. We got away with paddling around sans wetsuits. It was surprisingly not-too-cold, though getting tangled in the kelp beds was a different matter.