I just can't get enough of this beautiful weather. Sarah and I sat in the park, crocheting, reading and soaking up warm sunshine. Here's me working on my little flowers!


We also went to the Santa Barbara Botanical Gardens where we ventured into this really cool thatched open hut-type thing, found faces in rocks, danced in the redwoods, and bought a couple plants from the nursery!





I've been to the beach a lot lately too, here's Becca


I hope everyone is enjoying their summer and finding ways to keep cool :)

I'm making crocheted key rings to sell. I'm not going to buy anything for a while! I'm biking to work and going to save the world. I ran into a lot of old friends while at an Au Revoir Simone concert down town with Sarah and Peter- Everett, Emily and Skylar! And I think I made a new friend named Lily! She likes crafts and the earth so I think we will probably get along ;)

Sarah and I went for a bike ride to the beach, then made fresh OJ and beaded. Here she is being embarrassed that I took her picture, but lookin good!


I finally got around to planting my new plants and my little seedlings I got from the Heirloom Seed Co. and from a friend. Summer Squash, cucumber, carrots, pumpkins, beets, blueberries and tomatoes. I'm excited to eat. I also made the best chili stew thing, Sarah inspired me to get gutsy with my spices (and boy did I ever. Ouch!).


Even though it was a gloomy day (and it has been for like a week while the rest of the country boils wtf), working on Fairview Gardens CSA share distribution day is always fun. Too bad it won't be happenin for me anymore, though. Time to buckle down and work for the man in order to get outta here.

Sew your own clothes.
Alter what you can get very cheaply at the thrift store.
Eat everything in the house.
Do not eat out.
Do not go out drinking.
Bike more.
Put stuff on etsy.

Beet Hummus - CHECK!


And I also made some To-Go bars! Really yummy, easy to eat energy snacks made of figs, unsweetened coconut and toasted almonds. A delightful recipe I got from my radicool boss at Fairview.



Now, onto crafty price cards for Fairview. And some more coffee ;)

To Do's

I love how To Do lists can make me feel so organized and inspired. Even if half the things on the list aren't all that fun, just having a sense of what the near future brings is wonderful (especially when I feel the beginnings of a freak-out coming on!). Here's on my list today...

Get up and run - CHECK
Care for indoor plants - CHECK
Make beet hummus
Make farm price cards
Tidy piles in my room
Clean house for at least 2 full hours


Prizes:
Crochet a granny hex for blanket
Work on ETSY site for $$
Create a paper garland for summer enjoyment

PS: My sister rocks and just won a styling contest at her work (she's in the visual department of Nordstrom) so she's going to HAWAII (YES YES YES) in August for a complete week with all expenses paid! She's going to be working in the new Nordstrom store (about a year old, so everything is clean and working) over there for a few days and then have time off to do whatever, like scuba diving, or hiking or whatever! It's so wonderful to see her get recognized for the awesome things she puts together :)

I'm hungry

Patchwork. Paints. Palate. Pretty!

Now, off to eat and sign up for dog training/obedience classes!

Dog Love Thursday

I love that little face...

I'm Happy It's June

I'm happy it's June, are you? Kids are getting out of school, the days are crazy long, I'm working on my new garden and my BFF is visiting at the end of this week!

For Mosaic Wednesday I had a hell of a time finding pictures to put in to post. Not because I didn't have enough, I just have so many wonderful pictures I've found from friends and while trolling Flickr, that I couldn't decide on a topic, or theme. Anyway, I went from projects I want to do, to farmstyle, to pendants and finally chose Artist Books.


I've been looking at so many wonderful crochet projects on flickr as well (as probably noted in my last mosaic!), but never posted my own. So here's what I'm working on now. A blanket! It will almost definitely take me forever, but I know it will be worth it :) Plus, I'm not against taking breaks and crocheting other things for other people, like BABIES! A baby blanket would go a looootttt quicker than what I have in mind hehe


I worked on a hexagon while I met with my Creative Sustainability group at Fairview Gardens last Saturday. God, it was a fucking fine-ass day and we had a great time talking about crocheting, composting and cool books we're reading. Here's Jeanette and her daughter in law crocheting at the table, with filtered sun coming down on us and chatting.

Next meeting is in 2 Saturdays, come check us out at Meetup! Search Creative Sustainability.

I went to my last volunteer session at Roosevelt today :( I was helping out in a second grade classroom once a week with Language Arts and they are all graduating tomorrow! So yesterday, putting it off as I love to do, I went to the craft store to get some beads to spell out "I <3 writing" for simple crocheted bracelets. I went just about fucking nuts because I couldn't find the darn things for the life of me. I always hated those tacky beads at Michael's and other craft stores who can't seem to get enough of them, allowing them miles of space for display, but I figured the kids weren't going to give two hoots, being in 2nd grade and liking anything colorful. This combined with my paltry budget, I had decided on the simple plastic alphabet letters, and of course, the one time I want those devlish beads they were n'er to be found. NO WHERE. Over an hour later, I gave up on the stupid beads and decided on making books instead.


Thankfully they were awesomely received and I even got a "Thank You" book made by the class for myself to take home!

Now I'm working on making new signs for the farm stand and painting egg cartons. What fun!

Things I love *Friday*

Are you excited for the three day weekend? I have to work, but I'm feeding off the energy put out by everyone else who will be off! Some things I love today are...

> sunshine pouring through my window
> two books: The Backyard Homestead by Madigan (less than two bucks NEW from the thrift store!) and Barbara Kingsolver's Animal, Vegetable, Miracle
> a really cute blog about farming
> what a smart idea! Who cleans their dog's toys? I never have, but I think now I should. I gave her a bath yesterday and cleaned all her beds. She is soo yummy smelling and soft now.

What few things are you lovin today?

Gaviota Peak

A few friends and I went on a hike last week and I took this video:
Awesome view, right?! Here's a still picture, incase your computer doesn't like loading the video, like mine.

Within the first 100 yards of the hike, we found (I actually almost stepped on) a dead baby rattle snake and a bat! The snake was broken. So sad. (sorry about the funky angle, I don't know what happened there haha)


The bat story was really funny. We saw it on the ground, and thought it was dead, but once we saw it moving slightly, we realized we had to get it out of the path (and hot, bright sun) asap! While Buff and I walked back to take pictures of the snake, we heard Jeremy and Andy laughing really hard so we hurried back to find that the bat was FINE! lol As they were placing the stick it was lying on down in a shady spot the thing totally flew at Jeremy's face! hahahaha maybe it just needed to get out of the sun for a moment to get its senses back. I don't know, but yeah it was a pretty wild start to the hike!


Kittens have arrived on the adoption floor at ASAP, and there were, of course, tons of traffic at the shelter today. Another surprise was this morning when a young new arrival squeezed out 4 babies while a volunteer was cleaning nearby cages! God were they adorable...I want to foster kittens again!!! Too bad I don't have the room, money or the 'okay' for it, this time around. Next season! heeehee

PS. are my pictures too big? Do they bog down your computer?

Mosaic Wednesday!

1. Clara's blanket, 2. covered stool with hezlein, 3. Rainbows & Clouds, 4. a finished blanket, 5. DSC_0172 [800x600], 6. new patchwork cushions, 7. (wood &) wool garland, 8. crocheting granny squares, 9. Purple/lilac shawl back, 10. Crochet Flowers in Pink, 11. Necklace made from gift, 12. Spring in here!, 13. 006

I'll take a picture of my own little granny squares (which are actually hexagons, but that's okay!) one of these days. Right now I've got about 7 or so. I've got a loooong way to go :)

Time has legs?

It seems as if Time just rain away from me! I can't believe we're almost done with May already! Is everyone thinking of what they're going to do for their pops for Father's Day? I'm still thinking...

We pulled up some yummy cabbage and strawberries from the garden.


And the garden is looking lovely these days. We have a little rain a few days ago which was unexpected. Don't you love that fresh, cleaner look everything has afterwards?


Last week I saw a boy running away from the Juvenile Hall on Hollister and it brought me back to working at the group home just from a new perspective. The boys would run off campus any second they got, and we'd have to go chase them or call the cops, call their parents to notfiy them, restrain them, ground them, process with them, coach staff on the incident or any number of tactics...and here I was NOT HAVING TO! It was great hahaha i felt bad for the staff at JH, but oh did it feel great not experiencing that panic that was so abnormally routine for us at work.

I've been working on making new price cards for Fairview Gardens (with terrible luck, I may add) and I fiddled around with making new stamps. Non of which are going to be used haha. Still they are fun to make, don't you think?



Aww, Guinness and I went to the beach and I gave her free photo shoot. I think that was very generous of me, but she wasn't very interested in anything except the ball. haha





Tomorrow I go to my canning class! I'm excited for jam and pickles!

Finally--Salt!

I've chosen to do Mosaics on Wednesdays every week, so please--hold me to it! I've never done these weekly themed posts, but I'm excited to try it out. The first one here, is from my favorites on flickr - sunshine through windows being the more specific theme. I love all these places, don't you just want to go in there and create something, or read a good book or pot a new plant?



And onto the promised salt :) So so so delicious, everyone must make it! So I started with picking lavender from out front, then gather all the remaining ingredients together:





And put them all into the processor with some salt to help chop up the herbs:



Lastly, save some out to put in an easy dispenser, and seal the rest up in a safe container and store in the pantry. Voila! Easy, delicious, fresh and organic seasoned salt!

2:45am post

I just had to post before I went to bed, as it is WAY past my bedtime. I'm just so excited right now! I've been looking up Wwoof.nz.co for the past three hours. I've joined it on FB and think it's my ticket to NZ--with a purpose and career experience!

This book is amazing! the motifs are beautiful and in universal instructions (diagram) AND words. This is veerrrrry helpful. I also craftied up my life notebook. I stick everything in here. I write down random songs that I hear and love, paste in postcards and business cards, add in relevant newspaper clippings, write lists, etc as a recording of my time here at these crossroads.



And I've decided to do mosaic post once a week. Now just to decide which day.

I made delicious kale chips! If anyone wants the easy (almost silly) recipe for the most wonderful, crunchy, tangy lemon kale chips, let me know. I'm craving some right now as i look at this picture haha



Look at this strange spike that has erupted from our plant out front. Isn't it amazing?? I'm not sure what it's going to do, but it is so striking I had to photo it. Plus, it grows faster than ANYTHING I have ever seen. It has grown at least 3.5 feet in 2 weeks. Just amazing.



And the NEXT post, I promise will be of the salt hehe I just got too excited to skip this post tonight :) I hope all is well in your space tonight <3

A great weekend! I went to the 8th California Student Sustainability Coalition Spring 2010 Convergence down in San Diego this weekend and had a good time. I learned a lot, was inspired and met too many intelligent, hopeful and energetic students to mention. It's going to be a revolution! I'm excited :)

Before I left with my carpool from SLO, I went to a pizza (there's been a lot of this lately hasn't there?) night with a friend, and met a like 10 great new people! Here's our vegan pizza getting the slice:



My dad and I went to a greenhouse sale and I had to take a picture of all the green. I absolutely love green houses...aahhh i want one!



Afterward, we went to this pretty stream!



Next post....Seasoned Salt!

Hey guys! Good morning! The sun is out and I just got my morning completely freed up!

I have a question for you. Because I have a hard time staying consistent with posting, I want to do one of those easy weekly posts prompts. Like "Bench Monday," but would love some more ideas. What is if did Flower Friday? or didn't I see one called Dog Love Tuesday? Ooh or maybe I can start a Granny Wednesday (as in crocheted granny squares hehe)?

What have you seen around the blog/flicker-o-sphere?

I'll leave you with a perfect pizza picture, vegan of course!

Strawberry Fields Forever (or so it seems)

I was prompted to take as many strawberries as I wanted from the farm's cooler, and I sure did! I made lots of strawberry jam, preserves, and dessert :) heehee




Mmm...Fresh strawberries and vegan coconut milk ice cream. Fuckin' heaven!


I'd love to do a swap of some sort...like artwork for jam. or maybe just have a tea party with homemade bread made into toast with jam. lovely!

A Boat Trip

Yesterday I was just too exhausted to post all about my day, but this morning I've got a moment to share with you.
I got up at 5am yesterday morning (which I know isn't that early for some of you *cough* Annie) to get down to Ventura on time to board a boat set for Anacapa Island.
I was going with a Work Leader Training group organized by Channel Islands Restoration, to learn how to lead groups of volunteers on this island to work. After several forms were filled out, and a short presentation was finished,
we were off!


Here's looking back at Ventura.



And here's where we were headed!



The weather was beautiful, with Santa Ana (warm) winds blowing on us. I got a little wet on the way over because of choppy water. The sea was too choppy to actually get OFF the boat, but the experience was all the same WONDERFUL! I've gone out to the Channel Islands about 1-3 times and this trip just reminded me how much I really enjoy being out on the ocean. I need to do this more often!

On the way home, I drove through downtown Ventura (which is beautiful btw!) and then Summerland.
Such a fun day!

I've found a new way to be artistic! I love setting up the stand with all the vegetables at my new job! Here's a picture of my first design. I'll only be opening the shop on Saturdays (closing every other day except Monday), but I will be taking pictures of my progress as I learn the art of displaying vegetables. Lol it sounds kind of silly, but it is SO FUN! There are so many colors, directions in which the food has grown and the textures--oh the textures < 3 I even enjoy the surprise of slugs and gently plopping them into the compost to grub down on without interference. It's true organic produce, baby!


My mom and I went to our favorite garden shop on Saturday and with some of my money made from house sitting (and pet sitting a sweet little dog named Coby) bought a few baby plants. I have mine by my bed, cleaning the air and giving my eyes a pretty place to rest.

Isn't that green yummy?

I hate to be such a Negative Nancy, but I am so sick of hearing about eggs and lamb! I'm not used to so much blatant non-vegeness around every corner. My family's tradition on Easter has a soft place in my heart, although we didn't do anything remotely Easter-ish this year. It was dreadfully gloomy all day, and now just started sprinkling. In the past, a few close families would meet up with mine and go for a nice spring hike. A few of the parents would speed up a head and drop chocolate eggs for all of us kiddos (about 6 girls depending on the year and who was able to make it). For several years I really believed the bunny had magically known we were coming on this exact hike and left the delicious chocolates for us. Later I figured it out (and I'm glad I did, for if I hadn't, I'd have something else entirely to deal with), and then was lucky enough to get to be the dropper! I loved munching on those milk chocolaty eggs (more than I should have, I suppose) and leaving behind a trail of colorful tinfoil wrapped treats for a few younger kids. I'm thankful that my parents didn't make it into a day full of heavy religious sermons or lavish presents (or live chicks!), and just sweetened up one of our hikes. Happy Easter (or Zombie-Jesus Day as some people call it) to everyone :)

I can't leave it on that note, so I will share a picture of my latest fruit smoothie.

It was strawberries (yup, straight from my farm), bananas, and berries with almond milk blended all together and then topped with soy yogurt and coconut milk keifer and a strawberry. I got a sour grass flower to pose too, oh lucky meeee!