This is the story of our adventures -- every day and extraordinary; our dreams -- tiny and grand; our gardens -- ornamental and sustaining; this is the story of our journey.  We are a family of four living a mindful, simple life here in Los Angeles County.  We are green, conscious, and forward thinking.  We keep an eye on the past because some of the best things have already been done and bear repeating.  Walk and talk with us, have a glass of wine, taste a peach or a tomato, blow some bubbles and watch them drift up over the canyon ridge.  Enjoy!

Thursday, July 23, 2009

Sliced beauties!

Naked:



And all dressed up!

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Birthdays are exhausting!


Yesterday was Gregorie's third birthday. She was up later than usual, after a busy evening! She got up like usual and went about her day. But by late afternoon, she was grouchy! After she and I had an argument about orange watermelon, she stormed off. She crawled in my bed to cry a little. Then the girl who hasn't napped in almost two years passed out! Awwwww! They are so peaceful when they sleep, even at three!!

Saturday, July 18, 2009

Playing Farm Town on Facebook



Active Girls!

While up at the cabin we went on several fairly strenuous hikes, 1000'-2000' of elevation gain, starting at about 6000+', several miles each way. The girls proved to be very strong hikers! Especially Gregorie!


On the way up, the girls and I went to the Sac'to zoo and spent the night in a hotel. Alex had a great time swimming in the pool.

Friday, July 17, 2009

Gregorie Ann's birthday is next week

I asked Greggie what she wanted for her birthday. "Sleeping Beauty pajamas , a yellow Little Pony , and snow [in SoCal in July]." I guess she got the snow idea because on Alex's birthday we were at the cabin, and it snowed... Alex told her, "Mama and I are going to get dressed and go to the store and buy your presents. But you have to stay here because they are special surprise presents!" Greggie twirled as she descended the three steps from the kitchen to living room, hands over head, and said, "Let's just use magic to make my presents!" Well, for the snow....

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Peaches, Peppers, Popcorn Hair!


Another two weeks away from the garden and we came home to a tomato jungle!

I did some work tonight, after the world cooled down, to tame the wilderness, that is making it impossible to harvest the onions and carrots that are hiding below!
Tamed on the right, still wild on the left!
There are HUNDREDS of fruit waiting to ripen!





A market perfect onion!  We dug two like this today -- the other was actually larger.
Figs!  
And peaches.  Gregg picked one today and we shared it in the afternoon sun, warm juice running down our chins.

I never knew onion blossoms were so beautiful!




And how about popcorn silk?  It would make a nice wig!

I love these peppers -- they are Renee's Garden, Pizza My Heart.  Amazing flavor.  I never liked a raw pepper until I ate these...

A lavender explosion!
This is the popcorn, which looks better than the regular corn...
Something ate all the silks...
But the tassels are pretty!
Hanging tomatoes, flowers, and basil.

Today we also harvested half a dozen gorgeous heirloom tomatoes -- red with green stripes!  And a colander of green beans.  And two broccoli crowns.  And a dozen carrots!  And three of those wonderful peppers.  For lunch I ate the tomatoes and peppers with fresh picked basil, fresh mozz, olive oil and sea salt.  The girls stole half my lunch!  And ate all the carrots as an afternoon snack.  Oh, and how could I almost forget -- we had an onion chopped up raw in our steak tacos for dinner. OMG, it was heavenly -- no bite, sweet as an apple.  I made a taco with just tomato, onion, and cilantro!