Spring

As we near the the end of a rainy season where it actually rained- we are seeing the first signs of spring popping out in the yard. All the fruit trees are dressed in their beautiful blossoms, luring bees and hummingbirds for a quick visit. We are pleased to announce the arrival of 2 new trees to the back yard; a Japanese plum and a Pluot. The neighbor's removal of 2 very huge and rather dead looking pine trees has brought sunlight back to the back yard, and the planting of new things in ours.

My two little strawberry plants are sporting fruit, (yippeee!) and tomatoes have been planted. Potatoes are sprouting near the chicken coop, with some purple seed potatoes to soon join the others. A new artichoke (Dave's new favorite perennial) red onions, peas, and rainbow kale round out this month's plantings. The seeds are finally starting to sprout, so more tomatoes-one is a purple variety- are on their way along with Cinderella pumpkins and a few squash for good measure.

I can hear you asking: "Where are all these things going?" Excellent question. We have removed a few non edible shrubs which freed up quite a bit of space. We have also extended the flower boarder in the front yard to use for some of the fruits and veggies. The idea is to introduce more edible plantings among the inedible, creating a Disney like garden of the future:-) This will be an adventure for sure, and hopefully, a tasty one.

The Master Gardener lady taught us a new technical term: Crack. When the buds on a tree are about to emerge, it is said that the tree is about to crack. There you go!

Thoughts on Food

This has been an interesting food week for me-and it's only Wednesday! It started with a friend's Facebook entry that raised the question: "Is it better to by organic from Peru or pesticide using local foods?". I had to stop and think about what people did before food from around the world was so readily available. My mom bought what was in season and what was grown close enough to be driven to our store before it went rotten. She drove to eastern Washington and bought bushels of fruit to can for the winter months. Otherwise, I remember we bought frozen or canned from the store. We had good friends who lived on a ranch, and on several occasions my parents would purchase their chickens and cows to put into our freezer. They did this in the 60's and 70's, not the 40's. As I think about the things my mom did to feed us great and healthy food I am once again in awe of her forward thinking. Today we demand strawberries all year long, asparagus in the middle of winter and fresh grapes whenever the desire arises. I suppose our "needs" are what have driven imported fruit sales through the roof. And to keep prices down we purchase meat from China. Don't even get me started on this! Now please don't think I am a locavore purist --I love Braeburn apples from New Zealand and I have a package of blackberries from Mexico in my fridge as I write this. I'm just wondering if being more local minded when it comes to shopping, and being content with eating seasonally wouldn't be healthier for me and the world.

On the same note, in school Mrs. S. celebrated the end of the 1930's with a party. We prepared foods that were first made and popularized during that decade of depression (or as one student called it "The Great Depressing"). Chef salad, Kool-aid, M&M's, and Ritz Mock Apple Pie were eagerly consumed by the class. (Except for Elizabeth, who did NOT like the pie, but really liked the homemade French dressing.) While making the pie on Monday night, I couldn't help think of the women who, because of the absence of, or lack of funds for, apples, created a unique way to celebrate with a pie that actually tasted pretty good. That is true homemaking- making due with what is available in a creative way. Those women are still a great example, despite the 80 years between us.

Waste was a sin back then, perhaps it should be today, too. That may be one of the reasons I love having the chickens; what ever we can't eat the chickens recycle for us! There was a very nice article in the February 2010 issue of Body and Soul titled "Remains of the Day". In it are some good tips to help reduce the "nearly 100 billion pounds of wasted food". It is noted in the article that the average household creates about "1.28 pounds of daily wasted food that equals up to 14% of our food budget". Wow! At a time when spending money is a concern for most people, using our food well makes good sense.

So what is the point of all this you ask? Well, perhaps a good resolution to make and keep this year would be to become more aware of where my food comes from and how I use it. This is a goal that would not only help me and my family, but perhaps it can help to make our world a tiny bit nicer.

Happy Anniversary

Today is the 29th anniversary of my first date with David. Actually it didn't start out as a date; as the home evening group leader I had asked David if he could drive some of our group to the ice rink on Provo Lake, so truth be told, I'm the one that asked him out!

The ice rink was a section of the lake that was frozen over and had a fence and lights put up to contain the skaters in a safe area. Perhaps it was that I had my own skates, or maybe because I was the only one that had spoken to him before so I was a bit familiar, but once we got there, Dave asked if I would like to skate with him for a bit. Of course I said yes, he had given us a ride there! When the end of the evening came, we were still skating together, and the rest, as they say, is history.

So happy anniversary to my sweetheart! He has been the perfect man to ride with behind that big Zamboni called life.

Rainy day sing-along

We are actually experiencing rain in Southern California! And it is not just the usual type of heavy mist rain, it has been full fledged, no sun, with occasional down pours-rain. So in honor of the occasion, I found the "Rainy Day" song from Sesame Street. It was one of my favorites growing up, so I hope you will like it too. Perhaps it will help you appreciate the rain as you are cleaning up the after products of the storm. Especially if it is the river that flows through your garage!

Join along...it's a rainy day, it's a rainy day...it's wet outside and I can't go out to play... but I like the rain...anyway...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DlljkLsdc2A

p.s. I just couldn't resist my all time favorite- "Ladybug Picnic". It is guaranteed to make you smile.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xr8vUTm64h0

Live Oak Trail

Happy New Year to one and all! To start things off on the right foot for 2010 (ha, ha) the Ticklers went for a beautiful hike in O'Neill Park. Joining us were my favorite man and beast: David and Abby.

As you can see, the Live Oak trail was a beautiful place to be, especially on such a perfect Southern California- in- the- winter day.

While the park information page said dogs were allowed, when we got to the summit and the decision was made to try a different trail back to the car than retracing our steps, we noted that some of the trails sported signs stating dogs were not allowed. One trail, that we were sure was the one we needed to be on, had a sign depicting a dog sitting with a "not allowed" circle over it. In an effort to obey the sign, Martine and I were about to claim defeat and turn around and head back the way we had come up the mountain. But never fear, we had Dave with us, and I should know by now not to underestimate the powers of his legal mind. He informed us that the sign stated that "sitting dogs" were not allowed on the trail, and that as long as we did not curb our dog (I'm not sure what that means, but it sounded impressive!), Abby was allowed on the trail. I love that man! So down we headed, making sure that we did not let Abby sit, and enjoyed a truly beautiful part of O'Neill Park. Once down the hill we walked under beautiful oak trees that created shade and quiet and serenity.

The hike was a bit strenuous, with a 600 foot elevation gain in about 1 mile, but it was definitely worth the effort. Beautiful scenery and fun conversation, a bit of civil disobedience that Martine and I are still chuckling about...what more could you ask for?!

The 2010 Rose Parade

And I was there!!! It was such and amazing thing to actually see the floats and bands passing by that I can hardly believe I was there. We had grandstand seating towards the end of the parade, so we saw some things that the tv doesn't show...that 2 floats broke down and had to be towed, the huge applause that the clean up detail behind the horses receive and how incredibly beautiful the flowers are! I was so enthralled watching everything that I forgot to take photos, but here are a few of the highlights:

The jellys and puffers were one of my favorites.

Most inspirational? This Band from the Ohio State School for the Blind.

Only in Pasadena-shirt sleeve weather on the first of January!

What a great adventure to start off 2010-here's to many more!

Evan + black belt = watch out world!

This December, Evan was awarded his Black Belt in Tae Kwon Doe. It has taken 4 work filled years, and lots of determination and bruises, but he did it.

This is Master Ferrer, a member of the 1988 Olympic Martial Arts Team, tying on Evan's new belt at the ceremony.

This was a proud moment for Evan, and for his family!

So now when help is needed, you know who to call on. With his lightning fast reflexes, sweet defensive skills and secret nun-chuck moves from the government, Evan is ready to save the day.