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my hen who thinks she is a dinosaur.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/covered-wagon-2.jpgcovered wagon 2Westward, ho!https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/dsc_1522.jpgDSC_1522From top to bottom, a clapper stick, a deer hoof rattle, a turtle rattle, and a flute.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/dsc_1519.jpgDSC_1519We usually play with Native American artifacts like this beautiful drum.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/dsc_1514.jpgDSC_1514This was my great-grandmother's cream pitcher.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/dsc_1510.jpgDSC_1510This old whiskey jug belonged to my great-grandmother Mary Ann (Toliver) Williams.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/dsc_1509.jpgDSC_1509Even toys were different in pioneer times. My grandmother had a china head doll from her childhood in the late 1800s. These are reproductions that I bought at Goodwill.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/dsc_1503.jpgDSC_1503A finished loaf of sourdough bread. I try to use cast iron cookware when we are playing pioneer days.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/dsc_1501.jpgDSC_1501This is a loaf of sourdough bread, ready to cook on my gas BBQ grill. It is too hot to use the oven in the house.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/dsc_1494.jpgDSC_1494I ramped up my sourdough started and we made sourdough pancakes.2016-07-29T05:27:12+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2015/09/08/civil-war-days-in-huntington-beach-central-park-labor-day-weekend-2015/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/dsc_1669.jpgDSC_1669The reporter is a character who shows up every year.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/dsc_1681.jpgDSC_1681But it is no use. The Union loses this battle. The reporter (with white satchel over his shoulder) takes notes for the Herald Dispatch.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/dsc_1894.jpgDSC_1894The Union tries one more charge.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/dsc_1891.jpgDSC_1891A unit with the Union.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/dsc_1820.jpgDSC_1820https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/dsc_1870.jpgDSC_1870Doctors and nurses tend to the wounded, and carry off the dead on stretchers.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/dsc_1710.jpgDSC_1710The Confederates fire more volleys.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/dsc_1692.jpgDSC_1692https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/dsc_1931.jpgDSC_1931But there were too many Confederates. Union soldiers fell right and left.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/dsc_1791.jpgDSC_17912015-09-07T22:31:03+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2015/08/24/4295/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/dsc_1440.jpgDSC_1440A late August overview of my three little beds, looking north. The chicken coop is behind me.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/dsc_1435.jpgDSC_1435https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/dsc_1438.jpgDSC_1438This is the first year I have gotten apples from my little Fuji apple tree. They are tiny but delicious.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/dsc_1437.jpgDSC_1437My Granny Smith apples are doing well. Some of the apples are huge and some aren't much bigger than golf balls.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/dsc_1434.jpgDSC_1434I got four butternuts out of six plants. Pretty pathetic. And I have never seen such small butternuts.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/dsc_1432.jpgDSC_1432The bell peppers are coming along. They will produce well into winter, so I have my fingers crossed for getting some harvest from these guys.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/dsc_1431.jpgDSC_1431I transplanted red cabbage in January, but we had a REALLY warm winter. The cabbages STILL haven't headed up. This is the best so far, a cabbage head the size of a grapefruit.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/dsc_1428.jpgDSC_1428This handsome row of green beans is towering over my head, but there is not one single flower on the bean vines. Yet.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/dsc_1429.jpgDSC_1429I have ONE Ping Tung Long eggplant that got fertilized. It is a new variety to me as I usually grow Ichiban eggplants. This year my Ichiban has nothing on it after I picked the first eggplant from it.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/dsc_1422.jpgDSC_1422I saw a honeybee in the garden, so let nature take its course and finally got a second duke fertilized. Unless production picks up, there won't be enough to make pickles.2015-09-07T21:29:49+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2015/08/12/progress-in-the-garden-despite-an-extreme-drought-august-10-2015/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/dsc_1232.jpgDSC_1232This is one of my newest planters of succulents, with a red bromeliad in the background.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/dsc_1226.jpgDSC_1226One solution to having a pretty garden during a drought is to grow succulents in colorful pots.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/dsc_1218.jpgDSC_1218A rosehttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/dsc_1195.jpgDSC_1195Allen's Hummingbird https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/dsc_1208.jpgDSC_1208Bromeliadhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/dsc_1202.jpgDSC_1202Coneflowershttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/dsc_1185.jpgDSC_1185Rudbeckiahttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/dsc_1187.jpgDSC_1187I love this little piggie planter from Mexico. I call him El Señor Puerco. Now how many people name their planters?https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/dsc_1238.jpgDSC_1238Without any August produce to harvest and preserve, I mainly sit on my deck and watch the garden grow.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/dsc_1236.jpgDSC_1236I FINALLY got a harvest of some summer vegetables. This was it.2015-08-23T18:11:21+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2015/07/29/growing-a-garden-for-the-soul-28-july-2015/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/dsc_1169.jpgDSC_1169And here is a Monarch with its wings a bit more spread.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/dsc_1174.jpgDSC_1174The hummingbirds are very happy that I have finally cleaned and refilled the feeders for them. The male Allen's hummingbirds fight over the feeders. "Mine"! "No, mine, get away!" Silly birds. There are three feeders, enough for everyone. They aren't into sharing.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/dsc_1166.jpgDSC_1166I don't know if this will show up or not, but it is supposed to be a picture of a female Western Fence lizard. We also have males in the yard, and I assume that they are reproducing. At this point, they outnumber the Southern Alligator Lizards in our yard, which is a National Wildlife Federation certified backyard habitat.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/dsc_1076.jpgDSC_1076I like to do "yard patrol," looking at what has sprouted. This time it is radishes and carrots.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/dsc_1145.jpgDSC_1145We are down to three hens, but two of them are laying, so we are good in the egg department.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/dsc_1149.jpgDSC_1149One of the many Monarchs in our yard.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/dsc_1133.jpgDSC_1133A Gulf Fritillary on a marigold in my new hanging basket pollinator garden.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/dsc_1101.jpgDSC_1101I think this is a Funeral Duskywing, but it might be a dark Fiery Skipper.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/dsc_1079.jpgDSC_1079I had some spider plants that weren't doing well in pots in this west-facing sunny spot, so I replaced them with pots of Penta, marigolds, and Lantana. That's right, a mini-garden for butterflies and bees.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/dsc_1075.jpgDSC_1075This is just some of the damage that the birds did before I got netting over bed #3. I transplanted 8 cucumber vines, but the birds seem to have eaten the growth end off of about five of them. VBS.2015-11-24T21:05:20+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2015/07/22/maybe-we-wont-starve-after-all-july-21-2015/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/dsc_1048.jpgDSC_1048My herb garden is just to the south of the veggie beds, and the chicken coop is south of that. https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/dsc_1047.jpgDSC_1047This is my view from my deck, looking west over my tiny garden. The green wall behind the beds is the back edge of our property. Not much space.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/dsc_1040.jpgDSC_1040This is my best head of red cabbage so far. It is between the size of a baseball and a softball. Not very impressive. But it is almost as big as the red cabbage being shown at the Orange County Fair. Looks like no one here got good cabbage this year with our hot winter.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/dsc_1039.jpgDSC_1039This is veggie bed #1, with an old collard green plant, a couple of red cabbage that I planted in january that STILL haven't made heads, some tomatoes and bell peppers, and a dill plant.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/dsc_1045.jpgDSC_1045Two tiny Roma tomatoes have set fruit. I also have a couple of Yellow Pear and a couple of Better Boy tomatoes that have set fruit.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/dsc_1038.jpgDSC_1038Veggie bed #2 has been in the ground for two weeks and is growing like crazy. I have tomatoes, bell peppers, basil, Blue Lake pole green beans and yellow squash in this bed.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/dsc_0695.jpgDSC_0695The first vine to grab hold of the trellis is now up to my eye level. They don't really take off until they can latch onto something to climb up. I am carefully training each vine up a metal post or a string. So far, I have no red blossoms from them, much less a bean.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/dsc_1043.jpgDSC_1043I have a nice row of scarlet runner beans coming along.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/dsc_1042.jpgDSC_1042This is the third butternut that I have hand-fertilized. The male and female flowers are still blooming out of sync. With six plants, you'd think that they would have the common decency to open a male and a female flower on the same day. But not so far.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/dsc_1041.jpgDSC_1041Here it is today, July 21. Yep, it got fertilized. It looks like it will have a nice long neck too. That is the best part.2015-08-23T18:13:30+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2015/07/16/my-midsummer-garden-is-no-dream-july-15-2015/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/dsc_0657.jpgDSC_0657I planted veggie bed #1 a few days ago. It has tomatoes, bell peppers, an old collard plant, and some cheerful marigolds.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/dsc_0678.jpgDSC_0678The avocado tree has set a record 60 avocados this year. Maybe we won't starve after all.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/dsc_0675.jpgDSC_0675Our Asian pear trees are doing themselves proud this year, with a bumper crop of about 60-70 pears.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/dsc_0673.jpgDSC_0673Dino-peep is the nasty hen that attacks me every chance she gets. She is our only producer right now, so egg production is way down. Here she is, hard at work.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/dsc_0669.jpgDSC_0669Chicken Little at nine years of age is too old to lay much. She may also be done for the year.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/dsc_0667.jpgDSC_0667Two of my remaining three hens are molting and not laying. This is Miss Hillary, who has never been a good layer anyway. Her comb isn't even red, so she is probably done laying for the year.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/dsc_0665.jpgDSC_0665And in the "we're gonna starve" category, here is my grape crop. These are supposed to be Red Flame Seedless grapes, but they are tinier than currants. FAIL.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/dsc_0663.jpgDSC_0663But in the crazy weather = crazy garden category, my Granny Smith apple tree is blooming again in mid July. Ditto one of my Asian pears.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/dsc_0664.jpgDSC_0664The trick of pulling leaves off the apple trees in the fall (because it was too warm here this winter for them to fall naturally) seems to have worked. We have about 30 Fuji apples.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/dsc_0656.jpgDSC_0656The plants have recovered from being transplanted, and are growing nicely.2015-07-28T23:26:24+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2015/07/01/my-woeful-garden-june-2015/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/dsc_0580.jpgDSC_0580It's SUPPOSED to get eaten by caterpillars. We have hatched out a LOT of monarchs in the time we have been growing our butterfly garden.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/dsc_0636.jpgDSC_0636I have been harvesting and eating onions for some time now, but the tops of the remaining ones have died. Time to pull them and make room for something else.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/dsc_0634.jpgDSC_0634I planted some scarlet runner beans about a week ago, carefully spacing them about 2-3 inches apart. The seeds appear to have migrated underground, clustering in one place. Go figure. Only about a third of the seeds have sprouted.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/dsc_0632.jpgDSC_0632Two female butternut flowers opened today, but if there were no male flowers in someone else's garden within bee-flying distance, they won't have been fertilized. I should know in a couple of days.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/dsc_0601.jpgDSC_0601My butternut squash are making female flowers before any male flowers are open.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/dsc_0597.jpgDSC_0597I am giving up on my red cabbage crop. One plant made a tennis ball sized head, but the other seven plants look like this--no head. I guess I will just feed them to the chickens.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/plumphoto.jpgplumphotoThat's it for the plum harvest. Two small plums. But they were really, really good.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/dsc_0594.jpgDSC_0594The Santa Rosa plum tree has only half leafed out. Ditto our nectarine and peach trees, except for the Florida Prince, which requires very few winter chill hours.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/dsc_0596.jpgDSC_0596The fact that we are getting a nice looking peach growing on the Garden Gold tree is a real surprise. This tree requires 450 winter chill hours and we got around 80. Go figure.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/dsc_0592.jpgDSC_0592The semi-dwarf Fuji apple tree has done itself proud this year, setting about 25 apples.2015-07-28T23:34:47+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2015/07/01/chicken-woes-on-my-urban-farmlet/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/dsc_0639.jpgDSC_0639Eggs from my hens.2015-06-30T22:27:17+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2015/06/11/sesame-kale-chips/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/kalephoto.jpgkalephotoSesame-Kale chips2015-07-01T06:06:48+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2015/06/04/more-local-seafood-black-gill-rockfish/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/dsc_0569.jpgDSC_0569I grilled a mix of asparagus, snow peas and onion in a grill basket, and that was our dinner.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/dsc_0567.jpgDSC_0567These are the filets ready for grilling. I couldn't have fit more than two into our little smoker basket.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/dsc_0564.jpgDSC_0564I coated the filets with olive oil and salt, and laid them on a bed of fresh thyme and Meyer lemon slices. The lemon and thyme were from our garden.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/dsc_0559.jpgDSC_0559One medium sized rockfish made two nice filets.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/dsc_0552.jpgDSC_0552Off went the fins, and into a plastic bag went the filets.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/dsc_0549.jpgDSC_0549They clean the fish for you.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/dsc_0555-version-2.jpgLots of fish still left2015-06-08T14:50:33+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2015/05/04/peaches-and-spot-prawns-but-not-together/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/dsc_9198.jpgDSC_9198Spot Prawns and home-grown artichokes for lunch.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/dsc_9197.jpgDSC_9197The table set for two.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/dsc_9195.jpgDSC_9195Spot Prawns cooking in a skillet with olive oil and rock salt.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/photo-5.jpgphoto 5Live Yellow Rock Crabs in a tank. I plan to try some of these next week.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/photo-4.jpgphoto 4Live Spot Prawns in a tank.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/photo-3.jpgphoto 3Tiny place, quite rustic.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/photo-1.jpgphoto 1Pearson's Port fish shophttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/dsc_9192.jpgDSC_9192This was the second picking, over 18 lbs of peaches. I ran out of bowls to put them in.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/dsc_9189.jpgDSC_9189I used a recipe from All Recipes online, and didn't change a thing. It was fabulous.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/dsc_9184.jpgDSC_9184Our first picking of ripe peaches this year.2015-06-03T19:34:16+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2015/04/28/how-my-garden-does-grow-27-april-2015/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/dsc_9170.jpgDSC_9170Bucket doesn't miss a lot of meals. Or any opportunity to get more food. He should top out at about 1200 lbs by county fair time in June.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/dsc_9151.jpgDSC_9151Here he is in the paddock at his first livestock show. I know, not a very photogenic photo, but this is the steak end, my favorite part. :-)https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/dsc_9182.jpgDSC_9182This is my German pancake fresh from the oven, cooked in my husband's great-grandmother's cast iron skillet.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/dsc_9180.jpgDSC_9180The first of the peaches went into a fruit mix with store bought strawberries and blueberries, along with maple syrup and Grand Marnier. It went on top of a German pancake.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/dsc_9145.jpgDSC_9145I haven't been good about photographing my harvests, but here is one day's harvest of mustard greens, kale, gold potatoes, a turnip, and chard. All of this went into a wonderful beef stew, along with the last jar of my home-canned tomato soup that was lousy as soup but great as a stew base. https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/dsc_9139.jpgDSC_9139Here is a cauliflower head that is growing nicely. We won't speak of the other seven cauliflower plants which don't appear to be doing anything at all that is going to be useful. Kind of like my red cabbage--nothing looks like it is going to be harvestable there either.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/dsc_9137.jpgDSC_9137The back veggie beds are a mess. Better to show a close-up of sugar snap peas.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/dsc_9087.jpgDSC_9087Kale, kale, and more kale. This one is Lacinato or dinosaur kale. I also have Scotch Blue Curled and something that sprouted from Lacinato seeds that I saved that obviously isn't Lacinato. That darn kale is so promiscuous. You never know what you will get from home-grown kale seeds.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/dsc_9085.jpgDSC_9085The Deer-tongue lettuce is about ready for a first picking. I grew these heirlooms from seeds that I saved a couple of years ago.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/dsc_9084.jpgDSC_9084I have about 20 carrots scattered about the front bed. I can see them poking their orange roots up out of the ground, so they may be ready to harvest soon.2015-05-03T22:34:04+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2015/03/18/we-survived-the-heat-wave-happy-st-patricks-day/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/d716726.jpg_D716726The back veggie beds are doing well, but I have planted only two out of three so far.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/d716789.jpg_D716789The citrus trees are all blooming magnificently. We have Navel and Valencia Orange trees, Eureka and Meyer Lemon, and Bearss Lime. Should be a great harvest next winter, God willing and the creek don't rise.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/d716822.jpg_D716822Yippee, my first snow peas are in bloom in back. These are Oregon Sugar Pod. I planted the sugar snap peas later, so they aren't blooming yet. And the Mammoth Snow Peas are just now sprouting. The netting is doing its job of keeping the birds off the shoots and flowers. Maybe I will get a pea harvest this year.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/d716839.jpg_D716839This is a nice meditation garden for hummingbirds.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/d716836.jpg_D716836This is the non-vegetable garden part of the front yard. It is in full bloom in February-March, such a pretty time here.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/d716832.jpg_D716832And Deer-tongue Lettuce. I can hardly wait until this stuff is ripe. Not pictured--Komatsuna, an Asian mustard green.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/d716831.jpg_D716831And Purple-top turnips.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/d716830.jpg_D716830But if you look closely, you will see carrots! Scarlet Nantes.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/d716835.jpg_D716835This is a dead-on straight shot of the front beds from the street. Kale, kale, kale.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/d716829.jpg_D716829I have a small bed in front that is filled with arugula, chard, red frilly mustard, and bok choy, all doing well. The path is blocked by an abundance of dinosaur. kale.2015-03-19T18:16:09+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2015/03/07/most-beautiful-spring-ever-march-2015/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/d716713.jpg_D716713I grow green onions in pots. It works pretty well, and we almost always have green onions to harvest. I think it is time to sow another pot of two because I'm running low on green bunching onions.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/d716714.jpg_D716714The butterfly garden also has artichokes for us, as well as a dwarf apple and a struggling persimmon tree.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/d716706.jpg_D716706The freesias are in full bloom and so aromatic. Delightful sweet smell.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/d716708.jpg_D716708Our Lacinato (aka Dinosaur) Kale is in its third year and flopping all over the place. The harvestable kale is now blocking my pathway. I just step over it. All of this is kale from ONE plant.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/d716709.jpg_D716709I built this smaller raised bed behind the long one. It has Rainbow Chard, arugula, bok choy, and Frilly Red Mustard in it.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/d716704.jpg_D716704It seems that a new garlic clove sprouts every day. I now have 23 out of 27 garlics sprouted, plus one elephant garlic.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/d716703.jpg_D716703Different vegetable, same story. These Deer Tongue Lettuce seeds were sown too densely, so I transplanted about 2 dozen. I don't need more lettuce than that, so I plan to harvest this unthinned row as micro greens.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/d716700.jpg_D716700The Purple-top Turnips sprouted quickly. They were also to dense, so I transplanted them last week. I ended up with 25 turnip seedlings.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/d716698.jpg_D716698These Scarlet Nantes carrots sprouted, but I had sown them too densely. I transplanted many of the tiny seedlings yesterday and ended up with about 60 carrots.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/d716696.jpg_D716696This is a long view of the raised veggie bed in front. Onions are in the foreground, then kale.2015-03-19T18:07:37+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2015/03/06/white-pizza-with-arugula-and-proscuitto-butternut-with-kale-and-feta-cheese-moroccan-orange-cake/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/d716464.jpg_D716464Our garden produces green onions year round. This is almost the last of our bell peppers that set fruit in 2014. The peppers overwintered during our really warm 2014-2015 winter, and are about to flower again.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/d716470.jpg_D716470We are getting a lot of limes, and have given some away and donated some to our local food bank. The lime harvest is finally slowing down. I hope.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/d716473.jpg_D716473Moroccan Orange Cakehttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/d716467.jpg_D716467This is my entire harvest of Valencia oranges: three of them. One went into a Moroccan Orange Cake.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/d716463.jpg_D716463Finished White Pizza with Arugula and Prosciuttohttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/d716477.jpg_D716477The butternut-kale dish is on the left. The white pizza with arugula and prosciutto is on the right.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/d716475.jpg_D716475This is our last butternut from the fall harvest of 2014. They stored very well, with no rotting this year.2015-03-06T18:06:38+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2015/02/26/spring-in-southern-california-and-a-good-harvest-monday-on-wed-feb-24-2015/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/d716452.jpg_D716452Our semi-dwarf May Pride Peach tree has 19 blooms on it this year. Will any of these flowers set fruit in our very low winter chill year? Too soon to tell.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/d716453.jpg_D716453Our Valencia orange tree produced three oranges this year. One went into a Moroccan orange cake along with four eggs from our hens--delicious!https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/d716445.jpg_D716445Onions are growing from tiny sprouts. They should be ready to harvest about July or August.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/d716461.jpg_D716461Some of the kale we are harvesting: left to right, Dwarf Blue Curled, a mystery red kale from the mesclun mix, and Lacinato (Dinosaur kale).https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/d716438.jpg_D716438I planted 27 garlic cloves. so far only 18 have sprouted, but if I get even 10 bulbs of garlic out of the crop I'll be happy. I planted the bulbs way late--they should have gone into the ground in November. It remains to be seen if I will get ANY garlic bulbs. Fingers crossed.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/d716434.jpg_D716434I have 8 red mustard plants sprouted, all volunteers from a mesclun mix that went to seed last year.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/d716401.jpg_D716401Our Katy Apricot tree has about 70 blooms on it. We got a few more hours of winter chill this week, so maybe we will get some fruit set from those blossoms.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/d716459.jpg_D716459Some of the cilantro, red-oakleaf lettuce, arugula, and red mustard that I harvested this week. It all went into a salad.2015-03-06T04:36:06+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2015/02/20/farewell-to-henrietta-hello-to-spring/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/d716413.jpg_D716413This is my current flock. Chicken Little is the Black Sex-linked. The others are Miss Hillary, Peep, and Cheep. Miss Hillary is five years old and needs a nail trim.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/d716342.jpg_D716342This may be the same Barred Rock as in the other picture.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/d716336.jpg_D716336My other four hens all have swollen red combs and wattles and are now laying eggs.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/d716332.jpg_D716332Henrietta, a couple of days before she died.2015-06-03T19:38:19+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2015/02/18/correlation-of-winter-chill-hours-with-harvests-from-deciduous-fruit-trees/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/d716307.jpg_D716307Bees are busy pollinating our lime trees, which are currently in bloom. The lemons and oranges aren't far behind the limes.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/d716323.jpg_D716323Our Florida Prince peach tree has nearly finished blooming, and is setting a good crop of peaches.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/d716309.jpg_D716309Avocado and citrus trees do not require chilling. Our avocado tree is about to burst forth in bloom.2015-03-06T04:51:10+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2015/02/05/growing-fruit-on-my-urban-southern-california-mini-farm/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/chillinghours-figure1.pngchillinghours-figure1Forecast of loss of chilling hours over time in Californiahttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/d716219.jpg_D716219My apple trees are dormant this time of year, with buds that are not yet swollen. They usually bloom in May.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/d716230.jpg_D716230Citrus like this Meyer lemon don't need chill hours at all.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/d716213.jpg_D716213Our olive tree is getting pruned today. it tends to get huge and shade out my garden beds in front.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/d716224.jpg_D716224Vegetable bed #2 with bell peppers, dill, basil, radishes, red cabbage, cauliflower and snow peas.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/d716225.jpg_D716225Raised vegetable bed #1, planted with collard greens, bell peppers, radishes, lettuce, cauliflower, red cabbage, and a couple of onions.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/d716220.jpg_D716220Our very low chill Florida Prince Peach tree is in full bloom. I have my hopes pinned on this tree for a stone fruit crop.2015-03-06T04:56:47+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2015/02/03/a-warm-harvest-monday-and-setting-harvest-expectations-for-2015/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/d713988.jpg_D713988https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/d713976.jpg_D713976The Asian pears are dormant this time of year. They need chilling for proper fruit set, but they're not getting it this year.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/d713986.jpg_D713986Our Florida Prince peach is the first to bloom. The crazy warm weather sent this tree into bloom in early January, a bit early even for this variety. Now in February is is in full bloom.2015-02-03T17:49:26+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2015/01/28/taking-stock-of-the-2014-harvest/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/d714017.jpg_D714017We always seem to have kale and collards on hand. The critters don't seem to eat those, just the peas, green beans, tomatoes, etc.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/d714074.jpg_D714074Citrus makes up a lot of our harvest, but my orange tree hardly bloomed at all last year, giving us very few oranges this year.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/d714062.jpg_D714062See the comb on this hen" It is pale and shrunken in comparison to the one laying hen. A couple of the girls are starting to get red, swollen combs, so they should begin laying soon. I hope.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/d714067.jpg_D714067It is January and only one of my chickens is laying. The other four girls are "off-line," enjoying the very liberal vacation and retirement package that we offer them.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/d713971.jpg_D713971Critters are getting a lot of my produce, like this once-lovely avocado.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/d7122341.jpg_D712234I don't know why this photo came out dark and green. It looks fine in my Aperture program. Anyway, this is handsome Bucket.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/d712234.jpg_D712234There is handsome Bucket, standing nicely.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/d712221.jpg_D712221Because they are in training, the calves wear their halters and rope leads all the time. They are learning to walk on command. Bucket is catching on faster than Beaux, who is still fairly wild.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/d712219.jpg_D712219When we arrived for a visit, Bucket (in back) was lying down with Beaux (mostly hidden). They spend a lot of time lying down and chewing their cud.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/d710267.jpg_D710267This is my husband Vic petting Beaux with the safety of a fence between him and the 450 lb steer. Probably a wise move, since Beaux is a little on the wild side.2015-02-03T05:09:09+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2014/12/02/we-bought-a-steer/2014-12-10T23:39:40+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2014/08/18/my-southern-california-garden-in-august/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/d714235_20140817_754.jpg_D714235_20140817_754Bloodflower milkweed supports Monarch butterflies, and is pretty to boot.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/d714216_20140817_735.jpg_D714216_20140817_735From the deck, I can keep an eye on the chicken coop and veggie garden.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/d714215_20140817_734.jpg_D714215_20140817_734So with a lack of much to harvest, I mostly sit on the deck and sip wine.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/d714214_20140817_733.jpg_D714214_20140817_733We still have about a half dozen avocados left.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/d714210_20140817_729.jpg_D714210_20140817_729There was a hiatus in limes, but the next crop is about ready to harvest.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/d714209_20140817_728.jpg_D714209_20140817_728Lemons are providing a steady harvest, but our navel orange tree set only ONE orange for our winter crop. Dang drought!https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/d714207_20140817_726.jpg_D714207_20140817_726There are Granny Smiths. Right now, I have enough to make only one apple pie, but they aren't ready to harvest yet. Stay away, Critters!https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/d714206_20140817_725.jpg_D714206_20140817_725We might get some apples if the squirrels and possums don't get them first. These are Gala apples.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/d714208_20140817_727.jpg_D714208_20140817_727We are getting a nice harvest of Asian pears this summer. They are hard and crisp like an apple, not soft like European pears such as Bosc and Bartlett.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/d714200_20140817_719.jpg_D714200_20140817_719I am still waiting for cucumbers. It's going to be a long wait.2015-01-02T03:30:56+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2014/04/30/harvest-monday-on-april-22-2014/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/d719337.jpg_D719337This is the temperature on our back deck as of a half hour ago. It is up to 99.1 now. I HATE the heat!https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/d719335.jpg_D719335We harvested oranges, lemons and limes this week, plus lettuce and artichokes, but this is all that made it in front of the camera for a portrait.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/d719332.jpg_D719332Our Florida Prince peach has decided to ripen all of its fruit at once. This is one container of three that I picked.2014-12-01T23:45:33+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2014/04/24/easter-2014/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/d719298.jpg_D719298The bunny brought new books for the girls to read.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/d719318.jpg_D719318Then Mike settled down in Papa's lap to show him all the goodies in his Easter basket.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/d719276.jpg_D719276Too funny.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/d719273.jpg_D719273He called the jelly beans "hop-hop poo-poo," and ate them.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/d719268.jpg_D719268But he sure saw the jelly beans on the floor.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/d719262.jpg_D719262The Easter bunny leaves footprints and poops out jelly beans when he comes to visit. The kids dye the eggs and put them in the refrigerator, but the tricky bunny then hides the eggs overnight. The kids have to go find them. Two-year-old Mike was mystified at this new ritual.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/d719256.jpg_D719256Mike likes to play at home too. This is his new Black and Decker tool bench.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/d719226.jpg_D719226Mike likes to play at the library.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/d719230.jpg_D719230Allison reads to Finley. Mostly the dogs went to sleep while they were being read to. LOL.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/d719261.jpg_D719261Eggs in front were dyed with natural dyes. The ones in the back row were dyed using standard Easter egg food coloring dyes.2014-04-29T22:22:02+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2014/04/24/harvest-monday-on-wednesday-april-21-2014/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/d719223.jpg_D719223Lunch one day was tuna salad sandwiches, with Freckles romaine lettuce from the garden and sweet pickles that I canned from last summer's garden.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/d719222.jpg_D719222We harvested the first of our collard greens, but I forgot to photograph them!https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/d719220.jpg_D719220Voila, a beautiful breakfast fit for a king. This was all from our garden except for the bread.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/d719219.jpg_D719219Flip to fold in half.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/d719218.jpg_D719218Cook the eggs until nearly done, then add vegetables and cheese.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/d719217.jpg_D719217Saute the vegetables.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/d719214.jpg_D719214This is one morning's harvest (except for the eggs, which accumulate). Do you see breakfast here?https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/d719211.jpg_D719211Limes keep falling from the tree, one or two or four at a time.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/d719209.jpg_D719209Our chard is HUGE this year. I could do a fan dance with these leaves. But I won't.2014-04-23T22:09:55+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2014/04/15/harvest-monday-april-14-2014/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/d719198.jpg_D719198The collard greens are growing like weeds. Time to eat them too. https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/d719197.jpg_D719197What? Ripe bell peppers in April? Global weirding.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/d719175.jpg_D719175Uh, oh. Only one artichoke is ready. I need to pick them in pairs so my husband can have one too. Guess who is going to get this one. :-)https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/d719171.jpg_D719171More kale.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/d719163.jpg_D719163Here are some kale and mustard plants that are going into a stir fry soon.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/d719164.jpg_D719164Eek, the Freckles Romaine lettuce is starting to bolt. I must do something with it. Like eat it!https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/d719162.jpg_D719162This may not look like much, but it is the chard that swallowed Los Angeles. It is HUGE. We had six monster leaves for dinner and I hardly made a dent in what is ready to harvest.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/d719172.jpg_D719172The red onions are also bulbing up. Let's not talk about the yellow onions. Let's hope that they are a later variety.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/d719170.jpg_D719170I am always amazed when a crop thrives in my garden of benign neglect. The white onions are beginning to make bulbs.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/d719161.jpg_D719161The vegetable garden beds in front are producing a good crop of onions, but I lost all of the garlic crop. I don't know what happened to it. I also have some nice sage and kale in this bed.2014-04-23T15:11:10+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2014/04/01/harvest-monday-march-31-2014/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/dscn2828.jpgDSCN2828The Panamint Nectarine tree has nearly finished blooming. I pruned it last fall, so there aren't as many blossoms on it as usual. The Snow Queen Nectarine hasn't bloomed yet.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/dscn2831.jpgDSCN2831My FloridaPrince peach tree is loaded with peaches. It will be a few more weeks before they are ripe.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/dscn2839.jpgDSCN2839Collard Greens ready to harvesthttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/dscn2824.jpgDSCN2824https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/dscn2820.jpgDSCN2820Freckles lettuce ready to harvesthttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/dscn2823.jpgDSCN2823Chard, aka Swiss Chard, aka Silverbeethttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/dscn2819.jpgDSCN2819Kale. This is dwarf Scotch blue curled. I'm also growing Lacinato (aka Tuscan kale, aka dinosaur kale)https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/dscn2818.jpgDSCN2818Red Onionshttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/dscn2812.jpgDSCN2812https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/dscn2816.jpgDSCN2816Here is an artichoke that we haven't eaten yet. It is still growing.2014-04-15T07:09:50+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2014/03/30/our-yard-as-seen-through-a-fisheye-lens-march-29-2014/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/d716553.jpg_D716553My 6-year-old granddaughter Megan planted these snow peas for me a couple of weeks ago. She loves to garden.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/d716556.jpg_D716556Another view of the front yard, looking east toward the street.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/d716561.jpg_D716561Our front yard, showing the pruned liquid amber trees.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/d716559.jpg_D716559This view of the front of house, taken from the street, is my favorite fisheye photo so far. We just had our liquid amber (sweet gum) and olive trees pruned. There are three veggie beds in front, essentially under the olive tree. The freesias are pretty much done blooming.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/d716545.jpg_D716545I have gone to the other side of our back yard with the fence behind me, looking north past the peach and apple trees, past the chicken coop to the herb garden and veggie beds beyond. This section of our back yard is only 10 ft from house (on the right) to the back fence (on the left). Grapes grow on a trellis to the right.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/d7165521.jpg_D716552I am standing with my back to the fruit trees along our north wall, looking south.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/d716552.jpg_D716552My three raised vegetable beds, looking south toward the chicken coop.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/d716549.jpg_D716549A view of my herb garden that shows the coop to the left and garden to the right, fruit trees along the back fence.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/d716554.jpg_D716554Love what the fisheye does to the view out our patio door. It makes the yard look huge. It isn't. Looking west, chicken coop to the left, veggie garden to the right.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/d716543.jpg_D716543My chickens in their run, coop to the right.2014-04-01T12:00:54+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2014/02/23/whats-in-bloom-in-february-2014-in-my-southern-california-garden/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/d716512.jpg_D716512These are the flower bud clusters for next year's avocado crop. Let's hope I get some fertilization. Come on, bees!https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/d716511.jpg_D716511It also avocado harvest season.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/d716471.jpg_D716471This little Valencia orange is doing fine in a pot in front. I looks like we will get some fruit from it this year. The navel orange, lime, Meyer lemon and Eureka lemon trees are doing fine with fruit ready to harvest.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/d716486.jpg_D716486These flower buds are the ones that I am the most excited about. They are on my new grafted Asian Pear that has four different varieties on it. This is a newly planted tree, so I'm happy to see it leaf out and bloom. This winter was most likely too warm and mild for my older Asian pears to set fruit as they need a certain number of hours of chilling. Time will tell.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/d716500.jpg_D716500It looks like a Kalanchoe (sp?) is blooming in this pot of succulents.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/d716499.jpg_D716499Another blooming succulent. The flowers are similar to Mother of Thousands, but that isn't what this is.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/d716492.jpg_D716492These Fortnight Lillies bloom every two weeks. Wonderful plants, and quite drought tolerant.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/d716482.jpg_D716482Lavender is another year round bloomer.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/d716505.jpg_D716505I didn't process this photo of Allysum and it is a bit dark.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/d716507.jpg_D716507Nemesia (sun drops) bloom all year long in our yard, as does Allysum.2014-03-28T23:13:36+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2014/02/04/we-got-rain-and-i-saved-it/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/d71_4244.jpgD71_4244Oh boy, its Super Bowl Sunday (not that I care) and a storm is coming! Rain is exciting during this terrible drought in California.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/d71_4266.jpgD71_4266Bergarten sagehttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/d71_4268.jpgD71_4268I expect everything to grow like gang busters now that they have had some rainfall. This is my herb garden, with three veggie beds beyond. Fruit trees border the yard.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/d71_4274.jpgD71_4274This is where the bulk of our rainwater collection occurs. We have one rain barrel set up under a gutter. The other two barrels are linked in series to it through tubing. These 50 gallon barrels are 2/3 full! From just one storm that produced only a quarter of an inch of rain. Amazing.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/d71_4249.jpgD71_4249This rain barrel in front holds 50 gallons. However, it collects directly from roof runoff, not from a gutter, and so it got about the same as the Rubbermaid trash containers, 4-5 inches.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/d71_4267.jpgD71_4267The quarter of an inch of rain that fell last night resulted in about 4-5 inches of water in these barrels.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/d71_4242.jpgD71_4242Here are three containers in a row, positioned to catch the maximum amount of dripping from the eaves. There are two other barrels farther down the row of jade plants. Note that I didn't waste water to wash off the containers, which are stored next to the chicken coop during the dry season.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/d71_4240.jpgD71_4240This tiny amount of water in the bottom of this container was from a mere mist. And yet I got measurable water in the bottom, because I set the containers under the eaves to capture runoff from the roof.2014-02-23T00:55:12+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2014/01/16/january-2014-heat-and-drought-are-wilting-my-southern-california-garden/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/d71_2298.jpgD71_2298Here is my next garden project--finding space to plant this grafted Asian pear, a dwarf Kieffer pear, and a dwarf Fuji apple.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/d71_2287.jpgD71_2287These artichoke plants are doing nicely and should make some artichokes in a couple of months.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/d71_2334.jpgD71_2334Most of my Cymbidium orchids bloom in February-April, but these bloom in January. They all stay outdoors on the patio.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/d71_2296.jpgD71_2296These tiny orchids bloom nearly year round.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/d71_2293.jpgD71_2293These Mother-of_Thousands succulents have pretty blooms this time of year.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/d71_2335.jpgD71_2335These double paperwhite narcissus are also blooming a couple of weeks early. The single paperwhites started blooming in November, and have already finished blooming. Crazy.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/d71_2278.jpgD71_2278These Snowdrops are blooming a couple of weeks early.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/d71_2297.jpgD71_2297Our border of jade plants is in full bloom. Since the neighbors to the south cut down the tall cypress trees, the jades are getting more summer sun. This is their best bloom ever.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/d71_2316.jpgD71_2316I am still getting Black Beauty eggplants ripening, which is pretty strange for January.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/d71_2312.jpgD71_2312We are still harvesting ripe bell peppers. This heirloom Giant Marconi sweet pepper is about to turn red.2014-02-03T17:34:55+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2013/11/16/november-2013-in-the-garden/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/d71_0630.jpgD71_0630This is a beet that is going into its third year. I will enter it in the county fair next summer if it survives this winter. I don't know yet if it is a contender for Largest Beet or Strangest Shaped Beet. Right now it looks like it could win in either category.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/d71_06281.jpgD71_0628This is a Giant Marconi sweet pepper. I have four nice big ones that I plan to stuff.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/d71_0636.jpgD71_0636Some of my Komatsuna (Asian mustard greens) lasted through the summer. I am hoping that the plant will produce more leaves once cooler weather gets here. Then I can make a stir fry.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/d71_0617.jpgD71_0617I froze a lot of lime juice from last year's crop. Good thing, because this year's crop set is scanty.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/d71_0621.jpgD71_0621It looks like the navel oranges will be huge this year. The Valencia oranges are tiny and not even close to being ripe yet.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/d71_0613.jpgD71_0613Citrus season is just beginning. I have a few ripe Meyer and Eureka lemons, with more coming along.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/d71_0616.jpgD71_0616I picked the first of our avocados today. It will take about 10 days after they are picked before they will be ripe.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/d71_0632.jpgD71_0632Our five hens are doing fine, but only one is still laying. The others are either molting, or have finished laying for the winter.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/d71_0635.jpgD71_0635Holy cow, there is still a watermelon in my garden. I'd better eat it pretty darn quick.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/d71_0623.jpgD71_0623And bell peppers. But not this one. We ate it for breakfast in scrambled eggs.2014-02-03T17:15:33+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2013/08/14/my-garden-in-macro-insects-and-buds/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/d71_1532.jpgD71_1532This is our entire crop of blackberries, not ripe yet.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/d71_1528.jpgD71_1528Assassin bug, a beneficial bug in the gardenhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/d71_1527.jpgD71_1527Paper Wasp on lantanahttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/d71_1519.jpgD71_1519Female watermelon flower budhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/d71_1513.jpgD71_1513Buttercup squash ovaryhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/d71_1510.jpgD71_1510I think this is some type of hairstreak butterfly.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/d71_1502.jpgD71_1502Honeybee nectaring from a bloodflower milkweedhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/d71_0954.jpgD71_0954Cabbage butterfly nectaring on a strawberry flowerhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/d71_0930.jpgD71_0930mystery winter squashhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/d71_0928.jpgD71_0928Some kind of biting fly on a mint flower head2013-11-15T00:58:56+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2013/08/13/harvest-monday-during-pickling-august/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/d71_1458.jpgD71_1458https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/d71_1489.jpgD71_1489Harvest from one dayhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/d71_1495.jpgD71_1495https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/d71_1487.jpgmaking picklesThe first step in making bread and butter pickles is to slice cucumbers and onions and let them sit with salt and ice for two hours.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/d71_1078.jpgfiery skipperFiery Skipper on coneflowerhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/d71_1471.jpghoneybeeHoneybee nectaring at a bloodflower milkweedhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/d71_1469.jpgFiery SkipperFiery Skipper on white lantana in our butterfly gardenhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/d71_1435.jpgpaper waspa nice paper wasphttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/d71_1051.jpgMonarch caterpillarUpside down, feeding on the seedpod of a bloodflower milkweed in our butterfly garden2013-08-13T15:26:41+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2013/07/13/two-months-of-harvests/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/img_0001.jpgIMG_0001The Garden of Infinite Neglect in fronthttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/dscn6210.jpgDSCN6210garlichttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/dscn6208.jpgDSCN6208onionshttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/dscn6039.jpgDSCN6039https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/dscn5830.jpgDSCN5830bok choyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/dscn5828.jpgDSCN5828Navel oranges, limes and an avocadohttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/dscn5787.jpgDSCN5787artichokeshttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/dscn5980.jpgDSCN5980lemonhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/dscn6117.jpgDSCN6117Florida Prince peacheshttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/dscn6202.jpgDSCN6202Santa Rosa Plums2013-08-13T15:29:09+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2013/07/12/two-months-later/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/dscn60871.jpgDSCN6087A pair of mallards visits our pond every spring.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/dscn5711.jpgDSCN5711It took some work to remove the metal brackets from the trim. Then I measured and sawed, using my new circular saw. LOVE power tools!https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/dscn5702.jpgDSCN5702Old fluorescent lights in the kitchen right before the remodel.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/dscn5814.jpgDSCN5814Fox Squirrelhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/dscn5969.jpgDSCN5969A new door that I built and installed on the chicken coop.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/dscn5968.jpgDSCN5968The hens enjoy daytime access to the new "Plum Run" that I built for them.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/dscn6094.jpgDSCN6094Three of our hens. They refuse to pose so that I can get all five in one shot.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/dscn6771.jpgDSCN6771Huevos Rancheros for breakfast today2013-08-13T15:28:05+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2013/04/18/birding-trip-to-eastern-sierras-april-12-14-2013/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/dscn5941.jpgDSCN5941We finished the trip with lunch at Tom's Cafe south of Mammoth Lakes.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/dscn5931.jpgDSCN5931A few people spotted a dipper in this stream. I missed it.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/dscn5933.jpgDSCN5933Convict Lake is a beautiful spot. A few people spotted a dipper in the stream.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/dscn5927.jpgDSCN5927The group needed to hike to see the swallows.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/dscn5917.jpgDSCN5917Ken Wells led us to a site where bank swallows nest.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/dscn5912.jpgDSCN5912We spotted a bald eagle feeding in the distance at the edge of Crowley Lake.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/dscn5881.jpgDSCN5881These sagebrush flats are part of the Great Basin sagebrush habitat.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/dscn5874.jpgDSCN5874These are a few of the three dozen mule deer that we saw.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/dscn5903.jpgDSCN5903The grouse disperse shortly after the sun hits the lek.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/dscn5901.jpgDSCN5901Greater Sage Grouse males displaying.2013-07-11T18:48:44+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2013/04/16/harvest-monday-4-15-2013/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/dscn5814.jpgDSCN5814This is a rare visitor to our yard.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/dscn5830.jpgDSCN5830An abundance of bok choy.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/dscn5828.jpgDSCN5828Another good week for oranges!2013-05-21T12:00:00+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2013/04/09/a-spring-morning-in-my-front-yard-on-harvest-monday-april-8-2013/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/dscn5626.jpgDSCN5626The Valencia orange tree is loaded with blossoms and it smells so good.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/dscn5577.jpgDSCN5577The bell pepper went into a scramble along with red onion, mushrooms, and an avocado (also from the garden). The navel orange is from our tree.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/dscn5576.jpgDSCN5576https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/dscn5668.jpgDSCN5668This is most of our front yard. The "lawn" is Zoysia or Korea Grass. Never needs mowing. No herbicides or pesticides go onto it either, so our yard is safe for birds, bees, grandchildren and other living things. The pavers help reduce the amount of water needed to keep the lawn growing.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/dscn5694.jpgDSCN5694A male black-headed grosbeak stopped by on his migration north to fill up on sunflower seeds.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/dscn5667.jpgDSCN5667A bushtit after bathing in the pond. A pair has been collecting nesting material from our yard this week.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/dscn5679.jpgDSCN5679Freesia buds in the oregano bed.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/dscn5674.jpgDSCN5674Fressias by the pond with iris and curly rush in the background.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/dscn5634.jpgDSCN5634Clivia or Kaffir lillieshttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/dscn5678.jpgDSCN5678Ack! A slug! I didn't even notice it until I was processing the photos.2013-04-15T22:20:35+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2013/04/02/summing-up-march-harvest-monday-4-1-13/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/dscn5533.jpgDSCN5533And these are the limes that we have left AFTER taking some down to Scott and family. Time to squeeze and freeze.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/dscn5531.jpgDSCN5531Did someone say ORANGES? This is what was left AFTER we took a bag down to our son Scott for Easter.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/dscn5390.jpgDSCN5390Or, how about fried cornmeal mush with maple syrup, fried eggs, and oranges right off our tree?https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/dscn5396.jpgDSCN5396Scrambled eggs with avocado and black beans on a whole wheat flour and corn tortilla. Yum!https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/dscn5401.jpgDSCN5401This is Henrietta, our sweet Black Australorp. She is our oldest hen, and is still laying.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/dscn5456.jpgDSCN5456I am down to the last few avocados. Incredibly enough, we are still harvesting a bell pepper or two as well. And the hens are inundating us with eggs, up to 28 a week!https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/dscn5461.jpgDSCN5461We are being inundated with bok choy. I planted a six-pack of Joi Choi and it is rewarding us with bountiful greens.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/dscn5529.jpgDSCN5529It is such a joy to have such beautiful flowers.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/dscn5523.jpgDSCN5523We have had orchids in bloom on the back deck and patio since January. The second batch of blooms is just now opening up.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/dscn5513.jpgDSCN5513The Garden of Infinite Neglect is in full bloom with a freesia border. The veggie garden itself is, well, neglected.2013-04-08T22:03:18+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2013/03/05/home-renovation-hades/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/dscn5359.jpgDSCN5359We painted two walls of the family room a light green and hung a mirror and some Audubon prints.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/dscn5360.jpgDSCN5360This is our Craftsman/Mission/Shaker family room furniture.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/dscn5346.jpgDSCN5346https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/dscn5345.jpgDSCN5345We chose natural maple for the cabinets and drawers. But this isn't the style. We went with double Shaker, which will go with the Craftsman theme of our family room.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/dscn5358.jpgDSCN5358We have a new stainless microwave-hood combo, but were told to not install it until after the cabinet work is done. So here it will sit until the cabinet work is finished.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/dscn5364.jpgDSCN5364I may try to salvage these pantry doors by building a cabinet for the garage and using these doors. Seems a shame to just shred and compost them.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/dscn5363.jpgDSCN5363https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/dscn5361.jpgDSCN5361Our current kitchen with new stove in place.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/dscn5365.jpgDSCN5365Meet Big Bertha, our new GE range.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/dscn5351.jpgDSCN5351Here is a drawer slid out to reveal the contents. 2013-04-08T22:09:17+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2013/02/05/ram-trucks-wins-superbowl-with-so-god-made-a-farmer/2013-02-10T20:27:28+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2013/02/01/peeps-or-cheeps-first-egg-and-a-pot-roast-recipe/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/dscn5252.jpgDSCN5252Preheat oven in the sun for an hour. Cook pot roast in the sun at over 250 for about 4-5 hours.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/dscn5250.jpgDSCN5250Assemble pot roast in the solar oven pan, meat first, then carrots and potatoes, then onion mixture, and top with tomatoes.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/dscn5247.jpgDSCN5247Thaw six frozen whole tomatoes on the "defrost fish" setting of the microwave. Cut in half and discard tough skins.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/dscn5246.jpgDSCN5246Peel and cut four potatoes and several carrots.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/dscn5245.jpgDSCN5245Dredge pot roast in flour with salt and thyme. and brown in bacon fat.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/dscn5255.jpgDSCN5255One of our new hens laid her first egg--with no shell!2013-03-04T21:08:23+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2013/01/31/we-got-a-freezer/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/dscn5233.jpgDSCN5233Here Steve finishes off the new concrete walkway. The board frames are now gone, and it looks good. We will keep it cordoned off for a while.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/dscn5231.jpgDSCN5231These are the bad tree roots that were raising the sidewalk. Bad liquid amber!https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/dscn5230.jpgDSCN5230Remember the raised sidewalk I showed in the last post? It's gone! I was worried that someone would trip over it.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/dscn5213.jpgDSCN5213This is our olive tree after it got pruned. My Garden of Infinite Neglect (which hasn't been neglected since I put it into a raised bed) is under it.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/dscn5214.jpgDSCN5214My broccoli is looking really good. I needed some for a stir-fry last night, so I harvested this half pound head.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/dscn5216.jpgDSCN5216Critters of some kind got most of my lettuce, but a couple of plants that weren't eaten too badly have managed to recover. I might get a few leaves.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/dscn5217.jpgDSCN5217No flower buds yet on my artichokes, but I keep checking. The plants are looking good.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/dscn5206.jpgDSCN5206The Florida Prince peach is bursting into bloom. It is the first of my stone fruit trees to bloom and first to be ready to harvest.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/dscn5202.jpgDSCN5202Our old-fashioned purple iris seem to bloom randomly. My fancy bearded iris only bloom in real spring, not this crazy January spring.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/dscn5211.jpgDSCN5211The Mt. Hood daffodil leaves are more visible now.2013-01-31T16:09:31+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2013/01/25/start-of-a-new-year-2/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/dscn5177.jpgDSCN5177My raised beds in back have three tomatoes that I'm trying to overwinter. I picked the last tomato a few days ago. The onions are in the middle bed. The farthest bed has bell peppershttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/dscn5167.jpgDSCN5167Oh look, it's spring already. My paperwhite narcissus are nearing the end of their bloom, while these double narcissus are at peak. My daffodils are just now poking up out of the ground.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/dscn5148.jpgDSCN5148I'm growing strawberries in planters in the driveway, since I am out of room in the yard. A few berries are coming along.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/dscn5161.jpgDSCN5161I managed to get some onions planted. Not sure they will all survive, but at least a few look like they are going to make it.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/dscn5156.jpgDSCN5156I need to squeeze and freeze juice from the lemons and limes so we will have it in summer when we want cold citrus drinks.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/dscn5155.jpgDSCN5155The navel orange tree set quite a crop last year, and the fruit is ripe for the taking. Ditto the Meyer lemon and lime trees.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/dscn5172.jpgDSCN5172I have one small Granny Smith apple left on the tree that needs to go into a salad.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/dscn5154.jpgDSCN5154I have a few avocados left from last year's fruit set. I need to harvest them so I can prune the tree before it is in full bloom.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/dscn5158.jpgDSCN5158I have a few bell peppers nearing harvest, but these are the last of the season, set during an unseasonable October heat wave.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/dscn5144.jpgDSCN5144These are the best looking heads of broccoli that I've had in years.2013-01-30T19:24:23+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2012/12/25/harvest-monday-on-christmas-eve-2012/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dscn48871.jpgDSCN4887The chickens say HI.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dscn4920.jpgDSCN4920I cleaned and filled the hummingbird feeders and began feeding sunflower seeds to the birds again. Our yard is filled with beauty, life and happiness.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dscn4925.jpgDSCN4925Paperwhite narcissus are the first spring flower to bloom, and they are blooming now. I also have some purple iris in bloom.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dscn4924.jpgDSCN4924Our front yard with MORE fallen leaves. It seems like there is no end to the leaves. I bag them and compost them over the course of a year. Garden gold.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dscn4929.jpgDSCN4929Raised bed in front, looking north. From close to far: parsley, basil, chard, beets, carrots, garlic (4 kinds), broccoli, cauliflower, and savoy cabbage.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dscn4931.jpgDSCN4931View from the street, looking at our house and my raised beds under the olive tree.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dscn4928.jpgDSCN4928This is the rest of my salad bed, with some lettuces surviving, plus garlic and green onions.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dscn4927.jpgDSCN4927ACK! Who did this?https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dscn4923.jpgDSCN4923Breakfast makings, all from the garden and our hens!2013-01-30T19:18:12+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2012/12/18/sandy-hook-deck-work-and-harvest-monday-december-17-2012/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dscn4917.jpgDSCN4917The toilet went, as did the hopelessly corroded shower doors.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dscn4916.jpgDSCN4916Old fixtures on the sink were 33 years old. They needed replacing.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dscn4915.jpgDSCN4915The whole lower deck got ripped out and discarded.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dscn4914.jpgDSCN4914A different angle.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dscn4911.jpgDSCN4911So out came the rotten boards.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dscn4913.jpgDSCN4913Ferns started growing up between boards.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dscn49101.jpgDSCN4910This was a bad area, lots of rot.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dscn4909.jpgDSCN4909The support boards under this section rotted. Don't know why, I had no plants here.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dscn4908.jpgDSCN4908A leaking patio pond rotted a few boards too.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dscn4906.jpgDSCN4906Looking at the other side of the deck. The vegetable beds are to the left, and the chicken coop is behind me.2013-01-01T14:04:36+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2012/12/15/crazy-weather-thanksgiving-catching-up/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dscn4769.jpgDSCN4769All three pies were homemade: Crumb-top apple, pumpkin (from one of my homegrown pumpkins), and pecan. The pumpkin and pecan pies used eggs from our chickens.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dscn4775.jpgDSCN4775Relish tray, steamed green beans with canned onion rings on top, homemade cranberry sauce, turkey, dressing, baked yams, and a cornbread casserole.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dscn4770.jpgDSCN4770Mashed potatoes and homemade cloverleaf yeast rolls with carmel pecan bottoms. The chickens contributed the eggs for the rolls.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dscn4764.jpgDSCN4764Is there anything less appetizing than raw poultry: I wanted to show you that we used one of our homegrown lemons to fill the cavity, along with an onion and a few stalks of celery. The sage was from my garden.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dscn4781.jpgDSCN4781I think this fellow is possum #15 that we've live trapped this year. We relocate them away from our garden and chickens.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dscn4825.jpgDSCN4825Part of this nutty weather has been odd behavior from our fruit trees. Our plum tree bloomed again in the fall and even set one plum. Our apple trees also set fruit twice this year. That ain't normal, folks.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dscn4818.jpgDSCN4818Peep and Cheep still have small combs and wattles. When they are mature enough to lay, those will be much larger and redder.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dscn4887.jpgDSCN4887The two chicks that we raised are almost old enough to lay eggs. They should start laying next month.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dscn4876.jpgDSCN4876It looks like we're going to get a small Black Beauty eggplant soon as well.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dscn4875.jpgDSCN4875We had such a hot fall here that bell peppers continued to set fruit. Here is a December pepper nearing readiness for picking.2013-02-19T00:30:12+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2012/12/14/my-december-garden-the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dscn4910.jpgDSCN4910Ug, our deck in back has dry rot. That's UGLY. We had a contractor take measurements today to do some deck repairs for us. That will be GOOD.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dscn4902.jpgDSCN4902I'm growing strawberries in planters in the driveway this year. I'm hoping to get more berries than I do from our strawberry jar. They must think it's spring, because they are blooming and setting berries like crazy. That's GOOD.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dscn4903.jpgDSCN4903I grow green onions in pots the year round, always some coming along. We haven't bought green onions at the store in many years. That's GOOD.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dscn4900.jpgDSCN4900We have five artichokes this year. They are short-lived perennials, and these are probably on their third year. They die back, and resprout from the root.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dscn4899.jpgDSCN4899My Gro-Pots of sweet potatoes might make some tubers one of these days. They weren't ready for Thanksgiving. https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dscn4896.jpgDSCN4896I removed the cat poop, dug in steer manure, and planted garlic, green onions, and lettuce. That's good!https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dscn4868.jpgDSCN4868Oh, ICK! The neighborhood cats use my small raised bed as their litter box.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dscn4898.jpgDSCN4898Raised bed from the other angle. Ack, look at all the cabbage worm damage. That's ugly!https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dscn4894.jpgDSCN4894Christmas and autumn at the same time!https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dscn4895.jpgDSCN4895Our two liquid amber trees are more than half devoid of leaves. We save the leaves in bags to go into the compost bins over the course of the year. Green living!2014-03-28T23:06:34+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2012/11/07/a-green-tuesday-here-at-green-world/2012-12-13T20:46:01+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2012/11/06/a-hot-harvest-monday-november-5-2012/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/dscn3651.jpgDSCN3651Our Littlecado semi-dwarf avocado tree has been giving us fruit all year, with about nine avocados left on the tree.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/dscn3652.jpgDSCN3652The first Asian pear that my 21st Century Asian pear has set.2012-12-13T20:41:49+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2012/10/30/harvest-monday-october-29-2012/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/dscn3583.jpgDSCN3583The other dish I wanted to show you is this little lunch. I had a couple of not so attractive late fall tomatoes, so I diced them and added them to a can of vegetable beef soup. The crackers are Rosemary-Raisin from Trader Joe's, along with their English cheddar cheese.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/dscn3575.jpgDSCN3575Cook the pork dish in a preheated solar oven for at least 3-4 hours at midday. Or you could use a crockpot.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/dscn3572.jpgDSCN3572I soaked a half cup of raisins in 2/3 red wine, added 1 T brown sugar, and the juice and zest from the orange. Then I poured that over the pork, apple, and butternut.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/dscn3571.jpgDSCN3571I peeled and chopped the butternut and added it along with half of the red onion, sliced. I minced the ginger, about 1.5 tsp, and added it.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/dscn3570.jpgDSCN3570I browned the pork loin in a skillet, then added it to the chopped apple in my solar oven pan.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/dscn3569.jpgDSCN3569These are the ingredients for a wonderful pork tenderloin dish. The butternut is from my garden, but was not from this week's harvest. We will be enjoying stored butternuts through the winter. No, the harvest from my garden this week is that tiny lump of brown stuff between the apple, butternut and organic brown sugar. That is GINGER!https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/dscn3588.jpgDSCN3588 apple pieI put the apples into an unbaked pie crust, topped it with a streusel topping, and baked for 50 minutes. Heavenlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/dscn3585.jpgDSCN3585I peeled, cored and sliced the apples and mixed them with grated lemon jest, lemon juice, sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg. That is the filling for the pie. The lemon was fresh-picked from one of my lemon trees. :-) https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/dscn3576.jpgDSCN3576This week's Granny Smith apple harvest provided just enough fruit for one pie.2012-11-06T00:21:52+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2012/10/25/photo-workshop-in-grand-teton-national-park-october-2012/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/dscn3500.jpgDSCN3500Newborn bison are red for a short time before turning brown. These little guys born late in the season may have trouble making it through winter because they aren't very big by the time winter sets in.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/dscn3466.jpgDSCN3466Another "mother and child" bison photo.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/dscn2817.jpgDSCN2817Bull moose, fall foliage near Gros Ventre campground.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/pronghorns.jpgpronghornsIn retrospect, I should have taken out my good camera at the first sign of a decent photograph. All I have is this subpar shot taken with my iPad. Oh well, live and learn.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/2012-10-06-wort-hotel.jpg2012-10-06 Wort HotelI took this photo of the interior of the Wort Hotel with my iPad.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/dscn2875.jpgDSCN2875This bison looks cold. Or maybe it was me that was cold, what with that strong breeze blowing off the mountains.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/img_0139.jpgIMG_0139We knocked off early on the last day to get cleaned up for dinner together at a nice restaurant in Jackson, WY. This was my last shot of the trip. https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/dscn3514.jpgDSCN3514Water drips from this bison's muzzle after she's had a drink.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/dscn3491.jpgDSCN3491I liked this mother and calf bison photo.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/dscn3469.jpgDSCN3469Two young male bison staged a mock battle in a wallow, stirring up dust.2012-10-25T16:14:22+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2012/10/23/bummer-i-got-laid-off/2013-01-30T19:16:32+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2012/10/22/scenic-yellowstone-national-park-october-2012/2015-05-03T22:28:45+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2012/09/28/harvest-to-date-end-of-sept-2012/2012-09-27T17:25:30+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2012/09/17/vacationing-in-los-cabos-baja-mexico/2012-09-18T03:56:22+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2012/08/12/harvest-update-for-2012/2012-10-19T20:19:28+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2012/07/31/harvest-monday-july-30-2012/2012-08-11T20:00:50+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2012/07/20/catching-up-on-the-harvest-july-19-2012/2012-07-20T10:32:32+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2012/06/29/thar-be-dragons/2012-07-20T07:27:28+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2012/06/27/going-buggy-with-my-nikon-510-and-iphoto/2012-09-10T23:59:52+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2012/06/26/struggling-with-imac-on-harvest-monday/2012-09-10T23:58:24+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2012/06/18/harvest-monday-june-18-2012/2012-06-25T15:15:27+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2012/06/16/catching-up-last-weeks-harvest-monday/2012-06-16T03:51:58+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2012/06/16/glass-gem-corn/2012-06-25T00:47:58+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2012/06/14/holy-cow/2012-06-16T00:48:31+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2012/06/08/still-waiting/2012-06-16T00:52:50+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2012/06/07/waiting-for-godot/2012-06-16T00:50:36+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2012/06/05/a-green-harvest-monday-june-4-2012/2015-11-08T15:59:01+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2012/06/04/kitchen-cupboard-thursday-on-sunday-june-3-2012/2012-06-06T18:52:07+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2012/05/29/harvest-monday-on-memorial-day-2012/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/2012-05-26-031-asian-pear-blossom.jpg2012-05-26 031 Asian pear blossomOf all of the flowers on all of the fruit trees in my yard, this one excites me the most. It is the first and ONLY flower ever on my 20th Century Asian Pear tree since I planted it four years ago. I don't know if this one flower will be self fertile or if it needed a pollinator. My Shenseiki Asian Pear also had one and only one flower this year, but an insect chewed on it before it opened, so I have no hope of it producing a pear or being able to pollinate this flower. I should know in a couple of weeks whether or not this flower got fertilized.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/2012-05-26-035-granny-smith-apple.jpg2012-05-26 035 Granny Smith appleSo far, only two Granny Smith apples have set fruit. This may look like a big apple, but it is only the size of the end of my thumb at this point.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/2012-05-26-029-snow-peas.jpg2012-05-26 029 snow peasThese are the first snow peas from the second planting of peas on this fence so far this year. When this second planting of peas is done, I'll plant pole beans here.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/2012-05-26-030-peas.jpg2012-05-26 030 peasThis row of snow peas is by the deck, and will soon block my view of the garden from the deck.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/2012-05-26-014-deck.jpg2012-05-26 014 deckThis is the sitting area on our deck, where I like to contemplate my garden with a glass of wine late in the day.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/2012-05-26-008-view-from-deck.jpg2012-05-26 008 view from deckThis is the view to the west from our deck in back. How small is our yard? Well, except for the nectarine tree at the lower left, these trees are on the OTHER side of our neighbor's yard.2012-06-03T18:24:11+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2012/05/27/views-from-the-front-yard-on-memorial-day-weekend/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/2012-05-26-023-strawberry-jar.jpg2012-05-26 023 strawberry jarI grow a few strawberries in a strawberry pot that sits on the brick border of the Garden of Perpetual Responsibility. I also grow ginger, horseradish and green onions in containers on this ledge.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/2012-05-26-024-garden-of-perpetual-responsibility.jpg2012-05-26 024 Garden of Perpetual ResponsibilityThis is the Garden of Perpetual Responsibility. It needs weeding, of course. The artichokes are done, and it is now mostly a butterfly garden.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/2012-05-26-015-potato-row.jpg2012-05-26 015 potato rowIf I back up a bit more from where the previous photo was taken, I can see the row of fabric Gro-pots in the driveway. I have two eggplants, a newly planted pot of yams, a pot of what are most likely blue potatoes (although they could be German butterballs or even Russets--there is a lot to be said for labeling things when they are planted, huh?), and two more pots of yams.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/2012-05-26-016-garden-of-amazing-abundance.jpg2012-05-26 016 Garden of Amazing AbundanceFormer Garden of Infinite Neglect as seen looking to the north.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/2012-05-26-017-gaa.jpg2012-05-26 017 GAAFormer Garden of Infinite Neglect and current raised bed as seen looking south.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/2012-05-26-018-gaa.jpg2012-05-26 018 GAAThis is a view of my former Garden of Infinite Neglect as seen from the street looking toward my house. The new pumpkin patch is on a lower level at the back left of this garden.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/2012-05-26-019-pumpkin-patch.jpg2012-05-26 019 pumpkin patchThis is my newest raised bed, a mere 2 ft x 3 ft. I call it the pumpkin patch because this year I am going to attempt to grow pumpkins in it.2012-05-29T06:13:09+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2012/05/27/how-to-make-yummy-borscht-russian-cabbage-and-beet-soup/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/2012-05-26-004-chioggia-beets.jpg2012-05-26 004 Chioggia beetsChioggia beethttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/2012-05-26-002-borscht.jpg2012-05-26 002 borschtThis is a start of making borscht. I took the photo before I had the cabbage ready.2012-05-29T06:08:58+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2012/05/23/how-to-make-great-strawberry-jam/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/2012-05-21-015-strawberry-jam.jpg2012-05-21 015 strawberry jamSix lovely jars of homemade strawberry jam.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/2012-05-21-009-strawberries.jpg2012-05-21 009 strawberriesThe sugar is still not quite dissolved in this photo. All of the liquid is from the strawberries (and the tiny bit of lemon juice).https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/2012-05-21-007-strawberries.jpg2012-05-21 007 strawberriesWash, hull and cut into quarters 1 quart of strawberries. That is two of those little green plastic containers full of berries. Note that this is a heaping quart cup. There is a lot of air space in there, and jam making isn't an exact science.2012-05-26T16:17:12+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2012/05/22/harvest-monday-may-21-2012-and-a-peek-at-future-harvests/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/2012-05-21-044-iris.jpg2012-05-21 044 irisThis is the first year that this variety of iris has bloomed for me. It has been a really good year for irises in my yard.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/2012-05-21-037-pink-rose.jpg2012-05-21 037 pink roseA pretty pink rose.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/2012-05-21-052-new-garden.jpg2012-05-21 052 new gardenI'm working now on the bare area to the back right of my new raised bed. I plan to put in some tomatoes and pole beans there, with pumpkins on a small lower terrace out of sight in this picture.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/2012-05-21-059-snow-queen-nectarine.jpg2012-05-21 059 Snow Queen nectarineThe Snow Queen nectarine is still blooming, but so far about a dozen nectarines have set. The Panamint nectarines are nearing harvest, maybe 30 of them.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/2012-05-21-057-cucumbers.jpg2012-05-21 057 cucumbersCucumbers, either Tendergreen Burpless or Straight Eight. I can hardly wait for cucumber soup.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/2012-05-21-055-carrots.jpg2012-05-21 055 carrotsKyoto red carrotshttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/2012-05-21-054-radish.jpg2012-05-21 054 radishRedhead radishhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/2012-05-21-051-new-garden.jpg2012-05-21 051 new gardenNew raised bed in front.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/2012-05-21-050-eggplants-and-yams.jpg2012-05-21 050 eggplants and yamsI planted a fourth fabric container of yams yesterday, plus two containers of Japanese eggplant. The potatoes in the fourth container back from the front are nearing harvest. They're either blue or German butterball.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/2012-05-21-049-artichokes.jpg2012-05-21 049 artichokesOur last three artichokes. We had them for dinner tonight.2012-05-26T16:11:03+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2012/05/18/kitchen-cupboard-thursday-and-making-lemon-marmalade/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/2012-05-09-039-marmalade.jpg2012-05-09 039 marmaladeCook the marmalade until it sheets off a spoon in one sheet rather than two drops. Put in hot, sterile canning jars, seal and process in a hot water bath for 10 minutes. Place on a cloth towel to cool. Label and store.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/2012-05-09-029-lemon-peel.jpg2012-05-09 029 lemon peelUsing a citrus zester or parer like this one, pare the peel off the 4 lemons and 1 orange. Dice the peel and add to the ginger. Using a paring knife, peel off the white part of the rind and discard. That is the bitter part, and eliminating it makes the marmalade less bitter.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/2012-05-09-026-grated-ginger.jpg2012-05-09 026 grated gingerYou'll end up with about 1.5 tsp of grated ginger.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/2012-05-09-025-ginger.jpg2012-05-09 025 gingerPeel the brown outer skin off a walnut-sized piece of fresh ginger, and grate with a microplane grater.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/2012-05-09-021-lemons1.jpg2012-05-09 021 lemonsIngredients for Lemon-Ginger Marmalade: 4 Meyer lemons, one navel orange and fresh ginger the size of a walnut.2012-05-22T04:07:13+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2012/05/15/harvest-monday-may-14-2012/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/2012-05-14-garden-017.jpg2012-05-14 garden 017The lighting wasn't optimal for a photo of my raised beds in back, but I put this in anyway so you can see what a jungle they are turning into with all those tomatoes. My tomatoes are flowering, but only one has set any fruit so far. I go out in the morning and flick the flowers to help them set fruit, but it doesn't seem to be doing any good. I need some Blossom Set. That really helps the tomatoes and peppers set fruit.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/2012-05-14-034-fp-peaches.jpg2012-05-14 034 FP peachesSpeaking of inundated.... Take a look at this Florida Prince peach tree. It is absolutely loaded with fruit this year. And it is all getting ripe at once. This is certainly a case of "use it or lose it." https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/2012-05-14-030-panamint-nectarine.jpg2012-05-14 030 Panamint nectarineOur Panamint nectarine has set about 30 fruits. The Snow Queen makes even better fruit, best nectarines I've ever tasted. My husband wants to know how many of THOSE that we're getting, but they are just now finishing flowering. I'm happy that they ripen at different times so we aren't inundated with nectarines.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/2012-05-14-028-artichokes.jpg2012-05-14 028 artichokesWhoops, guess who should have harvested artichokes last week? These are a bit past prime, but will still be good if I pick them today.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/2012-05-14-027-strawberry-jar.jpg2012-05-14 027 strawberry jarI added fertilizer to my three-year-old strawberry jar and rejuvenated it. I may get some strawberries from it this year.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/2012-05-14-020-gin.jpg2012-05-14 020 GINEverything has recovered from transplant shock, and I've even had a harvest of Red Sails lettuce (because I planted them as embarassingly mature transplants last week). The cucumbers, radishes, lettuce, beets and chard have sprouted from seed. I'm waiting for the carrots to sprout next, plus the rest of the beets. If they don't sprout, I'll reseed.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/2012-05-14-019-new-gin-garden.jpg2012-05-14 019 new GIN gardenThis is my rejuvenated Garden of Infinite Neglect, or my GIN garden. I may change its name to Garden of Infinite Niceness, but niceness is such a blah word. Surely I can do better than that.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/2012-05-14-029-cherokee-toft-beans.jpg2012-05-14 029 Cherokee TofT beansThis row of Cherokee Trail of Tears beans is growing by my water meter and hose bib in a tiny strip of otherwise useless soil. I usually get a crop of peas or beans from this patch of dirt by the side of the house. I'm also growing Blue Lake Pole Beans in the raised bed in back. They are farther along than these beans, which I will use as dried black beans.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/2012-05-14-008-peas-and-pumpkin.jpg2012-05-14 008 peas and pumpkinA mystery pumpkin or winter squash sprouted from the compost. It is doing so nicely, that I'm letting it grow. Probably a big mistake. We'll see. Mammoth snow peas are growing behind the pumpkin. They will grow up my pea fence by the deck. This is my second planting of peas on this fence this year. With luck, I may be able to get in a crop of beans along this fence after the peas are done. Time will tell.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/2012-05-14-025-cucumber.jpg2012-05-14 025 cucumberTendergreen burpless cucumber cotyledon leaves. I'm also growing Straight Eight this year, a new cucumber variety for me. I hope to make some pickles this summer.2014-12-01T23:44:26+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2010/09/20/how-to-make-guava-jam/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/2010-09-17-024-jam.jpg2010-09-17 024 jamAfter processing the jam in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes, I put the jars onto a cloth towel to cool.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/2010-09-17-021-jam.jpg2010-09-17 021 jamThis is the jam after it has been strained and cooked down.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/2010-09-17-017-guavas.jpg2010-09-17 017 guavasThis is the pan of guava pulp before addition of the apples and spices, and before cooking.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/2010-09-17-015-guavas.jpg2010-09-17 015 guavasI composted the thick, hard rinds.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/2010-09-17-011-guavas.jpg2010-09-17 011 guavasI used a grapefruit spoon to scoop out the guava pulp.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/2010-09-17-005-gingerroot.jpg2010-09-17 005 gingerrootI used whole allspice and whole cinnamon in my jam, plus my first harvest of ginger, a Meyer lemon, and a Valencia orange (not pictured).https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/2010-09-17-002-pineapple-guavas.jpg2010-09-17 002 pineapple guavasThis is what seven pounds of pineapple guavas look like.2017-10-17T00:51:14+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2012/05/11/200th-blog-post-harvest-monday-and-kitchen-cupboard-thursday/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/2012-05-09-059-breakfast.jpg2012-05-09 059 breakfastDid somebody say blueberry pancakes? That's what we had for breakfast the other day, made with blueberries from the farmers market, topped with 100% pure maple syrup and orange-honey butter made with orange rind from my own oranges, and... orange wedges. https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/2012-05-09-045-beef-stew.jpg2012-05-09 045 beef stewWe had the stew with cornbread and orange-honey butter. https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/2012-05-09-041-solar-oven.jpg2012-05-09 041 solar ovenI cooked the stew in our Sun Oven solar oven. I just love that thing and have been using it 2-3 times a week, saving energy and fighting global warming. The stew was done and tender after 4 hours. I swear, food tastes better when it is cooked in a solar oven. The flavors blend and mingle and meats are so tender it is amazing.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/2012-05-09-042-stew.jpg2012-05-09 042 stewI made a beef stew with cubed boneless chuck roast, diced potatoes, an onion, a bunch of carrots sliced, and a can of my homemade tomato soup. I put two bay leaves on top from our tiny potted bay laurel tree.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/2012-05-09-005-smoked-salmon-frittata.jpg2012-05-09 005 smoked salmon frittataThis smoked salmon fritatta was made with eggs from my hens, avocado, green onion and some smoked salmon. Wish I had more of that salmon, because it was YUMMY. Wish I could spell frittata. Frittatta. Whatever.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/2012-05-09-081-florida-prince-peaches.jpg2012-05-09 081 Florida Prince peachesWhoopee, my first harvest of the year of Florida Prince peaches. They are pathetically small because I just didn't thin them enough. Now I am faced with tiny fruits that are mostly seed. But boy are they tasty! Sweet and succulent, dripping with juice. I had some for breakfast this morning with granola.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/2012-05-09-076-avocado.jpg2012-05-09 076 avocadoAfter not producing avocados for 15 years, my Littlecado tree finally did itself proud this year. I am harvesting two a week, which is the rate at which we consume them. They don't ripen until picked. I have maybe 9-10 left on the tree, so the harvest isn't over yet.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/2012-05-09-063-potatoes.jpg2012-05-09 063 potatoesI have potatoes growing in the fabric Gro-pot at the lower right, and yams in the other two pots. I'm about to plant my third and last pot of yams from slips growing on the kitchen windowsill.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/2012-05-09-017-orchid-cactus.jpg2012-05-09 017 orchid cactusFirst, a feast for the eyes, a lovely orchid cactus in bloom.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/2012-05-09-021-lemons.jpg2012-05-09 021 lemons2012-05-14T19:17:25+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2012/05/11/i-built-a-raised-garden-bed-by-myself/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/wet-our-plants.jpgwet our plantshttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/2012-05-09-086-new-garden-of-infinite-neglect.jpg2012-05-09 086 new Garden of Infinite NeglectI drilled deck screws into the tops of the boards at one foot intervals, and threaded string around them to delineate foot square grids. I did this in part to facilitate square foot gardening, and in part (I hope) to discourage neighborhood cats from using my raised bed as a litter box.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/2012-05-09-065-new-raised-bed.jpg2012-05-09 065 new raised bedThis is the new bed looking from the other direction. The Lacinato and Scotch Blue-curled kale were left over from last year. Ditto the chard at the other end. I uprooted the rest of the chard and kale and fed it to my chickens.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/2012-05-09-064-new-raised-bed.jpg2012-05-09 064 new raised bedI filled the beds with a mixture of what Miracle-Gro calls organic garden soil (looked like sawdust and wood chips to me), potting soil, and steer manure, then dug it in well, mixing in dirt from below the bed. This bed is 12 ft long and 3 ft wide.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/2012-05-09-066-corner.jpg2012-05-09 066 cornerFortunately, my boards were already cut to lengths that I wanted. All I had to do was juxtapose the ends, bracing them with my foot, and drill in the screws. Piece of cake. You can see that these are reused boards by the old drill marks.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/2012-04-22-011-looking-se.jpg2012-04-22 011 looking SEI weeded the community garden plot, but so far haven't planted it. I have plans to put in beans and winter squash, at the very least. Right now, all that is growing there is chard, onions, and garlic.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/2012-04-22-006-looking-ne.jpg2012-04-22 006 looking NEMy poor neglected community garden plot, full of weeds, with no raised bed borders. :-(https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/2012-04-22-005-looking-nw.jpg2012-04-22 005 looking NWhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/2011-11-15-030-my-plot.jpg2011-11-15 030 my plotMy plot at the Huntington Beach community garden had nice raised beds made of redwood. This shot was in November 2011, shortly before the beds were dismantled.2012-07-20T07:24:47+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2012/05/11/how-to-make-sun-tea/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/2012-05-09-084-sun-tea.jpg2012-05-09 084 sun teaI like to add a sprig of mint from my garden. I could add a lemon wedge, since I have lemons growing in the garden, but I rarely do. I drink my tea unsweetened, but you can add sugar if that is your preference.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/2012-05-09-083-sun-tea.jpg2012-05-09 083 sun teaAfter about two hours, you have tea.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/2012-05-09-074-sun-tea1.jpg2012-05-09 074 sun teahttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/2012-05-09-074-sun-tea.jpg2012-05-09 074 sun tea2015-10-17T17:33:37+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2012/05/01/harvest-monday-april-30-2012/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/2012-04-27-040-grandpa-admire-lettuce.jpg2012-04-27 040 Grandpa Admire lettuceI'm really excited about these Grandpa Admire lettuce seedlings. I got a pack of this variety, a speckled Romaine, from Seed Savers Exchange. But my plantings of it failed in 2010 and 2011. I figured that the seeds were no good, and planted all of the rest of the packet this year even though they were 3 years old and had never germinated for me. Whoopee, I got 18 seedlings sprouted. I will be transplanting them to give them more room. Maybe I'll finally get to see what this lettuce tastes like and with luck save some seeds for next year.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/2012-04-27-039-panamint-nectarines.jpg2012-04-27 039 Panamint nectarinesThe Panamint nectarine tree shown here has 30-40 nectarines that are looking good. The Snow Queen has even better tasting nectarines, and has more blooms on it this year than ever. It lags way behind the Panamint, so I'll have a staggered crop.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/2012-04-27-035-florida-prince-peaches.jpg2012-04-27 035 Florida Prince peachesMy Florida Prince peach is the earliest to produce of my stone fruit trees. Some of the peaches are almost edible size, but most are still really small. They're still hard, so they will grow a bit more before harvest time. I see some peach preserves, peach pie, peach cobbler, peaches on cereal, and peaches in ice cream in our near future.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/2012-04-27-034-grapes.jpg2012-04-27 034 grapesHaving never grown grapes before, I'm fascinated by the flowering process. I think that these are flower buds that haven't opened. It took three years for my grapevines to make grapes. Well, technically these aren't grapes yet, but I'm hopeful.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/2012-04-27-026-iris.jpg2012-04-27 026 irisThis is a blue iris with white centers. So pretty.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/2012-04-27-025-bearded-iris.jpg2012-04-27 025 bearded irisI like this pale one. My husband prefers the traditional all purple ones.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/2012-04-27-021-bearded-iris.jpg2012-04-27 021 bearded irisMy bearded iris are doing well this year, first year most of my varieties are blooming. It takes them a couple of years to get established before they bloom, at least for me.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/2012-04-27-007-douglas-iris.jpg2012-04-27 007 Douglas irisThis is one of three colors of Douglas iris in our yard, part of our native California plant garden.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/2012-04-27-018-ducks.jpg2012-04-27 018 ducksI gave them some chicken feed, and made them happy. They stayed a couple of days and moved on.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/2012-04-27-004-male-mallards.jpg2012-04-27 004 male mallardsThese two pretty boys came to our front yard last week, attracted by the pond.2012-05-09T18:55:25+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2012/04/24/harvest-monday-and-kitchen-cupboard-thursday-april-23-2012/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/2012-04-22-340-iris.jpg2012-04-22 340 irisI got some free irises from someone a couple of years ago. They are supposed to be white with ruffled edges. This one is neither. But I like it anyway. This is the first year of bloom for it. The other irises from that source are still small and haven't bloomed yet. Maybe they're the white ruffled ones.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/2012-04-22-342-fuyu-persimmon.jpg2012-04-22 342 Fuyu persimmonOur Fuyu persimmon tree has a half dozen flowers on it. It didn't produce any fruit last year. I might this year, but I STILL don't have it planted. It's in its original nursery pot. I think it would do a lot better if I actually put it into the ground. It's going into the Garden of Perpetual Responsibility, which is always loaded with weeds.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/2012-04-22-338-strawberry.jpg2012-04-22 338 strawberryMy strawberry pot got a bit neglected last year, but the strawberry plants revived. i fertilized and watered them, and am hoping for at least a small crop this year.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/2012-04-22-334-artichoke.jpg2012-04-22 334 artichokeI see artichokes on the menu for dinner tonight. They were almost ready to harvest on Friday when we left for the weekend, but I didn't want them to just sit in the refrigerator. This one is a bit past prime now. But it will go great with some chicken or steak cooked on the BBQ.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/2012-04-22-333-succulent.jpg2012-04-22 333 succulentA pot of succulents in front of the Garden of Perpetual Responsibility has flowered. Nice flower.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/2012-04-22-330-potatoes.jpg2012-04-22 330 potatoesI grow potatoes and yams in Gro-pots in our driveway. Here is a pot of potatoes that volunteered from little potatoes that didn't get harvested. I won't know if they're German butterballs or blue potatoes until harvest time. They could even be Russets. I've grown them all in these fabric grow-pots. I just add more fertilizer and reuse the potting soil and pots.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/2012-04-22-331-neglect.jpg2012-04-22 331 NeglectOur front yards are the showplaces of our properties, right? Sadly, not at our house. I have a vegetable garden right next to the sidewalk, and it never does very well. Consequently, or perhaps because, I neglect it. I call this my Garden of Infinite Neglect. It is so sad. I have plans to put in a raised bed here and see if that will improve growing conditions. It's going to rain here on Wednesday, so I am hoping to get that project done in the next two days. Or maybe I'll neglect to get "a round tuit."https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/2012-04-22-327-pumpkin.jpg2012-04-22 327 pumpkinI didn't plant this. It sprouted from my homemade compost. I figure it's a pumpkin or winter squash of some kind. I know that I should weed it out, but I just can't. I figure if it came from my compost pile, it must be something that I grew. But I had some mini winter squash that were hybrids, so it could be anything. I'm afraid that my curiosity about what it might grow into may overrule my better judgement, and I may let it (OK, THEM. There are 8 of them sprouted.) get the better of me. Time will tell. What do you say, weed it out or transplant it and see what it grows into?https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/2012-04-22-326-snow-peas.jpg2012-04-22 326 snow peasI grow peas or beans up a metal pea fence by the deck. These are Mammoth Snow Peas, the second crop of the year to grow up the fence. When they're done, I'll plant pole beans.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/2012-04-22-322-orchids.jpg2012-04-22 322 orchidsI bought some new orchids this year for the deck. Yep, they grow year-round outdoors in coastal southern California. I really like the three of them massed together.2014-03-23T11:01:29+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2012/04/19/box-car-willie-and-radiator-charlies-mortgage-lifter/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/2012-04-18-004-bed-2.jpg2012-04-18 004 bed 2Each tomato plant needs at least one square foot in a square foot garden. I give them a bit more room than that. This 18 square foot bed has seven tomatoes, plus some leeks, an eggplant, and a row of pole beans on the north side that haven't sprouted yet.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/2012-04-18-003-tomato-flower.jpg2012-04-18 003 tomato flowerFlicking the yellow tomato flower gently with your finger will help to set the fruit if there aren't enough natural pollinators (bees) around.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/2012-04-18-002-tomato-plant.jpg2012-04-18 002 tomato plantNewly transplanted Box Car Willie tomato plant.2012-04-23T20:31:26+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2012/04/10/spring-flowers-and-summing-up-the-harvest-so-far-this-year/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/2012-04-06-002-bread.jpg2012-04-06 002 breadIt isn't a plant, but I wanted to show you that I'm still using my new solar oven. I've baked 6 loaves of bread in it so far, plus lamb and lentil curry, beef stew, pot roast, chicken, etc. Amazing thing, it cooks with just the heat of the sun. I'm fighting global warming every way I can.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/2012-04-06-013-florida-prince-peaches.jpg2012-04-06 013 Florida Prince peachesThis is another view of the Florida Prince Peach. The Babcock Improved Peach is nearly finished blooming, and it looks like it might set 100 fruit this year. The August Pride Peach, which is probably a mis-labeled May Pride, has only three peaches on it. Our Panamint nectarine has set about 30-40 nectarines. The Snow Queen nectarine is just now blooming, but fruit set isn't likely to exceed a dozen. Our poor little Katy Apricot set only three apricots this year. The critters usually get all of the apricots anyway. I keep hoping to get some for myself.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/2012-04-06-011-florida-prince-peaches.jpg2012-04-06 011 Florida Prince peachesOur Florida Prince Peach tree is loaded with fruit, about 250 peaches. Last year, they were very small peaches. I hope that they're bigger this year and worth canning. I thinned out the peaches a bit, hoping that the remaining ones would get large, but I probably didn't thin enough. I just can't bear to pick them off as tiny babies. I want them ALL to grow big.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/2012-04-09-092-artichoke.jpg2012-04-09 092 artichokeWe've harvested and eaten three artichokes so far, with more coming along. I had four artichoke plants that came back from the roots this year. They are a short-lived perennial. I may have to replant this fall. Or maybe I'll get another year out of the existing plants. Time will tell.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/2012-04-09-074-red-cabbage.jpg2012-04-09 074 red cabbageMy red cabbages are coming along. In general, my cole crops did poorly this winter. I think it was too warm for them. But I have three remaining red cabbages and all have made heads. They're too small to harvest yet though. I hope they make it to harvest time.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/2012-04-09-072-snow-peas.jpg2012-04-09 072 snow peasMy Mammoth snow peas are up. This is the second planting of 2012.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/2012-04-09-071-henrietta-and-chicken-little.jpg2012-04-09 071 Henrietta and Chicken LittleHere is a transition from flowers to veggies--my chickens. Two of them anyway. Henrietta, the black Australorp, is in the foreground with Chicken Little, the black sex-linked hen, in the back. Miss Hillary, the barred Plymouth Rock, is pecking goodies from the dirt out of sight to the right.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/2012-04-09-066-grapes.jpg2012-04-09 066 grapesThese itsy, bitsy little green flowers are the ones that are exciting me the most. They are the first ever flowers on my Red Flame Seedless grape vines. I planted the vines four years ago (or was it three, can't remember) and they are now showing signs of producing fruit. We have eight clusters of flowers so far, and more may open as the grape vines are just now getting going for the summer. I hope we get actual grapes but a lot of things can happen between now and harvest. Mold, mites, birds, night critters, etc. I have my fingers crossed.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/2012-04-09-076-lime-blossoms.jpg2012-04-09 076 lime blossomsThese are lime blossoms from my Bearrs lime tree. Note the tiny limes on the right. That's what they look like after the petals fall off. Most of the flowers don't result in fruit, but we get plenty of limes from the tree anyway. The navel orange and Meyer lemon trees are also in exhuberant bloom.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/2012-04-09-070-plum-blossoms.jpg2012-04-09 070 plum blossomsOur Santa Rosa plum is blooming poorly, as usual. We'll be lucky to get a dozen plums. However, that is more than we usually get since the night critters usually get all the fruit. This year I'm live-trapping them relentlessly. We've relocated seven possums already this year.2012-04-18T22:04:47+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2012/03/21/first-day-of-spring-and-the-weeks-harvest/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/2012-03-20-086-chicken-casserole.jpg2012-03-20 086 chicken casseroleLast night's dinner, an Italian chicken casserole, was also made in the solar oven. I marinated two chicken hindquarters, 3 sliced bell peppers, a sliced onion, and two small potatoes cut into cubes in a marinade of Weber Grillmates Italian herb marinade with 1/4 C olive oil and 1/4 C water. After a half hour, I put it all into the solar oven and let it simmer at 300 degrees for about three hours. I used a glass lid and the top layer of vegetables browned up nicely. Everything was tender and the taste was incredible.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/2012-03-20-003-pot-roast.jpg2012-03-20 003 pot roastI made a pot roast in the solar oven with two pounds of chuck roast, a sliced onion, six Kyoto red carrots from my garden, a package of dry onion soup mix, and a half cup of red wine. Fabulous!https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/2012-03-20-001-solar-oven.jpg2012-03-20 001 solar ovenI absolutely love my solar oven. I've used it every sunny day since it arrived last week.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/2012-03-20-045-citrus.jpg2012-03-20 045 citrusThis is my citrus harvest from last week. They all went to my son Scott and his family. I love being able to share the bounty from my yard with my family.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/2012-03-20-038-limes.jpg2012-03-20 038 limesI'm about midway through the harvest of my limes and lemons, but the oranges are nearly all gone. Only a dozen left. The tree is blooming again, and I have hopes of another good crop next season.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/2012-03-20-040-avocado.jpg2012-03-20 040 avocadoThe Littlecado avocado tree made a decent amount of avocados for the first time ever last year. I still have a dozen fruits left on the tree. They don't ripen until picked, so I can extend the harvest over several months. The tree is in bloom again, and I can hardly wait to see if I get a good fruit set again this year.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/2012-03-20-015-florida-prince-peaches.jpg2012-03-20 015 Florida Prince peachesThe Florida Prince peach has set a LOT of peaches, more than any other year. My August Pride peach only set three peaches though. It's still a pretty small tree. The Babcock Improved is just now blooming, and I hope will give me some late season peaches. It too is a young tree, and this should be its first year of making a decent crop.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/2012-03-20-017-granny-smith.jpg2012-03-20 017 Granny SmithThe heat wave tricked the Granny Smith apple into opening some of its buds a bit earlier than normal.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/2012-03-20-010-grape-leaves.jpg2012-03-20 010 grape leavesMy red flame seedless grapes are off to a good start. I expect to get my first crop of grapes this summer and can hardly wait to see if the vines will have flowers this year.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/2012-03-20-006-narcissus.jpg2012-03-20 006 narcissusA double narcissus. I forget the variety.2012-04-09T18:58:20+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2012/03/17/why-i-garden/2012-03-20T17:47:59+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2012/03/17/solar-oven-cooking-with-my-new-sun-oven/2012-07-09T16:05:05+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2012/03/15/cooking-with-the-sun/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/2012-03-14-001-chile-cheese-bake.jpg2012-03-14 001 chile cheese bakeI made this chile cheese bake from a recipe that I modified from The Solar Chef, baking it in our regular oven because the solar oven was busy with the Greek beef stew. For my version of the chile cheese bake, combine 5 beaten eggs, 1/4 C flour, 3/4 tsp baking powder, 2 oz can of diced green chiles, 2 oz can of chopped ripe olives, 8 oz sour cream, 2 C grated Mexican cheeses, generous dash of Louisiana hot sauce, 1 T melted butter and 4 corn tortillas cut or torn into pieces. sprinkle paprika on top. Bake at 400 degrees for 30 min in a regular oven or 45 minutes to an hour and a half in a solar oven until top is puffy and eggs are set.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/2012-03-14-014-solar-oven.jpg2012-03-14 014 solar ovenI'm so excited. My first meal is cooking in the driveway in our new solar oven!https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/2012-03-14-011-tomato-paste.jpg2012-03-14 011 tomato pasteThe tomato paste mixture is fairly thick, even with the wine and vinegar added. Apparently solar cooking uses very little added liquid. Top the stew with one or two bay leaves (I picked my bay leaves off my little tree), cover, and cook until done, about 3-3.5 hours.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/2012-03-14-006-garlic.jpg2012-03-14 006 garlicAdd 1-2 cloves of pressed garlic (OK, I used 7 here, but they're small) to one 6 oz can of tomato paste along with 1/2 C red wine, 2 T sherry vinegar, 1 T brown sugar, 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon, 1/4 tsp ground cumin, 1/8 tsp ground cloves, and 1/4 C raisins. Stir together, and spread over the top of the carrots. Cover pot and bake in solar oven for 3-3.5 hrs.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/2012-03-14-009-carrots-added.jpg2012-03-14 009 carrots addedSlice five carrots and put on top of beef and onions. These are Kyoto reds from my garden.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/2012-03-14-005-beef-and-onions.jpg2012-03-14 005 beef and onionsTo make a Greek beef stew in a solar oven, put 1.5 lbs of stew beef in the pot, add one sliced onion and 1/4 C melted butter. Toss to coat.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/oven2.pngoven2The Sun Oven is made in the USA, a selling point for me.2013-11-15T00:56:27+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2012/03/13/blooming-monday-march-12-2012/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/2012-03-12-002-breakfast.jpg2012-03-12 002 breakfastBreakfast this morning was so late that it turned out to be brunch. Homegrown eggs with homegrown avocado and store-bought cream cheese cant be beat.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/2012-03-05-004-challah.jpg2012-03-05 004 challahThis beautiful loaf of challah bread uses two eggs from our chickens. I make the dough in the bread machine, braid it, and bake it in the oven. Really easy.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/2012-03-05-002-breast-of-lamb.jpg2012-03-05 002 breast of lambStuffed breast of lambhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/2012-03-05-041-freesia-and-marjoram.jpg2012-03-05 041 freesia and marjoramFreesias in the marjoramhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/2012-03-05-038-lily-2.jpg2012-03-05 038 lily 2Kafir lilyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/2012-03-05-043-mt-hood-daffodil-2.jpg2012-03-05 043 Mt Hood daffodil 2Mt Hood daffodilhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/2012-03-05-037-camellia.jpg2012-03-05 037 camelliahttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/2012-03-05-035-camellia.jpg2012-03-05 035 camelliaCamelliahttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/2012-03-05-026-monarch-chrysalis.jpg2012-03-05 026 monarch chrysalisThis is a monarch chrysalis, with a bit of sun flare in the photo.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/2012-03-05-033-monarch-caterpillar.jpg2012-03-05 033 monarch caterpillarI planted a butterfly garden and the butterflies actually use it. We had 10 monarch caterpillars this year on the bloodflower milkweed. They ate the plants down to bare sticks, which is what happens if you're raising butterflies.2012-03-20T17:49:05+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2012/03/13/san-jacinto-wildlife-area/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/2012-03-11-077-san-gorgonio.jpg2012-03-11 077 San Gorgoniohttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/2012-03-11-075-canyon-wren-2.jpg2012-03-11 075 canyon wren 2Really bad photo of a Canyon Wren in the distance.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/2012-03-11-069-sage-thrasher.jpg2012-03-11 069 sage thrasherSage Thrasherhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/2012-03-11-074-sage-thrasher.jpg2012-03-11 074 sage thrasherSage Thrasherhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/2012-03-11-050-intermediate-redtail.jpg2012-03-11 050 intermediate redtailIntermediate color phase first year redtail hawk.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/2012-03-11-029-greater-yellowlegs.jpg2012-03-11 029 greater yellowlegsGreater Yellowlegshttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/2012-03-11-022-brushed-landscape.jpg2012-03-11 022 brushed landscapeI played with this landscape view to the west and turned it into an "oil painting" with Paintshop Pro.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/2012-03-11-011-burrowing-owl.jpg2012-03-11 011 burrowing owlBurrowing Owlhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/2012-03-11-003-morning.jpg2012-03-11 003 morninghttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/2012-03-11-001-morning-mist.jpg2012-03-11 001 morning mistMorning mist at San Jacinto Wildlife Area, looking SE. Yes, this photo is in color. but it came out as a monochrome.2012-03-14T20:22:56+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2012/03/07/squamous-cell-carcinoma-why-i-havent-planted-my-spring-garden-yet/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/2012-01-31-014-stitched-up.jpg2012-01-31 014 stitched upThis is what my cheek looked like after closure of the incision. Note how pale I am. I have not manipulated the color. I think I nearly died due to the reaction to the epinephrine. Also note that I am not wearing a surgical cap. The plastic surgeon hadn't even asked that I put on a gown. I had to ask the office assistant for one because I didn't want to bleed onto my clothes. There was no drape, no surgical light, just a bare office with a table. There wasn't even any soap by the sink in the office! This place was just not set up to do surgery. At least the doctor wore gloves, but he didn't when he removed the stitches and I bled. That is not good.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/2012-01-31-009-tumor-removed.jpg2012-01-31 009 tumor removedThis is the hole left in my cheek after the removal of the tumor. Note that I am wearing a surgical cap and a gown. My wound was draped during the surgery, and I was in a surgical suite in the dermatologist's office. The blackness is due to electrocautery of the open wound. No, it didn't hurt and amazingly I was able to have lunch with no problem.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/2012-01-31-004-tumor.jpg2012-01-31 004 tumorThis is my squamous cell carcinoma after the biopsy, and on the day of surgical removal a mere four weeks after the biopsy. Note the necrotic (dead) center and raised appearance. It went down into the tissue of my cheek as well as outward.2018-06-05T16:54:32+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2012/01/10/first-harvest-monday-of-2012/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/2012-01-09-058-citrus-and-avocados.jpg2012-01-09 058 citrus and avocadosWinter is citrus and avocado season. Here are three navel oranges, three Meyer lemons, a Eureka lemon, a lime, and a crazy lone tomato that riped in January.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/2012-01-09-053-dinner.jpg2012-01-09 053 dinnerMiss Hillary, our newest hen, provided four eggs for our dinner. I made baked roast beef hash and eggs along with the salad, which was topped with pine nuts.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/2012-01-09-050-salad.jpg2012-01-09 050 saladSnow peas, spinach, Deer Tongue and Black Seeded Simpson lettuces, avocado and carrots made a fine salad, all from my garden.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/2012-01-09-042-oranges.jpg2012-01-09 042 orangesBoth my dwarf navel orange and semi-dwarf avocado trees are producing bumper crops this year. But given the small size of the trees, 50 oranges and 20 avocadoes on each tree constitutes a bumper crop.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/2012-01-09-027-orange-cake.jpg2012-01-09 027 orange cakeOrange juice and zest went into a Colonial Williamsburg Lodge Orange Cake, which is made with pecans and raisins. https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/2012-01-09-024-snow-peas-and-cabbage.jpg2012-01-09 024 snow peas and cabbageSnow peas and cabbage went into a yaki soba (Japanese stir-fried noodle dish) along with a few other vegetables.2012-03-06T20:44:58+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2012/01/03/we-have-eggs/2012-01-10T02:10:30+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2011/12/27/last-harvest-monday-of-2011-and-i-have-a-harvest/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/2011-12-25-nm-855-harvest.jpg2011-12-25 NM 855 harvestYesterday's harvest included a lime and a Meyer lemon that went into a key lime pie, plus broccoli and snow peas that went into the yaki-soba. That was our Christmas dinner after getting back late from the airport.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/2011-12-25-nm-859-eggplant.jpg2011-12-25 NM 859 eggplantSurprisingly, I had two late eggplants in my garden. I put this one in a yaki-soba stirfry last night.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/2011-12-25-nm-856-avocados.jpg2011-12-25 NM 856 avocadosAvocados take about 10-14 days of sitting on the counter to ripen enough to eat. They don't ripen on the tree. Then it's a race to see if we catch them in time or if they go past readiness. This is the first year than my LittleCado tree has set much fruit, about 20 avocados. Most of the harvest will be in 2012.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/2011-12-25-nm-004-comm-garden.jpg2011-12-25 NM 004 Comm gardenLooking southeast at my community garden plot in December.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/2011-12-25-nm-001-comm-garden.jpg2011-12-25 NM 001 comm gardenMy community garden plot is looking sad. The nice redwood borders have been removed, as per the new garden rules. The nice green vinyl covered wire fence that kept out the rabbits has been removed, as per the garden committee rules. The plastic chicken fencing was completely ineffective at keeping out the rabbits, so I put up some white trellis fencing, but still haven't finished the job.2012-01-02T20:53:34+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2011/12/20/next-to-last-harvest-of-the-year/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/baby-mike.jpgbaby mikeOur grandson baby Mike at two months. What a cutie!https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/2011-12-13-321.jpg2011-12-13 321The hens are nearly finished with their molt. Good thing, because we haven't had any eggs from them in two months.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/2011-12-13-326-garden.jpg2011-12-13 326 gardenThe three raised beds in my home garden are looking pretty good for December.2014-09-25T18:38:04+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2009/11/17/eat-locally-grown-heirloom-vegetables-and-heirloom-breeds/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/img_0201.jpgIMG_0201Here I am with some of our organically grown, heirloom vegetables2011-11-22T23:05:55+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2011/11/22/harvest-monday-november-21-2011/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/2011-11-15-006-yams1.jpg2011-11-15 006 yamsI have five Grow Pots of yams in the driveway.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/2011-11-15-045-todays-harvest.jpg2011-11-15 045 today's harvestOne day's harvest from the community garden.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/2011-11-15-043-basket-of-produce.jpg2011-11-15 043 basket of produceGreen, green, and more greens.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/2011-11-15-028-caterpillar.jpg2011-11-15 028 caterpillarHey, I was about to eat that Komatsuna leaf!2011-12-19T16:18:59+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2011/11/18/how-to-make-soldier-bean-soup-and-onion-puree/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/2011-11-16-012-soldier-bean-soup.jpg2011-11-16 012 soldier bean soupSoldier Bean Soup with cornbreadhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/2011-11-16-011-soldier-bean-soup.jpg2011-11-16 011 soldier bean soupPour boiling water over 1 C washed Soldier Beans and let soak for 1.5 hours. Drain water off and discard. Put beans back in pan, add 5-6 cups of chicken broth, 1 chopped onion, 3 cloves of garlic, 1/2 tsp ground coriander, 2 bay leaves, and a ham hock. Simmer for 1 hour. Add 3-4 C chopped greens. Cook 30 minutes more. Serve with cornbread.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/2011-11-16-009-greens.jpg2011-11-16 009 greensKomatsuna on top, Mizuna on bottomhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/2011-11-16-007-dinner.jpg2011-11-16 007 dinnerOnion puree is at the top next to the grilled steak.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/2011-11-16-004-onions.jpg2011-11-16 004 onionsSaute one sliced yellow onion and four cloves of garlic in 2 T butter. As soon as the onions turn translucent, add 1 C chicken broth, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes. Puree in a blender or food processer. Return to pan and simmer until reduced to a thick sauce. Add 1/4 to 1/2 C chopped parsley. Serve on steak, a roast, or whatever.2011-11-21T17:10:28+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2011/11/17/setting-goals-in-the-garden/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/2011-11-13-043-navel-oranges1.jpg2011-11-13 043 navel orangesWe grow all of the lemons and limes that we need, some of the oranges, but none of the grapefruit.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/2011-11-15-005-artichoke.jpg2011-11-15 005 artichokeWe grow artichokes in the side garden next to the driveway.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/2010-10-11-onions-009.jpg2010-10-11 onions 009Growing your own onions and garlic is really easy.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/2010-09-17-024-jam.jpg2010-09-17 024 jamPutting by your own jams and jellies is so satisfying. I love seeing all those sparkling jars on the pantry shelves. It's saving summer.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/2011-11-15-comm-garden-030.jpg2011-11-15 comm garden 030My 14 ft x 20 ft community garden plot has pathways and a sitting bench that occupy some of the space. That leaves me only about 160 ft of actual gardening space.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/2011-11-13-harvest-025.jpg2011-11-13 harvest 025I have three small raised beds in back, surrounded by fruit trees, bean towers, a pea fence and blueberries in barrels.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/2011-11-15-006-yams.jpg2011-11-15 006 yamsFabric Grow Pots are a great way to get more growing space. We grow potatoes and yams in our driveway!https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/2010-07-12-office-harvest-015-nectarines.jpg2010-07-12 office, harvest 015 nectarinesWith 17 fruit trees in back, and 6 in front, we're able to grow a lot of our own fruit even though most of the trees are dwarf.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/bc-bridge-eggs-040-first-two-eggs.jpgBC bridge, eggs 040 first two eggsWe wee self-sufficient in eggs last year, and nearly so this year.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/0023-0211-1817-2240.jpg0023-0211-1817-2240We can't grow most of the food that we eat.2012-01-03T01:38:15+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2011/11/16/a-rant-about-global-warming/2011-12-26T16:46:03+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2011/11/15/harvest-monday-november-14-2011/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/2011-11-13-056-lacinato-kale.jpg2011-11-13 056 lacinato kaleI love the taste and texture of Lacinato kale even more than Scotch Blue Curled. This harvest is the Lacinato, which went into a lentil-sausage-kale soup.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/2011-11-13-043-navel-oranges.jpg2011-11-13 043 navel orangesThe navel oranges are ripening earlier this year than usual. We should be able to start picking oranges soon. I have about 45 oranges this year on my dwarf tree, a record crop for us.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/2011-11-13-029-hens.jpg2011-11-13 029 hensThe hens are molting and we're getting NO eggs. Miss Hillary, the barred rock, is in front, Henrietta, our Black Australorp, is in back on the left, and Chicken Little, a Black Sex-linked hen, is in back on the right. She's nearly naked, poor thing.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/2011-11-13-031-mammoth-snow-peas.jpg2011-11-13 031 Mammoth snow peasI got this nice metal pea fence from Gardeners Supply Company. Since we're growing Mammoth snow peas next to our deck, it's better to have an attractive fence for them. This is SOOOOO much better than string netting, appearance-wise.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/2011-11-13-007-garlic.jpg2011-11-13 007 garlicI didn't harvest this California giant garlic in a timely fashion and it has resprouted. I really need to get to the community garden and replant the remaining cloves. https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/2011-11-13-006-mizuna.jpg2011-11-13 006 MizunaDitto for this Mizuna. Wonderful in stir frys or soups.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/2011-11-13-002-komatsuna.jpg2011-11-13 002 KomatsunaThis Komatsuna grew from a mescun mix of Asian salad greens that went way beyond the baby green stage. No worries, Komatsuna goes beautifully into stir frys.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/2011-11-13-034-green-cabbage.jpg2011-11-13 034 green cabbageThis is supposed to be savoy cabbage, but it clearly isn't. Oh well. It's beginning to head up. After fighting off cabbage worms, I'm wondering if the night critters will eat it before it's ready to harvest. That's what happened to all of my lovely spring cabbage. The night critters got every last head.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/2011-11-13-033-cabbage-red-acre.jpg2011-11-13 033 cabbage, red acreThis red acre cabbage is my most recently planted crop.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/2011-11-13-041-bed-3.jpg2011-11-13 041 bed 3Bed 3 has a cherry tomato and a beefsteak tomato. I should pull them out, but maybe I'll try overwintering them to get a head start on tomatoes next summer. I also have 6 green cabbages, 6 red cabbages, and some snow peas. Parsley is growing outside the bed. I'll probably add some lettuce and radishes to this bed soon.2011-11-16T19:34:03+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2010/02/17/february-fruits-flowers-and-veggies-in-a-southern-california-garden/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/011-blueberry.jpg011 blueberryThe first flowers just opened on the Sunshine Blue blueberries.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/032-back-and-coop.jpg032 back and coopThe three apple trees and the plum don't show up well in this photo because they're still dormant, but you can see our coop where the three hens live.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/045-raised-beds.jpg045 raised bedsMy three raised beds give me a lot of pleasure as well as food. Bed #2 is featured in this photo, with chard, red and green savoy cabbage, leeks, lettuce, and garlic. Behind it is bed #1 with bell peppers, garlic, mizuna, lettuce, carrots, parnips, and chard.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/084-bed-3.jpg084 bed #3Raised bed #3 has been in a state of suspended animation since I planted it last October. It's finally starting to grow now, with lettuce, spinach, radishes, cauliflower, red and yellow onions and Super Sugar Sprint peas.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/031-florida-prince-peaches.jpg031 Florida Prince peachesThose tiny fuzzy things are baby Florida Prince peaches.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/028-mint.jpg028 mintThe mint never totally dies back in winter, but it's just now getting its spring growth spurt. I use it for tabbuli.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/023-nasturtium.jpg023 nasturtiumI also grow nasturtiums and parsley around the raised beds. The nasturtiums are just beginning to bloom.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/022-double-paperwhites.jpg022 double paperwhitesI planted these double paperwhites around my raised beds fairly late in the fall, so they're in prime bloom now.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/019-green-oakleaf-lettuce.jpg019 green oakleaf lettuceI am currently growing this Green Oakleaf lettuce, plus Red Saladbowl, Lollo Rossa, Red Sails, and Black-seeded Simpson, in addition to a tray of mesclun salad greens.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/018-zucchini.jpg018 zucchiniI'm experimenting with a January planted zucchini. The first tiny buds have just appeared. Remind me later in the season how excited I am by this.2011-12-23T16:31:42+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2011/11/11/sicilian-style-chard/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/2011-11-09-020-dinner.jpg2011-11-09 020 dinnerWe had the chard with lasagna. YUM!https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/2011-11-09-012-chard.jpg2011-11-09 012 chard2011-11-15T06:49:09+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2011/11/10/2591/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/2011-11-06-sd-animal-park-grandgirls-010.jpg2011-11-06 010Lunch was a medley of beans, celery and bell peppers on brown rice.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/2011-10-08-produce-005.jpg2011-10-08 produce 005This is almost the last of my tomato harvest. I still have a half dozen tomatoes that may ripen before Thanksgiving. But they're done setting fruit.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/2011-10-08-produce-003.jpg2011-10-08 produce 003A small Moon and Stars watermelon2011-11-10T20:02:38+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2011/11/03/2576/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/20111102-143758.jpg20111102-143758.jpghttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/20111102-143740.jpg20111102-143740.jpghttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/20111102-143715.jpg20111102-143715.jpg2011-11-08T19:05:21+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2011/11/03/2565/2011-11-02T21:09:38+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2011/11/03/2550/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/20111102-112414.jpg20111102-112414.jpghttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/20111102-112347.jpg20111102-112347.jpghttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/20111102-112315.jpg20111102-112315.jpghttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/20111102-112221.jpg20111102-112221.jpghttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/20111102-112154.jpg20111102-112154.jpg2011-11-02T18:34:24+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2011/10/31/attempting-to-upload-a-photo-from-ipad/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/20111030-135310.jpg20111030-135310.jpg2011-11-01T18:09:51+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2011/10/30/still-playing-with-my-ipad/2011-10-30T05:02:53+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2011/10/30/blogging-with-my-new-ipad/2011-10-30T04:18:19+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2011/10/24/how-to-make-a-pumpkin-pie-from-scratch/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/2011-10-23-033-pies.jpg2011-10-23 033 piesTwo beautiful pies. These homemade pies will be more tan than the fluorescent orange of a storebought pie.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/2011-10-23-031-pie-ingredients.jpg2011-10-23 031 pie ingredientsAssemble the ingredients for the pie filling. Note the eggs. They're from our hen Chicken Little.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/2011-10-23-025-crust.jpg2011-10-23 025 crustFlute or crimp the edges of the crust.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/2011-10-23-029-crust.jpg2011-10-23 029 crustMake enough dough for two pie crusts. Drape crust to fit the pan and trim if necessary.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/2011-10-23-022-colander.jpg2011-10-23 022 colanderScrape the last of the pulp from the outside of the colander.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/2011-10-23-023-colander.jpg2011-10-23 023 colanderI use my mother's old colander that dates back to the 1930s. It still works fine. Modern cooks call this a "chinois." https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/2011-10-23-020-scraped-pumpkins.jpg2011-10-23 020 scraped pumpkinsUse a serrated grapefruit spoon to scoop out the cooked pumpkin flesh, leaving the rind behind.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/2011-10-23-007-baked-pumpkins.jpg2011-10-23 007 baked pumpkinsPut the pumpkin halves cut side down on a cookie sheet, add enough water to cover the bottom of the sheet and bake at 350 degrees F for 60 minutes.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/2011-10-23-006-pumpkin-seeds.jpg2011-10-23 006 pumpkin seedsIf the pumpkin was an heirloom variety, not a hybrid, you can save the seeds for planting next year. Spread them out on a paper towel to dry, stirring them occasionally to ensure that the ones on the bottom dry out too. Store in a plastic baggie.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/2011-10-23-001-fresh-pumpkin.jpg2011-10-23 001 fresh pumpkinCut the pumpkins in half and scrape out the seeds and stringy fiber with a serrated grapefruit spoon.2014-12-01T23:29:14+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2011/10/24/harvest-monday-and-fall-planting-in-my-backyard-garden/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/2011-10-23-034-lunch.jpg2011-10-23 034 lunchI love being able to go out into the garden to "pick lunch." Yesterday's lunch was a turkey-Jarlsberg cheese sandwich on a croissant with homegrown lettuce, plus a medley of potatoes, whole wheat pasta, homegrown green beans, and pesto with homegrown garlic, basil, and parsley.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/2011-10-23-013-raised-bed-3.jpg2011-10-23 013 raised bed #3Raised bed #3 has some holdover tomatoes plus savoy cabbage, some peppers that have seen better days, and some peas starting up the black trellis in back.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/2011-10-23-012-raised-bed-2.jpg2011-10-23 012 raised bed #2Raised bed #2 has some eggplants hanging on from summer, lettuce, leeks, one lone red cabbage that is struggling to make a head, broccoli, and some peas starting up the new black trellises.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/2011-10-23-014-snow-peas.jpg2011-10-23 014 snow peasMammoth Melting Sugar snow peas growing up a pea fence by the deck.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/2011-10-23-011-raised-bed-1.jpg2011-10-23 011 raised bed #1Raised bed # 1 has been planted with broccoli, cauliflower, spinach, and brussel sprouts, with some beets and lacinato kale left over from a previous planting.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/2011-10-23-010-raised-beds.jpg2011-10-23 010 raised bedsRaised beds for growing vegetables in back.2011-11-14T21:50:13+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2011/10/20/why-im-behind-on-putting-in-my-fall-garden/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/2011-10-11-062-lauren-on-balance-beam.jpg2011-10-11 062Lauren on the balance beam at gymnastics class.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/2011-10-11-057-allison-on-beam.jpg2011-10-11 057 Allison on the balance beam at gymnastics class.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/2011-10-11-046-megan-in-gymnastics.jpg2011-10-11 046Megan at gymnastics classhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/2011-10-11-008-megan-making-banana-bread.jpg2011-10-11 008Megan loves to cook. So far we've made banana bread and pecan-raisin-pumpkin bread together. I measure and she mixes. https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/2011-10-11-066-baby-mike1.jpg2011-10-11 066Baby Mike, one day oldhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/2011-10-11-066-baby-mike.jpg2011-10-11 066Baby Mike, one day oldhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/2011-10-11-011-scott-and-mike.jpg2011-10-11 011Our son Scott with his new son, Mikehttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/2011-07-04-garden-4th-of-july-014.jpg2011-07-04 014My plot at the community garden, looking NE.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/2011-07-04-garden-4th-of-july-011.jpg2011-07-04 011My plot at the new community garden, photo taken July 4 2011. Edison says that my nice redwood borders have to go.2011-10-20T17:46:25+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2011/10/20/october-update-on-the-harvest/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/2011-10-11-023-3-hens-in-coop.jpg2011-10-11 023 3 hens in coopAll three hens in the enclosed chicken coop.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/2011-09-18-canning-new-hen-007.jpg2011-09-18 007The strawberry harvest was pathetically small, not enough to make jam, just enough to put into a bowl of cereal.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/2011-09-18-canning-new-hen-006.jpg2011-09-18 canning, new hen 006Bread and Butter pickleshttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/2011-10-08-produce-005.jpg2011-10-08 produce 005The tomato harvest is pretty much over. Production of tomatoes was low this summer, but I managed to get several quarts of spaghetti sauce frozen for winter.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/2011-08-16-011-first-watermelon.jpg2011-08-16 011 first watermelonThis one could have been a little riper. I waited longer for the others, and am very pleased with the color and taste, really sweet and delicious.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/2011-08-16-009-moon-and-stars-watermelon.jpg2011-08-16 009 moon and stars watermelonThe first watermelon I've ever grown! It's a Moon and Stars heirloom variety.2011-10-19T20:22:44+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2011/09/21/2477/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/2011-08-16-090-old-hens.jpg2011-08-16 090 old hensHenrietta and Chicken Little live in a small enclosed coop and run. Here they're eating alfafa hay and scratch, which I give them to supplement their laying pellets.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/2011-09-18-017-3-hens-in-new-enclosure.jpg2011-09-18 017 3 hens in new enclosureHere are all three hens in the new enclosure, with the new barred rock on the perch, Chicken Little at the bottom right, and Henrietta back by the pet carrier.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/2011-08-16-081-new-hen.jpg2011-08-16 081 new henThis is our new girl, a beautiful barred rock hen.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/2011-08-16-074-hens-at-centennial-farm.jpg2011-08-16 074 hens at Centennial FarmI visited Centennial Farm at the OC Fairgrounds in Costa Mesa, and they sold me one of their 9-month-old laying hens.2011-10-19T19:51:10+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2011/08/17/harvest-monday-august-15-2011/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/2011-08-16-010-vegetables-italian-style.jpg2011-08-16 010 vegetables Italian styleThis is essentially an Italian stir-fry. Onions, garlic, eggplant, bell peppers, summer squash, and chard, all stir-fried in olive oil. Then I added some marinara sauce and some cooked pasta. Didn't get a photo of the finished product. Ate it too fast. Delicious!https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/2011-08-16-006-soup.jpg2011-08-16 006 soupCarrots, onions and lacinato kale went into a chicken broth. Then I added egg noodles. If you haven't grown Lacinato kale before, give it a try. It has a much milder taste than Scotch blue curled and a finer texture. I'm hooked on it, but will continue to grow the Scotch blue curled as well.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/2011-08-16-002-mesclun-salad.jpg2011-08-16 002 mesclun saladThe mesclun went into a salad with hot bacon grease-basalmic vinegar dressing with a boiled egg. Delicious! Can't believe I'm harvesting mesclun in August. https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/2011-08-16-028-peach-pie-filling.jpg2011-08-16 028 peach pie fillingThe peaches went into a pie along with a Granny Smith apple that an opossum knocked off the tree and the last little drab of blueberries. Here the fruit is in a bowl. I was going to photograph each stage, but forgot. And when the crumb-topped pie came out of the oven, it smelled so heavenly that we gobbled it up. Sorry, no photos of the pie. Trust me, it was beautiful.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/2011-08-16-019-peaches.jpg2011-08-16 019 peachesI didn't get too many peaches from the neighbor's tree this year. The rats got most of them.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/2011-08-16-017-tomatoes.jpg2011-08-16 017 tomatoesMy tomato harvest at both my home garden and the community garden is really falling off. Harvest of tomatoes should be extending well into October and even November, but my plants at the community garden are nearly dead already. I'm trying to revive them with additional fertilizer and compost and some pH adjustment of the soil, which is too alkaline. They're responding, so I have some hope of getting a few more tomatoes later on in the season.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/2011-08-16-026-cherokee-trail-of-tears-beans.jpg2011-08-16 026 Cherokee Trail of Tears beansThese Cherokee Trail of Tears pods will provide dried black beans for soup later in the fall.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/2011-08-16-024-winter-squash.jpg2011-08-16 024 winter squashI grew a nice variety of winter squash and pie pumpkins too. Here are some of them: New England pie pumpkin, Amish pie pumpkin, mini blue hubbard, and mini red kuri.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/2011-08-16-015-onions.jpg2011-08-16 015 onionsMy community garden plot provided some really nice onions this year. Here are Texas Sweets and Southern Belles. Both are incredibly sweet and mild, really nice onions.2011-08-17T05:28:03+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2011/08/11/trip-to-big-bear-california-part-1/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/2011-08-05-294-california-wild-rose.jpg2011-08-05 294 California wild roseCalifornia wild rosehttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/2011-08-05-284-lemon-lilies.jpg2011-08-05 284 lemon liliesLemon Lilieshttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/2011-08-05-256-scarlet-bugler.jpg2011-08-05 256 scarlet buglerScarlet bugler, I thinkhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/2011-08-05-240-corn-lilies.jpg2011-08-05 240 corn liliescorn lilieshttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/2011-08-05-229-maybe-loosestrife.jpg2011-08-05 229 maybe loosestrifeCan't remember this flower, maybe loosestrifehttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/2011-08-05-219-log-cabins.jpg2011-08-05 219 log cabinsOld log cabins by Bluff Lakehttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/2011-08-05-218-saprophyte.jpg2011-08-05 218 saprophyteA saprophyte, maybe snow planthttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/2011-08-05-203-bluff-lake.jpg2011-08-05 203 Bluff LakeBluff Lakehttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/2011-08-05-163-female-mallard.jpg2011-08-05 163 female mallardfemale mallardhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/2011-08-05-193-corn-lily-at-bluff-lake.jpg2011-08-05 193 corn lily at Bluff LakeCorn Lily at Bluff Lake2014-10-17T04:11:34+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2011/08/11/trip-to-big-bear-california-part-ii/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/produce-scale.jpgProduce Scalehttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/2011-08-05-313-landscaping.jpg2011-08-05 313 landscapingThe landscaping was a riot of color, a mix of wildflowers and old English garden favorites like hollyhocks, foxgloves, larkspurs, and coreopsis.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/2011-08-05-325-lou.jpg2011-08-05 325 LouDo I look like I'm enjoying myself? I was. I thought that the prices were a bit high, but I would definitely love to go back.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/2011-08-05-320-hats.jpg2011-08-05 320 hatsThey have a hat rack with hats that can be borrowed while you're having tea. I picked one and wore it while we ate.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/2011-08-05-319-tea-room-interior.jpg2011-08-05 319 tea room interiorWhat do you think? Is the decor over the top? I liked it, but it made Vic squirm.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/2011-08-05-318-mill-creek-manor-tea-house.jpg2011-08-05 318 Mill Creek Manor tea houseOn our last morning there, we had brunch at the Mill Creek Manor Tea Room. Adorable place, but tea was $5.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/2011-08-05-307-fire-pit.jpg2011-08-05 307 fire pitThe hosts at Oak Knoll Lodge often build a campfire on weekends. I was too tired on Friday to take advantage of it, and they didn't build a fire on Saturday.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/2011-08-05-305-pool.jpg2011-08-05 305 poolOur granddaughters would also love this pretty pool.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/2011-08-05-304-childrens-playhouse.jpg2011-08-05 304 children's playhouseOur little granddaughters would love this children's playground with playhouse.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/2011-08-05-032-kitchen.jpg2011-08-05 032 kitchenThe kitchen in our cabin.2011-08-11T06:39:07+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2011/08/10/running-harvest-totals-will-i-harvest-300-lbs-this-year/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/2011-07-18-garden-bc-fair-wilson-worksheet-pics-050.jpg2011-07-18 050This is pretty much it for my blackberry harvest. I get a few each week, but don't even bother to weigh them. I just pop them right into my mouth.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/2011-07-18-garden-bc-fair-wilson-worksheet-pics-035.jpg2011-07-18 035My dwarf avocado tree has a good fruit set this year for the first time ever, about 21 avocados.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/2011-07-18-garden-bc-fair-wilson-worksheet-pics-028.jpg2011-07-18 garden, BC, fair, Wilson Worksheet pics 028Navel orange--I ate this one for breakfast this morning and it was incredibly sweethttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/2011-07-18-garden-bc-fair-wilson-worksheet-pics-023.jpg2011-07-18 023Granny Smith applehttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/2011-07-18-garden-bc-fair-wilson-worksheet-pics-010.jpg2011-07-18 010Amish pie pumpkin2011-08-10T21:35:00+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2011/08/09/a-month-of-harvest-mondays-and-goodbye-possums/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/2011-07-18-garden-bc-fair-wilson-worksheet-pics-014.jpg2011-07-18 014My plot at the Huntington Beach Community Garden in mid-Julyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/2011-07-18-garden-bc-fair-wilson-worksheet-pics-012.jpg2011-07-18 012A mini Red Kuri winter squash from a seed mix from Cook's Gardenhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/2011-07-18-garden-bc-fair-wilson-worksheet-pics-011.jpg2011-07-18 011A mini Blue Hubbard nearing harvest readiness. These were from a mix of winter squash seeds from Cook's Gardenhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/2011-07-18-097-mama-possum.jpg2011-07-18 097 mama possumAnd off she runs, to happily raise her babies in the wilds of Huntington Central Park, not in my vegetable garden.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/2011-07-18-091-mama-possum.jpg2011-07-18 091 mama possumThis female opossum is carrying young in her pouch. Note the bulge.2011-08-11T15:09:14+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2011/07/22/gargantua-the-giant-beet/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/2011-07-18-105-onions.jpg2011-07-18 105 onionsMy red onions took third prize at the county fair.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/2011-07-18-106-pat-wolffs-beet-and-mine.jpg2011-07-18 106 Pat Wolff's beet and mineGargantua, the beet to the left of the wooden box, is dwarfed by the giant beet next to it, a sugar beet grown by Pat Wolff of Huntington Beach.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/2011-07-18-104-gargantua.jpg2011-07-18 104 gargantuaGargantua stretched over 8 ft from root tip to stalk top, and weighed 15 lbshttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/2011-07-18-102-gargantua-the-giant-beet.jpg2011-07-18 102 Gargantua the giant beetVic holding the root of Gargantua, a Chioggia beethttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/2011-06-22-028-giant-beetroot.jpg2011-06-22 028 giant beetrootGargantua, the giant beet, in June2011-08-08T15:53:10+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2011/07/05/harvest-monday-on-the-4th-of-july/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/2011-06-22-psoc-picnic-garden-giant-beet-021.jpg2011-06-22 021I have a Sweet 100 that is producing more cherry tomatoes than I need or want. I don't know why I planted it, because I don't like cherry tomatoes. But it gave me tomatoes weeks before any other plant did.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/2011-06-22-psoc-picnic-garden-giant-beet-019.jpg2011-06-22 019OK, I'll quit belly-aching. I'm getting some produce.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/2011-06-22-020-texas-sweet-onions.jpg2011-06-22 020 Texas Sweet onionsThe bunny also ignores my Texas Sweet and Southern Belle onions. I've harvested a number of them so far, with about 28 still growing. The garlic crop appears safe as well.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/2011-06-22-018-black-bell-peppers.jpg2011-06-22 018 black bell peppersSo far the bunny has ignored the bell peppers and I've been able to harvest two of them.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/2011-06-22-007-snow-queen-nectarine.jpg2011-06-22 007 Snow Queen nectarineThis is HALF my nectarine harvest this year. Two lousy Snow Queen nectarines and NO Panamint nectarines. Can't believe how much the night critters got this year.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/2011-06-22-026-baby-bunny.jpg2011-06-22 026 baby bunnyAw, isn't the baby bunny cute? I wish I could KILL it. Or at least fence it out. Edison (the landowner) now wants us to remove all fencing, so the gardens may be doomed. They also want us to remove all trellises, the portapotty, the dumpster, etc. It's almost like they're asking us to leave. Maybe that will be the next edict from them. We are not happy gardeners.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/2011-07-04-garden-4th-of-july-011.jpg2011-07-04 garden, 4th of July 011My community garden plot looks fine, but still isn't producing much. I get wax beans, at least those that the rabbit doesn't get, and radishes. That's about it so far. The tomatoes are stunted because the soil is so impossibly compacted just a few inches down. This used to be a gravel parking lot.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/2011-07-04-garden-4th-of-july-012.jpg2011-07-04 garden, 4th of July 012I harvested a hatful of mesclun, lovely little lettuce leaves that the rabbit doesn't seem interested in. Go figure. But lettuce doesn't weigh much.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/2011-07-04-garden-4th-of-july-009.jpg2011-07-04 garden, 4th of July 009I have a half dozen mini blue hubbard and red kuri squash, but they're miniature. Each one will provide a scant two servings, assuming that they survive until harvest time.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/2011-07-04-garden-4th-of-july-007.jpg2011-07-04 garden, 4th of July 007Don't let the watermelon leaves fool you. This is a pumpkin that is growing in my watermelon patch. Vines wander. I'm pinning my harvest weight hopes on big things like this that don't seem to be attractive to the bunnies.2011-08-08T15:52:59+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2011/06/08/progress-in-my-community-garden-plot/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/2011-06-7-005-judis-garden.jpgJudi's gardenThis is my favorite view, looking through my friend Judi's garden at my garden beyond. It makes my garden look twice as big. Her plants are twice as big too.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/2011-06-7-003-looking-sw.jpgMy community garden plotThis is the view looking SW. You can see my winter squash in the foreground. The garden is bordered by marigolds and allysum, and I have a nice bench to sit on in back.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/2011-06-7-002-looking-toward-ocean.jpgMy Community Garden Plot2018-04-06T15:03:46+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2011/05/12/return-from-great-smoky-mountains-national-park/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/2011-04-27-squirrel-763.jpg2011-04-27 squirrel 763Squirrels were fairly common on the lovely grounds of the Highland Manor Inn, where we stayed. Very nice motel, beautifully landscaped.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/2011-04-27-253-photographers.jpg2011-04-27 253 photographersI snapped this shot of photographers waiting for the perfect sunrise moment.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/2011-04-27-286-suspension-bridge.jpg2011-04-27 286 suspension bridgeI liked this suspension footbridge over Little River.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/2011-04-27-282-river-patio.jpg2011-04-27 282 river patioVic was fascinated by these decks and patios on Little River. No houses at most of them, just a deck on a tiny strip of land next to the road for enjoying a cookout by the river.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/2011-04-27-271-sunrise.jpg2011-04-27 271 sunriseSunrise in the Smokies was a sight to behold, when the fog in the valleys was washed with pink.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/2011-04-27-249-sunrise.jpg2011-04-27 249 sunriseWe got up before dawn every morning to photograph sunrises.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/2011-04-27-222-butterfly.jpg2011-04-27 222 butterflyButterflies on wildflowers made for great photographs.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/2011-04-27-124-dogwood.jpg2011-04-27 124 dogwoodFlowering dogwood is a tree that I recognized.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/img_0233-turkeys.jpgIMG_0233 turkeysWild turkeys were common sightings. These three toms were strutting their stuff, trying to impress a hen.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/2011-04-27-cable-mill-373.jpg2011-04-27 Cable Mill 373Cable Mill still grinds corn and wheat, and visitors can purchase stone-ground cornmeal and whole wheat flour there.2013-04-19T18:45:08+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2011/05/11/beautiful-spring-day-in-the-garden/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/img_0071-front-yard.jpgIMG_0071 front yardMost of the front yard is planted in flowers. Pink Mexican poppies are in bloom now.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/img_0087-summertop-cucumber.jpgIMG_0087 Summertop cucumberI'm growing these Summertop Japanese burpless cucumbers in pots. I have some Tendergreen Japanese burpless cucumbers growing up a new cucumber trellis in back. https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/img_0084-blackberries.jpgIMG_0084 blackberriesThese are the best flowers yet on the thornless blackberries, at least on one of the plants. The other plant is looking pretty miserable.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/img_0089-snow-peas.jpgIMG_0089 snow peasSnow peas are growing up a pea fence by the water meter. I make use of every square inch of ground.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/img_0077-artichoke.jpgIMG_0077 artichokeThe artichokes are coming as fast as we can eat them. I had two for dinner tonight.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/img_0090-cereal.jpgIMG_0090 cerealI had strawberries and peaches from the garden on my cereal this morning.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/img_0088-strawberries.jpgIMG_0088 strawberriesThe only strawberries I'm harvesting are from my strawberry pot.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/img_0075-strawberries.jpgIMG_0075 strawberriesI have a dozen strawberry plants in the Garden of Infinite Neglect that may or may not give us some berries. They're sending our runners, so at least we'll get new plants.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/img_0074-garden-of-infinite-neglect.jpgIMG_0074 Garden of Infinite NeglectThe Garden of Infinite Neglect is looking neglected as usual, with kale, collards and chard going to seed.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/img_0079-fuyu-persimmon.jpgIMG_0079 Fuyu persimmonThe lone Fuyu persimmon on my new tree may actually be fertilized. It's looking promising.2016-10-13T19:54:36+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2011/05/11/harvest-monday-may-9-2011/2011-05-11T03:17:57+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2011/05/07/my-plot-at-the-new-community-garden-is-planted/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/2011-05-03-comm-garden-020.jpg2011-05-03 comm garden 020Henrietta and Chicken Little are really earning their keep, giving us 10-13 eggs a week now.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/2011-05-03-comm-garden-022.jpg2011-05-03 comm garden 022The mint is growing rampant and I still have several Meyer lemons, so I made some tabbouli.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/2011-05-03-comm-garden-016.jpg2011-05-03 comm garden 016Just to show that my first cauliflower wasn't a fluke, here is a second perfect head. This one weighed in at 1 lb 14 oz.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/2011-05-03-comm-garden-017.jpg2011-05-03 comm garden 017I can't believe I'm harvested my first tomatoes already. These are Sweet 100s, a new variety for me. I can't believe all the tomatoes on that plant. I'm glad I only have one plant of that variety.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/2011-05-03-comm-garden-015.jpg2011-05-03 comm garden 015My new Fuyu Persimmon tree at home had one flower on it. It seems to have been fertilized, so I may get my first home-grown persimmon this fall.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/2011-05-03-002-tomato-row.jpg2011-05-03 002 tomato rowTomato Row has Arkansas Traveler (a new variety for me), several Romas, Better Boy, Brandywine, Black Prince, Black Krim and Black from Tula.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/2011-05-03-006-eggplant.jpg2011-05-03 006 eggplantThe bunnies ate my first two Japanese long eggplant, so I bought two more. When I went back to the garden, I discovered that the eaten eggplants had resprouted from the roots. So I have twice as many eggplants as I had planned.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/2011-05-03-010-wax-beans.jpg2011-05-03 010 wax beansOnly about half of the bush wax beans came up, but I should still get a half decent crop. I'm also growing Cherokee Trail of Tears pole beans at the Comm. Garden and both Blue Lake and Kentucky Blue pole beans at home. I'll plant the scarlet runner beans later.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/2011-05-03-008-squash.jpg2011-05-03 008 squashMy summer squash seeds were old, so I planted twice as many as I wanted. They all came up, and God help me, I can't bear to thin them out. I have 15 summer squash plants.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/2011-05-03-007-bell-peppers.jpg2011-05-03 007 bell peppersI'm growing five different colors of bell peppers.2011-05-11T03:15:08+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2011/04/26/happy-easter-happy-spring/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/img_0043-orchid-cactus.jpgIMG_0043 orchid cactusMy salmon orchid cactus are in bloom now, with the red ones about to open.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/img_0038-avocado.jpgIMG_0038 avocadoLook what I found! An avocado that I missed. They don't ripen until picked. I'm thinking that this one will be good for Cinco de Mayo.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/img_0032-clarence-iris.jpgIMG_0032 Clarence irisHere's a better shot of the Clarence iris.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/img_0047-radishes.jpgIMG_0047 radishesThis is about half of my radish harvest so far this year. These are French Breakfast and Dutch Redheads.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/img_0023-the-farm.jpgIMG_0023 the farmMy two veggie gardens in front at the Garden of Infinite Neglect and the Garden of Perpetual Responsibility. I've decided to name my raised beds in back "The Farm." They produce most of the food that we grow.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/img_0019-rose.jpgIMG_0019 roseThis one is my favorite. It's either Mr. Lincoln or Chrysler Imperial.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/img_0018-rose.jpgIMG_0018 roseMy roses are in bloom, at least some of them.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/img_0014-granny-smith-apple-blossoms.jpgIMG_0014 granny smith apple blossomsMy dwarf Granny Smith apple tree is in full bloom, but the Fuji and Gala are still dormant, as are the Asian pear trees.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/img_0009-iris-clarence.jpgIMG_0009 iris, ClarenceThis is the first of my new bearded irises to bloom, a variety called Clarence.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/img_0011-pathway.jpgIMG_0011 pathwayThe pathway in back is lined with irises, roses, grapes, and fruit trees (peach, plum, and three apple trees)2011-05-06T18:10:29+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2011/03/11/busy-busy/2011-05-06T18:04:41+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2011/02/09/harvest-monday-feb-7-2011/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/2011-02-07-bc-mesa-002.jpg2011-02-07 BC mesa 002This is the sum total of my harvest for the week. It all went into a yaki-soba with leftover pork tenderloin and some other vegetables from the store.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/2011-02-07-078-bc-mesa.jpg2011-02-07 078 BC mesaBolsa Chica Mesa within the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reservehttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/2011-02-07-064-low-tide.jpg2011-02-07 064 low tideBolsa Chica wetlands seen from the new footbridge at Warner Avenue in Huntington Beach.2011-03-11T07:46:03+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2011/02/01/harvest-monday-january-31-2011/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/2011-01-31-009-pork.jpg2011-01-31 009 porkPork tenderloins roasted in a citrus-soy-ginger sauce.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/2011-01-31-006-yams.jpg2011-01-31 006 yamsHome grown yams all washed and ready for baking.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/2011-01-31-005-ginger.jpg2011-01-31 005 gingerMy first harvest of homegrown ginger, about four ounces.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/2011-01-31-002-meyer-lemon.jpg2011-01-31 002 Meyer lemonMeyer lemon2011-02-08T16:12:31+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2011/01/25/what-i-do-for-a-living-and-a-harvest-monday/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/2011-01-13-024-meyer-lemons1.jpg2011-01-13 024 Meyer lemonsMeyer lemonshttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/2011-01-13-024-meyer-lemons.jpg2011-01-13 024 Meyer lemonsMeyer lemonshttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/2011-01-20-169-bermuda-sorrel.jpg2011-01-20 169 Bermuda sorrelBermuda sorrelhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/2011-01-20-137-bush-sunflower.jpg2011-01-20 137 bush sunflowerCoast bush sunflowerhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/2011-01-20-164-kestrel.jpg2011-01-20 164 kestrelAmerican Kestrel malehttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/2011-01-20-148-ca-thrasher.jpg2011-01-20 148 CA thrasherCalifornia thrasherhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/2011-01-20-122-ladybug-2.jpg2011-01-20 122 ladybug 2Confused ladybug crawling in the wet sand.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/2011-01-20-118-godwit.jpg2011-01-20 118 godwitMarbled godwithttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/2011-01-20-068-shorebird.jpg2011-01-20 068 shorebirdBlack-bellied plover in winter plumagehttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/2011-01-20-074-sanderling.jpg2011-01-20 074 sanderlingSanderling2011-02-08T16:02:50+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2011/01/18/harvest-monday-jan-17-2011/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/2010-11-29-newland-house-yard-birds-tv-faces-127.jpg2010-11-29 Newland House, yard, birds, TV faces 127Our citrus crop of oranges, lemons and limes is looking good this year.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/2011-01-13-027-sweet-potatoes.jpg2011-01-13 027 sweet potatoesThe vines were dying on my yams, so I harvested them. We got a LOT of yams, but they're pretty skinny. I'm not sure if they would have gotten fatter if I'd left them longer in the Grow Pot or not. I didn't want them to get fibrous, so I harvested them.2011-01-25T01:35:32+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2011/01/13/start-of-a-new-year/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/2010-12-25-big-bear-172-storm.jpg2010-12-25 Big Bear 172 stormA storm was forecast to move in our last day there, arriving around 3 am. Not wanting to drive down mountain roads while it was snowing, we decided to leave that night and avoid the storm. Good decision. Scott has 4WD and chains, but even they left at 6 am to avoid the worst of the storm. Great vacation.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/2010-12-25-big-bear-127-hot-tub.jpg2010-12-25 Big Bear 127 hot tubAfter a day of playing in the snow, the little girls went down for naps while this big girl headed for the hot tub. Delightful.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/2010-12-25-big-bear-065-vic-alli.jpg2010-12-25 Big Bear 065 Vic AlliWe had some quality time with the grandkids.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/2010-12-25-big-bear-062-gray-squirrel.jpg2010-12-25 Big Bear 062 gray squirrelWe fed peanuts to the gray squirrels and Stellars jays that visited the deck.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/2010-12-25-big-bear-022-living-room.jpg2010-12-25 Big Bear 022 living roomThis is a view of the living room from the loft. We kept a fire going in the fireplace all day long for our white Christmas in Big Bear.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/2010-12-25-big-bear-001-lake-view.jpg2010-12-25 Big Bear 001 lake viewWe had a great view of Big Bear Lake from the house and surrounding deck.2011-01-18T00:32:37+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2010/12/08/harvesting-potatoes-and-sunchokes-in-december/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/2010-11-29-070-ravioli.jpg2010-11-29 070 ravioliDinner from the garden: cheese ravioli with carbonnara sauce and shaved Parmesan, plus a salad of spinach, mushrooms, and mozzarella balls.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/2010-11-29-069-tomatoes.jpg2010-11-29 069 tomatoesThe last of the tomatoes in the frig, and a bit of basil from the herb garden, went into a sauce for pasta.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/2010-11-29-088-weeks-harvest.jpg2010-11-29 088 week's harvestThis week's harvest also included a Eureka lemon that fell off the tree and the first snow peas of winter.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/2010-11-29-086-sunchokes.jpg2010-11-29 086 sunchokesI harvested 3 lbs 4 oz. of sunchokes from one Smart Pot.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/2010-11-29-082-german-butterball-potatoes.jpg2010-11-29 082 german butterball potatoesI harvested 2 lbs 9 oz of German butterball potatoes from one Smart Pot.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/2010-11-29-080-potatoes.jpg2010-11-29 080 potatoesLayer of potatoes that grew about six inches below the surface.2011-01-12T20:37:02+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2010/12/03/a-brief-tour-of-the-mojave-desert-preserve/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/2010-11-11-mojave-829-camp-cady.jpg2010-11-11 Mojave 829 Camp CadyCamp Cady, an historic stop along the Mojave Trailhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/2010-11-11-mojave-807-mojave-river-at-harvard-rd.jpg2010-11-11 Mojave 807 Mojave River at Harvard RdThe Mojave River at Harvard Exit near Camp Cady is just drifting sandhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/2010-11-11-mojave-793-tarantula.jpg2010-11-11 Mojave 793 tarantulaAnother tarantulahttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/2010-11-11-mojave-731-afton-canyon.jpg2010-11-11 Mojave 731 afton CanyonFall foliage along the Mojave River in Afton Canyonhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/2010-11-11-mojave-776-variegated-meadowhawk.jpg2010-11-11 Mojave 776 variegated meadowhawkVariegated Meadowhawk in Afton Canyonhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/2010-11-11-mojave-751-pygmy-blue-butterflies.jpg2010-11-11 Mojave 751 pygmy blue butterfliesPygmy Blue Butterflies in Afton Canyonhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/2010-11-11-mojave-721-bird-class.jpg2010-11-11 Mojave 721 bird classVic's Irvine Valley College bird class in front of a smoke tree.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/2010-11-11-mojave-710-view-from-balcony.jpg2010-11-11 Mojave 710 view from balconyView of Lake Tuendae and Soda Dry Lake from the dorm balconyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/2010-11-11-mojave-685-dawn-soda-lake.jpg2010-11-11 Mojave 685 dawn Soda LakeDawn at Soda Dry Lakehttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/2010-11-11-mojave-706-zahava.jpg2010-11-11 Mojave 706 ZahavaOne of Vic's students in a tiny dorm room.2010-12-03T02:08:17+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2010/11/30/harvest-monday-nov-29-2010/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/2010-11-28-monterey-001-kale-and-onions.jpg2010-11-28 Monterey 001 kale and onionsTwo small yellow onions and a bunch of kale constitute this week's harvest.2010-12-02T18:04:06+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2010/11/24/two-weeks-of-harvest-mondays-and-new-furniture/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/2010-11-23-chickens-new-furn-019.jpg2010-11-23 chickens, new furn 019For now, our old sofa remains in the family room to provide additional seating.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/2010-11-23-chickens-new-furn-021.jpg2010-11-23 chickens, new furn 021Our new furniture has arrived!https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/2010-11-23-chickens-new-furn-002-nov-garden.jpg2010-11-23 chickens, new furn 002 Nov gardenMy November garden is looking bedraggled. Time to replant.2010-11-29T16:11:38+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2010/11/09/harvest-monday-nov-8-2010/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/2010-11-8-beef-stew-007-beef-stew.jpg2010-11-8 beef stew 007 beef stewNothing like a bowl of homemade beef stew on a cold autumn evening.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/2010-11-8-beef-stew-001-onions.jpg2010-11-8 beef stew 001 onionsI still have onions and garlic from earlier harvests to use in my fall cooking.2010-11-23T18:21:33+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2010/11/06/record-heat-in-la-global-weirding/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/2010-11-5-garden-003-aphid-infested-artichoke.jpg2010-11-5 garden 003 aphid infested artichokeAphid-infested artichokeshttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/2010-11-5-garden-001-white-iris.jpg2010-11-5 garden 001 white iriswhite bearded irishttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/2010-11-5-garden-002.jpg2010-11-5 garden 002Newly transplanted strawberries wilting in the heat.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/2010-11-5-garden-008-brandywine-tomatoes.jpg2010-11-5 garden 008 Brandywine tomatoesBrandywine tomatoeshttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/2010-11-5-garden-007-eggplant-flower.jpg2010-11-5 garden 007 eggplant flowerBlack beauty eggplant flowerhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/2010-11-5-garden-004-pink-magnolia.jpg2010-11-5 garden 004 pink magnoliaPink magnolia tree in bloom in October-November instead of January as usual.2010-11-07T23:18:26+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2010/11/04/last-day-bridgeport-bodie-and-home/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/img_0836-aspen-at-lundy-lake.jpgimg_0836 aspen at lundy lakeAspen at Lundy Lakehttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/img_0820-virginia-lakes.jpgimg_0820 virginia lakesVirginia Lakeshttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/img_0786-bodie-kitchen.jpgimg_0786 bodie kitchenKitchen, Bodie State Parkhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/img_0783-shadow-on-linoleum.jpgimg_0783 shadow on linoleumShadow on the linoleum, Bodie State Parkhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/img_0780-bodie-bottles.jpgimg_0780 bodie bottlesBottles in the window, Bodie State Parkhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/img_0762-interior.jpgimg_0762 interiorHouse interior, Bodie State Parkhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/img_0761-white-stool.jpgimg_0761 white stoolWhite stool, Bodie State Parkhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/img_0798-bodie-church.jpgimg_0798 bodie churchChurch, Bodie State Park, CAhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/img_0709-white-stairs-blue-house.jpgimg_0709 white stairs blue houseRailing, Virginia Creek Settlement Restauranthttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/img_0682-lamp.jpgimg_0682 lampLamp, Virgina Creek Settlement Restaurant2010-11-07T23:20:35+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2010/11/04/day-two-photographing-mono-lake-and-yosemite-with-the-canon-d30/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/img_0508-june-lake-loop.jpgimg_0508 june lake loopAspen along June Lake loop, late Octoberhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/img_0500-june-lake-loop.jpgimg_0500 june lake loopJune Lake Loophttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/img_0496-fish-creek-hot-springs.jpgimg_0496 fish creek hot springsFish Creek Hot Springs near Mammothhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/img_0483-saddlebag-creek.jpgimg_0483 saddlebag creekCreek coming out of Saddlebag Lakehttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/img_0471-grass.jpgimg_0471 grasswinter grasseshttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/img_0447-creek.jpgimg_0447 creekCreekhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/img_0439-tree.jpgimg_0439 treeTreehttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/img_0436-ellery-lake.jpgimg_0436 ellery lakeEllery Lake, Yosemite National Parkhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/img_0429-ice-on-red-twig.jpgimg_0429 ice on red twigIce on twigshttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/img_0392-road-in-autumn.jpgimg_0392 road in autumnRoad in autumn just outside Yosemite National Park2013-07-15T14:20:36+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2010/11/04/day-two-photographing-fall-foliage-from-mono-lake-to-mammoth/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/2010-10-27-e-sierra-nik-165-cone1.jpg2010-10-27 e sierra nik 165 conePinecone, pebbles and ice, Lee Vining Creek, Yosemite National Parkhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/2010-10-27-e-sierra-nik-158-yosemite1.jpg2010-10-27 e sierra nik 158 yosemiteYosemite National Park, eastern side, near Tioga Lakehttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/2010-10-27-e-sierra-nik-151-bark1.jpg2010-10-27 e sierra nik 151 barkred barkhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/2010-10-27-e-sierra-nik-145-mono-sunrise1.jpg2010-10-27 e sierra nik 145 mono sunriseMono Lake in morning light from historic roadhousehttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/2010-10-27-e-sierra-nik-117-deer-grass-21.jpg2010-10-27 e sierra nik 117 deer grass 2Deergrass at Mono Lake in morning lighthttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/img_0275-aspen-leaves.jpgimg_0275 aspen leaveshttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/img_0247-aspen.jpgimg_0247 aspenAspen in autumn, Mono Lakehttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/img_0244-mono-lake.jpgimg_0244 mono lakeMono Lakehttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/img_0231-dawn-at-mono.jpgimg_0231 dawn at monoDawn at Mono Lakehttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/2010-10-27-e-sierra-nik-160-table-bw.jpg2010-10-27 e sierra nik 160 table b&wAn empty picnic table at Tioga Lake says summer is over.2011-01-18T00:28:49+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2010/11/04/autumn-photo-trip-from-lone-pine-to-bishop-california-oct-27-2010/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/2010-10-27-e-sierra-nik-005-cottonwood.jpg2010-10-27 e sierra nik 005 cottonwoodCottonwood at Diaz Lake near Lone Pine, CAhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/2010-10-27-e-sierra-nik-001.jpg2010-10-27 E Sierra Nik 001The Eastern Sierras in October viewed from Diaz Lake.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/img_0199-path.jpgimg_0199 pathPath through the October woods near Tom's Place, CAhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/img_0198-aspen.jpgimg_0198 aspenAspen treeshttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/img_0170-wild-rose-hips.jpgimg_0170 wild rose hipsWild rose hipshttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/img_0157-mark-and-mule.jpgimg_0157 mark and muleMark and a pack mule confront each other. I love the light splatter in this photo.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/img_0153-mule.jpgimg_0153 mulePack mulehttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/img_0137-copper-birch-leaves.jpgimg_0137 copper birch leavesCopper birch leaveshttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/img_0127-creek-by-toms-place.jpgimg_0127 creek by tom's placeCreek near Tom's Placehttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/img_0115-round-valley-bishop.jpgimg_0115 round valley bishopRound Valley near Bishop, CA2010-11-07T23:21:00+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2010/11/03/harvest-monday-on-election-tuesday-nov-1-2010/2010-11-25T06:37:44+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2010/10/27/photo-entries-for-a-museum-exhibit/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/france-325-laundry.jpgFrance 325 laundryLaundry, Nice, Francehttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/france-418-kiss-me.jpgFrance 418 Kiss meKiss me, Monacohttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/france-139-beverages-2.jpgFrance 139 beverages 2Soft drinks, Cagnes sur Mer, Francehttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/france-264-nice.jpgFrance 264 NiceHarbor, Nice, Francehttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/france-258-mosiac-face.jpgFrance 258 mosiac faceMosiac sidewalk, Nice, Francehttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/france-234-garlic.jpgFrance 234 garlicGarlic, farmer's market, Nice, Francehttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/france-229-dried-fruit-2.jpgfrance 229 dried fruit 2Dried fruit, farmer's market, Nice, Francehttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/france-217-spices-2.jpgfrance 217 spices 2Spices, farmer's market, Nice, Francehttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/france-202-flower-stall.jpgFrance 202 flower stallFlower stall, farmer's market, Nice, Francehttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/france-175-fountain-2.jpgfrance 175 fountain 2Fountain at Place Massena, Nice, France2010-11-07T23:22:32+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2010/10/26/harvest-monday-and-a-garden-update-on-oct-25-2010/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/2010-10-25-027-entryway.jpg2010-10-25 027 EntrywayAn autumn wreath, a pumpkin and a couple cushaw squashes greet our visitors.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/2010-10-25-030-pond.jpg2010-10-25 030 pondI built this pond myself more than ten years ago. I really like it. We keep mosquitofish in it so it won't grow mosquitoes.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/2010-10-25-033-front-yard.jpg2010-10-25 033 front yardOur front yard is mostly for birds and other wildlife. We have a bird bath, feeders, and a pond in front.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/2010-10-25-023-water-garden.jpg2010-10-25 023 water gardenThe little water garden that I put in a year ago is looking nice.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/2010-10-25-016-roses.jpg2010-10-25 016 rosesI love this rosebush. It's my most reliable bloomer, still blooming in late October.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/2010-10-25-020-avocado.jpg2010-10-25 020 avocadoOur Littlecado avocado tree has set two fruit this year. They don't ripen until picked, but this one is still to small to pick. Maybe in January.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/2010-10-25-015-brandywine-tomatoes.jpg2010-10-25 015 Brandywine tomatoesThe Brandywine tomatoes were very late to ripen, but they're still giving us lovely tomatoes for salads.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/2010-10-25-018-last-granny-smith-apple.jpg2010-10-25 018 last Granny Smith appleI plan to make apple pancakes with this last Granny Smith apple.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/2010-10-25-022-eureka-lemon.jpg2010-10-25 022 Eureka lemonLemons are nearly ripe on two out of three of my Eureka lemon trees.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/2010-10-25-012-meyer-lemons.jpg2010-10-25 012 Meyer lemonsThe Meyer lemon tree set a lot of lemons this year. I'm still working on Meyer lemon marmalade from last year, so I'll have to think of something to do with all that lovely fruit.2010-11-03T00:46:20+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2010/10/20/harvest-monday-on-tuesday-10-20-2010/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/2010-10-19-003-linguine-with-mussels.jpg2010-10-19 003 linguine with musselsLinguine with locally aquafarmed mussels, bread, and heirloom tomato salad made a dinner.2010-10-25T20:13:53+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2010/10/20/the-best-homemade-apple-pie-ever/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/2010-10-19-012-apple-pie.jpg2010-10-19 012 apple pieThere is nothing like a homemade apple pie fresh from the oven.2010-11-03T00:42:21+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2010/10/13/homemade-tomato-soup/2010-10-20T00:59:31+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2010/10/12/a-new-whole-foods-market-store-is-opening-in-huntington-beach-ca/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/2010-10-11-029-sunflowers.jpg2010-10-11 029 sunflowersAnd with all that good food on your family table, all that's missing is a bouquet of flowers.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/2010-10-11-027-tomatoes.jpg2010-10-11 027 tomatoesI had so many tomatoes from my garden the past couple of months that I swore I would never look at a tomato again. But then I see a display like this and I want more tomatoes.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/2010-10-11-025-winter-squash.jpg2010-10-11 025 winter squashEating foods that are in season locally, like these winter squash, avoids transport of foods over long distances.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/2010-10-11-019-cheeses.jpg2010-10-11 019 cheesesWhile Foods Market has 500 different cheeses and cheese products.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/2010-10-11-024-rice.jpg2010-10-11 024 riceI had never even heard of some of their varieties of rice, like pink rice and green rice.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/2010-10-11-022-organic-grains.jpg2010-10-11 022 organic grainsThey have a wide selection of organic lentils, dried peas and grains.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/2010-10-11-013-organic-apples.jpg2010-10-11 013 organic applesThey passed out samples of these organic apples. The apples were sweet, juicy and packed with flavor.2010-10-12T07:40:41+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2010/10/12/harvest-monday-oct-11-2010/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/2010-10-11-garage-sale-whole-foods-003.jpg2010-10-11 garage sale Whole Foods 003I was surprised to find these three Granny Smith apples at the back of the tree. I had missed them. Today I found yet another apple.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/2010-10-11-garage-sale-whole-foods-012.jpg2010-10-11 garage sale Whole Foods 012By the time we closed at 2 pm, a lot of things hadn't sold, but this garage was PACKED with stuff earlier in the day.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/2010-10-11-garage-sale-whole-foods-008.jpg2010-10-11 garage sale Whole Foods 008Our garage sale was a rip-roaring success.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/2010-10-05-005-basket1.jpg2010-10-05 005 basketThe harvest last week included lots of scarlet runner beans, plus some dried Blue Lake pole beans that I'm saving for seed for next year.2010-10-20T00:58:07+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2010/10/07/the-tyranny-of-harvest-time/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/2010-10-05-007-garden.jpg2010-10-05 007 gardenMy raised beds were incredibly productive this spring and summer, but they're finally looking bedraggled.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/2010-10-05-005-basket.jpg2010-10-05 005 basketThis week's harvest includes scarlet runner beans, a handful of tomatoes, a couple of cukes and a couple of tiny eggplants.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/2010-10-05-006-coop.jpg2010-10-05 006 coopThe mums around the chicken coop look pretty this time of year.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/2010-10-05-010-brandywines.jpg2010-10-05 010 brandywinesOne day's harvest of tomatoes, with Brandywines in front and all others in the colander.2010-10-11T16:12:03+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2010/10/04/home-makeover-during-a-wacky-weather-week/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/2010-10-2-nook-030.jpg2010-10-2 nook 030With the walls of my artist's nook serving as gallery space for my photos, I now have a place to paint.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/2010-10-2-nook-019-boxes.jpg2010-10-2 nook 019 boxesThis is one of several piles of things that I'm donating to the garage sale.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/2010-10-2-nook-015.jpg2010-10-2 nook 015We'll donate our current family room furniture to some young person who needs it at the Orange County Conservation Corps.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/2010-09-25-nook-002.jpg2010-09-25 nook 002My home cleanup project uncovered this old desk with refinished walnut top in our garage office--a perfect spot for an artist's nook.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/2010-10-2-nook-005.jpg2010-10-2 nook 005This batch of tomatoes became spaghetti sauce, which I had to can since the freezer is full.2010-10-11T16:09:43+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2010/09/29/harvest-monday-on-the-hottest-day-in-la-history/2010-10-03T20:21:30+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2010/09/24/long-beach-aquarium-of-the-pacific/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/2010-09-23-429-clownfish2.jpg2010-09-23 429 clownfishClownfish are immune to the stinging cells of anemones.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/2010-09-23-429-clownfish1.jpg2010-09-23 429 clownfishClownfish are immune to the stinging cells of anemones.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/2010-09-23-429-clownfish.jpg2010-09-23 429 clownfishClownfish live in anemones, and are immune to their stinging cells.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/2010-09-23-435-fish.jpg2010-09-23 435 fishhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/2010-09-23-487-fish.jpg2010-09-23 487 fishDon't know the name of this species either.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/2010-09-23-249-fish.jpg2010-09-23 249 fishThere are too many fish species for me to be able to name them all.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/2010-09-23-039-leafy-sea-dragon.jpg2010-09-23 039 leafy sea dragonLeafy sea dragons rely on camoflage to avoid predators.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/2010-09-23-201-sea-horses.jpg2010-09-23 201 sea horsesMale sea horses carry their offspring in abdominal pouches until they're ready to swim off on their own.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/2010-09-23-051-ray.jpg2010-09-23 051 rayAwesome creatureshttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/2010-09-23-094-rays.jpg2010-09-23 094 raysThese rays were probably four feet across. The diver was hand-feeding them, putting the food directly into their mouths.2010-09-28T16:12:24+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2010/09/24/how-long-will-the-tomatoes-hold-out/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/2010-09-23-lb-005-granny-smith-apples.jpg2010-09-23 LB 005 Granny Smith applesThis is the last harvest from my Granny Smith apple tree. Critters got nearly half my crop, but I still got a pie and two apple Brown Bettys out of it, plus apple pancakes and apples in the two batches of guava jam that I made.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/2010-09-23-lb-007-colander.jpg2010-09-23 LB 007 colanderAfter they simmered for a half hour, I put them through my mother's old 1930s colander, which chefs these days call a chinois.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/2010-09-23-lb-002-tomatoes.jpg2010-09-23 LB 002 tomatoesYet another pot of tomatoes are about to become spaghetti sauce2010-09-24T17:02:19+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2010/09/21/harvest-monday-sept-20-2010/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/2010-09-17-001-fruit.jpg2010-09-17 001 fruitI made a second batch of pineapple guava jam, using fresh gingerroot and a Granny Smith apple from my garden. The citrus and spices shown here are store-bought, as I'm between crops on my citrus trees.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/2010-09-17-033-mortgage-lifter.jpg2010-09-17 033 mortgage lifterThe Mortgage Lifters are nice, meaty, deep pink tomatoes, but the flavor is nothing special.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/2010-09-17-027-tomatoes.jpg2010-09-17 027 tomatoesThe tomato harvest is an odd mix of Mortgage Lifters and the occasional yellow pear, Better Boy, Roma, and Early Girl.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/2010-09-17-026-apples.jpg2010-09-17 026 applesThis day's harvest of Granny Smith apples went into an apple brown betty.2010-09-24T04:53:01+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2010/09/14/harvest-monday-sept-13-2010/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/2010-09-13-022-tomatoes.jpg2010-09-13 022 tomatoesEveryone is probably getting tired of seeing tomatoes, so I put this day's harvest at the end. I'm glad I have the Mortgage Lifters, because they're producing the bulk of the tomato harvest now. They're really productive, with each tomato weighing about half a pound.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/2010-09-13-033-eggs.jpg2010-09-13 033 eggsThis golf ball in the nest box needs a bit of explanation.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/2010-09-13-021-breakfast.jpg2010-09-13 021 breakfastThe squash blossoms and green onion went into scrambled eggs. The potatoes and more onion became homefries. And a Fuji apple and a couple of strawberries were our fruit for breakfast. All home grown, even the eggs!https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/2010-09-13-019-breakfast-fixings.jpg2010-09-13 019 breakfast fixingsOur pumpkins and squash are producing nothing but male blossoms, so that's what I'm harvesting.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/2010-09-13-005-russet-potatoes.jpg2010-09-13 005 Russet potatoesThis is the entire harvest of Russett potatoes. One potato sprouted in my bag, so I just planted it. This was what I got, about double or triple the volume of what I put into the raised bed.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/2010-09-13-001-produce.jpg2010-09-13 001 produceThis harvest of komatsuna (Japanese mustard greens) and bell peppers went into a stirfry.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/2010-09-13-031-apple-pie.jpg2010-09-13 031 apple pieGranny Smiths are my husband's favorite eating apple, but they're too tart for me. They make perfect pies, and that's what I do with most of them. I wish you could smell our kitchen.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/2010-09-13-028-1st-granny-smith-apples.jpg2010-09-13 028 1st Granny Smith applesThis is the first basket of apples from the dwarf Granny Smith. Nothing dwarf about these apples though. There are still a couple dozen left on the tree.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/2010-09-13-004-fuji-apples.jpg2010-09-13 004 fuji applesThis is the entire harvest from our Fuji apple tree. It's still a baby tree and not productive yet, but the apples are great.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/2010-09-13-027-early-sept-garden.jpg2010-09-13 027 early sept gardenIt's early September in the garden. The green beans are getting powdery mildew and I've picked a LOT of dead and dying lower leaves off the tomatoes.2010-09-19T20:09:31+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2010/09/08/harvest-monday-sept-6-2010-on-tuesday/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/2010-08-29-011-strawberries.jpg2010-08-29 011 strawberriesThe strawberry plants in my strawberry jar are producing a second crop. These berries are smaller than the June crop, but even more welcome now that it's September.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/2010-08-29-014-cabbage.jpg2010-08-29 014 cabbageOne of my Savoy cabbages was starting to split, so I harvested it. Not the prettiest cabbage ever, but boy did it taste good. I've never had a better cole slaw than the one I made from my own cabbage.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/2010-09-04-garden-009.jpg2010-09-04 garden 009I still have a lot of planting ahead to get the Garden of Perpetual Responsibility looking good.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/2010-09-04-garden-003.jpg2010-09-04 garden 003One day's harvest--Summertop and Tendergreen cucumbers, green beans, tomatoes and strawberries.2010-09-13T15:58:24+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2010/09/05/making-every-square-inch-count-in-the-garden/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/2010-09-04-024-navel-orange.jpg2010-09-04 024 navel orangeThe navel orange tree set only a half dozen oranges during its normal bloom period in April. The crazy tree is blooming again now in August and September and setting more fruit. I'm guessing that the cold summer here tricked it into thinking that winter was over. Global weirding!https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/2010-09-04-025-navel-orange.jpg2010-09-04 025 navel orangeHere is a "belly button" shot of a navel orange that should be ripe in January.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/2010-09-04-018-driveway-garden.jpg2010-09-04 018 driveway gardenI'll close with this shot of my "Driveway Garden" where I'm growing German Butterball potatoes, sweet potatoes, sunchokes, pumpkins and squash. https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/2010-09-04-015-gold-rush-zucchini.jpg2010-09-04 015 Gold Rush zucchiniThe first Gold Rush zucchini has set fruit and is only a couple of days away from harvest. Finally, a summer squash!https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/2010-09-04-016-squash.jpg2010-09-04 016 squashThe first squash has set fruit on what is supposed to be a Clarinette Lebanese zucchini, but this looks suspiciously like a butternut. Wouldn't be the first time I've gotten mislabeled seeds.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/2010-09-04-017-pumpkin.jpg2010-09-04 017 pumpkinThe first female flower opened on one of my two Amish pie pumpkin plants, but there were no male flowers open yet. It didn't get fertilized.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/2010-09-04-027-meyer-lemon.jpg2010-09-04 027 Meyer lemonA ripe Meyer lemon.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/2010-09-04-022-avocado.jpg2010-09-04 022 avocadoOur Littlecado avocado never sets fruit, so I planted a Haas avocado next to it. I didn't think it set any fruit again this year, but I recently discovered 3 avocados on the Littlecado. I can hardly wait for them to get ripe.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/2010-09-04-021-granny-smith-apple.jpg2010-09-04 021 granny smith appleGranny Smith apples on the dwarf tree are full-sized apples. And then some!https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/2010-09-04-012-bay-laurel-tree.jpg2010-09-04 012 bay laurel treeSmall California bay laurel tree in a pot.2010-09-07T15:55:32+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2010/09/01/harvest-monday-april-30-2010/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/2010-08-26-005-moldy-seeds.jpg2010-08-26 005 moldy seedsOh, yuck. This is the result. But the experts say this is the way to do it. I rinsed the seeds in a tea strainer, swishing them around to remove the pulp and mold. Then I dried them on paper plates. We'll see next spring if they're viable. I saved seeds from Roma, Black Krim, Yellow Pear and a volunteer from the compost pile that made really good tomatoes. We'll see next year if it breeds true.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/2010-08-26-003-black-krim.jpg2010-08-26 003 Black KrimI scooped out seeds from my heirloom tomatoes to save. I put them in little glasses and let them ferment for three days.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/2010-08-26-008-nachos-2.jpg2010-08-26 008 nachos 2I made salsa from the Black Krim tomatoes and used it for huevos rancheros and nachos. YUM!https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/2010-08-26-030-finished.jpg2010-08-26 030 finishedThe seeds and skins are left in the colander. I add a can of tomato paste to the sauce and continue cooking until the consistency is just right. Then I freeze the sauce.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/2010-08-26-029-sauce-in-colander.jpg2010-08-26 029 sauce in colanderI use the pestle to force the tomato pulp through the colander.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/2010-08-26-026-colander.jpg2010-08-26 026 colanderI use my mother's old colander from the 1930s to strain the sauce.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/2010-08-26-027-tomato-sauce.jpg2010-08-26 027 tomato sauceI simmer until the tomatoes are tender and cooked down a bit.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/2010-08-26-023-tomatoes.jpg2010-08-26 023 tomatoesI used the glut of tomatoes to make spaghetti sauce. Cook sliced tomatoes with a couple of bay leaves and some onions, garlic and oregano.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/2010-08-26-014-granny-smith-apples1.jpg2010-08-26 014 Granny Smith applesAnd the first of the Granny Smith apples.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/2010-08-26-014-granny-smith-apples.jpg2010-08-26 014 Granny Smith apples2010-09-04T18:30:12+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2010/08/24/woohoo-its-a-record-harvest-monday-for-me/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/2010-08-21-462-new-furniture.jpg2010-08-21 462 new furnitureFor those who missed it, here is our new patio furniture. And wouldn't you know it, the set was on sale this weekend for a price that was even lower than the sales price I paid. Harumph.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/2010-08-21-478-henny-penny.jpg2010-08-21 478 Henny PennyAnd we can't forget the egg harvest. Henny Penny, our older Black Sex-linked hen, actually laid a decent egg on Sunday. Most of her eggs are breaking.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/2010-08-21-470-brandywines.jpg2010-08-21 470 BrandywinesThese Brandywines are really poking along. I still don't have a ripe one. They're supposed to be the best tasting heirloom. We'll see.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/2010-08-21-466-mortgage-lifter.jpg2010-08-21 466 Mortgage Lifterhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/2010-08-21-469-black-krim.jpg2010-08-21 469 Black KrimThe Black Krims are finally getting ripe. I like their taste best of all, but my husband prefers Celebrity.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/2010-08-21-472-beans.jpg2010-08-21 472 beansMy first planting of Blue Lake pole beans in a raised bed is producing spectacularly. A planting of Kentucky Blue hybrids failed. Here I have more Blue Lakes in the background and my first Cherokee Trail of Tears in the foreground.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/2010-08-21-461-green-onions.jpg2010-08-21 461 green onionsI grow green bunching onions in pottery bowls from seed that I save from the previous crop. Looks like I sowed this one a bit too thickly.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/2010-08-21-465-summertop-cuke.jpg2010-08-21 465 Summertop cukeThe first Summertop cucumber has set fruit. It will be a long Japanese cucumber.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/2010-08-21-459-cukes.jpg2010-08-21 459 cukesMy first planting of Tendergreen cukes gave me only enough cukes for one large jar of dill pickles and a cucumber granita. So I replanted Tendergreens, hoping for more.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/2010-08-21-460-strawberries.jpg2010-08-21 460 strawberriesMy strawberries in a pot responded to fertilizing by setting more berries.2010-08-31T08:26:06+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2010/08/21/heading-for-a-record-harvest-week/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/2010-08-019-harvest-014-tomatoes.jpg2010-08-019 harvest 014 tomatoesYesterday's tomato harvest included my second Black Krim of the season.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/2010-08-019-harvest-013-green-beans.jpg2010-08-019 harvest 013 green beansMy Blue Lake pole green beans are producing a LOT of beans this summer.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/2010-08-019-harvest-005-komatsuna.jpg2010-08-019 harvest 005 komatsunaKomatsuna, Green Boy hybrid from Kitazawa Seed Companyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/2010-08-019-harvest-004-august-garden.jpg2010-08-019 harvest 004 August gardenMy raised beds in mid-Augusthttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/2010-08-019-harvest-011-huevos-rancheros.jpg2010-08-019 harvest 011 huevos rancherosHuevos Rancheros with eggs from our hens and homemade salsahttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/2010-08-019-harvest-002-tomatoes.jpg2010-08-019 harvest 002 tomatoesAnother day, another bunch of tomatoes.2010-08-24T02:04:47+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2010/08/19/a-late-harvest-monday-on-wednesday/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/2010-08-011-sea-lions-061.jpg2010-08-011 sea lions 061A green Savoy cabbage is heading up.2010-08-20T17:43:42+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2010/08/15/wordpress-weirdness/2010-08-19T05:00:12+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2010/08/14/whining-for-brandywines/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/2010-08-011-sea-lions-063.jpg2010-08-011 sea lions 063My two Amish pie pumpkin plants are growing gang busters in a big Smart Pot. I can see tiny buds of male flowers on them. The question is, did I plant them too late in the season to get any pumpkins. Time will tell.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/2010-08-011-sea-lions-070.jpg2010-08-011 sea lions 070It's too soon to tell if these female Kuri blossoms will set fruit. The one on the right isn't even open yet. But I have high hopes.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/2010-08-011-sea-lions-066.jpg2010-08-011 sea lions 066My mini Kuri has set fruit. I'm guessing that this will be a green Kuri, but it might be a red.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/2010-08-011-sea-lions-065.jpg2010-08-011 sea lions 065My Gold Rush zukes are three weeks old, and doing well in a nursery pot.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/2010-08-011-sea-lions-064.jpg2010-08-011 sea lions 064My second planting of Lebanese Clarinette zucchini is off and running in a plastic nursery pot, and may produce some zukes before the season is over.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/2010-08-011-sea-lions-053-squash.jpg2010-08-011 sea lions 053 squashA lovely Lebanese-type and Ronde de Nice zucchini.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/2010-08-011-sea-lions-058-black-krim.jpg2010-08-011 sea lions 058 Black KrimHey, Black Krims, get ripe. I want to eat you.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/2010-08-011-sea-lions-057-mortgage-lifter.jpg2010-08-011 sea lions 057 mortgage lifterCome on, Mortgage Lifters. Get ripe.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/2010-08-011-sea-lions-054-brandywines.jpg2010-08-011 sea lions 054 BrandywinesThe few Brandywines that have set fruit are still tiny and green.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/2010-08-011-sea-lions-007-lunch.jpg2010-08-011 sea lions 007 lunchStir-fry the veggies in a skillet, add the cooked penne pasta and a can of ripe olives, top with Parmesan cheese, and you have lunch from the garden.2010-08-19T05:01:11+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2010/08/10/harvest-monday-august-9-2010/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/2010-08-03-produce-centennial-farm-064-beet.jpg2010-08-03 produce Centennial Farm 064 beetI entered it in the "Largest Beet" category at the Orange County Fair. It took second prize, so I'm pretty pleased.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/2010-08-03-produce-centennial-farm-057-lou-and-beet.jpg2010-08-03 produce Centennial Farm 057 Lou and beetOne of the Lutz Greenleaf beets that I planted last year overwintered and grew to an impressive size, 5 lbs 4 oz.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/2010-08-06-oc-fair-011-alligator-lizard.jpg2010-08-06 OC Fair 011 alligator lizardWe have several Southern Alligator Lizards in our yard. This one likes to visit the compost bin to eat some of those nice worms and larvae.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/2010-08-06-oc-fair-008-worms.jpg2010-08-06 OC Fair 008 wormsI've been adding spent brewers grain and used coffee grounds to my compost bin and am getting a LOT of worms and black soldier fly larvae. I feed this bounty of protein to the chickens.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/2010-08-06-oc-fair-002-salad-nicoise.jpg2010-08-06 OC Fair 002 salad NicoiseSalad Nicoise and scotiatta makes a nice lunch.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/2010-08-06-oc-fair-029-scotiatta.jpg2010-08-06 OC Fair 029 scotiattaI've been making scotiatta (double-crust Sicilian pizza with mozzarella inside and Parmesan on top) with chard or bell peppers inside. Super yummy.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/2010-08-06-oc-fair-030-green-beans-and-tomatoes.jpg2010-08-06 OC Fair 030 green beans and tomatoesSome days I get green beans and tomatoes and forget to photograph the eggs.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/2010-08-05-squash-001-eggs-and-tomatoes.jpg2010-08-05 squash 001 eggs and tomatoesSome days I get eggs and tomatoes from the garden.2010-08-13T17:37:34+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2010/08/06/race-against-the-calendar/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/2010-08-05-squash-009-gold-rush-zuke.jpg2010-08-05 squash 009 Gold Rush zukeTwo Gold Rush zucchini planted July 21 have sprouted.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/2010-08-05-squash-008-lebanese.jpg2010-08-05 squash 008 LebaneseThree Clarinette Lebanese planted July 21 have sprouted.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/2010-08-05-squash-003-amish-pie-pumpkin1.jpg2010-08-05 squash 003 Amish pie pumpkinAmish pie pumpkin plants at two weeks old. So cute and little.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/2010-08-05-squash-003-amish-pie-pumpkin.jpg2010-08-05 squash 003 Amish pie pumpkinAmish pie pumpkin plants at two weeks old. So cute and little.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/2010-08-05-squash-006-female-flower.jpg2010-08-05 squash 006 female flowerHalleluah, the first female flower on my winter squash!https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/2010-08-05-squash-005-mini-winter-squash.jpg2010-08-05 squash 005 mini winter squashThree 2-month-old mini winter squash in a Smart Pot.2010-08-13T18:28:16+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2010/08/05/elements-of-outdoor-living/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/2010-08-03-produce-centennial-farm-044-side.jpg2010-08-03 produce Centennial Farm 044 sideTool and pot storage has been moved to the side yard, where I make compost and store rainwater.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/2010-08-03-produce-centennial-farm-039-furniture.jpg2010-08-03 produce Centennial Farm 039 furnitureWe love our new deck seating. The furniture is very comfortable.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/2010-08-03-produce-centennial-farm-042-deck.jpg2010-08-03 produce Centennial Farm 042 deckWith the swivel rockers moved to the other side, that left space for our new deck seating.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/2010-08-03-produce-centennial-farm-043-garden.jpg2010-08-03 produce Centennial Farm 043 gardenI love watching my raised bed vegetable garden grow.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/2010-08-03-produce-centennial-farm-036-deck.jpg2010-08-03 produce Centennial Farm 036 deckBeyond the bistro table and two chairs, we have the chicken coop, a small water garden, and our herb garden with birdbath.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/2010-08-03-produce-centennial-farm-041-deck1.jpg2010-08-03 produce Centennial Farm 041 deckAfter moving my potting activities to the side yard, I moved the grill to the left side of the deck and moved the swivel rockers from the other deck to this one.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/2010-08-03-produce-centennial-farm-041-deck.jpg2010-08-03 produce Centennial Farm 041 deck2010-08-05T18:20:34+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2010/08/04/harvest-monday-august-2-2010/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/2010-08-03-produce-centennial-farm-048-feast.jpg2010-08-03 produce Centennial Farm 048 feastThis Mediterranean feast features tabbouli, a Sicilian double-crust pizza filled with potatoes, chard, onion, garlic and mozzarella, salad Nicoise and pita with hummus.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/2010-08-03-produce-centennial-farm-029-blueberries.jpg2010-08-03 produce Centennial Farm 029 blueberriesBlueberrieshttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/2010-08-03-produce-centennial-farm-026-blackberries.jpg2010-08-03 produce Centennial Farm 026 blackberriesblackberrieshttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/2010-08-03-produce-centennial-farm-019-driveway.jpg2010-08-03 produce Centennial Farm 019 drivewayMy "driveway garden" has Amish pie pumpkins, sunchokes, German butterball potatoes, eggplant, and three mini winter squash.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/2010-08-03-produce-centennial-farm-015-runner-beans.jpg2010-08-03 produce Centennial Farm 015 runner beansScarlet runner beanshttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/2010-08-03-produce-centennial-farm-030-beans-and-carrots.jpg2010-08-03 produce Centennial Farm 030 beans and carrotsFor planting tiny seeds like carrots, I put down a row of toilet paper, sprinkle the seeds on top, fold it over, cover with dirt and water. The seeds stay in place and I'm getting better germination with this techique.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/2010-08-03-produce-centennial-farm-002-produce-basket.jpg2010-08-03 produce Centennial Farm 002 produce basketOne day's varied harvest: red and yellow onions, komatsuna, a Valencia orange, eggplants, peaches, tomatoes, a lemon, eggs, and purple broccoli.2011-03-11T07:51:04+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2010/07/27/harvest-monday-july-26-2010/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/2010-07-25-produce-033-tomatoes.jpg2010-07-25 produce 033 tomatoesOne day's tomato harvesthttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/2010-07-25-produce-013-cucmber-granita.jpg2010-07-25 produce 013 cucmber granitaCucumber granita makes a fine close to a light summer meal.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/2010-07-25-produce-027-cereal.jpg2010-07-25 produce 027 cerealCereal with homegrown blueberries and blackberrieshttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/2010-07-25-produce-016-blackberries.jpg2010-07-25 produce 016 blackberriesOne day's harvest from my thornless blackberry vines.2010-08-03T22:37:26+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2010/07/21/harvest-monday-july-19-2010/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/2010-07-18-eastern-sierras-garden-169-bed-1.jpg2010-07-18 Eastern Sierras, garden 169 bed #1Raised bed #3 has Scarlet Runner beans, Blue Lake pole beans, heirloom tomatoes, German white icicle radishes (going to seed), red onions, yellow onions, and purple broccoli.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/2010-07-18-eastern-sierras-garden-170-bed-2.jpg2010-07-18 Eastern Sierras, garden 170 bed #2Raised bed #2 has heirloom tomatoes, hybrid Kentucky Blue green beans, Summertop cucumbers, leeks, chard, Black Beauty eggplant, and savoy cabbage.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/2010-07-18-eastern-sierras-garden-171-bed-1.jpg2010-07-18 Eastern Sierras, garden 171 bed #1Raised bed #1 has tomatoes, chard, garlic, bell peppers, a cabbage, a languishing yellow squash, and scarlet runner beans.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/2010-07-18-eastern-sierras-garden-144-3-beds.jpg2010-07-18 Eastern Sierras, garden 144 3 bedsThree raised beds in our backyard, July 20, 2010https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/2010-07-18-eastern-sierras-garden-173-3-eggs.jpg2010-07-18 Eastern Sierras, garden 173 3 eggsNow that the hens have finished their molt, we're back to three-egg days.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/2010-07-15-black-soldier-fly-larvae-003.jpg2010-07-15 black soldier fly larvae 003French toast with nectarines and blueberrieshttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/2010-07-15-black-soldier-fly-larvae-001.jpg2010-07-15 black soldier fly larvae 001French toast with sliced nectarines and maple syrup2010-08-03T22:34:23+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2010/07/13/harvest-monday-july-12-2010/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/2010-07-01-harvest-027.jpg2010-07-01 harvest 027Spent brewers grain (barley) in my compost bin.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/2010-07-12-office-harvest-014-cereal.jpg2010-07-12 office, harvest 014 cerealI often get just enough blackberries and blueberries for one bowl of cereal. But what a bowl!https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/2010-07-12-office-harvest-015-nectarines.jpg2010-07-12 office, harvest 015 nectarinesOne day's harvest of Panamint nectarines.2010-07-20T18:31:46+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2010/07/06/harvest-monday-july-5-2010/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/2010-07-01-harvest-024.jpg2010-07-01 harvest 024French toast with eggs from our hens, homemade Sally Lunn bread, and fruit from our garden.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/2010-07-01-harvest-004.jpg2010-07-01 harvest 004Huevos Ranchero with eggs from our hens and apricots and peaches from our trees.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/2010-07-01-harvest-032.jpg2010-07-01 harvest 032My first dill pickles.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/2010-07-01-harvest-029.jpg2010-07-01 harvest 029The carrot had a double root, but the parsnips are two individual ones.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/2010-07-01-harvest-028.jpg2010-07-01 harvest 028The root on the big parsnip was nearly a foot long. I had to dig it out because it wouldn't pull out. Yet it was tender and delicious.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/2010-06-29-garden-036.jpg2010-06-29 garden 036Chardhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/2010-06-29-garden-034.jpg2010-06-29 garden 034Better Boy tomatohttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/2010-06-29-garden-013.jpg2010-06-29 garden 013Early Girl tomatoeshttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/2010-06-29-garden-017.jpg2010-06-29 garden 017Depradated Panamint nectarineshttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/2010-06-29-garden-042.jpg2010-06-29 garden 042Snow Queen nectarine2010-07-20T18:28:42+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2010/07/03/how-to-make-lavender-sugar/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/2010-07-01-harvest-037-lavender-sugar4.jpg2010-07-01 harvest 037 lavender sugarAfter addition of sugar to flower heads.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/2010-07-01-harvest-037-lavender-sugar3.jpg2010-07-01 harvest 037 lavender sugarStep 2. Add 1.5 C sugar to dish, cover with a cloth kitchen towel, and let sit for two weeks with ocassional stirring to let moisture evaporate. Step 3. Sift sugar to remove flower heads and store sugar in a tightly sealed glass jar.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/2010-07-01-harvest-037-lavender-sugar2.jpg2010-07-01 harvest 037 lavender sugarStep 2. Add 1.5 C of sugar on top of lavender heads. Cover with a cloth kitchen towel and let sit for 2 weeks with occasional stirring to evaporate the moisture. Sift out flower heads and store suhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/2010-07-01-harvest-037-lavender-sugar1.jpg2010-07-01 harvest 037 lavender sugarStep 2. Add another 1.5 C of sugar to the dish and let sit covered for about two weeks. Sift out flower heads and store sugar in a tightly sealed glass jar.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/2010-07-01-harvest-037-lavender-sugar.jpg2010-07-01 harvest 037 lavender sugarhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/2010-07-01-harvest-035-lavender.jpg2010-07-01 harvest 035 lavenderStep 1. Layer 1/2 C lavender flower heads on a glass dish holding 1 C. white sugar.2010-07-05T14:50:37+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2010/06/29/harvest-monday-june-28-2010/2010-07-02T15:41:02+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2010/06/25/harvest-monday-june-21-2010-on-thursday/2010-06-28T22:23:44+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2010/06/16/my-100th-blog-post-our-southern-california-fruit-flower-and-veggie-gardens-in-june/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/2010-06-15-garden-055-lavender.jpg2010-06-15 garden 055 lavenderIt's time to pick more lavender to make lavender sugar. I've nearly used up my first batch.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/2010-06-15-garden-067-allysum.jpg2010-06-15 garden 067 AllysumSame with the allysum. It attracts beneficial insects as well, but doesn't self-seed as readily as the Nemesia.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/2010-06-15-garden-066-nemesia.jpg2010-06-15 garden 066 NemesiaNemesia is a lovely drought-tolerant flower that bloom all year round for me.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/2010-06-15-garden-069-nasturtium.jpg2010-06-15 garden 069 NasturtiumThe backyard has been filled with nasturtiums since January. They've dropped a gazillion seeds, so I should have plenty more next year too.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/2010-06-15-garden-052-succulents.jpg2010-06-15 garden 052 succulentsPots of succulents make lovely drought-tolerant accent plants in our dry climate.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/2010-06-15-garden-047-glad.jpg2010-06-15 garden 047 gladSo is this lavender gladiolus.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/2010-06-15-garden-045-glad.jpg2010-06-15 garden 045 gladI never got around to planting my gladiolus bulbs this year. This one is a resprout from last year.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/2010-06-15-garden-042-yarrow-and-sage.jpg2010-06-15 garden 042 yarrow and sageMy butterfly garden has golden yarrow and Mexican sage in it.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/2010-06-15-garden-039-front-yard.jpg2010-06-15 garden 039 front yardMost of the front yard is heavily shaded by the two liquid amber trees, but the pink Mexican poppies and blue Lilly of the Nile bloom in June, along with Scabiosa, chrysanthemums, lavender, oregano and marjoram.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/2010-06-15-garden-006-iris.jpg2010-06-15 garden 006 irisThese yellow iris have been in the ground for several years and are reliable bloomers. The other four varieties did not deign to bloom for me this year. Or last year. Maybe next year.2010-06-28T22:22:15+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2010/06/15/harvest-monday-june-14-2010/2010-06-15T19:39:09+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2010/06/09/night-visitors/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/2010-06-08-first-blueberries-004.jpg2010-06-08 first blueberries 004Here's another pic that I didn't have time to post yesterday, blueberries and strawberries.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/2010-06-08-garlic-head-001.jpg2010-06-08 garlic head 001Here is a photo of one tiny garlic head that I didn't have time to post yesterday for harvest Monday.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/2010-06-08-back-020.jpg2010-06-08 back 020This is the long view of the back, looking toward the chicken coop, herb garden and three raised beds. Hey, check out those pretty yellow irises!https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/2010-06-08-back-019.jpg2010-06-08 back 019This is an overview of the back in early June. Looks peaceful enough in the morning.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/2010-06-08-bed-2-015.jpg2010-06-08 bed #2 015They skipped right over Bed #2 with newly planted Black Krim and Mortgage Lifter tomatoes. The miserable looking things on the left are Snow Wind peas. I'm really unimpressed with them. https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/2010-06-08-bed-1-011.jpg2010-06-08 bed #1 011Bed #1 is getting densely populated enough that they didn't do much damage here except for the cuke.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/2010-06-08-cukes-012.jpg2010-06-08 cukes 012They dug up one out of four of the Boston Pickling Cucumbers that I planted yesterday. I quickly replanted it before I took this photo.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/2010-06-08-snow-queen-021.jpg2010-06-08 snow queen 021Or my beautiful Snow Queen nectarines. So far, critters have managed to get the Snow Queens every year and I've never tasted them. There are only four on the little tree, so I may not get any this year either.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/2010-06-08-panamint-023.jpg2010-06-08 panamint 023Or the Panamint nectarines.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/2010-06-08-babcock-022.jpg2010-06-08 babcock 022I was worried that they would get my Babcock peaches.2010-06-15T07:14:58+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2010/06/08/harvest-monday-june-7-2010-on-monday/2010-06-09T01:37:18+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2010/06/05/here-i-go-again-with-harvest-monday-may-31-on-friday/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/2010-06-04-028-green-beans.jpg2010-06-04 028 green beansYippee, the first Blue Lake green pole beans came up today.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/2010-06-04-033-granny-smith-apples.jpg2010-06-04 033 Granny Smith applesThis promises to be our best year yet for Granny Smith apples, with three dozen having set fruit already. The tree is still in flower, so we may have an extended apple harvest this fall. Our Fuji apple has set three fruit, the Gala none, not even a flower.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/2010-06-04-029-cheddar-cauliflower.jpg2010-06-04 029 cheddar cauliflowerI don't know if it's my imagination, but these cheddar cauliflower seem to have a richer, more robust flavor compared to white varieties. Love them! And I grew this one from seed.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/2010-06-04-024-blueberries.jpg2010-06-04 024 blueberriesWe expect to get small amounts of blueberries over the next six weeks from our two Sunshine blueberry bushes.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/2010-06-04-035-japanese-eggplant.jpg2010-06-04 035 Japanese eggplantI can't believe how robust this store-bought Japanese eggplant seeding is. What do they do, fertilize and water them? Hmmm, that's a concept.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/2010-06-04-034-sweet-potatoes.jpg2010-06-04 034 sweet potatoesMy first attempt at growing sweet potatoes is off to a good start in this Smart Pot.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/2010-06-04-036-patty-pan.jpg2010-06-04 036 patty panThis is actually the second patty pan squash to be fertilized. The photo of the one ready to harvest didn't turn out.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/2010-06-04-026-early-girl-tomatoes.jpg2010-06-04 026 Early Girl tomatoesEarly Girl tomatoes on June 4, 2010https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/2010-06-04-021-black-beauty-eggplant.jpg2010-06-04 021 black beauty eggplantThis tiny Black Beauty eggplant may not be as robust as ones I get from our local garden center, but I grew it myself from seed and am very proud of it.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/2010-06-04-019-raised-beds.jpg2010-06-04 019 raised bedsMy raised beds in the first week of June2010-06-08T07:08:55+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2010/05/31/sweaty-sunday-may-30-2010/2010-06-04T19:36:09+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2010/05/29/harvest-monday-may-24-2010-on-friday-ack/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/2010-06-26-049-florida-prince-peach.jpg2010-06-26 049 Florida Prince peachUh, oh, the neighborhood fox squirrels are getting into the Florida Prince peaches. I picked the last ones today.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/2010-06-26-073-garden-of-infinite-neglect.jpg2010-06-26 073 Garden of Infinite NeglectIf I'm careful with my photo angle, my Garden of Infinite Neglect looks pretty good.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/2010-06-26-074-cucumbers.jpg2010-06-26 074 cucumbersI have seven Tendergreen cucumbers growing in this pot. I normally only grow four per pot. I'm hoping that with regular watering and fertilizer, all will produce cucumbers. The first female flowers are now showing, but it will be a while before they're mature enough to be fertilized.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/2010-06-26-080-strawberries.jpg2010-06-26 080 strawberriesI get enough strawberries every few days for my cereal. I think I'll plant two strawberry pots next year.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/2010-06-26-084-blackberries.jpg2010-06-26 084 blackberriesThis will be the first cluster to ripen. Just enough for a bowl of cereal or ice cream.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/2010-06-26-076-blackberries.jpg2010-06-26 076 blackberriesLooks like we're going to get a few blackberries this June.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/2010-06-26-046-lollo-rossa-lettuce.jpg2010-06-26 046 Lollo Rossa lettuceI haven't been planting lettuce regularly, and it all went to seed at once. Only this Lollo Rossa is left.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/2010-06-26-045-cheddar-cauliflower.jpg2010-06-26 045 cheddar cauliflowerCheddar cauliflower that I grew from seed--a first for me!https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/2010-06-26-042-celebrity-tomatoes.jpg2010-06-26 042 Celebrity tomatoesCelebrity tomatoeshttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/2010-06-26-043-early-girl-tomatoes.jpg2010-06-26 043 Early Girl tomatoesEarly Girl tomatoes2010-06-15T07:12:58+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2010/05/19/harvest-monday-may-17-2010/2010-05-28T16:40:39+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2010/05/14/farmers-market-in-nice-france/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/france-208-candied-fruit.jpgFrance 208 candied fruitCandied fruithttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/france-227-farmers-market.jpgFrance 227 farmers marketStreet scene at farmer's market in Nicehttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/france-233-seafood.jpgFrance 233 seafoodSeafoodhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/france-230-seafood.jpgFrance 230 seafoodSeafoodhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/france-225-cheeses.jpgfrance 225 cheeseshttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/france-224-bread.jpgFrance 224 breadBreadshttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/france-234.jpgFrance 234Purple-striped garlichttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/france-219.jpgFrance 219French Breakfast radisheshttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/france-213-white-asparagus.jpgFrance 213 white asparagusWhite asparagushttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/france-220-tomatoes.jpgFrance 220 tomatoesTomatoes2010-05-28T16:37:00+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2010/05/12/harvest-monday-may-10-2010/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/harvest-meter-0011.jpgharvest, meter 001First harvest of blue pototaes from a portion of a Gro-bag in our drivewayhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/harvest-meter-001.jpgharvest, meter 001The first harvest of blue potatoes from a portion of the Gro-Bag potato patch in our drivewayhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/harvest-meter-010.jpgharvest, meter 010Two Meyer lemons and a bowl of Sugar Snap Peashttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/harvest-meter-008.jpgharvest, meter 008First harvest of Golden Wax Bush Beanshttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/harvest-meter-014.jpgharvest, meter 014One day's harvest of Florida Prince peaches2010-05-13T17:57:11+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2010/05/07/cagnes-sur-mer-on-the-french-riviera/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/france-149-lamb-tagine-with-prunes.jpgFrance 149 lamb tagine with prunesI had lamb tagine with prunes and almonds, sweet, exotic, delicious. I slept like a stone afterwards.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/france-581-la-marrakech.jpgFrance 581 La MarrakechIn Nice, we went to a nice Moroccan restaurant for dinner.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/france-139-beverages.jpgFrance 139 beveragesOthers opted for non-alcoholic beverages. I'm not even going to try to pronounce the one on the left.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/france-128-wine-and-olives.jpgFrance 128 wine and olivesSalty olives and vin du payshttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/france-135-afternoon-cafe-stop.jpgFrance 135 afternoon cafe stopThe group gathered for a respite before catching the bus to the train back to Nice. I'm in there somewhere on the left, looking pretty happy after my glass(es) of wine.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/france-068-outdoor-cafe-at-castle.jpgFrance 068 outdoor cafe at castleOutdoor cafe outside the entry arch to Grimaldi castlehttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/france-120-house.jpgFrance 120 houseCourtyard scene by Grimaldi castlehttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/france-093-door.jpgFrance 093 doorClosed doorhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/france-092-window.jpgFrance 092 windowShuttered windowhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/france-108-front-doors.jpgFrance 108 front doorsPotted plants by doors2010-05-09T16:20:33+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2010/05/06/comfort-hotel-azur-riviera-in-nice-france/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/france-605-butcher.jpgFrance 605 butcherThe butcher worked in this large piece of meat to cut it into smaller portions.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/france-026-leg-of-lamb.jpgFrance 026 leg of lambI had never seen leg of lamb presented in quite this manner before.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/france-025-butcher-shop.jpgFrance 025 butcher shopThere was an open air butcher shop next to the hotel lobby, part of our building. They roasted chickens on a rotisserie outside the shop and it smelled GREAT.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/france-386-hotel-kitchen.jpgFrance 386 hotel kitchenThis is the tiny kitchen where the desk guys prepared our breakfast. They didn't have a separate kitchen staff. Fabien did a great job of arranging the baguettes and croissants on the table. When he wasn't on duty, the cocoa was too weak to drink.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/france-385-downstairs-toilette.jpgFrance 385 downstairs toiletteTo avoid going back up on the tiny elevator, I looked for a toilette on the ground floor. This is what I found. I didn't have the courage to go any farther.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/france-153-breakfast.jpgFrance 153 breakfastWe had the same breakfast every morning, but it was good. Sometimes we had boiled eggs as well.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/france-157-breakfast.jpgFrance 157 breakfastWe had cold ham and cheese, canned fruit cocktail, cereal, orange juice and a coffe machine that had a choice of cafe, cafe au lait, cappucino, or cocoa. No decaf, so I drank cocoa.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/france-156-croissants-and-baguettes.jpgFrance 156 croissants and baguettesBreakfast was included, and I thought that they were great. We had fresh baguettes and croissants every morning.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/france-019-view-from-my-room.jpgFrance 019 view from my roomView out my window looking the other direction. The neighborhood looked like a cross between the French quarter in New Orleans and New York City. Constant street noise.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/france-369-view-out-my-window.jpgFrance 369 view out my windowI didn't see screens anywhere. If you opened the windows to get some fresh air, bugs came in. One lady in our group was bitten by something in her room, probably a spider, and had to go to the hospital. 2010-05-06T13:51:56+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2010/05/06/back-from-france-garden-looks-great/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/garden-029.jpggarden 029The Tendergreen burpless cucumbers have sprouted, but there are too many in the pot. I'm going to try transplanting half of them to another pot.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/garden-024.jpggarden 024The Garden of Infinite Neglect has collards, beets, 3 kinds of kale, radishes, Kyoto red carrots, fluffy top Chinese cabbage, patty pan squash, golden wax beans, eggplant, and chard. It's not so neglected this year.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/garden-031-italian-red-of-florence-onions.jpggarden 031 Italian red of Florence onionsThis is a new veggie for me, Italian red of Florence bunching onions. I'll try transplanting some to the garden bed and let some mature in the pot to see how they do.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/garden-030-leeks.jpggarden 030 leeksI'll transplant these leeks into the raised bed when space opens up. I'm still harvesting leeks that I planted from seed in January 2009!https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/garden-028-garden-of-perpetual-responsibility.jpggarden 028 Garden of Perpetual ResponsibilityThe Garden of Perpetual Responsibility is producing strawberries, green onions and artichokes. The first flowers are open on the blackberries, and the bok choy is ready to harvest. https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/garden-027-french-breakfast-radishes.jpggarden 027 French breakfast radishesThe first French Breakfast radishes are ready to harvest. Do the French really eat them for breakfast?https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/garden-005-florida-prince-peach.jpggarden 005 Florida Prince peachI should have thinned the peaches on my Florida Prince peach tree. Now I'll need to stake the branches so they don't break.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/garden-003-raised-beds.jpggarden 003 raised bedsThree raised beds and herb garden looking toward the chicken coop and fruit trees.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/garden-033-mammoth-snow-peas.jpggarden 033 Mammoth snow peasMy Mammoth snow peas grow in a tiny 1 ft x 6 ft dirt strip by the water and electric meters.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/garden-002.jpggarden 002It's a jungle out there. All three raised veggie beds are doing great. Look at those peas!2010-05-05T21:56:10+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2010/04/23/spring-is-a-busy-time-in-the-garden/2010-05-05T15:14:58+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2010/04/21/earth-day-and-a-birding-trip-to-the-eastern-sierras/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/293-mojave.jpg293 MojaveWe stopped on the drive home to catch this shot of the Western Mojave Desert in bloom.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/272-convict-lake.jpg272 Convict LakeConvict Lakehttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/260-plants-in-creek.jpg260 plants in creekPlants growing in the creek.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/266-bridge-over-creek.jpg266 bridge over creekStream near Crowley Lake that feeds into Owens Creek.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/256-teal-taking-off-2.jpg256 teal taking off 2Teal taking flight from a stream.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/240-ice-at-crowley-lake.jpg240 ice at Crowley LakeWinter ice had broken up just the week before we were there. Winds piled the ice high on the shore.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/234-golden-eagle.jpg234 Golden EagleGolden Eaglehttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/233-rabbitbrush-and-sierras.jpg233 rabbitbrush and SierrasSagebrush, rabbitbrush and the Sierrashttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/183-sage-grouse-copulating.jpg183 sage grouse copulatingGreater Sage-grouse copulatinghttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/204-sage-grouse.jpg204 sage grouseMale Greater Sage-grouse on their lek, displaying to a female.2010-04-22T02:37:10+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2010/04/22/wordless-wednesday-for-gardeners-april-21-2010/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/021-mexican-poppy1.jpg021 Mexican poppyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/021-mexican-poppy.jpg021 Mexican poppyMexican Poppy, a drought-tolerant flowering annual that reseeds itself and spreads like crazy.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/019-douglas-iris.jpg019 Douglas irisDouglas iris, a California native planthttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/028-artichoke.jpg028 artichokeThe first artichoke of the season is going to be part of my lunch today.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/026-baby-pink-summercicle-radish1.jpg026 baby pink summercicle radishI couldn't resist pulling this Pink Summercicle radish to see what it tastes like. They needed thinning anyway.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/008-german-white-icicle-radish.jpg008 German white icicle radishGerman white icicle radish is ready to pick.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/011-florida-prince-peach.jpg011 Florida Prince peachIt won't be long before the first Florida Prince peaches are ready to pick.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/016-valencia-orange-blossoms.jpg016 Valencia orange blossomsValencia orange blossoms for crop next Feb-Aprilhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/015-valencia-orange.jpg015 Valencia orangeValencia orange ready to pickhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/005-newly-fertilized-navel-orange.jpg005 newly fertilized navel orangeNewly fertilized navel oranges won't be ready to pick until December or January2010-04-22T20:58:27+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2010/04/20/earthquakes-and-volcanos/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/027-squash-beans-chard-eggplant.jpg027 squash, beans, chard, eggplantWax beans, patty pan squash, eggplant and chard promise a good harvest.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/sat-image.jpgsat imageSatellite image of Iceland and volcanic eruption 4-19-2010https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/volcano-reuters-lucas-jackson.jpgvolcano Reuters Lucas JacksonThis is a photo by Lucas Jackson for Reuters of the volcanic eruption in Iceland.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/index_map.gifindex_mapEarthquake map for California and Nevada, 4-19-20102010-04-22T04:51:52+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2010/04/20/harvest-monday-april-19-2010/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/014-chair-and-fountain.jpg014 chair and fountainThis is the rocking chair on my back deck. The fountain burbles, the hens cluck, and birds sing while I rock, read, sip wine, and watch my garden grow. https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/007-henny-penny-and-henrietta.jpg007 Henny Penny and HenriettaHenny Penny and Henriettahttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/016-pink-cobbity-daisies.jpg016 pink cobbity daisiesPink cobbity daisies in front yardhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/018-mammoth-snow-peas.jpg018 mammoth snow peasMammoth snow peas are growing in a tiny dirt strip next to our water and electric meters. I haven't grown this variety in over 30 years and am looking forward to having them again.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/017-sunchokes-and-potatoes.jpg017 sunchokes and potatoesSunchokes and blue potatoes, growing in Smart Pots in the drivewayhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/025-lacinato-kale.jpg025 lacinato kaleLacinato kale, a new variety for ushttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/020-strawberries.jpg020 strawberriesOur strawberry harvest is only a few berries at a time from the strawberry pot, but the berries are delicious.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/003-granny-smith-apple-blossoms.jpg003 Granny Smith apple blossomsSemi-dwarf Granny Smith apple tree is in full bloom, promising a good crop of apples this year.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/015-front-pond.jpg015 front pondIrises are blooming in my larger front yard pond as well.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/012-water-iris.jpg012 water irisIrises are blooming in my small water garden in back framed by nasturtiums2010-04-21T17:16:28+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2010/04/16/this-is-the-day-for-the-10000th-visitor/2010-04-18T04:21:09+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2010/04/16/wordless-wednesday-for-gardeners-on-friday-april-16-2010/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/039-strawberries.jpg039 strawberrieshttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/037-artichoke.jpg037 artichokehttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/038-garden-of-perpetual-responsibility.jpg038 Garden of Perpetual Responsibilityhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/032-lacinato-kale.jpg032 Lacinato kalehttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/029-garden-of-infinite-neglect.jpg029 Garden of Infinite Neglecthttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/023-cabbage-eggplant-and-tomato-seedlings.jpg023 cabbage, eggplant and tomato seedlingshttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/021-super-sugar-snap-peas.jpg021 super sugar snap peashttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/018-blueberries.jpg018 blueberrieshttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/005-florida-prince-peaches.jpg005 Florida Prince peacheshttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/012-raised-bed-3.jpg012 raised bed #32010-04-16T19:43:10+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2010/04/14/sad-discovery-in-town/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/radio-cars-049.jpgradio cars 049The bluff face is now devoid of plant life, plus the insects, lizards, birds and mammals that depended on them. https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/radio-cars-044.jpgradio cars 044The presence of chione clam shells indicates that Native Americans used to live on the site.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/radio-cars-046.jpgradio cars 046An extensive area has been converted from vegetated habitat to a dust-filled wasteland.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/radio-cars-009.jpgradio cars 009Disposable AA batteries were illegally and improperly disposed of on our park land. I counted 20 without trying.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/radio-cars-004.jpgradio cars 004Some of the "nitro" fuel inevitably spills on the ground. More toxic stuff in our park.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/053-litter.jpg053 litterEmpty containers of "nitro" fuel litter the ground, turning our park into a toxic waste dump.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/012-bare-area.jpg012 bare areaA small part of the area that is now denuded.2010-05-05T15:09:47+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2010/04/14/harvest-monday-april-12-2010/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/002-breakfast.jpg002 breakfastBrunch from the garden included my first strawberries, sauteed baby chard, fried eggs, and homemade bread with homemade Meyer lemon marmalade.2010-04-16T07:39:46+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2010/04/10/the-first-10000-visitors/2010-04-14T05:14:39+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2010/04/08/wordless-wednesday-for-gardeners-april-7-2010/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/035-douglas-irises.jpg035 Douglas iriseshttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/033-scabiosa.jpg033 scabiosahttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/029-pink-daisies.jpg029 pink daisieshttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/019-grapes.jpg019 grapeshttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/016-rosebud.jpg016 rosebudhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/010-nasturtium.jpg010 nasturtiumhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/006-narcissus.jpg006 narcissushttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/075-lemon-blossom.jpg075 lemon blossomhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/014-granny-smith-apple-blossom-buds.jpg014 Granny Smith apple blossom budshttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/057-french-breakfast-radish.jpg057 French breakfast radish2010-04-09T17:27:09+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2010/04/07/harvest-monday-april-5-2010/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/027-miracle-egg.jpg027 miracle eggI had to share a photo of this egg with you. Henny Penny always deposits a pattern on her eggs. This one looked like, well, since it was laid the day before Easter, I call it a risen Christ egg. We ate it for a Seder dinner that we attended at a friend's house.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/017-strawberries.jpg017 strawberriesThese strawberries have now turned red and are ready to pick today. How exciting. My first strawberries from a strawberry pot. It's working very well, with the promise of a small but ongoing harvest for some time to come.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/023-artichoke.jpg023 artichokeThe first artichoke has formed and is growing. I wonder how many artichokes my eight plants will give me this spring.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/011-purple-broccoli.jpg011 purple broccoliI thought I was growing purple cauliflower, given that the tag on the transplants said "cauliflower," but it is clearly broccoli. No matter, it tasted fine in a stirfry.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/005-bed-21.jpg005 bed 2Raised bed #2 has chard, lettuce and leeks ready to harvest, plus garlic, red cabbage, white cauliflower, radishes, and Snow Wind Peas coming along.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/005-bed-2.jpg005 bed 2https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/007-front-yard.jpg007 front yardThe beautiful Mt. Hood daffodils have finished blooming, but the pink cobbity daisies, orange Kaffir lilies, and camelias are blooming nicely. https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/001-path1.jpg001 pathThe path is back is beautiful this year with nasturtiums, irises, narcissus, roses, allysum, Nemesia and pansies.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/009-sunchokes-and-potatoes1.jpg009 sunchokes and potatoesThe blue potatoes in the first two Smart Pots are doing well, as are the sunchokes in the back left.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/020-horseradish1.jpg020 horseradishGrowth on the horseradish in the center pot is rampant. Ginger in the pot on the left has just poked the first sprouts above ground. All three ginger roots have now sent up a plant shoot.2015-02-27T21:44:35+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2010/04/06/whole-lotta-shakin-going-on/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/intensity-quake.jpgintensity quakeThis map from USGS shows the intensity of the initial quake over a broad area. We were in the light green zone, and felt moderate shaking with no damage.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/049-megan-and-shannon.jpg049 Megan and ShannonMeagan and Shannonhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/garden-easter-056.jpggarden, Easter 056Southern California earthquake map about 17 hours after the initial big quake. There are hundreds of aftershocks. Size of squares indicates intensity of quake while color indicates how recent the quake was. Red means within the past hour, while blue indicates within the last 24 hours. Yellow indicates within the past week. As you can see, the San Andreas is very active today.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/garden-easter-0541.jpggarden, Easter 054Earthquake map for southern California minutes after the 7.2 Mexicali temblor.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/garden-easter-054.jpggarden, Easter 054Photo of the southern California earthquake map just a few minutes after the first big quake.2010-04-06T16:01:31+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2010/03/30/harvest-monday-march-29-2010-and-the-peas-that-overgrew-los-angeles/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/006-harvest-basket.jpg006 harvest basketOne day's harvest included these lovely leeks, as well as makings for a stirfry and salad.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/014-vic-and-peas.jpg014 Vic and peasEven 6-ft-tall Vic has to stand on something to reach the top of the peas.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/012-lou-and-peas.jpg012 Lou and peasI can no longer reach the top of the peas. That's some vigorous growth!2010-04-05T14:28:30+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2010/03/29/birding-at-the-salton-sea/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/055-rainbow.jpg055 rainbowRainbow over a mowed field.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/146-salton-sea.jpg146 Salton SeaDepending on when you go, you might see nearly a million Eared Grebes, Yellow-footed Gulls, nesting Great-blue Herons, Wood Storks, or even Lesser Flamingoes.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/069-white-winged-dove.jpg069 white-winged doveWhite-winged Dovehttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/135-barn-owl.jpg135 barn owlSome of the advantages of having a guide in this area is that he knows that area and can take you right to specialty birds like this sleeping barn owl.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/057-lizard.jpg057 lizardYou might encounter lizards such as this Side-blotched Lizard.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/127-salton-sea.jpg127 Salton SeaThe Salton Sea and Imperial Valley have a beauty all their own.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/062-salton-sea.jpg062 Salton SeaSalton Sea is a man-made lake that has turned saltier than the ocean over its 100+ years of existence.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/140-burrowing-owl.jpg140 burrowing owlBurrowing Owlhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/064-geothermal-plant.jpg064 geothermal plantGeothermal power planthttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/093-cottontail.jpg093 cottontailAudubon's Cottontail2011-01-18T00:27:27+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2010/03/26/spring-wildflowers-at-californias-anza-borrego-state-park/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/083-caterpillar.jpg083 caterpillarI think that this is also a White-lined Sphinx Moth caterpillar, just a younger instar of the larva.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/079-caterpillar.jpg079 caterpillarCreepy caterpillars make beautiful butterflies. This is most likely the caterpillar of the White-lined Sphinx Moth.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/134-dons-market.jpg134 Don's MarketDon's Market in Santa Ysabel is a great place to get local produce, local grass-fed bison, and local wines from Menghini Winery. We also usually stop in at Dudley's Bakery next to the market to pick up some fresh bread.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/132-julian-pie-company.jpg132 Julian pie companyMany of the stores and restaurants in Julian sell apple pies, but those from the Julian Pie Company are made in Santa Ysabel.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/113-sculpture.jpg113 sculptureJuvenile Incredible Wind God Birds stayed with their parents for up to 12 years, learning to hunt. They may have had to take flight by either running or jumping off a cliff.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/108-incredible-wind-god-bird.jpg108 incredible wind god birdThe Incredible Wind God Bird had a wingspan of 16 ft and was the largest flying bird in North America.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/097-fighting-horses.jpg097 fighting horsesFour species of horses/zebras lived here as well. Horses evolved in North America, migrating over the landbridge with Asia. They survived in Asia and Europe, but died out in North America when the climate changed dramaticall at the end of the Ice Ages 12,000 years ago.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/088-mammoth.jpg088 mammothColumbian mammoths, which also roamed the region, stood 12 ft tall at the shoulder. https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/050-giant-tortoise.jpg050 Giant tortoiseDuring the Pliocene and Pleistocene Epochs, prehistoric animals such as this Giant Tortoise roamed the Anza-Borrego region. The region then was a moist woodland with braided streams and a coastal delta where the early Colorado River emptied into the Gulf of California.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/044-southern-mammoth.jpg044 Southern MammothSouthern Mammoth sculpture in Galleta Meadows by artist Ricardo Breceda, commissioned by Dennis Avery, heir to the Avery Dennison label company fortune.2010-03-26T20:30:03+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2010/03/18/curried-butternut-soup-with-goats-milk/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/002-butternut-soup.jpg002 butternut soupCurried butternut soup with goat's milk2010-03-24T18:24:28+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2010/03/18/what-is-or-will-be-growing-in-my-garden-this-year/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/002-raised-beds.jpg002 raised bedsMost of our vegetables grow in these raised beds, but I have two other small areas of veggie garden as well.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/003-plants-in-containers.jpg003 plants in containersDue to limitations of space and sun, some things are growing in bowls and containers.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/012-smart-pots.jpg012 Smart PotsBlue Potatoes and Sunchokes are growing in Smart Pots in the driveway. 2010-03-24T18:23:47+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2010/03/20/snakes-alive/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/005-rattlesnake1.jpg005 rattlesnakeThis snake is large, but not full. Looks like it hasn't eaten all winter. As soon as it warms up, it will go looking for a baby ground squirrel for lunch.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/005-rattlesnake.jpg005 rattlesnakeThis fellow was camera-shy and hid his/her head fairly quickly. The snake is large, but not full. After warming up, he'https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/003-rattlesnake.jpg003 rattlesnakeMarch is when the rattlesnakes come out of hibernation. We survey the rock pile where they den every time we go, but only see the snakes in March. Can you see the head? Lower left corner.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/007-corpsmembers.jpg007 corpsmembersWhat do you think they're photographing with their cell phones? Wildflowers? Not a chance.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/occc-at-bc-yard-002.jpgOCCC at BC, yard 002We had six new crew members visiting Bolsa Chica.2010-03-24T18:23:08+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2010/03/23/harvest-monday-march-22-2010/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/014-stirfry.jpg014 stirfryNo two of my stirfrys are ever alike due to changing harvests and the fact that I don't measure the soy sauce, mirin, rice wine vinegar and ginger that I use to spice them. Sometimes I add a sliced Hebrew National beef knockwurst or firm tofu.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/012-salad.jpg012 saladThis salad has green oakleaf, black-seeded Simpson and red salad bowl lettuce, a couple of baby sorrel leaves, chopped cilantro, a German white icicle radish and a yellow bell pepper that overwintered and just now got ripe.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/015-raised-beds.jpg015 raised bedsSuper Sugar Snap peas are towering over the other veggies in the raised beds.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/011-hod.jpg011 hodOne morning's harvest for a salad and stirfry--radish, cabbage leaves, lettuce, chard, bell pepper, snow peas, cilantro.2010-03-24T18:22:29+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2010/03/18/happy-st-patricks-day-2010/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/006-new-china.jpg006 new chinaThe table is set for two for this St. Patrick's Day meal.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/007-corned-beef-and-cabbage.jpg007 corned beef and cabbageCorned beef and cabbage, with carrots and potatoes, garnished with parsley from my garden.2010-03-18T04:20:17+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2010/03/16/harvest-monday-march-15-2010/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/015-hens.jpg015 hensThe three hens love their greens. Here they're eating a mixed bouquet of parsley, sorrel, and cilantro. No wonder their eggs taste so good.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/002-babcock-peach-blossom.jpg002 Babcock peach blossomThe first blossoms opened on the Improved Babcock peach a days ago. They're not very decorative. Maybe the petals will get bigger later.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/006-plum-blossom.jpg006 plum blossomThe first blossoms opened on the Santa Rosa plum as well.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/004-first-apricot-blossom1.jpg004 first apricot blossomThe first blossom on the Katy apricot opened today.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/004-first-apricot-blossom.jpg004 first apricot blossom2010-03-16T19:29:32+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2010/03/14/mid-march-photos-of-my-garden/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/028-grape-leaves.jpg028 grape leavesThe grapes have sprouted their new growth of spring leaves.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/036-lime.jpg036 limeFlower buds on my Bearrs lime tree.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/026-florida-prince-peaches.jpg026 Florida Prince peachesPeaches on the Florida Prince peach tree.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/021-nectarine-blossom1.jpg021 nectarine blossomPanamint nectarine blossomhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/006-blue-potatoes.jpg006 blue potatoesBlue potatoes growing in Smart Pots.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/005-sunchoke.jpg005 sunchokeI have three sunchoke sprouts above ground now. This one suffered some insect damage to the new shoot.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/011-horseradish.jpg011 horseradishThe container of horseradish has a lot of healthy looking sprouts.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/013-green-onion.jpg013 green onionI grow green bunching onions continuously in these shallow bowls, adding fertilizer whenever I plant new seeds.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/010-garden-of-perpetual-responsibility.jpg010 garden of perpetual responsibilityGarden of Perpetual Responsibility has fewer weeds than usual, thanks to my pulling weeds frequently to feed the chickens.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/009-garden-of-infinite-neglect.jpg009 garden of infinite neglectThe Garden of Infinite Neglect is looking less neglected with its refurbished flower border and new vegetable plantings.2010-05-05T15:05:36+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2010/03/14/got-something-else-an-opossum/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/017-coop.jpg017 coopFor safety of our hens, we totally enclosed their run in hardware cloth. The roof atop the run serves as a place for the solar collector for their "night light" and as a green roof where I start seedlings and grow mesclun.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/002-possum.jpg002 possumOpossums try to look as vicious as they can. This trapped opossum is showing me his threat display.2010-03-15T16:14:51+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2010/03/09/got-him/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/006-raccoon.jpg006 raccoonThe live traps have a metal plate under the handle to protect you from being bitten. https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/004-raccoon.jpg004 raccoonTrapped raccoon in the back of the car, ready for transport.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/003-raccoon.jpg003 raccoonRaccoon in a Hav-a-Hart live trap2010-03-14T19:21:34+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2010/03/09/harvest-and-planting-monday-3-8-2010/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/021-lettuce.jpg021 lettuceThe three types of lettuce ready now for harvest in my garden are (l. to r.) Black-seeded Simpson, Red Salad Bowl, and Green Oakleaf.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/018-scallions.jpg018 scallionsI'm out of green bunching onions right now, so I picked some immature red onions to use as scallions.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/015-radishes.jpg015 radishesGerman white icicle radisheshttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/huevos-rancheros-057.jpghuevos rancheros 057Huevos rancheros make a tasty brunch.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/056-huevos-rancheros.jpg056 huevos rancherosBlue corn tortillas heated with a little grated cheese on top.2010-03-09T18:54:30+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2010/03/02/ack-ive-been-hit/2010-03-09T05:06:35+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2010/03/02/harvest-and-planting-monday-march-1-2010/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/064-lavender.jpg064 lavenderFlower heads of French lavender are more compact than the spiky heads of English lavender.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/yard-flowers-019.jpgyard flowers 019The first tiny leaves are up on our horseradish plant. 2010-03-03T18:39:38+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2010/03/02/making-a-sage-farinata/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/003-farinata.jpg003 farinataA finished farinata. This recipe makes three 10" farinatas, which is supposed to serve 6 people, but my husband and I gobbled it all up ourselves, along with a salad. That was dinner. YUM!https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/002-farinata.jpg002 farinataCooked farinata will have crisp edges and golden flecks on the top.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/005-farinata.jpg005 farinataFarinata batter is thin and watery, but begins to cook and set the instant it hits the preheated griddle.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/yard-flowers-001-garbanzo.jpgyard flowers 001 garbanzoBob's Red Mill makes garbanzo bean flour.2014-09-19T01:54:10+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2010/02/22/harvest-and-planting-monday-feb-21-2010/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/022-seed-pots.jpg022 seed potsI'm a bit late in starting my pots of tomato, eggplant and cabbage seedlings. It's warm enough now that I just grow them outside on the roof of the chicken coop, which is the sunniest spot in our yard at this time of year.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/058-herbs.jpg058 herbsThe mint and parsley went into a tabbouli, along with some of the green onions and a Meyer lemon.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/089-hens.jpg089 hensThe chickens enjoy vegetable peelings and the fresh cilantro, sorrel, and parsley that I pick for them.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/077-lou-pulling-cilantro.jpg077 Lou pulling cilantroIf I bend over and Vic has the camera, he snaps a pic. I can't tell you how many photos of my butt he's taken. At least this angle isn't as bad as most of them, and gives you a good view of our deck and back gardens.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/075-feeding-hens.jpg075 feeding hensHaving fresh eggs is nice, but having the grandgirls gather eggs and feed chickens is the real payoff for this granny.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/070-feeding-hens.jpg070 feeding hensThis was the first time that 2-year-old Megan had seen the hens. She really enjoyed them.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/069-feeding-hens.jpg069 feeding hensMegan, Lauren and Allison feed carrot peelings to the hens.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/056-eggs.jpg056 eggsHere are 12 of the 16 eggs our three hens laid this week.2010-03-09T06:25:12+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2010/02/16/harvest-and-planting-monday-feb-15-2010/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/ginger-coop-occc-011-strawberry.jpgginger, coop, OCCC 011 strawberryI planted the Chandler strawberries in the holes in the sides of the pot, and the Quinault berries in the top.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/ginger-coop-occc-002.jpgginger, coop, OCCC 002This gingerroot sat on our kitchen counter so long that it sprouted a new shoot. So I planted it in a pot, along with two other roots. They make a beautiful, ferny plant, and if I'm lucky, I'll be able to harvest my own gingerroot next fall.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/ginger-coop-occc-015-leeks1.jpgginger, coop, OCCC 015 leeks2010-03-02T16:31:42+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2010/02/13/what-to-do-with-eggs/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/ginger-coop-occc-016.jpgginger, coop, OCCC 016Unbaked potato crust in quiche panhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/ginger-coop-occc-030-quiche.jpgginger, coop, OCCC 030 quicheFinished quiche should be puffy all the way to the center, with the center "set."https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/ginger-coop-occc-025-with-cheese.jpgginger, coop, OCCC 025 with cheeseAdding the cheese should bring the contents just barely to the top of the crust. No worries, the egg mixture fills in the spaces. Sprinkle paprika on top and bake.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/ginger-coop-occc-023-quiche.jpgginger, coop, OCCC 023 quicheLeeks and mushrooms in pre-baked potato crusthttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/ginger-coop-occc-020-leeks-and-mushrooms.jpgginger, coop, OCCC 020 leeks and mushroomsBrown sliced leeks and mushrooms in a 50:50 mix of olive oil and butterhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/ginger-coop-occc-015-leeks.jpgginger, coop, OCCC 015 leeksI grew these leeks from seed, planting them last January. These are the first I harvested. Each of those floor tiles is a foot square, so those are some pretty nice leeks.2010-02-16T15:20:16+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2010/02/15/valentines-day-at-the-fungus-festival/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/img_0253.jpgIMG_0253This Border Leicestershire lamb is a bit older than the one we selected, but I like this photo because it shows the "dreadlocks" of this heritage breed sheep. George Washington and Thomas Jefferson both raised Border Leicestershires.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/harclub-yard-mushroom-038-chocolate-truffles.jpgharclub, yard, mushroom 038 chocolate trufflesWe attended a "learn to make chocolate truffles" party the night before Valentine's Day. This is the result. When I try this at home, I'll post a "how to do it" with photos.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/harclub-yard-mushroom-134-mushrooms.jpgharclub, yard, mushroom 134 mushroomsTop to bottom: Hen of the Woods, brown beech, white beech mushroomshttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/harclub-yard-mushroom-028-first-red-rose.jpgharclub, yard, mushroom 028 first red roseI cut our first rose of the year for a centerpiece for Valentine's Day2010-02-16T15:19:02+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2010/02/15/planting-sunchokes-and-potatoes/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/sunchokes-blue-potatoes-011-blue-potatoes.jpgsunchokes, blue potatoes 011 blue potatoesBlue potatoes that sprouted in the bag.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/sunchokes-blue-potatoes-005-sunchokes.jpgsunchokes, blue potatoes 005 sunchokesI got these yellow-skinned sunchokes from the grocery store, 1 lb for $1.99. They were much cheaper than if I had purchased them from a seed/bulb company, and there was no shipping and handling fee.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/sunchokes-blue-potatoes-003-smart-pot.jpgsunchokes, blue potatoes 003 smart potThis 15-gallon Smart Pot container is made of a porous felt-like material. I got them from Garderner's Supply Company.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/sunchokes-blue-potatoes-002-smart-pot-label.jpgsunchokes, blue potatoes 002 smart pot label2010-02-16T15:16:41+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2010/02/12/a-day-in-the-life-of-this-urban-farmer/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/ginger-coop-occc-043-silly-kids.jpgginger, coop, OCCC 043 silly kidsMy corps kids are full of energy and a lot of fun for me to work with. We have a great day together. My goals are for them to learn that work is fun, and so is education.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/ginger-coop-occc-042-new-crew.jpgginger, coop, OCCC 042 new crewMy classes are small, so each person gets individual attention. Orientation crews are generally between 8-12 young adults. In addition to conservation awareness, I teach them about professionalism and generally positive characteristics, and offer them some clues to happy living.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/ginger-coop-occc-031-composter.jpgginger, coop, OCCC 031 composterI put the dirty bedding into the composter, covered with damp, chipped leaves, and watered it all. The composter is nearly full now, but with decomposition, the level will drop almost foot in a week or two. When I take compost out of the bottom, the level drops by about two feet.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/ginger-coop-occc-038-3-hens-clean-coop.jpgginger, coop, OCCC 038 3 hens clean coopLong view of the coop run. Each hen has 10 sq. ft. in the run, the minimum amount of space. The coop itself adds another 7 sq. ft. and is built over the run to save space.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/ginger-coop-occc-037-3-hens-clean-coop.jpgginger, coop, OCCC 037 3 hens clean coopHenny Penny, Henrietta, and Chicken Little in their clean coop.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/ginger-coop-occc-033-inside-of-coop.jpgginger, coop, OCCC 033 inside of coopThis close-up of the coop interior shows the three nest boxes on the left (but they only use one of them, the one in the far left back corner), as well as the roosting poles, which are nearly out of sight in the upper right. Poop falls onto the straw on the right side, leaving the nest boxes clean. Tiles on the bottom of the coop floor make clean-up easier.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/ginger-coop-occc-034.jpgginger, coop, OCCC 034The "egg door" on our chicken coop drops down for easy cleaning of the coop interior.2010-02-13T17:00:56+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2010/02/10/connecting-rain-barrels-in-series/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/011-suncast-rain-barrel.jpg011 Suncast rain barrelOur Suncast rain barrel collects water dripping off the eaves, with no downspout connector.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/water-barrels-salton-sea-007-two-rain-barrels.jpgwater barrels, Salton Sea 007 two rain barrelsTwo rain barrels hooked up.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/water-barrels-salton-sea-012-3-way-connection.jpgwater barrels, Salton Sea 012 3-way connectionThe Y-hose bib with three clear vinyl 3/4" ID tubes attached.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/water-barrels-salton-sea-001-hose-connector.jpgwater barrels, Salton Sea 001 hose connectorA female hose connecter or adapter. The piece of plastic with the yellow label is just to hold the two parts together. Snip that at a thin spot and your two pieces are ready to use.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/water-barrels-salton-sea-013-spigot.jpgwater barrels, Salton Sea 013 spigotMy water barrels all had male outlets on their spigots. One connects female adapters, such as are found on the end of garden hoses, to the male outlets. 2010-02-12T18:31:32+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2010/02/09/harvest-monday-feb-8-2010/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/water-barrels-salton-sea-023-breakfast.jpgwater barrels, Salton Sea 023 breakfastWe had the omelette with toasted panetone bread, Niman Ranch bacon, and a navel orange apiece from our garden.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/water-barrels-salton-sea-020-omelette.jpgwater barrels, Salton Sea 020 omeletteAfter sauteing the vegetables, I set them aside. I added a T of milk to the four eggs, and beat them with a wire whisk. I poured the eggs into a hot skillet and put the lid on until the eggs were partially set. Then I added the vegetables, put the lid back on and finished cooking. At the end, I flipped the side with no vegetables over onto the other side, cut in half and served. https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/water-barrels-salton-sea-018-green-onions.jpgwater barrels, Salton Sea 018 green onionsI sauteed the sliced green onions along with some crimini mushrooms for an omelette with four of the eggs.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/water-barrels-salton-sea-016-1st-6-eggs.jpgwater barrels, Salton Sea 016 1st 6 eggsThe first six eggs from our three new hens.2010-02-10T18:00:00+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2010/02/04/our-first-eggs/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/bc-bridge-eggs-049-breakfast.jpgBC bridge, eggs 049 breakfastI had a totally homegrown breakfast of a fried egg and a navel orange.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/bc-bridge-eggs-040-first-two-eggs.jpgBC bridge, eggs 040 first two eggsHere are the first two eggs laid by our new hens. The dark brown one is from one of the Black-sexlinked hens. The lighter brown one is from Chicken Little, the Black Australorp.2010-02-05T22:03:42+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2010/02/03/this-is-our-moment/2010-02-03T18:59:11+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2010/02/01/the-first-egg-the-first-egg/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/hens-013-henrietta.jpghens 013 HenriettaHenrietta, a Black Sex-linked hen. She has the least red of the three hens.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/hens-021-henny-penny.jpghens 021 Henny PennyHenny Penny has the most red of our three black hens.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/hens-030-henny-penny.jpghens 030 Henny PennyHenny Penny, a Black Sex-linked hen (cross between a Rhode Island Red and a Barred Plymouth Rock). Isn't she pretty?https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/hens-039-chicken-little.jpghens 039 Chicken LittleChicken Little--she's supposed to be a Black Australorp, but look at all that red in her throat. She has a lot of green on her black feathers, but I think there's some Rhode Island Red in her ancestry somewhere.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/hens-036-first-egg.jpghens 036 first eggThe first egg in our new chicken coop, laid by Chicken Little!2016-07-28T22:23:04+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2010/02/01/harvest-monday-feb-1-2010/2010-02-01T22:08:27+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2010/02/01/my-hens-are-here/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/b-day-party-hens-101.jpgb-day party, hens 101My three new hens in their new surroundings.2010-02-01T22:07:38+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2010/01/30/spring-garden-chores/2010-02-01T22:06:57+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2010/01/30/whats-in-bloom-in-my-yard-jan-2010/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/yard-flowers-096-lantana.jpgyard flowers 096 LantanaLantana is drought-tolerant, blooms all year, and is great for attracting butterflies.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/yard-flowers-091-gazania.jpgyard flowers 091 GazaniaGazania is a drought-tolerant plant from South Africa. It blooms all year long, but does better during the hot months.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/yard-flowers-081-snow-drops.jpgyard flowers 081 snow dropsSnowdrops bloom in January and into February. I planted them by the pond in front.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/yard-flowers-078-lavender.jpgyard flowers 078 lavenderI have two varieties of lavender in the yard, English and Spanish, but I forget which is which.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/yard-flowers-076-lavender.jpgyard flowers 076 lavenderLavender blooms all year long in my yard and is a great attractant for bees and butterflies.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/yard-flowers-073-pink-cobbity-daisy.jpgyard flowers 073 pink cobbity daisyPink cobbity daisies are just now beginning to flower. They'll reach full bloom next month and will bloom all summer.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/yard-flowers-072-freesia-buds.jpgyard flowers 072 freesia budsFebruary is when my first Freesias will come into bloom. They fill the yard with fragrance. I can hardly wait.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/yard-flowers-069-golden-yarrow.jpgyard flowers 069 golden yarrowThis golden yarrow flower is more of a fall hold-over than a new spring bloom. Butterflies love this California native plant.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/yard-flowers-066-pink-magnolia.jpgyard flowers 066 pink magnoliaA small pink-flowered Magnolia tree on the north side of our house blooms in January and February.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/yard-flowers-064-scabiosa.jpgyard flowers 064 scabiosaI adore these Scabiosa blossoms. They're new to my yard, so I'm not sure how long they'll stay in bloom.2019-04-01T18:37:32+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2010/01/30/my-veggie-garden-in-january/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/yard-flowers-100-baby-bok-choy.jpgyard flowers 100 baby bok choyI also grow baby bok choy in bowls during the cooler months. I think I'll eat a few of these for dinner.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/yard-flowers-099-green-onions.jpgyard flowers 099 green onionsI grow green onions in bowls, starting a new batch from seed every few months. With two bowls of green (bunching) onions growing constantly, I haven't had to buy them from the store in over a year. https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/yard-flowers-033-backyard-pond.jpgyard flowers 033 backyard pondMy backyard pond is a simple pond liner set in the ground and filled with plants and gravel. It's more of a water garden than a functional pond, but it provides water year-round for birds, insects and other wildlife in back. I set this up in October, so it's a new pond.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/yard-flowers-084-frontyard-pond.jpgyard flowers 084 frontyard pondPond in our front yard that I built myself about 10 years ago.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/yard-flowers-097-artichokes.jpgyard flowers 097 artichokesArtichokes in the Garden of Perpetual Responsibilityhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/yard-flowers-094-front-garden.jpgyard flowers 094 front gardenMy Garden of Infinite Neglect by the front sidewalk. Boy, does this area need some attention.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/yard-flowers-031-bed-3.jpgyard flowers 031 bed #3Raised bed #3, planted in October from seeds.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/yard-flowers-030-bed-2.jpgyard flowers 030 bed #2Raised bed #2, my favorite bedhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/yard-flowers-020-blueberry-buds.jpgyard flowers 020 blueberry budsOh boy, flower buds on my blueberry bushes! I can hardly wait for blueberries. I harvested them over a two-month period last spring.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/yard-flowers-025-zucchini.jpgyard flowers 025 zucchiniAristocrat zucchini, a total experiment. I don't usually grow zucchini, preferring Patty Pan and yellow summer squash, but I thought I'd try a winter zucchini for the first time.2011-11-17T08:25:49+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2010/01/29/setting-up-and-using-rain-barrels/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/rain-barrel-german-pancake-004.jpgrain barrel 004This flat-backed, fiberglass (?) rainbarrel from Fiskars has a solid lid, spigot, and a downspout connector for rectangular downspouts.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/011-suncast-rain-barrel.jpg011 Suncast rain barrelThis Suncast rain barrel has a large footprint. Water runs off the eaves and directly into the barrel, which has a screen top. Features are a spigot with short hose, overflow hose, and removeable top. We got this non-traditionally shaped barrel at OSH Hardware for a promotional price of $89.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/rain-barrel-german-pancake-008.jpgrain barrel, German pancake 008Installation complete! The rain funnels from the downspout onto the screen on top of the rain barrel. Note the water gauge on the side next to the wall.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/rain-barrel-german-pancake-005.jpgrain barrel, German pancake 005Our plumber, Ray, cut the downspout to the proper length with his electric hacksaw.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/rain-barrel-german-pancake-002.jpgrain barrel, German pancake 002Vic leveled the ground and detached the curved outlet from the downspout.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/garden-028-water-barrels1.jpggarden 028 water barrelsThe simplest form of water storage is simple trash barrels or other containers set under dripping eaves. Here an inexpensive 20-gallon Rubbermaid trash barrel holds runoff from our chicken coop roof. Advantage is cost, about $15 for barrel and lid. Disadvantage is no hose. I have to dip the water out with a watering can and keep an eye out for mosquitoes breeding in the water.2010-01-30T00:50:55+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2010/01/28/fabulous-german-pancake-recipe/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/garden-032-peach-blossom.jpggarden 032 peach blossomFlorida Prince peach tree in bloom in our yard.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/018-presentation.jpg018 presentationCut into quarters, transfer to plates, and top with fresh fruit, hot real maple syrup, and optional whipped cream.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/016-german-pancake.jpg016 German pancakeSprinkle powdered sugar on top--I sift it through a tea strainer to apply.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/013-german-pancake.jpg013 German pancakePancake will be high, puffy, and crispy on the bottom.2010-01-30T00:49:55+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2010/01/27/harvest-monday-jan-25-2010/2010-01-30T00:48:54+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2010/01/22/winter-storms-and-tornado-in-huntington-beach-ca/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/garden-028-water-barrels.jpggarden 028 water barrels2010-01-23T20:01:58+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2010/01/23/more-storm-videos-and-pics/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/rain-071-storm-clouds.jpgrain 071 storm cloudsStorm clouds over Bolsa Chica State Beach2010-01-27T01:48:41+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2010/01/11/harvest-monday-catch-up-dec-28-jan-11/2010-01-22T19:24:32+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2010/01/07/tenaya-lodge-a-yosemite-resort-in-winter/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/img_1265-sleigh-ride.jpgIMG_1265 sleigh rideScott took our photo after the ride back to the lodge: Papa Vic, Lauren, the driver, Nana Lou, Allison, Nicole and Megan. What a fun Christmas vacation.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/yosemite-dec-09-277-twins-and-megan.jpgYosemite Dec 09 277 twins and MeganAll three girls enjoyed seeing the alternate team resting in their corral.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/yosemite-dec-09-274-megan-in-snow.jpgYosemite Dec 09 274 Megan in snowMegan enjoyed playing in the snow, a new experience for her.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/yosemite-dec-09-269-megan-greets-horse.jpgYosemite Dec 09 269 Megan greets horseVic held Megan up so she could pet the huge horses.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/yosemite-dec-09-272-nicole-and-twins.jpgYosemite Dec 09 272 Nicole and twinsThe destination for the ride is the stables, where we relaxed by a fire and had hot cider.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/yosemite-dec-09-267-sleigh-ride.jpgYosemite Dec 09 267 sleigh rideOn our last morning there, I signed us up for an old-fashioned sleigh ride down a snowy trail behind a team of Belgian draft horses.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/yosemite-dec-09-234-lauren.jpgYosemite Dec 09 234 LaurenNicole signed the twins up for an evening of crafts with Santa and his elves.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/yosemite-dec-09-226-sunset.jpgYosemite Dec 09 226 sunsetThe sunset reflected on snowy hillsides was spectacular.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/yosemite-dec-09-219-sunset.jpgYosemite Dec 09 219 sunsetWhile the grandbabies were napping, Vic and I went for an late afternoon stroll.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/yosemite-dec-09-204-my-house.jpgYosemite Dec 09 204 my houseIt's a race against the clock to get finished, and there wasn't enough time. This was my finished house.2010-01-22T19:23:31+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2010/01/06/winter-in-yosemite-national-park/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/yosemite-dec-09-019-bridal-veil-falls.jpgYosemite Dec 09 019 Bridal Veil FallsBridal Veil Falls in the distance above the Merced Riverhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/yosemite-dec-09-055-merced-river1.jpgYosemite Dec 09 055 Merced RiverMerced Riverhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/yosemite-dec-09-045-buck.jpgYosemite Dec 09 045 buckMule deer buck in antlers.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/yosemite-dec-09-055-merced-river.jpgYosemite Dec 09 055 Merced RiverMerced River overlookhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/yosemite-dec-09-068-stormy-sunset.jpgYosemite Dec 09 068 stormy sunsetStormy skies to the west promise snowfall in the evening.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/yosemite-dec-09-037-capitan.jpgYosemite Dec 09 037 CapitanEl Capitan framed by evergreens and fog.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/yosemite-dec-09-015-merced-river.jpgYosemite Dec 09 015 Merced RiverWinter skies turn the Merced River into a monochrome scene.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/yosemite-dec-09-007-western-cedars.jpgYosemite Dec 09 007 western cedarsWestern cedars tower over the valley floor.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/yosemite-dec-09-006-half-dome.jpgYosemite Dec 09 006 half domeOur first view of Half Dome and Yosemite Valley on a rainy winter day.2010-01-08T18:25:01+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2009/12/20/harvest-monday-dec-28/2010-01-08T18:29:18+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2009/12/20/winter-in-southern-california/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/002-3-raised-beds.jpg002 3 raised bedsI am enamored of our new raised garden beds and never seem to tire of photographing them.2009-12-20T17:46:06+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2009/12/17/macro-monday-on-thursday/2009-12-18T16:11:47+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2009/12/15/december-flowers-provide-food-for-pollinators/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/garden-038-deck.jpggarden 038 deckThis is my favorite place to sit and rock, listening to the fountain and looking out over my raised garden beds. Black phoebes and wintering warblers forage for cabbage worms, so there is always something to distract me from reading.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/garden-037-plant-rack.jpggarden 037 plant rackI had such a clutter of little plants in pots that I got this nice rack from the Improvements catalog to hold them.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/garden-012-poinsettia.jpggarden 012 poinsettiaI buy a couple of pointsettias right after Thanksgiving to remind me that winter is upon us. Although they will grow year round in the ground here, these are disposable plants for me.2010-08-19T04:57:24+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2009/12/14/harvest-monday-dec-14-and-an-anniversary/2009-12-15T08:39:03+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2009/12/13/veggies-in-a-southern-california-garden-in-december/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/garden-034-fruit-trees.jpggarden 034 fruit treesFruit trees grow all along our back fence. Here are Fuji, Gala, and Granny Smith apple trees, plus a Florida Prince peach and a Santa Rosa plum.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/garden-022.jpggarden 022Savoy cabbage struggling to make a headhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/garden-008-bed-2.jpggarden 008 bed #2Raised bed #2 with parsley in front2009-12-29T03:55:20+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2009/12/07/harvest-monday-in-southern-california-dec-7/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/071-savoy-cabbage.jpg071 savoy cabbageI planted the seeds for this savoy cabbage last January. The plants stayed tiny all summer and didn't start to really grow and head up until fall. They should be ready to harvest in a few more weeks.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/074-back-garden.jpg074 back gardenBed #3, the farthest one to the left, is now planted. I've installed the additional hardware and art on the chicken coop. Progress is slow.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/047-cauliflower.jpg047 cauliflowerCauliflower will be ready to pick very soon.2009-12-13T17:06:16+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2009/12/03/our-thanksgiving-dinner/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/003-pumpkin-pie.jpg003 pumpkin pieNicole made a fabulous bourbon-caramel sauce and vanilla whipped cream to go with the homemade apple and pumpkin pies.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/018-cranberry-applesauce.jpg018 cranberry applesauceSee a previous post for the recipe for the cranberry applesauce.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/021-set-table.jpg021 set tableWe also had a cornbread and sausage stuffing, green beans with shallots, maple-glazed carrots, rolls, and cranberry sauce in addition to my cranberry applesauce.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/020-salad.jpg020 saladThe only things from my garden this year were the bell peppers in the salad, and the apple pie for dessert.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/012-turkey.jpg012 turkeyOur family tradition is to serve the turkey pre-carved and garnished with herbs. We don't carve it at the table.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/008-prosciutto-wrapped-asparagus.jpg008 prosciutto wrapped asparagusProscuitto-wrapped, roasted asparagus was my favorite.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/006-scott-fixing-appetizers.jpg006 Scott fixing appetizersScott and Nicole made some awesome appetizers.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/010-the-table.jpg010 the table2009-12-07T19:18:44+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2009/12/03/harvest-monday-in-southern-california-nov-30/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/thanksgiving-dec-garden-073.jpgThanksgiving, Dec garden 073Only one out of three of my raised beds is in full production. The one on the left just got planted two weeks ago, and the one on the right still has bell peppers in it from summer.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/044-navel-orange.jpg044 navel orangeDecember is when our citrus begin to ripen. Here is a navel orange.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/tanaka-applesauce-001.jpgTanaka, applesauce 001All of this produce was in my CSA box. It filled my refrigerator!https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/005-apple-pie.jpg005 apple pieTopped with a crumb topping, this was an awesome pie.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/001-apple-pie.jpg001 apple pieThe apples went into a pie crust with sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, mace and the juice of Meyer lemonhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/043-granny-smith-apples.jpg043 Granny Smith applesThe last Granny Smith apples from my tree for this year2009-12-08T06:53:26+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2009/11/25/cinnamon-apples-for-thanksgiving/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/044-finished-apple-cranberry-sauce.jpg044 finished apple cranberry sauceFinished cranberry applesaucehttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/041-cranberries-added.jpg041 Cranberries addedAdd grated orange peel and cook the cranberries, apples, and syrup together after removing the spices and lemon. https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/040-apples.jpg040 applesApples are supposed to cook in the sugar syrup until tender--these turned to mushhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/039-lemons-and-spices.jpg039 lemons and spicesI made a syrup from 2C water, 3/4 C sugar, one sliced Meyer lemon, 1 stick cinnamon and 2 tsp whole allspice.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/035-macintosh-apples.jpg035 MacIntosh applesMacIntosh appleshttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/045-williams-family-dinner-1952.jpg045 Williams family dinner 1952Williams family holiday dinner 1952; I"m on the left next to my mother and baby brother.2010-11-29T16:10:45+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2009/11/24/she-who-dies-with-the-most-seeds-wins/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/007-paperwhites-blooming-in-nov.jpg007 paperwhites blooming in NovCrazy paperwhites blooming in our yard in November, one more sign of global weirdinghttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/062-seed-packets.jpg062 seed packetsAt least my seed packets are in one place. But organization? It crumbled long ago.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/061-seed-catalogs.jpg061 seed catalogsCook's Garden and Territorial Seed Company are two of my favoriteshttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/060-seed-catalogs.jpg060 seed catalogsPark and Burpee are major seed companies that offer many new hybrids each yearhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/059-seed-catalogs.jpg059 seed catalogsSeed catalogs for 2010 start arriving in November2010-05-28T16:31:13+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2009/11/23/the-honest-scrap-award/2009-11-26T02:39:13+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2009/11/22/dont-plant-daffodils-with-onions/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/img_0397-magnolia-tree-mostly-gone.jpgIMG_0397 magnolia tree mostly goneAll that was left of the backyard magnolia after our tree guy left was this stump, which our gardeners dug out.2013-04-15T22:18:54+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2009/11/22/french-sorrel-in-tomato-bisque/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/107-sorrel-tomato-bisque.jpg107 sorrel tomato bisqueTomato bisque with sorrel and thyme.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/105-saute-sorrel.jpg105 saute sorrelSaute sorrel in butter or olive oil until wilted.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/103-sorrel-soup-ingredients1.jpg103 sorrel soup ingredientsSorrel and thyme from my herb garden improved a canned soup.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/103-sorrel-soup-ingredients.jpg103 sorrel soup ingredientsSorrel and thyme from my garden improved a canned soup. https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/099-sorrel.jpg099 sorrelFrench sorrel growing with thyme and chives.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/097-sorrel.jpg097 sorrelI grow French sorrel in my herb garden.2010-06-08T15:20:21+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2009/11/20/best-of-monterey-in-photographs/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/145-c-pinot-noir-grapes.jpg145 c pinot noir grapesRipe pinot noir grapes ready for picking.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/069-c-begonias.jpg069 c begoniasField of tuberous begonias being grown for their tubers.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/105-c-field-of-lettuce.jpg105 c field of lettuceField of lettuces in Salinas.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/482-c-old-barn.jpg482 c old barnOld barn in Salinas.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/472-c-irrigation-pipes.jpg472 c irrigation pipesIrrigation pipes stacked in a field.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/398-c-curly-wire-on-blue-wall.jpg398 c curly wire on blue wallLoved the colors, shapes and textures. It might be a flag holder. Doesn't matterhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/392-c-fisherman-statue.jpg392 c fisherman statueStatue honoring fishermen at Fisherman's Wharfhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/368-c-geraniums-in-fog.jpg368 c geraniums in fogGeraniums in the fog at Fisherman's Wharfhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/028-c-boats-at-fishermans-wharf.jpg028 c boats at fisherman's wharfBoats on a foggy morning at Fisherman's Wharf2009-12-03T01:48:23+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2009/11/20/saga-of-the-dead-iris/2009-11-24T17:56:58+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2009/11/19/fall-is-the-time-to-plant-iris/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/csa-iris-032.jpgCSA, iris 032The iris on the left is a good, healthy rhizome from greenwoodgarden.com. The one in the middle is a dessicated but live rhizome from Lowe's Home Improvement nursery. The one on the right is dead, dead, dead, also from Lowe's.2009-11-22T17:16:22+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2009/11/18/i-need-more-chard/2009-11-19T15:47:10+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2009/11/14/building-a-small-water-garden/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/iris-taro-pond-026.jpgiris, taro, pond 026At ten years of age, our front yard pond is heavily overgrown and needs thinning.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/iris-taro-pond-035-finished.jpg035 finishedThe new little water garden is finished.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/iris-taro-pond-032-plants-in-dirt.jpgiris, taro, pond 032 plants in dirtDirt in the planter boxes provides nutrients for plant growth, as well as holding them in place.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/iris-taro-pond-020-pavers-in-place.jpgpavers in placeI set pavers around the pond liner, leaving space between them for plants.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/iris-taro-pond-018-liner-in-place.jpgliner in placeAfter the liner was in place, I added some water to help it get seated.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/iris-taro-pond-016-hole-for-pond.jpghole for pondHole for the pond liner should be just a bit larger than the liner.2009-11-18T22:22:36+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2009/11/12/taro-the-potato-of-the-tropics/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/iris-taro-022-taro-in-front-pond.jpgtaro in front pondTaro grows in our front yard pond along with iris, wiry rush, water hyacinth, and penny royal.2009-11-13T00:54:42+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2009/11/11/a-hard-days-work/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/chipper-028-revamped-pathway.jpgrevamped pathwayI took out the straight row of bricks, put a bit of a curve into the flagstone path, and planted allysum, nasturtiums, and Nemesia along the path.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/chipper-024-solar-panel.jpgsolar panelThe solar panel sits on a stake that I put into a pot of plants atop the coop roof.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/chipper-021-solar-light.jpgsolar lightSolar spotlight in coop lights up the chicken run at night for added security.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/chipper-002-vic-and-chipper.jpgVic and chipperVic puts a leaf bag under the chipper to catch the chippings.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/chipper-008-vic-and-ferns.jpgvic digs out fernsVic digs out the fern border by the roots.2009-11-16T21:38:54+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2009/11/07/a-southern-california-garden-in-november/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/coop-062-bed-2.jpgcoop 062 bed #2Raised bed #2 is full of cool season crops like cabbage, cauliflower, leeks, spinace, lettuce and chard.2009-11-12T17:16:10+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2009/11/06/one-step-closer-to-urban-chickens/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/coop-059-path.jpgpathI'm still working on resetting the flagstone pavers.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/coop-058-coop.jpgcoopChicken coop still needs some minor work, but the structure is finished.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/coop-056-back.jpgbackyard makeoverMain elements of three raised beds and herb garden are in place, with more work on the path and new pond needed.2009-11-06T22:08:03+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2009/10/31/pumpkins-arent-just-for-halloween/2010-07-02T15:35:51+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2009/10/30/harvesting-broccoli/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/104-field-of-lettuce.jpgfield of lettuceFields of baby lettuce in the Salinas Valley, Californiahttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/101-harvesting-romaine-lettuce.jpgharvesting Romaine lettuceAgricultural workers harvest romaine lettuce in Salinas Valley.2010-04-14T05:12:18+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2009/10/28/chicken-wars/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/nikon-098-coop-interior2.jpgcoop interiorThe interior of the coop has roosts and nesting boxes, with a door opening to the exterior for cleaning and egg-gathering.https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/nikon-091-coop-under-construction.jpgcoop under constructionSimeon is assembling the run for the chickens. The roof will go on later.2010-09-04T18:18:03+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2009/10/27/making-prickly-pearapple-butter/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/apple-butter-018-fruit-in-colander1.jpgstewed fruit in colanderhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/apple-butter-004-apples-and-prickly-pears1.jpgapples and prickly pearshttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/acf4055-ag-venture-tours.jpgag venture tourshttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/apple-butter-018-fruit-in-colander.jpgcooked fruit in colander2009-10-28T02:57:05+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2009/10/20/saving-heirloom-seeds/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/057-blue-lake-pole-beans.jpgblue lake pole beans2012-06-22T04:44:38+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2009/10/18/the-garden-of-perpetual-responsibility/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/nikon-078-newly-planted-gpr.jpgnewly planted GPRhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/nikon-058-garden-of-perpetual-responsibility.jpgGarden of Perpetual Responsibility2009-10-27T06:06:56+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2009/10/15/fighting-rising-food-costs/https://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/nikon-061-sidewalk-garden.jpgsidewalk gardenhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/img_0020-mid-august-front-garden.jpgmid-August front garden2009-10-18T17:21:47+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2009/10/16/not-too-late-to-do-more/2009-10-26T18:57:41+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.com/2009/10/14/water-world/2009-10-30T05:45:27+00:00monthlyhttps://greenlifeinsocal.comdaily1.02023-07-18T06:50:38+00:00