new life for an old chair

I wasn't particularly fond of these bentwood chairs my husband Tom bought for a pittance at a local yard sale.  But we needed some new chairs, and so they were put to use, brown naugahyde and all.  I grew more accustomed to them around our dining table, and decided it was time for their makeover.  I searched for and found a fabric that suited the chair, our house, and Tom (and me, of course).  I did the first ones, and later involved my son in the effort.  With fun tools such as vice grips, screwdriver, and staple gun, what's not to enjoy.  And I love these chairs now around the table.  I had to say no to my inner perfectionist who wanted to refinish the wood frames - they fit in well here with their bit of roughness......

early spring boating

We returned from the winter cold to unusually warm February weather; such is the life in Northern California.  Trees and plants were blooming and the temperature was warm.  After doing the day’s chores (and some leftovers from the week), we headed to beautiful Stowe Lake in San Francisco for a boat ride.  The park was in fine form, and the birds and the turtles were happily sunning themselves in the early spring weather, as we gleefully floated by.....

snow time

I love the snow.  I love how it blankets and alters the landscape, and forces the plants to sleep and everyone to slow down.  And I love to venture out in the snow.  So Oakland isn’t really the best climate for me during the winter, but I have learned to enjoy the subtleties of our winter.  But then I must venture forth on snow adventures; this year a wonderful getaway to Mount Shasta allowed us to enjoy the winter snow (as sparse as it is this year).  And the kids thoroughly enjoyed it as well.  It made for exciting exploration and intrigue.  Throw in a snowman named Fred, and a little cross-country skiing and a day of slushy downhill, and some lovely time with good friends, and my soul felt fulfilled.

kids books

I love our library book basket.  Inspired by close friends, it sits on a table in our living room ready to inspire. 

While not everyone has kids of their own, they hopefully have fond memories of favorite books.  I don’t have the clearest memory of many things I wished, but it makes for fun surprises when perusing the library shelves.  I recently found a copy of the book Holly and Ivy while randomly perusing books at the library; suddenly I was taken back to when I was 8 and reading that book.  Even though Christmas had past, I took it out and read it to my daughter, and found myself tearing up just like I did many years ago.  And so many of Patricia Polacco's books, delightfully new to me, move me to tears as I read them to my daughter.

The Secret Garden audio book entertained our whole family on a recent road trip.  It took on a whole new meaning listening to the book as an adult, and allowed me to enjoy our garden and the spring growth in a wonderful inspiring way.

Currently I am reading Swiss Family Robinson with my son.  I am constantly recalling images from the movie I saw 30 years ago or more.  And while the dated language can be a bit much (overly complicated or downright sexist), the book takes my son and I far away from city life to a remote island so together we can imagine how simple life can be.

homemade valentines

I still love to make homemade valentines.  This year we had a wonderful evening of valentine rubber stamping at our friend Pam’s house.  The kids are old enough to make their own valentines using the hundreds of different stamps.  We also made some of our own rubber stamps, carving rubber blocks.  Not striving for perfection, just enjoying the making and the imperfections.  Also this year I stayed up late and baked Linzer heart cookies for my loved ones at home.  How delicious they were!  Happy Valentine’s Day to you.

pruning

I like to think of pruning as a mindful therapeutic activity.  Working from a morass of tangled grape vines, or canes, to a select tamed few that will hopefully bear fruit later this summer.  You have to make some quick (or in my case not so quick and sometimes hard) decisions about which are the best canes to save, and then follow with lots of cutting and clearing.  It is a wonderful metaphor for a simple life.  Like clearing the clutter.  And I now have lots of bundles of cut and tied canes for future fire starting activities. It is a good life.

kale salad

Kale salad is one of those foods that I could eat for days, even weeks.  Especially after the winter holidays, when I have felt so gluttonous.  I find it hard to believe something so healthy can be so tasty.  I love the making of it: when I can pick the kale from the garden and then dunk the leaves in cold clear water, pick a lemon from our lemon tree, and then whisk up the dressing and massage it into the leaves.  If I have an avocado lying around I like to add that, as well as some toasted pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds.  I have learned other recipes, but I tend to always go back to the one that I learned from Charlie Cascio (former chef at Esalen) up at Wilbur Hot Springs.  It is now one of my most requested recipes, that has virtually spread to many friends and friends of friends.  Thank you, Charlie, for introducing me years ago.  

kale salad recipe

1 part lemon juice

I part tamari

2 parts olive oil

Kale, stripped off stems & finely sliced

Red onion

Thinly sliced red onion

Rub/massage dressing into kale & onion

Let sit 1-2 hours (ideally; I also eat it right away and have no complaints)

Add toasted pumpkin seeds and/or sunflower seeds

Add nutritional yeast

Add avocado (optional)

Will keep in refrigerator for several days--Make lots!

Adapted from recipe from Charlie Cascio, former chef of Esalen

rain filled barrels

It’s raining today, finally (we really need the rain here).  Last year I finally decided to practice what I preach (not that I typically evangelize), and installed 2 rainwater barrels at the Pumpkinhouse.  I have used the water for my compost pile, and other hand watering in the vegetable garden.  They only take a few days of rain to fill, and unfortunately don’t capture as many gallons as we begin to use in our veggie garden.  But it is so wonderful to collect the rainwater and return it to the earth while using it to feed ourselves (and our worms).  And it definitely teaches me to appreciate the rainfall in a new way.

sea ranch getaway

A short weekend trip to Sea Ranch provided nourishment for my soul.  Even a few hours on a beautiful beach gave me such joy and encouragement.  Watching the kids play on the beach, watching the waves crash on the rocks, looking at the seaweed and driftwood, and watching my husband and friend gather mussels for the night’s dinner all made me smile.  What a wonderful dinner with great friends and delicious food.  All in a 2 day getaway.

winter garden

It took me quite some time (over 10 years) to get used to gardening in the winter.  Coming from a place with a snowy winter, November was a time to finish up the season’s garden and turn to cross country skiing, making soup, or knitting by the fire.  Not to plant.  But I have grown to enjoy the pace of the winter garden, as long as I don’t strive too hard.  Some kale, potatoes, cauliflower, favas, and perhaps some garlic.  I keep trying to grow snap peas (or as my daughter says, “snack peas”), but it is always a battle between me and the slugs and snails.