Hello! Here’s a little about what’s going on in my life on this Friday the 13th!

Joel and I were in Portland last week because he was redesigning my sister’s front yard into a low maintenance, permaculture style. Food Not Lawns, baby!!! I will be doing a full post on this soon, but here is a picture of part of the process, which I call, “Kill The Grass.”

Grass No More!

I had to leave Portland earlier than expected and go down to the Santa Cruz area where my Mom lives. This time of year is amazingly beautiful here, so I had no problem with that! Spring has sprung here in a big way.

Iceplant in Bloom

I drive by this blooming Iceplant every day on my way to my Mom’s house and it really is just stunning. It’s so bright it almost hurts your eyes to even look at it. It only blooms this time of year and it’s a real show stopper!

Nasturtiums

Up the road a little further is a nice big patch of Nasturtiums. They practically grow wild around here! They are annuals that readily reseed themselves and are an attractant of pests, namely aphids. This is a good thing in your garden, as the pests will be drawn to them rather than your precious vegetables! Not only that, but the flowers are edible (and delicious) and the seeds make a very nice substitute for capers. I have much more to write on these wonderful plants and will be doing a full post on them later this summer, once we can actually grow them in Ashland.

Coast Redwoods

These Coast Redwoods are what I see when I walk out the front door. I told you that I can’t complain!

Hiking in the Forest of Nisene Marks State Park

I went on a leisurely 12 mile hike with a good friend in the Forest of Nisene Marks State Park and it was so nice! Came across this primitive shelter in a gorgeous open area with oak trees. I haven’t been on a long hike like that since last summer in Yosemite. I was pretty sore the next day, which is strange for me! Makes me think that I need to start hiking more.

Radish Seedlings

The radishes that I planted from Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds a couple of weeks ago are fully up and doing great, as radishes are prone to do. Such a hardy and wonderful vegetable. Three words of advice… Eat the Greens!

Beet Seedlings

Cute little baby beets! Who could ask for anything more?

Potato Sprouts

I had to dig a little under the hay to see these potato sprouts! For those of us in colder climates the time is coming soon to plant your potatoes. Don’t worry, I have a potato post in the works!

Wow, I had a lot to talk about today! I think these updates and day to day life posts are going to work well. I hope that you like them!

I just have one more exciting thing to share with you all. After seeing it on the Nom Nom Paleo blog, I decided to become an affiliate for Thrive Market! It’s an online marketplace to buy all of the wonderful organic, non GMO, paleo, vegan, raw, or whatever natural diet that floats your boat goodies that you’ve been hoping for, all at really amazing prices! I checked this company inside and out and they really are awesome! Amazing prices for great products, delivered right to your door. Check it out, I think you’ll love it!

Bye for now!

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