Baby Fruit and an Owl

 

The other day I was pleased to see that my cherry and apple trees are overflowing with small, green fruit!  All of the rain and snow that we received has really helped the gardens.  The bees have been buzzing around the citrus blossoms, doing a thorough and complete job of pollinating.  I will have a bumper crop of Meyer Lemons this year.  It's a satisfying feeling to see your future food stored in a thriving backyard orchard.

It's amazing how fast the fruit develops.  Soon the apricots will also be ready to harvest.  It's a dance to let the sun sweeten them before any observant wildlife decides to visit for a feast.  I will probably line them up on my kitchen counter soon, and let them ripen there.

My neighbor discovered a family of owls nesting in a Eucalyptus tree on our street.  They are such magnificent creatures.  Here is a photo she snapped of the male.  Look at those eyes!  They blend in very closely with the branches and leaves on the tree.  It can be very difficult to spot them.  I love the sound they make at night, when we are sleeping.

How is your garden growing?  

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Palm Springs: A Special Show at The Purple Room

  

A couple of weekends ago I took a last-minute trip to Palm Springs to see Tommy Tune and Lucie Arnaz doing a talk at The Purple Room.  Although the show was sold out, I phoned the box office and left a message.  I let them know that I had toured with Tommy and Lucie in "My One and Only," and asked if there was any standing room available.  

Within a few minutes, I received a call back.  The woman was very helpful and friendly.  She told me that they do get cancelations, and she would let me know.  She called me back shortly, excited to tell me she had received one!  Thrilled, I grabbed the latest available table. ( It's a supper club.)  I paid for my show ticket over the phone.

I had to shower and dress in twenty minutes in order to leave by 2:00 p.m.  I fed the dogs early, put on some quick make-up, chose a vintage gown from my closet, and began the two and a half to three-hour drive.  With very little traffic, I was in downtown Palm Springs by 4:30 p.m.  

It was easy to park, and a quick walk to the entrance of The Purple Room.  The dinner was excellent.  I selected the steak and potato.  The green salad with berries was fantastic, and the raspberry moscato tasted expensive and divine.  I ordered a foamy cappuccino for dessert.  I really enjoyed the performance.  I ran into Tommy's partner, Peter, meandering through the tables before the show.  He invited me to come back to see them in the lobby after the curtain dropped.   It was emotional and special to chat with Master Tune for a few minutes.  "Stephenie!  You always just appear!" he exclaimed.   Tommy gifted each of us one of these gorgeous purple signed prints.  I cherish mine; his artwork is so poignant.  

I didn't have time to arrange a sitter for the dogs, so I made the reverse trip back home to the cottage.  Next time, I will stay up at the cabin.  It's on the way, and only an hour and a half from Palm Springs.  Now I know.  Palm Springs has wonderful history, it's filled with retired entertainers, and has a show business feel that I love.  The audience was very theatrical.  Can't wait to return...

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Gardening Chores and Gorgeous Flowers

 

We had some snow in this month up at the cabin.  I was worried about my tulips and daffodils, but they did just fine, and are still standing tall and proud.  I love seeing the bulbs push through the soil in Spring.  Soon the purple Lilacs will be in full bloom.  Their fragrance is intoxicating!  They grow wild in our area.

Today I met with a man who owns a tree service.  His crew will trim a few of my trees to prepare for the warmer weather.  He told me, "We will make it look very nice."   I can tell that they will, and am excited to get it all done.  I pulled weeds last week and filled two large green waste bins.  I still have more work to do, but the most difficult portions are finished.  

Have you been puttering around in your garden?  What's in bloom?

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Gorgeous Gardens in Santa Barbara

 

Pulling into the secluded parking lot at The Simpson House Inn, the first thing I noticed was the lush garden.  Everything was bright green and in full bloom.  The privacy around the estate makes it feel rich and serene.  It's situated on a quiet street, just a block from town.  

The fresh red roses at the breakfast table were a loving touch.  Last time I was there I sat out on the patio.  The white wicker furniture and floral pillows make it so comfortable.  It's a completely relaxing and rejuvenating environment.

This pathway led me down from my upstairs suite to the main house.  I love the flagstone pathways and healthy ferns.  There is beauty everywhere you look.  It is such an inspiration to stay there. 

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Spending the Night in Santa Barbara

 

I dropped the dogs off at their boarding facility at 7:45 a.m., and arrived in Santa Barbara at nine-thirty.  My first stop was the zoo.  I had an appointment.   I had purchased my ticket by phone, as well as one for the train.

It's a gorgeous zoo.  It feels like you're in a lush garden.  I especially enjoyed the gorilla and giraffe exhibits.  There was a sweet red fox curled up tightly, sleeping on a stump.  I spent two hours at the zoo, then headed back to my car.  I had loaded my beach cruiser on the bike rack, so I was able to take a long and scenic ride along the stunning beach bike path.  I stopped at the pier and had a delicious bacon cheeseburger.   We had a great view of the kayakers through the window.

After checking in at the hotel, and enjoying some incredible food and conversation, I put on my vintage dress and headed to The Granada Theater.  My next activity was to see Anastacia.  The late choreographer was a dancer friend of mine, Peggy Hickey.  I used to stay at her house in Burbank.  She did a fantastic job.  The audience cheered for the ballet sections.  I loved the scenery and the music.

The next morning, I took the Santa Barbara Trolley Tour.  I bought my ticket online through Viator.  It was a fabulous experience.  The neighborhood near the mission was exquisite.  The homes are all Spanish style, like my parents had.  Our tour guide, Joey, revealed  several interesting stories about the residents and landmarks in Santa Barbara.  I can't wait to return!

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A Spectacular Stay at the Simpson House Inn in Santa Barbara

 I just returned from a lovely one-night trip to Santa Barbara.  It's only ninety miles from my cottage, and is an easy trip.  There was very little traffic up the green and lush 126 and 101 freeways.  Upon arriving at the hotel, I was offered a glass of homemade lemonade and chocolate chip scones, (which were served with scrumptious clotted cream.)  The variety of teas was impressive.  I chose an herbal ginger blend.

This was the flagstone pathway to my room.  The artistic attention to detail is evident everywhere you look.   The plants and garden were in full bloom.   The Mediterranean climate in Santa Barbara is ideal for landscaping.

This was the view from my balcony.  A couple I met who were from Pasadena told me that they love to lay out on these lounge chairs and read.  The canopy of the mature oak trees provides protection and shade.   The comfortable and high-end lawn furniture made me feel like I was at home in a castle.

This was where I sat for breakfast this morning.  The velvety red roses, sterling silver sugar dish, crackling fire, and floral view made it just charming.  The food was superb: fresh berries and banana slices, homemade pastries, granola made in their kitchen, and a hot entree.  I just ordered spinach, since I don't eat eggs.  It was delightful.  The coffee was amazing!  I lit up after taking the first sip.  At the Simpson House Inn they do everything perfectly.  Be sure to call the hotel directly if you want to visit.  

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The Daffodils are in Bloom

 

Yesterday I dragged the hose up the mountain and watered the irises, tulips, daffodils, roses and herbs.  I fed the flowers some organic Tiger Bloom plant food, hoping to help them along from the snowy winter we experienced.  This morning I was pleasantly surprised to see the daffodils had sprung open and were vibrantly colored.  Plants are so responsive to care.

I charged the weed whacker and got a head start on the grassy areas, before they become overgrown.  My machine uses an electric cartridge.  The power lasts about forty-five minutes.  I will continue to work the land in pieces until the weeding is finished.  

It's thrilling and rewarding to see the first flowers of the season.  Spring is really here.  The birds have been zooming around in pairs.  The juveniles are taking dust baths and building nests.  They seem excited and energetic.  The robins have been eating worms and bugs from the soil.  I get the sense that they feel safe and secure here, with all of the trees, food, and shelter.  

How was your weekend?

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Cutting Back the Front Garden

 

My front garden has been springing to life as the weather is becoming warmer.  I have been busy pulling weeds, trimming branches, removing dead wood, and planting.  I dug this fragrant citrusy smelling yellow rose into the soil today.  The earth is wet, rich and black.  I found some healthy earthworms wriggling in the ground.  They help us so much, aerating and feeding the dirt with their waste.

The straw mulch really kept the weeds from sprouting, and it also has helped to hold in the moisture.  I am replenishing the mulch around the fruit trees.  They are filled with buds that are ready to burst!

I bought a Hibiscus and Lavender plant.  They are both in full sun.  I'm hoping to make tea with the Hibiscus flowers.  Mine are yellow.  This recent rain has made it so much easier for us to garden again in California.  Our neighborhood is on a list to receive a grant which will upgrade our water system.  If it goes through, we will have new pipes and our own meters.  What a relief!

Have you planted anything new this year?

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Cruising From Your Home City

 

If you happen to live near a cruise port, taking a cruise from your home city can save you money, time, and stress.  You don't need to book a flight or worry about it being late of canceled, and you can drive yourself to the port and park in long term parking.

I did just that a couple of weeks ago, on the Norwegian Bliss.  I found an affordable deal on a balcony room, and decided to cruise to Mexico for some sunshine and rest.  I needed a break after all of that snow shoveling last month.  

NCL did not disappoint.  The food was divine, I enjoyed the Vibe Beach Club, and Jersey Boys was spectacular.  The ship was completely full, so I used Vibe for a private sunbathing and jacuzzi experience.  I noticed that there were still plenty of deck chairs available near the pool, though.  

I checked out an engrossing book on Alaska from the ship's library.  Reading is so relaxing.  As always, Cagney's was my favorite specialty restaurant.  I love the filet mignon, creamed spinach, and bread.  Because of the dangers in Mexico, I didn't get off the ship.  There was plenty to do onboard; I entered the Miss Biceps contest, went to the gym, did yoga in my room, knit a pair of pink socks, walked the track, and swam in the saltwater pool. 

After disembarking, I drove home on the 405 freeway, and was on the couch, in the living room by 9:30 a.m.  A very convenient journey. 

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Watching The Sunrise

One of my favorite rituals is to sit by the window each morning, sip a mug of coffee, and watch the sunrise.  It is steady, reliable, and the colors of the sky are always different.  The backdrop of mountains and trees make it even more beautiful.  I enjoy the discipline of rising before dawn.  Before heading upstairs to bed at night, I set up the copper tea kettle, French press, and grind the coffee beans.  I add cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, nutmeg and cloves to the grounds.  

What's your coffee or tea ritual?

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More Snow Photos:Up To My Shoulders

 

The snow has melted, and it has been a relief to relax and recover from all of that shoveling.  The dogs still needed to be walked, and meals had to be cooked.  The  dishes still needed to be done.  

We are expecting two more storms this week.  Most of us learned a lot of lessons from the last time.  I have spent hours bringing in firewood.  Having the wood heater going nonstop makes such a difference.  Wood stoves and fireplace inserts require a lot of logs.  It's time consuming, and you have to be organized. 

This was my deck.  After clearing the path and digging out my cars, I needed to remove the weight of this snow.  It was such a satisfying feeling to clear it.  I had to dig out my gas meter and pipes, too.  People were having explosions due to gas leaks.  It was just a tremendous amount of snow.

This photo really shows how it felt that week.  I started to dig a path out to my firewood pile, but decided against it.  There was too much to do.  The snow on my upstairs balcony was piled up to my head.  Fortunately, it has four spouts that drain it down to the deck, and it melted fairly quickly.  All's well that ends well.

How's the weather where you are?

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Lessons From My Neighbors

 Yesterday I took my Burley Travoy Bike Trailer/Grocery Cart into town, on foot.  I ran into my neighbor and her sister on my way home.  They stood on their porch and we discussed all that we had learned from this blizzard.  Although I saw in the forecast that we would receive at least five feet of snow, I didn't factor in the berm from the snowplow driving down our street.  That made it so much higher.  It was also extremely wide. 

It took us eight days to completely dig out our cars.  That was working several hours a day.  I learned to stop at a set time in the afternoon, take a bath, and rest.  I got in my pajamas early, after taking a hot bath.  You need extra sleep and more carbs when you are shoveling snow all day.

You need to be very strong and fit to survive these types of circumstances.  Several people up in Crestline died.  I knew that was going to happen.  Their situation was far worse.  I think it's wise to practice for emergencies.  You learn where your weak spots are, and what to change for the next time.  

I plan to buy a Jackery battery, store far more firewood inside and on my porch, and keep at least a month's worth of food in the stockpile.  Now I understand why The Red Cross recommends storing canned and dried goods.  I ate several Spam and cheese quesadillas that week.  They tasted amazing.

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Getting Back to Normal in the California Mountains

 The past few days have been a huge relief.  The blizzard finally ended.    This photo above shows how our cars were buried.   After digging mine out, and the huge pile of berm in front of it, I drove into town.  I picked up some dry firewood, fresh fruit, and other staples.  

Today I felt a huge shift.  The roads are plowed, the snow is melting, and I no longer had to shovel for several hours a day.  I finished clearing the deck yesterday, and still need to get the snow off of the upstairs balcony.  At this point, I can't open the screen door, the snow is now up to my waist.  It was at my head's level, initially.

 Yesterday morning I drove down the mountain and deposited my heavy black trash bag at our local dump.  It's the little things that you really appreciate when you have been snowed in at your cabin.  I bought a huge bag of dog food, and some small Lindt chocolate eggs.  What a relief to see our cars again.  I came home and took a luxurious sauna and enjoyed a movie before bed.

How are things with you?

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