Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Plum Goodness

IMG_0659

Something I wore:

90's sheer floral maxi skirt: thrift gift from Brigit
vintage vestlet: thrift gift from my neighbor, Mary
Dansko clogs: vintage seller at a craft sale
old Target tank
shorter necklace: thrifted bits
longer necklace: earring from Herbal Symposium market turned necklace
bracelet: Herbal Symposium market

IMG_0682
IMG_0658
IMG_0694
IMG_0669

Something I accomplished...

IMG_0582
IMG_0609
IMG_0629

By the time we finally got it together to try canning for the first time last Fall, we'd just missed plum season and I vowed that I wouldn't let it happen again this year. Now, with 15 deep purple jars of yummy plum jam under my belt, I'm feeling pretty good about my efforts!

I also managed to bake a tasty plum crisp AND roast a pork tenderloin with homade plum barbeque sauce. We're fortunate to be blessed with so much backyard bounty this time of year and have been making a more conscious effort to utilize it. So much goes to waste if we're not on top of it!

Tomato and summer squash are being heavily featured in meals these days including an amazing summer squash pizza that Lucas has been experimenting with. I'll have to share the recipe once we've got it perfected.

IMG_0673

Next stop, the grape vine, and then there's the fig tree.

Happy Fall y'all!

Friday, September 21, 2012

Heirloom Afternoon

IMG_0444

It ain't a bad week in suburbia when you can walk within 10 minutes of your front door to the top of a downtown parking garage for a mustache and bicycle-themed art and music event, then just days later go for another short afternoon stroll to find yourself at the "World's Fair of the pure food movement"!

IMG_0490
IMG_0476
IMG_0464

"Um Lucas, I'm gonna need you to take my picture in front of this mountain of squash, K?"

"Oh boy, here we go..."

IMG_0479
IMG_0477
IMG_0468

Can you believe it's already bio-regional swap time again? Yay! The dress that I wore was one of many magical treasures gifted to me by the lovely and amazing Anne who I was lucky enough to get as my swap partner last year. Whoever got her this year, I'll tell you right now, you're stoked.

Considering how this dress came to me, I can't imagine a better backdrop than a giant towering pyramid of beautiful homegrown heirloom squash :)

IMG_0484
IMG_0483
IMG_0509

Giant pumpkins and a giant tree man helped Clover get over the grumpy mood she started off in.

IMG_0514
IMG_0528

Some fun kids activities helped too.

IMG_0452

Oh yes, two peas in a pod we are :)

IMG_0437
IMG_0412

Making warm fuzzy friends with cool blue eyes.

IMG_0552

Speaking of fuzzy friends, our girl goes bonkers for this sort of thing. She knows there's a person in there, but still she gets SO EXCITED. It's really fun to watch.

IMG_0454
IMG_0459

These kind folks did some pretty magical things with popcorn and a VAST array of natural flavorings. Clover munched on a pesto/garlic oil/parm combo while Lucas and I sampled some kind of jalapeno/honey/chocolate/mole concoction that was super yummy and had quite a kick.

IMG_0543
IMG_0550

Raised awareness around honeybees, their plight as it relates to chemicals and GMO crops, and holistic approaches to their stewardship in general were a big topic.

IMG_0542

The "Sun Hive," an alternative bee nest made from rye straw.

IMG_0555
IMG_0458

Sunshine and the yodeling sounds of Sourdough Slim.

IMG_0456

As I was taking a picture of this Clover Stornetta ad on the side of a truck, a woman passed by and said "You're not from Sonoma County are you?" "Well, as a matter of fact lady, I'm so Sonoma County, I named my kid after this cow."

Haha, I'm totally kidding, I didn't say that, nor is my child the namesake of a local dairy brand, though we do have fun with it and she really does adore that cow. Especially at parades and events where someone is walking around in the suit!

IMG_0558

Oh, those honeybees, they do so love their Clover ;)

In addition to all the cool exhibits and things to wander around and look at, there were also films and speakers over the 3 day event that would have been really interesting to have checked out. Both Lucas and I wished we'd planned better, unfortunately, heading over there on a whim on the last day with our four year old didn't so much allow for it. Next year though.

As a "not-for-profit event centered around the pure food movement, heirloom vegetables, and anti-GMO activism," the National Heirloom Exposition felt especially timely with Prop 37 on the horizon here in California. I for one am looking forward to the opportunity in November to vote YES on this crucial ballot measure that would require genetically modified foods to be labeled as such.

Lots of good reasons to pass Prop 37 can be found here, but really the bottom line comes down to reason #27: Consumers have a right to know whether or not they are eating GMOs. I mean, don't we? Am I missing something? If, as Monsanto and the corporate food industry would have us believe, GM foods are A'Ok, then why the secrecy?

On that note I'll leave you with this 30 min documentary film that was screened at the expo. It follows the story of seed, and in doing so, does a nice job of shedding light on why all is NOT A'Ok with the proliferation of GM crops. I learned some things, maybe you will too.

Seeds of Freedom from The ABN and The Gaia Foundation on Vimeo.

Monday, September 17, 2012

A Thing or Two

IMG_0403
IMG_0404
IMG_0393
IMG_0399
IMG_0398
IMG_0394

Clover's School of Outfit Shot Posing... I'm enrolling, who's with me?

Cardigan: originally her cousin Chiara's (now 19 years old!) also worn by cousins Vida, Fiona, and Lucia through the years before making its way to Clover :)

Fuzzy Hat (it will be a sad day when she finally outgrows this), Hello Kitty Tee, and shoes: hand-me-downs from Lucia

Silver star tights: new from Target

Vintage Jessica McClintock skirt: thrift gift from Laura Jane (the elastic waistband busted while she was at school and when I picked her up she walked out the door in only her slightly too small t-shirt, tights, and shoes. It was pretty cute/hilarious. Ah the perils of wearing vintage to Kindergarten!)

Thanks so much you gals for all the sweet comments on my post about Kindergarten. Your thoughtful and encouraging words and shared experiences have been such a comfort to read and so appreciated! Progress continues to be made :)

Thursday, September 13, 2012

Trumpet Vine & Sunchoke, 'Staches & Spokes

IMG_9951
With the trumpet vine and sunchokes along our fence having conspired to create such a lovely backdrop, how could I not take advantage? Also, I hear outfit posts are making a comeback, and I'm all for that ;)

vintage cream silk top: newly thrifted
nude silk tank: thrifted
dress: thrifted
gray tights
boots: flea market
crystal bullet necklace: lost boys and lovers (gift from Sadie :)

IMG_9974
IMG_9939-001
IMG_9979
IMG_0001-001
IMG_9972
IMG_9993

Now on to the fun free local event I wore this outfit to on Saturday afternoon. Welcome dear readers to 'Staches & Spokes...

IMG_0140

Remember the Whiskeydrome?

IMG_0057
IMG_0041

Always a kid pleaser.

IMG_0102
IMG_0121

Not to mention a crowd pleaser, especially when there's a live band rockin' out in the middle!

IMG_0094

Joey dappered up his Whiskeypunk jumpsuit with an old thrift gift from yours truly. Nothing says class like a butterfly collar and sky blue tuxedo ruffles, right?

Dizzy yet?

IMG_0044
IMG_0155

'Staches and Spokes took over the top level of this downtown Santa Rosa parking garage for its second annual mustache bash and bicycle themed art show. Essentially, it's a big party with good bands, good beer, and good people all coming out to celebrate bikes, art, and mustaches. Sometimes I just love this town.

IMG_0039
IMG_0149

AND, all proceeds benefit the wonderful non-profit arts education program, Artstart of Santa Rosa :)

IMG_0037
IMG_0036
IMG_0346

Some art on display. Those hand-crafted, hand-painted cigar box guitars are not only fun to look at, but functional as well! We'll come back to that in a bit.

IMG_0030

First, are those not the coolest bicycle seats you've ever seen?!

IMG_0054
IMG_0141

Now on to the mustache portion of our program. Some guys start growing out their whiskers months in advance for the big competition.

IMG_0147

Some guys take their mustaches more seriously than others.

IMG_0142

I was quite impressed with Skye's facial interpretation of a squid battling a whale. I think if it were a beard competition he would have had a good shot at the win.

IMG_0157

Just love this.

IMG_0185

Klaus, Jessica, and Sara, all lovely folk that I am happy to know, are responsible for this awesome event. Coincidentally, all three have made appearances in our post-derby old timey fair photos. Speaking of which, things took a turn for the even wackier this year. I'd show you, but this is a family blog ;)

IMG_0273

The distinguished judges. Mica looked rather adorable in her red dress, and Buzz in his mullet hat, well, he really committed to his character... "Love it or Leave it", indeed.

IMG_0237

In the "Name Your Own" category, "The Badass Joey" was beat out by "The Milkman".

IMG_0253

While dude in the middle, with the beard-gone-'stash was named The Innovator and Marcos, with his lightening bolts, took Ladies Choice as "Guy Fieri's Friend". (fyi, Guy Fieri is a local celebrity chef. if you're into The Food Network, you may know this.)

IMG_0226

All hail the big winner and mustache force to be reckoned with!

IMG_0327

The evening closed out with 'Stash Bash favorites, The Budrows. You can have a listen to their aptly self-described "100% foot stompin' cigar box rock n' roll" here.

IMG_0342

While the Budrows are based out of Southern California, Jason, the maker and player of those awesome cigar box guitars, is a Santa Rosa native. (fun fact: I went to high school with him)

They are indeed a fun band to see live, so keep that in mind you SoCal girls, I think you'd like them!

IMG_0303
IMG_0310

As evening approached, foot stompin' blues filled the air, the sun sank below the trees, the kids went wild, and a good time was had by all :)

p.s. Whiskeydrome video brought to you by our friend Luis.

p.p.s. If you're reading this on Sept. 13th and it's not yet past 9pm Pacific Time, hurry hurry on over to Nicole's Amazingly Generous Giveaway because it's not too late to enter and ENTER YOU SHOULD! I know the odds are good that you already have, but just in case...