Home Again

Hello everyone, I'm finally back and look at all that's happened while I've been away. The wisteria is all done, the Joseph's Coat roses are in full bloom and the pittosporum is now perfuming the garden. A Phoebe is building a nest on our front porch and making quite a mess with the mud. I love Spring and almost felt I'd missed it, because the day I returned it was 91 degrees (32 celsius), but now it's back to normal.

I had a wonderful holiday, but it's good to be back to normal food, normal toilets, normal traffic, clean air, and set prices. In the last three days since we've been back NO ONE has grabbed my arm and tried to sell me a fake Rolex, T-shirt, purse, or silk tie. "Hallo pretty lady, I make you good deal." Whew!

As you may have guessed, we went to China. And what a fascinating trip it was. Our first stop was Beijing where we visited the Great Wall, the Hutongs, Tianenman Square, the Forbidden City, the Summer Palace, and the Panda bears.

Then we flew to Xi'an and saw the Terracotta Warriors, the Shaanxi History Museum, a 7th century Mosque, and the Wild Goose Pagoda. Next we flew to Guilin and took a Li River Cruise, had a group foot massage (hilarious), visited the Dragon Spine Rice Terraces and the village of Ping An, saw Elephant Trunk Hill, and watched cormorant fishing.

Then we flew to Suzhou and visited the nearby village of Tongli where we took a gondola ride and toured the folklore museum. In Suzhou we also visited the Master of Fishing Nets Garden, and learned how silk is created from cocoon to fabric.

Our last three days were spent in Shanghai where we toured the Bund, went to the 88th floor of the Jin Mai Tower, visited the Shanghai Museum, and saw an acrobat show. Our last day there was spent walking and touring the Yu Garden and Bazaar, and window shopping on Nanjing Road. Our final thrill was to ride the Maglev to the airport.

Over the next few days I'll post some photos from the trip, but for now I just want to breathe the fresh air and enjoy my comfy little home and garden.

Lilac Vase

My MIL gave me this vase several years ago at a time when purple and lavender were not popular colors in decorating. I think it must be old; it says Limoges, AL, France on the bottom. It has three twisted handles that are shaped like branches. My lilac is blooming like crazy now so I got it out the other day and and was reminded why I put lilac in it every spring. Isn't it lovely? I hope you enjoy it too.

First Rose

My first rose of the season opened today. It is the climbing rose on the south wall of the kitchen. It's name is Joseph's coat and it does indeed have many colors. It first opens like this, kind of orangey/pink. Then each blossom fades to yellow slightly tinged with pink.

Not long ago I was puttering in my front garden and a neighbor walked by. Even though they hadn't bloomed yet, he stopped to comment on these roses and I gave him a cutting. I hope it flourishes in his garden and gives him as much enjoyment as it gives me.

House Project

Just a quick note to report that Teen1 and Teen2 are safely back from Mexico. They had a great time and their group did complete the little house in four days. I'm totally amazed and proud! They worked hard, laughed hard, and learned a lot. Way to go, kids!

Sabbatical

I've got a big project I need to work on, so I'm taking a little sabbatical. I'll be back on April 15th if my floo powder holds out.

B-E-A-UUU-tiful Day

We had a B-E-A-UUUU-tiful day (name the movie) yesterday. The weather was perfect. The food was scrummy. Wisteria perfumed the air.

I enjoyed more of my favorite colors.

And some of my favorite foods.

Strawberries...

Potato salad....

Asparagus...

Barbecued chicken...


And cake.

There's a little story that goes along with the cake. The Lord of the Manor did the grocery shopping Saturday. I thought I asked for a white cake mix, but he came back with a yellow cake mix and chocolate frosting with tiny chocolate chips in it. I'm sorry to admit that I don't make cake and frosting from scratch, and one of my sisters won't even eat my cakes because of that, but anyway, that's what I made. After I frosted the cake (wondering all the while how I'd make it look springy), I thought it looked like dirt! What's gardener do with dirt? Plant something in it. So that's how the cake ended up with violets in it. And actually, I was quite pleased with it.

And after lunch we all sat and played games and talked and listened to these huge bees droning in the blossoms. It was B-E-A-UUUUU-tiful day.

ps: Yes, that's a fireplace in our back garden. We use it often in the fall when we sit outside in the evening. And we even cook in it sometimes. I'll do a post on that sometime in April. And the Teens got off to Mexico last evening and phoned me this afternoon as they were preparing to cross the border. So far, so good.

Happy Easter

Happy Easter

The view out my kitchen window

Teen1 and Teen2's Easter eggs

Devastated bunny

Heaven Scent

The wisteria is in full bloom now. Maybe it's because of global warming, but it does seem early this year. The scent is intoxicating and permeates the back garden which will be nice for our Easter party tomorrow. I spent a few hours outside this afternoon watering, tidying up and planting a few annuals. It seems odd to be watering already, but it hasn't rained in weeks and it was over 70 degrees here today.

It's been hectic the last few days here Amongst The Oaks. We've been busy getting Teen1 and Teen2 ready for Easter Break. They are leaving for Mexico tomorrow evening with the church youth group to build a house for a needy family. I still can't believe 15 kids can really build a house in 5 days, but Teen1 says she will photograph the whole process. Being the do-it-yourselfers that we are, they have seen and helped on construction projects, and a few adults will be there to guide them, but they have to use all hand tools. No Makita? No Skillsaw? No Sawzall? What a challenge! Lack of power tools won't be the only challenge though. They also have to camp out, use an outhouse, and prepare their own meals. But what a great experience this will be and hopefully, building skills won't be the only thing they learn.

Friday WisteriaCam

That lazy WisteriaCam operator has been sleeping on the job! I went out and gave her a kick in the pants and she finally posted Friday's photo. Sorry about the delay.

WISTERIACAM 3-21-08 0748PDT

Love is in the Air

I know Mary is tired of hearing about this, but I just couldn't resist.

Yesterday morning I saw these hawks in the tree in the middle of the street. The early morning sun was just beginning to hit the top of the tree and making them glow so I ran and got my camera. They seemed to be basking in the warmth of the sun, just watching the day come alive.

Since this tree is only 200 yards from the school, I think they are the same birds I saw there.

Whilst snapping away, one of them swooped down onto the other one with amorous intentions. It all happened so fast I just got one blurry photo, and now I feel like a sleazy paparazzi. Shame on me.

Now, should I show you what the squirrels were doing? Naw, that would probably push Mary right over the edge. But it does seem that love is in the air here Amongst The Oaks.

Wednesday WisteriaCam

WISTERIACAM 3-19-08 0745PDT

Playground Supervisor

My usual walking route takes me past the elementary school. East of the school near a drainage canal is a grassy playground with several trees. Frequently I see two large birds either in the trees or foraging in the grass. We have lots of hawks here Amongst The Oaks, and they look like hawks to me, but they don't act like hawks.



Sunday I finally remembered my camera and got this photo of one of the birds perched in the tree. Then while I was watching, it swooped down to the lawn and after digging around a bit, ate something.






I watched it for quite a while and got this shot of it on the ground. Isn't it beautiful?



When I got home I looked it up using Cornell's excellent site and discovered that it is a red shouldered hawk. They eat small mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and crayfish. They are a year-round California species and live in forests and riparian areas, often near water. They drop down on their prey from the canopy just like I'd observed. So you kids better shape up, 'cause there's a new playground supervisor, and he looks serious.