Tomato Confiture
I’m planning the menu for the December 26th party. I’ve gotten as far as squash soup with frizzled leeks. I figure lighter fare is what we all need after Christmas, though I have not made any plans to have a large feast at all I guess. Ailee will be here as well as my Dad and we’ve invited Jena, Ryan, Sonya, Mars and Kat. So far Christmas in California is really pleasant. I don’t even mind the decorations without a snowy backdrop. We had a Montessori party on Friday at Lotus (Indian Restaurant) and we each got a really nice bonus. That is not something I am used to, so that, and the gifts from appreciative parents give my job a dimension I had not expected. Especially given the fact that on Wednesday I was ready to throw my hands into the air and start looking for a new job.
I’m thinking of making some changes for the new year and limiting internet time is one. I also really need to get my yoga thing going on in a bigger way. I recently received notification that Fastening Myself to You will be published in the 2009 edition of the Briar Cliff Review and I have some ideas for a new writing project. Ailee will be in culinary school in St. Paul and Caleb is already making things I’ve never heard of like tomato confiture and I’d like to take part in a 2 week permaculture residency at Occidental Arts and Ecology Center. I’m thinking/hoping that the three of us can put something together in terms of food, sustainability, conscious eating…something like that. Selling my house and making a permanent move is something else I’m considering. It’s just too hard to manage it all…even though I can sell my house in Vermillion to buy a brick in Marin. I’m happy here. I like it.
Naughty or Nice
Laurie Ellen and Ellen
Here we go to a naughty or nice party in the city. I don’t think I’d have half the fun I’m having had I not met Ellen. I’m a little worried tonight because it’s not just Gerstle Park, and I can’t just walk home.
We Grow Food in California
I’m picking figs, lemons, persimmon and fruits of the strawberry tree now and watching them all bud, flower and begin to grow fruit again…apples too. Weird and wonderful.
Samantha’s Kale Smoothie
Unfiltered Organic Apple Juice
2 leaves Kale or Chard
1 Ripe Banana
lots of Fresh Ginger
a Handful of Flaxseeds
blend and drink. yum. I sometimes also squeeze in some fresh lemon juice.
Preschool Nature Walks
Fruits of the Strawberry Tree
On Thursdays and Fridays, I normally take 6-9 preschoolers from the Montessori school on a nature walk. When we first encountered the Strawberry Tree (Arbutus unedo) I thought it best that we forgo tasting the fruit as I had never seen one before. The other day Lily brought the fruit home and declared it edible. So on Thursday and Friday, I asked the children if they would like to try one. A few children liked it so much much they asked if they could “try it again.”
Here are some of the things we have been taking notice of thus far: the morning glories (it sounds like morning Laurie), the seven rocks painted white, the scary monster sculpture (as identified by Kouroush, its actually bark from a very tall palm tree and looks like large jaws), the leaves that look like hearts, a beautiful blush blue snowman behind a gate, two American Flags (one painted on the curb), a California state flag with a star and a bear, a tree house that once belonged to Kevin, and NEW grass (its the season!) . I also discovered the fig tree and shared the fruits, but not the location of the tree.
I’d like to start planting some herbs after Christmas and also eat some avocados so we can start growing some plants from seeds. I am germinating some ideas relative to documenting the discoveries we’ve made on the walks. The children cannot yet really draw the things we notice so I am working out a plan for a child initiated project that records these things.
