Santa Cruz Mission State Park Fun!

Some of you may not have heard that the governor of California is wanting to close some 200 California State Parks, because of the state's budget deficit.  That would be most of our 'playgrounds', many of our favorite places in the area.

And the worst of it is that he means it.

Last night, we attended a free event at one of such state parks, just down the road from us.  It was called "Old Fashioned Campfire", at the Santa Cruz Mission State Park.  Offered there were make-your-own tortillas, the old fashioned way, on an outdoor griddle.  People were free to bring food, extra toppings for the tortillas, their families and friends. 

There were also music, sing-alongs, and skits so funny I cried laughing.

There is no better way to enjoy a summer evening in Santa Cruz.  There is no way the state can close these treasures! 

Many groups and petitions are being gathered to prevent this proposal from happening.  And we are strongly behind them!

Here we go...just the beginning!

No need to narrate. He is quite comfortable in his own skin!

Ollaliberries

We were just going to go pick strawberries at Swanton Strawberry Farm, with our friend Sophia on her last day in California. But when we got there, the worker there said that there was no U-Pick there today, but 9 miles up the road, we could pick strawberries and ollaliberries if we wanted.  

After a couple of strawberry truffles and chocolate dips, away we went!

Ollaliberries are related to Blackberries. Don't ask me the difference, I can't really tell you yet. All I know is that I had never heard of them until we came out West. And somehow, they seem more prized than their regular cousins... Regardless, we all love them.  Fresh, jammed, in a pie. You name it. 

We picked our share, and even went over to the strawberry fields to pick some of those as well. And we ended the day with a scrumptious pie, that is big enough to another day's end treat!

Chadwick Garden

We took my mother here the other day, one of my favorite spots in Santa Cruz!  It is a small piece of hilly land, that is intensively cultivated by the UCSC Agriculture program.  There are hundreds of apple trees, all different kinds, as well as plums, pears, lemons, oranges, all growing together with other vegetables, and flowers and loquat trees.

We returned the other day to 'adopt' a few more plants from their nursery.  Now our humble patio is turning into a real 'garden' of sort! 

Moonstone Beach

"We were here 20 years ago, and there were more moonstones back then," said a couple we met on the beach after we asked them about the presence of the gem-like stones.

"But there are jades, here, too! See, here, we found some..."

That was enough to send us all in a hurry to search for such treasures.

To clarify, these moonstones, and jades, are not what you would find in expensive jewelry stores, or even the mediocre ones. You may find them polished, and crafted into pieces of jewelry by some local, down-to-earth, yet talented artists.  And those, to me, are more precious than the ones that have to be locked up with security on all sides.

Anyhow, we did find plenty of beautiful jades and moonstones, and many other gorgeous pebbles. I will not be surprised if we return to this beach again soon, just so that we can find some more hidden treasures from the sea.

The California Coast

Momo looking at seals sunbathing on the rocks.

Morro Bay Rock

Hearst Castle

With a visit from my mother, we decided to go south for a couple of days. Because California is so big, and the topography so diverse, just a couple of hours down south makes a big difference.

We played on several beaches that bring us different gifts from the sea than what we get here in Santa Cruz: moonstones, sand dollars, pebbles so smooth you want to bring them all home. And oh yes, they have seals just yards away from the shore. Nature at its best!

We also visited Hearst Castle, the infamous castle set on an enormously beautiful property overlooking the Pacific ocean. The castle itself was quite impressive. I was rather impressed with their set up as well: a very well-run operation that is tourist-friendly, but not gaudy. Hard to find these days.

On the way home, we drove up Coastal Highway 1, with no fog in sight. The unrivaled beauty of this area, also known as Big Sur, always impresses me. And everytime I wonder why we don't go down there more often. Note to self: go down to Big Sur more often!

What's more important is that the memories collected from the trip will be treasured always.

Peace in the mountains

While some of our family members were at Plum village in France, meditating with Thich Nat Hahn and his disciples, we seeked our own refuge at Land of Medicine Buddha in Soquel, just down the street from Santa Cruz.

Peaceful and quiet. Without flying across the ocean! But someday, I would love to see and be at the Plum Village myself...

Almost back to health

Told you! We went back to the mulberry trees today. The kids have recovered, and I am almost there... But no more fevers and sleepless nights for them. Thank goodness.

Only a week later, and the mulberries have exploded! So many ripe ones have fallen onto the ground.  The kids enjoyed picking and eating and picking some more.  I did warn them that we shouldn't pick too many, as they are, you know, not ours.  Then my daughter pointed out to me:

"But Mommy, there are SOOOOO many of them!"

I did not argue.

Here we go around the Mulberry Bush

Do you know how when you are sick, you forget what it felt like when you were not sick? Well, I am glad I took these photos just a few days before we all fell ill to this nasty virus. We were literally going around a huge mulberry bush at the UCSC farm, tasting the ripe ones, and commenting on how different mulberries are than other berries.

Oh, how we take good health for granted!

But rest assured, we will be well again soon, and I plan on going back to the same mulberry tree, just to go around it again and again, like how the popular children's song goes. Just because we will be able to.

Sick Day at home

Mountains, by Momo  (5 1/2 years old)

I made her this dress today to thank her for being brave.

The sick-bug has been through our household lately.  And today, one of our little ones stayed home while the other went to school.  This has happened once before two years ago.  But it was such an important milestone (since they usually do everything together), that it is still talked about as if it was yesterday.

It was our brave Claire who went to school solo two years ago, as well as today.  And in some ways, it was like a mini-date for Momo and me.  We went to an art-supply store, the bank, the bookstore, before coming home to do some creative projects.  We are sick, but we are not going to let that deter us!

Teddy's Birthday Party

Around here, there are many birthdays.  Most of them belong to the stuffed animals, so loved that they must be given birthday parties almost weekly.

Sometimes I buy into it, and actually bake cupcakes, and join in the fun.  This was a couple of days ago, when Teddy Robinson turned three.  Claire made him a birthday crown, and blew the candles for him. 

And of course, the cupcakes were enjoyed by all!

Grover Hot Springs, 2009

There is something mesmerizing about the great meadow at Grover Hot Springs. Lucky us, our campsite overlooked this meadow, so that it was the first thing we saw upon awakening.  It was a short trip, but we left yearning to return to its glory and many more places to explore.

Off to Nature

And have this be our backyard for the weekend.  Stay tuned for stories of our adventures from Grover Hot Springs!

Beach Day

Another mini heat wave is passing through here... It was hot yesterday (the kids had their first-ever lemonade stand and had enough customers I think they will do it again!), and we thought it was going to be even hotter today.  With that presumption, today, we took off early for the beach to escape the heat.  The tide was supposed to be low around lunch time, too, so we brought a picnic and enough containers for all the treasures from the sea.

But we were pleasantly surprised that though it was warm, it was not nearly as hot as expected. The beach was busy, but still sparse compared to what it could have been. 

We enjoyed our time there, stopped to at Swanton for some more strawberry-picking (there are now many jars of strawberry-jam on our counter).  It was a fun beach and berries day!

The Ukulele

Last week, we went to the flea market here in Santa Cruz.  It was my second time there, and I must say that I don't really need to go back there.  It's a great place if you are looking for something in particular at a great price, not great if you easily get distracted, or if you are allergic to dust, and umm, should we talk about fear of fleas? I still wonder if that is why it is called the 'flea' market?

The first time I went, Claire came with me (and that was after 10 years of living here). It was a date of sort, actually. We had a grand time, checking out the booths, getting great deals for things we didn't need.  One of the things we saw there that time, was a stall of instruments.  We both thought of Momo right away. He would love to have one of those Ukuleles! We agreed to bring the 'boys' back next time.

And so we did. And yes, Momo did like the instruments, and did come home with a real Ukulele of his own. 

A Ukulele, as I recently found out, is its own instrument, popular in Hawaii.  Nobody in this family knows how to play any kind of instrument, unfortunately.  But that does not seem to deter the little man from strumming away on his new love.  He can often be seen singing to his 'garden', with sweet loving tunes and lyrics of his own. No wonder those plants are growing so well!  At times, though, it does feel like there is a 'new member', who is rather loud (and out of tune), in the family...

Artists in residence

Busy at work

Momo's sunflowers

Claire's vase

Claire's Pig and a Present

I am amazed and proud at what my children have been producing lately.  I think most children are naturally artistic, but some are more than others.  Our children seem to fit in the latter category, and I can't be happier.

At school, they have been doing more art with Mrs. Young, who has introduced them to Van Gogh, and O'Keefe, to name a few! 

I hope their love of art continues and grows with them in the years to come!