Yes, I actually spun the wool on this spindle. Swear. I learned to spin today. I’d been waiting for this for years. More specifically, I learned the first part of spinning wool. Apparently there’s a few more steps and the next one involves “plying”. Plying basically goes like this: after you stress out and finagle [...]
The view of the Coloma valley from our back deck — I’ve died and gone to heaven… So where the hell have I been?? Certainly not writing on my, poor, neglected blog. Okay, so while I finished The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Small-Space Gardening, I was also working on the edits for Hobby Farms: Small-Scale [...]
The Mason bees in their little bee sleeping bags (cocoons) My first season with my Western Blue Mason bees has been a tricky one. Everything was cruising along just fine until we decided to look for a place with a little more land — and found it. We didn’t have an exact date pinned down [...]
We interrupt this gardening blog to give a head’s up to the dudes in our lives. Valentines Day is kinda special to the ladies, guys and I wanted to share a few tips for the less-than-romantic out there. So, I’m bringing back an article I wrote a while back as an elbow- in-the-side for the [...]
Today was an extremely rainy Saturday here on the suburban farm. But in between jags of pouring rain, I managed to capture what I think are sights of interest. The first one is what I’m thinking is the ultimate in small space gardening – a couple of volunteer baby lettuces popping up in the crack [...]
Unfortunately, many of you have been privy to my incessant complaining of this bizarre Northern California weather. But in between this miserable gloom and doom, we’ve clearly had our sunny days. Just not enough to satisfy me. Oh yeah, the clouds part for a day or two, but is it enough to keep me from [...]
If you haven’t ever been to a SF Flower & Garden Show, I think it’s my duty to inform you that you’re missing out big time. This show didn’t earn its reputation for being the most cutting edge garden show in the country for nothing. The sheer talent of the most amazing designers anywhere shows [...]
Okay – so check THIS out. I’m cruising through Borders minding my own business when I happen to pause at the garden section (most of you will actually read “garden” as “porn” – you know who you are). I’m telling myself that I absolutely will not purchase one more gardening book. Yes, the promise is [...]
You may have heard about the fabulous Type-A Mom conference (by Kelby Carr) that took place this last weekend in Asheville, North Carolina. You might also know about the many breakout sessions that not only consisted of some excellent speakers, but also addressed many concerns that we as bloggers have, but isn’t often voiced honestly [...]
Adjust Your Wintertude
Quit with the face, it’ll come back. Sheesh. I think that winter is misunderstood. One of the best things about the changing seasons is that you get the opportunity to plan for new things in the garden. Surprising things. Beautiful things. Or yummy things. The fact is that we need the down months of winter. [...]