We Be Jamming

Vinny and I picked nearly all the cherries from our trees, bought two flats of strawberries, and got together with our neighbors who had been wanting to learn how to jam, and spent the weekend canning our fruit. This year was better than last, with four bowls of fruit. The strawberries were from a local patch out here and weren't as sweet as one would hope, but still made for some yummy spread for a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.

After an afternoon of pitting, topping, mashing and sticking to just about everything (the weather couldn't have been nicer!), it was calculated that we had 4 or 5 gallons of fruit to make impressive flats of jam. But canning isn't cheap, people!  We can so we can use the fruit and it doesn't go to waste, which leaves to an over abundance of jam no one can possibly eat in a year--so generally we give it out. But a flat of jars is about $12. Supplies, over $40. Where we like to share the bounty, if you don't turn in your jars for more jam, you won't be gettin' another supply!

If you're wanting some of our Smith House Country jams, be sure to turn in your jars and we'll happily give you a new, filled one. Thank you!

The Most Fun You Could Have With Your Clothes On

We are back! Regrettably. Not that we didn't miss any of you, but who would want to leave this?  The trek to Fort Bragg seemed to take forever! But the change in the foliage that shifted from foothill woodlands to coastal trees and bright, exotic blooms was our indicator we were close. We were getting giddier and giddier.

When we arrived into Mendocino where the rental office was, we were greeted with the earthy whimsical small ocean town feel we love so much. A tiny swap meet was in full swing and while we waited for our keys, made a quick visit.

After receiving complicated instructions on how to reach our house, we were off, left with the request that we leave a note in the house's guest book to comment that we'd be back after our stay. Once we arrived at the house nestled into the ocean hillside, we didn't have to wait until after our stay to vow that we'd be back. We knew it the moment we stepped into that spacious floor plan that offered a generous view of the sapphire jewel we call the Pacific Ocean. The house was called Whale Song and was decorated with everything whales. Even the tape player in the stereo held a whale song cassette that Cheryl and I played. The guys came in wondering what the hell those bellows and screams were all about...

After we squealed from room to room and jumped on the beds--ahem, CHERYL--we got settled in, still in awe of how cozy and homey the house already felt. Then, we headed into town to do some sight seeing and to eat some of the wharf's best food at Silver's at the Wharf. Their calamari steak is a must! After that we shopped, dismayed that our favorite antique store was closed for the weekend. But, once we returned back to Whale Song it was whine, hot tub and great conversation!

Vin and I could watch the ocean from our bedroom window. He and Curt had an early morning to the Telstar charter for deep sea fishing and crabbing! It turned out like an episode of Deadliest Catch with Vin on the block and Curt setting the pots. Everyone else was getting sea sick! They  That's what would happen to Cheryl or I if we went. That's why we took a slow, relaxing morning over coffee and motivational conversation before we went shopping! We stopped in at the inspirational Botanical Gardens there. If anyone loves nature--this is where you should go to enjoy it! We didn't bring the camera because we thought the guys had it. But, it was back at Whale Song the whole time! I'm said we didn't get pictures to show you the beauty it has and the diveristy of its gardens. After that, Cheryl and I then did some beach combing in Caspar.

The guys brought this bounty back from the sea (with a little extra for doing most of the work), and we made quick work of the food. The guys were aching from their hard work, so before we ate dinner we sat and watched the sun set (behind the trees). Then we went in and fixed dinner.

What a feast! Vin and I tried oysters, and found we didn't like that too much. But fresh crab? There is nothing else to describe its smooth sweetness, the tenderness--it's nothing like the crab we eat inland. Nothing! That feast put us out for the night!

We were sad to leave the Whale Song, but we know we'll be back. Now we're just counting down to our Crescent City trip!

Two-Day Countdown (we're not counting, or anything)

Two more days until our ocean getaway. After a grueling five weeks of horrific math classes where I sat in horror at the foreign language that is algebra on the computer screen, sniffing back tears, this vacation couldn't come at a better time. Would you believe the audacity of the instructor who made our final grade a math equation we had to figure out? One last act of jackassery on his part left me in tears. Thankfully Vin helped talk me down from the proverbial ledge and helped me figure out my final grade. I passed!

Work has been hard for the both of us. Things go slow, fast, fast-fast, slow, to non-existant. It's frustrating not knowing what your schedule will hold! So we're very happy to be getting away with our neighbors who share our passion in the ocean and simple living.

With our heat wave gone, and the marine layer clearing out the air in the valley it only makes us pine more for the beach.

Last weekend Vin and I went to the opener of Morning Star's trout season. He only caught one trout, I caught a lot of moss. The trout we did catch fed us both, so it wasn't a wasted trip. We did get to see goslings again this year! No deer, however.

We've been able to get about eight servings of our peas, and I was shocked to see new growth on some of the plants! Our greenbeans have finally sprouted tiny strings, the melons are getting leggy, the pickles are over-producing, and the tomatoes are finally burgeoning. I was so happy to see a teeny-tiny sugar baby watermelon on its vine this week. We also got a serving of broccoli out of our plants and I've noticed it's ready to give another. Our lettuce is haywire-huge and we need to start eating more salads! We had a backfire with the radishes and will be replanting those and carrots here shortly. I just hope the season won't make them all wonky.

I've been slacking (see: drunk with wine in celebration of passing aforementioned math class) and haven't had a chance to upload our pictures! Look for that soon.

If we don't talk to you before then, have a wonderful Memorial Day weekend, and don't forget to hug a Vet that day. Thank you for all who serve our nation! We appreciate you.

Ocean Discouragement

Procrastination: verb (used without object)

1.	to defer action; delay: to procrastinate until an opportunity is lost.

–verb (used with object)

2.	to put off till another day or time; defer; delay.

We've been trying to plan an ocean get away with our neighbors for Memorial Day weekend, and due to scheduling conflicts, didn't get around to it until last weekend. Using the VRBO network, we found some amazing houses. Looking at the scheduling I was shocked to find almost every one of them was available for the Memorial Day Weekend! So, we booked away to see which one would respond. We also decided to book for the 4th of July in Crescent City.

Once the evening was done, and feeling quite accomplished, we went on our merry way. Well, the next day when I was a little more coherent, (had had 3 beers, people, don't drink and make reservations! It's dangerous!) I realized we had booked on the wrong weekend. NO WONDER everything was miraculously available!

As declines and confirmations started to filter in, I informed those thatresponded we had booked for the wrong weekend. I mean, isn't Memorial Day ALWAYS the last weekend of the month? But I guess since that Monday would actually fallin June, that's why it's a whole week earlier. Alas all of the reservations are booked! I think we're going to have to settle for an alternate plan as a day trip in Bodega. :( Still waiting for the Crescent City July 4th VRBO folks to call back...

Happy Strawberry Mother's Day, with fish on the side.

This weekend Vin and I enjoyed the summery weather and checked out the Strawberry Festival just north of us. It was what a small town fair could expect--a small town festival. After indulging in strawberry funnel cake, strawberry lemonade and buying experimental jams from a lavender stand, we headed to our neighborhood Orchard Supply Hardware.

 At OSH we were accosted by these people from the DIY network. Apparently the show's a big deal. However, since we don't get that channel from our already overpriced cable provider, we had no idea who he was or why he was talking to us with a camera in our face.

 The gist of the show is they find homeowners who have yards and visions for their yard but don't quite know how to get it up to that level. The network pays for the revamp and the homeowner provides sweat equity.

 We declined the offer to have strangers come rip through our backyard we've been paintstakingly getting together over the last 8 years and nominated our neighbors instead. He wasn't too interested in following up with them and moved on.

 When I told my mom this she was flabberghasted we would turn down free anything. I've seen those shows and I see how powerless many of the homeowners are when a designer has a hair up their butt and does what they want for ratings or whatever, and not what the homeowner--who has to LIVE with the backyard/remodel/upgrade/designer choices/power trip--wants.

 As he was talking to us and Vin was politely telling him thanks but no thanks, I had visions of a wild designer coming in and ripping out our carefully maintained grass to plop a mosquito-ridden pond in the middle of the yard, or tearing out our beloved lavender species for "variety".

 Sunday was Mother's Day and I took my mom to brunch while our neighbor took out Vinny for fishing! He caught a striper with the "biggest worm it could have been a small snake", and strangely, he said prior to placing it on the hook, remarked, "this is deserving of a striper!" And sure enough...

 So last night our neighbor had a shrimp boil and it was the best garlic butter shrimp I've ever had. I think it got me over my shrimp-willies. While we were there we made our summer vacation plans! Here we come, ocean!!