The Getty and Other Things

I took the kids to the Getty a last week.  June 25th.  I can't believe I braved it.  I was in the mood for a drive and the kids were happy.  

Last Couple Weeks

We got rain!  And the fact that this is post-able news is really really sad.  But that's how much getting rain is a big deal...since there is none.  But the kids were enjoying themselves.  It was so warm out while it rained I didn't care the kids were half naked.

Backyard, Done! Mostly...

Here it is!  After over two years of looking at dirt, we have GRASS!!  Of course we still can't walk on it for another month, but I'm not complaining!

Week in Review

I know food really isn't much of a BIG event...wait a second.  Yes it IS!  Making dinner seems to be a special occasion lately (it's too hot to cook!) so I'm adding it to my week review anyway.  

Plants!

 We haven't done much for the outside of our house yet...obviously.  I cringe every time I see the siding on the house gone.  I want it fixed.  But I also want it done free.  Thus an unfinished house that looks super GHETTO.

But!

Spring!

I wouldn't say I have a 'favorite' season.  But there are some I prefer more than others.  Spring is one of the preferred.

And, yes.  California does have seasons folks.

And I can prove it!

Enjoy.

El Nino y El Gato

Only a few of these babies this year

Camelia Heaven.  There's a zillion.

The first blooms from the new Camelia bush.  A saucy magenta.  It's a party.

Squeaks gift to 'The Dogg', a semi-dwarf plum.  I'm just excited it's survived this long.  It's teeming with the weeds.

Pomegranate tree or the Whomping Willow, since that's what it reminds me of.  I'm an HP fan.  Sorry.

The Raspberries are coming!

And the Boysenberries! ('Everyone loves berries'.)

The oranges are in season and the blossoms smell DIVINE.

Figs.  I might attempt fruit leather with them this time around.

Pink Jasmine.  And at twilight they smell deliriously wonderful.  

Nothing says 'Spring' like a rota-tiller.  Just saying.

Until next time!

Mushroom, mushroom

Recently I ate a Portobello burger at the Getty Villa.  I was being brave.  I've eaten at the Villa before to great success.  They are by no means Michelin Star chefs, (not that I would have any experience with that...wish!) but they've got some good food.  

Two words:       Not.  Good.

I laid off the mushrooms for awhile.  

A couple weeks ago I braved the mighty mushroom again.  But I left it in my own hands.  I'm the only one I trust.   And if I may be so bold as to say, it was a VERY tasty mushroom sauce.   For the cod I brought home.  (Frozen.  I don't fish).  If anyone's interested you can find the recipe here.  I substituted the vermouth for white wine and it turned out just fine.  More than excellent.  So there.   

So I'm feeling oddly pro-mushroom. 

The parentals have an alarmingly large crop of 'wild' mushrooms growing in their yard.  It seems such a wasted shame.  They look so harmless.  I wish I knew more about mushrooms.  But even if I knew a lot about mushrooms...I still wouldn't be brave enough to harvest and EAT them.  I might die.  Dying is bad.  Besides, I prefer to purchase mushrooms at the store.  It seems oddly safer.  Even though I have no idea where in the world they actually come from.  Or how they grow.  And that I'm trusting in complete strangers to supply me with a FUNGUS.

Here's a sample of the lovely ladies:

And in honor of the mushroom topic...a little re-visit to some days gone by.  I think of this song whenever I handle mushrooms.  Happy times.

Tootles.