Weekday Walk in Sausalito

I saw this while walking in Sausalito the other day. I would like to think that it was for a particular person and they were very happily surprised. It was a bouquet on the chain link fence and it brought a smile to my face (so much so I had to take a picture) and I thought I would share it and deliver a little happiness to those I care about (that would be You).

Swinging in the Redwoods

    

...my little brother might be a bit of a monkey and a very cute one at that. 

Chicks, Chocolate and Peeps!

The chicks said goodbye today, returning to their much more appropriate home and I have to say, I really miss their little chirps. This just means that I will be spending some quality time in Sonoma this Summer and I guess that means with my little brothers too. My mind is already racing with exciting things to do this summer...kayaking on the Russian River anyone? Until then, I am planning on enjoying the rest of Spring and it's celebrations. Happy Easter! 

Peep Wreath

So I had this boss who absolutely hated peeps. I loved him and in his honor I made a wreath and will hang it on his door Easter morning. Ssshhh. I might have a slightly naughty sense of humor.  Also amusing is the Peep Show ( http://www.latimes.com/features/food/la-fo-peepart-pictures-2011,0,7657624.photogallery )....It's kind of amazing!

The Picture: I take all of them with my camera phone. I would really like to have a good camera one of these days, but the my phone takes a better picture than my actual camera. I found it looked much better once put through photoshop, not fair and authentic, but much more pleasing. Pardon.

Spring in Sonoma

The wildflowers are out in force (thankfully my allergies stayed at bay) and the sun was out.  I had a perfect couple days hanging out at my stepmom's farm (and where I agreed to chicksit) with her and my brothers. The orchard was in bloom with apple blossoms and wildflowers and it was lovely.

Chicksitting

I find myself chicksitting this week while my brothers are out of town. What they do not know is they might not get them back. You can't help but smile with their sweet little chirps. The curious guy in front is Sparrow.

I figure a little animal husbandry can fit into the garden. These are the miniatures, perfect for a backyard or a little farm along Westside Road. 

Planting Sections

These are work samples from my Thesis Project. I have been looking at plant communities for work and had remembered some of the graphics I had produced for my project. I like this format because you can see the context of the situation while also having the individual plant communities pulled out and referenced. The graphics production definitely was the most enjoyable part of the project and helped me get through that last semester.  A word of advice for any potential or current graduate students, Love Thy Project. I did not and I suffered, finding solace in small things but it would have helped to feel passionate for the project.

This is definitely not intended to be a downer but a word of encouragement. I let my professor tell me the project I wanted to do was wrong. She was wrong and I left school with a bitter sense of resentment. Find a topic you like, you will be spending a lot of time with it, pursue it and fight for it.

Perfect Weekend for a Hike

I had a guest in from New York and his one request was to go hiking and get some fresh air. Thank goodness for very agreeable weather, we hiked up to the top of Sausalito and down the other side, through the Golden Gate National Recreation Area to the beach, around Bonita and Kirby Coves, past some World War II bunkers, under the Bridge and to amazing Cheeseburgers at the Presidio Yacht Club. The nerd came out in me and I took far too many pictures of erosion control and water management schemes being employed throughout the landscape. 

Happy Friday and Good Luck

                                                                                           ...I am looking forward to reading that blog of yours.

From Seattle with Love

The Spring flowers are out in force and the Star Magnolia's and Daphne's are putting on a splendid and fragrant show. There is also this shrub I have been seeing but I have no clue what it is called, all I know is that the new foliage looks like little neon winged creatures landing on the naked branches. In the woodlands they are rather striking. I love this area.

Books, Books, Books

Let me just say, I love books. I would like to say they are all non-picture books, but they are not. In actuality, most of my favorite books are picture books. Here are a few of my favorites: 

     Data Flow 1 & 2, Published by Gestalten Berlin

     You are Here, Katharine Harmon

     The Works: Anatomy of a City, Kate Ascher

     Pretty much anything by Piet Oudolf

Super useful reference books:

     Living Systems, Liat Margolis & Alexander Robinson

     Golden Gate Gardening, Pam Peirce

     Sunset Western Garden Book

     Dirr's Hardy Trees and Shrubs, Michael Dirr

...and because I probably need to include these or the literacy police will be on me, some books with those word thingies:

     Sand County Almanac, Aldo Leopold

     Botany of Desire, Michael Pollan

     Anything by Nancy Mitford, but Love in a Cold Climate and The Pursuit of Love are really good