First snow run of winter...

Things don't feel the same as they did a few days ago...but I'm happy to report that nature is still beautiful and running is still great. These pix are from 3 different runs in the last week or so. One with the puppies last week on Dimple, one by myself in the snow on Dimple Saturday and then today (Sunday) with Missy Misdemeanor down Extendo in the rain.

Top 10- 2012

Confess by Twin Shadow - this guy is the new Prince, Seriously Trippin' EP- Devin the Dude - this should be the Get Healthy America anthem, Get Free (single) by Major Lazer, and now collaborating with Snoop Lion...I need to book a trip to Jamaica, No Tresspassing by Too $hort- pretty much, and one of my only live shows this year! Live From The Underground- Big K.R.I.T- this is a dirtiest beat of the year, bump it! Nocturne by Wild Nothing- the perfect blend of The Church, Flock of Seagulls, Big Country, ABC...oh the list goes on, Visions by Grimes- super trendy but it makes me think of Cocteau Twins, i like when people try hitting new notes and are mostly successful and she's tres adorable, One Second of Love by Nite Jewel, relatable lyrics and party situation! Cheers- Black Cobain, wow i can't even find this on youtube, it was a mixtape, it was good, not great, but lots of promise and i love the name.

My solo birthday trip to ring in 35.

Went to see Cat Power at the Palladium on my bday...that's Mrs. Cat Power, Chan Marshall in the corner taking pictures of the opening band (The Goat, or something). She stood there for ages taking loads of pix of this mediocre band...the lead singer was shirtless and reminded me of Henry Rollins. Anyone who knows me knows this is not a compliment but to each their own, I suppose.

A reflection of Cat Power on the wall as I was leaving (early).

Driving down Wilshire in Beverly Hills after my facial and brow waxing...pretentious? Possibly. Fun? Yes. Eyebrows? Fab. Traffic ain't so bad when you are in a drop top and have no place to be.

Pacific Coast Highway, about to leave Malibu behind me on the way to SFO. Ride wit no ceiling got me feeling billion (as Slim Thug would say).

My corner in SFO...this is where I will always stay. Either at the Triton or the Worldmark. Best location evah!

pathetic attempt at a self portrait at the Biltmore but the princess bed is visible! Great trip, much needed solitude, and now it's wonderful to be home in the rain with the dudes. Thanks to everyone for the sweet bday wishes! xojane

Early November

So nice to get back on the trail after being away...I think i like the rainy season more than the sun, at least for now. We were on the east coast last week, right before the big storm they call Sandy got real. I really hope things are getting back to normal...stay safe and...move to higher ground, maybe? The world is getting crazy! The garden is dying down but the dahlias and a few others are still holding on. Rain is setting in now though, so it won't be long before it all needs to be chopped down *sigh*. The favas are already starting to shoot up in the veggie garden and I promised myself i'd finally plant the garlic this weekend. i'm typing it now so that I will be forever shamed if i don't.

October garden update part II - The Teardown

It was sort of sad at first to remove the tomato stands and see all the green ones still left on the vine, unsung heroes, their full potential not met due to lack of sun, water or the gardeners own foibles. I did plant a couple of them too close and I should have  used taller stands. I have ideas for next year, lessons learned!
Now that the veggie garden is cleared I have a couple pounds of mostly ripe indigo rose tomatoes, a decent # of cherry. Some assorted peppers, one rogue lemon cuke and a few baby zucchinis. I tossed the fennel, not a fan. Made some thrown together sauce with that which will be freezed. frozen? froze.

Per the pix below i have ripped the dickens out of the garden, laid down 4 bags of Steer Plus (TM)  and mixed that in good. I performed a tomato stomping dance on the refugee tomatoes and blended that in too. Then planted favas in the areas indicated. I'm going to plant garlic all around the rhubarb tomorrow-ish. Then, we'll see what takes place. Favas have proven to be easy to grow, great for the soil and interesting looking during the blah winter months.

Mid-October Garden update

Mid October garden update link below. I'm planning to tear it up tomorrow...it's going to be rainy out (i hope) and I am really looking forward to digging in the dirt (cue my next blog update song!!). quick, raw and dirty here it is...the end of the season:

http://youtu.be/12XeBNOFd4o

Late Sept. garden update

The tomatoes did so much better this year than last...I'm very happy about that and think the little igloos paid off. I'm going to try that again, even earlier, next year I think.  I harvested what will probably be the last big crop yesterday and made sauce (which burned a little which made me sad but I'll pretend it's supposed to taste toasty), gave a bunch to my parents and have a few more that I am going to make enchiladas with when i'm done writing this blog (at least that's my current plan). The indigo rose (goth) tomatoes are good for cooking but I don't think i'll plant as many next year because they are kind of pithy, not very juicy like the others. Also it's hard to tell when they are ripe because they start out black and the tops stay that way the whole time they are maturing. Only their little undersides clue you in to weather or not they are ripe. C'mon scientists, let's get this right.

My "Love Lies Bleeding" flowers pictured below are going nuts in the front planter. I love them. I have not seen them anywhere else and I am a big garden snooper...they grow so easily too, I'm shocked I haven't! I guess flowers that look like big pink dreadlocks aren't what most folks are going for but I think they are so lovely and unique...and provide great shade too. I will plant these every year forever.

The pumpkins are about ready to harvest because the vines are starting to whiten. I've given up on trying to stop that because they do it no matter what. We have at least 4 lovely orange pumpkins to carve up, make pie from, etc but maybe get 6-8 before all is said and done. And this from a vine that just decided to park itself in our front yard unaided. Very fortuitous!

Last but not least the grapes. I always forget we even have them and as Colin just pointed out it's because you can't see them at all...they hide under the leaves even when I thinned them out to promote the growth. They are delicious but I feel like I don't know what to do with them other than eat them straight. I guess that's a good enough thing to do...no need to get fancy. I have a day job after all.

I planted some bulbs with Anton in the front yard today...we planted them under the grass that we are slowly going to let die off. It'll be interesting to see if they sprout in the spring. Martha Stewart said they would so I'll hold her personally accountable if our hard work doesn't pay off. 

Here's to Fall...my favorite season. Welcome, my friend!

OTP: Mackenzie River 50K/ Anton's first camping trip

Anton slept under the stars (nude!) like pro. I, on the other hand was less comfy but I took one for the team (and a Benadryl). Colin finished his race (31miles) despite not having trained as much as normal, woot! Anton and I even hiked down to the trail at 7:30am to cheer all of the runners on. I'm personally glad to be back  (tents, dust and bugs are not my bag) but I'll always have these memories:

http://youtu.be/GF_jd5iJFVU

http://youtu.be/yqeAd48Zbeg

http://youtu.be/mppA_jwQpfM

http://youtu.be/A7y0ENdU4GA

Best Recipe Ever: for glossy hair

I have to post this because it's so amazing I don't ever want to forget. Mix this stuff together, massage it in to hair and scalp thoroughly then wrap head in warm towel and let sit for 30min. Rinse/wash hair. Your hair will be super shiny and revived! Swimming has been causing me some hair trauma but with this potion I'll be all set.
 
2 tbs grapeseed oil
2 tbs olive oil
2 tbs rum (!!)
1 egg yolk

As Drake would say...thank me later.

Late August garden update

This was the month...nonstop tomatoes, lemon cucumbers, peppers, garlic, onions, herbs, berries, grapes...I haven't done any produce shopping except for a few peaches. Haven't even gone to the farmers market at all this month...no need! I have frozen one batch of oven dried tomatoes referenced in this video. Those will come in handy for sauces when the weather gets cold. If you add them to canned tomatoes it gives that added kick without needing to use paste. I hope September continues the garden feast but i already feel it getting colder. Maybe they'll be another hot streak though and the tomatoes will keep going strong...i REALLY hope so. They have so much more to give!

One project I need to do this month is pull up the strawberry bed and get the soil right. Then replant in the Spring. They are old and dying I think...wasn't happy with the crop this year.

It's too soon to talk about my plans for winterizing the veggie garden. I'll do that in my late September update. Nail biter, I know!

Song of the nite

This video is not what I envisioned when I heard this song but viewing makes me thing "of course!"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N2k61rSCY9E

My running shuffle 8/24/12

Body 2 Body (feat. Chris Brown)	Ace Hood	Hip-Hop/Rap
Smack That (Dirty)	Akon featuring Eminem	Hip-Hop/Rap
Chemical Warfare (feat. Eminem)	The Alchemist	Hip-Hop/Rap
Hood (feat. Pimp C & Nelly)	Ali & Gipp	Hip-Hop/Rap
5 Deuce - 4 Tre	Backbone	Hip-Hop/Rap
What Is This?	Big Boi & Scar	Hip-Hop/Rap
Turns Me On	Big Boi, Sleepy Brown & Joi	Hip-Hop/Rap
Money On the Floor (feat. 8-Ball, MJG & 2 Chainz)	Big K.R.I.T.	Hip Hop/Rap
Money to Blow (Street Version)	Birdman, Lil Wayne & Drake	Hip-Hop/Rap
I Want to Touch You	Catherine Wheel	Rock
Don't Give Up (Original Mix)	Chicane featuring Bryan Adams	Dance
Time Machine	Chocolate Milk	Pop
Kiss Kiss (feat. T-Pain)	Chris Brown	R&B/Soul
A Real Hero (feat. Electric Youth)	College	Dance
When You Smile	College	Dance
She Never Came Back (feat. Electric Youth) [Russ Chimes Remix]	College	Dance
Can You Kiss Me First	College	Dance
Teenage Color	College	Dance
Nightshift	The Commodores	R&B/Soul
Fascination Street (RS Home Demo - Instrumental) [4/88]	The Cure	Rock
In Between Days	The Cure	Rock
A Night Like This	The Cure	Rock
Screw	The Cure	Rock
Torture	The Cure	Alternative
One More Time	The Cure	Alternative
The Perfect Girl	The Cure	Alternative
Dressing Up	The Cure	Rock
Want	The Cure	Rock
So In Love (LP Version)	Curtis Mayfield	R&B/Soul
Didn't I	Darondo	R&B/Soul
Real Soon	Daz, DPGC, Kurupt, Nate Dogg & Snoop Dogg	Hip Hop/Rap
I Will Possess Your Heart	Death Cab for Cutie	Alternative
Under Your Spell	Desire	Electronic
Thumb	Dinosaur Jr.	Alternative
Booty Bassment Greatest Hits Pt. 1 - 10 Year Anniversary Mix	Dj Dimitri	Hip  Hop / Rap
25 Lighters	DJ DMD featuring Fat Pat & Lil Keke	Hip-Hop/Rap
Undercover (feat. Chris Brown & J Cole)	DJ Drama	Hip-Hop/Rap
Getto Jam	Domino	Hip-Hop/Rap
Shut It Down	Drake & The-Dream	Hip-Hop/Rap
Nah, Nah...	E-40 & Nate Dogg	Hip Hop/Rap
Intimate Friends	Eddie Kendricks	Rock
Follow Me (Lifelike Remix) [feat. Annie]	Ercola	Electronic
Superstar (feat. Mike D)	Fat Pat	Hip-Hop/Rap
Tops Drop	Fat Pat	Hip-Hop/Rap
You	Gold Panda	Electronic
Dirty South (feat. Big Boi)	Goodie Mob	Hip-Hop/Rap
Chesterfield King	Jawbreaker	Alternative
Frontin' (feat. Pharrell)	Jay-Z & Makell Bird	Hip-Hop/Rap
Whatcha Gonna Do (Remix)	Jayo Felony, Mack 10 & W.C.	Hip Hop/Rap
See You Again	JENNY BLISS	Dance
Purple Kush (feat. Gorilla Zoe & Project Pat)	Juicy J	Hip-Hop/Rap
Part of Me	Katy Perry	Pop
Nightcall (Dustin N'Guyen Remix)	Kavinsky	Electronic
Sleazy	Ke$ha	Pop
Milkshake	Kelis	Hip-Hop/Rap
Suspended	Kelis	Pop
No Turning Back	Kelis	Pop
Get Better (Radio Version)	KMC featuring Sandy	Dance
Where I Wanna Be	Kurupt, Nate Dogg & Shade Sheist	Hip-Hop/Rap
The Rain Song	Led Zeppelin	Rock
Going to California (Live)	Led Zeppelin	Rock
Ten Years Gone	Led Zeppelin	Rock
A Certain Person	Light Asylum	Pop
Sunshine	Lil' Flip	Hip-Hop/Rap
A Milli	Lil Wayne	Hip-Hop/Rap
Gettin' Some Remix	Lil Wayne, Ludacris, Pharrell, Shawnna & Too $hort	Hip Hop/Rap
My Way	Limp Bizkit	Rock
Chicken Hawk	Mack 10	Hip-Hop/Rap
Turn Up the Radio	Madonna	Pop
After the Dance (Vocal Version)	Marvin Gaye	R&B/Soul
Kids	MGMT	Alternative
Money (Fire Island Radio Edit)	Michael Jackson	Dance
Human Nature	Michael Jackson	Pop
Cuddy Buddy (feat. Trey Songz, Twista & Lil Wayne) [Remix]	Mike Jones	Hip Hop/Rap
Baby Don't Forget My Number	Milli Vanilli	Pop
Sock It 2 Me	Missy Elliott & Da Brat	R&B/Soul
One Minute Man  (featuring Ludacris) (Amended LP Version)	Missy Elliott & Ludacris	Hip Hop/Rap
Everytime You Touch Me	Moby	Pop
Sing It Back (Boris Musical Mix)	Moloko	Dance
Lady (Hear Me Tonight)	Mood	Dance
Piccadilly Palare	Morrissey	Rock
Yes, I Am Blind	Morrissey	Rock
Life's a Bitch	Nas	Hip-Hop/Rap
One Second of Love	Nite Jewel	Alternative
Traveling (Radio Edit)	Orion Too	Dance
Set Adrift On Memory Bliss (Radio Edit)	P.M. Dawn	Hip-Hop/Rap
Sippin' Tha Barre	Paul Wall	Hip-Hop/Rap
Our Secret Garden	Peter Murphy	Alternative
Freek-A-Leek (Remix)	Petey Pablo	Hip Hop/Rap
I Don't Care Anymore	Phil Collins	Rock
Peligroso Pop	Plastilina Mosh	Pop
Good Love	Prince	Soundtrack
Narayan	The Prodigy	Electronic
The Ghost In You	The Psychedelic Furs	Rock
Concieted	Remy Ma	Hip Hop/Rap
The Boss (feat. T-Pain)	Rick Ross	Hip-Hop/Rap
Rude Boy	Rihanna	Pop
She's So Cold	The Rolling Stones	Rock
Let it Loose	The Rolling Stones	Rock
Miss You	The Rolling Stones	Rock
Nuttin' to Do Feat. Eminem	Royce da 5'9"	Hip-Hop/Rap
Sparks	Röyksopp	Dance
Never Never (feat. Sampha)	SBTRKT	Electronic
Mary Jane	Scarface	Hip-Hop/Rap
Worlock	Skinny Puppy	Alternative
Summit (feat. Ellie Goulding)	Skrillex	Dance
I Can't Wait	Sleepy Brown & OutKast	Hip-Hop/Rap
Still Ill	The Smiths	Alternative
Cloud Making Machine (feat. Mookie Jones)	Smoke DZA	Hip-Hop/Rap
Drop It Like It's Hot	Snoop Dogg & Pharrell Williams	Hip-Hop/Rap
Bip (Lover's Mix)	Snooze	Dance & House
Center of the Stage (feat. R. Kelly & Bei Maejor)	T-Pain	Hip-Hop/Rap
Lonely (feat. Chris Brown)	Tank	R&B/Soul
Breathe	Telepopmusik	Pop
Put It Down	The-Dream	R&B/Soul
The Sun Goes Down	Thin Lizzy	Rock
Part the Waves	The Tony Rich Project	R&B/Soul
Blow the Whistle	Too $hort	Hardcore Rap
Gotta Get That Money	Too $hort	Hip Hop/Rap
Just Another Day	Too $hort	Hip Hop/Rap
Money In the Ghetto	Too $hort	Hip Hop/Rap
Gettin' It	Too $hort	Hip Hop/Rap
Respect the Pimpin' (feat. Snoop Dogg, Silk-E & Elijah Baker)	Too $hort	Hip Hop/Rap
So Sexy	Twista & R. Kelly	Hip Hop/Rap
Diamonds & Wood	UGK	Hip-Hop/Rap
Feel It All Around	Washed Out	Electronic
Stay Forever	Ween	Comedy	80
Be Alright	Zapp	R&B/Soul
21 Questions	50 Cent	Hip Hop/Rap
Throw Your Hands Up	8Ball & MJG	Hip-Hop/Rap

Song of the nite!

One Second of Love by Nite Jewel

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3YMmX1f5sQI

Mid-August 2012 garden update

OTP: Morrissey

Sorry (to myself) for all of these off topic posts...while i'm trying to stay on the "off facebook"  wagon things will come up and they'll have to be posted here. Here's one: So something is going on with Morrissey. He's back in the collective consciousness. He never went away for me or for all of those cute Hispanic kids in SoCal but for most he's always been the butt of a joke. Fine but I know this:  when I'm 80 years old should I have the fortitude to make it that far, I guarantee i'll be lying in bed watching PBS on my hovercraft ipad and a Bob Dylan-esque 6 part  Morrissey documentary series by Ken Burns Jr. will come on and I'll pee my Depends with excitement. He's so timeless....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QxO1sNzkRnQ

OTP: Amazing Marvin Gaye footage

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=66uVdgVlbdA

Daily Harvest- 7/30/12

Garlic decided it was ready to be harvested today...it looked sad and wilted but beneath the droopiness were gorgeous bulbs of my favorite herb/veggie. I pulled almost all of it, and I'm about to do the same to the rest of the yellow onions but i was too tired today to commit to the full endeavor...i want to get the soil tilled and pretty so that I can plant potatoes or whatever I'm allowed to right now.

Late July garden update

The first tomato plant is producing some nice fruit...and early for this cold-ish summer. I'm loving the weather this summer so far, it's like the bay area...cloudy mornings, warm afternoons then cools down quickly. couldn't be better and if it means small crop oh well.

A signal that my favorite season Fall (otherwise known as Autumn) is on the way...another pumpkin decided to just grow unasked (yet welcome) in a very central location in the front yard...i was reticent to plant one due to expansiveness they demand but you can't fight city hall, it clearly was meant to be here. I hope to be so overwhelmed with fresh garlic, onion and tomato by my next post that I dedicate it to figuring out how to can red sauce properly.

http://youtu.be/16_qqIrPKQU

Jane says...

I'd like to share a passage from a book written by one of my idols Jane Fonda that is geared towards women in their 60s and 70s (and me). It is gardening related so this is not an OTP (off topic post). Indulge me, dear reader(s):


"Think about gardening. My daughter taught me that if  want to maximize the spring and summer blooms on the English lavender that fills my garden, I have to cut back the dead blooms of fall. Deadheading, it's called (not the Jerry Garcia variety!) [Jane hates The Grateful Dead and loves Katy Perry just like me *thx for pointing that out Jelly]. The Third Act is the time for deadheading. Like plants in the winter, we have less energy to spare trying to resurrect old, dead growth, trying to blow life into the escapades and behaviors of youth in order to prove we're still young. I don't want to become a hollow old fool, squandering my precious remaining life force on stuff that doesn't serve this stage of life. It takes flexibility and a dose of courage to slough off the clutter, the gadgets, the obsessions, the pursuits, the whatever or whoever doesn't resonate with who we are now or want to become. I understand now what it is that I really need to know and so am freer to discard the rest. "

And with that I look forward to my late July harvest...the tomatoes are starting to turn red. And my zucchini plant is showing it's originality...notice that all different shapes and sizes create the same yummy bread!

xojane

Mid-July fence install/update

Mid-July fence install/update

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/nAjUlhtuQHU" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Late June/Early July!

late June garden update

Monday is my 7th anniversary of being wed to my husband, ball and chain, better half, etc. We have a very rich life...and a rich garden and I am very thankful for both. 

Check out this bounty...i'm still freaking out that the potatoes grew and appear to be edible. I want to dedicate MUCH more space to potatoes moving forward. Besides being something everyone likes to eat, they are really fun to harvest...Anton had a blast digging for them and so did I!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BS0XFfHlOak

Early June Garden Update!

It has been a fairly rainy start to the growing season but i think my little igloos paid off...the tomatoes, peppers and peas are doing great. A couple of surprises as well...both of my lemon trees are fully resurrected from the grave and have fully re-leafed, one is blossoming! Also the potatoes I planted last fall as an experiment actually took and started to go nuts a few weeks ago. Sadly I planted them really close to my fennel but I moved a couple fennel...we'll see what happens. More on the potatoes later. Let's focus on the peas, shall we?

Marathon shuffle mix (the backup shuffle)

I ended up using this playlist the majority of the race:

Off topic post: Shuffle mix for marathon

Below (if it's legible) is my current mix and I am going to be rotating between 2 shuffles. I accidentally donated my back up one to someone REALLY lucky on a Bald Hill rail. And I gave my mom my nano...that thing was worthless for running. So please weigh in Jelly (or that oddball person who might read my blog) I just REALLY needs some motivational tunes. Jelly you gave me some I'll be adding on shuffle #2. Keep them coming pretty pleeeze...it's my only hope. This mix is heavy on rap, R&B and dance but i also welcome classic rock and pop ideas. Staying away from anything too mellow...no country. No folk (that Bon Iver track is a rare exception).

Late May update- Sprinkle Me

Well it's almost officially summertime so we must make sure the soaker hoses are working. All set! We had a full week of sun, but of course that came to an abrupt end. Still good to know we are prepared. I'm over the moon about my lemon tree (the one I manslaughtered in Sept.) coming back to life. It's a miracle! I planted it in the side yard in a last ditch attempt to hide the evidence and whaddya know...it started to re-leaf! My dream of a burgeoning raspberry patch with a Meyer lemon tree at the end of it actually may come to fruition (pun intended). Let's get some sun...and think big, peoples.

Early May garden update

I Want A Pony! + April gardening/running update

(scroll down for video!)

I took a little time off of work this week to show some love to the garden and dig my heels in on training for this marathon in June. It was time well spent, as always! I decided to start with the gardening and work my way up to the training run.

First, I got out my pent up aggression on 2 rose bushes that I've never liked in our front yard. I transplanted the first one in the side yard but did a really half baked job at it so we'll see what happens. You are never supposed to leave gaps in the soil but the roots on this thing were insane, so I'm sure there were gaps. I hope the neighbors all got a good look at me pulling with all of my might on the aforementioned rose bush and then proceeding to fall face first on to it. Thorns sucks.

I planted dahlia bulbs in the exhumed graves of the roses...I was assured by the nice lady at the farmers market that it's not too late to plant them, and that I should sprinkle slug killer on them right after sowing. Apparently this is a MUST DO for dahlias and I wish I knew that last year because the slugs went to town on them.

On to the veggie garden for some serious weeding. I personally love to weed now...once I get in the zone I'm unstoppable. I also (organic) Sluggo'd my kale and peas because dem slugs be straight pimpin' on them. Sorry boys, party's over.

I have been wanting to extend the growing season ever since last year when I was stuck with a gaggle of green tomatoes in September with no hopes of them ever maturing. So I purchased 2 collapsible cloches and planted a few tomato and pepper starts. We'll see how it goes.

My big goal to give me the confidence that there is a slight chance I may complete this marathon, was that I needed to run 18miles. Until now it has not happened, but on Tuesday it did...I even made it to 18.5 and was still functional afterwards (I use term functional loosely). I did a road run up Bellfountain and back...it was a perfect option and I plan to do it again and push it up to 20miles possible but that will be my limit until race day. Oh and there is the CUTEST pony in the world on this run. It has it's own little pony area and was eating it's little pony food and I just had to stop and admire it. That is until the mean looking old farmer who owns it looked at me like I was on meth. I want a pony!

Early Spring update

Anton and I planted 10 raspberry canes today in the side yard. And lots of action in the front yard and veggie garden. Spring is springing! I have decided to only plant things I know we'll eat in the veggie garden, no more experiments, so there will be lots of onions, garlic, kale, tomatoes and peas! Oh and cucumbers, zucchinis...wait, this is getting more complicated. Too soon to think about that today, I'll think about that tomorrow.

Patron Bottle garden art

St. Paddy's Garden update

We had a big weekend full of cooking, partying, gardening, lots of other ing's...I made this sentimental video just now to document it all.
(that's Kent and Judy at the end watching an Emmylou Harris/Mark Knopfler video...and for the discerning viewers, yes, my dad IS eating his helping of trifle with a spatula)

Gardening update: I put up the deer fence around the veggie garden because they are starting to get back on the grind and have been nibbling on my pea starts. I also planted a 6pack of bok choy...we'll see what happens. Leeks, onions, garlic and kale are looking pretty tight at this point. My new front yard "spring greens rock garden" has been planted and completed...we'll now see what happens. I'm giving it a 50/50 shot for success vs. horrible failure. Gotta be in it to win it though.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Corvallis Rock Garden

It's almost Spring in Corvallis. The days are getting longer, the sun a little brighter, though warmth is still not very common. Today is lovely, though!
My project for the weekend, rain or shine, is to remove the grass from another patch in the front yard and make a rock garden with some pretty aquamarine rocks I procured from Pacific Stone-something or other place on Hwy 34. I will plant lettuce and other attractive spring greens. It will be just fantastic even if no one else can see my vision right now.

I also purchased 2 columnar "snake river" stones for decoration but Colin is concerned that a kid will knock them over in their current location and we will be labeled and unsafe garden stone owners and be banished from the neighborhood. So they will be relocated...but I am excited nonetheless for the new shape our front yard is taking.

I also snapped some pics recently from around Corvallis. This town is funny...I've always known this. But running around the streets and looking more closely than i used to (garden snooping mainly) i've noticed some extra special things documented in this video:

Garden coming back to life...

I don't care if there is still frost. I'm gardening again.
Cut down the last of the Black-eyed Susan stems (or *Black-eyed Rhianna stems as they are also known) and other winter blechy-ness. *if she can duet with Chris Brown I can make fun of her.

I bought new bark nuggets to fill in all the holes Missy dug in the garden to express her angst against the world.

I planted "local" (which means I paid 50cents more) snap peas and lacinto kale in the veggie garden as well as a fresh 6 pack of spring blooming strawberries in the strawberry patch where Missy expressed her angst against the world by digging a hole in them over the winter.

English daisies are already doing great in the front door planter...those got going in early Feb....you CAN have winter color, it's a beautiful world.

The next big project is called "Operation Succulents". I'm going to make this crazy succulent wall based on something I saw in Sunset magazine. It's going to be dripping with awesome and the other good news is that succulents can survive anything...including my inability to properly care for plants.


NPR:
Red Velvet- Outkast
Til the Morning Comes- Neil Young
F*ck You- Dr. Dre feat. Devin the Dude and Snoop Dogg

Miami Beach run

This was a weird but fun run. I got lost a couple of times and walked some because it's so hot and humid...over 80 degrees and hard to breathe. So ignore the time (message to myself). I started at the Sheraton at the Miami Airport and ended up at a clothing store (bought some necessities) on Ocean Drive on Miami Beach. In between I ran through the depths of poverty, and ended up in the lap of luxury. From having to navigate passed out homeless people's heads to euro trash fake boobs (not sure which is more disturbing) all in the course of about 5 miles. I saw a flock of parrots on a telephone wire. I am pretty sure I saw the hotel where they chainsaw the guy in the bathtub in Scarface...actually I thought that about 10 times throughout the run...there are some scary hoods in Miami! Then a gorgeous barefoot ocean walk along South Beach...skeezy guys, string bikini'd starving girls, old ladies, families, tourists. It was a feast for the eyes. I already am having body issues just being here in the land of self obsession but I'm also liking it. I feel like Jefferson in Paris. Off to the pool!

Dimple Hill 15+mile loop

I did this on Saturday and it's a great run...you get to skip Harrison and its basically trails the whole way. The longest distance I have ever run...so far! Next goal...18miles by end of Feb.


Garmin Connect - Dimple Hill 15+mile loop

Bald Hill long loop

Garmin Connect - Bald Hill long loop

NPR: Nobody's Perfert- J. Cole feat. Missy Elliott

Dimple Hill loop

Garmin Connect - Dimple Hill loop


NPR:
Work Out- J.Cole
E.I.-Nelly
Rosa Parks- Outkast
Miss You- Trentemoller

Timberline Marathon- it's on.

I have just registered for my first Marathon. It's at the site of my first half marathon and it was an amazing experience shared with Jelly, so there is good mojo...and it's an amazingly pretty trail run. So maybe I'll be able to trick my body in to completing it, we'll see. June 2nd, damn.


http://roguemultisport.com/featureevents/timbrlinemarathon.html

Andre 3000 Talks Veggies

identity ink: Andre 3000 Talks Veggies: Andre 3000 doesn't appear to be too concerned with music. But that hasn't stopped the Outkast member from dabbling in a myriad of other in...

Weather Weirdness

We started the week here in Corvallis with a snow storm and ended it with major flooding, so much that Benton County was (and may still be, not sure) declared a disaster area. Some parts of South Corvallis and Albany were hit pretty hard based on what I've seen but the Scio area, where I ran a 1/2 marathon aptly called "The Roaring River 1/2 Marathon" remained above ground for the most part. I have no idea where I really was, though...there were lots of fields and farms and not much else other than rain. I clocked in at 2:05, my best yet....I was motivated by natural disaster movie scenes playing in my head, particularly that Jake Gyllenhall (sp) movie where New York freezes and he has to live in the library but fortunately the hot chick he likes is there too. That and goth music like this Tones on Tail song got me through. Also, "Moves Like Jagger" on mile 12 kept it live. Hey, whatever it takes:

Kavinsky + Gosling = me likey (off topic post)

What can I say, the avian flu known as Gosling has infected me. I had built up my resistance but this just did me in...damn! Obsessed with this song.

A Run Up Dimple Set to Skrillex (off topic post)

I must have listened to this Skrillex song called appropriately "Summit" about 20 times in a row during my 13 miler yesterday and since then. It's like a ringtone, but in a good way. Lots of debate about Skrillex (the comments in this New York Mag piece are amazing) but good or bad, I like any song that I can zone to.

Meyer Lemon Tree blues

I have been reticent to post about my lemon tree but it's time I just let the truth come out. I am the Susan Smith, the Scott Peterson, the.....well, just a really bad parent to my second child, the meyer lemon tree. You may recall I referred to my lemon tree as my second child and I truly love(d) it. But love apparently is not going to make it come back from the grave. I killed it. I left it out one night back in Sept. when it was sunny all day, warm and lovely. We had house guests, however, and I was distracted. I left it out over night, and it got too cold outside. All it takes is a few hours below 32 degrees and apparently the angel of citrus death swoops in. It lost almost all of it's leaves within a week...it still has a few little unripened fruits on but it never releafed. It looks like a sad little Charlie Brown Christmas tree.It may still come back to life but I can't bear the day to day uncertainty...so I did something that you can do with lemon trees much easier than with people. I bought a new one! It's smaller, but it's blossoming so it'll give us that wonderful smell in the house during the doldrums of winter, and hopefully grow to have a happy,productive and long life. And hopefully I won't kill it.