2017-09-01 - Friday - Yard update

Since we all lead busy lives I can miss what's happening in the yard for weeks or months sometimes. Knowing that, I make a conscious effort to look around periodically and enjoy our space.

We have lots of lichen on our trees.

Here's a closer view.

With the recent rain we had a mushroom bloom.

All kinds of mushrooms.

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2016-05-31 - Tuesday - Breakfast and beer

Tuesday I made a big breakfast (at about 1:30 pm) and thoroughly enjoyed it. I do like breakfast no matter what time of day or night.

Tuesday afternoon I was shopping for beer and found this. I will have to try it at some point, but I was making better use of my money that day. I bought a 12-pack for the same amount.

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2016-01-07 Where have I been?

It's been a while and life has been very busy. Here we go with some updates.

When last we left off, I was getting ready for the holiday sale.

On Friday 12/11/15:

Getting set up for the sale.

I finally figured out where to put the hydra light --in the ceiling.

I went to Sears to get some staples for hanging the drop cloths in the garage and found a bunch of bag worm cocoons in the junipers outside the store. Quite a few of them.

Bag worm cocoons.

A huge hillside of them.

On Saturday 12/12/2015:

The sale was good, especially for a holiday sale in 75 degree weather.

Kim's banner.

Our snacks for the sale (and sunscreen).

 Saturday night:

Karen's company Christmas party.

Me and Karen.

Sunday 12/13/2015:

Taking down the sale.

Saturday 12/19/2015:

Monday 12/21/2015:

I found some TINY mushrooms growing out of the maple tree out back. I also found some brown lacewing larvae that cover their backs with moss and lichen. Cool stuff.

I used my clip-on macro lens for my phone which has a really short focus length so bear with me on this.

These are really tiny.

I like the barnacle-yness of the lichen.

Zooming out to show the scale.

REALLY tiny.

12/25/2015:

Our Christmas was pretty quiet. Meredith came home for more than a week and it was nice having a full house again for a while.

Meredith with Binkley and his Christmas bone.

Stephanie throwing wrapping paper at me.

Overnight cinnamon rolls.

12/31/2015:

The day after Christmas we went to Pennsylvania to visit family for the holidays. We had a great time for the week.

On New Year's Eve, my brother Dave took me to his favorite Thai restaurant where they decorate the plates with various sauces. The woman there really does beautiful work.

Tofu in mango sauce with a beautiful design.

A closer look.
I love the addition of the swirl with all those geometrics.

For dessert we had the dream bomba which is
chocolate covered peanut butter ice cream with a caramel center
--and an umbrella.

Dave's dessert plate artwork.

Mine.

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2014-08-05 - Tuesday - Fungus cups

Tuesday I found some strange inverted mushrooms in the front yard.  I've seen all kinds of different fungi in that yard, but never these before.  They were like bowls or cups.  There's always something new in the yard if you're paying attention.

Tuesday night I started making funerary urns by request for some friends.  I can see these are going to be some of the hardest pots I've made since I want them to be especially finished and elegant, which is not my usual method.  I'm usually working towards the more organic look, but for someone's eternal home they have to be a bit more formal.

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Saturday Scramble

Saturday morning I made something my Mom frequently made when I was growing up (well, allegedly growing up...).  Scrambled eggs with mushrooms and baby peas.  Some salt, pepper, and occasionally a little Texas Pete and you've got a full-fledged breakfast happening.

I don't know how she came up with that combination so I'll have to ask her some time.  It's good and it holds those childhood memories that make it taste even better.  As everybody knows, "Nobody can cook like Mom."

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