A ride through the hills surrounding Santa Barbara was filled with spectacular views, riotous flower displays of both wildflowers and landscape plantings and good times with our dear friends, Dan and Julie Moore.
We were saddened to see the results of the disastrous fires that have blackened the trees, destroyed many homes, many of which haven't yet been rebuilt almost two years later mostly due to building permit issues. This photo shows the measures that are taken with sandbags and fabric coverings on the hillsides to stop erosion when the rains come and threaten to create mudslides.
Even though the trees, bushes and plants are burned and blackened, they live to leaf out again recovering from the damage done them. The saddest part of these fires, of course, is the fact that most, if not all of them, are set by humans deliberately for whatever reason.
A stop at a miniature horse breeding farm was very entertaining. This foal has the same coloring as Mom. Wonderful sandwiches in Los Olivos eaten at an outdoor patio in the sunshine filled our tummies during our excursion. We were surprised to identify another bird for our life-lists that we didn't have: a yellow-billed magpie! Some 'window shopping' so to speak in a very interesting garden shop topped off our visit there.
I am always thrilled to attend any of the many farmer's markets that are held all over California. The quality and prices are excellent. Some of the veggies here are romaine, red and green leaf lettuce, carrots, cauliflower, strawberries and turnips.
Purple and orange carrots:
Rainbow chard and sugar snap peas:
Lilacs,
and numerous other varieties of flowers. Here orchids,
gerber daisies and calla lilies.
The treasures I chose to take to Karen and Patrick's to use for a luscious meal sometime this next weekend: zucchini, parsnips, purple carrots,
avocados, and cucumbers. Julie gamely carried all of them as I filled the basket. We finished the day with a very good meal at a local, family owned Thai Restaurant. Wonder what tomorrow will bring.
A ride through the hills surrounding Santa Barbara was filled with spectacular views, riotous flower displays of both wildflowers and landscape plantings and good times with our dear friends, Dan and Julie Moore.
We were saddened to see the results of the disastrous fires that have blackened the trees, destroyed many homes, many of which haven't yet been rebuilt almost two years later mostly due to building permit issues. This photo shows the measures that are taken with sandbags and fabric coverings on the hillsides to stop erosion when the rains come and threaten to create mudslides.
Even though the trees, bushes and plants are burned and blackened, they live to leaf out again recovering from the damage done them. The saddest part of these fires, of course, is the fact that most, if not all of them, are set by humans deliberately for whatever reason.
A stop at a miniature horse breeding farm was very entertaining. This foal has the same coloring as Mom. Wonderful sandwiches in Los Olivos eaten at an outdoor patio in the sunshine filled our tummies during our excursion. We were surprised to identify another bird for our life-lists that we didn't have: a yellow-billed magpie! Some 'window shopping' so to speak in a very interesting garden shop topped off our visit there.
I am always thrilled to attend any of the many farmer's markets that are held all over California. The quality and prices are excellent. Some of the veggies here are romaine, red and green leaf lettuce, carrots, cauliflower, strawberries and turnips.
Purple and orange carrots:
Rainbow chard and sugar snap peas:
Lilacs,
and numerous other varieties of flowers. Here orchids, gerber daisies and calla lilies.
The treasures I chose to take to Karen and Patrick's to use for a luscious meal sometime this next weekend: zucchini, parsnips, purple carrots, avocados, and cucumbers. Julie gamely carried all of them as I filled the basket. We finished the day with a very good meal at a local, family owned Thai Restaurant. Wonder what tomorrow will bring.
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