First Apple Leaves

First Apple Leaves, a photo by zostra on Flickr.

Spring is here. The White Pearmain apple that I planted back on MLK weekend has green bits coming off of it! The salvia has blossoms on it, the foxglove I planted last year is coming up, and there are (so far) exactly twice as many plums on the tree as last year. That would be 4.

San Diego Visit

San Diego Coast, a photo by zostra on Flickr.

After several years of threatening, I finally made good on my promise to visit my long-time friend Sarah in San Diego. We had a wonderful four days trekking around with her three kids (the youngest of which I met for the first time this trip). Lots of playing in the sand, at parks, building legos, coloring, ballet recitals, cartoon watching, and just catching up with Sarah. This shot was taken yesterday at La Jolla where we visited the Harbor Seals at the Children's Pool, built sand castles (at a different beach) and played in the park. Everything is starting to bloom down there, and I'm anxious for it to start up here (although I did come home to a little bit of color on my salvia!). Sarah's four-year-old put on a wonderful protest when it was time for me to leave, in that special way that only four-year-olds can, which made me feel very loved. I promised to return soon, and I'm looking forward to it.

SF Garden Show

Hydroponics, a photo by zostra on Flickr.

My parents & I took our annual trip to the San Francisco Flower and Garden Show. Of all the garden exhibits, this was the most unique. More of an art installation, really. Other popular items included succulents and edibles. Not a whole lot of ideas to take home this year, but a few. Enough to keep me hoping for sunny weather and some time in the yard. I did buy some new dahlia tubers, which will go in the ground just as soon as it dries up enough to be called dirt instead of mud.

Wine and WI Cheese Night

Wine and WI Cheese Night, a photo by zostra on Flickr.

I shared my Wisconsin cheese stash with Seth & Laurel. Accompanied by a bottle of Tramin Pinot Bianco 2009 (thank you, Solano Cellars, for the recommendation) and Powder Keg Petite Sirah 2008 (thank you, Seth), some other goodies, and followed by whole wheat chocolate chip cookies made with flour from Eatwell Farms. It was lovely. The fourth member of our party couldn't make it because his son was sick. While we were saddened by the loss of his company, this did not deter us from eating his portion of the cheese. Sorry, Jan. The cheese was amazing.

Exploring Madison

After an early-morning presentation I left The Dells and headed down to explore Madison. I stopped at a fabulous knitting shop, Lakeside Fibers, which has a very tempting selection of yarns and an attached coffee shop where there was live music playing an a selection of local pastries and other goodies. Down the street was this view of downtown Madison:



Then I was off to Avol's Books near the University, which houses a great collection of used and antiquarian books. I restrained myself, due to over-full luggage, and only bought one small paperback. Drove through some detours to get around the protesters at the capital building:



Parked the car, and headed to a restaurant on the capitol square that specializes in local foods, Graze, where I had positively scrumptious buttermilk pancakes with spiced butter, Wisconsin maple syrup, and tart cherries:



then made my way to a positively brilliant cheese shop, Fromagination. The staff was friendly, knowledgeable, and most importantly gave me samples. I made it out the door with only four cheeses, Bandaged Cheddar by Bleu Mont Dairy, Dunbarton Blue by Roelli Cheese, Pleasant Ridge Reserve by Uplands Cheese, and Evalon Saxon Creamery from La Clare farm. For those of you who are wondering, yes, I am still lactose intolerant but some things are just worth the suffering.

Last stop was at my friend Erik's house for coffee and to meet the chickens, who have one of the most fabulous chicken "coops" I've ever seen, not to mention a killer view:



Then I headed home, to wind, rain, and hail in California after four sunny days in Wisconsin. To be fair there are parts of WI that are still a bit frozen:



but still, as I sit at my kitchen table listening to the rain, I do have to wonder if those Midwest winters are all they're cracked up to be...or if I'm just lucky. I think it's the later.

Mirror Lake, WI

Mirror Lake, WI a photo by zostra on Flickr.

I escaped the faux-jungle cruise for a late afternoon hike at Mirror Lake State Park near Wisconsin Dells. There was snow on the ground, but not enough to ski on. Just enough to crunch through when you're walking and to slide on if there's a good hill. Went with my friend, Digby, who owns scienceteecher.com (if you want a science-themed t-shirt, tie, earrings, etc, Digby's your guy!). After our hike we headed to The Cheese Factory in The Dells, which is a vegan/vegetarian restaurant housed in an old cheese factory. Great food if you ever find yourself in that part of Wisconsin, but only open until 7:30...good thing the sun went down at 7 so we could make it because it's the only vegan place for miles.

African-themed Resort in Wisconsin?

Kalahari Lobby a photo by zostra on Flickr.

A teachers' conference in Wisconsin, where shall we host it? An African-themed resort and conference center with indoor water slides and theme part, of course. The lobby was too dark to get a good picture on my little, old camera (this was taken in the middle of the day), so if you want the real experience, go to their website. But turn the sound up on your computer first. Trust me, you can't fully understand without it. Here you go.