New Zealand - Part I

Just back from a lovely three-week stay in New Zealand, one of the most amazing experiences ever. We flew into Auckland, picked up our campervan, and headed down to Clevedon to start our trip with tea and coconut loaf at the home of Ian's friends Pete and Katherine (with that amazing beach right in front). Courtesy of Kiwi hospitality we stayed for lunch and took a walk on the beach, then headed to Hamilton for two nights. We actually stayed in the village of Cambridge, but our first game was in Hamilton: Wales vs. Samoa. The Samoans did their pre-game haka:

The Welsh did their equivalent:

And then the Welsh proceeded to win 17 to 10. There was even a rainbow after the game.

The next day we headed North to explore. We went to Bay of Islands, and spent a lovely morning in Russell where we had breakfast (including flat whites, the most glorious coffee ever created and apparently only available in New Zealand and Australia, sigh). Then it was on to Goat Island, which is not only a gorgeous marine reserve, but also the subject of a case study from the Ecology unit in the Biology text my team just published! We arrived in time for a bit of lunch in the campervan and a wander around the beach and the tide pools. Ian even found me a stingray in one of the deeper pools:

We stayed until dusk. It really is a magical spot.

Next on the list was Taupo, Craters of the Moon, and Rotorua. There's a lot of thermal activity, including mud pools, hot springs, and especially in Rotorua a lot of sulfur. Despite the incredible, amazing, fabulously yummy sweet potato chips (fries) we found in Rotorua, the Craters of the Moon was my favorite of the three.

Chicago

Under the El, a photo by zostra on Flickr.

I have now officially been to Chicago. Only for 24 hours, but it was a good 24 hours. I did a teacher training in Mishiwaka, IN (outside South Bend). Stayed at a lovely B&B in South Bend, Innisfree. Spent my evenings in a great Celtic Pub, Fiddler's Hearth, nearby. And then I had one night and most of a day in Chicago. Went to dinner at The Green Zebra with a friend who came up from Champaign-Urbana. In the morning I ferreted out The Bleeding Heart Bakery, the country's first all-organic, sustainable bakery and had one of their fabulous take-a-hike vegan scones. Then a quick run through the Art Institute, where everywhere you turn there's something famous on the wall, and finished up with a wonderful walking tour with the Chicago Architecture Foundation. Must return. Soon.

What I did on my vacation

Planted Garden 4, a photo by zostra on Flickr.

Two days of vacation time plus one weekend = a real garden. After carrying thousands of pounds of soil amendment, compost, and bark (not exaggerating, it was about 3600 pounds of stuff over the four days and one of those days we didn't carry anything), laying three paths and one patio-ish corner, fixing two raised beds, and planting bunches of stuff, it's official. I have a garden. Come June or so I'll have a small jungle of produce (fingers crossed that this prediction comes true). We planted 2 types of kale, 5 types of carrot, 4 types of beet, 2 types (but many plants) of tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, 5 varieties of herbs, 2 types of strawberries, half a dozen types of flowers, and I'm sure I'm forgetting a few things. Zucchini and bunching onions are still in their pots for a few days. Peas will stay in their trellised pot. Here's hoping for a bumper crop and lots of yummy meals over the summer. Yes, you're invited.

Eatwell vs. Eatwell

Cookie Bake-off, a photo by zostra on Flickr.

After discovering the most brilliant recipe for whole wheat cookies ever (thanks, Julia for the link) and trying out the recipe a few times, I decided to have a bake-off. My lovely friends at Eatwell Farms gave me two types of flour to try. The top cookie is made with Blanco Fuerte and the bottom with Bolero. I took the results to the market this morning and had friends from Massa Organics, Tierra Vegetables, Will's Avocados, McGinnis Ranch, Hidden Star Orchards, and of course Eatwell Farms do a taste test. Votes for looks went entirely to the Blanco Fuerte, taste was half and half. The Blanco Fuerte had a nutty texture to them, a bit chewy. The Bolero were more of a traditional chocolate chip cookie. Sadly, I didn't manage to get a picture until they were almost gone. In fact, I didn't get a picture at all, but Laurel's iPhone did.

A Birthday Dinner

Mom's Birthday Flowers, a photo by zostra on Flickr.

Mom's birthday was a few weeks ago, but I was in Wisconsin at the time, so we celebrated tonight. The menu: gazpacho, salad, asparagus frittata, garlic hedgehog potatoes, strawberries, meyer lemon sorbet, and chocolate. Except for the ranunculus, the flowers are all from the backyard. I gave mom a hat that I knitted for her from an olive green wool with an off white border all in seed stitch. She'd requested something warm for her morning walks, and hopefully this will do the trick (and fit better than Dad's hat that she's been wearing in lieu of her own).

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.

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.

Digger Slippers

New Slippers a photo by zostra on Flickr.

After months of languishing on the needles, I finally finished Cy's digger slippers for his third birthday. Mom & Dad spent two weeks in Hawaii with Cy, Chris & Bray, and delivered the slippers for me. Based on the expression on his face, I think he likes them. They're based on a pattern by Pick Up Sticks, originally for tractor slippers. The scale was a bit off, but as long as they stay on his feet and he recognizes what they are, I'm happy with the end product.

Favorite Photo of the Season

Amanda & Uncle Jim
Originally uploaded by zostra

Out of all of the photos that were taken this holiday, and all the wonderful memories, I think this one is my favorite.

He's got rhythm, too!

Cy's Party Hat
Originally uploaded by zostra

Such style for an almost-three-year-old. This is Cy's party hat. He wears it every time he goes to a party, which included the big, family dinner with all of the aunties and uncles and cousins. Cy and Gryf had a great time playing together, much more exciting than the last time they met when neither of them could crawl yet. Much noisier too.

Chocolate Balsamic Genie

Chocolate Balsamic
Originally uploaded by zostra

One of the Christmas gifts I made this year was chocolate balsamic vinegar. It's quite tasty, very thick and chocolatey with a decided tang from the balsamic. I found these bottles at the Ecology Center in Berkeley, and I love the way the vinegar separated into layers. It looks like a genie is going to come flying out as soon as you open up the bottle.

Eggnog Demitasse

Eggnog Demitasse
Originally uploaded by zostra

Bray made eggnog on Christmas eve. Real, thick, creamy, traditional eggnog. Nothing healthy. Nothing lowfat. Nothing non-dairy. That last one put me into the "I'll just have a taste" category, but oh what a taste it was.

Proud Mama

Diploma
Originally uploaded by zostra

Very few things make me cry. Opening up my daughter's diploma from Berkeley did. Who would have thought that when I brought her home six-and-a-half years ago that today I'd be standing in my kitchen crying over a piece of paper with a gold seal and her name on it. She's come so far, done so much, and I am so very, very proud of her. She is the best part of my life, and I am grateful for her every single day. And I don't mind saying so, for the whole world to hear.

First Dinner Party

Dobos Torte
Originally uploaded by zostra

I've come to the conclusion that I will feel truly settled when two things happen. Number one, I'm down to one trip to the hardware store a week. Number two, the drill goes to live in the garage. Not necessarily in that order.

I did host my first dinner party in the new house. We celebrated Daniel's birthday with our parents. Unfortunately, I screwed up my back a few days prior, so I didn't finish all the things I wanted to finish. Paintings are not hung, boxes are not all unpacked, there is still a bit of general disarray. However, the food was great, the company wonderful, and the dessert was to die for. Daniel ordered a dobos torte for the occasion. I'd never had one before, but can understand now why he likes them so much. It's a Hungarian dessert with many layers of very light sponge cake alternating with German buttercream (only the slightest hint of chocolate) and slices of hard caramel on top. It was as good as it sounds.

The good news is my back is about 98% back to normal, which means I've been trying to get back to doing little things. I hung the bathroom mirror today. Towel racks have been ordered (had the worst time trying to find the ones I wanted, no idea towel racks could be such a challenge!). Leak under the sink is fixed. Garage is painted (yay, Dad!) Broken closet rod has been replaced. I own two new drill bits, plumber's putty AND plumber's caulk, and have started fantasizing about procuring various and sundry power tools and gardening implements. Is it bad that I'd rather be at the hardware store than in a clothing boutique?

The Graduate

Amanda Grad 1
Originally uploaded by zostra

We took the day off for celebrations. Amanda's graduated! Mom & Dad hosted a family luncheon in her honor at their house. We had a lovely meal, with lots of family, and lots of fun. Hard to believe she's done with college, but I'm a very proud mama.

Lake of Ice

Lake of Ice
Originally uploaded by zostra

On our drive back from Oregon, this is what we drove by, a frozen Klamath Lake. It was beautiful, and huge. I can see why people are tempted to go out on lakes even if they aren't sure that they're completely frozen.

Snow in Berkeley

Snow in Berkeley
Originally uploaded by zostra

I didn't have my camera the first day, but this is snow in Tilden the day after it snowed. The first day there was so much snow, it was like driving through Tahoe in the middle of ski season. I wish I'd had my camera on me...