Spring Cleaning

Well, this could be the longest I've went between posts. Thought I'd share some pics I took recently at our first-ever yard sale (the eagle balanced on Ediza's fingertip went for 50 cents....or as she would say, "two quarters please"). As it turns out, Ediza is quite the little saleswoman. I like the last photo of the "dressing room," with the mirror reflecting the endless sky. 

Happy Holidays!

We hope everyone had a Merry Christmas and have a New Year full of fun and adventure ahead. Our Christmas was sunny and spring-like, but this photo of Ediza and Maggie was taken earlier this month when we got record-low temps and low-elevation snow!

Spring update

Thought I'd post some pics from the most recent Strawberry Music Festival (held over Memorial Day weekend). Like the fall festival, I helped build the stage again, and like last spring's festival it was very chilly (even with frozen precipitation again)!

Just before arriving at Strawberry, Ediza graduated from preschool. She started gymnastics class this week to help keep her active during the summer (not that she really needs any help with that).


Memorial Day was mine and Amber's fifth wedding anniversary. Apparently you're supposed to give your spouse something wooden on a fifth anniversary so I stopped at Mountain Sage in Groveland on the way home from Strawberry and bought her a candle holder made out of manzanita. It's made by a talented local artist. Check out his blog at yosemitegoat.blogspot.com

Amber is still nonstop roller derby. Her team, the High Country Hellcats, continue their 3-0 winning streak. They have another home bout coming up Father's Day weekend.

On the home front, we continue working on projects (inside and out). We now have some llamas living full-time at the ranch!

I'll end with another Strawberry picture (because I think it's funny). Ediza was more traditional with her olive pizza, while Amber was experimental with some tasty pesto pineapple pizza!

Goodbye winter, hello spring

After almost three months, we're getting more and more settled into our new home. We still don't have the Internet and we don't have any plans to get it installed (as usual, we don't have a television either). Surprisingly, we've been getting by just fine without having the Internet at home (after all, it's available just about everywhere else). Instead of being a distraction at home, we've found more time to read books, practice yoga, and just hang out.

Speaking of going online, please check out my new L.A. Times travel article, "Where to stay when visiting Yosemite."

Above is a family pic of us in Yosemite that was taken by my parents when they were visiting last month. In addition to ice skating in Yosemite Valley, we went wine tasting in Murphys (we highly recommend Presidents Wine Weekend) and worked on some projects around the house. Below is a picture of Amber in the backyard with our rooster (named "Mike" by Ediza).


Amber had her first roller derby bout of the 2011 season this past weekend, where she made her debut as a jammer. Her team, the High Country Hellcats, beat the Monterey Bay Derby Dames before singing karaoke with them later at the after party. Next month they travel up to Redding to take on the Angry Beavers!

Well, spring has finally arrived although it feels more like the dead of winter with cold temps, strong winds, rain and even snow. Hopefully March showers will bring April flowers.

New year, new home

I know I haven't posted much here lately, but I have a good excuse: we moved. Yup, after several years at the llama farm we've moved to a nearby house on a beautiful 110-acre ranch. This photo was taken at the base of a huge oak tree in our new backyard. We have plenty to keep us busy -- house projects, building a chicken pen, putting in a garden, preparing a llama pasture, etc. I will try to update our progress here. We hope 2011 is off to a great start for everyone!