157/365: Pickles

157/365: Pickles, a photo by doglington on Flickr.

We are traveling in Japan and enjoyed a traditional 12 course seasonal Japanese meal at the 200 year old ryokan (guesthouse) where we are staying. By course, I should qualify that a course is usually a bite or two. Everything was fantastic and, surprisingly, included very little sushi. Instead there were wonderful pickled vegetables such as this pumpkin and cucumber. Did I mention that Andy ate nearly thirty vegetables and loved them all? Pretty good for an Englishman. The story here: leftcoastcowboys.com/2013/06/07/fast-food-flush/

156/365: Tiny Godzilla and Cheese

156/365: Tiny Godzilla and Chese, a photo by doglington on Flickr.

I'm traveling to Japan to meet Andy after his Taiwan trip. Amazingly, I got bumped up to First Class! This being a trip to Japan, I packed an appropriate monster who I've named Tiny Godzilla. Tiny Godzilla is thrilled to be going back to the homeland. And he agrees with me that, on long flights, a cheese plate is always nice. Read about our first day's adventure here: leftcoastcowboys.com/2013/06/05/konnichiwa-bitches-2/

153/365: Martini!

153/365: Martini!, a photo by doglington on Flickr.

One of the best places for Martinis in San Jose is in a hipster Chinese restaurant called Sino in Santana Row. Surprising how well a Martini goes with Chinese food.

152/365: Poppies

152/365: Poppies, a photo by doglington on Flickr.

On the hottest day of the year so far, my hiking group decided on a force march up Windy Hill in Portola Valley. This is a crazy scramble with 1500 feet of elevation change in less than two miles on a 10% grade (which is steeper than it sounds.) Did I mention the hill is completely exposed to the South side? Needless to say, it was brutal, but the view was fairly good once you took into account the smog and haze. But I think I'll table this particular hike until the cool weather returns.

151/365: View from Windy Hill

151/365: View from Windy Hill, a photo by doglington on Flickr.

On the hottest day of the year so far, my hiking group decided on a force march up Windy Hill in Portola Valley. This is a crazy scramble with 1500 feet of elevation change in less than two miles on a 10% grade (which is steeper than it sounds.) Did I mention the hill is completely exposed to the South side? Needless to say, it was brutal, but the view was fairly good once you took into account the smog and haze. But I think I'll table this particular hike until the cool weather returns.

150/365: Wooden Horses

150/365: Wooden Horses, a photo by doglington on Flickr.

Just outside of Sonoma, on the way to Kenwood, someone has made a pasture full of the these wonderful scrap wood horses. Better yet, they are all for sale.

149/365: Turquoise

149/365: Turquoise, a photo by doglington on Flickr.

I love Native American jewelry from the Southwest. I have a huge collection of it. And when I can figure out a way to route myself through the Four Corners area of Arizona, I do so -- even if I meant to go from San Francisco to LA. But what's a small detour when it allows me to buy more Navajo jewelry. I especially like to wear this jewelry when I travel to other countries because the it seems even more unique. Today I was polishing my two favorite bracelets up in preparation for an upcoming trip to Japan. Where I probably won't encounter anyone else wearing it.

148/365: What Every Home Needs

148/365: What Every Home Needs, a photo by doglington on Flickr.

Gnome themed furniture! And a bargain at $149. At that price, I'll get two sets.

147/365: Grapelets

147/365: Grapelets, a photo by doglington on Flickr.

The term is not grapelets, but that's how I think of them. The blossoms have been pollinated and fallen away and the baby grapes are just emerging. This is Mourvedre.

146/365: Early Girl?

146/365: Early Girl?, a photo by doglington on Flickr.

To my mind, Early Girls are not the most interesting heirlooms. But they hold out the promise of giving me tomatoes in June. Here it is Memorial Day Weekend and I'm only seeing one little green tomato. Early Girls never rise early for me.

145/365:Mission San Miguel

145/365:Mission San Miguel, a photo by doglington on Flickr.

On the way back from Paso Robles, we visited one of my favorite of the California missions, little Mission San Miguel in the town of the same name. This mission is often overlooked, but it is the only mission still sporting its original fresco artwork. The art was the concept of one man, a Native American, who decorated the entire mission with only a few apprentices (also Native American) He is known as the Michelangelo of the Missions and, in between the pseudo Greek and Roman columns and motifs the padres had him paint, he wove in birds, flowers and plants that were sacred to his tribe. (For instance, a motif of a baptismal font is rendered as an Abalone shell.) So this mission is as much about Native cosmology as it is about Catholic iconography. I took many more pictures of this mission a few years ago when I went on my Mission Mission. See that set here: www.flickr.com/photos/atweed/sets/72157624861831447/with/...

144/365: Wine Tasting!

144/365: Wine Tasting!, a photo by doglington on Flickr.

We went to a wine-soaked private tasting and dinner at Tablas Creek. It's no coincidence that, in this picture, I'm seeing my friends through the haze of wine glasses. It was that kind of night.

143/365: BEANZ!

143/365: BEANZ!, a photo by doglington on Flickr.

I've made a resolution to eat more vegetarian meals and more beans. However, I should really be cooking my own beans.

142/365: Onions!

142/365: Onions!, a photo by doglington on Flickr.

These are from my garden. And even though they are big, they are sweet. I think I planted Walla Walla, but I forget.

141/365: Cactus in Bloom

141/365: Cactus in Bloom, a photo by doglington on Flickr.

Does everyone who visits Sonoma know about the giant cactus hedge near Friedman's Hardware? Well, it's in bloom now.

140/365: Tree Gate

140/365: Tree Gate, a photo by doglington on Flickr.

It's getting too hot to hike in a lot of the more exposed parks. So these two trees were a welcome sight after a hot and dusty trail. Guess I'll have to start exploring around Santa Cruz.

139/365: Armed and Ready

139/365: Armed and Ready, a photo by doglington on Flickr.

We had a "soft opening" at the pool. Because it's not fully done and we don't have many of the "stuff" you need to have stocked around a pool. Plus you have to walk through a construction zone to get to it. However, Andy get a full arsenal of water guns and gave them to the four year old. You can imagine how that turned out.

138/365: Sonoma Brussies

138/365: Sonoma Brussies, a photo by doglington on Flickr.

Local (as in two miles away) Brussies in Sonoma Market. It's probably the end of these. With our continued hot weather, these crops will start to come in from the cooler, foggier coastal areas. Still within the 100 mile locavore radius. Did I mention one of the reasons to love Northern California is year-round local Brussels Sprouts?

137/365: Nick the Coffee Man

137/365: Nick the Coffee Man, a photo by doglington on Flickr.

This is the man who makes the best Aztec Mocha in Sonoma and all parts surrounding. Visit him at the Cafe Scooteria. After a week of hiking, gardening and working on the farm, this is a great face to see on a Friday morning.

136/365: Deva the Tree Man

136/365: Deva the Tree Man, a photo by doglington on Flickr.

Called in a trained arborist to do some triage on some of our struggling trees. I'm excited! We have a plan. And one of these days, when I get back to blogging regularly, I'll write about it.

135/365: Artichoke in Sonoma Scene

135/365: Artichoke in Sonoma Scene, a photo by doglington on Flickr.

My artichokes are going crazy. I've got a huge crop. Pretty good for just sticking a little artichoke plant in the ground months ago and forgetting it. Only problem: the choke plant is so huge, it's crowding out the whole bed.

134/365: Can I Have Some Veggies

134/365: Can I Have Some Veggies, a photo by doglington on Flickr.

Now that the guys have cleared out a path on the other side of the fence enclosing my Sonoma garden, the deer walk up and watch me working. Usually they are pretty skittish, but this one just couldn't tear his eyes off my vegetables and let me get fairly close for a picture.

133/365: Golden Hills

133/365: Golden Hills, a photo by doglington on Flickr.

Went for a hike today at Coyote Lake/Harvey Bear Ranch. Miles and miles of low-profile hills should have been easy to navigate. But they all look the same. I got hopelessly lost and a 7 mile hike turned into 10. In the blazing hot sun. I can barely move now.

132/365: Doggie Swim Team

132/365: Doggie Swim Team, a photo by doglington on Flickr.

The pool is almost finished. Well the pool part is finished. And the dogs have already claimed it.

131/365: Cauliflower

131/365: Cauliflower, a photo by doglington on Flickr.

At the local farmers' market in Noe Valley. I love the orange variety. It's probably my imagination, but I think it tastes better.

130/365: BEANS!

130/365: BEANS!, a photo by doglington on Flickr.

Trying to healthy up our diet. But these didn't go down well with Andy. He thought they looked like something a terrier might leave behind in the park.

129/365: Can I Have More Cookies?

129/365: Can I Have More Cookies?, a photo by doglington on Flickr.

The doggies are always somewhat accusatory after we come back from a trip where they've been left behind. Lucy is being especially demanding. It's been 10 minutes since her last cookie and she wants another!

128/365: Blowsy Tulip

128/365: Blowsy Tulip, a photo by doglington on Flickr.

I think this is a tulip. I'm not very good at identifying flowers. But if it is a tulip, it's one that has burst open wide because of England's week long heat wave. That happened to be the week we visited. With suitcases filled with sweaters for a "typical" English spring.

127/365: Martini Perfume!

127/365: Martini Perfume!, a photo by doglington on Flickr.

You can buy anything in London. Things like Penhaligon's new signature scent made from the botanicals found in fine gin. Yes, I just paid good money for beautifully crafted and packaged Eau de Cologne that will make me smell like I went face down on the bar after spilling the last of four Martinis.

126/365: The Cool Orange Thingy

126/365: The Cool Orange Thingy, a photo by doglington on Flickr.

In the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. This is not a modern art sculpture. It's a refreshment stand that stacks the fresh oranges up three floors from the Photography Gallery down to the Sculpture Gallery.

125/365: British Museum Atrium

125/365: British Museum Atrium, a photo by doglington on Flickr.

If there is a Temple to Knowledge, it is the British Museum. Here is the atrium above the entrance leading to the Reading Room. We went there, but not to read. To see the Pompeii and Herculaneum exhibit. Our take-away: the Romans loved wine, penises and terriers. Not necessarily in that order.

The post here: leftcoastcowboys.com/2013/05/05/footloose-in-fitzrovia/

124/365: The Heart of Fitzrovia

124/365: The Heart of Fitzrovia, a photo by doglington on Flickr.

On this trip to London, we are discovering the charming pocket district of Fitzrovia. Here is the heart of it, Charlotte Street, from the window of our hotel.

123/365: At the Oscar Bar

123/365: At the Oscar Bar, a photo by doglington on Flickr.

Ending our first partial day in London with a tall one and a short one at the Oscar Bar. Which, surprisingly, was not named after our terrier.

122/365: Fine Stemware?

122/365: Fine Stemware?, a photo by doglington on Flickr.

That ritual pre-flight class of champagne is a tradition for us on trans-Atlantic flights. But lately, United Airlines, as the British would say, are "letting the side down". When did they start serving in plastic cups?

121/365: Reaching for the Sky

121/365: Reaching for the Sky, a photo by doglington on Flickr.

One quick trip up to Sonoma to check on the vines before I leave for England. I found them in full growth and stretching their "limbs".

120/365: New Friends

120/365: New Friends, a photo by doglington on Flickr.

You meet the nicest people hiking in the South Bay hills. This is Suzi and her horse who join me for part of my hike along Long Ridge above Cupertino.

119/365: Encore Martini!

119/365: Encore Martini!, a photo by doglington on Flickr.

I need to be careful. This exercise is turning into A Year of Martinis. But I couldn't resist a picture of this one as they served it in such a great glass. The mix: Bombay Saphire, a touch of Vermouth, shaken with olives.

118/365: Anchors Aweigh

118/365: Anchors Aweigh, a photo by doglington on Flickr.

It's sailing season on the Bay, when temps are warm and before the blowing gales of midsummer. And Boadicea is ready to go.

117/365: A Padre's Bathroom

117/365: A Padre's Bathroom, a photo by doglington on Flickr.

We're finally starting to build our home in Sonoma after years of just having agricultural buildings and outbuildings. I wanted this bathroom to look as if it would be in context in an old Mission. That is if the old Padres had had indoor plumbing and Kohler fittings. But otherwise authentic.

116/365: Top of the World, Ma!

116/365: Top of the World, Ma!, a photo by doglington on Flickr.

If there is anything I'm taking more pictures of than Martinis, it's the top part of the hikes I'm going on. I'm still new enough to hiking that when I clamber to the top of a ridge, I feel it's important enough to commemorate. This is the top of a hike on Long Ridge Open Space Preserve off Skyline Boulevard in Palo Alto looking toward the Santa Cruz Mountains and the coast.

115/365: San Jose Rose Garden

115/365: San Jose Rose Garden, a photo by doglington on Flickr.

This is my second photographic trip to the San Jose Municipal Rose Garden. It's a fantastic place with hundreds of varieties, colors and sizes of rose. Many are in bloom now, but I'm told one of the beauties of this garden is the length of time the roses bloom. So we should see roses in peak bloom well into fall.

114/365: Brown Hills

114/365: Brown Hills, a photo by doglington on Flickr.

Santa Teresa County Park isn't a very exciting destination. The views are all of the IBM facility, power lines or Silicon Valley. But it's one of my go-to places to get the dogs a long walk that doesn't involve a long car trip. In this view, the hills are already turning brown at this early date. Which may mean we are in for an early fire season.

113/365: Park Duck

113/365: Park Duck, a photo by doglington on Flickr.

Not many inspiring things to photograph today, but I did like this duck's bright orange feet. He also had a certain swagger that only a City Duck can have when he lives in a park that doesn't allow dogs in the gates.

112/365: Vineyard Haircut

112/365: Vineyard Haircut, a photo by doglington on Flickr.

Yes, our vineyards have a funny haircut. It's all part of the plan, explained here:
leftcoastcowboys.com/2013/04/29/cut-yer-damn-hair/

111/365: Grapelets!

111/365: Grapelets!, a photo by doglington on Flickr.

Actually these are just buds that will flower, then "shatter" and only then produce grapes. But they look like tiny little grapes at this point. This is a Cabernet vine.

110/365: Orange Rose

110/365: Orange Rose, a photo by doglington on Flickr.

Remember that sad little rosebud whose picture I posted a few days ago? That was one of ours. I took a stroll to the famous San Jose Municipal Rose Garden and their blooms put ours to shame. I don't think I've ever seen an orange rose.

109/365: Crossing the Middle Ridge

109/365: Crossing the Middle Ridge, a photo by doglington on Flickr.

At Henry W. Coe State Park. There isn't really a sense of how high up this ridge is, but we are looking out East toward the Sierras in the distance.

108/365: Gather Ye Rosebuds

108/365: Gather Ye Rosebuds, a photo by doglington on Flickr.

While ye may. In the heat, our roses are opening fast and may wither and shrivel just as fast. I think it's going to be a short flower season this year. The wildflowers are already showing signs of being past their prime.

107/365: California Natives

107/365: California Natives, a photo by doglington on Flickr.

A Bay Checkerspot Butterfly on a Blue Dick. Yes, those of you who are twelve. You can start giggling now.

106/365: The Delta Queen

106/365: The Delta Queen, a photo by doglington on Flickr.

This has been a kitschy attraction in San Jose since the early Sixties. It's the Delta Queen Car Wash. While you get your car washed and hand dried, you can grab an espresso or a martini at the bar, feed the ducks in the pond or just have that camp Show Boat moment. Yes, big wheels keep on turnin'...