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.