The first walnuts fell on October 1 and I began gathering. It was easier to pick walnuts from the opened hulls rather than stooping over to pick them from the ground after they dropped. October 19: Some days, I picked up from the ground only 2 pounds of walnuts scattered under 28 producing trees. This equalled about 50 squats. Aha! A discovery on November 14. I used a Webster dusting tool with an extension handle. I was able to gently brush the branches and the walnuts rained down. Much easier! Not very many walnuts hit me on the head. By December 5, the harvest was over. Grand total = 205 pounds. In 1012, I gathered about 40 pounds. What will next year be like? The dryer for a small orchard: I’m already excited for the 2014 harvest because Justin is going to buy a small walnut gatherer. Oh darn, maybe not so many squats next season.

Doug’s softball team had a fundraiser tonight

at the IBEW union hall.

Dave and Phyl’s sons, Jon and Greg were there.

This guy was so proud of his butter warmer.

The littlest helpers at the crab feed, Odin and Kellen.

I heard a helicopter – loud and seeming to hover over Justin’s house and had to check it out.

The copter flew from tower to tower bringing material to three guys working high above the ground.

I guess somebody has to do this job, but it sure isn’t my cup of tea.

A truck waits in a field to the west for the next phase.

This was a fun day. We started by making 12 jars of

pomegranate jelly.

Phyl got started on her next sewing project.

And, maybe best of all, it rained today. It hasn’t rained in over 40 days, everyone is talking about a “mega-dought” in California, and water restrictions are in everyone’s future. Dave set up a catchment system to harvest the rain that fell on the roof, not fit for human consumption, but the trees won’t mind.

And this is Dave giving me “the look” – stop taking pictures! Of him.

Thais, Phyl and I drove to Berkeley this morning. This is the best closest-to-Sacramento fine fabric store, Stone Mountain and Daughter.

We went to Swan’s Market in Oakland for lunch.

I’m afraid I dragged Ty and Phyl to Rosamunde’s Sausage Grill to eat. I figured any restaurant with sausage in the title had to be good. Nope, the sausages were only average. Still on top for delicious sausage is Ty’s husband Lenin. He grills the best.

And the market part of Swan’s Market was limited. A really nice meat counter here. A half-filled seafood market and that was it. 

A totally fun day nevertheless. There’s a lot of sewing ahead.

I asked the boys the other day, a series of questions.
What month is it now? -Janauary
What month comes next? -February
What special day comes in about the middle of February? (With a little from Mom) -Valentine’s Day!
Will you be my Valentine?

Kellen wasn’t too sure about answering the question, so he hesitantly said, “Yes.” Odin was certain of his answer, “No!” When I gave a Valentine’s treat to Kellen, Odin was horrified. “Wait! I changed my mind.” So I asked him again and he quickly said yes. A priceless moment.

It’s Tuesday afternoon, so of course we’re back at Duke’s for Taco Tuesday.

It’s a much different week, many tourists have gone home.

The hair: this is what happens when I can’t bring my favorite hair product along because the container is too big to pass through the security checkpoint.

I am going to miss “my” upstairs bedroom

but I will miss Pat even more.

I will not, however, miss the owner of the boat Pat is standing next to.

This t-shirt was spotted at the airport. Another funny-to-me moment: my carry-on was pulled aside for further inspection. An “organic mass” had been detected – it was a candle, a gift from Pat.

This is the gully behind Pat’s house. From the other side, if you look through just the right gap in the fence, you can spy a secret garden and two people working quietly on their own plot.

Newly blooming spider orchids

and other beauties near Pat’s front door.

One day’s catch:

Whale watching at Ahukini Point

with an eye out for the famous wild Kauai chickens and their flocks.

Yum! Lunch at Mark’s Place is a must.

Palms at sunrise:

L-R: San Francisco 49er fan, Packers fan. The results: