Number one:
We have full swing abundance from this land, the hot days of summer. The above photograph was the first food I prepared since being home, and some of the only food I have had a creative part in since leaving home 2.5 months ago. Hummus, tomatoes from my mom's garden, olives, grapes, yuuuum!
Number Two:
This photo I took at the Cob Stomp party next to Hardcore Cafe in Sebastopol. What we're lookin at here is nothing less than a father delighting his mud-covered babe by juggling balls of cob. For those of you who don't live in West County or Portland ;-) cob is essentially a mixture of dirt, water and straw that is used to build earthen structures. We love it because it's straight from the earth, cheap as dirt, and gets people together to dance in the mud. You can make bricks out of it, or apply it and sculpt it like clay to a substructure. You can also cast it into forms like you would concrete. Anyhow, coming back to a sunny gathering like this made me feel right at home.
It also connected me back to the Sebastopol Village Building Convergence, which I will make a special post about soon. For now, check out SebastopolVBC.org
Number Three:
Lukas and I daydreamed about blackberries multiple times while traveling and had our fingers crossed that these roadside treats were still ripening upon our return. And, O Joy!, they are. We've probably picked and eaten close to what would cost $40 at the store. The pictures here are from the Joe Radota Trail that runs from our house in either direction to downtown Santa Rosa or Sebastopol. Riding a bike to me symbolizes freedom. Feeling the elements, propelling myself with my own strength, riding anywhere I feel like, acting a little like a car, with the benefits had by pedestrians. GLORY!