Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Kern County Fair, Etc.

Last Friday, we went to dinner at Hotel Noriega with our friends K & T, and had a blast (Moscow Mules first, of course). And yet again, I took no photos (it's that good, I'm enjoying myself too much). We had beef stew, lamb and all the Basque fixin's. YUM. And, no kids! That K is hilarious, and kept me in stitches the whole night...
   Enroute to the fair, we saw the most amazing lightning storm (turns out it was hitting where we live, and raining).
   We saw the tail-end of the Doobie Brothers concert (not my cup of tea, but sounded great). The next night, we had an amazing birthday dinner at my friend L's house, & her hubby cooked. Wow, carnitas & these great vegetarian black bean enchiladas with chipotle sauce, as well as margaritas with fresh lime juice. AND...we went to the fall Pine Mountain wine festival on Saturday. What a great weekend!!

Monday, September 19, 2011

My Veggie Garden Attempt

   My family in Japan has a farm, so growing food is in my blood. This is one of our first eggplants that we ate last week. I'm going to cook some for the kids in the class I am subbing in when I get more, since most of them have never tried it.
Look at that cute 'Mooshka!' He has blossomed so much, and we are so proud of our rehabilitated maniac...

This photo was taken about a week or so ago. I have way more squash, and it is getting much larger! I have some mystery squash I grew from seed taking off as well. I think & hope it is spaghetti squash, and that it doesn't take as long as pumpkins to grow...

Sunday, September 18, 2011

Busy, Busy, Busy!

   Last weekend, I had my "Magic Bookshelf" storytime at M&M peach ranch. It was awesome; Bill Basner walked us around the ranch, and we learned about growing peaches (e.g. all of his trees are grafted onto plum bases), cherries and even his new persimmons and pomegranates. Next year, Mr. Basner is going to put in a pumpkin patch, and we are going to have a special pumpkin festival weekend! The kids all received two free peaches, and a lot of us went peach picking afterward...

Here are the baby pomegranate bushes. Some have flowers and fruit, but they aren't mature enough to have a harvest this year. Next year should be their first productive year.
   Remember how pretty the grounds are? Great spot for a wedding!
   Aaaah..."Last Chance" peaches...I am waiting for these to be ready to pick! They should be ready in a week or two, and I will be there! Today was the last day for the Ryan's Sun. I have two bags of the Ryan's Sun frozen, so I can enjoy a peach pie in the middle of winter...
   I'll try and post about THIS weekend's happenings tomorrow!

Sunday, September 11, 2011

Wine/Cheese Fundraiser

Are these the cutest cupcakes, or what?? Debbie McNeeley made these adorable creations for the Shelter on the Hill wine/cheese event. I helped SOTH with designing/inputting info for the silent auction bid sheets, and setting up auction tables. I also donated a wine/glass basket for the Silent Auction. It was a lovely event (despite the wind), and in the vineyard on Tejon Ranch.
Here are more of Debbie's cupcakes...

   The live auction was particularly fun, and I won a lovely pair of paintings, depicting the Tejon vineyard setting. We were even able to purchase some great wine, at a great price. I didn't take too many photos this year, as I was a little too busy. I have some cute ones of friends, but won't put on the blog...
   Afterward, my friend and I explored the road on the ranch property a little, then had an amazing dinner at her house. Her hub made wonderful pizza appetizers, then some wonderful pork roast. He also made this great blueberry lemonade cocktail that was lethal....Her hub is a fantastic chef, and has made me realize I need to up my game a bit. However, my family did enjoy some amazing eggplant that I grew tonight! Will post about my peach farm storytime tomorrow!

Sunday, September 4, 2011

It's Peach Season Again!

   Wow! The hub, monkey & I went peach picking yesterday at M&M Peach Ranch (mmpeachranch.com) out off the 138, and these peaches are incredible! The harvest is much smaller this year, due to the March storm and a late freeze in April. This peach is a Ryan Sun, which we didn't get to try last year. Gorgeous and delicious! I took this photo right before I ate this yummy peach...
     Here we are on the peach ranch, getting ready to pick. It's $30 to fill your bucket, which will give you a lot of peaches!
Gorgeous peaches...

The gorgeous monkey (rockin' a 70's long hair look) picking a gorgeous peach...
   The 'fruit of our labor.' Sorry, couldn't resist...

   You can pick, or purchase a box of fruit already picked for you. My "Magic Bookshelf" storytime is going to be at the ranch on Sunday, September 11 AT 10 a.m. Children who attend will get a tour of the orchard from the owner, and get to pick two free peaches. Adults who want to pick will need to pay, and can also pay for the kids to pick extra peaches.
   Last night, I baked a peach pie, and a peach/strawberry pie. Will let you know how they turned out! Plan to make peach/strawberry popsicles as well!