Sunday, September 30, 2012

At Last, a Fall Update

   I have been so super-busy, so here is a very LATE update! This is one of our pumpkins from our first successful garden.

    This is our largest pumpkin; this photo was taken about a week or two ago; it is now almost completely orange.
   Our latest harvest of spaghetti squash and tomatoes! I have the tomatoes in my oven drying, drizzled in olive oil and sprinkled with salt (so yum!).

   The monkey had fun helping pick tomatoes.
    Speaking of picking, the monkey and I barely made the cutoff for this year's Ryan Sun peaches at M&M peach ranch two weeks ago! Phew! Hope to get some Last Chance peaches next weekend...



   In the culinary department, I have discovered the joys of basil lemonade. You make regular lemonade (heating the sugar in water to form a simple syrup is essential), but you blend some fresh basil leaves with some of the lemonade until it is pulverized into tiny spots of green. Mix with the rest of the lemonade, and you have a heavenly concoction!
   I have been super busy with myriad tasks and commitments (MCCOC, my article/storytime/craft, etc). I am especially loving getting my class in order (kids AND room!), and getting the curriculum together. I am already so proud of the children, especially in their 'school' behavior. That is essential to have in order so that learning can proceed. We have begun centers, and this week I will send home my first homework (they were finishing the September work from my colleague).
   I even got to go on a trail ride two weeks ago, and saw a bear on my commute home a week ago. Woo hoo! I just need to stop injuring myself (fell on our stairs yesterday and JAMMED two fingers; they look hideous...Will have more photos to share.

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

My New Work Commute

   This is what the beginning of my commute home from Maricopa will be like (taking the back route), if the school board approves me as their newest kindergarten teacher tomorrow. This is looking toward the school from the 166 west. My class will be in thea building behind the tree (much prettier in person). I live in the mountains you see behind that...


 

    I found out about a shortcut yesterday that veers to the left somewhere near here...I took it yesterday & today...



    This is JUST after I turned onto Cerro Noroeste...








   Lovely scenery along Cerro Noroeste







 Looking towards Quatal Canyon (other side of the green mountain) & south towards Ojai...




    That curve at the top is looking east at the backside of "Apache Saddle." If you see that brown horizontal line on the mountain at the right, that is the road up to Mt. Able. The monkey's school is off that road, but to the left.








Getting closer to Apache Saddle...
   ...and here is the Apache Saddle Fire Station on the right; the turnoff for the monkey's school is just ahead.
   I skipped taking photos of PMC, since I have already posted photos of that. This is just after you turn east at the "Y," to go east into Cuddy Valley.
   This is a little further down, just about at the spot where the San Andreas fault crosses the road.

   This is just a few minutes from home, and the lovely Cuddy Valley! How many people get to have such a beautiful drive home from work, and come home to this??