Reflections on 2018

Hard to believe we're at the end of the year already! I thoroughly enjoyed my "sabbatical" in 2018. I slowed my pace a bit and freed up some time for research, but still managed to explore the San Francisco Bay Area, and enjoy the beauty of the every day. I also took on a few small-scale projects like forcing bulbs, growing herbs, and looking for good ideas in the garden,

We focused quite a bit on the seasons, and how seasonal changes influence a place (I think the change in light is the most fascinating aspect of the seasons)! We explored several more East Bay Regional Parks, including Wildcat Canyon, Garin and Dry Creek Gardens, Point Pinole, and Black Diamond Mines. We visited gardens in season such as Heritage Park in spring and fall, Filoli in fall, and Bishop Ranch in all seasons.

Historical gardens	Beautiful plants
Exploring nature	Seasonal beauty

We traveled to Southern California, Southeastern Alaska, and the Pacific Northwest to drink in the natural beauty, learn something new, and enjoy the company of loved ones. Really, shared experience in a beautiful setting, followed by a tasty meal, and good conversation is one of life's blessings. It was a great year for gardens!

Christmas in Seattle

My husband and I are looking forward to a Christmas gathering in Seattle with our son, daughter-in-law, and granddog, Mako the Alaskan husky. New to the gathering is our daughter-in-law's mom from Shanghai, and our new granddog, Dakota, a rescue Husky from Qatar. We're looking forward to our shared Christmas traditions, and adding a few new ones. We've been texting ideas and plans and reminders to each other for over a month, which adds to the anticipation!

December has already been full with Christmas fun. We had a visit from my folks on their way home to Alaska after warming up in the desert. Together with my aunt, who lives locally, we enjoyed dinner at one of our favorite Chinese restaurants and an evening of beautiful music provided by Chanticleer (several of their recordings are in our Christmas music collection, so it was a treat to experience their music in person)! Listening to Christmas music, baking for a cookie exchange, shopping for and wrapping gifts, watching Christmas-themed movies, and observing the Advent at church are all favorite activities of the season. Did I mention egg nog?

A greenhouse ornament ready for the tree!

As we gather to celebrate, I'd like to think we're pushing back against the dark, and letting in the light (something we definitely need these days). We're all busy; all at different stages of life; a mix of ages, genders, and species; but we're all committed to the journey. I'm looking forward to some rest, fun, good food, and time together!

Merry Christmas!

Favorite Christmas Plants

Decorating the house, yard, and Christmas tree is a big part of holiday fun. Some years the decorating is big and bold, other years it is traditional and understated, and still others you may skip it all together for various reasons like travel, illness, or time constraints. But one easy way to decorate is to use plants that bloom (or can be forced to bloom) in December. Here are a few favorites to consider.

The poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima) comes in shades from white, to red, to everything in between. The bracts form a large star around the minute flower parts. You can typically purchase them from any hardware store, grocery store, or large store like Costco. The species is indigenous to Mexico.

Poinsettia in a variety of shades

Paperwhites (Narcissus papyraceus) are fragrant as well as beautiful and easy to grow. You can plant them in potting soil, or in a vase with marbles or pebbles. They do tend to flop over as they gain height, so plant in a tall container for support, or use a grid of clear floral tape to keep them upright. The species is native to southern Europe and North Africa, and throughout the Mediterranean.

Paperwhites on the window sill

Christmas cactus (Schlumbergera truncata) is an easy-to-grow succulent with blossoms in shades from red to pink. Read the instructions to find out when the species that you picked blooms (mine bloomed in December the first year, and then in February the second). The species originated in Brazil.

Christmas cactus in bloom

Amaryllis (Hippeastrum spp.) comes in many shades of red, white, or even variegated combinations. Read the instructions for the bulb you purchased to find out how to force the bloom in December. Plant several in sequence for an ongoing show. Purchase special amaryllis flower stakes to keep the long stems and bodacious blooms upright. The genus is native to tropical and subtropical Americas, from Argentina to Mexico and the Caribbean.

Amaryllis in full bloom

Christmas Gifts for Gardeners

Stocking stuffers and gifts for the gardener are such a treat to give and to receive. They don't have to be expensive or extravagant. They show the recipient that you care. Here are a few gifts that I've received over the years. I love using them, and thinking about the giver.

These sticky notes by Mary Woodin help brighten any paperwork, list making, reading, or research project.

Sticky notes (collages made using Pic-Collage)

Yard art by Fancy Plants brings a whimsical touch to a pot of succulents, and celebrates a love affair with the desert.

Whimsical dioramas for container plants

This tiny self-watering planter by Shippon is so easy and so much fun - great to share with kids or grandkids, and to provide an inside gardening experience in the dark winter days.

Self-watering planter

With the cocktail garden by Backyard Safari Company you can grow six heirloom herbs (thyme, mint, lavender, lemon balm, Thai basil, and blue borage) in a space the size of an egg carton. Use to flavor the dish or beverage of your choice.

Mini herb garden

The Amaryllis is another favorite gift for gardeners (and non-gardeners). With relative ease just about anyone can have success growing big bodacious flowers from the large bulb. Red and white blossoms are perfect for the Christmas holidays.

Amaryllis bulbs are a great decoration and a great gift

Keep a look out for great gift ideas for the gardeners in your life.

Sabbatical and Seasons: Wrap Up

In this year of sabbatical we explored fun ideas, appreciated the seasons and seasonal change, visited parks and gardens, and enjoyed the beauty of the everyday.

Fall light in late afternoon

Fun Ideas

Here's a collection of fun ideas for the garden and the gardener.

Tennis Shoe Planter
Birdhouses
Fresh Herbs
Favorite Christmas Plants
The Art of Beatrix Potter
Christmas Gifts for Gardeners
Cousin Chris and the Glam Camper

Seasons

Enjoy the landscape in different seasons.

Winter at Bishop Ranch
Spring at Bishop Ranch
Summer at Bishop Ranch
Roses at Bishop Ranch
Filoli in Fall
The Beast of Lake Bishop

Regional Parks

Visit regional parks in the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond.

Seahurst Park
Garin Regional Park
Wildcat Regional Park
Iron Horse Trail
Dry Creek Garden
Point Pinole
Black Diamond Mines

Gardens

Visit gardens in Seattle and the San Francisco Bay Area.

Marra Farm Community Garden
Garden on the 17th Floor
Kitchen Garden in Palo Alto
Dublin Heritage Park and Museums

Birdhouses

Thinking about adding a fun detail to the garden without spending a lot of money? How about adding a birdhouse? Here are a few I've seen while out and about.

Alaskan-style birdhouse with a tin roof and opening, and beautiful green patina

Seattle Victorian birdhouse in a leafy neighborhood

I don't know if birds actually use bird houses, but I have seen them pushing twigs into them. Perhaps they are preparing a cozy resting place or a back-up nest (just in case).

Rustic birdhouse at Filoli in Woodside

Rustic birdhouses like this one are placed throughout the Gentleman's Orchard at Filoli in Woodside, California. The birds they attract may help manage insects that could damage crops.

Thanksgiving 2018

I miss the turkeys in Dublin! And with all the construction going on for City Center Bishop Ranch, the turkeys I saw in San Ramon last year are long gone (possibly relocated to the foothills of Mount Diablo).

Pumpkin pie in the raw

Hope you're looking forward to a few days of respite this Thanksgiving, along with delicious food, and time with friends and family. Whether you're feasting on turkey pot pie, a turkey plate at a nearby diner, or a full blown Thanksgiving feast – pause a moment to reflect on all you can be grateful for, and all that binds us together.

Happy Thanksgiving!   

The Beast of Bishop Lake

This beast shows up on Bishop Lake every fall. I've never seen it in action, but I'm pretty sure it is a lake rake (or hydro-rake), which scoops up anything floating in the water; and mows the lake bottom.

The beast of Bishop Lake

Small plants grow on the bottom of shallow Bishop Lake, providing habitat and nutrients for the ecosystem. But occasionally the lake bottom is mowed to reduce plant volume and ensure water clarity.

Notice the aquatic plants hanging in the "teeth" of the beast

If you're curious, you can see how hydro-rakes work. Dredging and hydro-raking is an important part of maintaining a healthy man-made lake.

Food for the beast

Decorating for Fall at Heritage Park

I recently had another  opportunity to volunteer at the Dublin Heritage Park and Museums in Dublin, California. A group from the business women network at work (the Mighty Morphing Women of Power, as my husband likes to call us) worked with Master Gardeners Jim and Sue on several projects.

The museum before we started - notice all the fallen leaves!

The garden we planted in the spring, now all grown up

It was gratifying to see the results of our labors back in June (see Volunteer at Heritage Park). The plantings are mature and healthy. It is great to see that several hours of work in spring can bring beauty and pleasure to folks through several seasons.

Piles of leaves ready for the compost heap

The museum after we raked - no leaves!

Our group made short work of raking up leaves and sprucing up the garden beds. This made a significant contribution to the compost heap. Never mind that a gust or two of Dublin wind will undo what we did - for the moment it looks great!

Lady scarecrow

Another group worked on crafts and decorated the grounds in preparation for an upcoming fall festival. We also got a chance explore the park grounds.

Wash basin of fall gourds and wheat

Our business women's group (which includes a few men) enjoyed our service project and time together on a beautiful fall morning.

Barnyard in the fall with square harrow

American Gothic

I love this photo taken a few years ago at the Mountain View Cemetery in Oakland, California. My folks and I made an excursion to see the beautiful stained glass skylights in the columbarium and the native and exotic trees of the Victorian era cemetery (see Trees of Mountain View Cemetery).

An American Gothic Halloween

On Millionaire Row, the mausoleum in the background is lit up with warm fall light, while the cute couple in the foreground could be the Halloween version of American Gothic. Instead of being spooked, though, these two look like they are enjoying themselves and taking in the marvelous views from high on the hill.

Fall Details at Filoli

Apples, apples, apples! On the day we visited, the Gentleman's Orchard at Filoli was filled with apples on the trees and on the ground. The leaves were changing to fall colors and the beautiful afternoon light bathed them in a warm glow.

The back garden in fall

Apple tree in fall sunlight

According to signage on the grounds, Mr. Bourn considered himself a gentleman farmer, and planted 1000 fruit trees in 1918. Of the 1000 original trees, 115 survive. Over the last 20 years Filoli volunteers have planted hundreds of replacement heritage trees. The orchard contains over 400 different varieties of apples, pears, and grapes. The fruit is donated to food banks and made into butters for sale at the Clock Tower Shop.

Orchard hauling wagon

Red round harrow

A friendly scarecrow did its best to keep away scavengers, but I noticed several kids in the orchard enjoying a fallen apple and tossing the core on the ground. Several pieces of antique farm equipment were on display in the orchard, including an orchard supply wagon (with no brakes), and a rotary harrow (the round shape makes it easier to move around trees in an orchard). Recall we encountered different shaped harrows in Dairy Farming History at Heritage Park.

Fall colors in the back garden

The heirloom apples are beautiful! They are fragrant and come in a variety of colors, sizes, and shapes. The cabbage and kale patch was also beautiful and a reminder of the bounty of fall harvest.

Many apple varieties (and a few pears)	Friendly scarecrow
Red delicious apples	Jonathan apples
Cabbage and kale patch	More apple varieties

We purchased some apple butter at the Clock Tower Shop on the way out of the estate. It's delicious, and a wonderful reminder of our fall trip to Filoli.

Filoli in Fall

Recently my aunt, husband, and I visited Filoli in Woodside on a clear, sunny afternoon to experience the estate in fall. We drove through San Francisco and headed south (rather than driving from the east via the San Mateo bridge), so got a closer look at the Crystal Springs Reservoir. We ate a quick picnic under the oaks to keep our strength up, and then started our self-guided tour.

Grand entrance begonias and wisteria with seed pods

My aunt and I have been working our way through the seasons at Filoli over the past several years (See Filoli in Winter, Spring, and Summer).

Sunken garden

Garden House

Shady terrace

Filoli still had plenty of flowers for the late-summer to early-fall transition. The borders by the sunken garden were filled with oranges and blues, the rose garden still had roses, and the begonia beds were beautiful.

Orange and blue flower beds

Swath of begonias

Rose garden

On the day we visited, preparations were underway for an evening wedding. We had the pleasure of catching views of the bride and her attendants, and the groomsmen strolling about (apparently slip on shoes and no socks is a thing). We could hear snatches of classical and dance music coming from different directions, as both musical groups warmed up.

Music room

View of the garden

Reception room

The house looked ready for crisp fall days. Rooms were set up for family activities such as cards and board games in the study; a cozy dinner in the dining room; and an impromptu sing-along in the music room. The kitchen suite, with its multiple pantries and ample storage, looked ready to prepare hearty food for the family, or delicate hors d'oeuvres for the grand ballroom. Several commanding floral arrangements caught our attention.

Cozy dining for eight

Grand ballroom

Floral arrangement for early fall

Interesting use of a flower tassel

Outside the fall light filtered through the leaves, illuminated the flowers, and bathed everything in a glow. The air was warm, with an occasional cool breeze, and we could see the early signs of leaves and grasses turning to fall colors.

Exploring beyond the gate

We stopped at the gift shop on the way out to purchase some apple butter, and admire the rows of succulents in shades of blues, greens and pinks.

Appealing succulent starters

Afterward we headed for the East Bay for dinner and ice cream creations at Fentons Creamery and Restaurant, and great conversation. We've achieved our goal of visiting Filoli in all seasons, and look forward to revisiting in any season. Plus, we've discovered a fifth season at Filoli (Holidays at Filoli) and the newly opened Estate Trail.

Crystal Springs Reservoir