Mormon Rocks Hike - Saturday 2/28/2009

A very welcoming view. We were on our way to Adelanto to meet up with some friends and decided to make time for a hike at Mormon Rocks. We've been by here a number of times without thinking to allow for the time or to dress appropriately.


Closing in on the first goal.


There's a lot more space between the rocks than you'd expect.


Hydra sets off across the ridge between the first set of rocks we visited and the next. This is probably the crest of the same type of rock that's exposed elsewhere. The trail forms a rough crescent around the fire station below, which can be reached from the 138 just east of the 15.


Looking over Hydra's shoulder at the formations across the 138.


I pause to enjoy the view before we head back down. Nice hour long hike on a gorgeous day.

Between Hikes - Saturday 2/28/2009

Part of what I do in my job as a script researcher is come up with fake business names for shows to use so they don't accidentally identify an actual business and depict, say, someone getting killed there. We check everything, no matter how ridiculous it sounds.

Believe me, if one of my clients had sent me "Between a Rock and a Leather Place" I would have laughed and figured it would clear.

This is exactly why we check everything, even if we're laughing.



I wouldn't mind having this flour sifter in my kitchen. But for like $3.00, not $15.00. I don't buy a lot at antique shops, as much as I like to cruise them when I'm in the mood.

Really, I want to be the person who buys it at the yard sale before it gets marked up.



Okay, you tell me.

Does this clock just scream, "I love you, Daddy, even though you blew the milk money playing craps?"

Doo Doo Doo Hiking Out My Back Door - 2/27/2009

Heading up the steps we put in our first year here and up toward Hydra's Mountain.


Just have to point out that this was the view on December 17th, 2008 when we had our rare Snow Day! All the leaves fell off the tree on the left fell off in between pix.


The vinca I transplanted from the too-sunny slope between our house and the neighbors' are thriving in a little light shade.


Looking north up the 14.


Cutting across the neighborhood on the way home. Great way to start a weekend!

#7 Lapsang Sushong from T Tea in the L.A. Farmer's Market

This is a distinctively smokey tea. It reminds me of a campfire.

Apparently this and Russian Caravan were originally created by accident as black tea was carried over the mountains from China to Russia on the backs of camels. When the drivers stopped for the night and made fires, the smoke worked its way into the burlap bags the tea was transported in!

This is a nice one, to my taste. I may try to make tea eggs with it…you infuse boiled eggs with this tea. I’ve had sandwiches made with smokey tea eggs and they were marvelous.

Ooh, and I’m showing off my new tea infuser from Starbucks. I bought it so I could watch flowering teas unfurl, but I haven’t tried it yet.

The little lid that sits on top of the infuser basket while the tea is steeping can be used to sit the basket on when you pull it out of the water. Very nice for carrying tea with you to your workspace or porch!

See more progress on: drink 43 types of tea

Putting My Feet Where My Mouth Is - Thursday 2/26/2009

Your mission, should you decide to accept it, is to scale these rocks!

Sometime in the middle of the afternoon over on Facebook I said I'd rather be hiking. It sparked a lot of agreeable conversation.

It was sunny and cool, so I bypassed the gym and went to Vasquez Rocks County Park for a hike.



My foot next to some nice moss. Amazing green!


The long view.

As I climbed the first ridge, a ranger called out through a bullhorn that the park would be closing in about 45 minutes.

Ah well. It was time to pick up the pace.



Water on the trail. Very exciting.



The famous rock as seen through the skeleton of a reproduction native dwelling.

Banana Bread - Wednesday 2/25/2009

Jens told me they call it a "Depression Menu." It's when you plan your meals according to what's on sale, and what you have around the house using up.

Actually, it's anything but emotionally depressing. You can end up feeling kind of proud of yourself.

Yeah, the world handed me overripe bananas and I made banana bread. Mmmm.

It was my first banana bread from scratch. I tried the recipe from my trusty Joy of Cooking. Used all three of my over ripe bananas and some walnuts I had in the fridge.

Mmmm!

Across Town - Monday 2/23/3009

The other building at the corner of Hollywood & Highland. It has gargoyles.

I have to make a special trip to get good shots of those. Maybe with the right lens, from the balcony of the shopping mall across the street. These photos were all taken with my Samsung cell phone camera.

The Academy Awards show was done about a half a block from here last night.


Barrels of olives at Monsieur Marcel, Farmer's Market at 3rd & Fairfax.


Samples of the teas I bought at the tea shop in the Farmer's Market, on Braveheart's windowsill. I'm leaving them for The Doc to try. A Keemun, a Yunnan and a Lapsong Suchong.


Hanging out in the kitchen while Braveheart takes The Doc to the airport under sad circumstances. After years of staying here after our bi-weekly writer's group meetings, I am very comfortable.

As you can see.