Although not technically Autumn, late August starts reminding me that the year is winding down. Most wildflowers and bulbs are bloomed out and the leaves begin to change color on the Liquidambers. The only miracle in the yard is the appearance of what my grandmother calls "naked ladies." They are amaryllis, I think, which begin their annual cycle by sending up flower stalks in late summer. Their foliage will follow next month, keeping the garden space green, after the spring and summer annuals have been cleaned out.

From now on, the naked ladies will always make their appearance and remind me of David's passing. Although advanced in years, none of us felt he was in the "winter" of his life and the lilies that appear this time of year - this time where the year comes to its downward descent - have more significance than ever.

So many weeds! Somewhere in this picture, there is a lemon tree, Japanese iris, and Nasturium.

The Dutch Iris are doing exceptionally well this year, despite the weed infestation in the back yard. We've been trying especially hard to keep them out of the iris beds, but it's difficult this time of year. The weeds grow so quickly!

We have lots of wildflowers mixed in with the weeds and grasses. I continue to work on removing the weeds and hoping to keep the wildflowers going throughout the summer. I replanted most of my tall bearded iris, so I may not have as many of those spectacular blooms this year.

Wildflowers are starting to bloom on the hill and the iris are all starting to bloom in the circle flower bed. I'll try to get better close up photos later. I love Spring!

Hiking at Castle Rock Recreational Area:
This was a fun hike this time of year, because the creeks are still running, causing many places to be crossed with care. It would have been easier if I had remembered to bring the baby back pack, but we made a good go of it with the jogging stroller (even though my shoes got quite wet).

Helen was the only one with me today, but had a great time watching the horseback riders passing us and walking through a swarm of migrating butterflies. Elizabeth would have loved this hike as well, but she would have had to walk I think.

I will not run today. I will not run today. I will run tomorrow, but I will not run today.

Oh, and I think that I will not make any more exercise-related posts here because (1) I think I am the only one who cares and (2) it probably imposes some sort of legal liability on me because no one should follow the stated routines without a doctor's consent and a bunch of other knowledge. I have another (private) blog to keep track of this, so I will return to posting just about my garden and food and maybe some hiking/bird watching.

Baby Boot Camp: 75 minute class

Running (lots today): close to 2 miles
Strength training: quads, glutes, calves, biceps, triceps, chest, shoulders, abs & obliques.

Tomorrow, I am taking the day off.

Baby Boot Camp: 55 minute class

Approximately 1.5 miles of running
Calf raises; lunge combination: skater lunge->curtsy lunge->add plie squat; at the fence - squats with bridge; bicep curls->rotater cuff ->w-bicep curls; push-ups and tricep dips (regular 1st set, then 4-count push-ups); shoulder/back presses with resistance band; tabletop crunches->double crunches->alternating oblique tabletop crunches->sky taps; side and center plank

I usually don't attend the Tuesday or Thursday classes, since I have both girls. Not only is their combined weight a factor, but Elizabeth tends to get bored nowadays. This was a make-up session, though, being that Monday's classes were canceled. The rain stopped for only the 60 minutes we were out today.

I read recently that one should take at least two days off every week from exercising, to let the muscles rest and revive. I totally agree and was forced to take Sunday off because of the rain.

Monday, March 2, it was still raining. Without success, I attempted to go to Baby Boot Camp, but class was canceled. I did run approximately 1 mile around Lake Temescal and got thoroughly soaked. I came home and completed a combination of squats with a shoulder press, lunges with some added side kicks, push-ups, and regular and oblique crunches. Each time I ran, it started pouring rain, so I again got thoroughly soaked, but I did manage to squeeze in two more 1/2 mile runs.

Will try to make it to Boot Camp today - again - but the large patch of dark clouds are not making me feel optimistic at this point.

Berry-Walnut Muffins

1/2 cup sliced walnuts
2 cups flour
1.5 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
.5 tsp. salt
2 eggs
.75 cups buttermilk
.75 cups packed brown sugar
.5 cups butter, melted
1 tsp. vanilla
1 cup raspberries, blackberries or blueberries

Mix wet ingredients. Incorporate dry ingredients (except walnuts and fruit). Stir in nuts & fruit. Fill muffin cups 3/4 full and bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes.

Note: I used 1 cup of dried cranberries, cherries, blueberries and plums and I also substituted canola oil for the butter. Delicious and full of antioxidants!

Reference: Nuts, Sweet and Savory Recipes from Diamond of California, by Tina Salter with Steve Siegelman (Ten Speed Press, 2001)

Baby Boot Camp: 75 minute class

Running: 1/8 mile, 1/8 mile, 1/8 mile, 3/8 mile w/walking squats (16 each side), 1/16 mile, 1/16 mile, 1/4 mile up hill & down, 1/4 mile, 1/8 mile, 1/8 mile

Strength exercises: calf raises (16-16-16); front lunges->side lunges->reverse lunges (16 each left & right, run, right: front, side, and reverse lunges (try to keep foot off ground in between - 16) then hold & pulse for 8 then stationary lunges (8). Repeat on the left; wall sit, with bicep curls, together then alternating (16) followed by heel lifts (16) and toe taps (8) then 30 seconds; pull-downs w/resistance (16 together-16 right side only-16 left side only-8 both arms-hold & pulse for 8-4 both arms); 20 push ups; 20 tricep dips; 10 push ups on 3-count; 10 push ups hold 3 count at bottom; 10 regular tricep dips; 10 tricep dips with bridge; tricep presses with resistance band (16 plus hold-pulse); side steps; rows (16)-rows w/squat (16)-row on each right & left with slight twist (16); crunches-tabletop (16)->double crunches (16)->crunches-tabletop-alternating leg press (16); oblique crunches->double oblique crunch (16 and 8, both sides); side plank & center plank

Summary & favorites: 1 5/8 mile run; lunge combination; rows & squats; wall sit with bicep curls; tabletop crunch combination

I recently read that a way to motivate yourself to exercise was to post on your blog about your day's exercise "accomplishments." Neat.

Running: 2.0 miles to school with Elizabeth and Helen in stroller
Running: 2.0 miles home with Helen in stroller
Hiking: Approx. 4 miles with Helen in backpack
Strength: 3 sets of 25 squats (2 with resistance bands) plus 10 squats at end with 2 second pause-lift-pause at bottom.

Another "Bird Walk" - this time at the Martinez Regional Shoreline. This is an easy walk, with flat, gravel-paved trails through marsh and along the shoreline of the Carquinez Strait. We didn't see a huge amount of birds, but there were a few. One of the interesting points on this walk was the decomposing hull of the schooner Forester.


This wasn't too interesting for the girls, but it made for a good picture. They found it more interesting to pretend to be Herons, peering into a pool, searching for tadpoles and small fish.


Later, we looped around the duck pond and I had to explain several times why we couldn't feed the ducks (like the other people were doing). The other people left. I felt bad, but that's probably better for the birds, anyhow.

The Sunday Chef makes...

Vegetarian Lasagne with ground beef substitute and spinach. I make four at a time, using bread pans to hold about 2.5 servings - just the right amount for our family. Here's what you need:


1 package no boil lasagne
2 jars marinara sauce
1 7-ounce container ricotta cheese
1 8-ounce brick of mozzarella cheese (or one 8-ounce package of shredded mozzarella)
1 10-ounce package of frozen chopped spinach, thawed
12 ounces of ground beef substitute
non-stick cooking spray (for the pans)

Step 1: Combine the chopped spinach and the ricotta cheese. Shred the cheese if not done.
Step 2: Place 1/4 cup of the marinara sauce of the bottom of each pan (grease first)
Step 3: Layer 1 noodle, a large dollop of the spinach-ricotta mixture, and an handful of meat substitute
Step 4: Add 1/4 cup marinara sauce, then 1 noodle to each pan
Step 5: Place a dollop of the spinach-ricotta mixture on the noodles, then sprinkle with a bit of the shredded mozzarella
Step 6: 1/4 cup of marinara sauce, 1 noodle, the remainder of the spinach-ricotta, and the rest of the meat substitute
Step 7: Place the last noodle on top of each, then cover with the remaining marinara sauce and mozzarella. Cover with foil.


Cooking instructions:

• fresh: approximately 45 minutes
• frozen: approximately 1 hour
• if larger size, i.e. 9x9 pan, add 15 minutes to cooking time

At last, today was Friday and that meant another hike with East Bay Moms. I just had Helen with me today, in the backpack, but that didn't make this hike a walk in the park. The weather was gorgeous though, and I do love this often-overlooked park in the Oakland hills.

We did a 4-mile loop, starting at the main entrance to the park, marked prominently by signs for the Woodminster Amphitheater. The hike starts out easy enough going along the Sunset Trail. Along this route we noticed just mounds of ladybugs - cuddling - as we told the kids. We climbed up the rather steep Cinderella trail to the Sequoia Bayview Trail, which winds around quite a bit. I had been on this particular hike a couple times, and our group leader, Lee, always looks for the mysterious "Big Trees" trail but never finds it. Since we were only three today, we explored an unmarked trail which turned out to be Big Trees. This takes you up and out through more beautiful pine and redwood groves. After this, we return to the Sequoia Bayview Trail and then make a quick descent on the Sunset trail back to the starting point.

Once again, this is a beautiful park right in Oakland. In addition to the wonderful hiking trails, there is a great paved walk with breath-taking views of the bay on closed-off Sanborn Drive and a great playground for the kiddies.

Although still technically winter, here in California the weather has been quite warm (and unfortunately, quite dry). This must be confusing the plants because I have some early bloomers. Above, one of the Bearded Iris has decided to open about 4 months early and even more bizarre, below, I have one Gladiola blooming!

Ever since spending summers with my grandparents as a little girl, I have harbored a secret love of birds. I love finding them. So today, in addition to starting up East Bay Regional Park's 2009 Trail Challenge, the girls and I walked around the San Leandro Bay and did a fair amount of bird watching. Or, well, bird-sighting, I would call it.

Today's featured hike starts at the Northeast corner of the San Leandro Bay, slightly south of the High Street Bridge that connects Oakland and Alameda. We walked along the Damon Marsh first, at low tide, where we saw all sorts of shorebirds, mostly sandpipers. The easiest to identify were the Black-necked Stilt and the American Avocet. There were also large numbers of small sandpipers, but the sun was behind them and I assume they were in their winter plumage, which makes them look the same (to me).

We kept moving along, crossing the San Leandro Creek and on to the Arrowhead Marsh. Along this route, we saw more pipers and waders, including a couple of Snowy Egrets. In the waterway, and later in Doolittle Pond, there were many birds wintering here including Canvasbacks, Western Grebes, Horned Grebes, Buffleheads, Mallards, and Coots.

There is a fairly large section of trail that runs through the drier (less wetland) marsh, where we saw several squirrels and two jackrabbits. Oh, and a Turkey Vulture, presumably hunting those small critters in the marsh.

Once past Doolittle Pond, it's a fairly short walk to the somthing-Farm bridge over to Alameda, where we saw and heard several hummingbirds - maybe Black-Chinned? Anyhow, once over the bridge, it's a nice little walk through residential Alameda. I was hoping for more shoreline and maybe a playground for the kids, but no such luck. By the time we returned to the High Street Bridge, I was beyond tired, and the walk from the bridge to the original starting point was a rather unappealing, but short, walk through industrial Oakland.

This was a nice walk, but would have been better as an out-and-back, rather than a loop. Or maybe the loop is fun if you are on a bicycle. There were parts of the trail instructions which took us on bike lanes on fairly busy roads, so I was not so happy about that. Overall, though, a very nice way to cover 7.5 miles.

Let the Christmas cookie baking begin! Here are the first try for the season -- raspberry pinwheels. Quite good, but I need to work on my jellying and rolling technique.

More summertime fun...

Hand in hand at the Oakland Zoo (June 30):

At the straw house of the "Three Little Pigs" at Oakland's Fairyland (July):


Visiting Grandma's house, and her cat, Shadow (July 19):

A day at the beach in the Marin Headlands with East Bay Mom leader Lee (July 25):

So... I still have many photos from over the summer from the camera phone to publish. Since it involves both girls, I guess I will use my blog (that way I can avoid describing how horrid my back yard looks right now). These particular photo are from May 20 and were taken at the preschool playground at Hampton Field near our house.

Elizabeth and Helen both love playing in the sand. And they both love to pretend that it's someone's birthday, so making pretend birthday cakes out of sand (yes, in the dump trucks) is a natural pursuit.

Our patio garden is doing exceptionally well this year, thanks to my little garden helpers. In addition to the front landscaping project, we are trying to grow more of our own produce at home. I wish I could say that it was more productive, but at least the girls are getting a lesson in farming.

Elizabeth helped me grow from seed: tomatoes, bell peppers, zucchini, winter squash, lettuce, corn, basil, thyme, green onions, spinach, peas, and green beans. So far, he have gotten all of four zucchini out of this effort. However, there are some promising little balls on the tomatoes and squash plants. The lettuce looks about ready for an initial harvest and the beans and peppers are about to bloom.


Both girls help me water the plants, although Elizabeth is much better at actually aiming the watering can or the garden sprayer. Spiders and ants seem to be working well as natural pest control this year, and the only critters that really do harm to the plants are my own cats (they are currently fenced out of some containers).

What have I been doing with my time?!?!


One project this summer was to remove the lawn in the front of the house. There were several reasons behind this decision. First, we are being asked to conserve water. Second, we have had an unending problem with dog owners using our front strip of vegetation as a dog toilet. Third, it seemed like a lot of money to pay our "gardeners" - and I use that term liberally - to mow nothing (grass under Oaks doesn't grow very fast) and blow the leaves into spots where they thought I wasn't looking. And lastly, our contractor broke the water controller while fixing our wall (remember the wall that someone drove into/over?) and the lawn died.
So, good-bye lawn with old, crazy sprinklers. Hello drip lines and beautiful drought-resistant plants. Oh, and the plants are deer-resistant and grow well under Oak trees. Shown in various photographs are: Mexican Sage, Catmint, Lamb's Ears, Shasta Daisies, Lavender, and other various Salvia species. I am also digging up some of my Bearded Iris from the back yard, although this is the wrong time of year to do so.

It looks a bit bare, but there are seeds sprouting in there as well - alyssum, poppies, dwarf zinnias, plus cornflowers, statice, and cosmos. Only one dog calling card so far. But it was quite an undertaking, planting all the way from the Doyle's house down to the Abel's house. I didn't ask Mrs. Zito...oops!
Oh, and remember the wall that got run over? Well, it's been rebuilt, thanks to our trusty contractor Stewart Smith. The painters never showed up, though, so I have begun the arduous task of painting the new shingles. I have the primer on...more primer next week and the real paint.

More photographs from our recent day trip to Yosemite National Park:
As you can probably tell, all of these shots were taken from the valley floor. We didn't do any adventurous hikes up to half-dome or bridalveil, as that seems darn near impossible with two little ones in tow, but we did walk all around the valley floor on the wonderful paved bicycle paths.
Elizabeth stayed awake for the duration of the walking (about 4.5 hours - with breaks for lunch and ice cream), but Helen fell asleep for the latter half. My photos don't do justice to the beauty of this park and the wondrous rock formations that were carved out so long ago.

I hadn't been to Yosemite since it flooded in 1996/1997 (was up there for new year's and got trapped when a warm storm melted the snowpack and the Merced River flooded). Everything seems to have been very nicely restored. It is $20 to enter the park though, plus the cost of gas makes the trip a little more expensive than it used to be.

I love Springtime. And I love the proliferation of large, perennial wildflowers in the back yard. I am still struggling to fight off the weeds and blackberries, but their presence is offset by a tremendous sea of poppies and daisies. I was astounded at the re-blooming of my foxglove, as I thought that they were bi-annual bloomers.

The cats love the yard, especially prowling about in the tall grasses that I have yet to cut down. My latest strategy for the yard has been to just go with what I know works: California wildflowers and the tall Bearded Iris that seem to grow just about anywhere. This Autumn, I will plan on splitting and redistributing my iris, which should be just about the time I finish up weed whacking the yard and trimming back the various hedges and shrubs.

It wouldn't feel like Spring around here without the prolific iris blooms in the back yard. This is the best time of year for the yard, and these are my favorite flowers.

Rudy sneaks in a photograph of me, out in the garden, pulling weeds. This isn't momentous or interesting, except that I had the girls outside while I was gardening. Now that is amazing!Elizabeth and Helen took turns playing with the dump truck and the tricycle out on the back lawn. There was a brief interest in helping me, so Elizabeth removed sticks from the lawn, placing them in the dump truck until it was full enough to dump in with the weeds I had collected.
Helen didn't eat anything or tumble down the hill, so I feel like she is better able to be outside with us. I'm sure it will be more fun for them when they are better able to help me, or at least entertain each other playing ball.

Ah, the weeds! There's so many of them, and I worry that I will not get them all out before the spring bulbs bloom. This is troubling, because the weeds are sometimes taller than the bulbs!

Say it ain't so!

Merry Christmas......and a happy New Year to all!

Rain Delay:

Now for some serious back yard business - terracing the hill under the Oak tree that keeps most of my iris. I've become increasingly frustrated with trying to keep this area clean, weed-free and properly maintained. Most of the difficulty lies in accessing the hillside; therefore I have decided to make some level areas along its slope.

It's slow going, because I can usually only add 15 or so stones at a time, Mondays and Thursdays when the girls are over at day care, weather permitting. Not only is it hard work to get the stones in my car and up the hill into position, there is a whole lot of weed-pulling, leaf-raking, and earth-moving that goes along with it. I anticipate that I will be moving bulbs as I go, too.

After 1 day:

Work on this project was canceled on the last yard work day, due to rain. I was out, chopping down the overgrown weeds, despite the sprinkles. So day 2 started this week, the week of December 10th. 12 stones, some edging, and a few plants moved around. I do more than that, adding bark to the yard here and there, and working on massively overgrown spots.

After 2 days: