gorgeous
blue
sky

We picked the first tomatoes, Sunsugar...ah, so nice to have you back.  Also, the first green beans, so slim, tender and tasty.  We'll have them for breakfast.  The vegetables come in slowly at first and every one is a welcome surprise.  My favorite time of the year. 

My son taught me how to use my panorama feature, exciting! 

They have "pick yourself" apples in the fall.

We aren't the only one who like the berries!

Pick the blackest ones!

My ancient Rowan Tweed ribbed pullover is my special warm pulli for chilly beach weather!

Found at the farm stand, naturally we had to bring some home!

Sparkle like jewels!

Each year about this time we take a drive to berry country in Santa Cruz County to pick ollalieberries at Gizdich Ranch in Watsonville, CA.  Ollalies are a cross between a loganberry and a youngberry and are very similar to a blackberry but with a tendency to be larger and less seedy, plus they are my husband's favorite berry.   The drive takes less than an hour and has been a tradition for at least 30 years and we always make a fun day of it.  After we picked our fill, 28 pounds worth, we headed to a farm stand for a bag of the artichokes that also grow in the area, then made our way to Capitola Beach for a late lunch at a waterside cafe before heading home.  The day was  perfectly gorgeous!

When we get home the berries go right into the refrigerator and we deal with them the next day, too tired!  However, we did make an easy sorbet last night.  It is as beautiful as any jewel and tastes like nothing else under the stars!

This morning we work up early and made 22 jars of jam, some half pints and some full pint jars.  So many, but they will be gone in a year!  My son loves this jam and he will take home a jar each time he visits.   Throughout the year I'll make some jam tarts and use jam for a few other recipes, but mostly it will be on toast.  I'll give away a few jars as gifts and by next year, we'll be out and ready to do it all over again.

We save some berries for fresh eating and for giving away.  They only last a few days even under refrigeration.  The rest of the berries go into the freezer for smoothies and pies, I make one every Father's Day so that will be in a few days.   The Ollalieberry special below is heaven!  Here are the links!

Most gorgeous color, don't you think?

I've got a few posts planned for this week.  I still want to sort through my Mendocino pictures and find some links for you.  As usual we are completely busy with garden chores and recently did a HUGE clean out of attic, garage and garden.  What a relief to have a big job like that behind us.  Also, knitting like a fiend and have lots to share when I can get some pictures.  Until next time, have a great week!  And if you are on Facebook, please like my Knitionary page.  I've been adding a lot of fun things that don't make it to my blog.  xoxo

If you are lucky enough to be a knitter and lucky enough to be in Mendocino then you are lucky indeed.  Mendocino Yarn Shop is a gem.  Rowan, Isager, Alchemy, Manos and Tahki Yarns are just a small sample of what's in store for you here.  Also, it has the nicest staff, the easiest layout and prettiest setting. Even my husband, the knitting widower, said this was the prettiest yarn shop he has seen.  Haha, that was too sweet, what a dear.

Mendocino Yarn Shop.

In the lovely and tiny town of Mendocino, you are never far from the sea.  It's breezy and briny and chilly and a perfect location for a luxury yarn store.  The shop itself has one door facing Albion Street and the other door facing a tiny brick pathed garden.  Beautiful.

Inside, there are several levels and several rooms, all open to each other.  Fine yarns at every corner, so better allow yourself at least an hour and be prepared to make a purchase, you'll just have to break that yarn diet.   I purchased something I can't find at home, Scrumptious Chunky by Fyberspates in a steel blue called Water.  It's a single ply blend of 45 silk and 55 merino and it's certain to pill like the devil.  I wouldn't use it for a sweater, but think I'll be safe with my shawl project.  It's lovely to knit up, a bit splitty, but my lace Addis are taking care of that for the most part.

Enjoy the pretty pictures!  Tomorrow I hope to have a post about our wonderful trip to this gorgeous sliver of the Northern California coast.

Sweetest knit widower in the world.