Swanton Berry Farm

 Next stop on our California Pacific Coast Highway 1 roadtrip was getting our jam on in Davenport, California, a quick pit stop to a quint U-Pick berry farm and mercantile.

Inside the sheltered farm stand you can sample a variety of  jams and purchase homemade goodness such as pies, shortcakes, cider, and lemonades to name a few.

 A beautiful picnic area among the nopales ripe with tunas is the perfect place to enjoy a treat or rest your feet after picking your own strawberries from the field.

 We did not pick our own berries that day, it was early in the morning and the coastal wind was whipping a chill through my bones. If you would like to experience Swanton Berry Farm for yourself there open everyday from 8 a.m - 7 p.m. at 25 Swanton Rd. Davenport, C.A. 95017

 So on the road again we go in search of a lighthouse to lead the way to a town with a fishy name. Did you miss the first stop of the roadtrip? The beginning can be found here {Let's Go On A Roadtrip.}

Let's Go On A Roadtrip California's Pacific Coast Highway 1

Let's take a trip back in time to Mother's Day weekend. The family took me to my favorite little beach town Santa Cruz California. Saturday's weather was perfect Cali sunshine to go on rides, stroll the beach, and indulge in treats for our sweet tooth. The next day I woke up with the wild idea to do something I've been wanting to do as a teen...... cruise Pacific Coast Highway 1.  Turns out the tribe agreed this would be a fine way to spend a Sunday and off we drove. Come along on this journey and enjoy some of California's Gold down Coastal Highway 1. I was channeling my inner Huell Howser right there, now ain't that amazing!

The start off point of this trip is from West Cliff  Drive Santa Cruz, California. I was thrilled to finally snap a photo of the famous "To Honor Surfers Monument", which brings in mind to honor Jack O'Niell the pioneer of the wetsuit and the O'Niell surf brand who recently passed away on Friday.  West Cliff drive loops around with scenic coast line to the  left and majestic coastal homes to the right. 

 How is that for some ocean front homes! I love the diversity in the structures of these homes and the natural materials used.

So where does this road lead to? You will have to wait and see in my next installment of the roadtrip. Here's a hint it involves fruit.

Picture Poll

Can I ask a  small favor from you dear readers of mine, it will be painless I swear. I wanted to know if you could help me pick a picture to submit to a magazine contest. " I got as much chance as anybody else, right Grandpa Joe?" If you got that last phrase we are kindred spirits. This Gypsy has been on the road and shooting everything in site {with my Canon of course }, which I will share with you once all the home and school activities lull into summer break ....oh yeah it's almost here. Until then help a Mama out because I cannot decide which photo to summit and time is of the essence. Without further ado please pick a pic.

 1.  Pigeon Point Of View

2.  The Edge Of Earth

 3.  Bunker Hill On Devil's Slide

 4. Getting Around The City

 5. Cable Cars Of San Francisco

 6.  A Day In The Bay

Thanks in advance!

What's Growing On

{ Front Entrance }

As the sign implies welcome to the garden. I had posted previously about the construction and zoning of this green space which I hope will bring me closer to my sustainability goals. The last step to finishing the garden was the the introduction of plants. There is still a lot of additions to come but that will all come forth in do time. P.S. the Dollar Store has awesome garden accoutrements.

{ Side View }

From left to right we have a variety of bell peppers and red onions in the tub, big boy tomatoes in the first box and black cherry toms in the next. Sugar snap peas trellising up the fence in aqua pots and strawberries in the next row of boxes.

{ Salsa Garden }

I planted red onion bulbs in between all the plants in this area. Banana peppers and grande jalapenos are in the first tire, onions in the second, and cilantro in the third. Also two tomatoes plants are in aqua pots waiting for transfer.

{ The Dove Babies }

Speaking of growing on, Easter morning  the little doves flew the coop and explored the skies, while my little one was searching for eggs below. 

*

Side Note: I hope everyone is doing well, I haven't been up to date and visiting all you lovely blog friends lately, my life has hit turbulence again, but hopefully with this new moon regularity will be back on track. May the weekend bring you adventures and serenity.

Emergence

" They hatched !"

Emergence is the process of becoming visible after being concealed.  We are having a combo of April showers bring May flowers melodrama both in the outside world and within. A beautiful few days at the coast were planned for the upcoming Spring break to finally relax and unwind, but it seems that may change as well thanks to mother nature and her mood. I have been wound so tight this last month I find some days I am gasping for air. The complexities of life keep flowing without hesitation and seem to have no breaking point. These energies are being felt by many and I know we are all going through our own stuff... but I need to vent a little.  So we keep on keeping on especially if we are the glue that holds it all together, even if we are at the point of being the little sticky nub that's about to fall out of  the gluestick. New life is emerging all around the homestead and I cant wait to break out of my shell as well.

Jardin Sol Y Luna

Oh yes glorious spring has sprung. The birds , bees, and blooms are abundant at Casa Sol Y Luna. Morning chores include turning on the fountain and watching nature being drawn to the water. Next is filling the bird feeders, I go through a lot of seed bags. I've also been thinking about getting a bee box .

The rose bushes are abundant and taking shears to clip a few blooms brings me joy as I make bouquets for  indoors. The first available blooms happened to be on the first day of spring and I made a birthday arrangement for {E}. I'm still waiting for the red roses to bloom, the petals are the perfect ingredient to make the silkiest rose water.

 Dandelions are one of the first foods for things with wings coming out of hibernation. Once I know the Renaissance Man is going to mow I pluck away and dry them out for herbal remedies. Lavender is also loved by the bees and we have plenty. I plan on making lavender healing pillows with the dried flowers.

I haven't planted anything yet in the newly build garden area but have started some kitchen grown starter plants. The onion had sprouted on the counter and has grown significantly in the kitchen bay window, on Saturday it was separated and planted in the tire garden section. A few potatoes had grown eyes (yay non GMO) and I have two buckets of potatoes cuttings growing. My pineapple plant has adapted to the outdoors beautifully.

Phase 1

 In February when it wasn't raining I weeded and plowed the soil. In March I made boxes out of wood we had lying around.The Renaissance Man and {M} are measuring for the fencing, we never needed one before until we got Rico who loves to dig.

Phase 2

{L} helps with the fence construction and securing the door.

Phase 3

Soil is added to the boxes and red bark is added as a ground cover. 

Phase 4

I have yet to buy the plants to fill the boxes. Starting from seed is cheaper but I haven't had much luck when trying to garden with this method. How are your green thumb efforts growing?

Marching On

I apologize that as of late the blog is mostly photos with little words. My world is full of  projects and all other aspects of raising a family of varied ages and the drama that comes with it. We must march on because that's life. I hope everyone has a productive week and I'm sending out healing vibes to those that need it.

In Bloom

Breaking news I believe Spring has officially arrived at Casa Sol y Luna. The fragrant bouquet of floral that wisp along the breeze with the birdsong is truly intoxicating. I truly feel alive again!

Sun is shining

 the weather is sweet

make you wanna move

your dancing feet

~ Bob Marley ~

Playing Peek A Boo

The sun beckons us to come out of slumber and spread our wings from months of introspective hibernation in our shelters.

The plumage of our ancestral messenger displays a hope of blooms to come. So it is that February's chill is giving away to Spring.

As The River Rises

The weather this Sunday was splendid with sunshine and a hint of spring. We decided to take a family date to celebrate Valentines to our own downtown a.k.a. "Old Sacramento". Due to the constant rain the rivers are rising and creeping precariously close to history. The old city flooded out in 1850, 1852, and 1862 which lead to the whole town being elevated. As my feet absorb the cobblestone and my footsteps creak the planks I'm back to the Wild West and transcend into a bygone era. We discovered a bit of history along our excursion which I will share in future post. 

Gypsy By The Sea

Here in Northern California it has been non stop rain for over a week. As I sit curled up in a warm cozy blanket with an era transcending book, sipping on aromatic tea, my mind wanders to sun kissed days filled with salty sea air. For now I must wait for the seasons to change and travel opportunities to arise.

 Recently I was asked to share a vision of my dream living room. The above collection  reflects the textures, tones and elements that are natures beauty of the coast. Hathi gold beaded pillows are the perfect bohemi element to add to any sofa or to make a cushy back to the antique cream iron chair. Imagine the sun glistening off the Taza hanging pendant during the day and at night a warm glow illuminates the wall. A river stone bowl is perfect for holding your treasures, coins, or perhaps for burning cone incense. What a swirl of sand and water this Zara Tibetan rug brings to mind. The bleached root coffee table brings the outdoor zen inside, a perfect way to stay rooted and connected to the world outside your home. This living room vision speaks to me as being a

Gypsy By The Sea

 All these furnishings and more can be found  at ARHAUS.

Ocean Photo Credit: Natural Bridges State Beach, Santa Cruz California. Taken last summer on one of my seascape escapes,