To Do or Not To Do.... That is the Question!

Tonight while flipping back the calendar pages, I realize just how much I haven't written. Many photos of beauty and pleasure, laughs, and faces I love sit in computer memory never to be seen. These are memories so current, yet seemingly many months ago.

While keeping up a quick pace with my life, as it whisks along each day... well, then I drop the ball on keeping time with journaling here. Something, somewhere has to give. I've noticed this is how life seems to go - two steps forward, one step back. I'll feel so productive and energetic - happy with all the accomplishments of a day, or a week. Then .. WHAM! on a Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday morning (or whichever day one may choose)  I 've lost the momentum and the need to drop one item from the daily to-do list is a necessity.

The beauty you haven't seen lately? ... here's some of it ~

There ya have it... a full life; a full calendar - keeping me busy, and happily so. Thinking that possibly when the calendar says it's winter and days end much more quickly.. possibly then I'll sit on the sofa with a little less to do, and I'll drop gardening from the daily to-do and spend more time here posting on the blog!

So It Goes....

September makes me feel as if it is the beginning of the year. I felt this much more strongly when I worked for a school district, but to this day - as summer winds down and the kiddos head off in the early morn, there is a definite rustle of newness to the days.

Still, days and nights are filled with simmering summer. Downtime of celebratory shenanigans, and much that keeps me from sitting down indoors to type out a post in this little spot. Sorry for that - I've definitely lost momentum in journaling at Abundant Picnic. So it goes though - as the air swishes and the trees drop their brittle-sun dried leaves... Autumn nears and cozy time on the couch will begin. I expect that posts will be more abundant soon!

final days of sunbrellas on the beach...

ete is French for Summer

 

 

 

Tell me it isn't nearing fall.......  harvest, much?? look at these beauties from our neighbors ^

Butcher, Baker... Where's the Candlestick Maker?

More stores need fresh butcher shops! I'll put my request in now! Something about them that  I find so fresh, yet so old-school. I think I've spoken of this place : el Salchichero in Santa Cruz? It's a small but finely stocked charcuterie. I adore the owner and his fellow-choppers - they're dynamic, informative, and tattooed! Tiny place, big + for a perfect food field trip with the Organic Chef!
{Cousin Rick}

Hubby kissing the ceramic pork

Meat was bought! Cousin was happy. Butcher ... then Baker... in the same courtyard is Kelly's French Bakery! Yuuuummmmy  decadence...

this little starling had his "sweet" spot staked-out

 Next?  other California scenery - especially while in the Santa Cruz area. One must visit the beach - of course !!

Pleasure seeking, food indulging, and completely seizing the day - we truly DID!!

Darlings of Fast Food ? Our Family Chef Would Perish the Thought..

Taco trucks seem to be the hamburger stand de rigeuer. At least that's how I've come to see them. A hip way to get authentic food quickly. While our cousin hasn't lived in the U.S. in years, his craving for this simple dining experience had not wavered. Rick requested we hit a taco truck on his first day here.

Scrumptious street-style tacos!! soooo yummy...

The interior (^ where we did not eat) was wildly colorful and displayed vintage posters that I found oh so photographable!


No pictures of the food - but I did get the cousins sitting together ~

Did I mention that our days revolved around where to take Rick to eat?

 No, we didn't eat the chickens!

Again - no capturing of the organic food take-out excursion, just a glimpse into where we dined....
our BACKYARD...

Here's the part where there was no way in hell I was going to have a professional chef try to slice&dice with my unsharpened cutlery, nor try to find a pan that would suit his needs. Let alone attempt a meal prep in a kitchen the size of some closets......  uh uh

lamb was a fave pick

We happily chose our own customized pleasure cartons of edibles from Whole Foods. Then, I did supplement and served a homemade galette from plums off of our trees. (the least I could do)
And, believe me - I don't think I impressed the cousin!

We listened to stories of Japan...

and opted for ~ a la mode~  just to top off the evening with more goodness ! ....

Feathered Friend

You know you've got a smart, kind, inquisitive bird when he is sweet enough to ask -
"What?" and chortle at me...

When all I was doing was talking out loud - to MYSELF! hhhaa
Surefire way to make me start laughing (out loud to self, again)....

You oughta hear him chuckle - funniest thing ever!


Great way to start the day!! xoxoxoxox Greystoke - you're a fine feathered friend!!

Organic Man Visiting from Japan ~ AKA Rick was in Cali

We know an organic chef, he cooks Italian, he's American, and he lives in Japan. Pretty wild, huh? Rick is Hubby's cousin {by marriage}... we hadn't seen him in three years, or so. Wouldn't one think that having a chef visit your home means instant dinner party without all the work? WRONG!! My tiny cottage kitchen is not - repeat NOT an equipped spot for a pro! Instead, we shopped with the man-from-Japan.  We spent a sunny Sunday at an organic farmer's market. We bought take-out at Whole Foods (organic) hot deli-smorgy and then we felt comfortable hosting cousin in our back yard garden for dinner.

Take in the color and magnificence of the market....

This is Chef Rick ~

 

 

 

Yeah, alright.... we ate, and ate, and shopped for food, and ate some more  - seems the story of my life! hhhaaa


Cousin Chef asked for a taco truck visit! We indulged him - see that on the next post...

In a Nutshell

Here's a glimpse into the life of a harried-gardener-essentially-summer-goodtime-gal, non-blog-posting writer at Abundant Picnic....

Where have I been? Where HAVEN'T I been?....



Trawling fish shops in beach towns...

Hanging in hen houses...

Wine tasting... thus the blurriness (nah, not really)...

 

 

Photo shooting in hot & humid towns with girlfriends....  (isn't she cute?)

 

 

 

 

Picking fruit anywhere and everywhere - at home and the nearest Mexican market too...

 

 

 

Slurping 7-11 Slurpees on July 11th (7-11) because they were free for the corporation's Anniversary -

AND!! also because that was a special date in our family too - our Great Niece Madison was born!

 

 

Traipsing through the fields along oceanside bluffs....

 

 

 

Brushing coats of primer to our new outdoor shed - attempts at making it MORE THAN just a shed..

still in the works...

In a nutshell - this summer has been fast paced, filled with goodness, over punctuated with PARTY-TIME and is still on a roll. Family camping coming up. An unexpected and welcome visitor from Japan filling some days. An all-girls annual event just over. My Goat Hill work with fun & challenges too.

My, my stories to tell.....    wide open writing spaces, and beauty as far as the eye can see... camera in tow and beaches aplenty; sunshine sparkling and an abundant picnic spread before me - I will be back to share it all....