Picking Apples

Since my delicious apple tree died a few years ago after its trunk split, I have to buy most apples now. This year we did get a few very small apples from our other apple tree, variety unknown since we didn't plant it. Last year we got plenty of larger apples from that same tree. I imagine the drought has affected the apple size since we don't irrigate the orchard. The photo shows some of last year's apples on the tree. Unfortunately, we prefer cooking this variety to eating it raw.

Our Apples on the Tree, 2014, © B. Radisavljevic

To get eating apples from a tree last year, we went to the orchard at Jack Creek Farms, pictured here. We picked them ourselves and had several varieties to choose from. I love picking fruit myself. It makes me feel more connected to the food I eat.

Apple Orchard at Jack Creek Farm, 2014, © B. Radisavljevic

How about you? Would you rather pick your apples or buy them from a store display? Or do you get them at Farmers Market, which is the next best thing to picking them yourself?

Now here's a use for those small apples or the ones the birds or worms got to before you did.

An Apple A Day Mug

Another Floral Surprise: A Shy Little Hollyhock

A Hollyhock in October?

This afternoon I wanted to give my gardener some instructions, so I went into the yard to show him which shrubs I wanted him to trim. As I was pointing out a juniper, I saw this little hollyhock hiding behind the hyssop. I had never even suspected it was there. It's a flower God planted. I have read that they grow like weeds, but I don't mind. I welcome their cheerful little faces when they show themselves. I wish all "weeds" were as beautiful.

Shy Little Hollyhock in Mid-October, © B. Radisavljevic

Now it's time for tea.

I'm not old, I just need re-potting

A Rosy View From My Kitchen Window

As I noted yesterday, I'm a bit under the weather, though feeling a bit better today. When I looked out the kitchen window this morning, I was greeted with the view you see here. (If you can't see the details, just click and it will get much bigger. ) In the expanded view you will see this is the only rose still blooming. I haven't had time and energy to deadhead the roses, or to   water them by hand. If it doesn't rain soon, I'll have to find the time. Meanwhile, I had one rose to cheer me this morning. I was thankful for that.

Here's a better view of my single red rose God sent to cheer me today.

Much as I loved the gift of the red rose this morning, I also enjoy roses in other colors. This yellow one is also special.

Yellow Rose With Three Buds Cards

My very favorite rose of all is this one that grows outside the other kitchen window.  I put it on this Thinking of You card and it has become my best-selling greeting card on Zazzle. It seems other people also like my coral rose. 

Coral Rose Card, Thinking of you today. Greeting Card by

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Under the Weather

View from Hwy 46 West, Templeton, CA in March, ©B. Radisavljevic

It's chicken soup time for me. So I'm not writing today. All you get is a view of the landscape the way it looks in March after a rain. We've had similar clouds here lately, but no rain. Now back to chicken soup.

 Chicken Soup Cures Everything

Drought Photos from Paso Robles

Drought in Paso Robles

The drought continues in Paso Robles in spite of a flash flood warning for the south-east part of the county for Friday. We did not see a drop of rain Friday, and only a few drops on Wednesday which evaporated within minutes after falling. When I was at Larry Moore Park on Wednesday, I could see the effects of the drought everywhere. These photos show the effects in our local park after months of no rain.

Dead Wood and Dry Weeds at Larry Moore Park, © B. Radisavljevic

 Jimson Weed Dying Too Soon with No Fruit at Larry Moore Park, © B. Radisavljevic

 Dry Grass Contrasts with Irrigated Playing Field at Larry Moore Park, © B. Radisavljevic

Learn  why  you should Beware of the Jimson Weed here, and see more photos of it in bloom and looking healthy.

A Spooky Cottonwood Tree in the Park

Spooky Dying Cottonwood Tree, © B. Radisavljevic

I usually never have time to take a walk before late afternoon when there are shadows and the sky can be getting darker. This is especially true on cloudy days such as October 14, when I took these photos of the old cottonwood tree at Larry Moore Park. It's a dying tree and is already beginning to look a bit spooky.

One Live Branch Left on  Cottonwood Tree, © B. Radisavljevic

This second photo shows more of the tree. I focused here on the one living branch that is still green. Most of the mistletoe on this tree is even dead or dying. A bit more of this tree dies every year. I will miss it when it's finally gone.

Watch Out For Poison Oak at Larry Moore Park

Poison Oak at Larry Moore Park in Mid-October, © B. Radisavljevic

As I was walking at Larry Moore Park yesterday, I was surprised to see this clump of poison oak in the middle of the park beside the large willow tree.

This is one tree anyone walking the main path that parallels the river can't miss. It's between that path and the sidewalk next to Riverbank Lane.

Large Willow Tree in the Center of Larry Moore Park, © B. Radisavljevic

Large Willow Tree in the Center of Larry Moore Park,

As one approaches the tree, as children might be tempted to do, it is full of  hiding places. I would be surprised if children did not find it an  attractive place to play. Dogs might also find it an attractive target for their activities.

If you click on the photo to enlarge it, in the lower right corner you will see a green clump with a few red and yellow leaves.  That is the same clump of poison oak I showed you in the first photo. There is likely to be more around the tree I did not notice. Poison oak also grows among the trees near the river and has been known  to grow right onto the trail on the north end of the river trail past the shopping centers and on the other side of the Veterans' Memorial Bridge (aka The Niblick Bridge)

Click here for more information on how to identify poison oak in North San Luis Obispo County,  Show it to your children so they can learn to stay out of it.

If your children play in this park or any park where poison oak is abundant, it would be a good idea to have one of these products on hand to treat it, just in case they do come in contact with it.