Category Archives: Gardening and flowers

Gardening and working in the yard, a love of nature and flowers.

Belated birthday musings: on turning 53

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It is impossible for me to remember how many days or weeks went by in this way. Time is round, and it rolls quickly.
– Nikos Kazantzakis, Greek writer

I know we're in spring now, but I think this photo was taken in February, my birthday month. We've got the fog and it's chilly, so faux fur and leather seem appropriate.

I know we’re in spring now, but I think this photo was taken in February, my birthday month. We’ve got the fog and it’s chilly, so faux fur from Zara and faux leather from H&M seem appropriate in early May.

Easter has come and gone, May Day has passed, and Mother’s Day is looming ahead of me. When my birthday in February was approaching, I knew my family and I wouldn’t be able to partake in our traditional birthday dinner. I was on deadline and would be until my company’s annual conference passed in mid April. Usually, the conference is in late February, but with the event being held in Chicago, we had to push it back to hopefully catch good weather, which we did. What squeezed me because of the late conference date was working simultaneously on the LUNAFEST film festival. Just as LUNAFEST closed, new projects required my immediate attention – fundraising drive for Jacob’s high school’s Investing in Academic Excellence and preparing my three readers for the 10 applications that were completed and submitted for a scholarship that my family and I established at the high school. We still haven’t celebrated my birthday with a dinner, and while at a certain point it seems pointless, I feel like I need that milestone acknowledged. Call it a continuation of my existential angst. I am still here, I am 53, etc.

At any rate, I feel that we’ll have that dinner sometime this month, when I don’t feel like cooking during the week. For now, I am forcing myself to slow down for a moment and reflect on what is almost half a year into being 53. The first thing that came to my mind was that I don’t remember much of January through April. So many work deadlines, so many stressful days and nights and weekends. If I just had that in my life, I would be very sad and not happy with myself. But thankfully that was not the case, even if it meant less hours of sleep to be able to do the things that make me happy.

Necklace by Gretchen Schields (Book Passage, Corte Madera, CA), ring (Lava 9, Berkeley, CA), Alkemie scarab cuff, and Anthropologie feather earrings.

Necklace made of antique kimono fabric by Gretchen Schields (Book Passage, Corte Madera, CA), ring (Lava 9, Berkeley, CA), Alkemie scarab cuff, and Anthropologie feather earrings.

For one thing, the East Bay LUNAFEST committee put on a really remarkable film festival this year. It was my second year. As was my responsibility last year, I handled the dessert circle. But this time around, I was able to contribute with my writing – interviewing and profiling our private chef who cheffed our VIP event, two of the filmmakers whose film was selected, two of our committee members, and the president and CEO of the Breast Cancer Fund, and adding two more blog posts. We also had a larger crowd this year, and I had the honor of interviewing on-stage the two filmmakers. So I was very proud of our effort. Though I spent many weekends on these profiles, the outcome was worth it all.

Secondly, a good friend’s introduction to her father-in-law, a retired McClatchy journalist, and his retirement home neighbor, who is a local well-known Filipina writer, led to my novel finally finding a home in Eastwind Books of Berkeley (2066 University Avenue, Berkeley, CA 94704, 510.548.2350). Eastwind is a bookseller, but owner Harvey Dong also publishes books that are aligned with the Asian-American themes that its shop carries. I’m overwhelmed with having to do a lot of the work, with Eastwind being an independent small press. I am learning a lot, which I’m grateful for, but we’ve also introduced added stress by condensing the publishing process in order to meet the early September date commemorating the 50th anniversary of when the mostly Filipino farm workers walked out of the vineyards in what became the Great Delano Grape Strikes.

Add a vintage purse (Feathers, Austin, TX) and bronze pumps.

Add a vintage purse (Feathers, Austin, TX) and bronze pumps.

Thirdly, I offered to help the Stockton chapter of the Filipino American National Historical Society with the opening of the National FANHS Museum this summer and help the East Bay chapter with reading events in the summer and fall. I don’t have time to really do it all, but these are things that I am passionate about, and being passionate about a few things keeps one youthful and exuberant inside.

Giving up sleep and multitasking – things that are not healthy habits – are enabling me to keep pace with what I need to do not just in time to send everything to the printer but beyond my novel’s publication, when I need to do a full-court marketing press. Despite the stress of work deadlines, I had an enjoyable annual conference, getting together with colleagues and having a lot of fun moderating a really smart group of panelists for one of our clients. But I’m glad that event is done for the year.

So as I look back at the quarter mark of 2015, I see a lot of productivity and passion. I see exhaustion, but I see work to be proud of and work that will carry me through to the end of the year and beyond. I have a business trip to Orlando coming up. I asked David if we could have that birthday dinner the following week – and throw in Jacob getting his braces off and my novel getting accepted for publication as additional reasons to celebrate – three months late. I’ll take it. My 53rd year is promising, indeed. Why not continue the celebration.

I wore sweats most of the time these last four months, but every once in a while I threw something together and felt like I was back in civilization.

I wore sweats most of the time these last four months, but every once in a while I threw something together and felt like I was back in civilization.

The Gratitude Challenge: 7 days of thoughtful gratitude

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Piglet noticed that even though he had a Very Small Heart, it could hold a rather large amount of Gratitude.
– A.A. Milne, English author and poet, from Winnie the Pooh

I got on Facebook to help promote my writing, but I soon discovered that it connected me with friends both near and far-flung, friends from my deep past to recent acquaintances. I rarely participate  in the chain-letter-type activities that make the rounds on Facebook. I read about the Gratitude Challenge being taken on by a number of friends and was soon nominated by my good friend Laurel Kallenbach. With my participation now concluded, I share my seven days of gratitude here on my blog.

Day 1 – baseball is life, life is baseball
Thank you, Laurel Kallenbach, for nominating me for the Gratitude Challenge. I was nominated to list 3 things I’m grateful for every day for a week and nominate 3 people each day to do the same. Today, September 21st, is my first day (baseball gratitude theme) and I nominate Jack Beaudoin, Kara De La Paz, and Cecie Uytingco Mendoza.

1. I am grateful for David, who told me to go ahead and go to the baseball game today and he would do the tons of laundry and cleaning today and watch Isabella and her friend Kelly.

2. I am grateful for Jacob, who said, “Mom, I want to go to the game with you.” (Because David and Isabella didn’t want to.) I’m grateful that he still wants to spend time with me, even though he’s a teenager, and that we have more meaningful conversations and discussions.

3. I am grateful that my last regular-season Oakland A’s game that I attended this year ended with a win, which allowed us to celebrate with the crazy right-field bleacher loyal fans. “Never Quit” and “Keep Fighting”

Spontaneous partners in crime: our friends Robert and his son, Sasha, join us in cheering the 10th-inning walk-off home run win.

Spontaneous partners in crime: our friends Robert and his son, Sasha, join us in the right-field bleachers. At the moment all seems glum, but soon we will be cheering the 10th-inning walk-off home run by Josh Donaldson, aka The Bringer of Rain (Photo credit: Mike DeMay – thanks, Mike!).

Day 2 – labor day
I was nominated to list 3 things I’m grateful for every day for a week and nominate 3 people each day to do the same. Today, September 22nd, is Day 2 (Work gratitude theme, appropriately for a Monday) and I nominate Gordon Hunt, Eric Wicklund, and Diana Manos for the Gratitude Challenge.

1. I’m grateful to have great, hardworking colleagues around me to get the job done. Even though I work remotely, I am part of a great team who appreciates and supports what I do.

2. I’m grateful to work at home and be there for my kids – like the time both had pneumonia two winters ago, separate times, of course, and both were out of school for two weeks each. Did not have to eat up vacation days. Working at home also allows me to walk Isabella to school every morning.

3. I’m especially grateful for my geriatric companion, Rex, who keeps me company in the nearby library. While he’s not a great personal assistant, at least he sleeps most of the day and lets me get my work done. I can’t imagine my work day without him.

Rex ready for a Monday morning.

Rex ready for a Monday morning.

Day 3 – supporting our public schools
I was nominated to list 3 things I’m grateful for every day for a week and nominate 3 people each day to do the same. Today, September 23rd, is Day 3 (school gratitude) and I nominate Juliet Jamsheed, Daniel Philippe, and Denise Portello Evans.

1. I attended my first Investing in Academic Excellence meeting at El Cerrito High School last night, and I’m really excited to help this important organization raise funds for various school initiatives. I am grateful for the ECHS families who are working really hard for the school – the new families I’m meeting and the good friends whom I’ve known for years and whose end of journey together is less than four years away. I’m grateful that Jacob is off to a great start as a freshman there and has some inspirational teachers and a solid principal.

2. I am grateful for the two years we concluded at Portola Middle School (Korematsu now). We had two really wonderful teachers who have made a lasting impression on Jacob and a hardworking principal. Looking forward to returning there next year, in the new campus.

3. We are finishing up 10 years at Harding Elementary School this year. While I’m excited about finally leaving elementary school, I am forever grateful for the inspirational teachers and the many wonderful families and friends I’ve met and worked with on behalf of the school. I’ve made life-long friends and I’ve watched some pretty special kids grow up with my kids.

A Harding tradition: getting families together for a potluck after the last day of school. Here with friends Tana and Lori after our kids finished up fifth grade, celebrating at Arlington Park.

A Harding Elementary School tradition: getting families together for a potluck after the last day of school. Here with friends Tana and Lori, watching our kids, who finished fifth grade, play at Arlington Park this past June.

Day 4 – or purpose in life: giving back
I was nominated to list 3 things I’m grateful for every day for a week and nominate 3 people each day to do the same. I just read an article on Melinda Gates and her work with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and was inspired by her desire to make the world better. Today, September 24th, is Day 4 (giving and helping others theme) and I nominate Anja Hakoshima, Kimi Ynigues, and Kathy Brackett.

1. I am grateful for the work that my friend Jane Fischberg and her colleagues do at Rubicon Programs, whose mission is to “prepare low-income people to achieve financial independence and to partner with people with mental illness on their journey of recovery.” Especially in this current political climate, supporting both groups is not very popular, making their work even more challenging. But my friend Jane has a big heart and strong resolve. In an interview with me, she said, “I really do believe in giving back and I feel like a life of not giving back is not fulfilling. I’ve always felt the reason for living is to be of service, so that informed what I’ve always done.”

2. I am grateful for the work that my friend Alissa Hauser and her colleagues do at The Pollination Project, whose mission is to “expand compassion to the planet, people, and animals.” The Pollination Project’s mission aligns with Alissa’s philosophy: “What I’m most committed to is creating more kindness and compassion in the world,” she said. “There are so many ways to do it; there are so many ways I have done it. But at the end of the day, I just want to be a person who inspires other people to be nice to one another, no matter who they are or what they’ve done.”

3. I am grateful for my daughter, Isabella, who also has a big heart. She and her friends have baked cookies and made lemonade to sell at various parks to raise money for the Milo Foundation. She talks about wanting to save endangered animals, rescuing dogs from being put down, saving the earth from the harm that we do to it, and more. I want to continue nurturing in her that desire of giving and helping others.

Isabella and her friends have been selling cookies and lemonade for the Milo Foundation.

Isabella and her friends have been selling cookies and lemonade for the Milo Foundation.

Day 5 – our Indian summer fall
I was nominated to list 3 things I’m grateful for every day for a week and nominate 3 people each day to do the same. Today, September 25th, is Day 5 (Nature theme) and I nominate Rose Cee, David Bruce-Casares, and Claire Richardson.

1. I am grateful for the rain that woke me up early this morning. While we have a long way to go to erase California’s drought, it’s a start, an early one at that.

2. I am grateful for the maple leaves changing color, announcing autumn’s return. The display is definitely not as spectacular as the leaves changing in the Northeast or other parts of the country, but all I need is a golden ginkgo and a flaming red and orange maple tree and I’m ready to celebrate one of my favorite seasons.

3. I am grateful for the small resurgence of my garden, which was stricken with powdery mildew in late July and pretty much petered out and left me with charred buds and dried-out sticks. However, with our Indian summer in full force, the carnations, fuschia, scabiosas, and poppies are bursting from their pots – a final send-off and blast of cream, purple, pink, red and white ripples.

Indian summer autumn bouquet.

Indian summer autumn bouquet.

Day 6 – TGIF
I was nominated to list 3 things I’m grateful for every day for a week and nominate 3 people each day to do the same. Today, September 26th, is Day 6 (TGIF theme) and I nominate John Buettner, Julie Redlin, and Maria Francesca.

1. I am grateful for my pumpkin-spiced chai latte that gets me through the mornings. My day starts on East coast time, so by the time I sit down to eat my breakfast and begin work again, I have already gone through my work e-mail and immediate, deadline-oriented work tasks, done my exercises and ridden my bike, walked Rex, and dropped off Isabella at school. The moment I settle into my office chair and sip my chai latte, I literally catch my second wind.

2. I am grateful for the mellow glass of red wine that will help me unwind in the evening. It’s something I look forward to when Friday evening hits and the work week is behind me.

3. I am grateful for a quiet Friday evening, watching the A’s win and now enjoying the rest of the fall evening with David and Isabella.

Even Rex is chillin' on an autumn Friday evening.

Even Rex is chillin’ on an autumn Friday evening.

Day 7 – a writer’s heart-felt thank you
I was nominated to list 3 things I’m grateful for every day for a week and nominate 3 people each day to do the same. Today, September 27th, is my last day, Day 7 (writer’s gratitude), and I nominate Yoko Morita, Alex Davis, and Nancy Donovan.

1. I am grateful for discovering and embracing the written word and the many gifts it brings – the sentence that dances, the character who enrages you, the places you can taste and touch, the moment created that brings you to a moment of truth in your past, the page that keeps you turning it, the book that leaves you bereft because the magic has ended.

2. I am grateful for the community of writers I have met throughout my life and call my friends, mentors, fellow writers, and careful readers – you know who you are, but a special shout out to Jack Beaudoin, Laurel Kallenbach, John Farrell, and Sands Hall.

3. I am grateful for my non-writer friends and family who have nurtured me in so many different ways – as careful readers, muses, emotional supporters, and more – you know who you are, too, but a special shout out to Kathy Brackett and David, always.

John, me, and Jack with our "author poses" at the Orange Grove, Syracuse University, 1990.

John, me, and Jack with our “author poses” at the Orange Grove, Syracuse University, 1990.

This exercise made me realize how many things, events, and people I am grateful for every day but oftentimes in the rush of the day I don’t reflect fully or give appropriate props. I’ll remember this challenge and remind myself every evening, during a quiet moment before I retire for the night, to look back on my day and give gratitude. Thanks again, Laurel, for the nomination!

In praise of a good story.

In praise of a good story – both reading one and writing one (door sign given to me by my college and good friend Susie Merrill many, many moons ago, which still holds a prominent place in my office).

All-summer-long vacation comes to a close

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Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass under trees on a summer’s day, listening to the murmur of the water, or watching the clouds float across the sky, is by no means a waste of time.
– John Lubbock, banker, Liberal politician, philanthropist, scientist, and polymath, from The Use of Life

It’s been almost a month since I last posted. When I began my blog back in December 2012, I diligently posted three times a week, on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Even when I was on work deadline and/or sleep-deprived, I never failed to post on the appointed days. Earlier this year, I dropped down to blogging two days a week – Tuesdays and Fridays – so that I could transfer my writing energies to my fiction. Then summer hit, and suddenly I went on vacation in every sense of the word. Though my anal-retentive side of me engaged in a fair amount of hand-wringing in the beginning, I soon gave way to what I call my all-summer-long vacation in which rest was the destination.

For the first time since I was a student, when the last day of school ended in early June for my kids, I, too, entered summer vacation. In past years, when I picked up the kids and headed to a park for a picnic lunch gathering with other families, my excitement over school ending died quickly as I realized that while my kids had a nearly three-month break from schoolwork and homework ahead of them, I had to keep working. And taking them to their day camps or dropping them off for their sleep-away camps.

When the garden was overflowing earlier in the summer.

When the garden was overflowing earlier in the summer.

I enjoyed putting together the courtyard in the back of our house. Once it was done, I took leisurely weekend breakfast under the umbrella. I got the kids to eat lunch outside with me during the week – and they enjoyed themselves as much as I did. We ate dinners while listening to Pandora stations or Oakland A’s baseball games. I gardened and gardened to my heart’s content – until the fog and powdery mildew shut down most of my flowers. Still, I watched over my garden, pruning, weeding, hoping against hope that one more bloom would burst open and surprise me.

Jacob at bat in a Fremont, CA, tournament.

Jacob at bat in a Fremont, CA, tournament (photo credit: Robert Milton, Hornet dad and fantastic photographer and team chronicler via the lens).

Moms enjoying Hornets baseball in Fremont.

Moms enjoying Hornets baseball in Fremont – always wear your fashionable hat for protection against the sun (photo credit: Robert Milton).

We went to a lot of baseball games – my son’s travel ball games and, of course, the A’s. We sat in the sun and cheered as if there were nothing else in the world to do. No housecleaning or deadlines. No errands to run or bills to pay or laundry to do. Nothing else mattered.

A's win! Okay, well, this was back in July....

A’s win! Okay, well, this was back in July….

I didn’t feel like blogging. I especially didn’t feel like styling outfits and photographing them. I lived in t-shirts and shorts most of the summer. I didn’t feel like going back to my research. Yes, guilt crept in. Time was flowing. I don’t have the luxury of time. I tried to do push myself to blog and research. But my heart wasn’t into it. I was, after all, on vacation. I came across John Lubbock’s quote, and it seemed timely to find it while I was wrestling with myself. I have always struggled with rest and relaxation. And being older, I have witnessed the struggle becoming more fierce.

Obviously taken before my haircut. When not in t-shirts and shorts, I can still be comfortable and dressy at the same time.

Obviously taken before my haircut. When not in t-shirts and shorts, I can still be comfortable and dressy at the same time.

But being older means – hopefully – being wiser and mellower. Rest and you will be fresh and prepared for the next long-distance race. Clear your mind and when you sit down to write the words will be thoughtful and full of clarity.

Vintage pearl earrings, Sundance bangle, flower ring, and necklace.

Vintage pearl earrings, Sundance bangle, flower ring, and necklace against a textured flowery t-shirt.

Interesting textures and shapes in earthy shades.

Interesting textures and shapes in earthy shades.

As August heads to its end, alas, the race looms. Summer is coming to a close. On Monday, my daughter will enter sixth grade, the last year of elementary school. My son will enter high school. They will begin their separate milestones. Sadness is mixed with a little anxiety and desire to see friends on a daily basis. And for me? My summer is coming to a close, too. We had our family vacation in early August, which I’ll chronicle in a number of blog posts this coming week. But I wanted to preface these vacation posts with an explanation of my “absence” and an affirmation for all-summer-long vacations being good for the heart, mind, and soul.

Summer outfit with fall shades in mind....

Summer outfit with fall shades in mind….

Alas, farewell summer bouquets

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A garden should make you feel you’ve entered privileged space – a place not just set apart but reverberant – and it seems to me that, to achieve this, the gardener must put some kind of twist on the existing landscape, turn its prose into something nearer poetry.
– Michael Pollan, American author, journalist, activist, and journalism professor at UC Berkeley, from Second Nature: A Gardener’s Education

There’s still a week left in the month of July, but my summer garden is expiring. After a bit of an early start in May this year, the garden flourished, thanks to a warm June.

But then July and our reliable air conditioner, a.k.a. the fog, rolled in and, coupled with my zealous overwatering, powdery mildew crept in. My good friend and fellow gardener Susie suggested spraying Neem oil on the leaves. While some plants had clearly gone past the point of no return – curled brown and black leaves, which the folks at Pastime Ace store in El Cerrito told me was a sign that the cells had died – many were still green but just dusted with a thick layer of mildew. A hearty dose seemed to have worked. But alas, despite our rising temperatures after a strange Monday thunderstorm and cloudy mornings, the powdery mildew returned and the plants are succumbing to a premature end of season.

Mid-July bouquet for the Portola auction winner.

Mid-July bouquet for the Portola auction winner.

Scabiosa atropurpurea "Florist's Blue" adorns the courtyard.

Scabiosa atropurpurea “Florist’s Blue” adorns the courtyard.

Plants, I told Isabella, my budding gardener, are difficult to nurture if you are desiring long-lasting, healthy blooms. You have to watch out for cutworms, cucumber beetles, snails, slugs, and other pests. You have to be vigilant about fungus and other diseases, and, pardon the pun, nip them in the bud. But no matter that this summer I was the constant gardener who tirelessly fertilized, weeded, squashed snails beneath my sandal, squeezed cucumber beetles between leaves, clipped spent foliage, pinched buds for larger blooms, and moved plants around the yard to meet their shade or sun requirements, I couldn’t or can’t extend a blooming garden into September, which I have done in years past.

Just five dinner-plate dahlias form this dramatic bouquet.

Just five dinner-plate dahlias form this dramatic bouquet. Funky vase with a lot of character from Urban Ore – for a dollar fifty.

The last of the white dahlias....

The last of the white dahlias in the courtyard….

So I lament the end of the flower season and the Portola bouquets. And I think of preparations for next season. Do we take out the tubers in late fall? We need to separate the dahlia tubers anyway, so we’ll see if that makes a difference. We’ll mix compost into the garden soil in the winter. I’ll get those snails in early spring before they so much as nibble a tender green leaf.

Bird of Paradise peeking out of monochromatic dahlia bouquet.

Bird of Paradise peeking out of monochromatic dahlia bouquet.

And dream of a spring, summer, and early fall garden that would make Eden blush. Here’s to the last Portola bouquet and my last delivery of the summer. Be still my heavy gardener’s heart.

The last bouquet of the season, with chocolate cosmos, Cupid's dart, scabiosas, lilies, and, of course, the last of the dahlias.

The last bouquet of the season, with chocolate cosmos, Cupid’s dart, scabiosas, lilies, and, of course, the last of the dahlias.

 

Westbrae Nursery and Flowerland: flowers and treasures

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A garden to walk in and immensity to dream in – what more could he ask? A few flowers at his feet and above him the stars.
– Victor Hugo, French poet, playwright, novelist, essayist, visual artist, statesman, human rights campaigner, and leader of the Romantic movement in France, from Les Misérables

I have been going to Annie’s Annuals (740 Market Avenue, Richmond, CA 94801, 510.215.3301) exclusively to purchase my flowers for a few years now. Looking for new inspiration, I decided to go to a couple of nurseries that I hadn’t gone to in a long time and ones that are much closer to me than Annie’s Annuals. Good thing. Not only did I find healthy plants at good prices, but I also found garden treasures.

Westbrae Nursery is tucked away in a mixed residential and business district.

Westbrae Nursery is tucked away in a mixed residential and business district.

Westbrae Nursery
Westbrae Nursery (1272 Gilman Avenue, Berkeley, CA 94706, 510.526.5517) is located in north Berkeley and a short 10-minute drive for me. The nursery has a great selection of bushy, healthy-looking plants. Scattered throughout the lot is beautiful pottery for container gardens and inside is a great selection of wall art and artistic gifts. The staff is friendly and helpful. And I found lots of big dahlia plants.

A colorful and welcoming entrance.

A colorful and welcoming entrance.

Westbrae has a nice selection of annuals and perennial plants.

Westbrae has a nice selection of annuals and perennial plants.

Flowerland
While I have been to Flowerland (1330 Solano Avenue, Albany, CA 94706, 510.526.3550) before, I never paid much attention to the inside shop of the nursery. Surely I would have noticed such a well curated shop before, so maybe it has been  renovated since I’ve been there years before. At any rate, what a wonderful surprise from the inside out.

One side of the store front of Flowerland - plant a rainbow, indeed!

One side of the store front of Flowerland – plant a rainbow, indeed!

Colorful bistro tables and chairs welcome you to Flowerland.

Colorful bistro tables and chairs welcome you to Flowerland.

Vegetable plants are housed in the top right of the nursery under strings of light.

Vegetable plants are housed in the top right of the nursery under strings of light.

Beyond the grasses is the vegetable area of the nursery.

Beyond the grasses is the vegetable area of the nursery.

First the garden part of Flowerland. I remember Flowerland to be much smaller, so what a pleasant surprise to see the vegetable section, a wide array of terra-cotta pottery, brightly colored bistro tables and chairs. And a retro airstream trailer that has been converted to a café called Local 123 that serves coffee, tea and ice pops.

A sleek silver retro travel trailer is parked in front of Flowerland, serving ice pops and beverages.

A sleek silver retro travel trailer is parked in front of Flowerland, serving ice pops and beverages.

Rusted retro chairs invite gardeners to sit for a spell and enjoy an ice pop.

Rusted retro chairs invite gardeners to sit for a spell and enjoy an ice pop.

An uber cool retro travel trailer.

An uber cool retro travel trailer.

The shop itself is charming, reminding me of the eclectic shops in places like Wicker Park in Chicago and Brooklyn. Earthy jewelry, terrariums and succulents, vintage-inspired toys, garden books, greeting cards, miniature garden accessories, gardening tools, vases, and more! My photos don’t do the shop justice, so you’ll have to go in and take your time in the tiny but packed shop. My only complaint is that staff could have been friendlier. But when you find unexpected treasures, once you’re home with them and have found a place in the garden for your gem, that’s all that matters.

The find - a carved ring (displayed on a candlestick) with a smooth wooden band.

The find – a carved ring (displayed on a candlestick) with a smooth wooden band. And also (not shown) a vintage-inspired tin wind-up toy of a carnival airplane ride.

Rustic shop with nature's gifts.

Rustic shop with nature’s gifts.

An inviting shop filled with garden décor and garden-inspired gifts.

An inviting shop filled with garden décor and garden-inspired gifts.

A cabinet full of earthy jewelry.

A cabinet full of earthy jewelry.

A ‘Vintage’ 4th of July

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Let us dance in the sun, wearing wild flowers in our hair.
– Susan Polis Schutz, American poet

The 4th of July has come and gone, and I’m in recovery mode. A lot of work went into creating the courtyard and preparing for my cousin Janet and her husband Tim’s annual visit for this three-day holiday. First things first, though, was meeting up with them at Oakland Coliseum’s O.co for a date with the Oakland A’s against the Toronto Blue Jays. They got a late start from leaving the Central Valley and finally got to the ballpark in the 5th inning. We got caught up and imbibed – yes, they serve wine at O.co – and cheered the local team to the first win of what would become a four-game sweep by the time the 4th of July weekend ended. For the third year in a row, we enjoyed the fireworks show after the game, but minus Jacob, who celebrated his friend Connor’s birthday by cavorting on the grassy field during the show. As a child, I was never that excited about fireworks, but magic happens when you watch your kids’ faces light up with delight and wonder, and it matters where you are and who you’re with. Magic.

First up for the long weekend - the A's defeat the Toronto Blue Jays before the fireworks show.

First up for the long weekend – the A’s defeat the Toronto Blue Jays before the fireworks show.

Ready for fireworks!

Ready for fireworks!

Colorful cobwebs or lightning - the fireworks are beautiful just the same.

Colorful cobwebs or lightning – the fireworks are beautiful just the same.

Spectacular fireworks come raining down.

Spectacular fireworks come raining down.

Despite the fog trying to ruin our little parade, the sun came out enough to allow us to enjoy having breakfast, lunch, and dinner (except for Friday evening) in the courtyard. While the evenings were cool, we were protected by the walls and fence, and spent late nights with blankets, music from Frank Sinatra and his gang, and conversations illuminated by candlelight and string of lights surrounding us. Breakfast sandwiches, pancakes and bacon – mornings were especially ripe for relaxing and taking our time. After the flurry of preparation, this is exactly what I needed, but it’s what everyone should be doing on this particular holiday. Enjoy the weather, family and friends, and traditions, and be grateful for what we have. After breakfast, we walked to Cerrito Vista Park for the city’s annual 4th of July celebration. Lots of music, fun booths, and bumping into friends. We listened to a wonderful performance by the El Cerrito High School’s jazz band, which just left to compete in numerous European jazz festivals.

Annual El Cerrito 4th of July celebration at Cerrito Vista Park.

Annual El Cerrito 4th of July celebration at Cerrito Vista Park.

On Saturday, Janet, Isabella, and I foraged for vintage and salvage goods at Ohmega Salvage (2403 San Pablo Avenue, Berkeley, CA 94702, 510.843.7368) and Urban Ore (900 Murray Street, Berkeley, CA 94710, 510.841.7283). Urban Ore has been the epicenter of inexpensive (read: $1 to $3 per item) glass vases for my bouquets. It’s always fun to poke around these places, even if you come away empty-handed. It’s the experience that makes these forays so fun. At Ohmega Salvage, we were treated to a spirited performance by Cuban Maestro Fito Reinoso & Clasicos de Cuba while we shopped.

Omega Salvage featured an art and garden show, plus Cuban Maestro Fito Reinoso & Clasicos de Cuba.

Omega Salvage featured an art and garden show, plus Cuban Maestro Fito Reinoso & Clasicos de Cuba.

After such a fun afternoon, it was easy to lure Janet to the Alameda Flea Market (also known as the Alameda Pointe Antiques Faire), which is the largest antiques show in Northern California. I first attended the flea market (2900 Navy Way, Alameda, CA 94501, 510.522.7500) with my friend Raissa back in March, but our morning was cut short by mist-turned-rain. This time around, the fog burned off easily, but we were constrained by needing to be back by 11AM to take Isabella to her organic farm camp that early afternoon. We made the best of our time, staking out a route and only stopping when something caught our eye.

The fog slowly burned away to reveal a view of San Francisco's skyline.

The fog slowly burned away to reveal a view of San Francisco’s skyline.

It wasn’t easy, and though we covered a lot of territory, I didn’t like feeling so rushed. Next time, I told myself. Janet was going crazy with the sensory overload and the miles of white tents before us. She loves salvaged goods and got lots of DIY ideas from the various wares. Favorite vendor of the day? Williams Antiks (707.332.0890). William was very cheerful and knowledgeable, explaining what some of the contraptions were in his booth. He and his wife travel to France and bring back really high-end beautiful vintage and antique items such as puppets, tiles, mannequins, and furniture. While there were many vendors who bring back fabulous French goods, I was hurting for Italian vendors, given the courtyard’s vibe. I found, however, a wonderful addition to my courtyard, and I’m glad I pulled the trigger on the spot. William had to throw a blanket over it to keep it safe from other interested buyers, and when I wheeled it out and into the parking lot, my little find received many a compliment from an enviable flea market shopper.

One of my favorite booths of the day - Williams Antiks.

One of my favorite booths of the day – Williams Antiks.

I spy a garden cart that wants to come home with me and settle in my courtyard.

I spy a garden cart that wants to come home with me and settle in my courtyard.

There were so many great items for a more expansive back yard, but that will come later. Isabella found her Breyer horses for a song. Janet picked up a mining cart, of all things, which was heavy and beautiful. And I found a pair of architecturally stunning teal iron chairs that I carried around with us and then shoved into the back seat of my car, both no small feat. After we dropped Isabella off at camp and returned home, I clipped back the dripping branches of the peach tree, rearranged the bird houses, and settled the chairs in their new spot. Lovely. It needs either pea gravel or crushed granite instead of dirt. And the other problem, according to Jacob, is that it needs a small table for the food that the people sitting in the chairs will be eating. Well, I told him, I guess I’ll have to venture to the flea market in August. Maybe, fingers crossed, that rusted iron headboard that I knew wouldn’t fit in the car will be there waiting for me. Until then, it’s time to enjoy post-holiday time and the rest of July relaxing in the courtyard.

The new spot for the garden cart, awaiting tea towels, napkins, hanging wine glasses, and fine chocolates to go with the bouquet of flowers.

The new spot for the earthy green iron garden cart, awaiting tea towels, napkins, hanging wine glasses, and fine chocolates to go with the bouquet of flowers.

Come sit under the peach tree and invite birds to join us....

Come sit under the trimmed-up peach tree and invite birds to join us….