Pine trees in bloom

Everything up here in Incline Village is in bloom. That also means the pine trees are too. There's a fine layer of yellow pollen everywhere. Henk is finding it fun to track it everywhere. 

Monday we had thunder storms and rain. That cancelled the boys' skate broad camp. Just a little stressful for everyone having to stay indoors for most of the day. I didn't plan any activities for them thinking they would be gone for most of the morning. We did finally make it out to a playground later in the afternoon to run the boys. :) 

Incline Village Beaches

So here in Incline Village the beaches are private. You have to own a home to have access to the beaches. To many it sounds very elitist but the beaches aren't very big and even with just the residents, it's packed during the summer months. 
The weather has been lovely and the boys really enjoyed splashing around in the water. 

Pinata Time.

While up in Berkeley at my niece's house, I helped clean up some boxes that have been in storage for a long, long time. You know the type of boxes that have old yearbooks and school papers that for some reason you can't throw out. Well in those boxes were some piggy banks that you have to break open. One was already cracked and damaged. I thought it would make a good pinata time for the boys. It didn't take long to smash it to bits. 

Found one 1956 silver dime, which has a high silver count. Sold off the all the change to a coin collector. :)

Life of a reseller - Alameda Flea 2026

My daughter really wanted to go to the Alameda flea market. It happens the first Sunday of every month. Since we're in Berkeley, I really had no excuse not to go. I'm not a fan of this market as the prices are too high for a reseller. Cool stuff but most of the sellers know what they have. 

Toward the back part of the market (low rent area) there was this vendor that was selling vintage kokeshi dolls. These are larger than what you would normally see in the states. This vendor did have super sized ones that someone else had already snatched up. He must be an importer because he had pallet crates full of them. At $10 each, I couldn't pass them up! I asked if I could visit his warehouse in Fresno and do a bulk buy but he said everything was stacked in crates so it wasn't possible. 

I'm a big fan of hand carved things, so I couldn't pass up the little dwarf under a leaf, which was only $5!

He also sold Japanese workman shirts which are very trendy now. My daughter got this shirt for $80. 

 

Nature Walk

The boys have landed and jet lag is real. Henk isn't having a hard time but Mees is a walking zombie with an attitude. 

Henk and I  took a walk around the block and a monarch butterfly landed right next to us. So close that we could have touched it. I would have tried but I wan't sure how gentle Henk could be. 

Something are just meant to be

My little morning ritual. I light a few incense sticks as I write my to-do list, drink my coffee and bird watch. Living in California one can spend a lot of time outside. The boys are on their way and my peaceful moments will be on hold for the next month. 

I've had this rock vase for awhile and I'm not even sure where it came from. 

I think maybe it was made to use in ikebana? Turns out to be the perfect incense burner. It was just meant to be in my life. :)

Ipu Heke

Ipu Heke

I picked two Ipu Heke this week. I'm a gourd fan and also have a small art collection. When I traveled, I would buy them as they are sustainable souvenirs from the local artists. 

Just couldn't resist passing these up even thou I'm not a hula person.  The smaller on is already in my booth but I think I will bring it back home for the boys to try. The one in the picture is way too big for them to play it properly. :)

Just a few in my collection

 

California Guacamole

I picked up some cherry tomatoes at the farmer's market this past weekend. This is my version of guacamole California style. Keep it chunky. I just add balsamic vinegar, olive oil and Italian seasoning. Nothing super fancy but you really don't need much if everything is vine ripe and fresh. Serve with a corn chips. Totally gluten free meal. 
 

Hero Arts Layering Stencils - poppies

I picked up this Hero Arts layering stencil set up at FabMo's sale last week. I think I paid $4 for it. The clear stamp part is rubbish, doesn't stamp well at all. If I paid full price I would be pissed!

Now my first attempt with the stencils using a Tim Holtz blending pad didn't work out well at all. The stencils just ate the pads up and was bending the stencils. I tried a few other things then remember I had the make up blending brushes. Anyone remember when those got released to the paper crafting world at a totally inflated prices? That did the trick and the cards turned out so well! I went looking online to see what else was out there. I was just curious but didn't buy anything. :)

 

Farmer's Market Surprise!

Ripe apricots for breakfast

One of the things about living in the Bay Area is all the local fresh fruit. One of the biggest farmer's market is down the street from me but I rarely go because of all the strollers. I went early today and that seems to be the ticket. 

I plan to make chicken broth today and needed celery, carrots and onions. Didn't want to drive to the store and deal with the weekend parking so made the five minute walk to the farmer's market. I also wanted to pick up some dried apricots for the boys when they fly out next week. 

I would normally not go down the artist street but something just told me I should, even with all the stuff  I was carrying. To my surprise one of my favorite tile artist, "Ancient Hands" was there! He doesn't keep his website updated so I never know what show or market he'll be at. These are some of the tiles I have of his. Debating if I should splurge and get one of his bigger flatfish tiles. :) The butterfly  artwork is paper quilling, way harder than I would ever be able to do!

 

Auction Week

 It's auction week and I'm not to sure I'll even go. The opening bids are starting at $40-$60 and that knocks a lot of profit out of everything. I have about 30 things on my list but nothing super great. Since I have already over spent this month, I really should stay home. I'm also babysitting Posey so I don't want to leave her home alone for too long. 

I did check out these cast iron pans which were in a junk lot. Now that I know what to look for, I tested them. There was a USA made Wagner pan, the only one of any value. Sadly it didn't pass the spin test. You set the pan on a flat surface and if it spins or wobbles, it's warped. That will cause uneven cooking. It's still a good pan if that's all you have but much harder to resell. The typewriter I know I can sell for $100 but it's opening bid is $40 so after adding in all the fees makes the profit margin a little too tight for something that will take a awhile to sell. 

Early Morning Surprise!

A few months back I had a few vert old potatoes  that had sprouted. I decided to just plant them and see what happened. Had some very lush green foliage and when that died away, thought that was the end of it. I was getting ready to replant something in that big pot when a potato popped up! So I dug around and found all these. Not sure why I was so surprised but country style hash brown or smashed potatoes are on the menu!