This is me, looking dead, in Montara

Saturday, February 6th, 2010

This is me, looking dead, in Montara.

I was imagining what it would be like to die from a Fly Agaric mushroom… plus, my amazing paparazzi photographer, Carla, threw a little dirt on me and some got in my eye balls. I could tell right away the photo shoot was going to be amazing, since she was laughing at me and telling me how there was probably bugs in my hair – or that I was ingesting deadly mushroom spores. Nothing says professionalism, like when your photographer keeps looking down at the camera to review the shots, and says, “Ohhh man! That one is really bad. I’m going to delete it right now.”

But it’s not Carla’s fault. I lead her there under false pretenses, saying it would be a 30 minute trip to take a couple fun pic.’s of me next to these really cool mushrooms. (“let’s go! It’ll be sooo fun!”)And, I needed her to come – uh, like, now! – since rain was upon us. It probably wasn’t until she saw the pearl necklaces, wardrobe changes, and Dior lipgloss did she realize what she committed herself to.

I have been trapped by Carla many times before though. Back in the days where Carla did amazing flower arrangements – rather than amazing gardening – she would trick me to go with her to the SF Flower Market.

Carla: “Jenn do you want to come with me to the flower market!? It’ll be so fun and there are tons of flowers!”

Jenn: “Sure! That sounds great!”

Little did I know it meant getting there by 3-4AM and schlepping her bounty around like some sort of tired pack mule. It was cold and thankless… but for some reason, I’d keep going back with her… thinking maybe the next trip would be really fun.

So, I guess you could say I took a little pleasure forcing Carla to be my paparazzi for the morning. It’s a dirty job, but someone’s gotta take pic.’s of me in dirt next to deadly mushrooms.



Uh oh, dead again next to mushroom


Happy Next To Mushroom

Radiation Frost

Tuesday, December 8th, 2009

An example of Radiation Frost

5 Things You Didn't Know You Can Recycle

Thursday, November 5th, 2009

1. Appliances

Many stores will recycle your old appliances when you purchase a new one… just ask! Also, Goodwill accepts working appliances. Or you can contact Steel Recycling Institute at www.recycle-steel.org

2. Athletic Shoes

One World Running will send still wearable shoes to athletes in need in Africa, Latin America, and Haiti. www.oneworldrunning.com Also, Nike’s reuse a show program turns old shoes into playground flooring www.nikereuseashoe.com

3. Batteries

www.batteryrecycling.com

4. Clothes

Wearable clothes can be easily donated to almost any thrift shop… and shelter’s take most clothes, especially jackets. Check out sites like Dress for Success www.dressforsuccess.org And if you have unwearable clothes or blankets you can usually donate them to pet shelters for bedding.

5. Compact Fluorescent Bulbs (CFL)

You can take them to IKEA stores for recycling or go to Sylvania RecyclePak www.sylvania.com/recycle/recyclepak

The plants on my deck

Wednesday, November 4th, 2009

The plants on my deck are dwindling down into hibernation mode. A couple months ago I haphazardly planted sweet pea seeds in almost very pot. They just now have started to bloom, but don’t really have the characteristically spicy scent since it’s getting colder. The only things really blooming still are my salvias, sweet peas, heliotrope and a few scattered roses here and there. Most things are just leafing out and setting roots, tucking in for the upcoming rain.

Greenwashing… and I don't mean cleaning your veggies!

Wednesday, October 14th, 2009

climatewash-greenwash-2-0-s

Greenwashing is used everyday by thousands of companies, and is pretty easy to spot if you have your eyes open. For example, do you really think Shell oil company is “sustainable”?

Oil we take from the earth = Sustainable?

Hmm. Not so much.

Or… Do you really think Monsanto’s (THE INVENTORS OF AGENT ORANGE AND ROUNDUP AND A SLEW OF OTHER DEADLY PRODUCTS) roundup ready soybeans are going to feed the world and end hunger?

Hmm. Eww and Not so much.

Especially since third world countries are rejecting them! Saying they are unsafe!

I.E. – people who are starving say they do not want those dirty ass soybeans!

How can you keep an eye out and try to avoid being scammed by greenwashing yourself… bookmark these sites and check them out from time to time. I know, I know they are not as exciting as Perez Hilton, but hey information can be just as addicting as the latest picture of Spidey!

Corp Watch

OCA

Greenwash Report

Caterpillar video

Friday, September 18th, 2009

I'm in Love*

Friday, September 18th, 2009

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This is my new love… Hyalophora cecropia (I think… have been searching for days now and still have not found if this is in fact the exact match. But I’ve seen these moths around my house a lot, so I’m thinking it’s him. Any clue, anyone?)

I found him while watering my succulent collection, he was brazenly munching the hedge in my front yard. He has been my obsession for a couple weeks now, as any fat, beautiful, interesting creature should be. I talk with him, we listen to podcasts together while I water the plants, I go out and move him to lower branches when I think it’s too hot… He’s pretty amazing and I think it’s getting serious!

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I adore his little black, padded feet…. so cute and so reminiscent of Chanel’s flats circa when I wanted a pair of Chanel flats. (more…)

Garden & Gun

Monday, September 14th, 2009

GG0409_Inthegarden_4unpubThere is literally a magazine called Garden & Gun!

When I was strolling through the dreaded Barnes & Nizzle, I looked down and found this little jem on the shelf amongst the vast dross that is B&N’s literature.

“Garden & Gun!”, I thought…. what more could a girl ask for? Two insanely fun activities in one glossy magazine!

Oh, and don’t be fooled by the good looking, angst filled men holding either a cocktail or posing by their life’s work – there’s more fabulosity throughout the pages. There’s gardens and there’s guns… do I need to go on?

Mmmmm, me like!

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Designer Jon Carloftis, drinkin’ in the garden.

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Foxglove at Janet’s house

Monday, July 27th, 2009

Agave attenuata

Friday, July 10th, 2009

Agave attenuata


This is one of the best plants you could ever plant in a garden. They are so incredibly easy, effortless and lend themselves to many landscape designs. Agave is considered one of the “bones” in a garden and completely ground any design. This one in the picture above is from a garden I planted in Half Moon Bay. The rest of the garden is “English-Mediterranean”, as my client says. I’m not sure exactly what constitutes “English-Mediterranean” – but apparently it’s a lot of flagstone, terra cotta and roses. But the agave around the garden look amazing and require little to nothing. They really just want to be left alone.

The best place in the whole world to buy Agave and other succulents =

Robin at Succulent Gardens in Moss Landing………
www.sgplants.com