Cake and Flowers by Aunt Anna

Yum and pretty!

Or what the Kitchn said....

I googled rattlesnake beans to find a recipe and google took me right back to McGraths via the Kitchn.

Agriculture

Have I mentioned we live in an area with a lot of agriculture? In fact, the Oxnard plain is one of the most fertile in the United States.

Just a block away....

Is this beautiful scene:

More Flowers by Aunt Anna

She's done it again! More beauties!

Aren't they pretty? My favorites are the pink garden roses next to the white hydrangeas.

Peach Rose Geranium Jam

Remember the peaches? This is what my mom and I turned them into:

We used this recipe, with a few modifications, as written below. The jam was delicious!


Perfectly Simple Peach Preserves
adapted from June Taylor via Married with Dinner

3 pounds pitted and peeled ripe peaches, rinsed, dried, and cut into bite-sized pieces
10 oz white sugar
2-1/2 T lemon juice
2 or 3 sprigs of rose geranium

4 8-oz canning jars and lids



Prepare canner, lids, and jars according to the usual method; keep jars hot until needed.


Toss together the ingredients in a non-reactive bowl and let sit, covered, overnight to allow the peaches to soften and release their juices.


Remove the rose geranium sprigs. Transfer the macerated fruit and juices into a heavy, wide stainless-steel or copper pot, and bring to a boil, stirring as necessary. After the mixture comes to a boil, reduce heat to maintain a steady simmer; stir frequently to distribute the mixture and prevent burning.


Actual cooking time will vary depending on the fruit’s moisture level and the speed of your simmer. Most batches are done at between 20 and 25 minutes; you don’t want to simmer longer than 30 minutes or the sugars will begin to caramelize.


As the mixture approaches a sauce-like consistency, stir constantly to prevent scorching. To test for proper gel, use the saucer test or watch for the liquid to sheet off the edge of a metal spoon.


When the preserves have reached the proper set, remove from the heat. Working quickly, ladle into hot prepared jars, leaving 1/4-inch headspace. Remove air bubbles and adjust headspace as needed. Wipe rims and center lids on jars; screw band to fingertip-tight.


Place jars in canner, ensuring they are completely submerged. Bring to a boil and process jars for 10 minutes with the canner lid on. When time is complete, remove canner lid and turn off heat; wait 5 minutes, then remove jars. Cool, check for seals, and store in a cool, dark place for up to 6 months.
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60 California Adventures

So over the years, we've realized that we take poor California for granted. I have never been to Yosemite. Brandon has never seen the Hollywood sign. I know, we have it pretty rough. But ever since I moved away from California in 2004, I have seen the light and realized that amazing things were just a drive away in my home state.

We moved back to the Golden State (not to be confused with the Sunshine State - we are not Gators!) two years ago, but between deployment and a new baby, we haven't really tackled our travel goals. So, we have decided to attack this problem systematically. We will live in Ventura County for two and a half years. We plan two weekend/day trips a month - which gives us 60 weekends. We will probably alternate day trips with weekend trips.

Here's our initial California to do list - please feel free to add suggestions in the comments! All sports-related trips are Brandon's ideas, just in case that wasn't obvious to those who know me. With a few exceptions, I haven't been to any of these places. And to keep us moving - I will give a monthly update on our progress through this list. Some of these will be combined - obviously we won't drive to the Hollywood sign and then turn around.

1. Los Angeles Dodger game at Dodger Stadium

2. San Francisco Giants game at AT&T Park

3. Yosemite

4. Disney Concert Hall

5. Disneyland

6. Hollywood Sign

7. Griffith Park and Griffith Observatory

8. Camp in Big Sur - anywhere

9. Hearst Castle

10. Napa Wine Country (maybe in conjunction with a visit to Adair Valley?)

11. Channel Islands

12. Ojai

13. Palm Springs

14. Santa Barbara Biltmore Four Seasons

15. Lotusland in Santa Barbara

16. Catalina

17. Mono Lake Tufa State Natural Reserve

18. Eat at Pizzeria Mozza in Los Angeles

19. Glamp at Treebones Resort in Big Sur - yurts

20. The Huntington Library and Gardens, San Marino

21. The Winchester Mystery House

22. The Monterey Bay Aquarium

23. The Dennis the Menace Park

24. LACMA. Admittedly inspired by this: http://www.tastingtable.com/entry_detail/la/9895

Booze-spiked milkshakes? Peach hand pies? Coffee? Yes please!