On Friday, we received a call from a legislative assistant and were surprised to find out that a California State Senator had requested to stop by over the weekend for a quick visit.  The assistant remarked that the Senator had heard so many good things about us--and he wasn't even  from our area! The purpose of his visit was to help get the laws in California changed in order to enable more people to do what we are doing!

Eeeks, we weren't  expecting any visitors  and were not  set up for any tours of the Urban Homestead just yet!  We had a half  finished project lying around the backyard; but we managed to tidy up the place for a quick walk through.

We were rather apprehensive; but, as it  turned out, he was great and such a nice guy as well.  The Senator asked us what were some of the things we would change on a legislative level to make it easier for people to do what we have done. And he asked what were the difficulties we faced to make it as successful as we had made it and how can he can make it better. We told him a lot of things that will, hopefully, be beneficial to all city homesteaders.    We explained our relationship with the City of Pasadena, how we are proud of our City that is promoting sustainability on a residential level.    Also, we remarked  on the importance  of  when "farming" the front yard, it is vitally necessary to make  it pretty as well as practical.  We brought up how urban agriculture and sustainability are important on a residential and community level and how sensible rules and regulations are needed to protect the rights of farmers and animals alike.  And last, but not least, we  brought up the"Cottage Food Act " that is on the minds of  quite a few fellow CA homesteaders.  This "Food Act" would make  it easier on home cooks to sell their goods and is one of the legislative changes that  everyone would love to see.

Hopefully, some of our ideas get taken to heart! Before he left, he said "if you need ANYTHING at all... call me."   Cool!

Update about 'California State Legislature: Enact a Cottage Food Law in California' on Change.org

"Dear California Cottage Food Law Supporters, We're excited to announce that our bill has an author! Assemblymember Mike Gatto (D - Los Angeles) has committed to working with us to pass a "California Homemade Food Act," soon to be known as “California's Cottage Food Law," which will be introduced in the State Assembly as early as next month...."

:: Resources ::

Sign the Petition

Cottage Food Law Update in other States

Homebased Baking Cottage Food Laws

Sunrise!

Morning glory is the best name,
it always refreshes me to see it.
-   Henry David Thoreau

It's been a busy and productive week for me and  the rest of the family; but there is always time to "be still" and witness the wonders of creation.

Red sky in morning?

Jesus referred to the familiar weather rhyme when he said, "When in evening, ye say, it will be fair weather: For the sky is red. And in the morning, it will be foul weather today; for the sky is red and lowering." (Matthew 16: 2-3) Unfortunately, this glorious "Red sky in morning" didn't have we gardeners taking "warning" that day.   Sad to say, no foul weather  that day which would have been a welcome relief in our dry state.

Keep praying for rain and have a wonderful weekend, everyone!

Western Bluebirds I think the two guys are wooing the female... taking her to the local watering hole / pub. She must be hot stuff!

Here's my second installment of my "End Quote" featuring a favorite quote, poem, saying, story or something I found interesting or inspirational.  Of course , this musing MUST be accompanied by a few favorite photos of the week!

A Bird Came Down

A bird came down the walk:
He did not know I saw;
He bit an angle-worm in halves
And ate the fellow, raw.

And then he drank a dew
From a convenient grass,
And then hopped sidewise to the wall
To let a beetle pass.

He glanced with rapid eyes
That hurried all abroad,--
They looked like frightened beads, I thought;
He stirred his velvet head

Like one in danger; cautious,
I offered him a crumb,
And he unrolled his feathers
And rowed him softer home

Than oars divide the ocean,
Too silver for a seam,
Or butterflies, off banks of noon,
Leap, splashless, as they swim.

-- Emily Dickinson

I couldn't pass up this opportunity to share with you some recent feathered visitors to our garden.  In fact, since 2011, we've spotted 5 new bird species here on the homestead.  After 25 years we are pretty excited spotting all these new species!    Of course, I am curious and can't help but wonder,  "What brought these birds to the homestead?" Could it be because of the devastating Station Fire (largest fire in LA history)  which brought these birds into the inner city or is it "global weirding."  No matter, these birds are such a joy to watch.

Do you readers have any thoughts on WHY so many new birds all of a sudden?

Have a great weekend everyone!

Now for some bird pics I took this week - enjoy!

Western Bluebirds & Cedar Waxwings

Western Bluebirds await their turn to visit the bird bath

Cedar Waxwing in the fig tree

A whole flock of Cedar Waxwings

Bathing beauties. Colorful finches have a pool party

Everyone gets a turn

Splish, splash just lovin' this bath

Oh no! Somebody is WATCHING us... humans!

Finches, Western Bluebirds & Cedar Waxwings all getting along.

New ideas and thoughts are always popping in my head, it's like a three (more like five) ring circus.   Of course, I'm haven't sprouted any other arms so I can only handle a few at a time.

Anyhow, I thought of starting something new here at LHITC (many others hatching I can assure you!)  Figured it would be nice to end the week with an "End Quote" featuring a favorite quote, poem, saying, story or something I found interesting or inspirational.  Of course , this musing MUST be accompanied by a favorite photo of the week!

And this week, a stunning picture of the moon which Jordanne captured one morning just above the hen house and a quote about "Perseverance" (remember, that was my ONE WORD for 2012):

"One of the biggest challenges in this or any age is to stick with the necessary changes we need to make and hold fast to the end. As important as beginnings are, the real test is in reaching the finish line, which requires perseverance for the long haul. Because we tend to turn things over to others—experts—we lose the opportunity to develop true self-sufficiency. Through growing our food, along with other homesteading practices, we gain invaluable experience and the true rewards of doing-it-yourself. Going forward, we have to be willing to get past the idea stage and individually sweat the details, adjusting to unforeseen difficulties, and, above all, never quitting." - Jules Dervaes

Have a restful weekend, everyone.

Our family is looking forward to 2012 with a mixture of uncertainty and excited anticipation. It's a new year and there are new paths to travel.

If all goes well (God willing), we could have a chance to expand our outreach efforts. This is an exciting prospect for us; however, it will incur additional costs which as anyone knows can be burdensome.

We need you to pitch in and help our ever expanding outreach GROW this year.

Here's how:

Drop off at our Front Porch Farm Stand or send to (see our contact info) your used  ink jet, laser cartridges, cell phones & ipods.  Collect them from friends & family, your workplace, etc and help us with making a few extra $$$ to help us help you.

Other Ways To Support Our Non Profit

Has this site been helpful, have you glean information to help you in your homesteading efforts?  Would you like to learn even more?

Purchase from our Online Store

Make a tax deductible donation  - even a$1 a month helps keep this site online

And if you have done one or all the above, THANK YOU for your support!

With ordinary talent and extraordinary perseverance, all things are attainable.  ~Thomas Foxwell Buxton

It's that time of year again, when we close a chapter on one year and look forward to writing another entry in the new year.  My, how this year has flown by!  For our family, it has been a year of ups, downs and round and rounds.

There's a quiet revolution on the resolution front.  While most people are making their resolution list and checking it twice, there's a group of creative thinkers who are choosing a WORD OF THE YEAR instead . Choosing a Word of the Year, they say, "helps emphasize HOW you want to live your life rather on a specific activity that you should or should not do."

My word  for 2012 would be courtesy the "Ex-traw-din-derry" Minnie of Lark Rise to Candleford (this BBC tv series is certainly one of my "weaknesses") in which she says, "I aim to be Per-sis-ter-rence"

I just love Minnie's take on the word "Persistence," don't you?  So "Per-sis-ter-rence"  it is!

"One thing I know for certain is that persistence is the key to success. No matter what we want out of life, if we are consistent in our pursuit, eventually we'll get just what we ask for. Seek, and ye shall find, ask and it shall be given unto you, knock and the door shall be opened for you. We have not cause we ask not. And when we don't get it immediately, we give up, as if our season of reaping is in our control. Never give up and the season of reaping has no choice but to come, not in our time but at the right time."
Persistence is the Key to Success

What about you, readers? What WORD would you choose for 2012 to help you to better yourself and the world around you?

:: Resources ::

Resolution Revolution

How to Choose a Word of the Year

“Reflect upon your blessings, of which every man has plenty, not on your past misfortunes, of which all men have some”
― Charles Dickens

We passed the shortest day, Spring is just around the corner!

As the year winds down, we count our blessings!  We also appreciate and are extremely grateful for a lot of things including your support,  emails, comments, donations and purchases via our Front Porch Farm Stand and online store are truly a blessing during these difficult times.

Our family wishes all our readers a wonderful Holiday Season and all the best to you and your families in the New Year.

God Bless.

Urban Homestead is located just ONE mile from the Rose Parade route and Rose Bowl

Hey Wisconsin & Oregon!  Ya'll or anyone you know coming to Pasadena for the Rose Parade and Rose Bowl?

The Urban Homestead is centrally located,  within walking distance (about a mile ) from the Rose Bowl & Rose Parade route right off one of the main drags thru town -- Orange Grove Blvd.

Celebrate the New Year

On Monday Jan 2 (Parade and Bowl day ) we'll be offering up some sweet treats & eats (details coming soon!).

So if you are up in our neck of the woods for the annual pageantry don't forget to stop by and support our Front Porch Farm Stand and swap howdies.

Open Sunday - Friday   Closed Saturday  Hours:  9 am - 7 pm  Extended Hours on Sunday Jan 1 and Mon Jan 2  7 am - 8 pm
Located: 631 Cypress Ave, Pasadena
Contact: 626 844 4586

"One trowel revolution"

Hope everyone had a lovely Thanksgiving.  I'm a bit late in posting but figure it's never too late to give thanks!

Series: Devotions of Praise and Thanksgiving

Devotional - Give Thanks To The Lord Of The Harvest

Posted by Peter Kennedy on Tuesday Nov 29, 2011 under Devotions of Praise and Thanksgiving

“The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.” – Genesis 2:15

Jules Dervaes and his three adult children live in a 1917 craftsman-style house in Pasadena, California. They are urban homesteaders. In their 1/10 of an acre garden, they annually produce more than 6,000 pounds of food. It provides for more than 90% of their diet and they are able to teach others to be good stewards of the land.

It was during the 1970’s that Jules turned to the Lord and the Bible for instruction.  He learned to be an expert gardener and in the mid-1980’s bought the home in Pasadena. During this season of thanks, Jules wrote:

“ Our society has followed the broad way opposed to God’s plan for man; instead of stewards, we have become abusers of God’s creation. As a consequence, we are alienated from ourselves, from each other and from the Creator; and, today, our very existence is threatened.

Taking steps on this journey, I came to realize that the basis of true religion is in how we earn our daily bread. It is not enough just to “have” faith; there must be a demonstration of faith in everyday life, here and now. Thus, I have been following this ancient path back to God, as clearly marked in the Bible.

I am thankful for dirty, sweaty, manual labor by which I eat my food and through which I learn God’s directions. I am thankful for the blessing of life-giving rain for the harvest.”

Jesus is indeed good and He is the Lord of the Harvest. Today in prayer, thank Him that He provides so much for us and that He truly desires to dwell with us.

“The destination to which my faith is taking me is the work of living in harmony with nature, in community with each other and in conformity with God’s plan of salvation. My hope is to be part of the restoration of God’s Earth—our home.” - Jules Dervaes

God’s Word: “The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food at the proper time.” – Psalm 145:15

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2011, Devotional E-Mail

DEVOTIONS IN PRAISE AND THANKSGIVING

Celebrating Online Outreach 1999-2012

Looking for something to inspire you (and others) to pioneer a more sustainable path throughout the upcoming new year?

A nice BIG stack of 2012 "Little Homestead in the City" calendars now sit on the dinning room table ready to find good homes.

Another in the series commemorating our decade+ long online presence. We’ve put together a pictorial calendar highlighting our favorite photos of the garden, animals, flowers, butterflies and more! Support our growing online presence and outreach to the next level.

Don’t pass up this opportunity!

Buy a beautiful calendar of stunning (and quirky) collection of photos–and be encouraged to grow/preserve more of your own food, raise citified farm animals or live a more simple life. Plus you’ll be supporting an important work of educating others how to become more self-sufficient.

Or.... if you are local & a customer of our Front Porch Farm Stand you can pick up one next time you come and get your boxes of fruits & veggies!