Looking back on our goals from last year Justin (Jethro) got his fish project underway,  the grey water project too.

Jordanne (Ellie Mae) revamped our two social networks, Freedom Gardens and launched Backyards & Barnyards and did get around to organizing a lot of mess.  Not to forget the launced her super amazing Natural Poultry Supplement Mix which is receiving rave reviews!

As for me (Granny),  the mountain of fabric and yarn still looms like a huge shadow but the craft-music room is coming along nicely.  Not sure if I am talking less and listening more – guess I’ll have to ask my family & friends that.

The 7K bonanza harvest wasn't the only highlight from 2010

We went back to Wild & Scenic located in the quaint mountain town of Nevada City and had a chance to meet our favorite author, John Robbins.  Had a workshop at the Eco Farm conference in lovely grounds Asilomar (didn't get to spend as much time on the beach as we'd like since it was soooo cold and rainy!).   Not to mention numerous articles and video pieces which all were featured here on the blog – our favorite being the recent So Cal Connect piece , I am Los Angeles , Private Chefs of Beverly Hills,  Sis and I were "Cover Girls" & with an article featured in this online magazine and I wrote about my home school experience for another

Our home made film "Homegrown Revolution" won  many awards including : Best Environment & Ecology Film North America - Swansea International Film Festival, U.K.; Prize of the Mayor of the Capitol City of Slovakia - Ekotop Film Festival of Sustainable Development, Slovakia; Best Short Documentary - Southern Appalachian International Film Festival, Tennessee; Honorable Mention: Westpac Award Best Short Film - Reel Earth Environmental Film Festival, New Zealand.  (You can purchase a DVD copy)

We traveled to back to the homestead in New Zealand where I was born (more pics and tales to come) and with our biggest turn out ever to a presentation on urban homesteading!

After the New Zealand trip: Other outreach opportunities included four university appearances by "Farmer D" and a presentation for a public school district's student gardens fundraiser.

On the urban  homestead

Keeping it real.  As with any journey, we had our ups and downs.

Passing of dear old Clementine (the poster chicken & darling of the UH movement) and our duck Amy after freak accident which never fully recovered from.

The cycle of life continued, Though there were sad deaths there was new life with four additions to our flock.  Our southern belles  - Annalee, Lulu Belle, Beulah and Opal.

Pushing the envelope in urban sustainability we added new projects:  hops for beer and 50 tilapia for aquaponics fish farming and wrote about the challenges that we face of growing food in the city.

Wrote about necessary Urban Homestead apparel and "Natural Beauty, "  "Homesteader Hygiene", & Living Without AC,  Washing Clothes by Hand & threw an amazing  "Girlie" Tea Party under $50!

Long time customer, Elements, who featured our many of our homegrown items on his menu unceremoniously dumped us (having money issues)   When one door closed, it opened up our produce to the public with the launch of the Front Porch Farm Stand featuring local foods and goods.

Weather continued to be a problem with a record heat wave in October & record rainfall in December

Though we had one of our best honey harvest in years, Varroa Mites (and early cold weather) wiped out all of our of beehives except one.

I dropped the ball on the Weekly Meal wrap ups (sorry readers) posts but I picked up guitar which I am enjoying relearning – well, except for the sore finger tips.   Ouch!

There you have it!  Some of the highlights of 2010,  I know I just touched the tip of the ice berg otherwise I’d be here all day.

So what our plans/goals for 2011?   That’s certainly a good question and a lot to digest ….  we do know are going to have sadly terminate some projects because of the lack of support.   It’s a bitter pill to swallow put sometimes you got to cut things that are weighing you down.  I’m talking to myself here… have to keep saying that!

Also like to thank all of you readers who have supported us via donations or purchases from our online store.    Not to mention all the wonderful letters, cards and emails.   THANK YOU!

While I try to shake off a awful case writers block, if you are new or a lurker to this blog, this is a good time to swap howdies or better yet TELL US what your FAVORITE post(s) of 2010 were!

So pull up a chair and give us a holler ya hear and hope 2011 is off to a good start for you!

Requests are pouring in - folks want us here, there.   Unfortunately we can't be everywhere.

Sadly the much anticipated Tennessee trip has been postponed.  Unfortunately the Appalachian film festival couldn't arrange for our accommodations nor assist in helping us put on an urban homesteading presentation afterwards so we could pay for our air fare and travel expenses.    We are pretty (extremely) bummed but are hoping that some of the kind TN folks who contacted us can arrange for something in the future.   We'd really love to come and swap howdies with ya'll.

Besides that HUGE disappointment, we did have some good news! The International Festival of Sustainable Development Films - ekotopfilm 2010 has chosen  film, Homegrown Revolution, to get the Prize of the Mayor of the Capitol City of Slovakia - Bratislava.

The work and inspiration of the Urban Homestead is constantly spreading!

While our little film sows inspiration, we've been busy building community - online and in person.  Some online highlights you that should take notice of:

1. At Barnyards and Backyards there's going to be a bunch of GIVEAWAYS.  How do I know this, well, there are FIVE HUGE boxes that arrived here the other day and are just waiting to find good homes.    So head on over, there's already another one going on right now, check it out, perhaps you'll win this nifty Avian Waterer

2. Freedom Gardens is highlighting it's Gardener of the Month and much much more! Check out the articles written by our new contributing writers.   So mosey on over to our social networks that are growing a sustainable community.

There's still more events planned (check the calendar) and some of what we've been apart of already....

Food Panelist, Downtown LA

Downtown LA Film Festival

Girl Scout Fair at Cal Tech

Kids crowd around our booth/table

and line up to take a spin on the bike blender

Answering questions

The kids loved the tromboncino squash (www.FreedomSeeds.org)

The future of food at UCLA

"Skyping" into Rutgers University

Food & Justice Dinner at Occidental College

Invite the Urban Homesteaders

If you would like to involve or invite the "first family of urban homesteading"  - we can, if possible make appearances in person or by Skype contact us

Thanks to generous support of our readers we are hoping to continue to do that for another year.  If you've gleaned information and inspiration haven't already supported our non profit outreach you can by either purchasing the Little Homestead in the City Calendar, donate or make a purchase from our Supply or Seed store.

Some of the towering tomatoes are coming down. Started those in late winter and they are on their last legs. Going to fry up a few green tomatoes! Planting the last summer succession of crops and slowing moving into fall crops.

Soil blocks are full of assorted greens.

Harvesting  loads of squash, tomatoes, eggplants, peppers and even peaches. It's summertime and the garden's growing fine!  What a blessings!

Seed varieties courtesy of www.FreedomSeeds.org featuring seeds grown by the people for the people

Sunrise touches flowering artichoke

Heirloom pumpkins

Busy bees

Peaches!

Hops

It's an edible jungle

Front yard, edible landscaping

Turning over beds

Herbs, vegetables and fruit

Towering tomatoes, climbing squash and flowering fennel

Tromboncino squash - watch your head!

Lemon cucumbers and peppers

Not to early to get a jump on the fall plantings. Soil blocks with seed starts.

How's your gardening growing - getting a jump on the fall plantings?

With all that's going on, figure it's high time I sit and collect all the newsbytes and articles that ya'll may have missed this week.

On Fridays, I am going to try to make it a weekly h, haaaaaa..... habit (whew, that's a hard word to write!) to post some highlights.

Git along, little dawgies!

Start off the "Round Up" with the news of our new social network - Barnyards and Backyards.

* This week' you'll find a GIVEAWAY  for a FREE bag of Natural Poultry Supplement and articles (like the Frugal Chicken or this one about Arsenic in Chicken Feed) by some wonderful contributing writers.  We had a bunch contributing writer applications so there are more writers on tap to join the network, so stay tuned - perhaps you are one of them!

* Next up will be the revamp of Freedom Gardens.  The site will get upgrades and include contributing writers (yeah) similar to that of B & B so we'll be looking for some passionate garden/farming folk to write about growing their own food.

* And that's not all!  Jordanne is working on a site called "Freedom Kitchen" where we can easily share and feature recipes.  Sorta like an online cookbook.   Sis and I also have conjured up another social network, but we'll keep that one under wraps for now.  Besides, we have enough on our plate for awhile. LOL

* Our online networks wouldn't/can't survive without community, so make sure you sign up at Barnyards and Backyards and Freedom Gardens.  Tell your friends, post around and help the sites get going and growing!

* With the recent summer growth spurt one needs to make sure that these sites are "cared for and watered."  So please remember there are many ways you can support our non profit outreach work. In fact, we just added two with these two affiliate programs at  iHerb.com (get $5.00 off your first order - enter code JUL275 ) and Mountain Rose Herbs

It's been  awhile, but we'd like to hear from you -how we are doing.  I know there are still issues with the site(s), etc., but what we've done so far - how's it working for ya?

Hope ya'll have enjoyed the entries this week, have a good weekend!

PS: we are getting close to naming our new four baby ducks.   In fact, I can hear Dixie playing now!

Growing Right Along

Though I know it really has nothing to do with the title of this post, there's so much news and projects in the works I don't even know where to start.

Some important things to mention so listen up and listen carefully!

Jordanne's working on a couple "top secret" projects. HINT: has to do with one of her favorite things.

I know ya'll have be clamoring for recipes so she's also working a a recipe sharing sort of thing that will feature recipes from LHITC.

Not only that but upgrades to our gardening social network, Freedom Gardens, is in order and so to with the popular photo gallery. The most hit page on our website is getting yet another face lift and even more photos!

Are you totally excited and impressed like I am?

Well then, here's where I am going to add a gentle reminder that LHITC is ad free. If you enjoy daily reads here, gleaning information and inspiration here's how you can go about supporting our growing outreach. Or send a big box chocolate to keep this girl going as she works into the wee hours of the night to tackle some of these projects.

After a cool start weather wise, the summer harvest is now just started to pour in and what a blessings. We are so thankful for the bounty that the earth provides.

Now for some incredibly yummy photos. Going to mix in a few shots of what we harvested (many of the seed varieties can be purchased from our seed store Freedom Seeds) along with what we have been eating.

Heirloom tomatoes

Basket of peaches

Apples

and more apples!

Part of the winter squash harvest Pumpkin, Baby Blue Hubbard and Burgess (www.FreedomSeeds.org)

Chantenay Red Core Carrots (www.FreedomSeeds.org)

Eggplant, tomato and basil bruschetta with tabouleh

Peacevine Cherry Tomatoes (www.FreedomSeeds.org)

Veggie patty with beans and carrots

Double Yield Cucumber (www.FreedomSeeds.org)

A whooper! Cherokee Purple Tomato (www.FreedomSeeds.org)

Tabbouleh with tomato and summer squash pasta

Homemade/handcranked peach ice cream

Homegrown toppings for pizza

Sun cooked pizza in sun oven (www.PeddlersWagon.com)

Provider Green Beans (www.FreedomSeeds.org)

Homemade/handcranked strawberry ice cream

Vegetable pot pie with cucumber and tomato salad

Tomato, cucumber soup with herb croutons

WEEK OF EATS AT THE URBAN HOMESTEAD

All food items are homemade/homegrown/home preserved unless otherwise specified

Our Food Pledge

If not from backyard, then locally produced
If not locally produced, then organic.
If not organic, then family farm.
If not family farm, then local business.
If not local business, then fair trade.

SATURDAY

Breakfast - blueberry pancakes with strawberries
Dinner - flour tortillas with spanish rice, topped with sauteed green peppers and red onions

SUNDAY

Breakfast - apple crumble
Lunch - Saturday dinner leftovers
Dinner - avocado and tomato sandwich

MONDAY

Breakfast - apple crumble
Lunch - tomato and squash pasta with tabouleh
Dinner - tomato and squash pasta with green beans

TUESDAY

Breakfast - apple crumble
Lunch - veggie pot pie with cucumber and tomato salad
Dinner - leftovers

WEDNESDAY

Breakfast -apple crumble
Lunch - tomato and cucumber salad with herb croutons
Dinner - leftovers

THURSDAY

Breakfast - apple crumble
Lunch - vegetable patty with carrots and green beans
Dinner - herb pizza dough topped with tomatoes, basil, peppers, garlic with carrot, raisin citrus dressing salad

FRIDAY

Breakfast - french toast and honey
Lunch - roasted eggplant, tomato and basil bruschetta with tabouleh
Dinner - no knead bread, fresh tomato sauce (tomatoes, onions, peppers, parsley, basil) over spaghetti with salad

What summer time treats/feasts are you enjoying in your neck of the woods?

Monterey Bay/Asilomar, EcoFarm Conference Jan 20-23

Before the conference started, we needed a place to stay for night or two before we were given our designated rooms on the conference grounds and were blessed with a place to stay beachside. (A big thanks to the Bakke family who made this possible.)  There we rendezvoused with friend and farmer, Sergio, who stayed the night with us and who also was there to attend the conference for the first time.

We did get a chance in between raindrops to take a small walk along the beach which was nice.

The 2003 EcoFarm Conference is where Farmer D gave his very first urban homesteading presentation.  Seven years later, we were back - to cover all that has happened here on the homestead.  The topic was perfect: "Big Rewards from Small Spaces."

Unfortunately, the rain just wouldn't let up - just went where there was a break, another deluge would drench the conference grounds.  Wave after wave of rain pelted the coast from the huge storm that covered the whole state of California.

So we couldn't really enjoy walks on the beach (bummer) but instead spent most of our time indoors - talking with people at our booth in the Exhibit Hall, checking out a few talks, attending plenary sessions with Wes Jackson, Eliot Coleman and Frances Moore Lappé,  taking part in the ever-fun seed swap (where we loaded up on more seeds) and hanging out in the dinning hall listening to some wonderful conversations about farm life.

At the farm conference, we met Chris of Chauffin Family Farm, who saw the film in Nevada City and invited us to visit their farm (will take a rain check on that, thank you!).  Thanks, Chris, for the wonderful and engaging conversation - not to mention the jar of olive oil from your farm.  You'll definitely be hearing more from us!

Also, Frances Moore Lappé signed a copy of Diet for a Small Planet for us. On the shelf here on the urban homestead, we have an old and tattered copy from the 1970s, so now we have a new, autographed copy (sweet!). We brought greetings from John Robbins, who is long-time friends with Frances Moore Lappé. She and her daughter, Anna, also work together - yet another example of passing a legacy to the next generation.

Saturday morning was time for Farmer D's Urban Homesteading presentation, which drew about 200 people to Merrill Hall, the main conference venue. (We didn't check the Chapel so don't know how many were there listening in to the live feed.)  The presentation must have been a popular one because when we got to the desk to pick up a CD of the talk, the stack was all gone!

Farmer D opened the presentation with a screening of the ever-popular Homgrown Revolution. We don't know quite what it is about this simple film-that-wasn't-supposed-to-be-a-film.  One of the EcoFarm vendors told us that her husband was in tears at the end of the film - it touches something deep down in people.

Farmer D then talked about what we had learned over the 20+ year urban homesteading experiment, especially when it came to front yard edible gardening (very timely with the bad PR some of these projects are getting - I'll touch on that in a later post).  Lots of people were taking detailed notes. He emphasized that

"Change happens slowly, but you must start now-small can be beautiful and productive"

Perhaps in our spare time (huh) we can have our friend Dan put up the entire talk on YouTube....lots to do!

On the last day of the conference, the sun finally came out - but, alas, it was time for us to go.  We all headed down to the beach after lunch for quick walk - the air, ocean and sunshine were mesmerizing.

We all were extremely tired - don't know why (actually,  in my case I think it's because of the sheets - yep, sleeping on bleached sheets something we aint used to here the urban homestead) and it's hard to be on the road moving from place to place.

Not to mention the worry of how things were at the urban homestead and Sergio's farm with one of the biggest storms we've had in years.  Thoughts of the long drive home brought us back to reality, and we said goodbye to the sand and surf.

With such a land based lifestyle, even when on the road, there's never really time off - your mind wanders back to the farm/homestead as you wonder what's going on and the projects that await your arrival.   We, and even farmer Sergio, were on the phone calling home - wondering the same thing: "How are things there - animals, garden OK?"

At the closing plenary session there was, shall I say, an "interesting" exchange with Elliot Coleman and Gary Hirshberg (of Stoneyfield) Definitely raised some interesting questions though we saw both sides seemed we sided more with Coleman.

Did leave us with a lot to think about - the future of food and organic agriculture.

Now for some photos!

Ahhh, the majestic ocean

Jordanne, me and Sergio enjoy a walk in the beach

Pelicans

Justin and Sergio wonder if they should bring some of the kelp home for their gardens

Enjoying the sand, surf and blue skies

Boardwalk

Welcome!

No better place to have a conference in the world than Asilomar!

Jordanne, Justin and Sergio checking out the tables of information

Justin and Sergio intently listen to a lecture about beneficial plants and insects.

Three farmer's hang out - Sergio, Chris & justin

Meeting up once again with Frances Moore Lappe

Jordanne & Sergio listen in on a talk in the lovely Chapel

Eating together

Hanging together

And now for the most anticipated event of the conference - seed exchange

Justin, Sergio and Jordanne check out tables full of all sorts of seeds

Justin and I fill up envelopes

Nothing makes a farmer happier more than seeds.... well, perhaps rain and a bumper harvest.

Man hands! Pen and little envelopes in hand, Justin fills up on seeds

Farmer D gives his presentation

Saying our goodbyes to all the wonderful folks at Nevada City Wild & Scenic Festival (read all about it in case you missed it!), it was time to mosey down the mountain to a little one stoplight town nestled amongst the pines, Meadow Vista, where we were to meet up with a Freedom Gardener for a social potluck.

After nibbling all day at the film festival, what a wonderful sight to see - the table full of homemade/homegrown food.  The food spread was awesome! Thanks to everyone who brought a homemade, delicious dish - there was even some flavorful home brewed beer via the folks at Foothill Home Companion - perhaps she'll be blogging about our visit soon!

Looking around the roomy and well-organized kitchen, I couldn't help but wander over to the pantry that was lined with lovely glass jars (that looked like mine) filled with staples.

Feeling right at home, we spent the night in an adorable "Mary Janeish" bedroom and woke up to the sound of Julia hand grinding coffee and whipping up a batch of cornmeal waffles (delicious and very filling).  Thanks!

After a lively and scrumptious breakfast, it was time to wake up the ladies (aka the chickens).  While the guys talked about bees and gardening,  we gals went out to meet the hens.   Jordanne checked out the cute chicken coop (it matched our house paint colors!). I was fascinated by the chickens wandering out in the rain looking for bugs in the yard.  I thought, "These ain't no So Cal birds scared of the rain!"  Our chickens are wusses.

Then it was time to tour their Freedom Garden - that included His and Her beehives -very cute.

Julia told us a wonderful story about her seed sowing (her first time starting off!).  Of all the seeds she ordered, our very own Freedom Seeds were the only ones that germinated! That made us proud indeed.

She and Gary also described going out to the garden to pick spinach for dinner - only it never made it into the house because it was so deliciously tender.

Before we left, Jordanne and I knitted a few rows on Julia's friendship scarf while we talked about goats, ducks, chickens and more.  We could have stayed with Julia and Gary for days, but it was time to head down to the coast.

Thank you, Julia and Gary, for your gracious and warm hospitality!

Driving down the mountain to the coast through torrential rains, we commented how this visit was very refreshing and nourishing to our souls.  What a joy it was to see you and your husband recount stories from your homestead, Julia!  It was like we bonded with a kindred spirit.

We even lamented that you weren't closer: "Otherwise we'd be up there every day!"

I strongly sense there are some baby ducklings in your future so look forward to hearing about the latest additions to your homestead.

The beach and our meeting with author and food advocate John Robbins up next.

But, first, some photos!

Awesome & colorful food spread.  Delicious!

Jordanne check out the colorful (green & brown) eggs from Julia's flock of hens while Julia buzzes about her kitchen with apron and 'Homegrown Revolution' tee

Group shot of Freedom Gardeners!

Homemade cornmeal waffles topped with local butter and homegrown blackberry preserves.

Julia's husband and handyman Gary give us a pet Fleaddle to take home.  "Fleaddle" now sits on the fireplace at the urban homestead.  Isn't he a cutie!

Julia shows us photos of her summer garden

Hey there, hennie!

Checking out the bees, er hive , since no bees were to be seen because of the rain

Breakfast club!

A woman's domain.  Girlie chatterings in the kitchen

A holiday, from the normal musings here at LHITC to share with you a few blessings that we experienced this past year as our outreach continues to grow worldwide!

I'll try to keep things short and sweet and, believe me, with the mega amount of photos we took, it's a hard task ( I know, I know, someone has to do it).

But, I hope you get a sense of how one small pebble dropped into the pond has had a tremendous ripple effect.   We don't have a book (this blog is our 8 year old book!), or have "certified credentials," and our "film" is (if you ask Jordanne) not a "film,"  I think (IMHO) that it's about everyday people making a difference, one step at a time!

Now back to the travelogue!

After Greece for the screening of HOMEGROWN REVOLUTION and a bomb scare at the El Al terminal (no, not kidding - I am serious - the terminal was evacuated and bomb sniffing dog brought in), it was a quick flight to Israel.

We have a lot of people to thank for this trip to the Holy Land:  our dear friends (our goaties "god parents)" who made our stay pleasant and possible (with a relative there); a new friend and fellow Freedom Gardener and his family whose warm hospitality will always be treasured.   Thank you all!

Unfortunately, our trip was a short one.  So short, we had to turn down quite a few visit requests and speaking engagements at local farms - which would have been nice.  Heck, perhaps one day we'll be back!

But we did get a chance to follow in Jesus's footsteps, enjoy some time at a famed Kibbutz on the shores of the Dead Sea and spend some time with an enthusiastic Freedom Gardener who is turning heads & hearts in his community.

After a good, hearty, homemade dinner (thanks, everyone!), out comes the Israel map and we are given some great tips on the best places to see and (for our own safety) where we can and cannot go!

Group shot.  Thanks again to everyone, especially Adva, for your gracious hospitality.

Looking up the hill to Megiddo

Sea of Galilee

Jordan River

O Jerusalem!

Church of the Holy Sepulcher

The Wailing Wall

Dome of the Rock

On top of Masada, overlooking sunrise over the Dead Sea and the Jordanian border

Ruins of Masada

Waking up in the wee hours of the morning (before the heat of the day), we climbed to the top of Masada

Floating in the Dead Sea

Farmer D gives a Freedom Gardener tips on his new garden which looked absolutely amazing!  Justin is checking out the tomato and melon vines!

We sit down to a delicious homemade vegan dinner with the family -the food was amazing!

Proudly showing off his delicious homegrown salad!

Group photo of Freedom Gardeners!

Thank you, M & R, for your generous and gracious hospitality.  Hope your garden is doing well!

Greece, Israel now onto to Italy & India....

Meeting local Freedom Gardeners

Chatting with Farmer D

Talking about farming, bug and critter woes, duckie saga, etc., with Farmer S

Saturday, we spent an afternoon down in Riverside.  Despite the sweltering heat, the local Freedom Gardeners came out and we enjoyed meeting ya'll!  Actually, our booth was the busiest there - which was great!

Trying out the new keyboard

We also got a special package in the mail - a gift from one of our readers who wrote:

"I was just reading your website and noticed you all like to play instruments.  ... Here's a barely used Casio keyboard that I don't use with the stand.  It's my way of saying thanks for all you are doing!!!

I'm in the middle of buying my first house and I need to clear some stuff out.  I figured it would be going to a good cause."

Ben B

I know it's going to get some good use at our monthly Saturday Socials!  Thank you very much for such a wonderful gift that will be treasured and shared.

Yesterday turned out better than anticipated. I finally was assigned to Pasadena and stopped by the Path to Freedom farm! Jules is beyond nice and was really interested in my work (as should be expected by a farmer!!) And Anais is so cute! She was dressed for a photo shoot

[ah shucks, thanks!  here's the photo shoot photo]

The house is gorgeous and every where I looked I saw edibles. I felt like a gushing school girl (my outgoing partner talked me into going up to their house-I suddenly became shy when we pulled up). Of course, it didn't help when he said Anais looked like Snow White (he really did mean it as a compliment!!)

[no worries, appreciate the compliment but actually can you believe I am a little SHY too!]

PTF has inspired me so much over the years and it was great to finally meet the "real" people behind the hard work. I never thought I would have an opportunity such as this one!

-- Via Cauldron Ridge

Another very special encounter (see above) with a longtime reader (since 2003) happened a week or so ago.   I noticed two people at the front garden gate, looking at the yard - of course these weren't just ordinary lookers they had an "official truck" and were uniformed.   Interestingly enough, they were from the USDA doing a sweep of Pasadena looking for the dreaded pysllid (read more about it) Of course, bugs are a hot topic here on the urban homestead these days so we were quite interested in what they had to say on the subject - and they gave us an informative flyer on how to spot the little bugger.

It was a pleasure meeting you, Gina - sorry, it finally hit me who you were after you posted on the comment box and noticed your blog. I was like "oh, Cauldon Ridge- now I KNOW who you are!!!!"  Duh. I guess I should have asked you; but, then again, lately I've seem to have lost quite a few brain cells.  Seriously, I attribute it to interrupted sleep and having the injured duck in our bedroom.  Hate it when the brain's in a fog.  Anyhow, funny how we know blog titles more than the actual person's real name.   Guess that's the internet world for you.

So, Gina, if you are ever in town again (you guys are doing such important work, thank you) - feel free to stop in and say hi!

And last but not least some interesting newbytes that caught our eye.

City Life is a Honey Trap for France's Beleaguered Bees

Urinating on your tomato plants could give you fruit four times larger

Environmentalists Seek to Wipe Out Plush Toilet Paper

THE GREATER RIVERSIDE CONFERENCE OF SENIORS GIVING THE GIFT OF GREEN TO OUR GRANDCHILDREN AND GREAT GRANDCHILDREN

THE CRISIS: Scientists have determined that civilization is not sustainable if carbon dioxide remains above 350 parts per million. It’s now at 387 ppm and rising. If unchecked and un-reversed, today’s younger generations face a catastrophic global ecological meltdown in their lifetime .

WHAT YOU CAN DO: By going green you can annually remove 4.5 tons of carbon from the atmosphere.

SPECIAL GUEST: The Urban Homesteaders of Pasadena, CA will have a table about urban homesteading and encouraging all local FREEDOM GARDENERS to come, gather and swap!!

FILMS: Join the Dervaes family at 12 noon, 1:00, and 2:00 for showings of their short film HOMEGROWN REVOLUTION followed by a Q & A session with Jules Dervaes