Science! Psuedo-science! Nature! Art! Nonsense!
March 18, 2019
hiking, nature, trees amy, armstrong redwoods, armstrong redwoods state natural reserve, california, california coast, gem, giant redwoods, guerneville, hiking, nature, photography, redwood, trees, video 1 Comment
Whatever you do, make sure you visit the amphitheater (though this time of year it might have better been called the “amphibian-theater”). Also visit a winery and catch a buzz before you park the car.
The posse
Amy dwarfed by a giant redwood
The band at the crest
Crown
More crown
March 18, 2019
hiking, nature, ocean, Photography, trees california, california coast, David Joseph State Park, hiking, nature, pacific ocean, photography, Russian River, shell beach, sonoma, travel, video 1 Comment
On a beautiful Spring day (one of the first for months) we went to the edge of the continent with Uncle Jim and Chloe. Just south of the Russian river is Shell Beach and across Highway 1 from that is a nice set of trails traversing the coastal hills.
All told, we may have hiked 3.5 or 4 miles.
From the Pacific
Vernal mud on the trail
Spring mushrooms were everywhere (irises too)
To the fern forest
Then it was back down to the ocean.
January 2, 2019
party, who knows 2018, absinthe, new years eve, party, photography, seelbach Leave a comment
New Years Eve 2018 was a bummer. A few of our best friends actually came even though we let the dogs out and turned off all of the lights. Sorry.
Figuring out when “advance” is can be tricky near the international date line
This creepy guy showed up and flashed just about everyone
Fortunately the absinthe fairy saved the day
Well sorta. There were some killings. Accidental, of course. And the killer was really sorry before he even showed up at the party.
The Seelbach (a drink that we are really sorry about)
We’re sorry if you caught any communicable diseases. Really. The hooker said she was clean.
Look who’s pregnant now (and who has whose nuts in a very small jar)
Someone is looking crazed well after midnight when the absinthe was flowing.
And someone else is looking wasted
Cheers!
Braxton Hicks is a bitch
HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL. WE’RE SORRY. IN ADVANCE.
December 24, 2018
mixology, nature, party, Photography fire, full moon, music, party, solstice, solstice fire, solstice party, turn the sun, video, violin sword fight 3 Comments
The weather cooperated spectacularly for the 2018 solstice party. The rain cleared for a day or two. The moon was full. It was a crisp cold night with a beautiful sky.
Our ritual of gathering good friends from all walks of life every six months took place again without a hitch. Thanks to all who came to help us turn the sun.
Sunset before the party
This year, the fire lighting was cheered on by a rising full moon. The fire caught quickly and burned hard and fast.
Full moon and unlit pile
Lighting (time to run away)
Lots of people arrived for the lighting this year
Every solstice party is different in interesting ways. This year lots of people showed up for the lighting at 5:45. Then the BOILO got the party rocking. The lighting is always a sight to see.
The fire gets going
2018 solstice fire
The moon was incredible and lent a silver tinge to everything.
The barn was alight in party mode
This year the unplanned potluck food supply was great with chilli, meatballs, sloppy joes, fried chicken, and even krispy kreme donuts. The barn bar took a licking. Gonna need some serious restocking before summer!
Sorry about the terrible Christmas music in the barn. That’s just how it goes. At least there is a disco ball.
Marco. BOILO! There’s nothing quite like extremely local product.
A violin burns
Possibly the most ridiculous and surprising part of the evening was the violin sword fight instigated by Josh Henry (my trusty and talented violin and bow repair guy). Unbeknownst to everyone, Josh brought three dead rental violins to the party. So when we got them out and started sword fighting vigorously with them and then threw their remains into the fire, the 20 somethings who were already wondering just what those old people across the fire were all about, freaked out. They thought just for the smallest moment that I was destroying my actual violin.
LOL! Got you.
There was lots of music this year. It started early and went late. Thanks music makers! We love playing with you all.
Late night the music continues
Ember glow
I know, lets do it again this summer!!
Moonglow (picture by Amy Barley)
December 13, 2018
cooking, mixology, who knows amer picon, christa, experiment three, mixology, video Leave a comment
We’re there I think. Our third shot at homemade Amer Picon is in the jar. Next comes siphoning.
This time we adjusted the recipe only slightly with the addition of some bark infusion. Hopefully that will not kill us.
The key to all this is make sure the oranges are green and burn the heck out of the caramel.
Strain the infusions (three this time)
Mix in a big old jar.
Looking good. Once the material settles, we’ll extract our Picon. We need a centrifuge!
Thanks to Christa for the raw materials and the inspiration!
December 13, 2018
cooking, fire, party, who knows boilo, cocktail recipe, extremely local product, solstice, solstice fire 3 Comments
This is how a tradition is born. First a seemingly innocuous cocktail article. Then edition one. Then fun. And here we go down the slippery slope to BOILO.
Step 0. Gather ingredients.
The makings of BOILO
What is that fancy ass ginger beer doing in there? And mace from Grenada?! Yeesh.
Step 1. Combine and boil down for 30 minutes or so.
Boil the BOILO
Step 2. What are we missing?
No really, what are we missing??!
Step 3. Eureka.
Step 4. Let the BOILO steep overnight (or 5 hours, whichever is longer)
Final product steeps
Now we are ready for the solstice! Yes we are.
Burn, baby, burn. Solstice fire 2017.
