Girl From Ipanema

It's not yet Spring and I'm already excited for Summer. The warmer weather and the slightly longer days have me thinking of bare feet and beach bon fires... of late afternoons spent listening to jazz records and holding hands with my sweetheart.

The Girl From Ipanema is one of my all time favorite summertime songs. Maybe in part because Astrud Gilberto (pictured above) had such lovely summer style. And maybe because I can remember many perfectly sunny days with that song as the soundtrack.

What do you listen to when you want to dream of long days and warm weather?

{images found here}

Mandarins

Mandarin oranges (otherwise known as tenagerines) are some of the most wonderful fruits invented. They come in perfect little easy to peel packages and they taste like the best ever candy.

Satsumas have been at our local farmer's markets lately and they are my favorite FAVORITE of all the mandarins. We buy at least 3 pounds a week and it's never enough.

Pink Jasmine

My favorite thing about this time of year is the pink jasmine that blooms all over Ventura. I like to bury my face in the bunches of blossoms and breathe in. It smells like being in love.

For as delicate as it looks, it's remarkably easy to cultivate here in Southern Cali. I might even call it a drought tolerant plant. At least, I hardly water our many bushes and it still grows and creeps and climbs like crazy.

Awesome Art update

The Awesome Art opening reception was tonight. After all the anticipation and preparations, I was too sick to attend. I did get some good feedback about the event though and about the work of our Oak Grove Students. I heard it was, in fact, awesome.

Above are some photos from our student curated print show. It's up right now in the Staircase Gallery (on the way to the second floor of our art building).

object of desire

Spring is here and my feet are dying to be in these shoes. Over-the-top and they go with nothing... they're perfect.

{available at DSW.com}

Half Baked

I'm finally back in the kitchen and starting to bake again. Sunday, I made a pimiento mac & cheese and lemon grass lemon bars, both from recipes I found in this month's Bon Appétite.

And last night I baked a couple of herb quiches with all butter crusts. Yum.

{Lovely lemon bar photo by Adrian Gaut}

Awesome Art

Mr. C and I spent the better part of yesterday prepping and delivering student art for the annual Awesome Art Show. The block printed piece above, created by one of my fabulous Oak Grove students, will be making an appearance in the exhibit.

The show is up from March 10 - April 17 at the Ojai Valley Museum. Click here for more info.

{Art by Jemma. Photo by me.}

short study of certain flowers (part 3)

Last time we were at the Farmers' Market Mr. C bought me the loveliest tulips. I can't wait to see what fresh treasures we find today.

rain or shine

The sun is out again here, but clouds are looming over the mountains.

These are some photos from a rainy day walk last weekend. Hope your having a perfect Saturday, rain or shine.