The rough seas of Northern California

There is always something magical about the ocean. The alluring scent of the sea.  The gentle sea spray that mists the beaches.  The intense waves as they curl up upon the shores.



The children were entranced by the energetic ocean and rugged beaches....



as the waves chased after them determined to submerge them in the cold and vigorous water.



These spectacular sculptures of rocks are formed over time, by the magnificent forces of the ocean.



Signs of autumn are omnipresent and leave these little grassland weeds looking like dried up bells.



The elegant pampus grass embellished the ocean roads with their golden, fluffy heads and upright gesture.



Many treasures were gifted by the ocean. The rubbing and rolling on the ocean floor combined with the strength of the waves create beautifully formed shaped pebbles and drift wood.



.....wonderful for crafts and creative play.

more crocheting

I don't have the daily responsibilities of our farm so I am taking advantage of knitting and crochet projects.

It's so nice to have all this wonderful spare time whilst traveling - a time to relax, explore and absorb all the beauty which surrounds us.

I am very happy with my second crocheted hat. I think I might unravel the one I did for Sania to correct it. I was going to get Sania to wear it for the photo but my husband convinced me to do it.

Yosemite National Park

Wet-on-wet watercolor paintings

Here are few of Sasha and Sania's own creations of wet-on-wet watercolor paintings and a few drawings from last year.

Leaving Colorado

It was wonderful spending time with some sweet blogging friends during our stay in Pagosa Springs/Bayfield in Colorado - the children had so much fun together whilst the adults chatted away.

We then travelled through some very scary, narrow mountain passes.  We were fascinated by some old and interesting mining towns. As the sun began to slide behind the majestic mountains peaks, leaving a golden hue upon the horizon, we found a resting place at Ridgeway National Park to settle for the night.

Traveling longer distances than usual we passed through Utah, stopping overnight and then continuing through the spectacular mountains of the Nevada Desert.  Straight roads ran for miles and miles with not a car or house in sight.  We made sure we filled the car with gas at every stop, not knowing when the next station would be.  There were many, many abandoned homes and ghost towns along the way.

Although I have enjoyed traveling through many places, I have  encompassed distressing observances considering live-stock and agriculture.  I was very surprised to see vast acreages of land being used to grow corn, soy and hay. Only to see horses kept in sandy, small corals trying their best to nibble a piece of grass on the other side.  These specific crops continued for miles and miles through different states.

Passing through Texas (and then again in Utah) we saw something considerable ahead that stirred me. My first thought was that it was a massive car-wreck dump that stretched out for miles and then as we came closer we were sickened to see that it was thousands of cows crowded together into small lots.  They were all lying in their own manure and barely able to even turn around.  These lots continued for miles! At the end of the property there was a huge sign saying “Quality Meat” and a phone number. Those cows live in shocking conditions! - if any of you would have seen this I’m certain you would all only consider supporting free-range, grass fed organic meat industry.

These animals, especially horses are large animals known to roam distances unimaginable and here they are kept in tiny corals full of dirt with not a single shrub.  I can only imagine the depressing desire for freedom for these animals as they look out at all those fields and fields of pasture before them. These animals are so neglected.

Do take a look at the wonderful movie called HOME a film by Yann Arthus-Bertrand. "We are living in exceptional times. Scientists tell us that we have 10 years to change the way we live, avert the depletion of natural resources and the catastrophic evolution of the Earth's climate. The stakes are high for us and our children. Everyone should take part in the effort, and HOME has been conceived to take a message of mobilization out to every human being. For this purpose, HOME needs to be free. A patron, the PPR Group, made this possible. EuropaCorp, the distributor, also pledged not to make any profit because Home is a non-profit film. HOME has been made for you : SHARE IT! And act for the planet" by Yann Arthus-Bertrand, GoodPlanet Fundation President."

Food, Inc. is another to video to watch - "An unflattering look inside America's corporate controlled food industry".

Our camping meals!

[caption id="attachment_1347" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Mesclun Salad"]

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I thought I would share some of the meals we've enjoyed during our camping road trip. Most of the meals are quick and simple made from organic ingredients.

We have salads almost every day, twice a day.  This is a favorite of ours and we grow lots on our farm back home. We usually enjoy organic mesclun salad mix, cranberries, sunflower seeds and sprouts.  We always compliment our salad with the same simple dressing of olive oil, half a teaspoon of french dijon mustard, lemon juice, salt and pepper to taste. Sometimes I add some garlic to make it extra tangy along with spring onions, avocados or baby tomatoes.

[caption id="attachment_1366" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Wild Salmon with raw vegetable salad"][/caption]

We only buy wild salmon, I'm not to fond of the farm raised fish.  Our raw vegetable salad is made from grated raw beetroot, carrot, apple and cabbage. We throw in some cranberries and sunflower seeds and stir in a sweet honey and lemon dressing.  This salad is our children's favorite. Sania, my four year makes this salad by himself.

[caption id="attachment_1365" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Zucchini Cakes/Fritters"][/caption]

The zucchini cakes were absolutely delicious and easy to make.  I grated the zucchini, mixed in a teaspoon of salt and left it in a colender to drain.  In the meantime I chopped up some spring onions, garlic, parsley, basil, added an egg and some breadcrumbs.  After squeezing out the excess water from the zucchini, I mixed all the ingredients and made patties to fry in olive oil.  I also added a few crumbs of left over (nitrate free) bacon from the night before for some flavor.  Scrumptious!

[caption id="attachment_1364" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Chicken Soup"][/caption]

Chicken soup enjoyed during those chilly nights along the mountain creeks.  I like to sear the chicken first in olive oil, add onion, garlic, carrots, celery then I add the water.  Tomatoes, potatoes and fresh herbs come next.  I then allow to simmer for 2-3 hours!

[caption id="attachment_1363" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Tomato Mozzarella "][/caption]

Tomato mozzarella, my husband's favorite from the Mediterranean, is a simple blend of fresh, firm organic tomatoes, mozzarella, basil leaves, a drizzle of olive oil and balsamic vinegar.

[caption id="attachment_1362" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="more added to the salad"][/caption]

Our mesclun salad with a variation of ingredients: carrots, feta cheese and avocado.

[caption id="attachment_1361" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Pancakes with whipped cream and blueberries"][/caption]

Pancakes/Waffles are a tradition in our home on the weekend.  I do miss our raw organic cream, butter and yogurt fresh from the farm but whilst traveling we buy the best we can.  We do buy organic and so far we've found natural food stores everywhere we've been.  We used the Organic Arrowhead Mills pancake mixture,  blueberries and horizon whipped cream.

[caption id="attachment_1359" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Challah bread"][/caption]

This is an easy bread the children love to make.  It is time consuming but they love to watch how much it rises and then the fun is in the braiding. Sometimes they make their own little creations like the one below.  I used spelt and wholegrain pastry flour for the mix.  The recipe can be found in the book "Good to the Grain".  The link is below by the honey crunchies.

[caption id="attachment_1358" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Sania's little teddy from the Challah bread mix"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1360" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="French toast from the Challah"][/caption]

Challah is always best eaten the same day it's baked.  So the next day when it's not as fresh we enjoy making french toast, topped with strawberries, raspberries, whipped cream with honey or maple syrup.

[caption id="attachment_1357" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Bacon wrapped medjool dates"][/caption]

Not for vegetarians! My husband enjoys some meat, even now and then.  These are very delicious and so easy to make for a snack just wrap a slither of bacon (nitrate free) around a dried date and bake in the oven or over the slow grill.

[caption id="attachment_1356" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Honey Crunchies"][/caption]

The honey crunchies were quickly devoured by our children.  A healthy recipe I got from the book called Good to the Grain, baked with wholegrain flours.  A wonderful way to get creative with different types of grain.

[caption id="attachment_1354" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Wholegrain Couscous Salad"][/caption]

Couscous salad is a simple and refreshing salad for lunches.  My ingredients include wholegrain couscous, with raw grated carrots and raw sweetcorn. I roast pine nuts,  fry some onions with zucchini and add a touch of cumin, salt, pepper and feta cheese. I sometimes add cherry tomatoes.

[caption id="attachment_1353" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Guacamole on toast with eggs"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1352" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Kettle chips with fresh figs"][/caption]

Chips! you don't often find "junk food"  in our house but once in a blue moon we do for a little treat.  We have great memories of harvesting the delicious, juicy figs at my in-laws home in South of France last year and indulging in their fresh olive oil made from the many olive trees in their garden.

[caption id="attachment_1351" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Bean and Vegetable Soup"][/caption]

Soups have always been my favorite.  I could eat them every day!  This one was made from onions, garlic, red beans (soaked overnight in a tablespoon of whey or lemon juice), fresh collards, zucchini, tomatoes, carrots, potatoes, fresh herbs and a bay leaf. This soup was enjoyed at our special little camp in Pecos,  New Mexico to warm us up.

[caption id="attachment_1349" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Strawberries/raspberries and cream"][/caption]

A desert well loved when we can get organic berries.  We crown our berries with rich fresh cream and a touch of raw honey.

[caption id="attachment_1348" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Some quick on the road snacks!"][/caption]

Little organic baby carrots are always handy for a quick snack, my children love them.  I make my own hummus dip.  Egg mayonnaise with wholegrain bread.   Fuji apples and red grapes.

[caption id="attachment_1350" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Dried herbal teas"][/caption]

Every evening in Dominican Republic I walk with my children, dogs and my little basket to gather my fresh herbs for our evening herbal tea.  I do like to add some dried herbs that I don't always have available.  These are some we have whilst traveling: Chamomile flowers, Red Raspberry (my favorite during my pregnancies) lemon balm, lavender and oat straw. I love the selection and organic quality that is offered at Mountain Rose Herbs. I've seen many herbs in parks and towns during our travels. Muellin, yarrow, dandelions and white clover are in abundance, and some lavender in New Mexico.