Getting My Ducks in a Row

How much fun was it the other day to hear a clamor outside my front door, and open it to find four white ducks snapping up bugs in our front yard? They've come back every day since—they live across the lane—and Logan and I are loving it.

So yes, long time no post. Life's been large. No real complaints, but there are a lot of moving parts, as a friend puts it. Lots of work, lots of happenings in our family, and lots for me to pay attention to.

One thing I'm excited about, and that I'll be spotlighting here, is the upcoming development of a new project in Santa Cruz that is VERY exciting for anyone involved in [real] food in our region. That is, in part, the Monterey Bay Culinary Arts Institute, as well as some other food-related businesses, in the very large complex on the west side of town, formerly owned by Lipton. It's 38,000 feet, and there is quite a vision being brought along, largely by Cynthia Jordan, an energetic and talented woman who, among her other talents, is a certified Master Gardener. The space will involved chefs, authors, farmers, artisanal producers of all things culinary and potable, as well as host a variety of other food-related businesses.

I will be posting details about city council meetings in which locals can have a voice: it's amazing how little of an awareness most of our local bureaucrats seem to have about culinary tourism in general. From what I've seen, the vision of this center is something that will serve to put Santa Cruz on the map as a culinary destination in much the same way Sonoma and Napa counties are.

Like I said, VERY exciting.

I should have the opportunity to get out to a farm soon, just as soon as I get my most recent project launched. Speaking of that, I finished the website for my landscaper friend, Ben Bording, who made the sweet "Tana in the Sunshine" stone piece for our garden. His site is Cool Earth Gardens.

And lastly: tomorrow's my birthday, Me and Willie Nelson and Kirstin Dunst. None of these things are much like the other.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: "April is a promise that May is bound to keep."  —Hal Borland

Thanks for visiting.

Comments

[Lydia (The Perfect Pantry)]

Nice to see you back! Happy birthday -- do something wonderful, giggly, fun, and if it involves chocolate, well, that's even better!

[marianne]

good to read you again!

I subscribe to a few of the Edible Community mags and at one time one from Santa Cruz or at least the Central Coast was a possibility, but they no longer list this possibility anymore.

Maybe the Institute may lead to this..

[Clare]

Happy Birthday...to you and me also ( it's my bday as well)! I have always thought April 30 was a very cool birthday. Enjoy your day.

[cookiecrumb]

H A P P Y B I R T H D A Y

[Ben]

We have some ducks and young goslings (they are only about three weeks old) we got them to put in our apple orchard. They sometimes sound like song birds when they chrip.

[James]

Very peacefull picture