***BE THE CHANGE***

Monday, May 28, 2012

Life: Lunch @ Suzanne's Cuisine in Ojai

A lovely garden setting and delicious eats. The service was top-notch, to boot. Make a reservation if you want patio seating. We'll definitely be back.

Life: Intimate Dinner For Thirty...

We've learned that this space has been a known ceremonial gathering place for hundreds of years.

Sunday, May 20, 2012

Maker Faire 2012: Today At The Maker Faire We...

-learned to solder
-learned metal stamping
-used a Letter Press machine then bound a notebook with our letterpress creation
-ate a pretzel
-soldered, hammered an polished a copper band into a ring
-got to hang out in a Vardo
-listened to the artist and engineer panel discuss their upcoming massive Bay Bridge LED art installation
-ate vegan paella
-watched a glassmaker make beads
-listened to a discussion about wearable technology
-donated to a quilters guild
-listened to a discussion about the Lit, a two wheeled electric vehicle.
-took lots of photos
-dodged strollers, art cars and pedal powered vehicles
-saw a ton of robots including two Daleks and multiple R2D2s
-checked out the self-balancing skate boards
-Played a laser cut ukelele
-saw combat gnomies
-played with kinetic art sculptures
-witnessed children in complete disbelief and amazement
-watched The Crucible blacksmiths pound on metal
-purchased new tees from Jere at Urban Octopus
-admired Leif's interactive LED project, Art Strobe

Life: Solar Eclipse, Nor Cal View

Top: Hands,
Bottom: Tree Leaf Shadows

Saturday, May 19, 2012

Life: San Mateo Bridge Post- Sunset

Maker Faire 2012: Bubble Man

Maker Faire 2012: Honey, Fire Breathing Stegosaurus & Electric Skateboard

Maker Faire 2012: Churros & Shorty Hoopers

Maker Faire 2012: Francis, Wireframe Articulated Puppet

by Brian Matthews of Flapping Sprocket

Maker Faire 2012: Mentos & Coke Preparations...

Maker Faire 2012: Arc Attack

Musical tesla coils!

Monday, May 14, 2012

DIY: Southern California's Succulent & Cactus Mecca!

I've been a little under the weather these last couple of weeks so the one thing that's helping to take my mind off the crappiness is getting my hands dirty. We ventured out to Reseda yesterday for a visit to California Nursery Specialties - Cactus (& Succulent) Ranch. I was on the hunt for some harder-to-find varieties and I got exactly what I was looking for! The lower right image is of the stash we brought home.  

The Cactus Ranch isn't as expensive as our local nursery but they aren't as cheap as Home Depot either. That said, neither of those places come close to having as wide of a variety as the Cactus Ranch. Most of the plants I purchased were between $2 & $4 each.  Although I did splurge on a more unusual species (in a 4" pot) which was $7.50.

California Nursery Specialties - Cactus Ranch
19420 Saticoy
Reseda, CA 91335

Open To The Public Every Saturday & Sunday 11a - 6p (Winter hours: 11a - 5p)
Street Parking
Cash or Check Only

Life: Our Staghorn, In Place

I think it will be happy here. I also think we need more! :) Another trip to SD is imminent.

Saturday, May 12, 2012

DIY: Mounting Orchids Clivia...

5/18/12 UPDATE: Thanks to Epiphyte78 on Flickr I now know that what I thought were orchids are actually Clivia!  Thanks for the info!

We had a root-bound jumbled mess of a potted orchid Clivia that's been sitting in the yard for years. I pried the dozen or so entangled plants out of the pot and separated them from one another. This left me with way more orchids Clivia plants than I knew what to do with so I decided to experiment with mounting them to the Palms we have growing near our front entrance. Fingers crossed that they take!

Monday, May 7, 2012

Photos: Say Hi To Tango!

This little Easter Bunny paid us a visit on Easter morning. He belongs to our friends, E & B. Sweetest pup ever...

Tango