The Urban Homestead

Mary bought me this book for Christmas last year. I have really enjoyed it! I've always been a fan of books about self sufficiency. You know the kind. The ones that show you how to build your own log cabin, tan leather, raise goats and make furniture from raw timber. Stuff like that. But most of that stuff is out of reach at this point in my life. It ends up just being frustrating for me to read them.

This book is geared towards people living on small lots, or apartments. There are all kinds of good stuff, like tips of growing plants in buckets, making cheese, raising (small) livestock in urban areas, and more. I've done quite a few projects from this book, including making fresh cheese, and creating my own sourdough starter. Both were very tasty and fulfilling. And I didn't need to have more than 10 acres of land to do either!

Apartment gardening

This is the second year we have made an attempt at apartment gardening. We have a plot of earth about 7' x 3' in front of or patio. We have mint growing there year round and in the spring we plant other things. Last year it did go so well. We only had two tomato plants that I killed with a home remedy for aphids. This year we have three tomatoes, a zucchini in a bucket, basil, kale, Swiss chard, rosemary, thyme, sage, and a sunflower. It's creeped slowly onto our patio in buckets, and the halved wine barrel I bought Mary for mothers day.

In spite of the fact that it was too wet to plant until late June this year, things are going well! Were starting to get some delicious tomatoes and some sweet basil (always a good combo). The zucchini is doing well in it's bucket, and we should be getting some kale soon, too. Some day I'll have a place with a real garden plot, but for now the bucket method is working for us.






I've been making a delicious fried egg, fresh tomato and basil sandwich for breakfast this week. So tasty.

"Funny things my kids say."

I decided to make a book for Mary's birthday this year. The idea was to have a notebook to keep track of the funny things that Ethan says. I gave it to her, and found out three days later that she thought that I had bought it somewhere. She convinced me (not that it took much effort) to make another one to sell on Etsy. So here it is! You're welcome to purchase it, if you'd like...

http://www.etsy.com/listing/50272300/funny-things-my-kids-say-notebook

Eagle Creek

Yesterday our troop did a day hike at Eagle Creek as part of the preparations for the 50 mile hike we will be doing in a little over a month. All in all, we covered 13 miles yesterday, with full packs. That's fairly close to our hardest day on the trek.

Eagle Creek is only about an hour away from where we live, which is why we chose it. I had never been there before, but I have heard endless praise of the beauty found there. It started to get a little ridiculous, in fact. I thought, for sure, that I would be let down by the reality of the place after all the hype I have been exposed to. That was not the case. This has to be one of the most amazing places I have ever experienced. The trail winds along a cliff that, in several locations, had to be carved out of vertical basalt, leaving you only three options for travel: up the trail, down the trail, and straight down 400 feet into a raging river that ate boulders for breakfast and is picking it's teeth with a Douglas Fir. One of the most epic of these sections is Tunnel Falls. As the name implies, it is a tunnel that goes behind a waterfall. Awesome. The trail also includes the famous Punch Bowl Falls (which we didn't get to see from the ideal spot) and countless other waterfalls, bridges and points of interest. If you get a chance, I would recommend it. Unless you're afraid of heights.

Anthropomophins and more

Vigilante Carlstroem

This is a painting I did a few weeks ago that looks kind of (coincidentally) like the guitarist for The Hives, Vigilante Carlstroem.

new sketches

A new year, and a renewed creative drive.

Happy New Year!

Liam Thomas

I am pleased to announce a new addition to the family!



Liam was born on Sunday. He weighed in at 6 lbs. 15 oz. and is very healthy and content. Mommy and Baby got to come home from the hospital today and are adjusting to life without nurses. We're all really excited to have another little dude in the family.

For more pictures and story feel free to visit the family blog.

Sketchbook

I started drawing again. It's been a while, but I've been feelin' it again. I've been thinking about getting some things produced, finally. You know, posters, postcards, etc. I've had an Etsy account for a while, but I never do anything with it. I'll let you know when I do start putting stuff up for sale.

Here's my latest couple of sketches.

Ramona Falls

I came across an excellent music video and band this week. The band is Ramona Falls. They're a Portland band. Their album "Untuit" is a side project of Brent Knopf, of Menomena.

I haven't been in the mood to listen to music recently, but this song has shaken me out of that. Here's the video: