My Ojai Garden Roses

 I was so nervous to plant roses in my garden in Ojai... and predominantly David Austin English roses.  I thought the weather might be too hot. I took a chance late last spring, surfed the web for ideas and ordered my favorites from Rose Story Farm in Carpinteria. then of course we had a horrendously hot summer and they looked like hell by August.  But, alas... spring came and what a great surprise.  My delicate little babies are twice as big and so abundant .... YIPPPEEE!!!

The roses shown above are "Johann Strauss", "Hot Cocoa", "Glamis Castle", "Gentle Hermione", "Jubilee Celebration", "Julia Child" and "Mary Magdalene"(not in order).

Ojai Winter Walk

I took a walk this morning around the block in my neighborhood.  It was VERY brisk as the storm was approaching.  Some might laugh when I say brisk (like those on the East coast today) but for sunny California it felt like an arctic front!  But as I've said before, I am a wimp.   But it was a lovely stroll!

Kumquat may....

When we moved to the Arbolada in Ojai with all the houses are so spread apart, I figured it might take years to get to know only a few neighbors.  I was so wrong.  Maybe because everyone walks,  maybe because I was pregnant when we moved in, or maybe because everyone is so amazingly friendly, I got to know just about everyone in a three block radius within the first year.  


One of my neighbors, whom we met because she walks by our house almost daily, saw my husband at the Farmers Market last year buying kumquats.  She mentioned that she had a tree full of them that nobody ever ate and that she will remind us to come by.  A year later now, she called to let us know her tree was ready for us.  I couldn't believe she remembered.  And here are the beauties I picked.....Thank you Jo!

I must add that Jo and her husband Kris Young, started our Ojai Locavore group and started the project Eat Local One Year last year.  This year, they are hoping to get everyone to eat at least three completely local meals throughout the year.... Locavore Lite 2010.  Check out their websites!   

www.eatlocaloneyear.com

locavorelite2010.webs.com

Come what may...

I will be always thankful for such great neighbors.

Arbolada Rainbow - White

Today is the last posting for the Arbolada Rainbow and though you may not realize it, white IS a color! And though the Chinese may associate white with death (maybe it's because people see white light at the end of the tunnel??), most colors associate white with purity and goodness.  

When I was growing up, I was told that if I ever felt afraid or ill, I should visualize myself wrapped in white light which is supposed to protect one from negative energies.  Through many personal experiences, I have come to believe this to be true.   I feel that white light is pure positive energy..... pure love.  Why do you think so many people lay on the beach or grass and soak up the rays?  It feels fabulous! 

I love.....

cumulus clouds

white linen

Soft lambs wool

white sand

vanilla ice cream

rice

moon

ice cold milk

swans

bubble bath

fluffy white towels

snow

Santa's (or Grandpa's) beard!

polar bears

pearls

big toothy smile

What else??????

Arbolada Rainbow - Blue, Indigo, Violet

  

Blue ... peace, calm, purity, loyalty, truth
Indigo ... solitude, insight, contemplation
Violet ... nobility, wisdom, enlightenment

5th Chakra ... 6th Chakra ... 7th Chakra

Throat ... Third Eye.... Crown 

Communication ... Imagination & Intuition ... Wisdom

clear skies

sea

blueberries

denim

ceanothus

sapphires

grapes

eyes

amethysts

wisteria

eggplants

iris

sea urchins

plums

butterflies

lavender

"Blue color is everlastingly appointed by the Deity to be a source of delight"

John Ruskin

Arbolada Rainbow - Sage

                                       

 

I just got home from my fabulous yin yoga class with my lovely glowing teacher, Lisa Luckenbach.  This morning I walked into class and the air was filled with the scent of burning sage.  I find the smell so relaxing and comforting for some reason.  In Ojai, there are several different species of sage (Salvia is the botanical name) that grow wild in our hills. White sage is the type that can be picked for bundling and smudging (once it's dry) and is used for physical and spiritual healing by helping release negative energy.

There were no wild sage plants to photograph on my neighborhood walk but many plants that share the beautiful color with sage..... blue fescue, cabbage, succulents, silvery olive trees, giant agaves.  Along with the scent of this plant, I find the color soothing as well.... I even chose it for my bedroom draperies and pillows!

Last but not least, the word sage comes from the latin word "salvus" which means "healthy".... and it sounds pretty close to the word "salvation" as well!  So it makes sense that the physical and spiritual healing of sage ...... and a good night's sleep..... bring health and salvation!

Arbolada Rainbow - Green

I just love etymology.  Did you know that the word green comes from the Old English verb "growan" which means "to grow"........

In the Qur'an, those in heaven wear green silk.

The ancient Celts avoided wearning green as it was supposed to bring misfortune.

(Did you know St. Patrick's traditional color is blue, NOT green!)

In Hinduism, green is the color of the fourth chakra which represents the heart. 

And if you are a healer and a lover of nature, you supposedly have a green aura!

Some green loves........rolling green grassy hils, emeralds, moss, green eyes, tiny inch worms, granny smith apples,  Kermit the Frog, limes, Christmas trees (AKA Hanukkah Bush), jade, olives, snap peas (my son's favorite!), elves, lily pads

"If your knees aren't green by the end of the day, you ought to be seriously re-examining your life."

Bill Watterson (author of Calvin & Hobbs)

Arbolada Rainbow - Yellow

"Tie a yellow ribbon round that old oak tree".....  another reminder of the seventies (thanks Tony)!


True lemon yellow is nice.....in small doses ...... except in nature.  Maybe I'm senstive to yellow because I cannot wear it.  Blonde hair and yellow tinted skin... it just doesn't work for me.  But, as an artist, I appreciate yellow.  


Yellow is the color of the third chakra, known as the solar plexus chakra, which is associated with one's personal power or "self-love".  I find this interesting when one learns the conflicting symbolism of yellow......  happiness, fun, summer, sunshine, hope, intelligence, slow, caution, deceit, cowardice, mourning.   


But, let's get back to beauty & fun..... An acacia tree in bloom (see above), a field of sunflowers or mustard flower, canaries, lemonade, daffodils, pears, corn on the cob, bananas, yellow rain slicker and galoshes, highlighters, Smiley Face, Pac Man, Sponge Bob and Pikachu!   : )

Arbolada Rainbow - Orange

Orange.

As a kid, I hated the color orange. I suppose it's because in the seventies, one only saw orange with yellow and brown (like my grandmothers sofa!). It's so much more fun with aqua, turquoise green and chartreuse. Now, I can't get enough of it! (You may have noticed lately that my logo changed from black to orange) ....Maybe that is because orange, the color of the second chakra, represents creativity and manifestation!

Orange things I love:

Fresh squeezed orange juice. Marigolds. Satsuma tangerines. Monarch butterflies. Huge orange dragonflies. Pumpkins. California poppies. Autumn leaves of "liquidambar" (sweet gum) trees. Campfire embers. Amber. Calendula. Carnelian.

Just as a reminder, all of these "rainbow" photos were taken in my neighborhood on Monday in about an hour on my daily doggie walk ....

Arbolada Rainbow - Red

Energy. Passion. Fertility. Blood. Warning. Danger. Aggression. Vitality. Heart. Love. Courage. Sacrifice.

Red....

the longest wavelength of light (that we can see with our eyes).

Originates from the Sanskrit word "rudhira" meaning blood.

AKA.....scarlet, vermillion, burgundy, crimson, carmine, maroon, cerise, alizarin, ruby

"When in doubt, wear red"

Bill Blass

Arbolada Rainbow - Majenta

Did you know that Magenta technically isn't a color??? That may be so, but I saw a lot of it on my Monday stroll.

And why do little girls just love this color so? Dr. Hurlbert believes this predisposition to pink was ingrained in our genes back in the Stone Age when men were hunters and women gathered berries and fruit! I have a different idea. My favorite color is turquoise but while I was pregnant, I was drawn to everything pink. I couldn't get enough of it! Then, I remembered that pregnant women supposedly have pink auras. Is it no wonder then that we think of pink as the color of love and compassion? And don't little girls love playing with baby dolls too? Sorry Doctor, I vote for love.

Arbolada Rainbow - Blush

Lucy (my incredibly cute pup... check out CobaltViolet for pics) and I went on our daily walk around our neighborhood yesterday and just before we headed out the door I grabbed my camera. Boy, was I glad I did. I haven't had so much fun on a walk in months.... it was so beautiful everywhere we turned. I must have taken over 100 pictures! The sun was shining and it was 75 degrees....Fruit trees are blooming, flowers are in full bloom...

How can this be winter???

Stay tuned for more of images from my neighborhood journey!