weeds + water: as the garden grows...

one month ago, i shared a glimpse of the first strawberry from the amazing new garden on the hill.

my dear friend miles, designer and creator of the garden, worked incredibly hard to manifest a beautiful space for many delicious things to grow.

observing his work was poetry in motion, so i asked my creative companion lance to collaborate with me on a tiny film intended to capture how the garden felt at the very beginning... 

{photography by lance fuller}

{styling by diane reid}

{music by zoe keating}

foodstuff: cherry jubilation

earlier this week, i walked into andy's, a local family-owned market that always has the most incredible fresh produce.

i literally gasped out loud when i saw a robust display of ripe cherries...

it was instantaneous love.

i pulled out my phone and snapped a few pictures.

an older woman with long silvery hair and tiny spectacles was standing next to me and said, "are you taking pictures of the cherries?"

"yes," i said...

she considered my answer for a moment, and then asked, "why?"

"because they're gorgeous," i said, without hesitation.

and she smiled.

i grew up with a cherry tree in my backyard, and i have always found them to be a thing of sheer beauty...

i'm thrilled that it's time to pull out my cherry recipes. perhaps a clafoutis, or cherry brown butter bars, or even just a traditional pie. my mother made a cherry pie so good that my dad used to sing a sweet, silly song about it.

do you have any special cherry recipes to send my way?

{spring flings} basket full of fresh

my first visit to the farmer's market this year was a joyful event.

a sunny afternoon strolling around with my sweet, listening to live music, hanging out with friends, chatting with local farmers, and buying delicious fresh food is heavenly for me.

here is my basket after the trip...

i think goods from the market are beautiful, so i spent the afternoon on my front porch capturing them with my camera...

{leeks}

{the plan: a leek quiche or tart}

{mixed greens}

{the plan: apples + walnuts + goat cheese + balsamic vinaigrette}

{garlic}

{the plan: pesto}

{coffee -> local company + refillable steel can}

{the plan: french press}

as you can see in my photo notes, i am trying a new meal planning routine this summer. after visiting the farmer's market on sunday, i will plan the week's meals based on what i purchase and then fill in the other necessary ingredients during my grocery store trip on monday.

although i have been meal planning for years, i have had a difficult time incorporating the farmer's market effectively into my system. i always come home from the market with special treats (like fresh dates or local goat cheese) but this way i think i will use seasonal produce more purposefully and expand my cooking repertoire. i think it's going to be really fun! 

spring @ the reid ranch

a warm spring morning walk around the reid ranch on sunday revealed a multitude of blooming and growing delights...

{a row of onions + a newly green vineyard}

{a sweet onion nestled in the dirt}

{the bright foliage of brussels sprouts}

{a trio of baby pears}

{delicate cherry blossoms}

{an antique bathtub overflowing with flowers}

{clusters of wisteria}

autumn @ the reid ranch

we spent yesterday in napa with my belle-mere + beau-pere at their home which is affectionately called the reid ranch.

have i mentioned that the reid ranch is one of my favorite places on earth?

because it truly is.

we wandered around the property after lunch and i captured a few scenes from a warm fall day...

{wine press}

{vineyard}

{grape leaves changing}

{summer squash}

{pumpkin tendrils}

{pear}

{green man}

p.s. did you spot my pup, daria?

lamb love

one of my very favorite things about spring is seeing lovely little lambs all over the place.

i have been following lamb life at juniper moon farm for over a year now.  this is a CSA farm (community supported agriculture) that produces beautiful wool yarn for knitting.  the site has a great blog as well as a LAMB CAM!

here is a picture of twin lambs born this week, gonzo and camilla...

...too cute.  seriously.

and this video of the two hopping all over the place, wagging their tiny happy tails?  

sheesh.  

so ridiculously adorable.