The Incredible Bulb & New Etsy Shop Additions

This assortment of blues includes the prettiest blue and white Delft iris.

Planting bulbs in autumn has been a yearly tradition my mom and I have kept for as long as I can remember -- something excitedly discussed and planned for weeks in advance and looked forward to with near-uncontrollable anticipation. This time of year means frequent trips to Home Depot and local garden centers as we hunt for new varieties of daffodils, narcissus and Dutch irises. I think our record is planting something close to like 1,000 bulbs. This year we've come across new (to us) colors of Dutch iris to add to our gardens and have added a few to our etsy shop, too, for fellow bulb fans. Also new to our etsy shop this week are some velvet ribbon trims and delicate miniature pom pom trims in a TON of colors.

Plush velvet ribbon in Royal Blue.

We love this pretty Monet-esque mix of yellows and purples.

This beauty is called "Carmen."

Bright violet velvet ribbon trim does it's best iris impersonation.

"Rosario" boasts a beautiful lilac-hued blossom.

Miniature pom pom trim in Buttercream.

Garden Project: Painting the Porch Pale Yellow

Last week we had a run of ideal paint-drying weather as Santa Anas coaxed temperatures into the 80s. Having trimmed my plants back the week before, I spent the good part of Wednesday with brush in hand and ladder in tow taking advantage of the dry heat. Here are a few shots of my completed porch painting project.

The porch railing design was inspired by a tip in a 1980s issue of Better Homes and Gardens.

This hanging basket was lucky enough to have an impatien broadcast a seed onto the outside tip of the cone. It's been thriving for about two months now and has outlasted the plants that were actually in the cone.

I've had good luck with coleus this year (usually snails don't give them much of a chance) and this particular group is right outside my back door. My bench and porch swing are the same blue of the doors and I plan on touching up their paint when the weather heats up again.

Recipe Thursday: Vegetable Frittata

Hearty and easy to prepare, frittata is a favorite dish around these parts when hunger calls for something quick, fresh and satisfying. Here's a simple recipe for our favorite vegetable version:

1 tbsp. olive oil
8 eggs
1 1/2 c. chopped tomatoes, drained
1 c. chopped onions
1/2 c. sliced mushrooms
2 tbsp. diced jalapeno
1 c. grated cheese (we like mozzarella)
salt and pepper to taste

1. Preheat oven to 350˙F. Heat olive oil in cast iron skillet; add onions and sautee until translucent.
2. Beat eggs. Add tomatoes, mushrooms, jalapeno, cheese, salt and pepper to eggs. Add mixture to skillet.
3. Cook on medium flame for 5 minutes.
4. Continue cooking in oven for 15-20 minutes, or until eggs are firm.

Summer into Fall

Summer passed in a whirl of beach days, gardening and, of course, creating new pieces for the upcoming Christmas season. As ocean temperatures begin to slowly drop and nights grow chilly, I'll fondly remember the summer this way:

Making Pine Cone Santas: A How-to Video

For those who like to make their own vintage-inspired Christmas decorations, we offer a small selection of craft project kits with the vintage enthusiast in mind.

A Pine Cone Santa Project Kit

A completed Santa.

Here's a clip showing a brief demonstration of how to make pine cone Santas using one of our kits:

Supplies included in this kit.

This kit arrives in a wooden box and includes:
• 4 silver-glittered pine cones
• 4 spun cotton Santa heads
• 8 red bumpy chenille stems
• 16 vintage silver mercury glass beads
• 4 small silver bells
• 30" of silver pennant Dresden foil
• sturdy paperboard for bases
• 2 1/8" circle template
• instruction sheet

Neighborhood Walkabout Part 3: A Little Structure

Continuing with photos from our neighborhood walk....

My mom moves in for a better view of an interesting statue as I covertly snap another "I'm taking a picture of you taking a picture" shots.

This house has always reminded me of a lodge, well, except for those surrounding palm trees.

This adorable cottage received a remodel some decades ago by one of our favorite people. I'm partial to the tree house platform in the avocado tree to the right.

Looking northwest over the tennis courts of a house with a grand view toward the blue Pacific.

We passed this little U-Haul conversion about a block from home packed to the gills with a gardener's stuff. Was just about to put my camera away and couldn't resist a last shot.

Neighborhood Walkabout Part 2: Flora

Here are a few more shots from the blustery spin my mom and I took around our neighborhood.

This stay of horsetails was the largest I've ever seen -- about 6 feet tall and packed stalk-to-stalk. I have a couple of these growing in pots (my grandmother had cautioned me against planting something so invasive in the ground, "They're horrible, they'll break concrete!") but mine are downright tame compared to these.

Up the road, an avocado tree had dropped the world's tiniest avocado -- poor thing was lime sized and probably all pit.

At the risk of shooting side by side and ending up with similar pictures, I took a sneakier approach and tried to capture my mom while she was occupied and unaware.

Past the farthest houses in the distance is the Pacific Ocean and a cliff that slopes about 100 feet down to the beach. Also in the distance down the hill are the train tracks and Coast Highway.

A short cut for pedestrians along a private drive led us to a fence covered in the most beautiful purple blossoms.

Tomorrow check back for a more structured view of our neighborhood.

Neighborhood Walkabout Part 1: Curious Creatures

Yesterday afternoon I invited my mom to walk on the beach while I surfed, but the winds blowing down from the north had other ideas. The waves were whipped into a mess and, despite the warm summer water still hanging around, stiff winds promised that even the most brief dip would be a chilly one. Instead we opted for a walk around our neighborhood with cameras in tow.

Despite living in crowded Southern California, pockets of agriculture dot our area. Behind the bushes below are rows and rows of greenhouses that have been there as long as I can remember.

This pretty butterfly caught my eye as I took the above shot. He landed just long enough for me to snap his picture before moving on to a more flowered yard.

Our neighborhood is a series of slight slopes and a few steeper hills. At the very top we passed this mailbox decorated with a modern art twist.

The honking geese are a favorite stop: it doesn't matter how many times we pass, they always honk and approach the fence. My mom moves in for the shot.

Remember

A Ride Through Town

Last week saw a run of cool, cloudy weather completely out of character for August in Southern California. Temperatures dipped, winds whipped and my usual beach routine didn't seem nearly as appealing when Saturday rolled around without the sun. Instead, a drive south to walk on a less-familiar stretch of sand (and a chance to be passenger instead of driver) provided plenty of time to appreciate our town's varied architecture.

Two generations ago the building above was the town train station (my grandfather worked there as a railroad telegrapher when he returned from WWII). At the time it was located a mile farther south across the street from this boarding house. Today, its practically unrecognizable as town's most popular coffee shop.

An afternoon train crosses a bridge into the heart of town but won't stop there -- the station today is no more than a concrete platform with a ticket machine for the local commuter train.

Heading farther south, the Self Realization Fellowship occupies a large plot of clifftop property and catches the eye with its giant golden lotus. Come Christmastime, the entire tower will be bathed in magenta light to celebrate the season.

A Brief History of the Advent Calendar

Tree and Children Victorian Style Advent Calendar

Advent calendars have been a much loved Christmas countdown for generations and have certainly taken many forms on their path to becoming the many-windowed printed versions we're accustomed to today.

Castle Rhinestein Victorian Style Advent Calendar

In the 19th century, religious families made a chalk line each day of December leading up to Christmas. Other early styles included the Adventclock and the Adventcandle with a candle for each of the 24 days and another chalk tradition of painting one stroke per day on the door up until Christmas Eve.

Checking the List Vintage Style Advent Calendar

There is a debate over the year of the first printed advent -- some say it was a 1903 insert in a newspaper, others credit Gerhard Lang in 1908 -- though neither had windows to open. Sadly, WWII brought the growing advent tradition to a grinding halt when cardboard was rationed and the production of calendars with pictures was forbidden.

Snowy Cottage Vintage Style Advent Calendar

In 1946, with paper purchased from the US Military Zone, the first post-war calendar was created and shown at an international fair in Frankfurt. Called "Little Town," (shown below) this first calendar had small windows to open and received an overwhelming response gaining popularity worldwide, particularly in the United States, and paving the way for the advents we know and love today.

Little Town Folding Advent Calendar

Still made by the same family who began production in Germany over sixty years ago, we're proud to stock more than 50 different styles of calendars including "Little Town" and a host of others carefully made with charming graphics, subtle glitter detailing and windows that open to reveal a picture or Bible verse.

Visit us at 32 Degrees North to see our selection of vintage and Victorian style advents featuring traditional family scenes, animals and children, gnomes, Santa and angels.

Summer Color

Summer is a tricky time of year to garden in Southern California. Long runs of sunshine and high temperatures mean more beach time, as opposed to more weed pulling time. In between, breaks of cooler days bring our coastal marine layer and ideal gardening weather.


These color packs are destined for a handful of terracotta pots and troughs to add color to the patio. Included are three long-time favorites -- impatiens, begonia and coleus -- and one new find -- melapodium. This sun-lover has petite, yellow daisy-like flowers that resemble miniature zinnias, should flower well into the fall, and fit in perfectly with the other bright blossoms they'll be sharing space with.

Point Loma Garden Walk Photos

The Point Loma Garden Walk was a huge success last weekend and the ladies auxiliary raised over $25,000 to donate to Children's Hospital. The always-popular Garden Boutique is a huge draw: from live plants like veggies and succulents, to exquisite handmade jewelry and home decor, there really was something for everyone.

Photos are of our booth in the boutique where each year customers visit us specifically for our iron plant stands and tables, live plants in unique containers, and specialty home decor. We always look forward to reconnecting with familiar faces. If you missed out on anything you had your eye on, be sure to stop by Cottage Antiques in Ocean Beach, where we offer select pieces throughout the year.

Recipe Thursday: Sugarless Oatmeal Carrot Cookies

I love to bake and am always looking to expand my recipe collection to include treats made without sugar, white flour or anything processed.  Here's my own recipe for Carrot-Oatmeal Cookies.  

1 stick butter, softened to room temp.

2/3 c. honey

1 egg

1/2 tsp. natural vanilla

1 large carrot, grated

1 c. + 3 tbsp. organic wheat flour

3/4 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. cinnamon

pinch of sea salt

1 3/4 c. oats

1 c. raisins

1 c. chopped walnuts

1/4 c. dried cherries

Preheat oven to 350˚

1. Mix the flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt together and set aside.

2. Mix the softened butter and honey together until smooth.  Add the vanilla and egg, mix thoroughly.  Add carrots and mix evenly.

3. Combine flour mixture and carrot mixture.  Mix until even.  Add oats and mix until even.

4. Add raisins, walnuts and cherries; lightly mix to distribute.

5. Drop teaspoon-fulls onto parchment paper and bake for 15-20 minutes.  Makes about 3 dozen cookies.

 

A Word on Leprechauns

Stories of leprechauns have been interwoven into the folklore of Ireland for hundred of years. These mythological creatures are believed to live amongst the green clover of the Emerald Isle, busying themselves tending their hidden stashes of riches. Legend has it that their pots of gold can be found at the end of rainbows. These elfin fellows take the form of little men, dressed in buckled shoes, top hats and coats and they make as much mischief as time allows. They've remained elusive creatures over the years and although one has yet to be captured, tales of their exploits continue to be written.