Sonoma County Seed Swap, A Network of Seed Savers, February 20th, 2014, Sebastopol, CA

This Thursday, February 20th, 2014 is the Sonoma County Seed Swap.  This is a network of seed savers for sharing and protecting diversity of seeds.

This is a free event and you do not need to bring seeds to participate.  Bring any seeds you have saved, excess commercial seed, and plants and resources to share.  Label your seed variety, with date and details on how saved.  Seed experts will be available for questions.

Resources:

Sonoma County Seed Swap
A Network of Seed Savers
Sharing and Protecting Diversity

Thursday, February 20, 2014
Sebastopol Grange, 6000 Hwy 12, Sebastopol, CA
7:00PM- 8:30PM, opening circle is at 7:00PM

Sponsored by
West County Community Seed Exchange
Occidental Arts and Ecology Center

More information:
Email:  westcountyseedbank@gmail.com
www.westcountyseedbank.blogspot.com

Sojos Dog Food

My son and I went to Holistic Hound pet store in Berkeley, CA, today to pick up some dog treats and I got some samples of some new dog foods to try.  Jinga, our dog, went into the bag of treats and food and carried the small sojos bag to me as I was watching the Olympics with my son after his bath.  He looked at me with big eyes and dropped the bag in my lap.  Later that night, I made it for him with some hamburger, here are some pictures.  This is such an easy way to make homemade dog food!

Resources:

sojos
homemade made easy
simply add meat and water
Call 1-888-867-6567
www.sojos.com
(This food can be purchased from Holistic Hound in Berkeley, CA)

Old-Fashioned Wood Game Set for Family Game Nights - Checkers, Chess, Backgammon, and More

We got an old fashioned game set from Mr. Mopps Toy Store in Berkeley, California.  It includes backgammon, chinese checkers, chess, and checkers.  After getting the set, he is learning checkers.  After only a week he is playing pretty well - he beat his father at least once (for real)!

Resources:

10 Game Set
by Fundex
Family Game Classics
Poof-Slinky, Inc.
$25.99 at Mops toy store in Berkeley, CA

Fundex Games, Ltd.
P.O.  Box 421309
Indianapolis, IN  46242
Phone:  1-800-486-9787
www.fundexgames.com
e-mail -  customerservice@fundexgames.com

Poof-slinky, Inc.
Plymouth, Michigan
48170
Made in China

California 93120 compliant for formaldehyde

Lavender Soap from Bonny Doon Farm - Hand-Made

My friend Dulce gave me this wonderful lavender soap from Bonny Doon Farm in Santa Cruz, California.  It smells wonderful, the Bonny Doon farm are growers of fine English Lavender, so the soap smells fresh and wonderful, as lavender should!  There are no phosphates or preservatives in this soap so it is recommended to use soon after purchase.

Resources:

Hand Made Lavender Soap
Bonny Doon Farm
Growers of Fine English Lavender
600 Martin Road, Santa Cruz, California  95060
www.BonnyDoonFarm.com

Lentil Sloppy Joes

A friend put this recipe on Facebook from the Food Network Kitchens.  I can't wait to try it.  She loves it!

Lentil Sloppy Joes

Ingredients:

2 Tablespoons of vegetable oil
1/2 small onion, finely chopped
1 small carrot, finely chopped
1/2 bell pepper, red or green, finely chopped
1/2 cup of ketchup
1 clove of garlic, finely chopped
1/2 cup of dried brown lentils, picked over and rinsed
1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
8 ounces of ground beef
1 tablespoon worcestershire sauce
6 whole wheat hamburger buns, toasted
6 slices of cheddar cheese
sliced pickles or pickled jalapeño peppers, for topping

Directions:

heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oiling a medium saucepan over medium high heat.  Add the onion,carrot, bell pepper,and 2 tablespoons of ketchup and cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are slightly soft, about 3 minutes.  Add the garlic and cook, stirring, 3 seconds.  Add the lentils, oregano, and 4 cups of  water; bring to a boil and cook 5 minutes, then reduce heat to medium low and simmer until the lentils are tender and the water is absorbed, 35 minutes to 40 minutes (add up to 1 more cup of water if necessary.)  Season with salt and pepper.

Heat the remaining1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat.  Add the beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until it begins to brown, about 2 minutes.

Add the worcestershire sauce and the remaining 6 tablespoons ketchup and cook, stirring, until combined.  Add the lentil mixture and 1 cup of water and cook, stirring occasionally, until the lentils are soft and the mixture thickens, about 8 minutes.  Season with salt and pepper.

Fill the buns with the cheese and lentil mixture.  Top with pickles and or pickled jalapeños.

Monterey Walking Tours, Monterey, CA

I love good walking tours!  I prefer walking to being in a bus.  According to the Monterey Walking Tours website, the tour allows one to "explore the California legacy from the Spanish Explorer to California Statehood."  This walking tour is a 2013 trip advisor winner of the certificate of excellence.  I haven't gone on this tour yet, but want to on a future visit to Monterey, then I'll update this post.

Resources:

Monterey Walking Tours
Phone:  (831) 521-4884
http://www.walkmonterey.com/
Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday
10AM
The tour meets in front of the fountain at the Portola Plaza Hotel and Monterey Conference Center, but schedule ahead!
This is a 2 hour tours
There is no ADA availability in some areas of the tour.

Portola Hotel and Spa at Monterey Bay
Two Portola Plaza
Monterey, CA  93940
(831) 649-4511

Museum of Monterey, Monterey, CA - Check out the Allen B. Knight Ships Collection

Within the Portola Hotel and Spa, there are several model ships displayed in the lobby as well as the restaurant.  This is how I discovered the Allen B. Knight Ships Collection at the Museum of Monterey in Custom House Plaza.  I want to take my son to this museum to check out the exhibit and learn a little bit more about the history of Monterey.

Resources:

Museum of Monterey
5 Custom House Plaza
Monterey, CA
(831) 372-2608