Silkworms

Raising silkworms is a tradition at our son's preschool. There are several mulberry trees there so it makes keeping them really easy.

For us it was a little more difficult because we don't have a nearby mulberry tree that we know of so we had to keep a sharp eye out for them when we needed to harvest leaves in order to keep our caterpillars happy and healthy.

Once they started to spin their cocoons I started to think about harvesting the silk.

Eventually all of our caterpillars turned into moths and we were left with empty cocoons. Like chickens - the moths have lost the ability to fly so you can keep them in a box like we did quite easily. The traditional way to harvest the silk is to boil the cocoons pupae and all before the moths emerge leaving only enough to lay eggs for the next cycle.

The moths are really cute once the emerge from the cocoons. The don't have mouths and only live for about two weeks with nothing to do but procreate. We have far more eggs than we need for next year so we might choose to boil some pupae before they hatch. Some people even eat them but I'd have to be pretty hungry for that to happen. We let all of ours come out before I decided to try to make some thread from the cocoons. Even though I have no experience and did no research, it worked pretty well. I'll write about that in tomorrow's post.

Fresh Alaskan Halibut

So much I meant to share sooner, but I was sucked into the moment and the documentarian in me said f*&% it and simply enjoyed the moment. We were in Alaska with family watching humpback whales bubble feed, and spent time with family watching the tide change.

Dramatic. Mundane. Lovely. Perfect.

Sailing update - ASA 104 at Santa Cruz Island

Dolphins off Santa Cruz from eric thomason on Vimeo.

Last weekend I did my ASA 104 class: Bareboat chartering. This certification will allow me to charter sailboat overnight which I am really looking forward to. The class was great. There were 3 other guys, Tim, Ryan and Kevin - all really nice and interesting people and the instructor Bill, who was awesome.

Here's the boat we took out - the Sun Soleil anchored at Prisoner's Harbor

Bill told first-hand stories of the pig culling and golden eagle relocation efforts that helped the native island fox rebound from near extinction recently. This was particularly interesting because Julia had just finished reading When the Killing's Done by T.C. Boyle (one of Julia's favorite authors) which is set in the Channel Islands and fictionally depicts the conflict between animal rights activists who want to prevent any animals from being killed and environmentalists who want to restore and preserve the original ecosystem. Here's a link to an interview with the author if you are interested.

As the Sun Starts to Wane

We spend more and more time outside enjoying the long summer days. I always look forward to the end of the day when the sun finally makes it to the western horizon and slowly makes an exit. The light play of the setting sun on the Coastal Live Oak is almost like a parting conversation.

Dinner and Breakfast Are Important

My oldest son wrote some facts about our dog Trudy.

"Facts: Dinner and breakfast are important. Fetch is important most of all."

A Walk Around the Yard

leek blossom

Funnelweb spider, web & olive tree leaves

tuft of rabbit

When Quitting Makes Sense

This is kind of funny following Julia's last post but last week I quit my job of about ten years (if you count the time before the company I was actually hired at was acquired). It's not that anything was particularly wrong at the job beyond the normal frustrations- it's just that considering the value proposition that my ongoing employment presented contrasted with the opportunities that existed outside of my contract of employment the latter won out and I am jobless and happy (at least for now).

This weekend while painting the kitchen I was listening to the radio and serendipitously heard this program:

Hour-Long Special: The Upside of Quitting | Freakonomics Radio

The program articulated in economic terms most of why I had left my job. In particular the tension between sunk costs and opportunity costs were particularly relevant to my situation: the opportunity of being home with my wife and kids while the kids are on summer break and the prospect of mastering something new won out over an 11th year doing something that by all accounts was a great job but didn't have much more to offer me beyond money.

There is another aspect to my decision to quit that I think is also relevant here and it's more about slow living and seeking a richer lifestyle. I saw the ted talk by Stephen Sagmeister linked below a while back and it has been in the back of my mind ever since.

Stefan Sagmeister: The power of time off | Video on TED.com

These two links are 80 min. of content so unless you are unemployed you are unlikely to watch/listen to them both. However, if you are considering quitting something or need some convincing that a creative reinvigoration could be the right decision for you too, you may want to sink some time and entertain your opportunity potential.

BTW to any and all of the unintentionally unemployed Ramshackle readers I know this probably sounds foolish. All I can say is I'm doing what feels right for me. I believe it will all work out for the best for me and sincerely hope it will for you too.

When Vomiting Must Be Stopped

In cleaning out a catch all drawer, I found this little treasure. The box had long held an assortment of sewing needles and thread. I never knew that it was originally a box for compazine (registered trademark) brand of prochloperazine..."When vomiting must be stopped". I wonder how long it took the ad copy team to come up with that one?

Paint Removal Without Solvents

Eric took the bull by the horns and painted our kitchen. Amazing what a little paint will do. One of our metal switch plates was covered with decades of paint. I soaked it in warm water with a bit of soap overnight. The next morning, the paint came off with just a bit of coaxing with a scraper. I put it back up without painting it. The patina of the metal looks interesting next to the freshly painted walls.

Cleaning

I'm taking advantage of the lemons for yesterday's lemonade to clean the drip trays on the range of our stove. Serious need for lemon bleaching. Smells fantastic.

Another Home Haircut

From shaggy to suave in a matter of minutes. My son is very pleased with his new cut...and the post cut lollypop.

Wooden Marble Maze

To celebrate the start of summer, I like to introduce a new toy for play. This year...enter the marble maze. I picked this up from Back to Basics Toys. I have long since had a geeky affinity for marble maze games and toys. I nearly burst with delight when my sons started to show interest themselves. This summer, the toy decision was easy.

For inspiration, we have delved youtube for inspiration including Marble Machine 3. Forgive the video production, if you can stick out the narrative and slow unfold, I suspect you will be delighted by the wonders of the creation. It keeps these kids (and me) aware that much more is possible if you dream it & then make it.

Lorri Deyer's Idea Truck

Los Angeles artist Lorri Deyer has an idea...an idea to create an Idea Truck. Based on the increasingly popular taco truck model, Lorri's truck will roll through Los Angeles offering ideas. Good, bad, million dollar ideas and more. How do you pay for an idea? With idea of your own. The truck is currently funding via Kickstarter.org.

Discloser: I'm a backer...then I'm always up for a good idea.

Another Rabbit Down

The rancid smell of death increased as the temperature rose. "I think something's dead around here," Eric said. I pushed back the curtain in our bedroom and saw the rabbit carrion causing the stink.

Our home is near a very large field where many cottontail rabbits live. As of late they've even migrated to our yard. A few weeks ago, one scampered out of the bushes as my kids and friends climbed to the top of our property. However, the cottontail is a tasty treat to the red tail hawks that nest in the eucalyptus and tall pine trees about a quarter mile opposite each other. We often watch the hawks soar from the eucalyptus to the pine in the evening. Throughout the day, they circle overhead in search of food. This rabbit appears to have suffered the same red tail hawk fate as the rabbit whose head we found three years ago.

Summer Fun

The quills project of yesterday didn't go so well. We plan on giving it another shot. In the meantime, playing with friends in water has been going very well whether it be at a pool party...

...or at the creek catching frogs...

...even when they play dead. This one rested cutely on it's back for about a full fifteen seconds then flipped over for us to admire some more.

Kid Summer Project: Quills

Today we hope to make quills at the request of my oldest son. We tempered the feathers yesterday by putting the base of the feather in heated sand and letting it cool. Tempering is not required but supposedly lengthens the use of the quill.

The idea for making a quill came up late in the day. We didn't have enough time before bedtime to tackle the project, so tempering seemed like a step in the right direction following inspiration. Today, we have all the time in the world.

Big Box Continues to Deliver

Not a big box store. Simple a big box. This box fortuitously entered Camp Ramshackle over a month ago. It has been used as a slide, a scooter ramp and a trampoline not to mention shelter and a den. Much more ragged for the wear, it continues to be a cornerstone of play.

Celebrating Summer with Ganache

Today was the first week day where we did not have to suit up for school. My oldest son's school ended on Friday. He woke up gleeful about the possibilities of "taking it easy". To celebrate, I baked some gluten free cupcakes (admittedly from a box) then topped them with dairy free dark chocolate ganache. The ganache is fantastic.

Typically ganache is made with heavy cream. I used coconut milk instead with delicious results. A foodie friend gave me the hot tip to use coconut milk. I used a Sirius dark chocolate bar with 56% cacao.

The skeletal recipe:

equal parts coconut milk and dark chocolate bar

Coarsely cut the chocolate and place in mixing bowl. Heat the coconut milk over medium flame until it begins to steam. Pour coconut milk over the chocolate and stir until creamy. Spoon ganache over confection of choice.

From the Hive

Last hive inspection, we were surprised the bees had produced very little honey. The tide has turned. I'm delighted to see that the bees I've seen all over my garden have been busy making honey. Eric harvested some honey and did a bit of rearranging inside the hive to make more room for the bees. As always, the honey is delicious.

Hammock Time

Although we are all season hammock using family, the arrival of summer is yet another reason to celebrate the hammock.

Yet Again: The Return of the Egg

Our ability to keep nesting birds out of our outdoor tent is laughable.

The birds built a nest in the far entrance and laid an egg. Now we wait.

Our humane owl bird control failed.

Common Thread Tote Bag Class

Owner Jin Kim (center), author, writer & tote bag student Ernessa T. Carter (left)

Months ago, I bought a Groupon for Common Thread Studio in South Pasadena. Common Thread Studio is one of those places that I love to visit, but somehow, I never made time to take a class there or schedule a sewing session. I took advantage of Groupon and a pending expiration date to get my A into G.

Although I was seriously tempted to take the Detail Couture class, I signed up for the Tote Bag class because I wanted a take away. Owner Jin Kim lead the class and made the pattern for the tote bag with a sweet pleat (see last photo). I love taking sewing classes. As a self-taught sewer, I always find it incredibly informative to sit in a session and learn from the pros, like Jin, who is also a designer.

My first serged seam.

In addition to classes, Common Thread Studio offers studio rental for $10/hour, first two hours ($8/hour after). While renting studio space, you have access to a great commercial grade serger, sewing machines, cutting table, iron and the luxury of spreading out your work area.

Classmate Joy & her beautiful tote bag.

In July and August, Common Thread Studio offers Sewing Summer Camp for budding designers ages 8-17. Judging from last year's photos, it looks like a great experience.

I finished my tote bag with just enough time to pick up my kids from school (ended yesterday for the youngest and next week for the oldest. Hello summer!). Common Thread Studio also has a kid area with toys and a chalkboard in the back behind plexiglass. I think I'm going to throw caution to the wind and take advantage of studio rental time this summer. Some time in Common Thread Studio for me with a bit of ice cream at Buster's for the boys. What project should I tackle?

The Tale & Tail of a Lizard Catch

The intrepid hunter stalks her prey.

Caught by loveliness.

An ejected tail gifted to a friend.

And held close to his heart.

El Rio Charter School's Art Auction

Sage Vaughn, serigraph & hand painting, 36"x48"

A preview of some of the art to be auctioned this Saturday, June 11th, 2011, at the El Rio Launch Party to be held at Tiara Cafe in Downtown LA. Learn more about the event at www.elriocharterschool.org. Tapas tickets for $40 are still available. The dinner portion of the fundraiser.

Ron Russell, "Novenpus", acrylic on masonite, 4"x4"

Seonna Hong, "Into the Forest", giclee print, 5"x8.5"

Andy Mueller, "Mercedes Benz", photograph

More information on the artists and tickets to the event at the El Rio blog.

Eat Play Give: Help Start a School in Northeast Los Angeles

I hope you'll join me this Saturday, June 22th, 2011, El Rio Charter School (disclosure: I'm a board member) is hosting El Rio Launch Party / Fund Raiser / Art Auction

Please join us for the launch of the fundraising campaign for El Rio Charter School to be held at Tiara Cafe, in downtown Los Angeles, on Saturday, June 11th. Buy a ticket to the launch party through giftberry.

Art Auction: The evening will include a silent art auction featuring work from a fantastic group of artists – mostly based in LA – whose work has been shown around the world. Donate to a great cause and nab a beautiful piece for yourself. All proceeds will benefit El Rio Charter School. You must attend to bid on the artwork. A preview of the pieces up for auction can be found here. Check back often as we are still adding pieces.

There will be great food, fantastic art and lots of fun for a worthy cause. Get your ticket before they are gone! Got questions about the event? Contactelriocharter@gmail.com.

IKEA Couch Jump Trials

I managed to find a modest couch jump photo to share and have quite a few laughs in the process. If only Congressman Anthony Weiner had tweeted his naked couch jump instead of his questionable self-portrait...he might have been able to spin it.

Why I Love My IKEA Couch

When Eric and I bought the Ramshackle compound in 2002, our eight foot sofa did not fit our tiny new home. Despite being house poor, we took a trip to IKEA and bought a couch with some Danish inspired name. We didn't over think the purchase. The couch fit into our smaller house. It looked okay, but we didn't swoon. The couch seemed serviceable. We couldn't stretch out for the long indulgent naps like our previous sofa, but it fit in the living room without stretching into the dining area or covering any doors.

Two years later, kids entered the picture. As they grew, the couch became a jumping couch. Not just little jumps but big catapult jumps from the bookshelf down, flips, dives and more. I looked for one of the many jumping couch pictures but was unable to find one without a naked kid.

After years of steady jumping, it began to develop a serious squeak when you sat down. Eric and I figured the couch was a goner, being a cheap IKEA couch. Eric flipped it on end, found that the frame could be tightened (no doubt with an allen wrench, but I don't remember exactly). When he righted it, the squeak was gone, the jumping resumed.

In addition to being sturdy, the cover is completely removable. I thrown it into the washing machine many times, always amazed how well it cleans. The fabric has started to give at the impact zone of the jump, however. I continue to patch it and be thankful for my cheap IKEA couch.

Let the jumping resume.

Memorable Memorial Day

We camped on Santa Cruz Island, one of the Channel Islands in California.

The extended weekend came with severe winds, great food, good people.

More to come.

Note From Eric: Thanks to our friends Chrisitie and Greg for inviting us to share such a memorable time with them and their great group of friends. It was a fantastic place to visit and an amazing group of people.