This trip to France is far more than a vacation, this is a metaphorical 'smudging', removing all negative energy that I've been harnessed with, due to many emotional obstacles I've been blessed with, and have worked very hard to overcome.
Life is meant to be lived, so I'm rebirthing myself into the life I want.
The opportunity to travel to France, came up in May, and with zero chance of that happening (or so I had thought) I declined and with my Taurean bull like attitude, persued the fight with the Bank (Bank of America) to keep my house (as you may know was at risk of foresclosure) and buckled down to address the difficult, full time, stressful job of keeping my home and my business.
In 2010 my aunt Vera died at 98, my namesake, leaving a small inheritance to my mother, who had preceeded her in death, in 2009, which meant the money would go to her kids, me being one of three kids.
I made the decision NOT to use that small inheritance on my house. That would be completely insane! I choose to live my life to enjoy it and not be a slave to it.
After a difficult divorce and simultaniously losing my mom to cancer (3 wks from diagnosis to her death) then nearly losing my house, I figured my Aunt Vera was giving me a chance to experience something I had only ever dreamt of, so I took that chance, and guess what- I could not be happier about my decision.
So, here I am, sitting in a very small apartment in Montmarte, Paris, sipping coffee, baguette in hand and writing this blog post...and learning so much.
These last few years have given me many opportunities to learn about myself, my values, dreams, and perspective as to how we as Americans extend ourselves way beyond human ability, and put value on things that aren't as important as living happy, healthy lives, within a system that supports that. We are getting pretty loud about that now though, the voices are crying out saying NO MORE.
Anyway....more on that later....France.
Nice, Old town...
We arrive from the ariport by bus, dropped off in the neighborhood we were instructed to land...it's much later than we had planned, about 6pm. I have no phone and need to call Julienne to get the keys to our apt...ummmmm...what do I do?
We amble around, the streets are full of people all are speaking French and Nicoise, not English. We find a phone booth. Great it doesn't take coins, and the instructions are in French AND my phone card from the USA doesn't work. OK, think, and figure out something!!! I ask someone about a phone and am instructed to go to the phone shop, where I plan to get a sim card....ok, off we go, and the sim card is looking to cost about 50 euros....WOWSA!! The language barrier is enormously obvious now, and the clerk and I are not able to understand each other...fortunately a young man comes in (who wants to use the computer in this store, which is approximately 5 feet by 20 feet, houses phones in private stalls, computers and phone cards, not much more that I can tell) and is able to help me to decide to just use the phone in the phone stall. Skip the sim card and spend ,90 to make the call. WHEW, saved a bunch of money!!!
Unbelievably narrow streets loaded with cafes, charcuteries, fromageries, patisseries, boulangeries, and so many shops. Cars and scooters wizzing by...dodging pedestrians and bikes, narrowly missing them by not more than a half meter, apparently that's enough. This takes a bit of getting used to and feels completely foreign to our way of pedestrian right of way/street rules...it's a whole different game over here- Driving- but more on that later.
Gorgeous. We never left Old Nice (to visit other parts of Nice, anyway)
The buildings are colorful, each having it's own style of ironwork. All of the carvings above the doorways are charming, with giant archways, seemingly ancient wooden doors. Each window above with clean laundry hanging out to dry on retractable clothes lines.
The cobblestone streets that wind down through the buildings are tightly packed with hundreds of bakeries selling fresh baguettes, croisant, paninis, and the kinds of sweets that I've only ever seen in magazines.
The food is glorious.
We are offered help each time we look lost, which is often, since we stand in the streets looking at maps, we are often the confused Americans in need of direction...People are very friendly and helpful, we are grateful.
The apt we rented for CHEAP on Airbnb.com is very small, and super efficient. Julienne, the owner, was enormously helpful in helping us get our bearings on the area.
Thursday, November 24, 2011
Saturday, November 5, 2011
Fall is, fall back, falling
Fall
lovely colors with the turning of the leaves as they make the decent towards the ground, only to be remade into useful soil, food for the soil to be fed to the plants.
Beautiful sunsets over the mountains, truly breathtaking at times... to remind us of just one of the many reasons we choose to live here.
Cooler temperatures.
we are lucky to have long growing seasons here in the Northwest...we can plant food to eat here year round
Harvest time for many fruits and root vegetables
Fall is actually the best time to get out in the garden and make it what you really want.
The trees are changing color as are some perennials, which creates an entirely new opportunity to "paint your picture"
Dig and divide spring blooming perennials
plant shrubs, trees and perennials
I am not a tidy gardener, so leaves do not get raked up in my yard, instead they get raked into the beds of my garden to be eaten by the creatures who live in and feed my soil, the soil food web...worms, mycorhizzae, beneficial organisms that enrich my soil, think of the woods and all the loose, loamy soil that exists there....no one rakes it up, it breaks down and refeeds itself.
I love the way the garden looks and feels at this time of year. I like to walk through and notice the many ways my garden is changing, in color and in form, with spring plants that have gone dormant to make way for the thugs of summer, the toughies who can take the little water I will allow them, but please me with all the beauty and color they are meant to display, as if to say...it's my job, I must do this, Enjoy!
The bird activity is at a level of excitement that can only be explained by the amount of food and berries available. The sunny days we are blessed with bring generous amounts of song birds out to serenade even the surliest of gardeners.
I am stopped in my tracks of hurry and flurry in the garden to get to the tasks at hand....'what is that song bird, who sings of such joy and relaxed delight?' The flittering little one whom I still have yet to see, hides and sings, to bring me to my own place of peace and joy in the garden of my own life.
So, what to be doing in the garden?
Prune out dead wood on old fashioned roses...these are different than modern roses, old Rose does not mean it's been in the ground a long time...it means it's OLD, as in from 1864 or prior. These old roses are the ones that blooms in abandoned lots, take no real care whatsoever, aside from proper planting, and summer water, if you please???...then you can essentially leave them be.
Prune out dead wood on shrubs and trees
Divide spring flowering herbacious perennials, replant or pot up
Dig out unwanted thugs in the garden, and weed
Move bigger shrubs if desired, by root pruning and lifting to deposit in the prepared new location.
Create new gardens for next year
Mulch exposed soils with homemade compost, wood chips, manures, leaves, straw or in vegetable gardens, sow cover crops. Having read Ruth Stout, I am addicted to mulch, period.
Rake leaves from deciduous trees into a pile to make leaf compost or into gardens to break down...maple, alder and birch are the best for this type of practice....
Look for edible mushrooms in the gardens...shaggy manes, Boletus and more (know what you are looking for!! Do not eat if you are not sure.)
More garden talk to come next week...
to be continued....
Saturday, October 22, 2011
Day of the dead Sand sculpting
Carlos Espinoza will be creating a 3 dimensional sand sculpture in the lower dirveway at
Village Green Perennial Nursery on Sat October 29th. Join us in this celebration.
Sunday will be dedicated to offerings and celebration of those who have passed.
Village Green Perennial Nursery on Sat October 29th. Join us in this celebration.
Sunday will be dedicated to offerings and celebration of those who have passed.
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
New email address
I'm in the middle of a huge revamp, email, website and more....
My new permanent email address will be available soon... please use
vjvillagegreen7@gmail.com in the meantime
Thank you!
sorry for any and all confusion-this is a huge makeover.
My new permanent email address will be available soon... please use
vjvillagegreen7@gmail.com in the meantime
Thank you!
sorry for any and all confusion-this is a huge makeover.
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Wine tasting
We are 'branching out...'
Check it out!!!
Sodovino... local Award winning winery will be hosting a Wine tasting here at Village Green
http://sodovino.com/Press.
Join us for a tasting on the 1st at 3pm.
Live music:
Harpist: Johanna
Trained in classical and Scottish Irish traditional music.
She plays weddings....just saying.
Check it out!!!
Sodovino... local Award winning winery will be hosting a Wine tasting here at Village Green
http://sodovino.com/Press.
Join us for a tasting on the 1st at 3pm.
Live music:
Harpist: Johanna
Trained in classical and Scottish Irish traditional music.
She plays weddings....just saying.
Hours
Weds-Friday 11-6
Sat/Sunday 10-4:30
check out our Blog
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Southwest community center is at risk of closing!!!
Homeschoolers!!! community members!!!
The time to act is NOW if we want to save SWCC!!
Take 5 minutes of your time TODAY and:
*Write to the members of the CityCouncil: http://www.seattle.gov/council/guide.htm
Before September 26th, have each member of your family (including your kids) write a letter or email. Let's flood city council members' offices with stories of how SWCC has positively impacted the lives of people and families in our community.
*Contact the Mayor: http://www.seattle.gov/mayor/contact.htm
*Join us on Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/pages/Save-Southwest-Community-Center/126477817454076?sk=wall
Create a stronger impact and:
* Attend a City Council Meeting and let yourvoice be heard
There will be a public hearing this Thursday, September 22nd at 9am. It will be held at City Hall (600 4th Ave.) Plan to attend if at all possible. This will be our best opportunity to make our case before the council prior to the Mayor's budget presentation. Consider attending with signs and/or speaking for three minutes.
*Attend the Brainstorming Meeting for our Family Learning Program
We are organizing a brainstorming meeting to map out our plans for the future of our homeschooling program on the morning of October 30th. Details will follow once confirmed.
*Ask everyone you know to join, share and spread the news. We hope to rapidly spread awareness of these proposed changes so we can fight in numbers. Tell all your friends (even those who may have never used SWCC) what an asset the center is to our community.
Just think of what a fantastic civics lesson this could all be for all our kids! Let's show them that we CAN make a difference.
Just think of what a fantastic civics lesson this could all be for all our kids! Let's show them that we CAN make a difference.
Monday, September 19, 2011
Japanese Maples
Fall is the best time to plant trees and shrubs...
We have a diverse collection of Japanes maple trees to choose from
The vibrant fall color helps in choosong the Japanes Maple that would make a nice complement to you yard and garden.
Shop early for best selection
Dwarf varieties and named cultivars available
We have a diverse collection of Japanes maple trees to choose from
The vibrant fall color helps in choosong the Japanes Maple that would make a nice complement to you yard and garden.
Shop early for best selection
Dwarf varieties and named cultivars available
Hours
Weds-Friday 11-6
Sat/Sunday 10-4:30
Garden clubs Welcome!
We are happy to welcome Garden clubs and Tour groups.
Walk through 2 acres of gardens, with many collectors plants, ancient Rodedenrons, mature Paper Birch trees, old roses and much more.
We are happy to work with your group.
Please call for an appointement.
206-767-7735
ask for Vera
Walk through 2 acres of gardens, with many collectors plants, ancient Rodedenrons, mature Paper Birch trees, old roses and much more.
We are happy to work with your group.
Please call for an appointement.
206-767-7735
ask for Vera
Saturday, September 17, 2011
Soil soup/soil building
Why use it?
Beneficial bacteria are grown in Soil Soup by providing air while the tea brews. The billions of bacteria that live in the aerobic compost tea will live on leaf surfaces and eat detrimental fungi that cause disease.They will also thrive in the top 4"-6" of soil (where the air is!) and break down solid organic matter into components that the plants can use. Soil Soup is AWESOME! It is the fastest way to improve soil tilth that I have ever experienced, and I am completely biased. :) I appreciate success!
SoilSoup greatly improves the tilth of the soil by infusing it with billions of microbes to help meet the carbon needs of your garden.
Why are microbes so important?
• They form a complex symbiotic relationship with roots
• Microbes trap nitrogen and make it plant available
• They convert rocks and clay into plant available fertilizer
• They make hormones and other chemical agents required for growth
• They degrade harmful manmade chemicals left in the soil
• They produce glue like material that improves soil structure and increases water retention.
Beneficial bacteria are grown in Soil Soup by providing air while the tea brews. The billions of bacteria that live in the aerobic compost tea will live on leaf surfaces and eat detrimental fungi that cause disease.They will also thrive in the top 4"-6" of soil (where the air is!) and break down solid organic matter into components that the plants can use. Soil Soup is AWESOME! It is the fastest way to improve soil tilth that I have ever experienced, and I am completely biased. :) I appreciate success!
SoilSoup greatly improves the tilth of the soil by infusing it with billions of microbes to help meet the carbon needs of your garden.
Why are microbes so important?
• They form a complex symbiotic relationship with roots
• Microbes trap nitrogen and make it plant available
• They convert rocks and clay into plant available fertilizer
• They make hormones and other chemical agents required for growth
• They degrade harmful manmade chemicals left in the soil
• They produce glue like material that improves soil structure and increases water retention.
Fruit trees/berries
Columnar apple
Asian pear
Fig trees (dwarf- can be grown in a container)
Blueberries
Aronia Berry
Elderberries
Huckleberries- red
Evergreen hucks- blue
Gooseberries
Herbs...
Sage
Lovage
Valerian
Pineapple
Thyme
Oregano
Hyssop
Angelica
Fall vegetables plant now for fall/winter harvest....
kale
lettuce
onions
leeks
cabbage
Asian pear
Fig trees (dwarf- can be grown in a container)
Blueberries
Aronia Berry
Elderberries
Huckleberries- red
Evergreen hucks- blue
Gooseberries
Herbs...
Sage
Lovage
Valerian
Pineapple
Thyme
Oregano
Hyssop
Angelica
Fall vegetables plant now for fall/winter harvest....
kale
lettuce
onions
leeks
cabbage
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Hendrikus organic fertilizers
Hendrikus organic fertilizers
StartRight Organic Plant Starter
StartRight is a balanced combination of endo-ecto mycorrhizae in a bio-stimulant nutrient base to assist new plants and transplants in their development of root systems and new hair roots. The name "Mycorrhizae" is Greek for fungus roots and it describes the mutually beneficial symbioses between these soil fungi and plant roots. A teaspoon of healthy soil can contain several miles of mycorrhizal filaments that play a fundamental role in establishing and extending root systems, improving plant nutrient and water uptake, disease resistance and plant growth, while reducing transplant shock and drought stress. StartRight re-establishes these essential soil fungi for healthy plant development.
Organic fertilizers
Hendrikus fertilizers...
Organibloom....medicinal herbs LOVE this stuff!!!
Also...
HuMagic is a rich, dark, natural humate, mined from a sole organic deposit of carbon-rich humate from both vegetative & marine compounds. This sole mine produces one of the finest humates on the market, rich in active, available humic and fulvic acids, organic carbon & natural trace elements. Used regularly HuMagic decreases your need for fertilizers as it enhances your soil's beneficial biology and ability to uptake nutrients.
Humic substances are the backbone of organic matter in soils and play an important role in soil fertility.
Physically: they function to improve soil structure, workability, porosity, water holding capacity, cation and anion exchange.
Biologically: they enhance the activities of beneficial micro-organisms, stimulating their growth and proliferation; increase plant cell energy and accelerate cell division; stimulate plant enzymes; increase root system development; and aid in photosynthesis.
Chemically: they chelate beneficial inorganic plant nutrients, especially iron and phosphorus into a stable soluble form available to plants; protect plants from harmful elements by making them insoluble.
Nutritionally: they improve water uptake by plants; enhance uptake of phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium and sulfur, benefitting micro-organisms that in turn benefit the plants. They act as catalysts for fertilizer to increase nutrition in plant tissues.
Time to fertilize for fall...
Organic vegetable starts are here!
Organibloom....medicinal herbs LOVE this stuff!!!
Also...
HuMagic is a rich, dark, natural humate, mined from a sole organic deposit of carbon-rich humate from both vegetative & marine compounds. This sole mine produces one of the finest humates on the market, rich in active, available humic and fulvic acids, organic carbon & natural trace elements. Used regularly HuMagic decreases your need for fertilizers as it enhances your soil's beneficial biology and ability to uptake nutrients.
Humic substances are the backbone of organic matter in soils and play an important role in soil fertility.
Physically: they function to improve soil structure, workability, porosity, water holding capacity, cation and anion exchange.
Biologically: they enhance the activities of beneficial micro-organisms, stimulating their growth and proliferation; increase plant cell energy and accelerate cell division; stimulate plant enzymes; increase root system development; and aid in photosynthesis.
Chemically: they chelate beneficial inorganic plant nutrients, especially iron and phosphorus into a stable soluble form available to plants; protect plants from harmful elements by making them insoluble.
Nutritionally: they improve water uptake by plants; enhance uptake of phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium and sulfur, benefitting micro-organisms that in turn benefit the plants. They act as catalysts for fertilizer to increase nutrition in plant tissues.
Time to fertilize for fall...
Organic vegetable starts are here!
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Saturday, September 10, 2011
Fall Vegetables
Organic fall veggies on the way
leeks
broccoli
cabbage
cauliflower
beets
swiss chard
lettuce- a few varieties
onions
leeks
broccoli
cabbage
cauliflower
beets
swiss chard
lettuce- a few varieties
onions
Saturday, August 27, 2011
Hendrikus Organic Fertilizer
Hendrikus organic fertilizers
this is the only fertilizer we carry, as recommended by Ciscoe Morris himself!
specially formulated blends for specific applications- I use it in all my transplnts...so you are taking some home with each plant grown here!
this is the only fertilizer we carry, as recommended by Ciscoe Morris himself!
specially formulated blends for specific applications- I use it in all my transplnts...so you are taking some home with each plant grown here!
Friday, August 26, 2011
Soil Soup
We will have soil soup tea for sale on Sunday the 28th
$10 a gallon
$10 a gallon
Beneficial bacteria are grown in Soil Soup by providing air while the tea brews. The billions of bacteria that live in the aerobic compost tea will live on leaf surfaces and eat detrimental fungi that cause disease.They will also thrive i...n the top 4"-6" of soil (where the air is!) and break down solid organic matter into components that the plants can use. Soil Soup is AWESOME!
It is the fastest way to improve soil tilth that I have ever experienced, and I am completely biased. :) I appreciate success!
Harvest your garlic, eat your beans
if the tops of your garlic are turning brown and dying back...
they are ready to harvest
beets and root vegetables are ready to start harvesting, small harvests...unless you are canning/storing
beans are ready and delicious steamed or stir fried
potatoes, dig only what you need, leave them in the ground...
they taste oh so buttery and delicious!
now is the time to keep things well watered-
if you have lots of green tomatoes-the larger varieties(not cherries) hold off on water to encourage them to start changing color...
you can sow seeds of root veggies for fall crops, and lettuces, kale and spinach
We are getting lettuce and kale starts going, they will be ready in a few weeks!
Also, best time to prune old rose varieties...old rose varieties predate 1864...very different from 'in the ground for 20 years'
Please ask questions!
they are ready to harvest
beets and root vegetables are ready to start harvesting, small harvests...unless you are canning/storing
beans are ready and delicious steamed or stir fried
potatoes, dig only what you need, leave them in the ground...
they taste oh so buttery and delicious!
now is the time to keep things well watered-
if you have lots of green tomatoes-the larger varieties(not cherries) hold off on water to encourage them to start changing color...
you can sow seeds of root veggies for fall crops, and lettuces, kale and spinach
We are getting lettuce and kale starts going, they will be ready in a few weeks!
Also, best time to prune old rose varieties...old rose varieties predate 1864...very different from 'in the ground for 20 years'
Please ask questions!
Black leaved plants
That is a gorgeous tree!
geranium cheryl's shadow
Monday, August 22, 2011
Donations - call it what you like
Hi all,
This is not any easy thing to do...see, I'm used to being the one to offer help to others, not the other way around, it's not my style to ask for help...
it's being brought to my attention in a rather unappealing way, that I better shift my ability to ask for and accept help.
Yes, I put a 'Donation' button on my Blog...
What's wrong with wanting to keep my house, business and community
space…
I want to continue to gather people together in a beautiful environment,
share this beautiful piece of property with those who can appreciate it,
continue to offer garden advice/plant suggestions, yet encourage budding gardeners to empower themselves with information and not be afraid to try/trust and learn, AND encourage sustainability -remember if we forget to support local and independent, we lose them to the big boxes!
offer organic plants, soil conditioners, educate about soils, and fertilizers,
encourage earth friendly garden practices,
host classes of many kids, garden, herbal, food and Art
offer a space for local creatives to launch their talents?
And let's not forget- this is a natural choice for Weddings.
Weddings are something I've wanted to host here since the day I bought this beautiful land and began renovating it…
adding more gardens, outbuildings, removing invasive plants and committing myself to this community,
We participate in White Center beautification projects, donate to local schools for fundraisers, donate to the local food banks, attend community events, and all manner of support for a community I've chosen to call my home.
I'm not one to ever toot my own horn, however, this particular event in my life is certainly challenging me to actually stop and look at my own cause. I need the support of my community to stay here.
I will leave here if that is what it comes down to, and feel certain I will have no problem finding a place for myself outside of White Center and Village Green, but I do not want to leave.
I can't even stand the thought of this property becoming 64 condominiums.
So, I am reaching out to the community, asking for donations, possible investors or any other sort of financial help that anyone can possibly offer.
I am up against Dragons and am not sure I have a large enough sword. I have felt the support from the community and will continue to bring light to this foreclosure issue for it is destroying the lives of so many!
We all know we are in an economic crises- I'm obviously not the only one, but the banks are not even giving these so called modifications, people are suffering emotionally and financially, which puts way too much strain on healthy living of any real kind.
This is not any easy thing to do...see, I'm used to being the one to offer help to others, not the other way around, it's not my style to ask for help...
it's being brought to my attention in a rather unappealing way, that I better shift my ability to ask for and accept help.
Yes, I put a 'Donation' button on my Blog...
What's wrong with wanting to keep my house, business and community
space…
I want to continue to gather people together in a beautiful environment,
share this beautiful piece of property with those who can appreciate it,
continue to offer garden advice/plant suggestions, yet encourage budding gardeners to empower themselves with information and not be afraid to try/trust and learn, AND encourage sustainability -remember if we forget to support local and independent, we lose them to the big boxes!
offer organic plants, soil conditioners, educate about soils, and fertilizers,
encourage earth friendly garden practices,
host classes of many kids, garden, herbal, food and Art
offer a space for local creatives to launch their talents?
And let's not forget- this is a natural choice for Weddings.
Weddings are something I've wanted to host here since the day I bought this beautiful land and began renovating it…
adding more gardens, outbuildings, removing invasive plants and committing myself to this community,
We participate in White Center beautification projects, donate to local schools for fundraisers, donate to the local food banks, attend community events, and all manner of support for a community I've chosen to call my home.
I'm not one to ever toot my own horn, however, this particular event in my life is certainly challenging me to actually stop and look at my own cause. I need the support of my community to stay here.
I will leave here if that is what it comes down to, and feel certain I will have no problem finding a place for myself outside of White Center and Village Green, but I do not want to leave.
I can't even stand the thought of this property becoming 64 condominiums.
So, I am reaching out to the community, asking for donations, possible investors or any other sort of financial help that anyone can possibly offer.
I am up against Dragons and am not sure I have a large enough sword. I have felt the support from the community and will continue to bring light to this foreclosure issue for it is destroying the lives of so many!
Saturday, August 20, 2011
Wedding venue West Seattle
Village Green Nursery is a beautiful urban garden on a 2 acre woodland setting, with tall trees, giant Rhododendrons, ancient rose bushes, bubbling pond, and winding trails leading you through the garden. The front garden is a beautiful place to have a wedding ceremony or for pictures.
"On site Professional Harpist" $300 for prelude, ceremony and postlude
wedding march, vows, Postlude is 20 minutes or so after recessional as people get up and move around
Wedding Rental
Wedding party may choose caterer of choice.
Wedding party provides tables, chairs, tents and linens.
Wedding party is responsible for set up before, and clean up after the event.
We will have limited garbage containers/bags available.
Village Green does have basic indoor facilities-bathroom with toilet and sink. There is a small area for dressing.
We can accommodate 100-150 guests
deposit- upon removal and clean up of all wedding party items.
This acts as a damage deposit, as well.
Flowers and catering available upon request.
'Corkage fee' if providing your own flowers and catering.
Photos only.$75 hour for use fee
"On site Professional Harpist" $300 for prelude, ceremony and postlude
wedding march, vows, Postlude is 20 minutes or so after recessional as people get up and move around
Wedding RentalWedding party may choose caterer of choice.
Wedding party provides tables, chairs, tents and linens.
Wedding party is responsible for set up before, and clean up after the event.
We will have limited garbage containers/bags available.
Village Green does have basic indoor facilities-bathroom with toilet and sink. There is a small area for dressing.
We can accommodate 100-150 guests
deposit- upon removal and clean up of all wedding party items.
This acts as a damage deposit, as well.
Flowers and catering available upon request.
'Corkage fee' if providing your own flowers and catering.
Fruit trees
All fruit trees and shrubs 50% off this weekend!
apples
pears
blueberries
Aronia berries
Gooseberries...
I ate the BEST gooseberry pie made by Kate McDermott -"Art of the Pie"
Seriously...she is someone I want in my life, forever!
Kate's pies are truly edible art!
apples
pears
blueberries
Aronia berries
Gooseberries...
I ate the BEST gooseberry pie made by Kate McDermott -"Art of the Pie"
Seriously...she is someone I want in my life, forever!
Kate's pies are truly edible art!
Monday, July 25, 2011
Seattle times article
Nicole Brodeur
Alone in a battle over her loan
Vera Johnson, 42, the owner of the Village Green Perennial Nursery in West Seattle, is on the brink of losing her home and her business.
 |
Seattle Times staff columnist
Vera Johnson answered the door and grimaced.
Nothing personal, she told me. Huge migraine.
"I think it's the stress," Johnson said, sitting back down on the couch to tell me her story. It's a private thing, an individual drama, but one I have heard time and again over the past few years.
Johnson, 42, the owner of the Village Green Perennial Nursery in West Seattle, is on the brink of losing her home and her business.
That means this two-acre oasis of dirt and green and blooms and bees, of Northwest natives and old-fashioned roses that have inspired a Full Tilt ice-cream flavor, could become a casualty.
It's not just a retail operation, but Johnson's home, and the home base for a near-decade of good deeds: donated veggie starts to the White Center Food Bank, school fundraisers, free gardening classes for children and adults, and music on the stage in the back yard.
"It's such a nightmare," Johnson said, and then did her best to give me the short version.
Her mother died. Her marriage fell apart. Her household income went down by $140,000 a year, and then her support payments were reduced by two-thirds.
Johnson decided to seek a loan modification on her Bank of America mortgage.
That was in March 2010.
The 16 months since, Johnson has searched and scrambled and sat on hold. She has explained her situation to one loan officer, then another who was sitting in the same office, but may as well have been in another country. She has faxed and FedExed documents once, twice, three times, had partial payments rejected and even watched a loan officer at her own Bank of America branch sit on hold for an hour and get nowhere.
Apparently, Johnson has to be in deeper trouble before the bank will toss her a rope. She wonders, though, if they are just setting her up to lose the place.
Last Monday, Johnson received a "Notice of intent to accelerate" from Bank of America. The bottom line: She would lose her house if she didn't come up with $14,888.99 by Aug. 6.
"I don't think they're really looking at what's happening in the economy," she said. "And I don't think that one more house in foreclosure is going to help."
She's probably right: The Treasury Department estimates there will be between 8 million and 13 million foreclosures by 2012.
I called Bank of America, told them what Johnson had told me. Within 20 minutes of my call, I received three emails from the bank, confirming Johnson's address and telling me they would be researching her case. By noon the next day, another email saying that Johnson is not in foreclosure, that the bank has attempted "several times" to help her with a modification, but that the "very specific" documentation has not been completed — including a quitclaim deed removing Johnson's ex-husband from the loan.
Johnson disputed this, saying she faxed the necessary documents at the end of June.
Four hours later, I talked to the bank's local spokeswoman, Britney Sheehan. The bank had the quitclaim deed they said Johnson hadn't sent.
Now do you get what people are going through? I asked.
"Yeah, I do understand," Sheehan said. "That's why we're leading with an apology."
The bank said it would have an associate from its new customer-assistance center in Seattle contact Johnson to "meet face to face" and walk her through the process. One single, local rep.
Other Bank of America customers may do the same, Sheehan said, whether it's for a mortgage, a credit card or a car loan. The center can be reached at 206-358-4338. (I tried it; they answered on the first ring.)
When this story first broke in the West Seattle Blog, one commenter called Johnson "the George Bailey of West Seattle," referring to the protagonist of "It's a Wonderful Life." Johnson watched the movie again to see the scene where people pour in from all over to fill up a basket of cash to help Bailey save his savings and loan.
"That would momentarily please the Bank of America," Johnson said, if she was so lucky. "But I don't see how paying them is going to encourage them to give me a loan modification. It will just continue."
In the meantime — and as is her way — Johnson is reaching out. At 4 p.m. on Sunday, she will host the first meeting of Homeowners Facing Foreclosure, a support group for others caught in the mortgage morass. It's at the nursery, 10223 26th Ave. S.W., and anyone can attend.
"I have no idea what it's going to look like, no answers for anyone," Johnson said. "It's just a way for people to get together and share resources and our stories and hopefully, move toward a solution.
"It takes people working together, rather than alone."
Nicole Brodeur's column appears Tuesday and Friday. Reach her at 206-464-2334 or nbrodeur@seattletimes.com.
Let's see how it goes.
Nothing personal, she told me. Huge migraine.
"I think it's the stress," Johnson said, sitting back down on the couch to tell me her story. It's a private thing, an individual drama, but one I have heard time and again over the past few years.
Johnson, 42, the owner of the Village Green Perennial Nursery in West Seattle, is on the brink of losing her home and her business.
That means this two-acre oasis of dirt and green and blooms and bees, of Northwest natives and old-fashioned roses that have inspired a Full Tilt ice-cream flavor, could become a casualty.
It's not just a retail operation, but Johnson's home, and the home base for a near-decade of good deeds: donated veggie starts to the White Center Food Bank, school fundraisers, free gardening classes for children and adults, and music on the stage in the back yard.
"It's such a nightmare," Johnson said, and then did her best to give me the short version.
Her mother died. Her marriage fell apart. Her household income went down by $140,000 a year, and then her support payments were reduced by two-thirds.
Johnson decided to seek a loan modification on her Bank of America mortgage.
That was in March 2010.
The 16 months since, Johnson has searched and scrambled and sat on hold. She has explained her situation to one loan officer, then another who was sitting in the same office, but may as well have been in another country. She has faxed and FedExed documents once, twice, three times, had partial payments rejected and even watched a loan officer at her own Bank of America branch sit on hold for an hour and get nowhere.
Apparently, Johnson has to be in deeper trouble before the bank will toss her a rope. She wonders, though, if they are just setting her up to lose the place.
Last Monday, Johnson received a "Notice of intent to accelerate" from Bank of America. The bottom line: She would lose her house if she didn't come up with $14,888.99 by Aug. 6.
"I don't think they're really looking at what's happening in the economy," she said. "And I don't think that one more house in foreclosure is going to help."
She's probably right: The Treasury Department estimates there will be between 8 million and 13 million foreclosures by 2012.
I called Bank of America, told them what Johnson had told me. Within 20 minutes of my call, I received three emails from the bank, confirming Johnson's address and telling me they would be researching her case. By noon the next day, another email saying that Johnson is not in foreclosure, that the bank has attempted "several times" to help her with a modification, but that the "very specific" documentation has not been completed — including a quitclaim deed removing Johnson's ex-husband from the loan.
Johnson disputed this, saying she faxed the necessary documents at the end of June.
Four hours later, I talked to the bank's local spokeswoman, Britney Sheehan. The bank had the quitclaim deed they said Johnson hadn't sent.
Now do you get what people are going through? I asked.
"Yeah, I do understand," Sheehan said. "That's why we're leading with an apology."
The bank said it would have an associate from its new customer-assistance center in Seattle contact Johnson to "meet face to face" and walk her through the process. One single, local rep.
Other Bank of America customers may do the same, Sheehan said, whether it's for a mortgage, a credit card or a car loan. The center can be reached at 206-358-4338. (I tried it; they answered on the first ring.)
When this story first broke in the West Seattle Blog, one commenter called Johnson "the George Bailey of West Seattle," referring to the protagonist of "It's a Wonderful Life." Johnson watched the movie again to see the scene where people pour in from all over to fill up a basket of cash to help Bailey save his savings and loan.
"That would momentarily please the Bank of America," Johnson said, if she was so lucky. "But I don't see how paying them is going to encourage them to give me a loan modification. It will just continue."
In the meantime — and as is her way — Johnson is reaching out. At 4 p.m. on Sunday, she will host the first meeting of Homeowners Facing Foreclosure, a support group for others caught in the mortgage morass. It's at the nursery, 10223 26th Ave. S.W., and anyone can attend.
"I have no idea what it's going to look like, no answers for anyone," Johnson said. "It's just a way for people to get together and share resources and our stories and hopefully, move toward a solution.
"It takes people working together, rather than alone."
Nicole Brodeur's column appears Tuesday and Friday. Reach her at 206-464-2334 or nbrodeur@seattletimes.com.
Let's see how it goes.
Seattle Magazine, Urban Safari?
We made the cut.
White Center got an honorable mention!
Seattle magazine
EAT + DRINK 
For a pint and a small plate, head to newcomer Company Bar, pictured right, (9608 16th Ave. SW; 206.257.1162) for nibbles crafted by co-owner Jesse Lovell, including salt cod fritters ($6) and chickpea fries ($5).
Or, try Stefanie and Mike Albaeck’s Proletariat Pizza (9622 16th Ave. SW; 206.432.9765; proletariatpizza.com) for their organic, 18-inch thin-crust creations.
Unleash your inner caveman with finger-lickin’ good ribs, brisket and links at Uncle Mike's Superlicious Barbecue (9640 16th Ave. SW; 206.588.2713; unclemikesbbq.com).
Visit Full Tilt Ice Cream (9629 16th Ave. SW; 206.767.4811; fulltilticecream.com) and choose from creative flavors like the new “antique rose,” crafted with rose petals from nearby Village Green Nursery.
3.14 Bakery (9602 16th Ave. SW; 206.420.4784; 314bakery.blogspot.com) offers home-style baked goods with a twist (cake balls, anyone?).
A stone’s throw away is Salvadorean Bakery (1719 SW Roxbury St.; 206.762.4064; thesalvadoreanbakery.com), where the authentic pupusas are locally renowned.
For your next big party, rent a keg full of locally brewed beer from Big Al Brewery (9832 14th Ave. SW; 206.453.4487; bigalbrewing.com).
GLIDE + GARDEN
Family skate spot Southgate Roller rink (9646 17th Ave. SW; 206.707.6949; southgaterollerrink.com) has been revamped and restored by local Josh Rhoads and his family. (The rink, which was built in 1937, closed in 2005 due to fire damage.) Attend one of the beginning skate classes and you’ll be rollin’ like a Rat City Roller Girl in no time.
Quaint, family-owned Village Green Perennial Nursery, pictured above, (10223 26th Ave. SW; 206.767.7735; villagegreenperennialnursery.com) is a garden oasis specializing in herbaceous perennials.
SIP + SHOP
Locals congregate at Dubsea Coffee (9910 Eighth Ave. SW; 206.708.6806; dubseacoffee.com) to sip Sibelle Nguyen’s fresh Stumptown joe.
Stock up on specialty goods at family-owned bodegas: Lee's Produce(9435 Delridge Way SW; 206.762.5220) carries a killer house-made kimchi; Hispanic grocery Carniceria El Paisano (9629 15th Ave. SW; 206.767.5526) sells delicious jalapeño-laden tamales for only a buck each.Seattle Magazine
White Center got an honorable mention!
Seattle magazine
Urban Safari: White Center
Once a mishmash of constantly revolving storefronts, White Center, in West Seattle now teems with an eclectic mix of cultures and family-owned businesses.
Old-school charm on the streets of White Center
For a pint and a small plate, head to newcomer Company Bar, pictured right, (9608 16th Ave. SW; 206.257.1162) for nibbles crafted by co-owner Jesse Lovell, including salt cod fritters ($6) and chickpea fries ($5).
Or, try Stefanie and Mike Albaeck’s Proletariat Pizza (9622 16th Ave. SW; 206.432.9765; proletariatpizza.com) for their organic, 18-inch thin-crust creations.
Unleash your inner caveman with finger-lickin’ good ribs, brisket and links at Uncle Mike's Superlicious Barbecue (9640 16th Ave. SW; 206.588.2713; unclemikesbbq.com).
Visit Full Tilt Ice Cream (9629 16th Ave. SW; 206.767.4811; fulltilticecream.com) and choose from creative flavors like the new “antique rose,” crafted with rose petals from nearby Village Green Nursery.
3.14 Bakery (9602 16th Ave. SW; 206.420.4784; 314bakery.blogspot.com) offers home-style baked goods with a twist (cake balls, anyone?).
A stone’s throw away is Salvadorean Bakery (1719 SW Roxbury St.; 206.762.4064; thesalvadoreanbakery.com), where the authentic pupusas are locally renowned.
For your next big party, rent a keg full of locally brewed beer from Big Al Brewery (9832 14th Ave. SW; 206.453.4487; bigalbrewing.com).
GLIDE + GARDEN
Family skate spot Southgate Roller rink (9646 17th Ave. SW; 206.707.6949; southgaterollerrink.com) has been revamped and restored by local Josh Rhoads and his family. (The rink, which was built in 1937, closed in 2005 due to fire damage.) Attend one of the beginning skate classes and you’ll be rollin’ like a Rat City Roller Girl in no time.
Quaint, family-owned Village Green Perennial Nursery, pictured above, (10223 26th Ave. SW; 206.767.7735; villagegreenperennialnursery.com) is a garden oasis specializing in herbaceous perennials.
SIP + SHOP
Locals congregate at Dubsea Coffee (9910 Eighth Ave. SW; 206.708.6806; dubseacoffee.com) to sip Sibelle Nguyen’s fresh Stumptown joe.
Stock up on specialty goods at family-owned bodegas: Lee's Produce(9435 Delridge Way SW; 206.762.5220) carries a killer house-made kimchi; Hispanic grocery Carniceria El Paisano (9629 15th Ave. SW; 206.767.5526) sells delicious jalapeño-laden tamales for only a buck each.Seattle Magazine
Ice cream in the Garden
Full Tilt is coming to the garden again!
Come and celebrate our 8th year!
What flavor will it be?
This is lways a fun time for the whole family.
A community event, everyone welcome.
We will be hosting live music again...will let you know soon who will be tickling our fancy with toe tapping rhythms.
When August 13th 1pm
Village Green Perennial Nursery
10223 26th Ave SW
Seattle Wa 98146
donations accepted
Come and celebrate our 8th year! What flavor will it be?
This is lways a fun time for the whole family.
A community event, everyone welcome.
We will be hosting live music again...will let you know soon who will be tickling our fancy with toe tapping rhythms.
When August 13th 1pm
Village Green Perennial Nursery
10223 26th Ave SW
Seattle Wa 98146
donations accepted
Monday, July 11, 2011
Bank of America- stop foreclosure
Bank of America- stop foreclosure
sign this petition!
I have been trying for 17 months to get a loan modification with Bank of America, providing endless copies and resubmitting paperwork repeatedly.
They even went so far as to 'block' my account to prevent any payments to make sure my account went into late payment so as to 'help jump start the load mod action' as they put it! Is that legal?
As a business owner and well respected member of the community, I am ready to make this issue public.
thank you!
Vera
Thursday, July 7, 2011
West Seattle In Motion program
West Seattle feels like a small town in many ways. This summer, neighbors can get to know more about their West Seattle town by getting out of their cars a little more often. King County Metro and local partners invite you to participate in West Seattle In Motion.
Join your neighbors and try parking your car and getting In Motion!
Pledge to walk, cycle, take transit or share a ride for at least two trips a week this summer (trust us- you’ll get addicted). You’ll receive West Seattle In Motion membership card that you can flash at local shops and restaurants to get great deals and free ride tickets to help you get moving.
After you pledge, report your progress each week. Every week you meet your pledge, you will earn one chance to WIN the ULTIMATE STAYCATION plus additional Free-Ride tickets to help you stay mobile.
Come visit our booth at the corner of California and Alaska our big kickoff at the West Seattle Fest on July 8-10th or sign up athttp://www.kingcounty.gov/transportation/kcdot/MetroTransit/InMotion/WestSeattle.aspx
Del Rey plays a house concert at Village Green
$10 Pre-pay, limited tickets, will sell out FAST!
no online tix sales- pease send a check or come in and pay cash.
no online tix sales- pease send a check or come in and pay cash.
When: Sunday August 28th 2pm
Where: Village Green Perennial Nursery
Del Rey started playing classical guitar when she was four. As a teenager, she met bluesman Sam Chatmon who inspired her to become a blues queen. Her guitar playing combines country blues, stride piano, classic jazz and hillbilly boogie through the sensibility of an autodidact trailor-park esthete. Her live show is full of complex guitar grooves and sly humor.
Del Rey plays concerts world wide and also presents a concert/lecture on women musicians called Women in American Music.
read more... http://hobemianrecords.com /Del_press.html
http://hobemianrecords.com /quotes.html
LISTEN...
http://www.hobemianrecords.com/FatbackLouisiana.mp3
LIVE VIDEO
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wxk3N7GOgX4&feature=player_embedded
ht4FWAxio&feature=player_embeddedbio
BICYCLE BLUES VIDEO
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m4EjetohpOI
“Rey is one of the greatest modern players of the metal-bodied resonator guitar.”
Acoustic Guitar Magazine
"Del Rey is one of the most sublime modern guitarists " La Hora del Blues
“To listen to Rey is to abandon all hope of ever viewing the world in the same
comfortable way.” Dirty Linen Magazine
Friday, July 1, 2011
Summer Sale! 25-50% off
- Midwinter fire dogwood shrubs 25% off
- Nw Native dogwoods 25% off
- Euphorbia 25% off
- Birch trees 50% off
- Select roses $5.00
- Many herbs and veggies 4/$5.00
Food should be prepared with butter and love- cooking demo
Cinnamon Berg is a classically trained chef with a passion for food who loves to share that passion with others. In her career she has worked in many local restaurants and has traveled far and wide for catering events. Her love of grilling, utilizing seasonal ingredients and spontaneity are knowledge and skills gained through these years of experience as a cook.
Although most of her life has been in and around Seattle she spent some time in Hollywood working with a former sous chef of Spago and the originator of California Pizza Kitchen. The importance of local, organic ingredients and our role as leaders in this movement toward sustainability were some of the many lessons she learned and value most. Her interest in teaching came about through these experiences and having children. She has taught kids of every age in schools and the Youngstown Cultural Art’s Center how simple it can be to create fresh nutritious meals. From the importance of knife skills to the subtle art of bread making and how making food can be a truly sense stirring experience she has classes for everyone.
Cinnamon has been married for 15 years and has two spirited and beautiful daughters. She has a variety of other interests, including organic gardening, creating all natural lip balms and body products and organizing events and working for her local p-patch.
Although most of her life has been in and around Seattle she spent some time in Hollywood working with a former sous chef of Spago and the originator of California Pizza Kitchen. The importance of local, organic ingredients and our role as leaders in this movement toward sustainability were some of the many lessons she learned and value most. Her interest in teaching came about through these experiences and having children. She has taught kids of every age in schools and the Youngstown Cultural Art’s Center how simple it can be to create fresh nutritious meals. From the importance of knife skills to the subtle art of bread making and how making food can be a truly sense stirring experience she has classes for everyone.
Cinnamon has been married for 15 years and has two spirited and beautiful daughters. She has a variety of other interests, including organic gardening, creating all natural lip balms and body products and organizing events and working for her local p-patch.
Monday, June 27, 2011
Ice cream social with Full Tilt Ice Cream
We harvested old rose petals from our extensive collection of Antique roses - Justin worked his magic, and made rose ice cream again. Thank you Justin!
Squirrel Butter played some fun tunes and showed us a foot stomping good time! Tex-our rooster- was not to be outdone by the singing, so he chimed in on occasion!
In September we plan to have another Ice Cream social!
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