The way I see it.

I've talked alot in previous posts about the raised garden beds we just recently put it. I would say they're only about 1/3 to 1/2 of what our final plan calls for in the long run. Because of the cost, we are building in sections as we feel comfortable. I expect the project to be completed in time for next spring's planting.

Chris and I are both environmentalists. We do as much as possible to limit our footprint on this planet, and make sure that we are being mindful stewards of the land. Our long term goal for this ongoing project is that we produce nearly all of our own produce. (I don't want to quantify a number at this point, but you can be sure to hear the exciting number sometime in the future.) Seeing that the final installation will only be comprised of 137 square feet of gardenable space, this is going to be quite the feat. We'll have to plan and really get to know our garden over the next few seasons to figure out what works best. We're going to have to preserve food for the winter, create a cold storage area in the garage, and plant foods yearround that produce seasonally.

Chris and I moved to Folsom because we did not like the postage stamp lots in the ghetto where we used to live. We wanted to move somewhere where we could get a slightly larger house (not a McMansion -- 1260 before vs. 1875 now), and a larger lot. Mission accomplished August 2006.

Now that we live here, our eyes have been opened to a new goal for ourselves: to buy a piece of property somewhere in Northern California -- Sloughhouse, Jackson, Ione, Amador County, Plymouth? -- where we can build an environmentally friendly house on a bunch of acres (again, not quantifying). This is obviously a retirement dream for us at the moment, but it really all came down to wanting land for food production. Our new goal was borne out of our current project.

I spend so much time in the back and front yards just staring and daydreaming -- all the neighbors probably think I'm retarded or something. But I sit there, look, feel, smell, and live my surroundings, eating leaves of my chocolate mint and oregano, letting the warm sun and breeze take me to another place mentally. I just sit and think about how happy I am, but I'm nearly always interrupted in mid thought.

Traffic noise, kid noise (ok noise), dogs barking, cars honking, the freeway is close (a plus and a minus)...drives me a little crazy sometimes.

But I can always go outside, play in the dirt with my plants, and dream about the orchard, vineyard, gardens, and eco-friendly house we'll have someday. And right now, that's all the motivation I need.(Me sitting quietly listening to the ocean while in Asilomar. Peace!)