Mushrooms in the City: The Season Has Arrived!!!

It's mushroom season! FINALLY. The past week has been glorious, everywhere I go I've been spotting lawn mushrooms and new fungi I haven't seen before.

A little update: obviously, I haven't been as active on this blog, but I have been doing some neat things!

I started biking in September, which has been incredibly empowering and liberating for me. I also get to ride through the park, so I'm constantly stopping to smell the roses, touch moss, and of course--spot fungi. Now that it's storming, I'm taking a wee little break, but I do intend to continue biking. It's a great source of exercise, I am no longer dependent on Muni, and I don't use my car very often (and for all of you grouchy motorists, I am following the rules of the road and I hope you are too).

Usually around this time I'm making holiday terrarium ornaments, but due to my work schedule, that isn't possible this year. I've been hosting small terrarium workshops with an emphasis on self care practices with community organizations and events, and that has been incredibly rewarding and fun for me to do. Since it isn't profit-based, I feel pretty comfortable running these workshops and it really makes me happy to see other people connecting with nature in so many different ways.

Anyway, before I hide away again (but I promise, I'll be back in January), I'm going to share a couple of photos from the recent week...

The sweetest, tiniest mushrooms! My heart is aching because they're so cute.

One of my favorites, Xylaria hypoxylon AKA Staghorn Fungus

 Another favorite, Clathrus Ruber

I spotted these guys while biking to work. 

 For the grand finale....this one. I have no clue what this is, so if you happen to know, drop me a line :)! For all I know this could just be an pile of dog poo.

Sublet Sweet Sublet -- A peek inside my closet sanctuary

I've always loved forts, tents, and the like. That also includes converted crawlspaces, secret rooms, makeshift tents, and natural crawlspaces woven by vines and tree branches. It's been a little over 3 months since I've moved into my new space, and I took the liberty of converting half of my closet into a miniature sanctuary within a sanctuary. This is especially exciting as this is the first time I have a room to myself, and a door. I actually have a real room with walls and a door *squeeeee!* 

I love my new closet space, which I formally named the Cuddle Cubby. This is where I craft, read, write, and listen to music. While some small spaces totally freak me out, this space is mine--I created it, and it provides a sense of comfort. It almost feels like a security blanket--when I'm over the day, I have a place to retreat and be with my thoughts. It's incredibly therapeutic, because I'm often overwhelmed by my surroundings and lately I'm finding that I need a place to hide and recharge. I'm a homebody--and I am proud of it, because I have made this space my own. It is an extension of my personality, values, and hobbies. You can walk into my room and know that it belongs to me. My 'home' is basically a mix of a greenhouse, museum, and now, a room that I thought only existed in my dreams and on Pinterest. 

Pro-tip: String lights make any space dreamy.

Ahh, Sublet Sweet Sublet. 

Jellyfishing, Jellyfishing, JELLYFISHING!

Something cool washed up along Ocean Beach over the weekend! At first, I thought someone had littered the beach with blue plastic scrub brushes, and upon further inspection, I realized these little jellies came from the ocean! A reader informed me that this little creature here is a Velella, also known as a By-the-Wind Sailor Jellyfish.

These little jellies aren't that big either, they're about the size of an average sand dollar.

All dried up

I've never seen a blue jellyfish up close, especially along Ocean Beach. The ocean is full of surprises! I normally find washed up jellies along the beach, but I've never seen such a beautiful jelly up close! Seeing these beautiful gem is inspiring me to take more walks to the beach, and perhaps go *Jellyfishing* 

If I could, I would.

Have a great week, everyone!

Succulent show & sale this weekend, June 21 & 22

This weekend I will be at the annual succulent show and sale hosted by the San Francisco Succulent & Cactus Society! Here's a description of the event on their website:

The Bay Area's Mediterranean climate, with its mild winters and dry summers, is an excellent place for the cultivation of succulent plants. When Mother Nature decides to restrict our precious water, these plants are a great resource, needing little water and yet rewarding us with amazing sculptural forms and an incredible array of colors. 

With water shortages ahead, and the likelihood of rationing in some water districts, there is no time like the present to take a look at plants which can make do on less, and do it in style. Come to our 27th annual sale to see some stunning plants, learn about them, and take home some of your favorites. 

The sale will feature thousands of colorful, water-wise succulents and cacti from many participating growers and vendors. Be sure to check out our water-wise succulent plant display while you're there.

Be sure to drop by, it's a free event...and there are hourly raffles....AND a plant hotel.

[Those Little Moments] The Ocean is my Life Force

I love the beach. I don't know if it's just my Piscean nature (and I kind of laugh at myself when I refer to my astrological sign) or just the sense of peace I get from the ocean, but whatever-- I love the ocean. There is something about watching the waves afar and at the shoreline that just centers me whenever I feel out of place, tense, or anxious. The water constantly moves, as should I.

I love walking along the shoreline where I can beach-comb, and see what washes up on shore. I am always in search of blue sea glass--my eyes just spot them and I get super excited because blue glass is a rarity.  Just from walking along the beach in search of the coveted blue sea glass, I realized something: everything you're looking for, whether it be questions or things, they already exist. You just have to place yourself in the situation and be ready. Hah, I get these moments of clarity when I'm alone in nature.

I've been pretty inactive on this blog lately. I recently started working full-time, and I need to make more time to stop at the beach and write. Yesterday I walked along the shore and it felt so refreshing to be outside, breathing fresh air, feeling the air against my face, and watching those gorgeous waves. The experience of being outside is so liberating for me, and I need to make more time to go outside. I'm starting to feel the energy being sucked out of me, my creative juices need to start flowing again! In addition to being outside, I want to paint more mushrooms. I need inspiration. This weekend I'm heading back to the redwoods to go mushroom spotting. It's supposed to rain tomorrow, hopefully mushrooms will come out and I'll have something to blog about.

Even as the rains are about to arrive, the beach is a beautiful place on an overcast day.

~Toodles

Exploring Fort Funston's Sand Dunes

Today Rodolfo and I explored the horse trails along the beach at Fort Funston. We normally walk on the other side where the dogs walk and play, but today we opted for a peaceful stroll. I normally flip out upon seeing all of the cute dogs, and today I wanted to focus on the sights.

The. Sights. Were. Gorgeous. From afar the coastline seems barren, but once I got close up I saw a giant mosaic of greens, yellows, oranges, and pinks. The coastline is alive with color and coastal plants!

 

We made our way down to the beach, where Rodolfo got suck between passing waves while taking photos...

 And even found a tunnel/cave!

 I'm pretty sure the tunnel went in at least 30 feet, but honestly, I was too scared (and claustrophobic) to see what was at the end. From what I saw, there appeared to be a larger cave inside.

Sigh, what a gorgeous sight :)

Oh, and the ocean.

I sometimes forget that I don't have to travel outside of San Francisco to hike and go sight seeing, some of the gems are right in the city. 

Happy exploring!

June Re-Cap

This has been a relaxing but exciting month, and I'm happy I finally got a break to enjoy my life outside of school. It's sort of strange having more time on my hands, but I've been using it well--I've been spending a lot of time with friends, taking small trips around the Bay Area, painting and starting new projects. Here is a recap of my month...

• Rodolfo and I took a trip to Monterey Bay Aquarium and saw their newest exhibit, the Jellies Experience

 Ahhh, I wish I had light fixtures like these!

 Bioluminescent jellies

 These rainbow jellies were my favorite of the exhibit. The 'rainbow' is actually light reflecting off their cilia.

• I celebrated with friends for Pride/repeal of DOMA in the Castro/Dolores park

 These popsicles are such a throwback to my childhood...I'm actually surprised the gumball eyes are intact.

I love San Francisco so much!!!

• MMM...I had oysters and clams at Tomales Bay Oyster Company

 Oysters and clams

 I made perfect s'mores marshmellows on the grill!

I was going to post some more photos of my new projects, but I'll post that in a separate blog post.