Book Review: The Beekeeper’s Lament

On one of Santa Barbara’s warm, almost-Spring days, spending some time in my favorite book store, I noticed a book that fit right in with our newsletter this month.

It was The Beekeeper’s Lament, by award winning journalist Hannah Nordhaus.  Even if you have never thought about the plight of the American honeybee, this book will get your attention.  Nordhaus tells the story of John Miller, a well-known migratory beekeeper, and the many complicated epidemics threatening the honeybee population. Nordhaus discusses the important role that honeybees play in American agribusiness, the maintenance of our food chain, and the very future of the nation.

Through Nordhaus’ clear storytelling, we see John Miller, who moves his hives around the country, bringing millions of bees to farmers lacking natural pollinators. As the deadly epidemic known as Colony Collapse Disorder devastates bee populations around the world, Miller forges ahead.  The Beekeeper’s Lament tells his story and that of his bees, in a complex and unforgettable way. As you sit near your garden, sipping your Pinky’s Paloma and snacking your honeyed feta, take a moment to listen ?

Photo Credit: Image via HarperCollins Publishers 

In My Garden

I love Spring. The energy that the longer days and warmer weather give me is equaled by what I get from  my garden and the plants that are beginning to come alive. Renewal is happening all around me from flowering succulents to budding roses to the carpet of arugula sprouting from the last rain.

I want to stay home, not go to work. I want to get dirt under my fingernails and look forward to soaking sore muscles in a hot bath at the end of the day thinking about tomorrow and what pots I can fill with which plants that have kept me company all winter just waiting for this moment to arrive.

Harmony in my garden, my sanctuary where my soul is revitalized and the faith I have in my small marriage with nature can’t wait for the next sunrise to begin again.

Sunlight, fecund soil, sweet water and my small contribution mixed into a paradise of my own creation; why would I want to be anywhere else but in my own garden?

– Brent Freitas

The Simple Art of Collaboration: An Introduction to Sempleware

 As an artist, if there is one thing I have always believed in it’s been the concept of collaboration. There is something very powerful, very organic that comes from two or more people coming together on one idea, like a symphony. Or consider the hundreds of ceramic pieces that Pablo Picasso produced towards the end of his life with the help of the Madoura Pottery workshop. Both the process and the outcome can be engaging in unexpected ways that keep fresh the evolving cycles of creation.

My name is Scott Semple and I’ve been contributing to this newsletter for about two years now, but my day job is ‘large format potter’.

This year I am celebrating forty years in ceramics by announcing my newest collaboration with Brent Freitas and the team at Eye of the Day, entitled “Sempleware”. Our concept is to offer in-house, hand made ceramics, based on an artisan pottery and sustainability model.

Beginning in April, I will be throwing pots right there in the store using custom designs and shapes to fit the needs of the ever widening garden design community. Together we want to allow homeowners and designers alike—all customers who come through the doors—direct access to the artistic process, while providing a local option. Very local in this case. We see this partnership as not just collaboration between Brent and me, but as a movement between Eye of the Day and the community as a whole, combining performance art with retail design needs.

Sempleware is an offering as much as it is a line of products and I believe it will be an engaging component when considering sustainable product awareness. And quite frankly, I’ll jump at the opportunity to share what I love most with anyone who will listen, I’m selfish that way.

We’ve been talking about this for a while now and it seems that all the pieces have finally landed in place.

So that’s the big news! Beginning in April, I’ll be at Eye of the Day throwing down! Come by and say hi, watch me spin some pottery, see what you think! Your favorite Central Coast ceramic supplier for all your authentic garden design needs.

Know Your Soil: Geology to the Fore with Each Passing Storm Front
By Puck Erickson Lohnas

The sky is grey, a light mist is covering the ground and I hear the earth singing as each molecule of blessed rainfall works its way into the soil, winds between the rock, and trickles become flows. Our vintners celebrate the terroir of their vineyards and the pattern of our spring wildflowers reflects the ground below. Geology gives us the foundational knowledge about our soils, how they were created and what lies beneath them. Now is the time to study your soil to get ready for spring planting.

Do you live on a mesa with a sneaky substrate of clay or caliche that refuses to drain? Or perhaps you are tucked in a valley filled with alluvial gravels that drain like a sieve? The chemical makeup of the soil is important as well. If you have never done a soil test in your garden, you might want to try. Take a sample from your most troublesome spot and send to one of our local labs*. Building the soil leads to improved plant vigor and garden sustainability. Remember as you look at the beautiful peaks and rolling folds of our valley, they share a history with your garden you might want to explore.

*LABORATORIES FOR SOIL TESTING:

Wallace Labs, (310) 615-0116

Fruit Growers Lab, (805) 783-2940

General Soil Science Information:
Marin Master Gardeners: How To Build Healthy Soil 

Photo Credit: Soil Photo, Creative Commons, [untitled 1] by David Goehring is licensed under CC BY 2.0

Garden Recipes: A Taste of Summer with Pasta Meyer Lemon

Citrus fruit has a way of tricking us into thinking a corner of summer is with us in winter.  At Eye of the Day every one of our citrus trees are decorated with orange, gold and yellow fruit and I am HAPPY to harvest a few pieces every day. Get yourself some of the little golden, smooth skinned lemons that are on the trees and in the markets right now and make this: (don’t worry yourself silly about the cream, just do it!) And since you will have plenty of these yellow gems, make a cocktail too!

Pasta  Meyer Lemon  for 4-6 dinners

1 lb pasta, fettuccine or tagliatelle: perfect

2 C heavy cream

2 t Meyer lemon juice

1 sprig fresh rosemary leaves, chopped

Zest of 2 Meyer lemons

½ c freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano

1/8 tsp red pepper flakes

Flaky salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

Bring a large pot of water to a boil  and cook pasta until perfectly al dente.  While pasta is cooking, put cream and lemon juice into a large skillet and bring to a boil…reduce to a simmer and reduce to half.

When pasta finishes cooking, drain in a colander.  Add rosemary, lemon zest, Parmigiano, red pepper, salt and pepper to the cream mixture and stir until the cheese has melted.  Add the pasta to the skillet and toss to coat.  Taste for seasoning and add more salt and pepper if needed.  SERVE IT RIGHT NOW!

Valentine’s Day Gift Guide 2016

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner. Check out the Eye of the Day Valentine’s Day Gift Guide for special and unique ideas for your sweetheart or loved ones this year.

1. Troutman Chair Company Rocking Chairs – Timeless in style and design. This lovely red pair is perfect seating for two.

2. Santa Rosa Beeswax Candles– Our most popular Gift Shop item for a reason. These creamy candles are made with layers of paraffin and cotton wicks. Perfect for a romantic evening home.

3. Chivas Beer Soap and Goat’s Milk Soap– We didn’t forget the gentlemen! Chivas Skin Care handcrafts soaps using farm fresh goat’s milk and high quality beer.

4. POPI Soap by Chivas Skin Care– Are you a fan of Orange is the New Black? POPI soap is inspired by the popular hit series. Delicious scents like Cucumber & Mint and Grapefruit & Basil are a sweet gift for that special someone.

5. Tula Palm Hats – Of course, we have something for the garden lover in your life. These beautifully crafted hats offer protection under the sun and keep you stylish in the garden.

Contact us today to get your Valentine’s Day Gifts.
sales@, 805-566-6500