Don't miss the PATRICK RANCH COUNTRY FAIRE AND THRESHING BEE this weekend, Sat. & Sun., June 13 & 14 happening at (naturally) the Patrick Ranch, located at 10381 Midway, between Chico and Durham. (Click here to view details on their web site). In addition to the Threshing Bee, there will be an Artisan Faire, food courts, live music, childrens activities, pony rides, "working dog" exhibits and lots, lots more. Admission is FREE to children 12 and under, and adults are just $5! I'll be out there volunteering in one of the booths from noon to 2:30 on Sat. Hope to see you there!

Note: This is a great opportunity to check out one of the most historic homes in the Chico Area. The Patrick Ranch was bequeathed to the Chico Museum Association (now the Far West Heritage Association) by Hester Patrick in 2001. Hester was a charter member of our local Soroptimist International of Chico club and a fascinating and accomplished woman--a real "maverick" for her time. Check out some of the photos and documents while you're out there.)

Fruit Salad Anyone?

I was out hanging sheets to dry today on my "solar clothes dryer" (don't you love the smell of line-dried sheets?) when a tiny flash of white caught my eye. Wow! The little bare root "fruit salad" tree planted just a few weeks before (by my handy friend Evan) already had a few blossoms! (Of course, I insisted he shovel a few scoops of my great homegrown compost into the soil, which I'm sure helped nurture this little beauty.)

I had called around to the various nurseries here in Chico to find mine and ended up going to Hodge's Nursery (9681 Midway, Durham), where I received great service and helpful information. (Dangerour places, those nurseries...it's like walking into a Ben & Jerry's after fasting for three days!) But I limited my purchase that day to the fruit salad tree. (The blossoms are popping out on the Santa Rosa plum and Independence nectarine branches; the other two branches are Elberta peach and bleinheim apricot.)

I noticed plenty of bee activity on my nearby rosemary, so let's hope for some fresh-from-the-garden fruit salad this year!