At a seed saving workshop a few weeks ago I was lucky enough to meet the president of the Oaxaca Garden Club and am happy to say I am now a proud member! There is so much going on with sustainable agriculture in Oaxaca, with an amazing number of projects both big and small in and around the city, and now I have a way to get to... ...see more

It has been a while since our days at Lisaland; Alfredo and I have both enjoyed a little relaxation, a little family time and a lot of productivity. Now we are back together in Oaxaca City, Mexico, getting settled down and figuring out what is in store for our next phase.

Alfredo spend the holidays in Mexico City with his family....

Hi Everyone. We at YourGardenShow and, well just me now at Lisaland, wish each and everyone one of you a wonderful holiday season. May it be full of joy, health and family. Today I harvested the last of the H-O-T peppers and hung them to dry in the kitchen. All of the colors remind me of Christmas lights so I am going to consider... ...see more

It was with much sadness this morning that I bid farewell to Katie and Alfredo, now going back to Chicago and Mexico respectively. We had a blast this year in the garden and they will be missed. I wish them well on their next adventure and want to publicly thank them for their energy and all around good spirits. Vaya con Dios!... ...see more

Today starts the olive harvest at Rita and Antonio's house, our next door neighbors. They have about 120 mature olive trees that probably average 30 years old each. Typically the  harvesting of olives is a one year on and one year off affair and this year is definitely on. Two years ago, Rita and Antonio bought a wonderful motorized... ...see more

Tom's birthday this last weekend coincided with a highschool friend of mine coming up to visit us from Calabria in southern Italy. With the weather turning cool, the days getting shorter and the garden giving us it's last bits of love, this obviously called for a kitchen marathon. Val, visiting from Amantea, is known for her... ...see more

I just returned from a prolonged visit to see my Mother who had fallen and injured her hip. I am happy to say that she is fine and all's right with the universe again. At 98 she is still going full steam ahead :-)

I also had the occasion a week ago Sunday to attend a fundraiser for the wonderful and progressive Santa Barbara... ...see more

Alfredo and I met a guy in Rome last week and while we were spending a lovely, sunny October afternoon in the streets of Rome he kept telling me that this was quintessential ottobrata. Though all in Italian, which shamefully neither of us speak after 6 months, I gathered that ottobrata essentially the Italian indian summer;... ...see more