Sunday in Ojai. We did it again. Now, don't get jealous. You get your turn too. You know at least once a week, maybe twice? What are you thinking?
We on the other hand were at the Ojai Farmer's market. But this time was different. Our friend Kristy, an Ojai local accompanied us to the market. She introduced us to some of the local farmers and artists, all friends of hers. In the midst of a conversation with Cecil of Thunderbird farm, we landed up being invited to walk through his farm this afternoon.
Cecil has a 1.7 acre plot just a few minutes from downtown Ojai. He grows everything under the sun from chard to oranges to macademia nuts. As he speaks, you can tell he is obsessed with farming, he loves working with the earth, he knows his plants, he notices everything and tells a load of stories. This man loves growing food. His farm is right around his home, its like a magnified backyard and front yard, sketched in with terraces, raised beds and mounds. As we walked around we were treated to the best best Mercot satsumas I have ever eaten and chowed down some lemon balm leaves. How come lemon balm tastes so good just off the bush but I cannot imagine eating it raw otherwise? It was so good, even Vehd ate some.
My highlight of the walk was that Cecil pointed out the snow peas that he plans to have at the market next Sunday. Vehd steadied his eyes on them and I knealt down to connect the dots .. "the peas we might eat next week will have come from this raised bed." When it comes to food, I like getting personal.
I was so engrossed in Cecil's stories, I forgot to take pictures so I am using a stock photo snow peas. The peas we saw looked much like these ones. I know that's not very personal ....
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