The month of August marked the end of the summer frenzy on the farm, but it also opened up a can of worms for me emotionally. It might have been the fact that for months we had no time but to eat, sleep, and farm. Suddenly my mind had room to create obsessive and critical thoughts, and fret about the future.

Now its December. Things are cold, quiet, and calm. I enjoy waking up to the dense fog cloaking the trees in the morning. The leaves have gone through their stages of color loss. In the grey diffused lighting of the day, the orchard grasses pop contrastingly with their florescent vibrancy.

I made the big move from tent to a four walled room again. My roomie Greg has a mushroom book and we’ve been finding Field Mushrooms which have gorgeous pink gills and taste like a Crimini.

The seasonal change is a nice one and Im soaking in every last bit while I can. Soon I will be eating lots of cookies and cake and laughing with friends and family. The days may be shorter but the cheer sure is brighter.

Morning Meditation from Cristina Martinez on Vimeo.

Its been four years since I graduated from art school, yet Ive never touched oil paints until now. In the back yard of Mikes home, we painted side by side in silence while his dad made a friend on AM radio. The fallen apples in the yard made for an easy still life.

I found the actual act of painting with oils, using my fingers and knives, to be very relaxing and enjoyable.

Outside of art school with no expectations or commitments, I found my self able to experiment and explore a medium freely. Id like to continue this exploration. Perhaps on the same piece; painting layers over layers, not having a particular attachment to any one composition and not allowing myself to feel done or satisfied with any one arrangement.

The Lumineers in Davis Ca from Cristina Martinez on Vimeo.

I went out on a Thursday night, wayyy past my bedtime, knowing I’d have to get up at 5am the next day. It was worth it though because I went to bed full of good energy and awesome tunes in my head. The Lumineers from Colorado, made a stop at Sophia’s in downtown Davis, CA as part of their July tour.

This trio of young musicians stomped the porch with their vintage lyrics, orchestral sounds, and infectious passion.

My favorite song was Ho Hey, one that included audience participation.

They really know how to rail on their instruments (guitar, cello, drums, ukulele, piano) yet sound sweet and thick like honey to the ears.

Here is video I took of a song I’m going to call Oh Mamma because I’m not sure of its actual title.

Summer is here. Crops are bountiful. Every day consist of a harvest, and I end every day with a smiling heart and a full belly. Couldn’t ask for more. Life is good!

Words cannot describe the heaviness in my heart for the loss of my nephew Jarrett Macvey. A young spirit full of love and energy has been taken too soon. I wanted to make a little virtual altar here in memory of him.

Jarrett: Regret fills me for not having known you more, but I am happy to have gotten to see you this past year, hugged you, laughed with you, and hopefully you knew I love you. I send my love to your family and mine. I know your smile touched many and your hugs were somewhat famous. You will not be forgotten.

As of March 1st, I am living and working as an apprentice at Soil Born Farms, in Rancho Cordova, CA. I’m so happy to have landed here after a year of uncertainty as to where my life is heading. It is not quite clear to me yet where I will go after this season, or what I’m going to do with the new skills and knowledge I will gain, but I know this is something I want to be doing. Every morning I wake up in my little canvas tent to the symphony of birds in the trees around me. Then I walk out to the fields where I get to work hard and use my entire body, while feeling the wind/rain/sun on my face. Thankfully, I am surrounded by amazingly fun and diverse people who I am excited to learn from and call my family.

Not much to say other than I LOVE CLOUDS. I guess the sky is the last place to not be cluttered with ugly things from our destructive life styles as humans. So I can look up at the sky and forget for a second how bad things are.

As part of my birthday weekend, Jo treated me to a killer show held at Sol Collective in Sacramento, Ca. Chilean Rapera, Ana Tijoux, headlined the show. Co-founder, Anand aka DJ Crush Delight, warmed up the crowd with his awesome ethnic beats. The whole crowed danced all night long. The lineup: DJ Crush Delight, Century, Los Rakas, A-plus, and finally Ana Tijoux, were amazing and inspiring. Graffiti covered the entire inside, wall to wall. It was such a fun night with positive vibes and a range of ethnicities and ages. I hope to become a regular attendee at 2011 Sol Collective events.

On Jan 29th 2011, one of my bestest friends since freshman year of high school, Corie, tied the knot with her long time boyfriend Todd. She is the first of a slew of friends who have, almost all at the same time, decided to jump on the marriage train.

They got married in San Clemente Ca, at the Talega Golf Course. It was a short but sweet ceremony followed by a night of food, drinks, and dancing. The day was gorgeous and Corie’s family is always a fun time! Love you guys!!!