Cheaper by the dozen

I prefer getting them for free off our trees! Rachel made another big batch of kumquat marmalade -- delicious on toast.

Conference time again

I'm in a familiar locale for an academic -- a conference hotel. It's a workshop put on by the regional accreditor in Long Beach, California. Although I'm a few blocks from the ocean, I didn't get to see it.

Breakfast of champions

I found a nice little independent coffee shop on the way to work. They're proud of their award-winning barista. They do pull a mean espresso.

Virtual family

iChat has been invaluable for keeping us connected to our family in the Midwest. Ellen is used to having video chats with her grandparents.

Roadkill

That's a smushed kumquat under my tire. One of the hazards of life here!

Road hazard

I got this picture from the web, as it's not a good idea to stop on the freeway to snap photos. Here's a landslide blocking my usual commute home. One of the little differences about life in California.

Off with her head

And another visit to Disneyland. This time, Ellen hangs with characters from my favorite book.

Sticky situation

Friends visiting from out of town gave us an excuse to play tourist. We visited the La Brea Tar Pits. Yes, you can see oily muck bubbling up from the earth. It all smells like a gas station.

The juice is loose

At the time, this tickled me. A big freight train loaded with (or loading up) oranges and/or orange juice, on its way out of California.

This little piggy went to market

Love being able to go to farmer's markets in winter. That's definitely in the "pro" column for Southern California. The Hollywood one is our favorite -- big and incredibly well-stocked. Look at all this lush produce.