B is for Building

The Hollister City Hall in the late afternoon lighting

The City Hall building was originally the home of the San Benito County Free Library. Yes, it was a Carnegie library. In the 1990s, it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

I'm going through the alphabet this month as part of the A to Z Blogging Challenge. That means I'll be posting every day in April but Sunday.  Click here to check out some other A to Z Challenge participants.

A is for Apricot

Today's post starts the A to Z Blogging Challenge. I'll be going through the alphabet during the month of April. No posts on Sundays though. The challenge was founded by Arlee Bird. Thank you, Arlee! You can check out  A to Z participants by clicking here. Now, on with the first post. . .

The Blenheim apricot, in particular. It's a smaller apricot, full of intense flavor, whether eaten fresh or dried.

Once upon a time, Hollister was surrounded with Blenheim apricot orchards. And, picking or cutting apricots was often the first job a kid of my generation got. The cut apricots were laid on trays and set to dry naturally in the sun. The few orchardists who are still in business continue the same process today. Two local sources for locally grown apricots are Apricot King and The Farm/Bertuccio's.

Spring Alive

“When you paint Spring, do not paint willows, plums, peaches, or apricots, but just paint Spring. To paint willows, plums, peaches, or apricots is to paint willows, plums, peaches, or apricots - it is not yet painting Spring.”  ~ Dogen (1199-1252, Japan)

Today ends this week's theme of  Spring has Sprung.  I'm taking a break to prepare for the Blogging from A to Z April Challenge.  If you're a blogger, maybe you'd like to participate. Click on the badge below. 

See you all, dear readers, back on April 1.  Have a wonderful time out there.

A Time to Plant

Nob Hill has put out displays of veggies and flowers that are ready to go into the ground. A sure sign that Spring has arrived.

What will you be planting in your gardens this year?

The theme for this week, March 10 to March 17, is Spring has Sprung.

Copa de Oro

What speaks more of the start of Spring than the wildflowers that pop up on hill sides, along highways, and in sidewalk cracks. And, in particular, the California State flower.

Of course, you know what it is.

 

The theme for this week, March 10 to March 17, is Spring has Sprung.