Since blueberries are in season, I am only buying the fresh ones. They are so good, I don’t even bother eating them with anything else.

These blueberries are from British Columbia blueberries. I found them at our local supermarket. Very plump and tasty.

According to the BC Blueberry Council, British Columbia has close to 17,000 acres of rich fertile farmland ideal for growing blueberries. This makes British Columbia the largest producer of high bush blueberries in Canada and the second top producing region in the world.

Blueberries have gotten lots of attention since being named as one of “superfruits”. Blueberries can help slow down the aging process and reduce cell damage. They are also beneficial to your heart health and brain function.

Here is a list of studies on the benefits of blueberries:

According to a study in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry - wild blueberries are higher in antioxidants than it’s cultivated cousin.

1998 Rutgers University study found blueberries (like cranberries) help treat urinary tract infections.

I’m starting to think any fruit with the deep dark skin or color are all very for your health. Especially purple Acai, purple plums and purple grapes.

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I have always been fond of alpacas ever since I first saw those funny expressions.  Alpaca fibers are considered to be one of the softest and warmest natural fibers available.

Alpacas are like a smaller version of a llama and related to the camel. Alpacas and llamas roam together and can interbred, but they eventually separate into their own groups.

Vicunas are the alpacas native to the Andes mountain. They are highly protected and can not be exported anywhere. They also have the finest fur of them all.

I first learned about Vicunas while watching Nature on PBS, the program was titled “Andes: The Dragon’s Back.” A great program to watch if you get the chance. There are so many other interesting wildlife that live in this part of South America.

Introduction from PBS Nature:

Only a mountain range of extremes could harbor such a rich and diverse variety of life forms. Here you will find some of the highest, saltiest, wettest and driest terrains on the planet. Penguins, opossums, hummingbirds, llamas, pumas, foxes, condors, spectacle bears and many more have all managed to carve out an existence somewhere in one of the many worlds that we call the Andes.

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There are many things to do outdoor that doesn’t involve eating out or shopping.  You can hike, bike, hit the waterway, camp overnight, or just relax and enjoy flowers in bloom.  The best place to help you find these great outdoor spot would be Weekend Sherpa.

I consider myself extra lucky to be living in California,  there are many different types of terrain in just one state.  Just a short drive away is the Pacific Ocean.  And to the east is Lake Tahoe and the  mountains.  And yet there are still many more places I have yet to discover.

Nice photo of Alamere Falls by Leon Turnbull.

Here are some I would like to see.  Have to pack a good lunch and get out the hiking shoes!  First stop is Alamere Falls in Point Reyes - 4 miles (8 miles roundtrip) hike to the coast.  I don’t know if I can make this one since last time I hiked 4 miles I was sore for days!

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I planted some “leftover” tulip bulbs in some flower pots and soon forgot about them. Surprisingly they are now in bloom! These plants do get lots of nice sunshine and shade throughout the day.

This is the pink tulip getting some shade. And of course my little Dessert Rose (which I prefer to call them, but they are really named “hens and chicks”) in the blue and white pot. They are succulent evergreen perennials. It is a super easy to grow plant.

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