A Merry Christmas in spite of everything!

Late November I started getting excited about Christmas coming, in anticipation of the mid-western part of the family joining us. I made to-do lists, developed menus, cooked, baked, and decorated the house the week before their arrival so that I could just spend time with the whole family and have all the food preparation done way ahead of time, stored in the freezer. That way all I had to do is defrost and heat it up for dinner. I'm going to try to make this post as short as possible but wanted to document the week's events because, like my mother used to always say, "Twenty years from now you'll not remember this!"

WEDNESDAY • December 19

(The night before they left Battle Creek was spent in the emergency vet's office with one of their dogs and for a while they were not sure whether Mike would be coming with the family for Christmas. Turns out they found a caretaker for the dog so that he would be able to make the trip.)

Sandra, Mike and boys arrived at 9:30 p.m. (rather than noon) after being bumped in Chicago, missing the connection to Fresno at LAX and ended up driving to Coarsegold, because another flight would not be available for six hours.

THURSDAY • December 20

Jen went to Cambria (Paul's Gramma C passed away last night).

Jared went with her and Karah stayed home not feeling well. 

Christian had just gotten over the flu, so he stayed with us.

Jared was sick while in Cambria.

Riley, Thomas, and Christian played in south forty.

The boys and I had fun making fudge, and a peppermint platter.

It was fun "playing" with my grandsons in the kitchen.

They made some great fudge which I neglected to photograph, and this pretty peppermint platter.

FRIDAY • December 21

Boys played in south forty. Mike took them to Oakhurst to go bowling.

Friday night basketball games at high school. Ken and Janice stayed for all three.

Helped Jen set up snack bar for selling her delicious tacos.

Mike and Sandra went home early with the boys, Mike not feeling well.

Mike and Sandra got word from house-sitter that their furnace in Battle Creek broke down, had to find place to move the three dogs, and find someone to fix furnace so they'd have heat when they arrive home.

SATURDAY • December 22

Janice woke up sicker than a dog with full-on flu symptoms (so much for flu shots). I stayed in bedroom two full days trying to keep my germs from everybody else in the house, sleeping most of the time and feeling sorry for myself that I was missing out on all the fun.

Mike and Sandra in charge of dinner—beautiful ham dinner everyone enjoyed but me.

Jen and kids came down for dinner, Paul went back to Cambria to be with his mom.

Family played games after dinner. Janice stayed in bed with earplugs.

Mike and Sandra still waiting to hear whether their furnace could be repaired or needed to be replaced.

SUNDAY • December 23

Thomas and Sandra caught the flu bug.

Riley wakes up with bad rash on his face, swollen too. We think it’s poison oak. Washed his face with Tecknu and got some Benodryl to ease the pain. Seemed to help a bit.

MONDAY (Christmas Eve) • December 24

Thomas and Sandra start feeling better.

Riley in worse condition by late afternoon. After dinner, Sandra took him to spend three hours in Urgent Care. Turns out to be poison oak and he was given a shot of prednisone and a prescription to fill.

TUESDAY (Christmas Day) • December 25

Ken’s turn to be down and out with the flu bug, missing out on fun times planned for the day.

Christmas brunch and dinner at Jens, with time for a nap in between. After dinner we had a great time playing Pegs and Jokers with the five adults and Karah, while boys played with new Xbox. We missed Paul who was spending time with his mom.

Came home, Mike went to bed feeling crummy. Sandra packed them all up so that they'd be ready to leave at 3:15 a.m.

For Christmas morning Jen baked four scrumptious quiches and served with pastries, orange juice, and coffee.

WEDNESDAY • December 26

We got up in the wee hours to give hugs to our sweet Michigan family. They left at 3:15 a.m. to catch the 5:15 a.m. flight in Fresno. Seems their tickets got all screwed up from their arrival at LAX a week ago. They ended up having to drive to Los Angeles, and when they got there they couldn’t get a ticket to go home until 4 in the afternoon! Again, their tickets didn’t get posted from Fresno. By the time they arrived home from Chicago it was nearly 1 a.m. which meant they had traveled nearly 24 hours. They slept in their freezing cold house that night and the boys had to get up at 5 a.m. to get ready for a two-day Boy Scout camp-out in Indiana. They weren't real happy campers when they first got up, but beeing the good sports that they are, I'm sure they had a great time.

Turns out that all eleven of us shared that darn flu bug . . . taking turns all week long.

Now that we're all feeling better I can still say . . .

Life is good!

So much happening around here . . .

The holidays are sneaking up pretty fast and we're looking forward to having our whole family together this year. Our Battle Creek family will be arriving next Wednesday and will spend a week with us. What fun it will be to celebrate Christmas all together, something that normally happens every other year. 

I've organized my schedule so that I've got something on my "to do list" every day until our guests arrive. This way there will be no stress . . . at least that's the plan!

Today's task was to bake a batch of Gingerbread Biscotti and couple batches of Starbuck's Maple Nut Scones. I'll freeze them so that we're not tempted to gobble them up before Christmas.

Our grandkids have been busy too . . . birthday celebration and a high school dance  . . . they help us stay young by reminding us of memories we have of "back in the day" when we were teenagers doing the same kinds of things they do. Sometimes it seems like yesterday, yet we know it was a long time ago. Where has time gone?

Jared tuned 15 on Monday—like the 'birthday candle?—Jen bought a box of birthday candles but somehow they didn't make it home, so we had to make-do with a tea light. I remember the day of my retirement party when we also celebrated his 2nd birthday. Where does time fly?

Karah got all dressed up to go to the Minarets Winter Ball . . . such a pretty girl!

 Life is good . . . couldn't be better!

Masquerade Birthday Party - What Fun!

My granddaughter was invited to a birthday party for one of the cast members in the musical they were both in a month or so ago. Turns out it was a masquerade party and Karah looked stunning in her Civil War ball gown. Her date wore a tux and according to Karah they had a great time dancing the night away.

What a fun idea for a birthday party. With all the thespians and other creative folks invited I bet there was quite an assortment of characters in attendance.

Karah found the dress online, and Jen found several masks from which to choose down at a party shop in Fresno. This one seems to be perfect to complete her masquerade.

Life is good!

Ready for the Christmas Tree

With the Christmas music playing in the background, I've been busy tole painting my annual set of ornaments and am really starting to feel the spirit of the holidays. My favorite designer for the last five or six years has been a very talented tole painter, Kay Quist, who has kept me smiling while painting her adorable Christmas characters . . . snowmen, gingerbread men and women, Santas . . . Kay is one gifted woman. Here are this year's addition to our Christmas tree, along with a set for each of our daughters.

Set of three. I loved bringing them to life from a plain piece of wood.

My Michigan family will love this one, for there are cardinals in their backyard!

Joy to All this holiday season!

I love the detail . . . all the way down to the eyelets for the shoe laces.

 Okay, now all we have to do is go out and get a Christmas tree!

Life is good!

 

Procrastinating . . . but having fun!

With Christmas just around the corner, and three good sized projects to get done before that big day, one would think I'd be filling my time with the projects at hand. But, no, I've chosen to have fun with a project for which I can blame my daughter Jen. A couple weeks ago she spotted some "headbands" on her way up to the stands at Christian's football game. She told me about them and asked me to figure out how to make them and then teach her . . . right!

The next day we were down in Fresno and JoAnn's is like a magnet whenever I'm near that store. I purchased various yarns to try my hand at the headband idea and this is what I came up with.

Once I figured it out, the project became quite addicting and fun. I really have lots of yarn to crochet many more, but I do have to get on with my Christmas projects . . . plus what would I do with all of these cute headbands anyway. I made several of the purple/gold ones because those are the colors of Minarets football team!

Jen stopped by to take Ken off to the "Super Bowl" game in which Christian's team was playing. She had been to a holiday boutique before coming and was wearing those cute crochet pins, so her headband finished off the outfit!

Okay, now it's seriously time to get busy on my Christmas projects.

Life is good!

Tarantulas give me the creeps!

Up close and personal . . . photo borrowed from the internet.

Ken took this picture of one of several we've seen near our house.

A few facts about these hairy creatures:

• These spiders are harmless to humans (except for a painful bite), and their mild venom is weaker than a typical bee's. 

• Among arachnid enthusiasts, these spiders have become popular pets.

• Tarantulas are burrowers that live in the ground.

• Tarantulas are slow and deliberate movers, but accomplished nocturnal predators, with insects being their main prey.

• The tarantula's own mating ritual begins when the male spins a web and deposits sperm on its surface. Females seal both eggs and sperm in a cocoon and guard it for six to nine weeks, when some 500 to 1,000 tarantulas hatch.

We often seen them roaming around this time of year . . . I never know if it's the male looking for a mate or trying to get away from her after she's deposited her eggs! 

Harmless as they may be they still give me the creeps!

Life is good!

Chickens and Bobcats Don't Mix!

Bobcats are wild felines that can be found throughout most of the southern areas of America. They are about twice the size of a domestic cat and will hunt anything from small rodents to deer. Bobcats tend to shy away from human interaction and because of this do not pose a threat to human life. However, they are known to hunt and kill backyard chickens.

That's exactly what happened in our backyard the other day. We had let the chickens out for a day of free-ranging. They were doing just fine and having a great time. Toward the end of the afternoon Ken heard a raucous outside, jumped up and ran out only to see one lifeless chicken on the ground, and chased away a bobcat with yet another chicken in its mouth. The remaining six frightened hens were scattered all around the yard making quite a fuss.  We've had bobcat scares before but never have we lost a chicken.

It took quite a bit of coaxing to get the remaining six hens back in the coop where they will remain safe and sound. We would love for our chickens to be able to free-range, but living here in our mountain community just won't allow it. Natural habitants such as bobcats, coyotes, and foxes came first, and we've learned the hard way that we must respect that. no matter how hard it may be.

Life is good!

Tea With My Girls

Sandra flew in from Battle Creek for a quick visit to see Jennifer in the Tony Show on Saturday night. Sandra had a great idea for Friday . . . she thought it would be fun for the three of us to go out for tea at Time for Tea in Oakhurst. It's a cute tea house that has a few private rooms besides the larger room with about six tables. I reserved the "Fireside Room" for us so that we could have a bit of privacy while enjoying our "Victorian High Tea" along with lots of chatter and laughter.

Time for Tea, wonderful friendly service and great food.

The Fireside Room, one of four rooms set up for private parties.

Sandra and I waiting to be picked up by Jen.

Jennifer and Sandra, I couldn't ask for better daughters!

One of many cute teapots.

One of three "Victorian High Tea" presentations placed on our table . . . so much that we brought home "doggy boxes" to enjoy later that evening. Tea sandwiches on the bottom plate, savory tidbits on the center, and the sweet "delectables" on top.

Jennifer surprised us by picking up the tab (it was a couple days past Sandra's birthday so I got in on a birthday present for her from Jen and family).

Thanks Jen for such a good time!

Life is good!

A "Must See" at Golden Chain Theatre

My daughter, Jennifer, has been rehearsing with the cast since May for a musical production at the Golden Chain Theater in Oakhurst. Opening night was October 6 and this coming weekend will be your last chance to see it. Granddaughter Karah stepped in to take over the position of a cast member who had to bow out just two weeks before opening night. Karah had listened to the CD of all the songs being rehearsed since May as Jennifer prepared for her role, so she was well prepared to step in. 

The name of the production is "I Can't Believe That Didn't Win A Tony" featuring over twenty songs that were nominated but didn't take away the coveted prize. We enjoyed opening night with relatives who came down from Seattle, and again last Saturday as we had three more house guests who came to see the show. Next weekend our daughter from Michigan is flying in to see her sister and niece perform, as well as a long-time friend from Southern California . . . needless to say, the show is fantastic!

There was a great write-up in the local newspaper, The Sierra Star, which brought in a good crowd this past weekend. For those of you in our mountain community . . . if you haven't seen the "Tony Show" you have this coming weekend to catch it. I guarantee you'll leave with a smile on your face and a song in your heart!

Here are but a few of the Broadway selections you'll enjoy should you get the chance to get tickets for the last two shows. 

"There's No Business Like Show Business" from ANNIE GET YOUR GUN

"Seize the Day" from NEWSIES

"There's A Sucker Born Every Minute" from BARNUM

"Run Freedom Run" from URINETOWN

"Oh Happy Day" from SISTER ACT

"Coffee in a Cardboard Cup" from 70 GIRLS 70

Life is good!

It Must Be Fall . . . And That Makes Me Happy!

The daytime temperature has dropped ever so slightly, the night time temperature has dropped just a bit more so that it's actually cool in the mornings . . . but there are also several activities that tell us that fall has arrived. Friday night we were privileged to watch our oldest grandson play a great football game with his team winning its first game of the season!

As assistant coach, our son-in-law gives Jared some advice as he gets ready to go out onto the field. They both love the sport, actually they love sports so much that the family stays active all year long . . . be it baseball, basketball, or football . . . they keep active each season.

He plays Center and always strives to be the best that he can be.

Another activity in our family that reminds us that fall has arrived is the annual grape harvest. Well . . . not here in the Central Valley but over at my sister and brother-in-law's place in Healdsburg. My sister sent these pictures to me yesterday. She and her husband own vineyards in the wine country in Sonoma County . . . they are in the thick of harvest time. Here are some Zinfandels ready for picking . . . for the "Director's Cut" for a local winery.

Next time you sip a glass of Zin, just picture these tender morsels hanging on the vine ready to be crushed and made into that luscious wine. They are such a pretty grape!

UPDATE: My sister just made this comment:  "Just some clarification....those zinfandel grapes about to be picked will go to Frances Ford Coppola Winery to make their Director's Cut Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel, a very popular wine. The winemaker has told us that our grapes are (Ahem) the "backbone" of this wine."

Welcome fall . . . I'm glad you've finally arrived.

Life is good!

Great End-of-Summer Adventure

My grandsons, Riley and Thomas, are growing up way too fast. It seems like yesterday they were toddlers yet here they are, Riley's a teenager starting eighth grade and Thomas is not far behind him and started sixth grade today. Where has the time gone?

This last weekend they had a great time with their dad sailing. I'm not sure what Sandra was doing but she sent me these pictures this morning and I wanted to share them with you. The three "boys" sailed a race in a 28.5' boat on Lake Erie and placed second!

The proud sailors after a full day of sailing, working as a team

Forty boats in the race on Lake Erie.

What a great way to end the summer . . . and look forward to school starting!

Life is good!

Two Good Men in My Life

While sorting through boxes and boxes and albums and albums of slides and pictures we've collected through the years, I've been able to relive my life so to speak. It has been a tedious job and the task of sorting is one I'll never have to do again. It has taken many days to sort which has to be done before I'm able to scan digitally what's left and eventually toss them all out. So far "sorting" only means having two piles — "Keep" or "Toss"  — for there will be many more days of actually sorting them into categories.

I've told you all that to tell you this . . . as I looked through all these pictures I'm reminded that I have been blessed with TWO GOOD MEN in my life . . . my father and my husband. I came across a couple of precious pictures to share with you today.

Forty-nine years ago today, August 24, 1963, these two men played a significant part in my life. One of them, my daddy, walked me down the aisle. 

And the other walked me back up the aisle to start our life as husband and wife.

I remember my dad saying to me as we started down the aisle: "J.E., there's still time, you can change your mind." I said "Thanks Daddy, but this one's a keeper!"

Many years later Daddy told Ken "I've never seen any two people get along as well as you and J.E." 

Ken and I met in 8th grade and became high school sweethearts. We had lots of time to get to know each other before this special day.

I love you Ken, and I'm so happy we tied that knot forty-nine years ago. I look forward to many more years of sharing life with you . . . you're the best. Happy Anniversary!

Life is good!

It's fun being able to share . . .

I enjoy many creative activities, quilting and tole painting are my favorites. Lately we've had quite a few occasions in our family for gift-giving. And what's a better way than to make something personal. 

I have a garden flag out by my front door that makes me smile every time I walk by. It says "Happiness is Homemade" and I believe that. It works two ways: I love making a gift for that special someone, it allows me time to reflect on all the good times we've shared together; and I love receiving something homemade just as well.

This is a box I made for our great niece as a wedding gift. Inside the lid is a personal message for the happy couple.

It also serves as a nice place to tuck in a check so it won't get lost among the other gifts.

Here's a pretty little box I painted for another great niece who just graduated from college and is planning on going to med school.

The box is lined inside and contains an inscription as well.

This is one I just finished for my nephew and his new bride who are getting married in September.

We'll tuck in a check, wrap it up, and it'll be ready to go.

Life is good!

I've been "Jammin!"

The temperatures here in our little mountain town of Coarsegold have been in the triple digits all week and we're in for one more week of the same. But since the fruit I bought at our local farmers market was ripening while sitting on the kitchen counter I had no choice but to bite the bullet and make jam. I actually love making jam to have on hand during the holidays. And this year I tried a couple new recipes.

From left: Eight half-pints "Apricot Jam," seven pints "Burgundy Plum Jam," seven pints "Dample Dandy Pluot Jam," and four pints (one is in the fridge) "Rhubarb Cinnamon Jam." These will make some nice Christmas gifts!

Life is good!

Pluot Jam — from a Juicy Summer Jewel

I went to our local farmers market the other day to purchase some plums for my annual batch of plum jam. I needed ten pounds and the vendor only had five on hand. She said many of her customers used pluots (pronounced plooo-otts) to make a delicious jam so I walked away with five pounds of Burgundy Plums and Dapple Dandy Pluots. I had no idea what a pluot was and was told that they are a cross between a plum and an apricot, developed in the late 20th century after the plumcot or apriplum. Pluots are later-generations that show more plum than apricot characteristics. The fruit's exterior has smooth skin closely resembling that of a plum. When I got home I was anxious to cut one up and give it a taste. Oh my gosh, it was so sweet and delicious! Today I made a batch of Pluot Jam . . .

Dapple Dandy Pluots

I ended up with 8 1/2 pints of delicious Pluot Jam to share. I love to use my jams as gifts throughout the year.

It was a hot day today in the high 90s but that wasn't the bummer . . . the bummer was as I was setting up my prize jars of jam to take this picture, I knocked one over and it smashed into smithereens on the aggragate flooring! We've lived in this house for a year and a half and I've never dropped anything on the floor . . . what a mess to clean up.

Life is good!

Another Adventure . . . Making Soap

With a herd of five dairy goats, currently three of them with full udders, Karah is up to her ears in goat milk. Her freezer is filling up fast. She's decided to start up her own business as a FFA project creating a line of soaps and lotions using her supply of goat milk. Yesterday I was invited up to help out (which I did by reading directions from a "how to" book). The soaps "we" made yesterday had no fresh goat milk in them but some of them had powdered goat milk added. We discovered these were pretty easy and fun to make.

Using the silicone soap molds aids in making beautifully-shaped soaps plus the final product is easily released from the mold.

The first soaps were made using dried lavender buds . . . so fragrant!

Karah decided to crush the buds up a bit.

The crushed buds were added to the melted soap base. . .

. . . which was slowly poured into the silicone soap-mold to cool.

Jennifer lends a hand on the next soap . . . a pretty layered one.

The layered one has two soaps poured in four layers . . .

Cornmeal and Wheat Germ Scrub . . . looks good enough to eat!

By the end of our first soap-making session Karah ended up with 20 bars of soap.

Now that we have our hands wet in the beginning stages of soap making, next we'll learn how to make soap the old-fashioned way by using lye and fresh goat milk, like our ancestors did years ago—in addition to making goat milk hand and body lotions. 

Jennifer has already started making goat cheeses of various kinds so this new adventure will just add to the use of the generous daily offerings of their goat herd.

Life is good!