Take Me to the River

If I get any warning a few hours before leaving this earth, I will get into the car and drive myself to this river. This is the place I want to close my eyes on for the last time. Not because there are no other more beautiful places on earth, but because this place has my footprints and part of my soul. The Mokelumne River is , other than the Prospector, my soul mate. I want to die sitting on a big rock, in the middle of this river, with my pants rolled up over my knees and a gold pan in my hand. I will see a large gold nugget glimmering in the water, reach for it and take my last breath...
Morbid?...,maybe, but how many of you know where you want to be at the end. How many of you know what brings you such joy.

'The Pupster isn't quite as convinced but he doesn't think about things like that. He just goes along for the ride.
Carl gets in the water, now, without having to be coaxed and he thinks it's the biggest adventure that there ever was. Carl is 10 mo's old now. He's getting bigger and braver near what must seem like a huge amount of water to him. He doesn't like to get in too deep and it's still a slow process..., one paw at a time.

Look at you Carl! Wet, sandy, ready for the next big adventure. What an expression! Wish we could all look at life like this. It's a lesson to be learned and a joy to see in a wee dog with short legs.

Dogs Rule on This Farm

I collect dog statues. Many of these are very old and were given to me by my Mother-in-law many years ago. Some are from Italy, Czechoslovakia, and England but most are from Germany. I haven't done much research on them and I have no idea how valuable they are but I love everyone of them.

I bought some of them, myself, from a company in Italy, called Castagna , because they were so realistic. I don't see them being sold anymore so I think the company went out of business.
The Wolfhound on the right bottom of the upper photo is probably the most valuable but you never know. It could very well be that the little Cocker Spaniel with no markings at all or the Lassie cup from Lancaster, England are much more worthy of being on Antique Roadshow. I guess I should have them appraised and someday I will. Until then, I will take good care of them and at some point give them to my grandchildren.
I just love each one, as they sit and guard my house . They don't require feeding, discipline or walking (like some dogs we know around here) and they will live forever. Of course they will never take the place of my real pooches but I just love their stately grace in my house.

Wanna-be's and other wonderful creatures...
Sometimes I see other animals that I just can't pass up and have to take them home with me. The Penguin is very old and has a sticker on it that says "Genuine Bisque" and the word "Penguin" written in script on the pottery itself.
The Moose, on the left is Italian and I just love him. What elegance. Did you know that a Moose is the largest cervid in the world. A male can weight up to 14oo lbs. Now, that's a big dude. Do you remember the series called Northern Exposure on T.V.? and the moose standing on the street in the intro? Can you imagine this animal walking down our streets here? Whoa Mama!
Still..., I'd like to see one some day.

Please link over to Colorado Lady's blog to see other vintage things.

Wordless Wednesday: Murphy, Our Magical Nubian Goat

Peach Crisp..., oh yea!

Peach Crisp (an old family recipe from the summer of 2009)

1 (19 oz.) can sliced (drained) peaches, or 2 very large ripe fresh peaches.
1c. Trader Joe's Multigrain Baking or Pancake Mix (you will never use Bisquick again.)
1/2 c. sugar
1 egg
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/3 to 1/2 c. butter
1 Tbsp. lemon juice

Now, clockwise from cut-up peaches.
1. Peel and cut peaches into slices or drain and dump canned peaches into an 8X8 pan that has been sprayed with a release agent like Pam . 2. Sprinkle lemon over peaches. 3. Set aside.

In a separate bowl; 1. mix the Trader Joe's, sugar and cinnamon. 2. Add the egg and vanilla. 3. With a fork (or my personal fav..., my fingers) mix until it is crumbly. 4. Sprinkle mixture over peaches. 5. Pour butter over top of crust.

Bake at 350 for 45 minutes or until top is browned and crisp. The top picture is before baking and the bottom picture is after it's done.

If I can keep the Prospector from taste testing before dinner. This is what we will have for dessert tonight..., served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top. Yea! Come on over..., there's enough for everyone.

Wishes for a friend

Dearest Friend, I hope you know how much I care. I wish you blue sky with whispy, wind blown clouds...

A nap in the afternoon...

..., and a sense of wonder that brings worry and fear down to size.

Smoochas...., love you.
(Go ahead..., eat the bag of potato chips. They won't get stuck in the braces if you suck on them.)