Merry Christmas to all.

Twenty days of not posting here. I use to post everyday. I think I can blame this on Facebook. It's so much easier to post there and I do it. I'm surely an addict. I'm sorry.
This was a long month, but it seems like it went by fast. It's the 29th and almost over. I just got back from my sister's home where I spent Christmas Day and the weekend. We had a wonderful time. She always has the house decorated so beautifully.

 

We all had a wonderful dinner and exchanged gifts. We sat around in the "new kitchen" and had dessert.

 I made an orange, walnut, coconut cake in a new molded Bundt cake pan that looks like mountains... and dusted it with powered sugar that looked like snow in honor of the snow that finally fell in the Sierras last week... A tribute cake, if you will, to all the prayers that were said and rain dances that we danced over the last few months.

The cake slowly disappeared... snow and all. 

Sis and I braved the crowds in downtown Walnut Creek for an hour or so on Saturday. It was a mad house. We lucked out and found a parking space so we decided this was a sign that we should go find the absolutely one most beautiful item waiting for us in J Jill's or Crate and Barrel.

  After all, everything was on sale. 

 I have been having some serious knee problems so I had a brace on and this anticipated trip didn't last very long... but I did manage to get a $90. sweater for $29. at J Jill's. It was already on sale, then I got a 25% in store discount on top of that and 10% more for my birthday. That just made my day. We had lunch and went home to nap.

On Sunday I drove to Alhambra High School in Martinez to see my oldest grandson, The Bean, play a serious game of basketball. This kid is good and I'm not saying this because he's mine. He's really good... he is tall and he's fast...and they won. Here are some highlights...

Some of these are a bit blurry. I have not had a lot of experience with fast action shots. This kind of shot need a fast shutter speed and good focus, which I thought I did. I think I need more practice. But you can see that The Bean was moving the ball down the court. I was so proud of him. He's only in 5th grade. Give him a few years and the Warriors will be knocking at his door. This was really exciting watching my grandson play the Prospector's favorite sport. I'll work on the action shots.

 Later in the day I watched The Beans while Mom and Dad when out for dinner. I love doing this. We do have fun. 

First I drove to the Catholic Cemetery to tell my mom "Merry Christmas". It was so beautiful. Very cold and the sun was setting. 

This statue is at the entrance. They had given Mary a gold crown and a blue cape that moved in the breeze. Blue flowers were at her feet. 

Mom would have loved this.

I left Mom some candy. She loved candy. 

We talked for a while and then I said goodbye and drove away. I felt sad, but OK.

She's all right. There's a good feeling in this place. I love being there alone and I always feel her presence.

This is the house that I was raised in. I moved here in 1950 with my Mom and Dad. I was five years old. My son and his wife bought it after my mom pass away. They're happy here and plan to add more space to this rather small home. I feel very comfortable being in this home. 

 I have good memories here. Our sons had wonderful memories here with his Noni and Grandpa. Now my grandchildren will make memories as well. Seems so right, doesn't it?

I used a different setting on my camera and got some interesting images... just for fun. 

Above was the tree in the boys bedroom... It had a special star light on top that reflected a light show on the ceiling. It was really cool.
This is the same tree with the "color sketch" effect on my Nikon.

This was the boys playing with their electronic games.

 The Christmas tree in the living room.

And a sign that said, sadly, that Christmas was over... no more days until...

I left for home the next morning.

It's good to be home.
I will try to post more often.
I need to stop eating candy.
I need to stop eating...

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all of you. May the New Year bring you many blessings.

Coming Home

When I left my sister's house last week, I stopped by the cemetery to visit with Mom for a little while.

She is in the Queen of Heaven Cemetery, in Pleasant Hill, CA. It seems easier, now, to come and visit. It has been four years.
The day was lovely. I always sense that if she knows of her surroundings... that she is happy. She has others to talk to... other mothers that were loved too.

Some with small decorations that glitter in the sun.
The Robins were nesting in the Curly Willow tree nearby.

  She would have liked watching them fly about. She loved birds and used to feed all of the feathered creatures that came to our backyard when we were children. She would always leave them warm water on cold winter mornings and line the fence with birdseed. The birdbath would freeze over and she would show us how to take water outside, crack the frozen water, throw it out and pour the warm water into the birdbath so the birds would have water for the day. That was Mom. She cared about everyone.

I said goodbye to her and drove east over the hills , through Antioch and over the river. I was tired. Sis and I had a good time at Art is You in Petaluma but it was time to be home.
 The night before I drove over to see the Beans and my son and daughter in law. So I got to see the boys and take them the silly Halloween glasses that I bought them in Petaluma.
I drove through the Delta and decided to take the Delta loop road instead of going over to the Rio Vista bridge and then east on highway 12. The Delta loop cutoff is a quiet ride along the sloughs and ranches that are situated on peat dirt land between the rivers. There are cows, flocks of sheep and goats with beautiful white guard dogs that shepherd their flocks. I love this drive. It takes a little longer but it's a tranquil side road that I'm getting very comfortable with. Just after Brannon Island State Park on highways 160, there is a road that turns off to the right called (what else) W. Brannon Island Rd. I head across the San Joaquin River onto W. Twitchell Island Rd and follow this road all the way to the Owl Harbor Marina. This is were I cross the slough and  make a few turns left, then right, then left, up onto Jackson Slough Rd, which takes me back to highways 12 and east to Lodi.

 The whole loop is much longer, but I don't like to be out there on those levee roads all day, so this is a short cut to get back on a highway.
My friend, who lives in Isleton, was out of town for a few days, so I didn't stop there. I drove straight home.
When I arrived on the mountain, the Prospector and the Corgi boys were there to greet me. It was so good to be home.
That little family, Mommy, Daddy and the Beans, had just been up here two days before I got home. They had gone to Apple Hill above Placerville and came by to see Papa and the dogs. 
When I walked into the ~guest, computer, art and everything else I can use it for~ room, I noticed a piece of paper on the floor held in place with a big piece of quartz. I picked it up and read it.

You have found this note and when you find the next note you will know who it is from. from ?
I knew the handwriting.
I looked around for another one and there on my computer chair was "the next note".

There are two other notes in this room   Find them.    from?
Well, this was getting fun.
I looked around and found a third note.

This one was in red letters, under the computer mouse. It read,
I WAS AT THIS HOUSE    IN THIS ROOM. WHO AM I?  I LOVE YOU.   FROM AC  
That would be my oldest grandson. He's eight. He is very smart, handsome and , clearly, loves his Noni.
The feeling is mutual.
These letters are worth more than any gold in my gold pan... any money in the bank.
These letters are what makes my life worthy.
I have, in this messy room, drawings and letters from both of my Beans. They are the product of two growing boys that I love more than chocolate. I didn't think I could love a child more than I loved my sons, but it seems that we have the capacity to expand love anytime we need it. It's a renewable resource.
How wonderful!
I will be spending Halloween with my family in a few weeks.
Maybe we'll take Mom a spooky cupcake and the birds can help her eat it.

Swim Meets, pools, rivers and a happy 4th.

I forgot to tell you that I had a roommate at my sister's house. He was good looking in a creepy sort of way.

He is a permanent resident in the upstairs bedroom. He is called a Leopard Gecko. He belonged to my sister's oldest son, who moved out recently. I guess the Gecko didn't want to live in an apartment. He doesn't easily put up with any changes in his environment. He is very particular.
I would uncover him in the morning and say "Hello." to him. He would lift his head up and look at me. Unlike chickens, he makes eye contact with you and he seems like a nice guy. But, he eats baby mice, so that's a bit disturbing.
We did well together. My sister takes care of him and he has a name... which I have forgotten. He's certainly better than a pet spider.
Anyway, I drove to Pleasant Hill last Friday so that I could get up earlier and go to our grandson's swim meet Saturday morning. It was in Alamo at a swim club. The excitement was palpable.

The pool was ready and there were already kids practicing their swim strokes.
Mommy put on her apron. She would be getting the kids lined up for each race.

The competition began...

Our youngest grandson is five. I think that he is an amazingly good swimmer for a five year old. Look at that "ready, get set, go", and that smile on his face afterwards. He was so cute. Sometimes he forgets what stroke he is suppose to be doing, but it's all good  and he seems to be a naturally good swimmer.
The Bean, on the other hand, takes all of this very seriously. He's seven and very competitive.

And he comes out of the pool like he just devoured the competition.

Dad is always there to tell them what a good job they have done

 and then the coach gives them a pat on the back and any advice they may need.

 Both he and his brother were very concerned about their scores.

 At this age, the emphasis is not so much on winning. It's more about perfecting the strokes and following the rules. There seems to be a lot of fun going on too.
But The Bean, who takes it all very seriously, is getting a taste of winning... and 'the agony of defeat" and he doesn't like loosing.
While The Bean was learning to be an Olympic swimmer and placing in his "heats", little Bean was talking to the teenagers, being his very social self and goofing off with grandma.

The whole day was wonderful. My grandson took photos of me too, but you won't see them here. They were OK, but I LOOKED LIKE A GRANDMA. Who is this woman? He was very careful with Noni's Nikon and he took some good pictures... but even a really good camera still doesn't make you look like you're 40 years old again. Darn!
When are they going to make a camera that takes the years off and  turns the gray back into blond . I know, I know... I'm suppose to accept this growing old business, but it ain't easy.

I took the boys to lunch a few times. I ate what they ate. My stomach hasn't been the same since.
 I found this in my purse when I got home.

I hate to admit it. I had two "happy meals" which include french fries. They also give you apple slices. I guess the apple slices make you feel better about eating the french fries. I know I felt better. MacDonald's is The Bean Boys favorite place to eat. They love "happy meals" because they have toys in them. .. and the shakes have whipped cream and a cherry on top. I'm now an expert on "happy meals". Ask me anything.

Mommy got sick after the Swim Meet and wasn't doing well for a few days, so I went to the boys swim practice on Monday and took them to my sisters to swim, etc. Between the sitter and I , Mommy got some rest and felt better by the 4th of July.
We had a little get together on the 4th and the Beans got to... SWIM some more.

This time they just played. Daddy tossed them in and swam with his boys and they dived for weighted pool sticks that turned on and blinked under water.I got them at Walgreens- $5.99 for a set of 6, two of which lit up.
 Little Bean was patient about sharing the shark... for a while. "Come on Bro, let me have the shark."

"You been on it too long."...And finally had to yell at big brother who didn't want to give up his attack position.

After dinner it got cooler. The wet and tired little boys needed to be wrapped  in warm, dry towels and settled in for some snuggling. I love this photo of my sister and Little Bean. She is such a good "auntie" to my grandchildren.

The next day I drove home. I decided to drive the river road from Rio Vista to Walnut Grove instead of highway 12. It was a nice change. I found a place on the river near Walnut Grove that we could buy and be closer to our family.
 I could live here, easily. I might even learn to fish.

That's Mt. Diablo way out there in the distance. I have lived around that mountain all my life. I can even see it from Jackson.
This would be a good place to live. Beautiful water, closer to everything, but still away from the business of the cities.
We could swim with the grandkids, have a dock to jump from... and fish for dinner.
Yep! It looks pretty good.
**************************

This morning we went for a walk on the road to the Mokelumne River.

 We took the dogs and went early. It's really hot again, but it's good to be home. Guess we'll stay here for a while longer.

Oh, What fun we had!

The Bean, Little Bean, Mommy and Dad arrived Friday night.
We started our weekend with energy, happiness... and a full house.

The extra bedroom instantly became the central headquarters for artistic endeavors. I really need a bigger workspace for two little boys that love to create things. Little Bean moved his projects to the dining room table and that helped considerably. The house was filled with activity.

...and getting to know each other again.
Playing outside...

Lots of drawing, cutting and painting.

And throwing a Frisbee.
(Nice job, little Bean!)

Later that night we had some Apple Crisp and ice cream... and we all settled in for a good night's sleep.

Saturday morning Dad and Papa took the Beans downtown to an Easter Egg Hunt on Main St.
 Mom and Noni went shopping and ate lunch in Sutter Creek. YES!
We went to a few of our favorite stores. Fine Eye Gallery and On Purpose.
On Purpose is filled with New Age, mystical, magical things... Buddhas, books and all things to transform your life. This is the store that promises positive energy to all.

 We talked to a man about a car.

 He and his wife were sitting outside of the Twisted Fork Restaurant. We asked if this was his car and he said "Yes". So we got permission to take some pictures and he told us that he buys and sells these beautiful old "masterpieces" and I think he said this one was for sale for something like $50,000. THAT'S a lot of money... but it was completely restored. It's an old bakery wagon with a wood ceiling in it.

We walked down to a favorite store for clothes and holidays. 

Tomorrow's Heirlooms is eye candy for beautiful things.

It's filled with charming good taste.

Beautiful window displays...

Hand made banners, soap and good smelling things.

 There is a wonderful children's section.

 And beautiful clothing.

I always ask if I can take pictures. The lady who owns Tomorrow's Heirlooms always says "YES".
When  you do a pictorial on your blog about a store it's kind of like free advertising for them but, even though, sometimes I'm told "No". Then I put the camera away. It's a good idea to always ask first.

We came home. Robbin and I took a short nap and then started dinner . The Beans went fishing with Dad and Papa. It's getting to be a tradition in this family. It's a good thing that we weren't having FISH for dinner though, because the fish decided to lay deep down in the Mokelumne River and didn't come home with the guys.
 The weather was beautiful.  The dinner was good. We had Easter dinner on Saturday because our kids would have to leave early on Sunday.
 I don't cook big meals much anymore, so the ham took longer than expected. I hate to admit that I'm a little out of practice but I will just say that everyone was good and hungry when we finally sat down  to eat.
We held hands and said, "Thank you for this food and bless all of those who couldn't be with us.".
We enjoyed the meal and discussed The Easter Bunny and The Tooth Fairy as we ate. The Bean lost another tooth earlier in the day.

He wanted to be sure that the Tooth Fairy would know where to find him. We assured him that she (or he) would know where the Bean was for the weekend.
The day ended with a bath for the Beans. They went right to sleep.
Robbin and I did the late night bunny run... leaving a few plastic eggs with glow sticks coiled up in them so the Easter Bunny could find us up here on the mountain.
This looked so cool. Hard to take pictures of... but it looked wonderful.

We floated them in the birdbath to take pictures and them scattered them around the yard. ( A Pinterest idea that Robbin found.)

Tomorrow I will show you our lovely Easter Morning, and the hunt for Easter Eggs. What a joy to have the Beans looking for eggs in our garden. Can't express my happiness at this.

OH... and guess who came back Saturday... just for an Easter visit?

The little Screech Owl came back to see us. He hasn't been here for two months or so. But, he arrived on Saturday. We never know when he is going to come and perch on our porch eaves, but it was nice of him to arrive on Easter weekend.
I don't think that he liked all the commotion, but he stayed up there and surveyed the comings and goings underneath him until dark. At some mark, on his internal clock, he flew away.
Now, he is gone. I hope he comes back soon.

Tomorrow... The Egg Hunt.