Day 59 and 60-October 29 and 30, 2012

     It feels like Christmas!  It is wonderful having the kids home.  Scott, Savannah, and Chucho are here.   Colin, Cora, E'lora, and Raj arrived late Sunday night.  I pulled out the living room sofa bed, and E'lora and I lay down together at about midnight.  She talked until almost 2.  She thought of so many things to do instead of sleeping---sheep?  camper?  eat?  Gampa outside?  juice?  read book?  swing? Colin got up and told her, "E'lora, it's time to go to sleep."  She laid right down and went to sleep.  I worked hard to keep her covered as she twisted and turned through the night.  I twisted and turned to avoid the metal bars in that funky bed.  Precious popped awake at 6 and we began our wonderful day together.  
     I made crepes for Scott and Colin.  The kids brought homemade blackberry syrup and raspberry jam.  Cora began her acorn processing project.  She and E'lora gathered lovely big brown acorns near their home and she had been reading during their travels all the information on the internet about how to crack and leech the tannins.  I heard her heart singing all day.  
     I got started early to assemble the lasagna for dinner.  I started with the sauce, began the noodle making next, then gathered fresh parsley and oregano for the cottage cheese mixture.  I stuck the giant roasting pan in the oven on low early in the afternoon.  
     Jenn and Alexa had joined us for cuzzy time.  I enjoyed watching Cora and Jenn chat as they cracked acorns together.  The girls were so cute when they saw each other, hugging and kissing.  They tore through the sheet tent I'd made in the morn, giggling and squealing with delight.  They proceeded with parallel play for the remainder of the day.  I tried to get them to lay down for a rest together, Colin and Alexa relaxed the longest, but no nap time.
     I tried a new apple cobbler recipe and assembled a big salad.  Scott helped me put the big tabletop on the dining table.  Mom, Pop, and Eddie joined for family dinner.  We had olive and garlic bread from Colin's bakery, yum!  I can't believe we ate almost the entire pan of lasagna.  It was good, if I do say so myself.  
     After one round of Kerksieck Go Fish, GrandMuM slept great.
     Grampa made his wonderful pancakes for Tuesday breakfast.  The three fellas worked together on our six burn piles.  Cora dressed E'lora in her darling skunk costume and I loaded her in the car seat to go to the library preschool story time.  In route, she fell asleep.  I was already a bit late, so I decided to drive around a bit, then take her to Bell Hill to show her off to my friends.  The kids loved her costume and she loved the playground.  We arrived at recess time, so that worked out well.  I also needed to pick up "Flight of the Concords" DVD that had been borrowed by our teacher friend.
     I made tuna for lunch.  Cora and Colin took off for a date when E'lora went down for her nap.  After nap time, Fred and I walked her down to our neighbors, Tim and Norma.  They have the Halloween House of the neighborhood.  Another lovely day for a vigorous walk.  
     After reading my insurance denial letter, I found if I can show my cholesterol number low enough, they will insure me.  I did some internet reading about how to get the numbers down quick.  No animal products for me between now and Monday.  So, what to fix for dinner?  I made a tasty stir fry with tofu over brown rice.  I was going to make nut burgers, but realized they have egg and cheese.  Darn.  
     E'lora danced after dinner, chattering away.  The full moon was rising so we took a night walk.  I asked, "Would you like a warm bottle and to go to sleep?"  "Yeah."  She laid right down and went to sleep.  Grampa and GrandMuM watched two episodes of Flight of the Concords.  We chuckled ourselves silly.
     

Day 58-October 28, 2012

     It's my first Sunday at church since retirement.  Always good to be there, a great message about The Bible's power to change my life.  I went to Twin Cities with Mom.  Pop wasn't feeling well, we went to the 11:15 service.  
     A scooter ride in the late afternoon to meet folk at the rental house, to visit and deposit candy with Gramma Alice, and to pick up a few essentials at Save Mart.  A tasty fajita mix from the meat counter was satisfying and we used up the last of the tortillas.  "The Girl" is a great flick about Alfred Hitchcock and his unrequited love for Tippi Hedren, the star of "The Birds" and "Marnie."  
     The days have been warm again, and the garden seems a bit confused.  The radish seeds have popped up, still waiting for the carrot and onion to emerge.  The starter plants are settling in nicely, no varmits have molested them as yet.  My herb bed wants some attention.  The stevia continues to thrive.  Volunteer parsley is doing splendidly too.  Egg production continues nicely as well.

Day 57-October 27, 2012

     The weather has warmed up again.  It was a lovely fall day.  Grampa got Alexa up while I was showering.  "Read book?"  I love that phrase.  I got a pot of beans going in the morning.  It's time to gather more bay laurel leaves by the river.  I've just about used up the ones I gathered a year ago.  We were out of diapers, so Precious and I headed to Safeway, then met Jenn at Living Well thrift store about noon.  
     In the afternoon, laundry and cleaning and apple cake baking.  Scott arrived with Fred for a leftovers dinner.  I got sleepy before we finished watching "Cowboys and Aliens."

Day 56-October 26, 2012

     Walking this morning, first with Karly, then with the retired teachers at Empire Mine.  I finished up unpacking boxes in Room 2 at Bell Hill and stapled up some artwork in Sharon's classroom.  It is always meaningful to spend time around the kids.  They know I care about them.
     Speaking of kids, I next picked up Alexa for a sleepover.  I brought home a big box to play in and on.  It inspired squeals of delight.  She's got a green nose, but no fever.  She was a great eater at dinner.  We visited the neighbors, Tim and Norma, to see their Halloween decorations.
     We're fielding many phone calls for Scott's rental house.  I also got word my Blue Cross application was denied.  I don't understand, so I'll need to do some more research and investigating.  Oh well, I'm grateful for my Health Net coverage through school, but it is expensive.

Day 55-October 25, 2012

     Karly had a major blowout.  She's a garbage dog, she's a lab.  The carpet cleaner is a wonderful workhorse, and since I had it out, I cleaned the whole living and dining rooms, and the hall.  Two hours later I headed to Room 2 at Bell Hill to continue to unpack boxes.  At the end of the school day I helped finish up an art project in Sharon's fourth grade class.  Off to prayer group at Alice's before meeting the family at the Penn Valley Northridge where Savannah's working while she's in town.
     Hey, I just noticed it's day 55.  I'm 55.  Double nickels.  And it's the second game of the World Series, Giants and Tigers.  We don't follow sports much, but now is the time to take note.  The Giant's have two runs at this time of publishing.  They won the first game.  Go Giants!

Day 54-October 24, 2012

     Home.  All day at home is a good day.  I made burnt butter snickerdoodles, a recipe I found on a new favorite blog, serenabakessimplyfromscratch.com.  Chard and zucchini from the garden, eggs from our girls today were ingredients in our dinner quiche.  I fed the fire all day, it rained on and off, even some hail in the afternoon. 
     I'm repurposing our two small rooms upstairs.  Our office will be for books and business.  The sewing room will include crafts, kid activities, pictures, and projects.  Good thing I retired, it will take many hours to organize and honor the pictures and momentos I've saved through the years.  But, I need to keep that on hold until after Scott and Savannah's wedding.  I've got a year full of projects on the list already!

Day 53-October 23, 2012

     Tenant transition.  Our son Scott's little house needs a new tenant and he's in Calexico working as a firefighter.  We're here to help.  Fielding phone calls and processing applications, making new keys and cleaning a little are my contributions.  Fred does the heavier stuff.  Scott will be here again soon too.  My rule, I don't want rentals I wouldn't want to live in.  This little house is charming and cozy, lots of light looking out to the neighbor's farm. 

    
     Morning yoga routine and a tasty egg salad preparation are memorable parts of the day.  I got started sorting through junk in the office.  A fire warms us all day and night as the overcast weather continues.  We finished up two movies, "J Edgar" and "Nixon," and I munched a big bowl of popcorn with lavendar sugar.  The flannel sheets are on the bed, it's almost too hot.

Day 52-October 22, 2012

     It's our 18th wedding anniversary.  We woke up to a lovely first storm.  I was tickled to be able to cozy up at home all day.  We even had a tornado watch in the afternoon.  When Karly and I walked at about 11, the smell was wonderfully intoxicating.  A warm fire completed the satisfying scene.
     I tried a new stew recipe with beef and squash.  It was flavored with cranberries, cocoa, ginger, and orange zest.  Yum!  The computer and paperwork including some Halloween cards filled the majority of the day.  The last presidential debate wasn't the most romantic evening activity, but it was important to watch.

Day 51-October 21, 2012

     A favorite morning working on "our property."  I raked leaves around the cabin foundation while Fred cleared the roof and gutters.  Together we worked on prepping a couple of burn piles for tree trimming.  We covered the four piles as rain is on its way. 
     We met Mark in Nevada City for a nice pedal around town.  I saw streets, Grove and Jordan and more, that I'd not explored before.  We finished our ride on the Tribute Trail and pedaled up Providence Mine Road ending up at Ole Republic Brewery.
     Quick stops at Save-Mart, at Partridge to pick up rent money, and at the East Drive little house to see the condition after tenants moved out.  It was seven before we were eating tasty seafood pasta leftovers.  I fell asleep watching "J Edgar" with Leonardo deCaprio.  Good exercise begets good sleep. 

Day 50-October 20, 2012

     A splendid fall morning.  Mike, Mark, Fred, and I piled in Mike's van to head to Tahoe where we met Eddie and John $.  The colors on the aspens were breathtaking, or it could have been the steep pedal up to Marlette Lake.     

     At the dam we picked up the Flume Trail.  Many riders in both directions today.  The stunning views of Lake Tahoe never fail to amaze me on this epic, yet not too difficult, 15 mile pedal.

     There's a nice little cafe at the old Ponderosa parking lot, Tunnel Creek Cafe.  We shared a tasty panini snack while the Spooner Lake shuttle vehicle was fetched.  Then we had a good burger at a nasty bar, The Grid, in King's Beach.  They had Undercover beer on tap, Prohibition Ale.  This is the Graeagle brewery.  We sat on the deck, cold but views of the lake were nice.  I fell asleep on the ride home.

Day 49-October 19, 2012

     One reason to retire was to have more time to do the things that interest me.  Today was the first day I spent most of the the day in the garden.  It included a trip down the hill to Nevada County Farm Supply.  I planted pak choy, garlic, and brussel sprout starts and carrot, radish, and onion seeds.  I fed everything, my puny plants just need more life in the soil suggests the sweet gal from the nursery.  I'll need to learn her name. 
     I picked up Alexa after nap time and took her to Future Generations to buy shoes.  They are cute black leather with red and green leather flowers, velcro straps as preschool requested.  I resisted the temptation to buy two darling mathcing cherry print raincoats at Swenson's.  I'll check the budget first...  Oh, my gosh, were they cute though!  She and I went to Pennys looking for socks, and at the register, I remembered I had a $15 coupon in my purse.  The socks were FREE.  I searched the internet for "see kai run" shoes when I got home, I bid for and lost a pair on ebay. 
     I made Fred and I a delicious salmon and veggie pasta sauce.  Another full day, blessings overflow.

Day 48-October 18, 2012

     Goodness, paperwork sure takes time!  I spent the morning filling out an application for health insurance.  After all of the time spent, I sure hope we are accepted.  It will save us almost $500 on our monthly premium.  I did some laundry and garden work too.  Prayer group in the afternoon in Sharon's classroom on this fall break found us all relaxed and in a positive mood.  I had a craving for beef, so I made us some tasty tacos for dinner.  Fred and I watched a great documentary on Ethel Kennedy.  She is an inspiration, 11 kids and pregnant with the youngest when Bobby was killed, I'd like to read more about her. 
     Today was our first day with 10 eggs! 

Day 47-October 17, 2012

     A day of cooking to celebrate Scott's passing of his probation period with Calexico Fire Department.  It was satisfying to gather from the garden as I prepared tabouli, herb roasted potatoes, salad, and zucchini.  I tried a new french roll recipe from blog I found, serenacooksfromscratch.   I made peanut butter cookies from Joy of Cooking and Fred bbq the salmon steaks.  Family dinner, nine of us plus Alexa.

Day 46-October 16, 2012

     The girls have names.  It has taken me awhile to be inspired, but their gift of eggs has done the trick.  We're getting between 7 and 9 each day, such fun.  So, I decided to start alphabetically.  The six that look alike are The Andrew Sisters, Black Beauty is, well, black, Cinderella the step sister that is often by herself, Dolly with the big breasts, and Einstein who looks very smart.  That's our first ten.  They have taken to escaping the compound when I'm inside.  I had to shoo three back in this afternoon.  Herding chickens is not easy.
     After my morning walk with Karly, I joined my retired teacher friends for an hour Empire Mine walk.  Walking and talking and time just flies.  I gathered health insurance info, relaxed at my hair color and cut with Terry, then headed home. 
     When I put sandwiches on the table for Scott and Fred, Scott said, "Maybe I'll just move home."  I reminded him how I had counseled during high school, that living at home and going to school wasn't so bad.  He and Fred headed off to his East Drive property to work, and I know it was satisfying for both.  They arrived home with a truck bed full of leaves and branches to burn. 
     I cut up a batch of apples for future apple betty, then stuck those in the freezer.  I decorated the mantle for Halloween, and we closed the eve watching the presidential debate.

Day 45-October 15, 2012

     It's always nice to watch the sun rise.  I got up early to take Pop to the skin cancer doc.  Two cutting sessions and a suture session, we were headed to In and Out at about 2.  I quickly shopped in the morning at Smart and Final and Trader Joes. 
     It was time to make an apple pie after dinner.  Scott's headed home.

Day 44-October 14, 2012

     The perfect day for a motorcycle ride.  After morning chores and some glamour time, we headed back up to Pack Saddle campground to look for my reading glasses.  I couldn't find them anywhere and I thought they may have gotten knocked to the dirt from the camp table.  No glasses.  We checked with the camp hosts, no glasses.  But we did chat with them for awhile, nice folk about our age enjoying this 7 months of the year job.  Beautiful fall colors. 
     Driving 89 on the way back we stopped at the Donner Party Alder Creek camp.  I walked the interpretive trail.  Interesting.  After lunch in Truckee, we found 1000 year old petroglyphs on the rocks near Donner Pass on the old Highway 40 route.  We wandered about looking for the snow shed trails to motorcycle or hike, we found one with a Union Pacific Railroad no trespassing sign.  I love seeing new things.
     Home for a relaxing quiet eve.

Day 43-October 13, 2012

     Saturday morning chores included picking apples, a basketful from our lower tree.  My, they are sweet and juicy.  In the afternoon I made Gramma T's apple cake. 
     Fred and I went to Paco's Tacos for lunch, then Staples, B and C, and SaveMart.  I bought two whole salmon, about $15 each, Fred cut them into steaks and they're in the freezer.  Good bargain, I hope they taste good.
     We had a nice phone conversation with Megan.  When I first called her, she was at the library, my favorite place.  Later when we talked she sounded happy and excited about helping her aunt with wedding plans.  She's meeting up with a new friend on Sunday.  
     Mark and Laurie, Mom, Pop, and Eddie came for dinner.  I made Dustin and Beth's Couscous Stuffed Peppers with Basil Sauce.  Yum!  Also homemade rolls and Laurie brought a salad.  I also tried an appetizer recipe, Devil on Horseback.  Bacon wrapped date stuffed with an almond.  They were ok, another recipe stuffed with cheese, I think those flavors would be more interesting.  I'd hoped to play a game, but we all just chatted and enjoyed being together.

Day 42-October 12, 2012

     Finished reading assessments in Lindsay's class, then off to pick up Alexa.  After a nap and a couple of poopy diapers, swinging and reading books, walking "outside" and picking "numnums," Jenn picked her up.  I was in bed just after 7...  The wonderful work of GrandMuMMinG is tiring!  Well, and I had been up for four hours during the night before.

Day 40 and 41-October 10 and 11, 2012

     Helping at school was the theme of the last two days.  Running record reading assessments in a first and second combination class in the mornings.  Continuing to unpack the three retired first grade teacher boxes in the afternoons.  My teacher friends are working so hard to build a new school, complete parent conferences, meet the many needs of their students, and teach.  It is such worthy work, but oh so demanding and taxing.  They will have fall break next week.
     I was relieved to receive Colin's news that his latest mole was simply a mole.  Details for both our refinance and health insurance continue to take some of my time.  I stopped in at Nevada County Farm Supply and bought a bit of cover crop seed and some onion seed.  It's time to finish picking apples and harvesting in the garden.  Egg production is going well.  Housework has fallen behind, but I'll catch up tomorrow. 

Day 39-October 9, 2012

     "Great family day, Mom," Colin said to me as we parted ways in The Tides parking lot on Bodega Bay.  Fred and I were up before 6, we picked up Mom, Pop, and brother Eddie to drive to the Guernville Taco Truck for our first stop.  Colin, Cora, E'lora and Trevor met us there for lunch.  I navigated us the scenic route on the west side of the Russian River Valley wine country.  It was a very beautiful fall day.
     The "boy's car" headed on to Northwoods golf course in Monte Rio.  The girls had a lovely motor tour up to Austin Creek state park with its lovely ridgetop views.  We walked among the giant redwoods in Armstrong state park.  We explored Cazedero looking for potential home property for Colin and crew.  E'lora and I share mutual joy in just being together.  Repeatedly she asks, "Where's Grampa?"  We met up after golf and headed for a coast drive to Bodega Bay.  Grampa treated to a lovely seafood dinner for all.  Non-stop journey home.  Straight to the hot tub for me.   Fred threw another blanket on top of the bed as we nestled in before midnight.

Day 38-October 8, 2012

     Walking this morning, "permaculture homestead."  I think that describes what I want to create here at Hillside Haven.  On the motorcycle yesterday, bouncing down a steep rocky road, "wild foods and the creatures that eat them."  I saw lots of busy gray squirrels, the little poem about swishing its bushy tail made me think of my granddaughters and eating acorns.  Could I write a book that teaches about the animals, the wild foods, and how to prepare those wild foods for people?  I love how my mind is open to be inspired by so many new and different ideas.  For example, could we deer fence off the back chunk of our property and grow a bunch of heirloom tomatoes or squashes????  An orchard could come down the line, or maybe it would be more suited to the lower part of our property.  I'm thinking flood irrigation.  Anyway, ideas abound.
     A lovely home day...just chores and some chatting and some entertaining TV watching...

Days 36 and 37-October 6 and 7, 2012

     Our camping trip was grand.  First day I crashed a couple of times, some steep rocky trails.  Not hurt.  So glad to have Fred there to pick the bike up and take over in the hard parts.  The apex of Saturday's journey was Little Deer Lake.  Superlative!

     On Sunday, we rode a new road down to Sierra City  and journeyed to the A tree, a spot where the Pacific Crest Trail crosses a dirt road...I love seeing new spots.  Great weather, two nice campfires, tasty food, great sleep and some readin time too. 

Days 35-October 5, 2012

     Quick, pack and water.  I wanted to get to Condon Park to help with the Bell Hill Academy jog-a-thon.  I helped set up then posted myself in front of a metal pole during the half hour of running so kids wouldn't plow into it.  It was delightful to cheer on the young ones as they ran for their school.
     Grocery shopping for the trip, Alexa pick up at preschool, then finishing up with packing and watering.  We drove on up to Sierra Buttes with brother Eddie and our motorcycles after dropping the baby with Jenn at her work. 
     A cold night with a roaring campfire.  We settled into the Mayor's spot at Pack Saddle campground.  Tasty dinner and good sleep.

Day 34-October 4, 2012

     Morning firewood at The Ranch.  The pine rounds down in the forest are all gone.  There's still more to split, but it's all up by the house now.  Satisfying labor!  I wandered through the brush and holler from our work site back up to the house.  It had been years since I was on that part of the property.
     In the afternoon I wrapped the good apples and placed them in a box for the fridg.  I had picked a half basket from the golden delicious tree in the morn.  I made another pie for Fred.  I did some reading about harvest and storage, but I still have an awful lot to learn. 
     Packing and planning for our camp trip.

Day 33-October 3, 2012

     Grampa and I started our day with some pillow talk.  With all of the activity of late, we haven't had a chance to catch up on life happenings.  E'lora is asking all day "Where's Grampa?" or telling, "Grampa's working."  In the camper she spied the truck and said, "Grampa's cutting wood."  She loves to play in the camper.  She was inspired to write while in there today too.  As she carefully maneuvered her pen and pencil, she repeated, "E, e, f...e, e, f."  I was taking inventory of the camper's needs to prepare for our trip.
     I made laplanders for the kids.  They headed back to Santa Rosa about 11:30.  I had five Amazon book sales to process, and was working on that when Fred got home about noon.  We did three loads of firewood at The Ranch, Pop helped today too.  We watched the Presidential debate and I had to follow up the commentators with a couple of episodes of "Big Bang" as I folded laundry. 
     Another satisfying day of living. 

Day 32-October 2, 2012

     E'lora woke up happy.  Grampa made pancakes, we smothered them in Peach Berry Bliss.  She ate two. 

                                    This is actually a picture Cora sent from their home. 

                         E'lora found the jar and a spoon and helped herself.  That's my giril!

    

     Our new word is "adventure."  GrandMuM and E'lora joined retired teacher friends, Denise and Margaret, for a walk at Hirschman Trail.  Another new word, "geese."  We saw about eight Canadian snow geese on the pond.  The umbrella stroller covered the three miles on the dirt trail well.

     Mommy and Daddy, Cora and Colin, had the morning to be off duty.  I kept her busy in the afternoon too as we picked apples and made our first apple pie together.  Then a two hour driving tour to view three low priced properties, always an exciting activity.
     Family dinner in the eve began with the arrival of Kuzzy and Auntie Jenn.  GGs and Uncle Eddie enjoyed awesome BBQ by Grampa as well.  Both girls got tired after their long days.  When Alexa began to cry, E'lora began wailing right along with her.  It was kind of funny.  We watched some old family videos. 
     Chicks in the nest!  I love when any of our kids are home. 

Day 31-October 1, 2012

     My fingers are crossed, it's just before 8, I think E'lora's down for the night.  Today, again, has reminded me how full the life of a mom with young ones is.  I did many standard home chores today, no big deals.  I cleaned the extra fridg and wiped down the outside of the freezer and that fridg.  I got the chicken marinating for tomorrow's family dinner.  More laundry.  Watering.  Put the sheets on in the camper and the guest bedroom.  Fortunately we had lovely leftover stew with Colin's good bread for dinner.
     Cuzzy time was the highlight of the day.  That's what E'lora calls Alexa, "Kuzzy."  Jenn and Alexa came by for an hour or so in the afternoon.  They were a hoot.  It is clear they remember each other.  E'lora was eager to share.  Alexa wanted to show off her wrestling moves on GrandMuM and E'lora.  They both mowed on the buckwheat chocolate chip cookies that E'lora and I made for Grampa.  The slid down the blue leather chair slide and Alexa did at least three somersaults.  E'lora put on Alexa's shoes.  Grampa made bubbles that were enjoyed by all.
     After dinner, I laid to rest Hairyit, my tarantula of about 12 years.  She is buried near Kassy on our property.  I do believe I will add to my daily habits walking our property.  It will speak of its desires for the future, I think.