Day 718-August 19, 2014

     Five more glorious days since my last post.  Let me go back.  Friday morning I got right to work putting a big roast in the crockpot, baking that chocolate zucchini cake, and watering before meeting the gals for a lunch adventure.  Not much time to glamour up, oh well.  We met at Gramma Alice's, Laurie, Jacque, Erica, my mom, and I.  The six of us piled in my car, first stop Costco to pick up two golf cart batteries for our camper because I could use Jacque's card.  The ladies chattered away.  Next stop, Pottery World for a nice lunch.  I told Laurie we only needed one dessert to share, but she ordered two.  That put me over the top.  They do have nice iced tea!  Last stop, Wal-Mart for a 30 minute shopping spree.  I got 8 iced tea glasses for our cupboard.  
    After dropping off the ladies, I stopped at the mill.  I then fetched Alexa from daycare for a sleepover.  She got a special treat for staying dry all day at school.  
     We pulled in the garage, "Where's all da people?"  She loved the action of Kamp Kerksieck.  Well, it's just us.  She headed right for "Animal Alphabet," her favorite video.  The roast smelled heavenly.  She sniffed around all of her favorite things.  

We played for awhile then decided to swim before dinner.  With her life jacket on she wanted to slide before getting wet.  When she hit the water, the cold took her breath away.  She was silent a few moments, then out eased, "Dat...was...fun...!"  We paddled around, but no more sliding that day.  

As the days of summer shorten, the pool begins to cool.  It's amazing how that change comes.  
     In the morning Grampa made bacon and raspberry pancakes.  We harvested from the garden and Alexa helped in the garage.  She and I went over to The Ranch to visit Gramma Jam.  Rice Krispy Squares and a hammock, this is the life!

When I took her home, AJ was working at home.  We had a nice visit too.  At home I made Eggplant Scallopini Marsala with veggies from the garden.  
     Sunday morning we did some early chores.  I made a nice picnic sandwich and we headed up to Sierra Buttes on the motorcycle.  We did our annual hike to the lookout.  

We drove back dirt Mountain House Road out of Goodyear's Bar. It climbs up the steep canyon, lots of running water and lush vegetation.  Amazing vistas.  After nine miles, it drops into Forest City.  Back on pavement, that Pliocene Ridge Road rocks!  It got hot coming back on Highway 49, but our pool was ready for us.  Ray Donovan, our favorite show!
     Monday at the mill, a good start to the week.  A batch of snickerdoodles first thing.  I got to load the back of the pick up with wood scraps.  Ten minutes on the pool floatie was well earned.  I picked a bucket of berries in my wet suit.  An evening visit with neighbor Bonnie and some leftovers rounded out the day.  Fred is a hard worker!
     Tuesday homemaker day for me.  I made some raspberry jam, plum-apple butter, and tomatillo sauce for tonight's tacos.  I took lunch to Fred and Guy from Pacific Forest Products.  He's helping Fred today.  At Safeway I found some of that good Sierra Nevada Flip Side beer.  There's a  big smile on my face!  But I made us Rico Serenes, blending whole lime and fresh basil with a little raw sugar and water, then poured over rum.  Good Puerto Rico memories!