Happy New Year!

Grosbeaks have been enjoying the Chinese Pistache trees nut-like berries

2013...woo hoo!  We survived the end of the Mayan calendar, the end of the world and a rare planetary lineup...  In my childish hope that miracles do exist I was hoping we would all wake up with peace on earth and love for our fellow human beings...maybe soon.

The males are brightly colored.

Yesterday while Larry and Gracie were on their hike I dismantled Christmas, it didn't take as long as I thought.  I used a different method this year.  I took everything off the trees and put all the ornaments on the kitchen table in their various piles which made boxing them all up much quicker.  Larry hauled it all back out to the shed and done.

Yummy!!!!

My brilliant idea.

In the mail yesterday I received a little treasure that I splurged on.  Hand dyed mohair from Hawaii...they make the most scrumptious colors.  I only bought one skein and with shipping it was about $45.  It came in a hank that I had to get wound into a ball and while having dinner I had a light bulb moment while gazing at our two kitchen stools.  The legs flare out and I decided that I could put the hank on the two stools, it wouldn't slide down and the seats would keep it from coming off as I wound and darn if it didn't work brilliantly.  I started my scarf immediately with it...I can't wait to get it worked up.  It is so soft, delicate and warm.  It is like something between a spider web and cotton candy.  

All wound up!

The colors are pretty.

We did our usual New Year's Eve thing...we went to bed and slept it in after having watched a marathon of Jack Benny programs and Burns & Allen shows...funny.

Today we started the New Year watching...as Larry called it...the parade of dead flowers.  The floats are beautiful, I love the horses and watching the marching bands...having been in one in high school, but I still think it is ridiculous to spend the money that is spent on the floats and the money that the bands and people spend to travel to be in a parade.  Like so many things in our culture this parade has created its own industry.

Anyhow, after breakfast we puttered around a bit letting the sun warm up the outside and then we headed out on a hike.  I figured I would start out the new year right.  It was sunny but cold.  The trail was muddy, slick and mushy in a lot of places.  Larry took us on a route I hadn't been on yet and we only had to jump one creek.  It was so peaceful.  We did a bit over four miles and I had some sore muscles, which is okay, but no pain in the hips...I have come really far in a year and in another hope to be even better.

Before

I would have been happy doing a lot of nothing the rest of the day.  I should think I would have learned by now...not to mention that something needs doing in the next couple of weeks to Larry.  He will do it sooner rather then later and that meant today.  In looking through last years pictures I was reminded that in another month the fruit trees would start blooming and we had yet to prune them.  I told Larry we should get it done before the middle of the month and......today was the day.  

Larry got the ladder in a good spot on the asian pear and I directed from the ground.  It was cold, but we got most of it done before the sun set.  We have a bit more to do tomorrow and then the hauling of the limbs to the burn pile, but one down and now the plum tree is next.

 Tomorrow I will get the after pictures, we have a bit more nipping to do and it was getting dark.

"I know that I am never alone. I ride the flow of Life with great anticipation. There are surprises ahead, and I intend to enjoy them all!"  

Some Favorites from 2012

January

I tried to pick one picture for every month, but I ended up with two for most of them.  I skipped people, visits and trips because it would have gotten to long.  I would love to do a slide show, but with our crappy internet I wouldn't be able to upload it...someday maybe.

We had a great year with a few projects, trips and visits, but we also found the time to just enjoy our peaceful home.  

February-Plum blossoms

March--bee swarm

April--young rattlesnake

May--me holding Hummingbird

June--pretty clouds and garden

June

July

August

August--fires & helicopters

September

October

November

December

December

Happy Eve of New Year's Eve

I'm checking in really quick because Larry is taking over the computer.  Hopefully for just a short period and all goes well...we are going to Windows 7...currently have XP.  So cross your fingers and I'll be back before the New Year!

It has been really cold, but no more rain and today we had sunshine!  I planted my daffodil bulbs finally...70 more...they were sprouting in the bags.  On Thursday we took a hike...I went 5.5 miles and Larry with Gracie did 6.5, I meet them down at the trail head and shave off a mile.  I have made progress...no adverse aches or pains.  Friday and Saturday morning I did my Pilates.

Yesterday we went to Martinez for the annual Narasaki family and friends gathering.  It was a blast as always and I took nary a picture...sad but true.

So that is it for now!

Merry Christmas!

We had a lovely early Christmas with the kids.  Andrea and Scott arrived Friday evening with 6 of their 7 kids in two cars.  Michelle and her family made it down on Saturday.  Friday's weather was so bad we weren't sure if they would be able to make it.  Michelle was miserable the whole time...poor baby, she has an abscessed tooth, it was great of her to come all this way in spite of it.  Seth had a good time with his cousins and new cousins.

We had presents Sunday morning and Christmas dinner with turkey and ham and trimmings.  I made a huge pan of the best gravy I have ever made...woo hoo!  There was no lack of food during the weekend.  It rained much of the time so everyone was inside but our house contained everyone just fine.  The boys trounced around outside between storms once on Saturday but that was about it for outside activity.  Another 3.75 inches of rain...we are saturated and slopposis around here.

Yesterday morning everyone got their stuff together and then they all pulled out after breakfast around eleven.  Let the Cleaning commence!!!!!  Ian was the only one left for about an hour, then Larry took him over to Auburn to hook up with his other Grandparents who took him on with them to his Dad's place for Christmas and his break.

Connor, 3, Seth, 8 and Ian, 10

Loads of laundry, cleaning and stowing, but we were finished by about 3:30 except for some laundry folding.  We had a lovely repeat of Christmas dinner for dinner and then I had a combo dessert plate...YUMMY!  The sun came out and it warmed up a little yesterday so we were able to open up the house and let fresh air through.  We hardly ran the heater with all those bodies, but with all that breathing and cooking the windows were pretty damp with condensation so it was nice that we could get it dried out again before this next storm!

Larry and I thought we would be asleep in our bed before 8 last night, but we found a halfway entertaining sappy Christmas movie and ended up staying awake later then we thought.  This morning we opened our gifts to each other...which we loved, new camera bag and blown glass ball for me and a headlamp and gorilla light for Larry.  Then Larry and Gracie hit the trail before the rains and I worked on getting pictures organized and posted to Facebook.  They hadn't gotten in a hike since Larry's Aunt was here.  It started pouring again, but we are tucked in tight.  We may go see a movie this afternoon. (NAH, too nasty out there, decided to stay home)  I could have refined this more or added more details, but want to get it posted before I let too much time get by!  Hopefully you could understand what I did write...hahaha!

We have been blessed with a happy wonderful Christmas this year surrounded by our family and a great year...which we give thanks for every day.  I know many are struggling with pain and loss and for them I send hope and love.  Merry Christmas, with love and hugs! 

From Lori!!!  Jeni's ice cream from Ohio.  Arrived frozen solid, dry ice and next day air.

Destiny, Seth, Isiaih, Ian, Brandon, Chloe and Connor.  Nevaeh is the only one missing.

My combo dessert plate!  Cherry, apple, pumpkin pies and a side of rum cake!!!!

My cool new camera backpack bag and blown glass ball

Larry playing with his headlamp

Larry's Gorilla torch and headlamp.  The gorilla has magnets in the feet and bendable legs so can wrap around poles and hang onto steel, plus it is a really bright LED.  Both are LED's.

A Great Visit!

We had a lovely visit with Larry's Aunt Bonnie and Uncle Gene.  They arrived Sunday and pulled out today.  Auntie went on a couple of hikes with Larry and we all visited and enjoyed lovely food.  It rained the first night and was slop-o-sis around here for a day or two, but yesterday we were able to tour the estate.  :)  Looking forward to the next visit!

This was SCRUMPTIOUS!!!

sundog

Whew!

Another eight days since I've last been here...I'm trying to remember what the heck we've been doing.  I think we made another trip to IKEA, but should be done there for awhile.  I have a lovely leather chair/footstool from there that I am loving.  We did the last of our Christmas shopping one day over in Auburn.  We had some sunny days and I finally finished the Christmas decorations.  I have been really busy with all this stuff, knitting gifts and getting all ready for company.  Larry has been out on the trail, I took a little walk and that's all I remember.

Today I made a lovely roasted chicken in our halogen air cooker, smashed yukon gold potatoes, gravy and peas for our company.  Larry's Aunt and Uncle arrived today and will be staying for a few days...it is always fun hanging out with them.

Our weather turned really cold for a few days, but it warmed up a little today to rain.

Great dinner, three glasses of wine, coffee and a killer chocolate dessert and I am a very relaxed, brain dead blob....I'll try to check in again before the end of the week.

Uh, WRONG baby puppy, I did not put this lovely blanket down on the floor for you...off!

My Momma's knitted legacy...she made us the skirt in the late 70's and added the girls names as they arrived.
My sock is about 50 years old and Larry's is 35...the fuzzy parts on the socks are pure angora...precious treasures.

We bought some of those cinnamon pine cones and I gussied them up with  some cedar branches and coffee berries from the yard.

Gracie is requesting that our next home is nearer the equator OR that the floors be heated....she was cold the other morning.