Autumn Drive

 I have always loved a country drive.  And I always enjoy when my blog friends take us on scenic drives through their hometowns.  It's nice to see the views of their state during the seasons, especially when fall rolls around.  Living in the mountains, pretty much all the roads are country roads, so I thought I'd take you into town to see some of the colors before they fade into winter.  Let's take a drive...we'll start from my house.  Do you know that I have 11 trees in my front yard?

This huge tree sits in the parking lot of Krispy Krunchy chicken, which I crave every few weeks.

We're on Main Street now, and I always show you the Pioneer Wagon because it is decorated differently each and every time.  A lady in town spruces it up, and she's always so creative.

This is the Real Estate parking lot.  The only real estate office in town....that I know of.  ; )

We're coming upon the cemetery, and the trees create a view that I can only describe as glorious.

It's time to do a little shopping.  After chatting with my friend, P, I ran across my neighbor, F.  He's got to be one of the best neighbors I've ever had.  We had a nice visit.

Jess and I have always loved miniature things, and I noticed these little Christmas villages, and had to buy one.  They had different ones, but this cute Bakery is the one I got.🍩🍪🍰  Pastries and cupcakes and cookies are my weakness, so it was fitting for me.

And now, we're at the church.  The trees are starting to change, which took a little longer than most here in town.

This tree is nestled at a house on Main Street.  It always has wonderful color every year.

I stopped by the new Boutique in town.  I'm looking for a nice travel bag.  They didn't have any, but I browsed through their clothes.  Their clothes are kind of pricey, but they are good quality.  I used to have a whole closet full of clothes, but these days, not too many, so I don't mind paying extra if I see something that sparks my attention.  This sweater is camel color, and it's so soft.  It will look cute with jeans.

My brother-in-law came into town, and he brought me a big pack of ribs and a pumpkin pie.  I made him a cup of coffee and blueberry scones.  I usually put icing on them, but sometimes just butter when they're warm from the oven.  We visited for a long time, and then went over to the Chinese Restaurant for lunch.  I got my usual lunch special; oh, was it good.  We caught up on all the family, and he told me about the squirrels that come around his house that my sister-in-law feeds now and then.  He makes all the animal sounds, and cracks me up with his stories.  

Garlic chicken and veggies is always a nice meal.

I already had some gingerbread cookies,

and I'm slowly putting Christmas things out.  Washed all my cups for the holiday season.

I've been going through things around here, and donated a bag of stuff to the vintage shop.  As the holiday season approaches, and I always receive new things, it feels like the right moment for me to give.  Have a wonderful November week.

California Misconceptions

 I wanted to talk about some of the misconceptions that I've heard over the years about California.  Some of them are understandable, and some are just humorous.  So, here are a few, and if you have any other questions, do ask, and I'll try my best to answer them for you.

*California never gets snow.

I wanted to start with this one, because I had a blog friend who would comment every time I shared snow pictures and say she was so surprised that we got snow.  The truth is, the state has mountains in some areas with heavy snowpack.  Some of the places we get the most snow are Lake Tahoe, Pollock Pines, Grass Valley, Mount Shasta, Lassen Mountain, and my area!  Also, the Sierra Nevada mountains get some of the heaviest snowfall in the country.

*Southern California has never seen a snowflake and doesn't get the seasons.

While northern California tends to see more vibrant colors during the fall season, So Cal also gets some pretty colors as well.  Jess' area has a beautiful autumn season.  And Yes, it snows in So Cal!  Some of the areas it snows is Mount Baldy and Big Bear.  Nel is only about 20 minutes from the snow line, and she tries to take Mia up there every winter to enjoy the magic.

*Everyone in California surfs.

This one made me laugh because I am from a family of surfers.  I think everyone in my family has surfed at one time or another, except me.  I'm not a fan of sharks.  While surfing is a fun sport to do in California, only some people are into it, and many have never surfed a day in their life.

*It is always warm, so everyone wears tank tops, shorts, and flip flops.

Northern California, especially San Francisco can get cold, windy, and foggy.  Even in So California, coastal fog rolls in and temperatures drop; this weather is known as June Gloom.

*Tie-dye skirts, Boho-Chic, and Bleach-Blonde hair.

In the cities, one is dressed in high-fashion clothes, streetwear, and lovely attire.  In small towns, one is dressed in jeans, pretty blouses, and fashionable jewelry.

*California is all beaches and palm trees.

There are deserts, mountain ranges, lakes, forests, coastlines, and countryside.

and my favorite...

*California is just LA and San Francisco.

California is long, and there are many wonderful towns north and south and in between. The Central Valley produces a large percentage of the nation's fruits, nuts, and vegetables.  Northern California has mountains and rivers and logging and mining history.  Other major cities exist such as San Diego, Sacramento, Napa (wine country), Santa Barbara, and Carmel.  Because So Cal and northern Cal are different in their own way, each one appreciates the other, and likes to spend time visiting each other as often as they can.

And onto other things this week.  I got some Chinese take-out (kung pao chicken and rice), and my son made some shrimp to go with it.

Have you ever gotten two fortune cookies in one wrapper?  I thought that was neat.

My November calendar page made me smile.  I remember my kids playing in the leaves during the autumn season.

This wonderful month of November always starts with Francesca's birthday on November 1.  Uncle B gave her this snail night light, which she wanted.

Along with that comes a very special All Saints Day on November 1.  There is something deeply moving about the paths that the Saints walked.  Their profound stories and journeys are incredible.  I have about 30 Saints that I'm familiar with and love.

Looking out my kitchen window - this tree is so pretty at autumn.  It starts to change colors very early, and it's still trying every day.

Happy November, friends!

  

Preparing The Home For Fall And Winter

 This time of year we always get prepared for the fall and winter months.  The mountain weather can get beyond cold, and on days when it's raining and snowing, it can be hard to get into town.  We get the essentials that we need in case the roads are closed, and we like to have those comforts around the home that will sustain us.  Remember the honey roasted pecans - they were just right in my oatmeal one morning.

Look what I found in the bakery section at the grocery store - Girl Scouts Thin Mints mini cupcakes!  I've always loved the thin mint cookies, but never tried the cupcakes, so I had to put them in my cart.  They were amazing.

I wasn't a Girl Scout, but I was a Bluebird, and it made this girl very happy when someone in the neighborhood bought the goodies I sold.  Looking back, only a handful got out their checkbook or paid cash for these treats, and most of them knew my parents.  But I was excited when I made a sale.

I went into town and found a few things.  It was nice to run into my friend, P, and talk for a while.  I've had my eye on this cup, but never bought it because I thought it was too early.  But I went back for it before it was gone.  If you haven't figured out, I'm a cup lover.  I think I can write an essay on the perfect cup.☕  It has to be the right size and shape and feel.  I just gave away a cup that was too heavy.   You know, I've always loved red, white, and silver at Christmas, but I also love a little Pink thrown in, so when I saw this cup, it just spoke to me....it's feminine and pretty.

I thought these were the cutest dish towels with Snoopy wearing his fall sweater.

I drove through the coffee shop, and got my first specialty coffee of the season.  I ordered a peppermint mocha latte, and I asked her to make it extra hot.  She sure did, and it was one of the best coffees I've ever had.  This is a small village, so we ask for favors, we tell each other the new places that open up, and we look out for each other.  I sat and enjoyed my coffee for a few moments noticing the fall around me.

We are in "near peak" season right now.  Yes, there's such a thing.  *near peak: 50-75% color *peak: 75-100% color *past peak: 50% of leaves have dropped.

Here's a few pics of our autumn at this time.

I started driving off the main road; I guess I wanted to see Mount Shasta, it's been a while.  It looked like fog, but it was the clouds hovering over it.

I found myself at the creek.  This is my favorite country road in town.

The creek was wrapped in a blanket of warm colors of brown.  Earth tones cradled the moving water.

If anyone can identify these cream colored wildflowers - they were growing all over along the edges of the roads and very pretty.  *Rabbitbrush - thank you, Ginny.

Driving home, I noticed something in the distance.  There she was, a lovely regal white horse.  

Put away all my summer clothes, and am washing my sweaters and winter clothes now.  I realized I need more fall clothes! - there's not a lot of places around here to shop, so I ordered a sweater on-line.  I love the scalloped neckline.  Only, I'm not a trendy, so I won't tuck it in.

A dear friend sent this to me, and it reminds me of my blog friends.

Charlotte found just the right pumpkin to take home.

Linger, sweet season of autumn, before the first frost fills the air.