Welcome July

 July is here already!  When I saw this art piece, it reminded me of myself, as my computer is set up by the window, and I am able to see the comings and goings of life around me.  I also have a brown desk, and long brown hair.

I am drinking Caffe Verona right now visiting with you, with a splash of the 4th.

I bought Jess a bag of Dove chocolates when she came to visit because they are one of her favorites, and then I went back and bought a bag for myself.  Their messages are fun to read.

Although the woodpecker is a striking bird, he can also be annoying when he pecks his way through our homes.  I have tried to shoo them away, and have even tried hanging florescent streamers in the wind, but nothing.  My neighbor listened to me, and gently reminded me, "this is the mountains!"  But he is a pesky little bird with a forceful beak.

Wildflowers are all over this time of year.

We have ginormous dandelions here.

Some meals this week. 🍲

And my son made a steak and mashed potato dinner one night.  He always puts a little zest in his cooking. 🍴

From winter to summer, the creek is noticeably different every time I visit.  It's wearing a grass skirt this summer.

The pioneer wagon is usually decked out, but it is tastefully decorated for summer with simple bright pink flowers.  Can you imagine this being the transportation 175 years ago?

Mia all made up for her ballet recital.  She was a little butterfly in Alice in Wonderland, and Nel said she did so good.

I was watching an episode of The Chosen, (you can watch Season 5 on Prime Video now), when I looked out the window and saw a deer walk right past my front porch and then onto my lawn.  Then she jumped my fence, and went to my neighbor's yard.  She was a BIG Doe, and it was certainly a 'June joy' moment.

I talked with my sister on the phone over the weekend.  It was good catching up.  She makes me laugh.  We talked for over an hour and a half!  Yes, like Mary and Laura Ingalls, we shared the same bedroom and closet and bed for many years.  I remember trying to get more closet space, cause I was really into clothes growing up, and I would even borrow hers if she got something new and cute.👚 

  

May your July days be sprinkled with joy.✨✨✨

 

Coffee And Donuts

Jess visited recently with the kids, and I wanted to share some of the outings we had while she stayed for a few days.  Whenever anyone comes to visit this area, they always want to stop at the impressive Waterfalls on the outskirts of my town.  I had just gone there a month ago, but Jess wanted to experience it.  Jess drove, as it was just easier for her, instead of unloading the car seats.

  I was in the back seat with the kids, and I had another laugh attack with Francesca.  Something simple made her laugh, and that got me laughing, and we both couldn't stop laughing. 

When we first got there, we went inside the general store, which has souvenirs, sweatshirts, sandwiches, snacks, and ice cream.

Then, Jess and uncle b. walked the trail and explored the Waterfalls.  There is an area at the top that tourists gather at that overlooks the entire falls, and I got a couple pics of that.

 I had just walked all those stairs at the caves the day before, and there was no way I wanted to walk up any more stairs or ramps, so I stayed behind and browsed the general store.  I noticed tour groups from Los Angeles, and talked with people traveling from all over.  I bought an ice cream sandwich from the general store, and took in all the beauty around me. 

 I just started clicking away at pretty things.

Jess and the others made it to the base of the falls, and uncle b. took Francesca even lower to the rocks, which she had a great time exploring.  I love this picture he took with the sun glistening through the falls.

They had a wonderful moment at the falls, and it's definitely a neat attraction you must see when you visit here.  *the pink stuffed snake Francesca got at the general store.

After the falls, we headed up the mountain, about 15 minutes.  I wanted to show Francesca the grizzly bear at the quaint cafe' that I go to sometimes.

When we were seated, I noticed the flag blowing in the breeze through the window; it was a pretty sight.

In another room, there are animal heads hanging on the walls.  The Ram was impressive, and this one Buck I thought was magnificent!

They enjoyed the cafe, and the food was really good.  We got there at lunch time, so I ordered a yummy mushroom and swiss cheese burger.

For dinner that night, my son made chicken fajitas for everyone, and I had leftover homemade potato salad and fresh peaches.  After the kids rested up, we settled in and watched Jurassic World.  I love Brooklyn's quirky expressions.

The next morning, I bought some donuts from Safeway, 🍩 and we had coffee outside on the table and benches at the coffee shop.  It was early morning, and the weather was just right.  When the kids woke up, we had lots of time for hugs and love and Disney shows.  I love Charlotte's "Bedhead."  She's so precious to me. 

My family means everything to me, and I appreciate Jess coming this way to see her mama.  Nel said she wants to take a road trip and visit too.

   

The Chosen

 I just watched The Chosen Season 5, episode 3 Livestream.  It was an excellent episode, where the Pharisees surround Jesus and ask Him questions, and He answers them all with clarity and truth.  He talks about the Holy Spirit during The Last Supper, which is also special.  It's such an important episode.  There is a beautiful scene towards the end.  I believe it's playing for 72 hours after it's release, and I just wanted to let you know.

~Sheri  

Lake Shasta Caverns

 There are many attractions in the mountains of northern California, and Lake Shasta Caverns is one of them.  I have been wanting to go here for some time now, and when Jess visited last week, we did!  Me and uncle b. met her in the city, and then Jess drove from there.  You have to first take a boat ride, which is 10 minutes, and then take a shuttle, 10 minutes, to the caverns.  It was a clean boat with a pleasant breeze, and I brought snacks as we enjoyed the journey.

The boat ride is on Shasta Lake with beautiful emerald green waters.

When we first started out, we noticed a World War 2 boat on the lake that was interesting.

Then, we took a shuttle on a winding road up the mountain to the caves.  We are at the caverns now, and a black bear sculpture greets us at the door.  How I managed to walk up and down over 600 stairs on the tour is beyond me.  And even more astonishing is that Jess carried a heavy baby walking those stairs.  There is a point where you can exit if you don't want to take the full tour.

The caverns are at least 200 million years old.  It is a treasure that has been hidden deep in the mountain above Lake Shasta for centuries.

A new discovery appears in every direction you turn.

When it rains outside, it rains in the caverns.  This natural process of water flow can lead to increased water within the caverns and rising water levels in some areas.

The Stalactites come from the ceiling, and the Stalagmites come from the ground.  They are both made from calcium salts and dripping water.  I call the Stalactites "icicles."

At the end of the tour, there was a light show with different colors illuminating the dark caves.  It was spectacular!

It was such a neat experience, and one that was worth walking up and down all those stairs.

There is a gift shop at the entrance of the caverns, and we were hungry, so we got a hot dog before driving back to the city.

As soon as we got back to the city, it was such a hot day that we indulged in some ice cream!  I got a cone with soft chocolate ice cream, marshmallows, and graham crackers.  So good. 🍦

We did some shopping at Michael's, World Market, and had a wonderful Italian dinner.

After taking showers and resting up, we watched the movie, We Bought A Zoo, with Matt Damon and Scarlett Johansson.  I had seen it recently, so I suggested it to the family.  Jess really liked the movie.  It was heartwarming, funny, out of the ordinary, and an interesting true story.

And plenty of time for hugs.  Charlotte loved the little outside chair I bought for her, and even brought it inside the house.

I'll show you more of our adventures next time.