Raining Cats And Dogs

I had a tax appt. last week, so I went into town for awhile.  I always dread my tax appts. every year, mainly because I don't really understand all the tax jargon that is being said.  But I had a good agent who was helpful, and it turned out to be not such a bad appt. after all.  The first of the daffodils always show up at a little house down the street.  I made a big fruit salad with strawberries, oranges, bananas, and mango!  After my tax appt. I went to get a breakfast burrito.  Since it was Friday and no meat, I ordered a veggie one with eggs, potatoes, onions, bell peppers, and cheese.  Did I mention that we have a little place up here that makes the best breakfast burritos?  It was sunny all week, but we've had windy days and heavy rain over the weekend.  A batch of peanut butter chocolate chip cookies are in the oven, and a hot cup of coffee is ready as I share with you some pics I took while in town after my tax appt.  Glad it's over til next year.  ; )

I saw these for the kids' goody bags, and couldn't resist.  They love Disney.

It's raining cats and dogs, and I'm loving every minute of it.  Speaking of cats, here's Nel's cat, Luca, all snuggled up on the couch.

Happy Easter to you.

*Jen Norton painting

~Sheri 

Traveling Teddy Takes A Snow Trip

We're already in the middle of March - this month seemed to go by quickly.  First, I want to tell you that I was pleased to hear that my area made the list of The most beautiful places in California! 

We had another snowfall, but it was a light one, just enough to grace the lawn with white.

Jess and Nel take their bear, traveling teddy, whenever they go on trips.  Jess and family took a drive to the lake up in the mountains, and it was Charlotte's first time in the snow!

I am having a fun time making the goody bags for the kids.  Whenever I see something they'd like, I add it to the bag, and it's filling up.  They are not for Easter, just a small gift for when I see them soon.

Uncle B. has even contributed, and bought a few treats for his nieces.

I caught a lively leprechaun

With stubble on his face.

He promised loads of buried gold

And led me to the place.

But when I let him loose to dig,

He leaped and led a chase.

That lively laughing leprechaun

Had left without a trace!

~Betsy Franco

Mia had the idea to make  shamrock cookies.  While they were waiting for them to cool, a leprechaun came through the kitchen and sprinkled some gold!

It's been spring-like weather all week, and the sun shone down on the creek making the water glisten.  It was a very windy day when I visited.  A few pictures of the creek and town.

Mount Shasta is still snow-capped in March.  Because it is said to have unusual energy fields, some think it is very mysterious, and others have ranked it as one of the world's seven sacred mountains.

I made more pasta, but this time I sauteed some shrimp with butter, and poured it over the sauce.  It was delicious.

Do you love bagels and cream cheese as much as I do?  It's cinnamon raisin today.

Have you tried the Mint Oreos?  They're pretty good.

I bought some sandals on-line for the fundraiser dinner coming up.  They will go well with all my clothes this Spring. 

And at Nel's house, a simple and sweet Easter display.  The book page that is open is actually a poem about Easter.

My neighbor works so hard out in her yard, and like me, she doesn't like overgrown bushes and often grooms her area, raking and piling, and clearing things out.  Her dog is accompanying her today.  He's a pretty gentle dog.

Oh my goodness, right after that, a horse passed my house, what a sight it was.  I've never seen a horse walking through the neighborhood!

"Because of your smile, you make life more beautiful." ~Thich Nhat Hanh

~Sheri

California Botanic Garden

Winter is still lingering here, and sometimes we can get the snow, rain, and cold until April, with a few warm days in between.  There is actually a gentle snow falling as I'm looking out my window right now....and I love it.  I just realized that I never shared my time at the Botanic Garden while I was in So Cal, and since Spring will arrive shortly, I thought it was a good time.

So, come along and walk with us while we enter the enchanting Botanic Garden.

I stopped to gaze at these pink bushes.  They were so lovely and looked like a bubble gum pink.

We rested along the way, and sat at these picnic tables.  Nel made us a wonderful picnic lunch, and packed it all in her basket that she got from England.  Her colleagues that she's working with on the study abroad, sent it to her with a bunch of tea goodies inside as a thank you gift for working with their students.

We came upon the most magical area.  I thought a gnome or fairy would pop out at any moment.  This twisted old tree is the most beautiful tree I've ever seen, literally.  My photo doesn't reveal just how unusual and special it was.

Such Silence by Mary Oliver

As deep as I ever went into the forest

I came upon an old stone bench, very, very old,

and around it a clearing, and beyond that

trees taller and older than I had ever seen.

Such silence!

It really wasn't so far from a town, but it seemed

all the clocks in the world had stopped counting.

So it was hard to supposed the usual rules applied.

Sometimes there's only a hint, a possibility.

What's magical, sometimes, has deeper roots

than reason.

I hope everyone knows that.

I sat on the bench, waiting for something.

An angel, perhaps.

Or dancers with the legs of goats.

No, I didn't see either.  But only, I think, because

I didn't stay long enough.

Then, we passed the most dazzling golden tree.  I had to take a picture of Nel and Mia standing next to it.

There were so many exotic flowers and plants and shrubs and trees.

It was a really nice and memorable time walking through the Botanic Garden.  If you're ever in the area, I do hope you visit.

~Sheri

It's All About The Purple

Turning the page to March,

we've had some different weather - a combination of rain, sunshine, and snow!  It's so pretty, but I've had to drive in it, so kind of scary at the same time.

I can't describe how pretty the winters are up here when the snow falls.  My pink rain boots came in handy all winter.

All of February and so far in March I have been taking care of many things that are on the to-do list.  It has been a bit hectic lately, so the best remedy for that is Chinese take-out.

My neighbor always has the most unusual and interesting things on her front porch, and this is her latest.

It brings me such joy when I see the dear dove on my lawn, and she is coming around more frequently now that March is here.  This one is the Eurasian Collared Dove.

This little guy visited too.

Mia had a school field trip to the Science Center, and she got to touch a starfish!

The color during Lent is purple, and since I'm so fond of it, I use it as a main color for decorating for Easter.  I started with a framed photo from the lovely Kim at Daisy Cottage, and my purple doll from France.

My blog friend sent this to me, and I've loved it ever since.  There's so much detail in this piece.

The church is adorned in purple as well.  The grounds look very nice.

My son made a batch of these brownies.  They were incredible.

March always reminds me of my best friend, as this is her birthday month.  I will see her soon when I travel to my hometown for a fundraiser dinner.  Two carefree sixteen-year-olds; I'm the one standing.

Had a zoom chat this last weekend with the grandkids and caught up on their little lives.  Mia showed me her new cat toy with the big eyes, and we all laughed, and later on Francesca stepped outside in the rain and came back and showed me her wet hair.

Leftover pizza, and I added some more cheese when I heated it up.

Can you tell I love Italian?

I'm making goody bags for the kids, and filling them with small things.  And I had to get this bunny for baby Charlotte cause I love the color mint, and he was soooo soft.

May you have colorful March days.

*Jess photo

~Sheri