California Fires

Before I show you some pictures of home, I wanted to tell you that there are lots of fires going on in northern California right now.  Some are far from me, and some are closer.  Some of the fires have been contained, but some are raging out of control.  It's so scary, but we have our CAL FIRE firefighters working continuously, and they are amazing.  Yesterday, when I went outside in the evening, the sky looked so strange.  The winds have shifted here and there from the fires, and I was looking at a hazy and pink sky.

I love home and everything about it.  I love to decorate, especially with the holidays, and it seems that if I'm living in a big two-story house or a small cottage-style house, I still find ways to make my home cozy.  My favorite sausage is the original Jimmy Deans, and I have it with eggs, plain sandwiches, and even add it to my spaghetti, which is really good.  When my brother painted the rooms in this house, he found all the right colors.  Part of my dining room he left the walls unpainted cause it was the original pine paneling that you see in the cabins, and it looks nice.  But my bathroom he painted white, which I think was a good choice, because I like the look of a clean and light bathroom.  I added the color 'blush' in there, and found a blush shower rug, and added a picture that Jess gave me and a seashell I've had since I was a little girl.  It's very minimal decorating, but that's me.  My neighbor brought over some cucumbers and squash from her garden, and says there's more to come.  There's nothing like veggies from a garden. 

While the skies are hazy from the smoke, I will keep praying and have pleasant thoughts.  Won't you pray with me?

~Sheri

A New School Year

We are in the middle of Summer, or shall I say the end, and last week wasn't as hot as the weeks before.  It has been a mellow Summer lately.  I've noticed a change in the light of day also, and I think Fall will be here before we know it.  I have been thinking of my daughters, as school is starting up again.   Nel is teaching her college students this Fall, but her class in online, and Jess will teach her elementary students in the classroom this school year.  I think they have one of the oldest and most valued professions - being a teacher and shaping young minds to love learning is truly special.

One day last week, I looked across the street and saw an incredible sighting - a deer was standing in my neighbor's yard.  I quickly got my camera and went outside.  I tried to slowly take a picture, but was too excited, and it ran right past me and into the woods.  It was big and strong, and I was surprised to see that it was a Buck!

These were taken in my front yard.  I think this is a Robin, but not sure.

 Oh, sometimes I will look over and see a pink rose growing in my garden, and it makes me smile.  They aren't always like this; sometimes they turn out light, but this one was just right.

There was a farmer's market in my town at the end of July.  Me and my son happened to be in town that day.  I've been craving pecan pie, and when he saw they were selling mini pies, he went over and bought a pecan pie.   Oh.my.gosh. it was the best.

The creek, end of Summer.

A cow farm near the creek.

There is a drive-in that's up the street from my house with a big tree that stands to the right of it, and someone carved a face on the tree.   It's so cool and artistic, and I've been wanting to take a picture of it and finally did.

I can tell Summer is almost over, and I'm glad.  Too hot for me.  I am already starting to see Fall in little ways, and I am curious what it will be like here in the mountains.

~Sheri 

Califortieth

When Nel turned forty, she always wanted to take an elaborate trip to Europe, but things don't always turn out the way we plan, and instead she took a grand California camping road trip, and she called it Califortieth.  I shared some of the time and pictures with you when she visited me in the mountains, but she went to many other great places before.  Jess and her family joined her, and there were some interesting sites they saw along the way.  These were taken at their first stop.

The next camping spot

On their way to the Humbolt Redwoods campground, and I love this picture of Renecke and Nel by the fire pit.

Nel has read so many books in her lifetime that I thought this picture suits her.

At the Waterfalls

 Jess taking a picture of me taking a picture.  ; )

I'm glad they were able to climb down to the rocks at the base of the Waterfalls.  When you look up, it's magnificent!

I LOVE this picture and want to frame it someday.  Francesca is looking through all my jewelry and trying everything on.

On their way back, they stopped at beautiful Carmel.  This is somewhat of an expensive area, but one must visit here when in California.

This is the garden and pathway to the Thomas Kinkade Gallery.

I have always loved his art, and have a painting above my mantel that looks wintery with all the snow.

Nel bought this pen with the birthday money I gave her.  She was journaling the whole trip, and the two pens she brought ran dry.  She was so glad to buy this pen so she could record the rest of the trip.

Here's Mia at the restaurant eating caviar for the first time.  Nel didn't think she'd like it, but she LOVED it and asked the waiter for more.   He thought that was so funny and brought her a second helping.  Nel told me, "baby has expensive taste." haha

After Carmel, Jess and Brian took a detour and went to Santa Cruz, an area that holds a special place in their hearts.  While I love the mountains, they long for the ocean, and here is Francesca surfing with Papa.

Well, that's some of the happenings on Nel's Califortieth journey.  She said it really was a lovely time all around.

~Sheri