Reserve

 Song - Stuck in Lodi Again by Creedence Clearwater Revival

 

 On Tuesday of this week my friend Jill and I took a drive about an hour Northeast from home but sill under the watchful eye of Mt. Diablo in the distance.  It was part of a Christmas present I had given to her this year and next week I will share her gift to me with you!

 

 We arrived at the Woodbridge Ecological Reserve on a beautiful crisp winter morning.  An American Kestrel greeted us from high atop a telephone pole.

Unfortunately there were only a smattering of Sandhill Cranes on this trip.  For some reason the reserve had drained two of the fields of all of the standing water. However we did see a fun mix of other birds and had a great Thai lunch after we finished our bird watching.

An Great Egret was standing near a canal watching for something tasty to float by.

And a Belted Kingfisher was happily chattering away high on top of some barren tree branches. 

A Great Blue Heron was also standing near the canal of water watching both the water and us driving slowly by. 

The air was filled with a variety of bird calls as well as a chorus of frogs croaking quite loudly. And one of the highlights was watching a hawk catching a very long snake.  It was so exciting that all of my photos turned out blurry....

It was a day of laughter and fun with a dear old friend!

 

" We are best friends. Always remember if you fall, I will pick you up....after I'm finished laughing."

--Unknown

Giving Thanks II

Song - Thanksgiving Song by Adam Sandler 

 

 

Most of these last few weeks were spent on Thanksgiving preparation.  I bought all of the non-perishables last week and polished the silver.  Mr. B went shopping Tuesday for perishables while I cleaned house and began setting the table.

The silverware still needs to be added as well as a few loose ends - salt & pepper & butter!

The only thing not cooperating is our tree....

 Our October Glory was amazing about a week ago when this photo was taken but unfortunately all the leaves will be gone by Turkey Day. Our family and friends like to pose every year in front of this tree for photos.

Andy & Ashley

Farmer B.

June, Andy & Calvin

My mom and dad

Jon's dog Chewy

The whole gang!

Henry last Thanksgiving

Notice that there were very few leaves on the tree here

Mr. B photo bombing Ashley's photo

I did gather some leaves from several of our trees and ironed them with wax paper to preserve them. I then placed them inside our glass candle holders with flame-less candles. You can see them in the second photo from the top. They look beautiful as the light shines through them.

Love this quote by Gabriel Andreas

Art by Matthew Andreas

Sir Paul

Song - Yesterday by Paul McCartney


The girls were ready to rock on Wednesday evening!

We were there to see & hear Paul McCartney.  And although his voice isn’t what it used to be,he certainly took us down memory lane with his songs and stories.

Thanks Paul for a great time and for sharing so much of your good heart with the world!

“I get by with a little help from my friends “

Giving Thanks

Song - Take Me Home Country Road by Shaney-Lee (7 years old)

Falling leaves

hide the path

so quietly

--John Bailey 

Hope you enjoy your Thanksgiving Day with family and friends.

Learning To Fly

Song - Come Away With Me by Norah Jones

So I have these two friends who happen to be sisters and I have known them for 40 plus years.

And we have a little problem.....we like to go to Paris together.

Jackie & Sydney came over to my house last weekend and we were supposed to plan a long weekend away this Spring.  We talked about many places to visit but then Jackie said "Oh heck, let's just check out airfare to Paris" and we all got to giggling hysterically and oops.....

we are heading to Paris in just a few weeks!

We have reserved our favorite room at the cozy little hotel we like in the 6th Arr.

There is a little balcony off of the bedroom that we have breakfast on while planning our day while looking out over the various rooftops in the neighborhood.

   

Then off we go to the various places that speak to our hearts. 

Some times we all go together and other times each one of us is off on her own journey.

In the next few weeks I hope to share these special spots with you!

"Paris est toujours une bonne idée"

--Audrey Hepburn

"Paris is always a good idea" - from the movie Sabrina

Sipping on Saturday

Song - Little 'Ol Wine Drinker, Me by Dean Martin

My friend Jill brought me up to Calistoga for my Christmas gift yesterday.  We had a beautiful drive up there, the weather was gorgeous and then we ate lunch at a yummy Thai restaurant downtown.  After lunch we went into some of the shops along main street.  And you won't believe it but they have a real live bookstore that's still in business!

We headed on down the Silverado Trail to visit one of my favorite wineries - Frank Family!

It's a tad expensive but when I want to splurge on occasion - this my go to wine! The guy (Saul) who was pouring our tastings said that I looked familiar.  We finally figured out that he worked at Chimney Rock Winery when my artist friends from BASA and I had a nine month show up there!

It was a beautiful day in the country with my beautiful friend!  

Thanks Jill.  

We need to celebrate Christmas more often!!!

"Each friend represents a world in us, 

a world not born until they arrive, 

and it is only by this meeting 

that a new world is born." 

-- Anais Nin

TJ

Song -Theme from Superman by John Williams

I have a nephew who's name is Timothy John after his dad 

and TJ has been his nickname since day one!

He loves animals.......

....and sports of all kinds but especially swimming and isn't afraid to share his enthusiasm!!!

 He loves his friends.....

....and family (especially Grandma Betty)!

But TJ is 22 now and beginning a new journey in his life.

 

W O R K....

He has been working for several months at Sideboard restaurant in Lafayette.

So if you happen to stop in there, please say hello to TJ!

He will great you with a warm heart and kind smile!

"Let your smile change the world 

but don't let the world change your smile."

 -- Connor Franta

Gobble Gobble

Song -Thanksgiving Theme by Vince Guaraldi Trio

Mr. B and I are busy in the kitchen preparing a Thanksgiving meal for our family.  Mr. B takes on the tough stuff - the turkey (or turkeys), the stuffing and gravy.  I get the side dishes and set the table.  We have guests bring appetizers or desserts.  Luckily all of our boys like to cook just like their dad!

This is a photo of me in front of our Ponderosa house.  That was when Walnut Creek had Walnut trees and California had water!

We were probably getting ready to go to my grandparents home in Oakland where Grandma Sophie cooked for her four daughters (Grandma was Italian and no one else knew how to cookjust like her!), their spouses and the twelve grandchildren - my cousins!

Just wanted to say that I am so very thankful for FAMILY....little do you realize how important it truly is when you are young!

Enjoy your day, the food on your table, the family and friends around you and the love that is there!

“Grace isn't a little prayer you chant before receiving a meal.  It's a way to live.”  ~Attributed to Jacqueline Winspear

Fields of Gold

Song - Heart of Gold by Neil Young

Monday I took a leisurely drive up to Napa Valley to see the mustard in the vineyard and to walk with a dear friend.  I passed some Belted Galloway cows or better known as Oreo Cows!!!

Since I was early in meeting my friend, I decided to head on up to Yountville as a "Krwa-son" had my name on it!

While I was at Bouchon, I decided to get a couple of croissants to share with family and friends.  After thoroughly enjoying the buttery, moist, light, flakey roll, I placed the bag with the remainder of them in the far back of the car so I wouldn't be tempted to nibble as I drove.

My friend, Helen told me that the mustard had just opened up last week and it is beautiful. Actually it was a lovely warm winter's day. We had a delicious lunch and then walked around downtown Napa and past the Victorian homes called painted ladies and through the park.

We stopped by the Gallery where Helen shows her jewelry and hand dyed silk scarfs.  She is incredibly talented, brilliant, creative and has a heart of gold...... 

This morning, I woke up early and ran into the kitchen and grabbed a perfect croissant and ran back to have breakfast in bed while Mika gave me the stank-eye. 

Two lovely days after a tough month! Thank you Helen...... 

Scratch & sniff HERE........(jk)

"It's your road, and yours alone.  

Others may walk it with you, 

but no one can walk it for you."

 --Rumi