"We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing." ~George Bernard Shaw

"Look at everything as though you were seeing it either for the first or last time." ~Betty Smith, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn


Wednesday, January 31, 2018

February 1, 2018 Brand New Baby Calf!

2018 Photo Project
Photo #32
Great timing  as this baby had just recently been born.
I had just pulled over to take a few cow photos...
as I love cows and couldn't resist!
 

 

Photo # 32.2
 
The calf was just getting to it's feet.... 


Photo # 32.5
 
And there he/she is! Amazing how the cows
are all watching me very carefully.
Lovely animals.
Have a great day.
~~~

Wordless Wednesday January 31, 2018

2018 Photo Project
Photo #31
Full Super Moon and Blue Moon!
January 30, 2018  6:13pm PST
 
This was taken from our deck and you can
sort of make out Mt Shasta's silhouette.
This moon was so brilliantly bright.
 

2018 Photo Project
Photo # 31.5 
Lunar Eclipse
January 31, 2018  5:08am PST
 
Hand held photos. I actually got out of bed,
put on my jacket, warm hat and boots.
Got in the car, drove down our hill as we
have too many trees to the west and parked
our car in a neighbors very long driveway
and commenced to take a few photos.
 This was the only one really in focus.
 But at least I was there and saw how magical
 the eclipse was. Glad I got up!
The stars were amazingly bright. It was a perfect moment. 
Afterwards I turned the car around and went 
back to my snoozing sweetie and Lucy.
I hope you all got a chance to see this!
Have a lovely day!
~~~~

Tuesday, January 30, 2018

2018 Photo Project January 30, 2018

2018 Photo Project
Photo #30
Moss on Oak Tree
 
Our winter this year is unseasonably sunny and warm.
Usually the only green around is the moss on trees.  
~~~~

Monday, January 29, 2018

Awww Monday January 29, 2018

2018 Photo Project
Photo #29
Having fun in the sewing room
 
 

2018 Photo Project
Photo #29.2 
 
 
I always have fun figuring out the baby quilt.
It doesn't get finished until the baby is here.
So in a few days this will go to a local seamstress 
who has a long arm quilting machine. 
Then I will bind it and put a special pocket
label on the back with the baby's name and
birth date. And then the baby will get his quilt!   
 

 
Meanwhile let's not forget McGuffy's Reader!
Here's my Spark of the week!
Cheers!
~~~~~~
 


Sunday, January 28, 2018

Shadow Shot Sunday January 28, 2018

 
2018 Photo Project
Photo # 28
Mid-afternoon shadows with the
 Trinity Alps in the background.
~~~~
Want to see more Shadow Shots?
Just click HERE.
And have a lovely day!
 

Saturday, January 27, 2018

2018 Photo Project January 27

2018 Photo Project
Photo #27
Reflection on Castle Lake
 
Cool reflection where there was
 a bit of the lake that wasn't frozen.
( no pun intended )
I turned the image around
otherwise it would have looked like this:
 
 
Which image do you prefer?
Have a great weekend!
~~~~~

Friday, January 26, 2018

Feline Friday January 26, 2018

 
 
 
Lucy helped me take this photo!
 
 
2018 Photo Project 
Photo #26
Looking South

Thursday, January 25, 2018

2018 Photo Project January 25, 2018

2018 Photo Project
Photo #25
January 25, 2018
9:57am  PST


Wednesday, January 24, 2018

Wordless Wednesday January 24, 2018

2018 Photo Project
Photo #24
Black Butte and Mt Shasta
January 20, 2018  2:20pm PST
Driving back down from Castle Lake.
Elevation 5,440'
Castle Lake is a glacial lake located in the Trinity Mountains, in Siskiyou County of northern California.
It is west of Mount Shasta City and Mount Shasta peak. 
~~~~
Thanks Sandee for Wordless Wednesday!

Tuesday, January 23, 2018

2018 Photo Project January 23, 2018

2018 Photo Project
Photo #23
January 20, 2018
2:08pm PST
 
Castle Lake is beginning to freeze over.
Some lakes nearby are frozen enough to skate on!

Sunday, January 21, 2018

Awww Monday! January 22, 2018

2018 Photo Project
Photo #22  1/21/2018
5:22pm PST
Our First Real Snowstorm for 2018
 
 
The wind is howling and the snow
is blowing in all directions!
Fortunately we got home right before it
would have become problematic.
It seems to me the best approach is to
have a fire to sit by with a good book
and a wonderful friend.
And a cozy cat to make it even better!
Cheers!
~~~~
Thanks Sandee for Awww Mondays!
Oh my gosh I almost forgot McGuffy's Reader Sparks!
Here's my Spark for this week...
 
 
 

2018 Photo Project January 21, 2018

Additional Sunday Shadow Shots
 
 
2018 Photo Project
January 21, 2018
Photo #21
 

2018 Photo Project
January 21, 2018
 Photo #21.2
 
Yesterday was a glorious sunny day
 with barely a breeze. So Russell and I
went up to Castle Lake just 7 miles above
 Lake Siskiyou near the town of Mt. Shasta.
Because of snow on the trail our walk was
 a short one, but I got some nice photos.
Have a great Sunday!
~~~~~ 
Here's the link to Shadow Shot Sunday 
 

Saturday, January 20, 2018

Shadow Shot Sunday January 20, 2018





2018 Photo Project
Photo #20
Three Marmalades in a Row
~~~
Two days ago I posted about picking lots
of Meyer Lemons off our friends tree
so I could make a lot of marmalades.
(One of my favorite things to do)
So....two days later I have made 3 varieties:
8 half pints of Blood Orange Marmalade
7 half pints of Lemon Ginger Marmalade
and 4 half pints of Blueberry Marmalade.
I still have enough lemons left to make two 
more marmalades: 
Rhubarb Lemon and Cranberry Lemon.
Yum...colorful and delicious fun!
~~~
Do visit Shadow Shot Sunday....
so easy to play along or just to browse other's shadows.
who features photos from Southern Arizona.
Have a lovely weekend!

Friday, January 19, 2018

Feline Friday!! January 19, 2018

2018 Photo Project
January 19, 2018
Lucy basking in the sun
 
Lucy thinks it's quite alright to sun
bathe on our dining room table.
And she also thinks it's important to help
Russell keep track of his reading glasses!
Have a great day and thanks Sandee 
for Feline Friday!  
~~~~

Thursday, January 18, 2018

2018 Photo Project January 18, 2018

2018 Photo Project
Photo #18
Anne's Meyer Lemon Tree
 
Our wonderful friend and neighbor
who lives down the way called me
yesterday to come get some lemons.
So I did....a huge bag full to use in
allthe Marmalades I want to make
and to share with other friends...
I may have to go back and get more.
I love making marmalades.
 ~~~~~
 

Wednesday, January 17, 2018

Wordless Wednesday January 17, 2018

2018 Photo Project
Photo #17
Seen from our front deck at 9:05am PST on January 16, 2018 
Mount Eddy is the highest peak of the Trinity Mountains
~~~~
 

Tuesday, January 16, 2018

 
 
2018 Photo Project
Photo #16
Goldfinches Having Breakfast
~~~~
Goldfinches aren't very colorful in the winter.
But their songs are always sweet!
Just scroll down on the link above to hear
the songs and learn more about these lovely birds.
~~~~

Monday, January 15, 2018

It's Awww Monday! January 15, 2018

2018 Photo Project
Photo #15
Shhh Lucy is trying to sleep!
~~~~
Thanks Sandee for Awww Monday!

Sunday, January 14, 2018

2018 Photo Project January 14........ Early Morning Sky

 
Looking west towards Mt Eddy
 
 
2018 Photo Project
Photo #14
7:35 am PST
  
 

2018 Photo Project
Photo #14.2
7:36 am PST 
 
 
 
2018 Photo Project
Photo #14.3
7:52 am PST
 
 
I am not sure which photo I like best..
your opinions please!
Have a lovely Sunday!
~~~

Saturday, January 13, 2018

Overnight Guests Deserve a Dutch Baby! January 13, 2018

 
2018 Photo Project
January 13, 2018
Yummy Dutch Baby
 
~~~
We love having friends come to visit us.
And when they stay overnight....
oh boy do they get a delicious breakfast! 
Earlier this week I made a Dutch Baby
for our visiting friend ....
 
Dutch Baby
1/3 cup butter  5 large eggs   1 cup milk   1 cup flour
Put butter in a 9x13 inch baking dish or a
 12 inch cast iron skillet and place in 425F oven to melt.
While butter is melting put eggs in a blender on high
for 1 minute. Gradually add the milk and then slowly add the flour blending for 30 more seconds. 
Open the oven and carefully pour the batter
into the hot melted butter. 
Or take out the baking dish and pour in the batter and then return to the oven.   Bake until puffy and nicely browned,
approximately 20-25 minutes. Serve immediately with your choices of powdered sugar, lemon wedges and maple syrup.
Homemade jam is also a nice topping for the Dutch Baby. 
Serves 4-5
Enjoy!!!
 
~~~~~~

Friday, January 12, 2018

Feline Friday and 2018 Photo Project January 12, 2018

2018 Photo Project
Photo #12
 
Lucy gets quite perturbed when
we put on our coats to go run errands.
She wants us with her at all times.
~~~~
Thanks to Sandee of Comedy Plus for Feline Friday!

Thursday, January 11, 2018

2018 Photo Project and a Cookie Recipe! January 11, 2018


2018 Photo Project
January 11, 2018
Making Molasses Ginger Cookies
~~~~
No pun intended, but these cookies are
a snap to make! Happy baking!
 
Molasses Ginger Cookies
 
2/3 cup canola oil   1/4 cup Molasses  1 cup sugar
1 t ginger  1 t cinnamon  2 t baking soda
1 egg and 1/2 t salt
Mix ingredients together. Add 2 cups flour.
Mix with spoon. Roll into balls and dip in sugar.
Bake at 350F degrees for 9 minutes or more.
For fun I put a red hot candy on each ball
before baking. 
Enjoy!
 
2018 Photo Project
January 11, 2018
Photo #11.5
 
~~~~~

Wednesday, January 10, 2018

Wordless Wednesday and 2018 Photo Project January 10, 2018

2018 Photo Project
Photo #10
January 10, 2018
 
One of Russell's favorite dinner salads:
romaine lettuce, celery, tangerine pieces,
slices of a Granny Smith apple, pomegranate seeds,
candied ginger bits and gorgonzola cheese with
a lime squeezed over everything.
Yum.
~~~~~~
Thanks Sandee for Wordless Wednesday!

Tuesday, January 09, 2018

2018 Photo Project January 9, 2018

 
 
 
 
Photo #9
Russell made short work burning all
the piles and piles of cut Manzanita.
It's good to get that done and off our to-do list.
 
 
Photo #9.5
 
~~~~

Monday, January 08, 2018

Its Awww Monday and 2018 Photo Project January 8, 2018

2018 Photo Project
Photo # 8
 
Fawn watches her mother attempting
to eat a bird seed ornament
attached to the suet feeder.
I did not know deer could do this!
 

2018 Photo Project
Photo #8.5
~~~~
Thanks Sandee for Awww Monday!
 

Sunday, January 07, 2018

2018 Photo Project January 7, 2018

2018 Photo Project
Photo #7  10:07am PST
In the kitchen
~~~

Saturday, January 06, 2018

Shadow Shot Sunday and 2018 Photo Project........January 6, 2018

 
2018 Photo Project
Alpine Glow on Mt Shasta 
4:53 pm PST
Photo #6
 
~~~~~
Here's the link to see more
Have a great week!

Friday, January 05, 2018

Feline Friday and Photo #5........ January 5, 2018


2018 Photo Project
Photo #5 
 
 
 
Astro blissed out in the sunshine.
All cats love the sun.
Thanks Sandee for Feline Friday! 
 
~~~~~

Thursday, January 04, 2018

Wildlife Sighting! January 4, 2018

2018 Photo Project
January 3, 2018
Photo #4
 
Russell first sighted the Bobcat as he/she was
 sneaking up on a Gray Squirrel under the bird feeder. 
 

2018 Photo Project
January 3, 2018
Photo #4.2
 
Luckily I was able to get these photos before
the Bobcat gave up trying to get a meal
when the squirrel scampered away.
 
2018 Photo Project
January 3, 2018
Photo #4.3
 
Such a beautiful animal. 
More information here.

Wednesday, January 03, 2018

Wordless Wednesday Photo #3 January 3, 2018

 
2018 Photo Project
Photo #3
January 1, 2018  4:35pm
 
We need a lot more snow.
Poor Mt Shasta hardly has had any snow.
Weather forecast for the next 10 days
shows perhaps a few inches of rain.
Yikes.
~~~~~
Thanks Sandee for Wordless Wednesday!

Tuesday, January 02, 2018

Russell's Burn Pile January 2, 2018

 
2018 Photo Project
Photo #2
 
Russell's Manzanita burn pile.
We have 10.5 acres and there is a lot
of Manzanita that needs to be thinned
since it can be a fire hazard.
Russell has thinned quite a bit and now we are just
 waiting for a permissible burn day.
Since we have been fogged in for about a week
the poor air quality does not allow us to burn.
Meanwhile Russell keeps cutting it back and
making more burn piles.
Here's a close-up photo of one of those burn piles.


2018 Photo Project
Photo #2.2

~~~~~