Fickle Fall

The husband today started back volunteering at the Veterans Home. He helped out with Bingo. They asked me if I was coming back, but I am not ready. Pop's death hit me hard and watching him die like I did was traumatic. I keep thinking about the last time I was there - we were walking outside behind his flag-draped body to the funeral home van. The Chaplain made sure he was securely inside the van, shut the door, and stood and saluted it as they drove off. He stayed saluting until we could no longer see the van. Believe me, that really got to me. 

He did tell me some of my favorite Veterans were still there and alive so that's good. 

The weather has really cooled down - Today we're at 73. Nice in the sun but cold in the house. I refuse to turn on the heat just yet. We're at that time of the year when it is possible to use the heat and the AC all in one day. Also, when you get dressed in the morning, won't be what you will be wearing by the afternoon and then again in the evening. I'm not complaining. It beats 100+ heat. 

Navy took out for a few days of camping and lite backpacking with someone from his work, that has never camped or hiked in his life. I wonder how that went? 

That's all I have for today - 

Lassen Volcanic National Park

Hiking around Lake Manzanita 2021

 

Not a lot of the orange just yet - but pretty just the same. 

The forceful sound of the water was peaceful. 

Just the natural display of nature - on a log with plants growing inside it. 

I couldn't have done any better! 

I 

two little waterfalls - 

I was surprised there was this much water. These are spring-fed creeks - 

Not going to walk across that log! 

Surprisingly even while the Dixie Fire is in the rest of the park, 

we did not see or smell any smoke. The air was fresh. 

I really did not want to go home but we left out without packing a lunch. I know I know, not a smart move. We just forgot. then we get up there and many businesses are still closed due to the Dixie fire. After 4 hours, we started to get hungry, and fortunately, we're not that far away so we just came home and went out for lunch at my favorite Mexican place for an early dinner. 

It was 76 degrees at home; a 20-degree drop in the temperature. Came in, opened the windows, and enjoyed the rest of the day. 

I found Autumn!

This is Lake Manzanita in Lassen Volcanic National Park. Just 45.6 miles from my house! It was 54 degrees and it felt like Fall. What am I saying?  It is Fall.

The park is open at both entrances to the park up to a mile or so in. Then closed to car and foot traffic due to the Dixie Fire. The fire has devoured most of the park. 

Sometime this month, we'll go down to the other end - We have a free lifetime pass or else we'd have to pay a $30 vehicle fee. 

I love trees. 

Just beautiful. 

No one was there. We took a hike and ran into this little Doe. She was digging in the dirt. We saw squirrels, chipmunks, deer, turkeys, a stellar Jay, and a bald eagle. 

If a tree falls in a forest, and there’s no one around to hear it, does it make a sound?

Ponderosa Pine 

Picked up some pinecones with seeds in them. 

We'll try and plant them and see if it grows. 

They get tall - 

and wide. 

We had a lovely hike - alongside a stream that feeds into Manzanita Lake. 

Tomorrow I will post some waterfalls - and more Autumn in Lassen Park. 

Apples and a shade Pagoda

 

Yesterday drove out to the Apple Festival. 

A beautiful morning. 

No smoke - the air was clear, clean, and fresh with the aroma of apples everywhere. 

It seemed like everyone was rejoicing after a summer filled with smoke and fire. 

Enjoyed some apple pie - watched some good old-fashioned fiddling by a new generation. 

I had a tamale - walked around, looked at the wares the vendors were offering. 2020 was a bad year for them as well, with so many festivals canceled. (Due to Covid) 

We came upon this Bamboo Pagoda - a shade shelter. I want one. 

It was large; very large and shaded the 90+ degree temps well. 

I received my Autumn FIX for the day...

not really. Can't get enough of Fall. 

We hope to take a drive up to Manzanita Lake Tuesday for some Fall colors. 

Leaves, leaves and more leaves

This counts for Christmas decorating, doesn't it? 

I've not yet decorated except for the tree but I have been baking and making up some old family recipes and meals that bring me comfort. I'm missing my mom's country-fried pork chops so I made some the other night, with some mashed potatoes and homemade pan gravy. It was so good. Not something I should eat all the time though. I also made a peach cobbler from canned peaches. I was craving it so I made it. It was so good. 

Right now my energetic husband is blowing the leaves in the yards and then will mulch them. It's a never-ending job until the leaves have all fallen and ours have just started. He wants to put up our nativity, so he is getting the yard ready. 

I think I mentioned he finished the patio.  I am pleased it is done. 

Time to Bake

 

I made a German Chocolate bundt cake (from a mix) last night. No, I didn't frost it with coconut pecan frosting because I can't stand things THAT sweet anymore. I also don't like coconut. When I was a kid, my mom made it all the time - the german chocolate layer cake with that frosting in between. I would take a slice and then proceed to scrape off that yucky frosting. Anyway,  I sprinkled it with some powdered sugar. My husband cut a big piece and got out the Guittard chocolate ice cream topping and drizzled some of that on top. Ice cream would have been nice but we don't have any. I was happy with just a touch of powdered sugar. It was a light dessert. 

Yesterday I cleaned out and rearranged my pantry. 

I remember back in my younger days, with 3 little boys underfoot, and I could clean my whole house. These days I am lucky to get 1/4 of a room done in a day. I really hate to admit this, but I think I might be lazy and all this covid-crap doesn't make it easier. It's just one more excuse. "why clean and decorate the house, when no one comes over anymore? 

One thing I am doing is cleaning out my computer files of all my SAVED recipes I will be sharing these. 

SOURCE - Pinterest

ACORN COOKIES

• Nutter Butter bites made by Planters or bite-size Nilla wafers 
• Hershey's kisses 
• Chocolate frosting 
• Chocolate chips 

1. Place a small amount of icing on the bottom of the Hershey's Kiss then attach to the Nutter Butter. 
2. Put a dab of icing on the bottom of the chocolate chip and attach it to the other side of the Nutter Butter. 

How easy is that? 

Fall Watch from my yard.

The weather is turning to Fall, my absolute favorite time of the year and I feel I have some catching up to do. It has been so hot and then we had fires, and then the wind. Today is the first day the wind has died down - and I can open my windows and air out my home. The evenings and mornings are getting colder. This morning it was around 50 degrees. 

I enjoy the days when my husband leaves in the afternoon. I can have the house to myself and do what I want. I seem to have more energy. Right now I am washing the sofa pillows and sofa covers. The windows are open and I have chicken in the crockpot for dinner tonight. 

I am not a fancy cook. I used to love to cook but I think I burned myself out. I hardly try new recipes. Sometimes it seems like I have lost the touch. I do a few meals well. I like quick and easy - I love casseroles and one-pot meals. I love soups and stews. I admit I love gravies and sauces. Fortunately, my husband is always happy with what I cook. He is a lousy cook. NO seasonings and he either overcooks it or undercooks his dish. One time I was sick and I asked him to make some Lipton dry chicken noodle soup mix. It calls for 4 cups of water and he only put in 2 cups and the noodles were stuck together. He never stirred it. 

Today for dinner we are having 2 chicken breasts with a mushroom sauce from canned cream of mushroom soup. I added fresh garlic, Italian seasonings, sliced onions. Since I have an issue with pale chicken, I always brown it before adding it to the crockpot. I know some say that defeats the whole purpose. Whatever! We'll have a salad with some of our homegrown aroma tomatoes and that will be it. I am trying to go every other day, eating rice, potatoes, and pasta for the sauce - hoping to stretch it every 2 days once we get over the trauma of it.  That's comfort food! We love our starch but so does our waistlines. 

I want to get out my Fall/Winter clothes and pack up most of the summer clothes. Here in Northern California, you have to leave out a couple of shorts and tops just in case. We've had 80-degree weather for Thanksgiving. I do the same with my winter clothes. I did have some jeans and a long-sleeved top to wear today - it was very cold this morning and I won't turn on the heat just yet. I need to make an appointment for my furnace to be tuned up. Plus I just like to try and wait as long as we can before turning it on. 

So that is what is going on at my house. 

Last Year/ This Year

Last Year 

Okay - maybe tomorrow will be the day I will start doing the things I need to do. I am having a hard time enjoying my favorite time of the year - Autumn. Last year at this time I was crafting and decorating and buying more stuff. 

I was organized  - I always like to do a Fall cleaning. I haven't started yet. By the looks of it, I can't say whether it will get done or not. That would be a shame because I know, the clutter will only make my FUNK more defined. I just can't seem to get up and go. 

Heck, even my dog Laydee was part of my Fall decorations. 

I went out shopping today - looked at all the Fall decor and some Christmas - It did not even MOVE me. I have enough stuff. 

I used to love to clean out my pantry - to get ready for the holidays. I haven't done that yet. 

My yards are a mess, due to the smoke and ash. 

I feel overwhelmed. 

To think I started this year on a good note - had my living room carpet shampooed in January. I was chomping at the bit to get 2020 started. I had crafts to make, seeds to plant, and flowers to spruce up my yard, and a wedding to go; my son was getting married on Leap Year - the 29th of Feb! 

Will I ever be, me again? 

I need my Mojo back. 

August 24

 

“If the 24th of August be fair and clear, Then hope for a prosperous autumn that year.”

A different view

Needs picking up but it's home

I never see my home this way. From the hill in our backyard. My son took this photo - A cute little house, that I love!

I hope to be back to posting soon. I've had some personal issues to deal with plus my phone bit the dust and I am waiting for a new one - I can take some photos.

I have managed to break away and decorate for Fall, a little. Here I wait and was looking forward to Fall and then we have all this family drama that takes up my time and energy.

I hope this finds you all well. I'll be back...

Waiting for Autumn, Buffalo Plaid, and Coziness

My buffalo plaid curtains won't come till next week. So excited. I dream in buffalo plaid.  I sure hope it looks as good, as I think it will.

Yesterday I worked on a little dollar tree craft and right in the middle of it, ran out of glue sticks. So I will be making a craft run to Walmart or hobby lobby this morning.

Hopefully, this weekend, my husband can install the shelving on the walls of my craft room. It's a MESS right now, having changed its function, from a guest room (got rid of the bed) and turning it into a craft/utility room. I want to start decorating it and to make it work for me.

I am so excited that it is almost September! I absolutely LOVE Autumn. I even prefer to call it Autumn rather than Fall, most times. 

It's my season. It's when I usually do the most decorating. After a HOT summer, I look forward to the coziness it brings.