Happy Holidays

Time in Chico with family, including my
brother visiting from Thailand. A great holiday!

Pumpkins HOOOOOOOOO...

It was an overcast Sunday... drizzly at times. The kind of day where you could be content holed up inside with a book and a mug of tea. This lasted for awhile but the call of the great pumpkin could not be silenced.
Not only one great pumpkin was found but two!After the hard, long search we came home and treated ourselves to a mug of hot cocoa! This Sunday gets a check of approval... it even got a high-five.

a visit from Flat Stanley...

Today Squirrel Meat and I took our friend, Flat Stanley, on a trip up the northcoast on Hwy 101. It was a beautiful fall day and if you found a protected spot from the wind, you could soak up the autumn sun for hours.The first super cool thing we all saw today were some Roosevelt Elk. A very large group of females, their youngsters and one BIG buck.

Next, we were off to see some big trees. The redwoods of course, and boy did we find some big ones. You could hardly even see Flat Stanley next to the tree. He seemed almost fairy sized compared to the towering giants.

On our way back we stopped for a little more sun at the beach. Flat Stanley took a liking to the sand. We had a hard time talking him into getting back into the car.

Thanks to Flat Stanley, Squirrel Meat and I had a great day on the northcoast! It was nice getting to know Flat Stanley and we wish him well on his journey back to New Jersey.

East Coast Family...

I spent 2.5 days (not nearly long enough) with my east coast family in mid September. It was a great trip that I'll never forget. I learned so much about my family and at the same time myself. For instance, I now know where my big feet come from and that I should refer to them as "canoes."

The first day was spent at the Philadelphia Zoo with the kids. Their favorite animals were the pigeons. I really liked the polar bears and of course the big tortoises.

The next day we were off to NY City. It was actually 9/11 so there was a lot going on in the city. We walked a lot and saw a lot. I was overly stimulated by sites and sounds and was thankful to have my cousins and aunt to point out key features of the city.

But of course my favorite part of NY was actually Central Park. I felt at great peace the instant we walked down into the park. The street noise of cars and people was muffled and instead my ears tuned into abundant song birds and wildlife for entertainment.

The best part of this trip was simply getting to spend time with my family who were wonderful to me. I can't wait to return!

Winks...

This is the bug. He is 2.5 years old.

Home sweet home...

I got to spend a great 3.5 days in my hometown this past weekend. Plenty of time for a walk in Upper Bidwell Park (one of my favorite places on earth), hang with friends, and celebrate the 1 year birthday of Mr. Pumpkin. Not to mention lots of time spent with family.

Legendary...

No Summer is complete in my book without a trip to the Trees of Mystery.



I have vivid memories as a child walking up to Paul and Babe in the parking lot and hearing Paul's deep, thundering voice, "I see a little girl in a red shirt." I look around for the girl in the red shirt. When I realize, uh-oh, I'm the girl in the red shirt! How can this giant statue guy see me and talk to me without moving his lips? I would hide behind my parents until we got inside. My parents would try to push me in front... trying to encourage my shyness to dissipate. It didn't work. Even with this somewhat scary/odd memory, I enjoy seeing Paul and Babe and his big blue balls.

My turn...

Northern California has been on fire for weeks now. The sunlight shining down through the smoky skies has shone orange daily And I live on the coast! I feel for all my friends and family inland that are dealing with temperatures over 100 degrees and much denser smoke. Some friends have been evacuated from their homes, but no losses have been had.

Last night was my first big scare with fire. I had enjoyed a leisurely Sunday of bike riding, thimble berry picking, and rock skipping on the Mad river with Squirrel Meat. Upon settling in for the night I noticed a small fire truck with flashing red lights speed up my road (a dead end road). Huh?... then another larger fire truck followed by a bulldozer. What is that? The sound of a helicopter, which upon looking up to the sky was carrying a water bucket.

A half mile up my road is timber property that is very dry. It was obvious that something major was going on. My roomies and I quickly got on the phone, as the helicopter continued passing back and forth, to get whatever information we could. We also opened a bottle of wine to calm ourselves down just a bit. We finally got a hold of a neighbor who was on his quad watching the action. It was a fire on the timber property and he was going to continue watching the progress and give us updates.

A few hours later we saw a fire truck leaving, then another. The sound of the helicopter just a memory. There was a calm in the air and we could now sleep.

(Photo shown is not from around these here parts)

My last trip to Chico...

My last trip to Chico was actually in early June but it feels like months ago at this point.

It's so hard being away from my family and friends, especially the wee ones that are growing and changing so rapidly.

I do my best to stay in touch and take the wee ones to Bidwell Park each visit.

Pictured from top to bottom: Me and the Pumpkin, Jar and De-ja-de

Moved...

After eight years of residing in a nice townhouse in Arcata I've relocated to a home that fulfills all that I've been looking for and then some. I now inhabit a home on 3.5 acres of land surrounded by redwoods. The property has a small stream, lots of garden area and even a tree house. There are 4 bunnies, a family of ducks, a black lab (Tonga), two cats (Benny and Lucky) and another mixed dog (Pippy) to keep me company. I'm excited each day to return home from work and smell the redwoods, pines, wet earth, sweet grass and roses.

A fun art project from this winter.

Ready for some summer fun...

Yesterday I awoke to the sound of songbirds outside my window (not an uncommon thing). The sun was shining and the day was warming early (somewhat uncommon for around these parts). I was full of energy (a new trend). And with my slipped disc back in place (the cheese back on my cracker) I decided to ride my bike to work (awesome with cows, pigs, baby ducks, green fields, the bay and purple lupines for entertainment).

Why so happy? Why so refreshed? I had turned in my final project for my final grad level class from a year ago (wasn't able to finish due to Mono). It wasn't easy to turn it in. Someone thought it would be funny to leave packages resembling bombs around campus so buildings were being evacuated, including the building in which my paper needed to go.

I entered the building, already empty except for a handful of profs. The bomb squad guy was firmly telling people to leave. With paper in hand I knew I could make it to the office for deposit. I couldn't fathom leaving campus without turning in this project that had been lingering in my head and into my days off for a year now. Bomb or no bomb this paper was done and I was turning it in or going down with it.

So, I'm now officially ABT (all but the thesis)...

Mulverized...

A rockin' night I've had. Just moments before Peter Mulvey hit the stage in the small Arcata Playhouse, where I was seated in the 3rd row, a 5.2 earthquake hit. Now that's how to get a crowd excited. And being that I was already quite enthusiastic to see Peter for the 2nd time my heart was a-racin'. The show was fabulous and I got to speak with Peter after and discover he'll be back in November. Awesome!!!

Another Trinidad morning...

After checking the paper to see if it was really Easter, EvaEverAfter and I did what had to be done, drove to Trinidad. It's pretty much been my Easter tradition since I moved here 8 years ago. Walking around Trinidad head we saw many signs of spring, including the perfect spring smell of sweet flowering plants, and warm salt spray. Bumblebees were buzzing about, hummingbirds squeaking, and plenty of songbirds singing their tunes. The ocean was calm with just the slightest of breeze in the air. Spring perfect!



Trillium!












We even saw the Easter Bunny!

Sunny Sunday Morning...

Not much beats a sunny morning spent drinking coffee and exploring the many beaches around Trinidad. A common Sunday adventure.

human nest...

So EvaEverAfter and I were brainstorming super duper unconventional things we'd like to have some day. I decided I wanted a human nest and this is what I found when I googled it. These hanging beds have a fitted memory foam mattress, and depending on their size can hold up to 6 people. Get more info and pictures here. If anyone would like to buy me one, please do so.

EvaEverAfter came up with wanting a bedroom that was all bed. I immediately conjured up images of jumping on the bed. It would be more a gymnasium than bedroom to me.

Sing us a Song...

I just returned from seeing the one and only Billy Joel for the second time, and I have to say that Billy still rocks! I had a blast with Fuego and the Rev singing, dancing and yes, yelling my admiration for Billy Joel. Billy rocked the house for over two hours, ending the show with Scenes From an Italian Restaurant, Only the Good Die Young and of course the Piano Man. The photo was taken with an iphone at the show from our amazingly close floor seats. Thank you Fuego and the Rev for the birthday/xmas billy joel ticket present!

I've been looking for the perfect YouTube video to capture the moment. The video below is pretty much my exact experience. It's as if the person next to me had taken it.
Notice: 1) Billy is a great pianist and would often be fiddling around on the keys and then just slip into a song. 2) As soon as he starts playing the Piano man the person taking the video starts swaying... this is something you have no control over, the song forces your body to react in this manner. 3) The girl singing along (we all did it), but it's so loud you can't even hear yourself... well, actually you can kind of hear yourself, and I'm pretty sure I sounded this bad.

The complete Set List
Prelude/Angry Young Man
My Life
Everybody Loves You Now
The Entertainer
The Ballad of Billy The Kid
Allentown
New York State of Mind
Zanzibar
Root Beer Rag
Movin' Out (Anthony's Song)
Don't Ask Me Why
Captain Jack
She's Always A Woman
Keeping The Faith
The River of Dreams
Highway To Hell
We Didn't Start The Fire
It's Still Rock and Roll To Me
You May Be Right
Scenes From An Italian Restaurant
Only The Good Die Young
Piano Man

Mendo heaven...

Just returned from a weekend in Mendo with some of the loveliest people I know. When surrounded by such beauties as the Pumpkin (left) and De-ja-de and the Jar (right), how can one not bask in the joy of life? Couple that with plenty more good company, warm sunshine and good food and you have Mendo heaven.

It's snowing in Arcata....

That's right... It's been snowing all afternoon!

Thai carrot soup = yum, yum, yummy...

I like to cook with as much locally grown produce as possible. It's gets a little more difficult this time of the year. By now I've tired of winter squash recipes and kale and potatoes just lose their excitement. The other day while in the market I found a 5 pound bag of brilliantly orange carrots and made the purchase with soup in mind. I found the following recipe and whipped it up served with salad and bread. All enjoyed the flavorful soup that warmed us on a cold winters evening.



2 Tb butter
1 onion (i used red)
2-3 cloves of garlic
2 thumbs of ginger (minced)
1/2 tsp coriander
1 tsp cumin
2 lbs carrots (chopped)
1 jalapeno pepper
4 cups veggie broth
3 heaping Tbsp peanut butter
1 cup coconut milk
cilantro
chopped peanuts

- Melt butter in a soup pan and add onion, garlic and ginger (simmer 3 min.)
- Add coriander and cumin
- Add carrots, jalapeno pepper and broth. Cover and simmer 25 minutes.
- Add peanut butter.
- Process in food processor.
- Return to soup pan and stir in coconut milk.
- Put in serving bowls and garnish with cilantro and peanut bits

Wales...

Want to see more of my trip? Go here. Click on "View as Slideshow" in upper right hand corner for a better look.

Yes, I had a wonderful time and great New Years in Wales! I went on many hikes around the country side and had fun exploring castles with Marmite as my tour guide. I ate Welsh cakes, pasties and plenty of bread, cheese and curry. I drank beer and cider in pubs and even indulged in real fish and chips. I learned how to pronounce "services" and "slow" in Welsh. No, I never had need to use these words but they were the most common on road signs and thus easy to learn. Best of all I survived the crazy roads and crazy drivers. I developed a strong liking for hedge rows but missed the California sun.

Sorry Wizard, I did not find Kathryn Zeta Jone's sister.