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wow.....what a week it's been ! Over 100 degrees every day while Josh and fam were here and staying there when Jill and family arrived. Yesterday it cooled a little, but by next weekend the temps should climb back to the 100's. We've been staying cool with the help of our little lake and what a great time "the cousins" all had ! They discovered the rope swing on the other side of the lake and so they took turns rowing the kayaks over , having a few swings then heading back. They also found a large log that was floating around and pulled it around the bend......lots and lots of fun on that rolling log ! Needless to say, the dogs were in heaven.....Callie was awesome on the log, I think we should take her to the coast to try some surfing !
Jack and Donna and Dan and Anna came up the day after the 4th.....it was wonderful to see everyone and we enjoyed a light dinner on the deck. The next day was tipi raising day and it dawned, once again, hotter than a pistol. It turned out to be an all day event.....thanks again Jack and Donna, we couldn't have done it without you ! We were all heat and sun exhausted by the time we got it done, but it's awesome to have it proudly standing !
Today I think Jill and I are headed to Nevada City to meet Tess and Bryn......Grandpa Jim, the boys and Callie once again headed to the lake !
Holy moly.......it's a winter storm in June ! Yes, hard to believe,but we just received around 2 inches of rain in the past two days. Highly unusual for Lupine Hill. We often get summer storms with thunder, lightening and a brief downpour, but the last couple of days have been steady rain and cool temps. All the flowers and veggies are a little beaten down , but in the long run I'm sure they'll appreciate this damp gift.
Josh and his family were due to show up on Thursday, however, Josh called this afternoon and said due to a great job opportunity they won't be here until probably Saturday. That works out ok for us since we haven't been able to "open" the pool yet due to the weather. We definitely want the water to be welcoming since by the time they get here it's forecast to be well into the nineties up here !
Jilly and her family will be arriving this coming Tuesday and staying until August 9th. They will be gone for a week in there around the end of July as they're planning a 10 day trip to Hawaii and then coming back here to spend Jilly's birthday on August 7. If you're reading this you're invited ........details to follow !
Molly and Matt came for dinner on Saturday......super fun evening. Matt is a great guy.....open, funny and good heart. He probably be running the gauntlet in the next few weeks with all the family to meet. I think he'll be up for it !
Costco run with my mom tomorrow......Yippee....money is to spend .......right ? Hope not to rack up too big of bill......coffee, laundry detergent, bread and cereal being my main targets.
Exciting weeks ahead.....I'll do my best to stay somewhat current !
Last week at this time the temperatures were in the 110's down in the valley and not much cooler up here ! We sought refuge , along with Tess and Bryn, in the crystal blue, cool waters of the Yuba River North Fork . It was heavenly , I think Callie and I stayed in the water from about noon until 6:00 with only a couple of breaks to eat something :-) Bryn , I'm so proud to say, is a true river boy and stayed in almost the entire day also, only coming out because we forced him too, when he started turning blue ! The day will stay in my memory as one of the all time great days......hot sun, cool water, awesome water dog, people I adore......could anything be better ?
Well, coming close was a lovely get-away with my love. On Wednesday we got up early and loaded up the camper.......off we headed to Lassen National Park. It is absolutely beautiful and we practically had the place to ourselves. It's an underused gem in the National Park system......I highly recommend a trip into it, even if only for the day. After an awesome day of sight seeing we headed back to our little home -away-from-home, situated on beautiful Deer Creek. Dinner by the campfire, roasted marshmallows, a cozy bed at night with the roar of the creek as a backdrop. Pretty nice ! The next morning we did some more scouting around the area before packing up to head home. Always wonderful to be home.......can't deny it !
Today I met up with Seth and Molly for a while. Seth is off to climb El Capitan ......again !!! Needless to say I'll be happy when he's back safe and sound. Molly is headed up to the mountains to spend some time with her boyfriend......he lives in Sierraville, a beautiful little valley high in the Sierras.
Quiet weekend ahead.......Bluegrass jam on Sunday !
Today we lost an old friend.......the large Sugar Pine that stood out behind the house. It always provided much needed shade in July and August and huge pinecones for the Holidays.......you will be missed. Poor old tree showed signs of stress for a couple of years now and these past few months it was apparent it wasn't going to make it. This morning Jim walked out with the chain saw and down it came. The good news is that it will provide a lot of firewood this year, a year in which firewood is scarce. But......when you come to visit us next, you will notice it's absence, it's shade and a little bit of our home's history.
We haven't had much need of shade the past few days.....it's been really cool and rainy.....not typical May weather. Yesterday we had a cozy fire all day, played a few hands of cards and watched the rain fall. Today is a bit brighter, but still a reminder that Summer is not here yet.
Last Thursday, however, was a beautiful sunny day and Tess and Bryn came for the day. So much fun......Bryn is cruising around and jabbering all the day. He is such a good boy and already displays a ready sense of humor......you can really "play" with him.
On Saturday Tess, Bryn , Molly and I headed to the mall.......Yikes.....what a zoo ! Tess did manage to find a bathing suit, which is why we went, so I have to call the day successful. Spending the day with the girls and Bryn is always a blast for me.....maybe we'll do the mall again someday.....hopefully not until next year sometime !
Friday night we had dinner with some of our favorite people.....Seth and Amanda and Amanda's parents, Peg and Steve. We enjoyed a wonderful dinner at the Club Car.......super fun evening.
Sun is peeking out now......guess I'll head outside and help Jim dismember the old Pine.
Almost half way into May ,a kind and gentle month. I've enjoyed two great weekends ......neither of which I'd trade for anything. The first weekend of May my mom and I drove over the salt flats and through the woods to Salt Lake .......destination , Josh's house. We arrived about 5 PM, a little weary , but none the worst for wear. We were greeted by hugs and smiles and a delicious barbecued dinner. Lot's of catching up and making plans for the next day......Melanie's University of Utah graduation !!! After lazing around their beautiful house for a few hours the next morning we shifted gears. We headed out to an old favorite, The Village Inn....many years ago Josh actually worked there....and enjoyed a delicious breakfast. Next since Josh had ...uh, "grown out of his pants"....we went on a mission for some dress pants. After securing a most stunning ensemble , we headed to Costco for party fixings. Just like that....time to go to the graduation.
It was a very nice ceremony and Melanie was singled out for honors before she made her way across the stage accepting her diploma. When we all met up outside afterwards she walked up to Josh and placed her sash around his neck, saying that it was a sash of gratitude and that she couldn't have done it without him. Wow.....no dry eyes in the vicinity! It was so very touching...... Mel, you are a sweetheart.
Once we arrived back at Josh's friends and relatives began arriving. It was a wonderful party......we all had a blast ! By 11 or so we were all exhausted and bed felt mighty good.
The next morning Josh,Taige and I took Timber for a walk and ball fectching session. He is a beautiful dog and inspired me to teaach Callie a few more stupid dog tricks. Watch out ,Josh...is all I can say...
and don't forget the Hula Hoop on the 4th of July !!!
Tia had a piano recital that afternoon......excellant job, Miss Tia and then Taco Time !!! Eat your heart out, Jilly !!!! Back to Josh's for an amazing drumming session by Taige , followed by a marathon dominos tournament......the day ending with dinner at a great Chinese restaurant.
Uneventful drive home the next day......sad to say "Good bye", but good to sleep in my own bed !!!
Last week Jim and I pretty much devoted our time to firewood gathering.....kind of a tricky task this year. No big storms so not many downed trees, meaning we had to work twice as hard for 1/2 the wood ! To top it off ...on Friday we came across a Rattlesnake........ALWAYS a bad omen for me !!!
A lovely Mother's Day yesterday....all the "local" kids came up.....Seth is somewhere on the face of El Capitan ! Of course, my mom was here also. Bryn was once again the focus.....he's so darn cute.....can't keep your eyes or hands off of him!!! I think we wore him out......not easy to do !!
A few nights ago Jim and I took a brief little Spring Break getaway . We headed a few miles up the road to Deadwood, our firewood gathering locale, set up our camper and basked in the wilderness ! It was beautiful weather up there .....about seventy or so......warm enough to seek out some shade. We cooked a camping dinner......sloppy joes and s'mores......sat around the ol' campfire and then retreated to the cozy confines of our camper. Callie claimed her spot on one of the benches, Jim and crawled into our soft bed .......safe to say everyone had a great sleep. After a breakfast of ham and french toast we packed up and headed home.....a good 20 minutes away !
I must say a shower felt awfully good when we got home.......I really must be getting old !! We spent the rest of the day working in the garden......everything is so lush right now. We have a fairly good crop of Lupines this year....much better than the past couple of years.
Saturday Tess and Bryn met me in Auburn and we headed to Roseville to have lunch with my mom. Molly met us later in the day and we did a little speed shopping.......Bryn had about "had it" by then ! I left the girls about 5:00 and headed home since I had a date with a tall handsome guy ! We enjoyed a wonderful dinner at the Club Car in Auburn.....super fun day !!
Tomorrow is the opening of firewood season here in Tahoe National Forest and we hope to be one of the first folks up to Deadwood. We scouted it out when we were up there camping and didn't see much oak, so we want to go early and try to get what oak we did see.
My mom is coming up tomorrow afternoon to spend the night and then early the next morning we leave for a quick trip to Utah to attend Josh's wife Melanie's college graduation. She's receiving her teaching credential and already has a teaching position for next Fall. Can't wait to see everyone !
wow.....what a week it's been ! Over 100 degrees every day while Josh and fam were here and staying there when Jill and family arrived. Yesterday it cooled a little, but by next weekend the temps should climb back to the 100's. We've been staying cool with the help of our little lake and what a great time "the cousins" all had ! They discovered the rope swing on the other side of the lake and so they took turns rowing the kayaks over , having a few swings then heading back. They also found a large log that was floating around and pulled it around the bend......lots and lots of fun on that rolling log ! Needless to say, the dogs were in heaven.....Callie was awesome on the log, I think we should take her to the coast to try some surfing !
