Happy Thanksgiving

All my life I traveled to Grandma and Grandpa's house for Thanksgiving. Whether I lived in the same town, a neighboring state, or at opposite ends of the state, I made my way to their hearth and home. When I flew the coop as a young adult and moved to Los Angeles, my Mom would pay for my airfare. Those trips home where a wonderful time for me. My family gathered around me like a warm blanket.

Of course we eventually moved and settled further apart and those of us still on this earth now have thousands of miles between us. I believe 2004 was the last pilgrimage I ever made to Grandma's house for Thanksgiving.

So it wasn't until then that I got to cook a turkey. This year I think I finally got it right.  I watched several YouTube videos for tips and settled on one that seemed right for me. A 14lb Butterball, sitting on a bed of chopped fruit, vegetables and herbs.Herbs and apples in it's cavity, and rubbed with butter and herbs all over. Pop it in the oven and leave it alone. I didn't use a thermometer though. I trusted the timing and when It came out of the oven at about 3 hours I pierced the thigh and the juices ran clear and I called it done.

 And so it is with my husband and my mother-in-law beside me, I think of my family and Thanksgivings past and present, and give thanks to all. I love you all.

Rejuvination is Spelled I-d-y-l-l-w-i-l-d

Spending a weekend in Idyllwild will rejuvenate the tired and weary soul. It's just the perfect escape from the grind. A mountain hamlet to while away the time. Breathe deeply, the air is infused with the scent of pine, the summer sun, rain.  Walkable, dog-friendly, and super laid-back. And only a couple of hours from home. Who knew relief was that close.

Photos here
And here

My Husband's Heart in an Anvil - 7th Wedding Anniversary

Yesterday was our 7th wedding anniversary.

There's been a small box sitting on the floor next to my desk for about a week. It was a heavy little box. So when my husband and I began to open our gifts to each other, I've got the box open and whatever is inside is wound up in bubble wrap, and I'm unwinding it, and it's heavy, and he begins to tell me a little about his search for my gift that ended with him being outbid on ebay. But the next find was a 'buy it now' transaction, and I'm still unwinding my gift from the bubble wrap, so he found this anvil, and before I can even see it, I realize what he's said and that the weight in my hands, right there in my hands, is an anvil, and the tears just come and I'm laughing and crying and laughing. I found out after my Uncle died that my Grandpa's anvil didn't make the last move with my Grandma. Which I understand, it weighed a ton. But I loved that anvil, I wanted that anvil. My Grandpa's anvil. And now may husband, who knew how much it meant, has given that to me, and it's my husband's heart bound in an anvil wrapped with my Grandpa's memory. Thank you sweetie. I love it. I love you.

Memorial Day Weekend

The Plan. Spend Saturday morning volunteering for the Silver Lake Jubilee.

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Take a day trip to San Juan Capistrano on Sunday and explore the historic Mission and the area surrounding it.

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Chill and grill on Monday with cold Corona's and Rib Eye steaks.

Generations

That's my Mom Jeanette on the left, my Grandma Laura in the middle, and me on the right. My Grandma's neighbor and good friend Tess took photos of the three of us during our visit to my Grandma's this past March. Though you wouldn't know it from this photo, it's a tough time for the three of us. My Grandma now lives by herself. My Mom and I live so far away and although my Grandma is able to live independently and she has wonderful and caring neighbors and friends, like dear Tess, as she approaches her 92nd birthday this year my Mom and I worry about her.

Being the new steward of our family photos, I've gone through them several times and there are some wonderful photos of my family, some dating back to the 19-teens. There are photos of my Grandma as a young woman with my Grandpa and her children, to my Mom as a toddler and a young girl growing up, to those from my childhood bringing back the memories of my life.

And here we are many many years ago. Me on the left, my Mom in the middle, and Grandma on the right.

 

This was probably 1968 or so, and I'm probably about 9. I remember that dress. I just love my Mom's hairdo, and I believe my Grandma is younger than I am now in this picture.

Another one found in the family photo shoebox. This is in the 70s. I'm in my teens.

I have a wonderful relationship with my Mom, and my husband and my family mean everything to me, but I do wish I had a daughter. With no daughter to continue the generation of our family the lineage will end with me. I am the last in the descent of our family of women. But, so be it. That time has long passed, and I've got my dog, five cats, a tortoise and a tree frog. I'm their Mom.

Joshua Tree NP Day Trip

I spent a glorious day at Joshua Tree NP.

We had been considering a quick trip to Death Valley this month and then decided to give Joshua Tree a look since neither of us had been there before, and it's closer, more like a two and a half hour drive versus the five hours to DV.

My research began weeks ago and I had narrowed it down to some of the trails I thought would be most interesting and the most accessible for the limited amount of time we had.

Up at about 3:30 am on Saturday morning, after showering, feeding the animals, and packing up photo gear and provisions for the day we hit the road a couple of hours later and rolled in at the Cottonwood Visitor Center at about 7:30 am.

We traveled from the south entrance, which is Colorado Desert side, to the north's Mojave Desert side, exiting at the town of Joshua Tree. Along with many 'Exhibits' along the road (otherwise known as points of interest), these are the sights and trails we hit:

Ocotillo Patch

Cholla Cactus Garden

Arch Rock Trail at White Tank Campground

Skull Rock Trail at Jumbo Rocks Campground

 

Keys View

 

Barker Dam Trail at Hidden Valley Campground

 

Ice cold beer and onion rings at Joshua Tree Saloon

It was a perfectly sunny 76 degree day with a light breeze. We laid down a blanket in the shade of a big boulder mid-day and ate our lunch. The rocks are fun to climb and they have a rough grippy surface. The landscape is also very navigable, with soft gravelly washes that make natural trails through canyons in the rocks, with plenty of pops of vivid wild-flower color everywhere.

We saw plenty of lizards, squirrels and ravens. We also saw a wonderful black-tailed jackrabbit aaaaand a huge desert tortoise crossing the road.

Future trips are definitely in store.



More photos on Flickr

Where I Can Breathe

It's about time I put something new up. The new year seems to be flying by, already. I'm getting back on track with routine walks in the pre-dawn hours of the morning. The only thing that gets me out of bed on these 'chilly' mornings is waking up to my wonderful husband and our sweetie dog, all waggy tail and giddy-up lets go.

We got out on some local trails for a couple of 4to5-milers in January.

The Verdugo Mountain Trail and Bronson Canyon Trail (with its notorious cave, featured in commercials, tv, and movies). They're both wonderful trails and dog friendly.

The Verdugo's a little less crowded. This was on New Year's day, and I was feeling like I needed to get up out of the city, up where I could see, where I could breathe. It was the perfect remedy.

Happy New Year 2012

If it's New Year's morning, it must be time for a Mimosa.

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Happy New Year

Town and Country

Last weekend Will and I visited the country town of Julian, CA.Home to rolling hills and apple orchards and a small town out of the 1870's. We picked apples at the Raven Hill Orchard and had lunch at Soups and Such, visited the Pioneer Museum and a one room schoolhouse, we walked up to the hilltop cemetery, browsed the bookshop and art shops, all under a glorious blue sky.

On the way out we strolled those rolling hills in the Wildlife Sanctuary.Today I made a Granola Apple Crisp with the Empire apples we picked. It's topped with Apple Cinnamon Granola and Honey Crisp Pecans from the Julian Cider Mill.
More photos on Flickr

Ever Gentle on My Mind

There was something so deeply intimate about being there in Troy, going through my Uncle's space, a space now empty of his physical presence, and yet he was everywhere. In the look on Rusty's face, the notes left on the table, a book on the nightstand, boots kicked off and laying on the floor.His ashes are heavy in my arms. And just like he did with my Grandpa before him, with my bare hand I lift the ashes out and let them fall through my fingers to the gentle wind, to the tall grass, to the river rocks, and to the wild river.There's deep sorrow and a calming peace in doing so. He's where he wanted to be. And I look at the bend in the river and tears of joy might stain my face, and the summer sun might burn me till I'm blind. But not to where I cannot see him walking on the back roads, by the rivers of my memory, ever smilin', ever gentle on my mind.
Those song lyrics have been in my head and I take a moment to say goodbye before I rise from the riverside, and return to the others.

I Come From a Family of Fishermen

I've wanted to fish all summer long, and it seemed there was a reason this feeling consumed me. I come from a family of fishermen, says my Mom, and so it is with thoughts of my Grandpa fishing the rivers of northern California's Shasta county, with a bond so strong and a connection everlasting, that another member of those fishermen was dying.

I learned in July that my Uncle Jimmy had terminal cancer, and by Saturday morning, September 3, 2011, he was gone. Jim passed away, quietly, at home with my Grandma.
Thinking about it all summer long, Will and I were up early yesterday driving east to the San Gabriel River. The sun rising before me, tears in my eyes, and my fishermen on my mind.
I didn't catch any fish (this time). But I connected with my fishermen, and had my husband at my side.

Will and I stood on the banks of the river, casting our lines into the current, practicing more than expecting to catch anything more than twigs. And with the cool rushing water circling my legs and the warmth of the sun on my shoulders, I thought of my Grandpa and my Uncle Jimmy.

Jim was a mountain man living in northwest Montana along the Kootenai River. Smart, strong, a master craftsman, always with a dog by his side, sometimes troubled and made mean by drinking, yet loving and loved deeply. I will miss him in my life.
Rest in peace Jimmy.

OMGoats Are Cute

The goats are clearing the brush on the slope around and under Angel's Flight downtown. After going to a movie we thought we'd stop by and say "hay". They are just about about the cutest ever.More Goats on Flickr

What's Goin' On

This long weekend has been spent taking advantage of California's outdoor weather. A walk to the Silver Lake Farmer's Market always turns into photo ops.Exploring the nearby Big Tajunga Canyon was a very pleasant surprise. Yellow wildflowers exploding everywhere and a river running through it.

Weeks past we've been enjoying classics on the big screens of Los Anagles' grand theaters on Broadway.
As well as a jaunt out to Ojai for the Lavender Festival.

Whew. Summer's here.

The Wonders of the East

Just back from our whirlwind trip to Thailand and Cambodia, my husband and I were with a band of travelers, compliments of my super great boss. This trip was packed with so many beautiful and interesting destinations, and photography, no matter how stunning or ordinary, can't begin to capture the reality, beauty, or scale of the places we visited.

But that didn't stop me from blazing through my memory cards and snapping 2,217 images.
One of my favorite days happened when we broke away from the group, and with like-minded travelers Miles and Maryann (in the tuk-tuk ahead of us as we approach the gates of the Bayon Temple above), we ditched the luxury bus for a couple of tuk-tuks and hit the road for the countryside and some temples.

I've uploaded a selection to Flickr. Notes and captions still to come.

Random Rat

When my computer is sleeping my photos slide across the screen. They're random. And after an African sunset the next image may be Ranger as a pup, then a downtown mural. This one is really fantastic. Seen as we were driving down the streets of Los Angeles and of course had to stop and take a look. Wonderful.

Market Basket

It's been unusually rainy and chilly these past few months. Unusual for Los Angeles. But there's been a turn in the weather and things seem back to normal around here, which makes a walk down to the local Farmer's Market on a Saturday morning a must. I fill the market basket with lettuces, leeks and lemons. With my husband by my side adding broccoli, beets and baby carrots. Life is fresh and life is good.

Merry Christmas to ... ME

I have lived with a utilitarian refrigerator, about the only one that fit in the 30" slot between the sink cabinet and a wall, for more than 10 years. While I was single it was ok. But with my husband and a whole produce section required for Buster's greens, peppers, carrots, butternut squash and other assorted vegis, it was becoming just a huge pain in the butt.As I began designing the upstairs renovations I also wanted to re-do the kitchen. However, the kitchen had to be placed on the back burner (I hope to be able to get to it the year after next). So any dreams of a 36" wide counter depth french door refrigerator were also placed on the back burner.

Until...somewhere along the line, more than a year after the upstairs was completed, we realized there might be an interim solution. We could replace the pantry unit next to the stove with a refrigerator, and replace the old refrigerator with a new pantry unit. It's not ideal, but it's doable. Very doable. So the search began in earnest. I read consumer reports and narrowed my search down, I went to show rooms to touch and feel refrigerators, I came away with a clearer idea of what I wanted (and what I didn't want) in a refrigerator. I searched again and went to Best Buy to touch and feel the Samsung rfg237aars. I read more reviews, searched the Internet near and far for the best price, and with my selection made and my husband's endorsement I pressed the Check Out button. And with my dear husband managing the delivery and installation I came home Friday to the most beautiful refrigerator I have ever owned.
I gave it (and my husband) a big hug this morning.

Happy Thanksgiving

The Menu

Turkey's going in the oven in a few minutes. I made the pie last night.

Update: The evening, like turkey, is done. Here's a few shots of dinner.

The spread.
The bird.
Preparing to feast.

Search Engine

Trying to remember what we did last thanksgiving... I know we were in Yosemite for Christmas. But I wasn't finding Thanksgiving in my memory bank. It's a good thing I had my camera with me. So I went to My Photos and OF COURSE! We were traveling in the camper-van through Death Valley. WONDERFUL trip. Remember?

Halloween - The Day After

After making apple pie on Saturday and preparing for trick-or-treaters on Sunday I just wanted to throw a couple of photos up of our pumpkin carvings. So here's the pumpkins.* * *

Will's got more photos here.