Camping at Calaveras Big Trees

We where invited by the Reddins to go camping.  Yey!  I had never been to Calaveras big Trees. The weather was perfect. We needed a break. So off we went.

Left to right below, Aaron, Derek Reddin, Jeff Beal, Mark Reddin. 

Loved camping on the edge of the meadow. Star gazing at night was amazing

Lots of Big Trees at Calaveras Big Trees lol

 

 Off we go for a little hike on the trails

Sarah with Madeleines penguin she gave Lilly.  It was with us the whole trip

 

Good friends

 

This stump was crazy big. 

 

Boys will be boys

 

BFFS

Since there was so much to know Sarah brought a guide and I nominated her our tour guide.

Hot day = tired people

The cool thing is these trees are so huge that you can walk through them once they have fallen. 

Alot of the trees had lightening damage 

This is on our way home we stop several times to refresh and have a beverage. I think we just dont want to say good bye and end our time with friends.

 Toot is all pooped out she has had lots of adventures on this camping trip. Lots of kids to play with, critters running around and lots of walking.

happy to be heading home for a shower.

Beautiful golden hills and blue skys of California

My Little Sister is Getting Married

Harriette my beautiful little sister is engaged to be married.  I met Andy for the first time in May when I was visiting Dad and Family.  It made me happy to see Harriette so happy.  When two people are in love, really in love its hard to hide.  Harriette and Andy are truly in love it makes you happy to be around them.  I know this because I have it and I recognize it in others.

SOooo to the exciting part. Andy posts this picture just before he and Harriette leave to go on holiday to spain. Harriette was blocked from this picture so only family could see it.

As you can imagine it caused quite a stir. He had gone to our parents house to ask for permission to marry their daughter. Mum was there too she took the photo.  That's how you can tell a good man, he does the honorable thing and asks permission.  Good lad.

Andy took Harri on holiday, booked a restaurant and popped the question. I'm going to let the photos tell the rest of the story.

Every girl deserves a moment like this.

So happy for you both.X

Jewelry

I love this set and trying to get them for my anniversary.

Samuel Bishop Poem

 While gathering contents for a package to a close friend. We write at least once a month and make it as creative as possible.  I stumbled upon this poem in one my many books. ( we like to share poetry)

I fell in love with immediately. 

To His Wife on the Fourteenth Anniversary 

of Her Wedding Day with a Ring 

By Samuel Bishop

‘Thee, Mary, with this ring I wed,’
So, fourteen years ago, I said,
Behold another ring! ‘For what?’
To wed thee o’er again – why not?

With that first ring I married youth,
Grace, beauty, innocence, and truth;
Taste long admired, sense long revered.
And all my Molly then appeared.

If she, by merit since disclosed,
Prove twice the woman I supposed,
I plead that double merit now,
To justify a double vow.

Here then, today – with faith as sure,
With ardour as intense and pure,
As when amidst the rites divine
I took thy troth, and plighted mine -
To thee, sweet girl, my second ring,
A token, and a pledge, I bring;

With this I wed, till death us part.
Thy riper virtues to my heart;
Those virtues which, before untried,
The wife has added to the bride -
Those virtues, whose progressive claim,
Endearing wedlock’s very name,
My soul enjoys, my song approves,
For conscience’ sake as well as love’s.

For why? – They show me every hour
Honour’s high thought, affection’s power,
Discretion’s deed, sound judgment’s sentence,
And teach me all things – but repentance

No egg pancakes

Every had one of those days when you never have what you feel like eating in the fridge or pantry. This morning was one of those days.  I was determined not to go out and have to buy anything.  We had good food in our home, I was going to use what we had.

Its Aarons day off and he wanted a nice breakfast. Oatmeal just wasn't cutting it.   No eggs, no bread, no cheese! what could be have.

I rummaged through my pantry and found a bisquick box. I hate store brought pancake mixes or white pancakes they are so tasteless but this box was for another recipe I had tried that involved sliced apples dipped in pancake batter and then put on the griddle. It was really good.

Pancakes would be good but no eggs. I then went to Google and found that banana would work. I also had some of mums home made apple sauce. I have read lots about people using these as substitutes.

So a few minutes later I did this

1 cup of bisquik
1/2 banana
3 tbsp of apple sauce
1/2 cup of milk
cinnamon

Gave it all a good stir with a fork.  You can also stick it in a blender but I like the old fashioned method, builds muscle.

They acted just like pancakes got fluffy and tasted fantastic. The banana really makes it tasty. I also drizzled them with honey. Would have been better if it was whole wheat but this was quick easy and tasty.  Will always make my pancakes like this now.

Brewfest Placerville

Brewfest in Placerville is a time when all the local Brewery's come onto main street, you purchase a ticket and you can sample the different beers that they brew.  Beer or Ale is popular in the USA.  I'm more of a lagar girl myself, I'm not a fan of hoppy beer.  However I was able to attend as I was helping out on a Jewellery stand and selling for a friend who has a shop in town. I was able to do alot of people watching.

I decided to photograph the best outfits of the evening.

Below this is not the actual girl but she had this outfit on and it was really pretty.