Wednesday, February 29, 2012

A Road Trip and...Finally, Snow

Hello all:

Word was that snow was expected Monday evening in the foothills down to 1000 feet.  Our elevation is about 2400 so we were excited.  First snowstorm of the winter.  We had planned on taking a road trip to see my sister's sweet little cottage that she is fixing up, and since she is at a lower elevation than us, we knew we would be okay as long as we didn't stay too long.

So we loaded Buddy into the car and off we went down historic Highway 49..








Saw a few signs of spring along the way.




































But the clouds are getting a little darker.
































Amador City, California
     
                                                 There really is a Nashville, California (don't blink)!
                            

Looks like someone else took this same road trip.


And it looks like the skies are getting darker.

So we had a nice visit with my sister, Sid, and love what she is doing with her cottage.  Will share it with you when she gets it all put together.

Now we are on our way back home, about a 2 hour drive, and the sky is getting more menacing.   Hope we can make it before it starts snowing.


So we get home and go to bed.  Still no snow.  Buddy had a very busy day and he went right to sleep. Road trips really wear him out.






I'm sorry!! I just couldn't resist!!!










Fast Forward to this morning:

Sometime during the night it finally started snowing but it was kind of a let down.  It didn't snow as much as they thought it would.  But every little bit helps and I'm not complaining.  I put on my hoodie, grabbed my camera and ventured out into the cold.





Even though there wasn't much snow, it was really cold, and I thought, wouldn't a hot cup of tea taste good?

So I guess you can't tell what's coming:



                                                                        Yup, Tea for Two

Hope you are warm and enjoyed a Happy Leap Year Day.....Judy


















Sunday, February 26, 2012

The Promise

Hello Everyone:

We, as humans, tend to be always looking ahead instead of embracing the moment.

In winter, it's too cold, so we look forward to summer.  In summer, it's too hot, so we look forward to fall.  In fall, after the leaves have turned and fallen, we want winter again, so we can build fires in our fireplaces and get cozy in our chairs with a hot bowl of soup.  But in spring it's game over..We have earned the right to look forward to spring.  To see our gardens emerge into what we had planned for them and to combat the awful fears that it might not happen this year!



But, if we live in the moment, and actually take stock of what's around us, we have some of the most amazing surprises in store.  A promise of things to come that are beyond our control, but will happen by and by.







                                                                             









                                            Camellia:  The first flower of Spring in the Garden

I'm trying to not be impatient and to....





                Wait
         Till
         The
         Sun
         Shines
         Nellie.....









          And
          The
          Clouds
          Go
          Drifting
          By.....


We'll be so happy Nellie, don't you cry....
Down lover's lane we'll wander
Sweethearts, you and I.....




Wait till the sun shines, Nellie..by and by.....
                                         Andrew B. Sterling/Harry von Tilzer  1905



           So take a stroll around the garden and take heart.The promise will be fulfilled.....by and by.


                            Enjoy your Monday.....Judy      

Friday, February 24, 2012

A Good Book and a Good Dinner

Hello Everyone:

I've gotten the library all spic and span so come in, sit down, make yourself comfortable and share a good book with me.


I took a class and learned to make Victorian lampshades eons ago and this was my first attempt.  I've made several since and my skills have improved somewhat.  You will see them throughout the Cottage as we continue our tour but, I know, I should deep six this one but just don't have the heart to do it yet.


We acquired this large cupboard from an antique shop that sold European antiques.  It was originally used in a barber shop.  There are mirrors behind the open shelves and an opening below where a barber chair would pull up to.  Jerry added shelves in the opening so I could put some of the books we have collected over the years.

When we purchased the piece we didn't have any measurements with us and we just guessed (and hoped) that it would fit in the room.  As you can see from the picture below not much space was spared next to the wall. It is the same at the other end.  Good guess, huh?!


This is my little corner where great things happen!  The bills get paid!  This little desk is a garage sale find and I haven't gotten around to refinishing it yet.  I don't think I like that mustard yellow.


I love this embroidered picture of the California poppy.  We picked it up at a garage sale for $1.  I couldn't believe it.  I stitched the God Bless America one.  I got it from a website that two sisters ran but I looked it up the other day and evidently they are no longer in business. It is a replica of work that was done in the Victorian era.  It is stitched on paper filled with little holes.  It was very fun to do and I have done several.


These cute little pipe and ash tray holders I found at two different garage sales. The pipe and ashtray were missing but what a sweet rendition of Scotty dogs. The book, "In the Bishop's Carriage", belonged to my grandmother's library.  It has a 1903 copyright date.  I love the title and the picture on the cover.  I think I will have to read it.


The print was in my mother's family.  It depicts a race of the Brighton coach, "Old Times" in 1888 for the wager of 1000 pounds.  The book press was my great-grandfather's and the little rifle belonged to Jerry's grandfather.  I added the greenery at Christmas a few years back and never took it down.  I think it looks 'libraryish' with the plaid ribbon.


One last small detail.  When we moved into the Cottage this was the original piece of baseboard.  Where the two boards come together it looked like a little mouse hole down by the floor to me, so I thought, if it was a mouse hole, it would be a very tiny mouse that lived there, and that's how this little drawing came to be.

After a hard day of cleaning, I like nothing more than cooking a good meal.  Well, not really but I thought I should fix one for Jerry to make up for all the time I seem to be spending at the computer these days.  I wonder why? So here's what was set in front of him and he was very happy.


Pork chops with peach salsa, rice and brussel sprouts. I sometimes watch late night infomercials and I purchased the NuWave Oven.  Boy, does it cook meat good! I use it for everything from filet mignon to hamburgers.  It's so easy to pack around too when we take the motorhome. The peach salsa was excellent.  It was my first time making it. It would be good with anything but especially with something a little spicy.  I rubbed the chops with olive oil and chili powder.  The coolness of the salsa was an excellent pairing.

Here's how it was made:

1/2 red onion, diced
2 peaches, halved, pitted and diced (I used canned peaches)
1 tablespoon lime juice
1 teaspoon olive oil
1 tablespoon chopped cilantro leaves
pinch salt and freshly ground black pepper

Toss altogether in a bowl.

Have a good weekend and enjoy a good book....Judy