Winter berries!

Hard to believe one could enjoy fresh blackberries and raspberries in December! This is for you brother Walt! I don't ever eat raspberries without thinking of you. Our rainy day raspberry picking in Oregon, many, many, years ago! I spent the week with you in July by myself, Duane was working and I had a week vacation...I rode the bus home to Bakersfield...the only time I've ridden a bus traveling, more than city...yeah, haven't since either!! 22 REALLY long hours...
Plus, one has to say the word raspberry correctly...rasP-berry!
Yeah, they tasted as good as they look too!

pretty cute!

5 year anniversary for Scott & Lorie...we had the privilege of watching Henry. Looks like it was alot of work wouldn't you say?

AHHHH!! A NEW PIANO FOR ME!!!!

Brian Regan

Duane and I had the opportunity to see Brian Regan live! What fun!!
We rarely take the opportunity to go out of town, over the hill (LA) to see concerts! Usually to expensive and/or I have to endure (yes, endure) the 2 hours of LA traffic!! And those who know me, don't need explanation, they've endured ME for two hours in LA traffic. However, I periodically succumb to going over the hill for an occasional visit. This time, Brian Regan!! in Thousand Oaks! What fun! And wouldn't you know we ran into one of Lorie's acting friends from high school, even amongst 4 million people we run into someone we know! If you've never heard him, I will attempt to put his link here... but caution I'm not sure if it will work. Thanks Brian Regan for a great evening of clean laughter!
http://www.comedycentral.com/motherload/player.

What is your sleep number?

I know dog's sleep, but really...I think her sleep number in hours is 22 1/2! She wakes for her morning cookies (first breakfast) and goes outside, does her thing...if she is really feeling good, she might do her walk about, but if it's cold, no...her cozy bed calls to her and I think sleeps until I get home late in the afternoon. She then begs for dinner...and is more or less awake/sleep following me all evening until she finally has enough and goes back to bed. This might take a total of 1 hour if you put it all together. And then this morning at 4:00am the snoring contest between the dog and Duane, not sure who was loudest!!!

Thanksgiving 2007

I have many things in which to be thankful. Each fall season, as I reflect on all the 'goings on' during the year it brings to mind the numerous blessings in my life. I am grateful for
good health: my parents are still in really good health, and though they are getting up there in years still drive ( hmmm...) and travel somewhat and still continue to give their opinion!! that's for my mom!!
I'm grateful for Duane's job. What an awesome blessing it is for him to be teaching and who could have possibly foreseen it!! Though he has been teaching for 3 years now, we still count our blessings and are truly grateful!!
...my/our children...where they are in their lives, their spouses!! how Jamie compliments David, encourages and is truly a helpmate to him. And Scott supports and encourages Lorie. What true blessings they are to Duane and I, as they complete our kids!
...and of course Henry! We are very thankful for good doctors and nurses that helped Henry get here safe and healthy!!

Thurs. Nov 22, addendum to first post: So today is actually Thanksgiving! Many blessings to you who might stop by to peruse this blog.
How do I put what is going on in my head in words! My in-laws are coming and what fun we have together! Margaret is bring 'all this food' which she has prepared! (one needs to read this phrase with the southern accent!) However, as I'm preparing the few things to complete our dinner, I can't help thinking how easy it is to cook these days! Even in the 30 something years I/we've been married, the advent of microwaves and ice makers and food mostly prepared for you in the market, cooking in general is rather simple! However! a call from my son asking how I make gravy makes me smile!! I love the fact he enjoys cooking! David and Jamie are visiting cousins Em and Brett in Redding and cooking Thanksgiving dinner, much like Duane and I did visiting Rich and Lu (Em's parents) many, many years ago!! What fun memories D&J are creating!! All this to say, Thanksgiving really is about being thankful, and being with family and or those you love! No matter if you make your cornbread stuffing from scratch (why?) or from a box! And who really has a Pottery Barn table and ambiance!!!
May each of you reflect on God's goodness and blessing to you through this holiday season!

I live where?

In the land of the endless sun, we do have seasons. I know hot and hotter! No, we have hot and foggy! And though I am not fond of Tule fog, the fog this morning on my commute to work was awesome. You see, In Bakersfield-land one has to look for beauty! And after Sunday's rainy day (yeah!) fog was bound to appear. Little Truxtun lake (?!!!) takes the mundane commute to anticipation, especially this time of year. This morning the fog was movie-set fog, just laying above the water. And with it being a holiday the bikers were out in force riding the bike path along the water's edge. I would have taken that picture, but didn't want to make the nightly news, 'car into the water'! But the red light enabled me to quickly snap this picture. The Canadian geese are back, at least for a short time. The are awesome perched on the slip of the bank or a float in the water. Pretty cool! We just have to look for the beauty! And I just know the red cardinal is gonna float down there sometime!!