Kelseyville Pear Festival 9/29/2012

Gayle and Rob arrived about 10:30ish this morning with a guest Jeanne to enjoy the festivities of the day.. I tried to do some downloading of Gayle’s camera phone?? for which I didn’t have much luck, so will try again after we get home.
We car pooled over to Kelseyville about 11:30ish. We were fortunate enough to park close by each other.

IF you can imagine it is already blistering HOT! 90 plus! We all loaded up on a cold beer and waters to walk around with at the faire.. There must have been 10k plus people! OMG they were everywhere! We did make our way down the street to check out all the vendors and check their “wears”. Some great items and unique craft items, but nothing I could really use right now. But it was great getting ideas for future crafts..
As we walked we did run into people we knew.. Like Kathy Garner and Shirley Vasheresse, got a pic with them..

We all continued to walk through the mobs of people!!

And made our way around to the different exhibits. Everyone seemed to go there own ways as it would be nearly impossible to try and stay all together. We seemed to run into each other from time to time. It was getting hotter by the minute I swear, so Ev and I decided we would head back to town to the Moose Lodge  and have some their “chili cook-off” that was going on!!! As we were making our way back to the car, we saw the group we came with, Rob, Gayle and Jeanne. They decided to join us at the Moose for Chili.. They were all HOT too..And by the time we got to the Moose, we were all nice and cooled down.. Fun day..
Here are some photos of the tractors and other doings going on we took below..

Tractors plus :) VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

Lakeport Seaplane splash-in

Rich & Judy arrived on time to pick us up and then we were off to pick up Lynn & Larry.
We probably arrived at the park where the planes were about 11ish.. There were only a few planes, couldn’t understand why that was?? Come to find out the rest of the planes would come tomorrow when there was the main event.. However the news paper neglected to offer this tiny bit of information.. Oh well..There were still a nice selections of planes. I did get one plane cruising across the water to park up at the park..

At this point it is so HOT out that we (the girls) that we need a little shopping time in.. And the boys can go have a beer or two. So we did went over to “Pieces” and browsed through their lovely selection of all kinds of things. Lynn founds some earrings and necklace, Judy and I got skunked! Lynn left us so she could have a drink and go use the rest room.. Judy and I continued on to the thrift store.. When we walked into the thrift store it was HOT! So we didn’t stay long. Judy found a shirt and out the door we went down to the Clearlake Bar..
Ordered a drink sat and chatted with the bartender Nikki and talked with Shelly.. Had our photo taken at the bar>>

After the bar, now it is time to go for dinner. We piled in the car again (Rich is our designated driver) cause his car is the only car that can take all 6 of us..
Went right in to TJ’s ordered our drinks, talked a bit.. and soon we were seated at a table.. I think we all enjoyed their French dip sandwiches.. Saw some people we new.. talked with them a few minutes and soon we were headed home.. I do believe we arrived home 8pm.. early evening and fun time had by all!! Thanks for a fun day!!  

Seaplane Fly In VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

We were even blessed to see the parade for the home coming at Lakeport.. cute

Tomorrow (Saturday) Kelseyville Pear Festival with friends Rob & Gayle.. I am sure it is going to be too hot there too!! Another 100 degree day!! Spend a couple of hours, then maybe head to the Moose Lodge for Chili Cook Off..

BUSY DAY!!

Got up late this morning and got busy with putting some more Pepper Jelly. I love the sweet red peppers, however those jalapeno's and habaneros are hot little suckers on my fingers!! I could feel them burning half the day.
I got a few batches of pepper jelly in yesterday and made my first apple chutney.. very good! Almost easier than making jelly because there is no pectin, just cook the liquid down till very thick, about 60 to 80 minutes..

 
I also have some roma tomatoes in the oven drying. They are about done and want to get some more going. I am planning on putting the dried tomatoes in an olive oil mixture>>
http://www.scordo.com/2009/08/recipe-homemade-sun-dried-tomatoes-olive-oil.html
I have a date with our friends Christie and Gill to out in the boat with them this morning at 11am. Christie loves to ski and you need to have 2 people in the boat while there is a skier in the water, one driving the boat and spotter (me ).. I love being out on the water.. Nothing can compare to it! Christie is a great skier and I love watching her, she is very graceful (if that is the proper word), she looks comfortable anyway.. I filmed her a bit.. Evee missed out today.. He had some chores that needed his attention..

When we got back from Skiing, had a sandwich with Christie and Gil.. They loaded me up on some local pears and I was on my way home to do more canning..
Got home about 2pm or so.. Phone rang and it was a friend, Cully and he was up here at the lake and wanted to come by.. We said sure!! He would be here about 7ish or so.. Gave me time to get a chicken out of the freezer, put a garden tomato salad together.. I decided to make an apple crisp for dessert.. never made one before.. so here goes!! The apple part was pretty easy.. when it came to the crust?? OMG what a mess I had.. I put all the ingredients in one bowl used the “hand mixer” and the mixture was flying all over the place.. thought?? get a bigger bowl, SAME PROBLEM!! New thought??? I have the big mixer with a paddle.. worked wonderfully!!! yeah!!

The day seemed to fly by.. Very busy!! And of course our weather here is still very HOT! Got to be 95 today!! At least now I am ready for company.. Got the chicken on, beer in the rear on the barb-q, had some itialian sausage, so threw that on the grill so we could have a little tid bit for an appetizer.. Hit the spot nicely..
Cully arrived about 7ish with a surprise… He has a girl friend Annie.. Cute as a button! Friendly and happy go lucky! Really enjoyed her and him very much! It was a great evening!!

Tomorrow “Seaplane Splash In” at Lakeport.. Rich, Judy and Larry and Lynn..
Saturday “Kelseyville Pear Festival”, with Rob & Gayle

Pontoon<<my favorite song!!

Camping with the Mohoff’s

We normally camp with the Mohoff’s on this same weekend almost every year for the past 5 or 6 years. In the past we camp with 2 different dive clubs (divers for abalone) and there are usually about 60 plus people. And normally have a big abalone feed on Saturday night. I guess everyone had other plans this year? So this year we had a very intimate group, Mike & Mary Ann and us. And this year we camped at Gualala River Redwood Park of course in Gualala.
We met the Mohoff’s at the park about 4pm on Thursday afternoon. M & M had already set up their “camp” when we arrived about an hour after them. We brought the trailer and got a late start (10:30 am) and that winding road from Ft Bragg to Gualala took us longer than the GPS said!
The drive along the coast was absolutely gorgeous! OMG, the weather was perfect and there was NO FOG! It was pristine clear! The ocean was turquoise blue, almost like Hawaii!!

The day was beautiful for the drive!
When we arrived at Gualala River Redwood Park we were amazed how beautiful it was. We were amongst beautiful magnificent redwoods! The camp spots are very roomy! We were so surprised to be so close to the coast and yet we got no wind or no fog (got lucky I guess). While we were setting up the trailer, I was in side, Ev outside with Mike unhooking the trailer from the truck the lift slide off the block and knocked the trailer off the levelers and it scared the “beegeebees” out of all of us!! But all was ok.. could have been worse! Soon we were all set up and ready for the weekend.
Our first night Mike (our chef) cooked us some spaghetti noodles with a little pesto and a meatball with mushroom sauce.. soo good.. along with some of our home grown tomatoes and other veggies!! Delic!!
I swear when we are together it is all about the food..
Friday:  Breakfast Mike made up a great camp style eggs, sausage, veggies, etc.. After our breakfast we drove up to Mendocino.. quite a little drive from Gualala. About 90 minutes or so. We stopped along the way at a little place called “My sisters Marketplace”.. lots of thrift type items.. we found a few treasures. When we arrived in the community at Mendocino there was a farmers market.. We bought some onions and strolled through looking at all the delicious looking breads/jams/and other concoctions..

We then walked down through the town and down along the bluffs over looking the ocean.. Gorgeous warm day..

Day at Mendocino, CA VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

We walked around for a few hours at Mendocino before getting back in the truck and heading back to camp. On our way back we stopped at little place called “Moat Creek”, with hopes that Mike would find some calm seas so he could possible dive for some abalone. However it wasn’t calm, and there was sooo much kelp it would be too dangerous to dive there. As it turned out Mike couldn’t dive anyway due to he forgot his “weight belt”.. sometimes there are blessings in disguise.. Both Ev and I were worried for Mike to dive alone.. So we were happy he forgot his weight belt..

By the time we got back to camp after stopping at the store for some charcoal, because we forgot the BARB-Q at HOME and now were going to use one of the “camp’s” built in barb-q’s..
Mike & Mary Ann went to cooking first some appetizers, pot stickers and then Salmon  and some noodles while I made Ev & I a drink.. Ev had a “Rob Roy” and I had a vodka martini both drinks are served “up”.  Our salmon dinner was wonderful!  Another great evening with the Mohoff’s! We sat by the fire and enjoyed the evening..
Saturday: We had quite a unique breakfast this morning. Mike took the left over salmon mixed in some onions some seasoning, fresh tomatoes and broke an egg over the top an simmered for a few minutes (enough so the eggs were cooked) and wa la, breakfast with some homemade blueberry muffins/English muffins.. I loved the salmon for breakfast!

After breakfast we all took a very long walk along the road that followed the Gualala River.. Took the dogs too.. We surely needed to walk off some of this stuffed feeling we all had..

We hung around camp all day.. We played cards “31” and then “skip bo”. For dinner I finally cooked a dinner.. My dinner was a tri tip with some bacon wrapped asparagus with some left over tomato salad. M & M made up some garlic bread.. Another great meal! Now we will all have to go on a diet for a month after eating all that most delicious/rich/high calorie food!! But it was all worth it!!
We offered a group of campers some fresh tomatoes that we had brought and then they treated us to some fresh cooked abalone!! After dinner we enjoyed another evening by the fire.

Camp/Walk/River VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

Sunday: When we got up, M & M were already packing up and nearly ready to go. They had a long drive ahead of them, back to Reno, about 6 to 7 hours. They didn’t even take time out for breakfast.. soon they were on their way about 9am.. We took our time and ate breakfast, cleaned up, dumped the trailer and on our way about 10:30 am.. We planned to stop at the Big River at Mendocino and take the kayaks out. We arrive at the River/beach about 12:30.. and out on the river we went! It was such a beautiful day to be on the water!!

Big River with Kayaks VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

We played a couple of  hours and hit the road to come home. We stopped to play our “$10” bucks at Robinsons (lost), got fuel and got home about 6:30 pm.. Called Mohoff’s they got home about 4:30 pm.. everyone is home safe..

Friends birthday’s “X” 3!

Had this wonderful dinner event planned for a couple of weeks now. Rich, Charles and Laura’s birthday all this month and within a few days of each other!! Boy January must be one COLD month!! LOL

There were 10 of us. Charles, Rich, Judy, Lynn, Larry, Lee, Laura, Ev, me and our newest friend Kathleen. I meet Kathleen in Macy’s last week. We were talking and talking and so I invited her up for dinner and to spend the night. She took me up on my offer. She was a pleasant surprise, everyone liked her and I know she enjoyed herself very much!
Kathleen arrived early about noon on Tuesday. She was a welcome helper. She did up the salad, and putts’d around the kitchen cleaning up after me. I got the Ribs and Chicken ready for grilling!

Ribs and Chicken were to die for!! Also did some grilled veggies, that were just wonderful!! uumm soo good.. We enjoyed some tomato/cuke/onion w/fresh sweet basil/olive oil/white wine vinegar dressing, along with some rosemary potatoes, fresh cut pineapple and my homemade sour dough bread! Topped off dinner with Judy’s delicious home made apple pie!!
We sang happy birthday and the birthday kids opened their gifts. Fun was had by all.. Happy Birthday!!

September Birthdays VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

Earlier in the day before everyone arrived Kathleen and I snuck out to Brassfield’s Winery for some wine tasting and relaxing walk around the lush grounds.

40th Petaluma High Class Reunion-Linda 1972

Our class reunion has been being planned for more than a year now. A lot of people put in a lot of effort. I remember how much dedication it took to get all the names together. The most challenging part is finding the classmates. Everyone is stretched all over the world. Out of over 350 classmates we only had about 90 show up.. Of course with spouses or significant other.. No matter the turn out, everyone that was there had a ball! At least I know Ev and I did! This reunion was unlike another other that I had attended.. This reunion people seemed not so uptight and really let their “hair down”! I do believe people are getting close to retirement and they are finally enjoying their lives.
I do believe the pictures say it all! I know some of the people names now, however give me a few weeks and I will probably forget and will have to ask them all their name again the next time we meet!!

Below are the Mister McGoo’s “ice breaker photos..

Ice breaker VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

 

Below are the photos taken at the 40th Class Reunion. The reunion was held at the Double Tree Hotel in Rohnert Park, 9/15/2012

Petaluma Class Reunion 1972 -40 years VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

Ev enjoys family/friends

Ev’s retiree luncheon (Bakers Union) is scheduled for Thursday 9/13, usual place.. Our friend Lee, is the president/secretary/treasurer/etc. of taking charge of planning the luncheons 4 times a year. He does such a great job!! Good thing he is there, otherwise??
Ev decided to go down a day early on Wednesday, so he and Lee go could go and hit a bucket of balls and play some texas hold’em with the “guys”..
Ev also planned to take his great niece Ali out for dinner for her birthday (9/16), a little early, but fun none the less. Ev, Lee, Cheri and Ali all had dinner together in Walnut Creek on Thursday night.
Friday Ev planned a golfing 4some with our friends George & Carol and Lee. They played at the golf course at Rossmoor. From the looks of the photos, looked like they had a fun time!!
There was too much going on this week for me to join them. My class reunion is coming up and I plan to down to Petaluma a day or so early. I want to visit with my daughter Lindsy Thursday evening. Won’t see her over the weekend she is flying out to Georgia to meet up with her very best friend Hailey.. And course I will be busy with class reunion stuff..

Ev's getaway VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

BFF time :)

On Tuesday this week I called the diesel mechanic in SAC to make an appointment to check out the tranny on the truck for Friday.. seemed to be slipping a bit  or sticking, whatever.. it would sometimes not go into reverse or forward!! then it would lunge and then we would be on our way.. Obviously there was a problem.
Called Sheri (my BFF since we were about 14 or so, you do the math) and asked if she would like some company over night Friday.. She was as thrilled as I was.. We hadn’t had a visit for quite a few months! I had thought I would drop the truck off take a bus to where she worked and have lunch, etc.. To my surprise she called and let me know she got the day off on Friday!! WHOOPPPIEEE!!
I arrive at the diesel place nearly on time on Friday (traffic) and soon after Sheri was there to pick me up. We headed for Old SAC downtown. I told her I wanted to take her for lunch for her birthday on one of the river boats, she was game.
We parked and walked around the old downtown area going through some of the cutesy little shops (over priced like you can’t believe)! We did “window shopping” and then headed over to the “Delta King” for lunch. Gorgeous day..
We were seated outside along the railing on the SAC river aboard the Delta King Paddle Wheel. We watched the boat come and go and even at one point I said to Sheri, “kind of reminds you of dogs begging” (guess you would have to be there )..you know little boats going by looking up at you while they go by.. ok ok.. well if you didn’t get it?? it is ok.. We ordered a martini and toasted our outing and us getting together. We ordered a type of cobb salad (lettuce was old, ick) oh well the company and ambience was wonderful!!
After lunch we walked around a bit looking at the river and some of the beautiful old paddle wheels.
I got a call from the mechanic and said the truck was ready so off we went to pick it up. Turned out there was nothing wrong with the tranny, it was LOW ON FLUID!! dahhh. ok well Ev and I are no mechanic! and now we had piece of mind! It was low on fluid, but there were NO LEAKS!!!! uummm?? We had the tranny fluid changed in June before our trip, guess there wasn’t enough fluid put in at that time.. ??
When we got to the shop, I went to pull out my keys, as I had removed the truck key and took the rest of the keys with me.. Well?? now I can find the rest of my keys!!! OMG, I was frantic! Sheri and I searched high low, in between, dumped my purse several times, still no keys! I wouldn’t have been so upset, but the Toyota key and remote (about $350 replacement).. And now after coming to SAC to have my tranny fixed (that wasn’t even broken at the cost of $270!) and now my keys!
When we got to Sheri’s house I called the restaurant and asked if they had found the keys, of course they had not.
Ok well instead of letting it spoil the whole day, we just moved on, nothing else we could do at this point.
Sheri and I went to Costco and got some nice looking Filet minions for dinner.. Did a little more shopping and soon home to cook.
We had a few drinks while getting dinner ready. Chatted and we watered the garden, some quality time..  
I barb-q’ed the steaks, came out wonderfully. Sheri made up the salad and corn on the cob.. Great dinner..
The next day we had breakfast and soon we were off to Old SAC again. I had decided I needed to back track and at least try and find out if someone had found my keys and turned them in someplace.. Stopped the restaurant, stopped at the visitor center and the parking lot attendant, no luck, however left them my contact info, just in case.. then off we went again and did some shopping at home depot.. After picking a few things we needed, we got lunch at Chipotle's and went back to the house. I replaced the door knob/handle and outside electrical outlet cover for Sheri. Sheri’s husband John is very ill and is unable to do much these days. John spends most of  his day watching TV. He is diabetic and his kidney’s are failing. Keep them both in your prayers.
I was soon on my way home to (Clearlake Oaks). Sunday was our Philosophical Society meeting..
By the time I got to Williams I could see the plumes of smoke raising above the valley floor in the mountains that I would soon be traveling through to get home. Lots of some and lots of burned land as I traveled up Hwy 20. So many fires this year! One of the hottest summers on record I would think!
Sheri and I will have a “get a way” weekend in October!! Can’t wait!!!

BFF time VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

Skies are on Fire!

The sky is on Fire! We have had so many fires all around us.. Some are still going.. With the smoke of the fires and the cloud cover that came in today.. Made for a Gorgeous Sunset!! Enjoy!

Awesome Sunset at Clearlake, CA! VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

Luau at the Key’s Club 9/1/2012

The pictures say it all.. Great time!!

Keys Luau VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL