Crescent City in January

We stayed at the Eureka KOA last night and I realized this a.m. I didn't take a single photo....so....here we are at 0700 getting ready to hitch up. Note the little moon above the van.

Yuuki obviously thinks she should take over the driving

Such attitude this dog has - she is NOT happy to be moved from the driver's seat

We left Eureka and headed  85 miles up the road to spend the rest of the weekend visiting with Mom G. We haven't been up since Labor Day. We haven't seen her since Thanksgiving.  Along the way we ran into the famous herd of Roosevelt Elk down by Prairie Creek State Park. This guy posed for Michael - and yes he DID get really close.

Mom G has been busy making some valentines for Izaak and BreAnne's wedding reception  - these are some in progress

It is UNBELIEVABLE how warm and beautiful the weather has been. I know - don't hate us. I cannot believe it is winter. We've been enjoying high 60's...yesterday and today has been GORGEOUS up here too - no wind, lots of sun. We enjoyed sitting out on the porch - in JANUARY.

This isn't a great picture but it's a precious moment. I went looking for my sweatshirt. I came back and sat down and Mom G said, "Evidently you found it. That certainly isn't my sweatshirt!" ::snort:: There's nothing better than a shared laugh on a porch in January.

Me and my Boyfriend

Michael and John, a friend from high school

Yuuki made acquaintance with the neighbor today. She went in their garage, sat at the door into the house and when he opened the door, she tore into his home and began sniffing it out. Oy vey. 

I put meatballs and sauce in the crock pot before we went over to Mom G's house. After a day of visiting (adults) and playing on the river (kids), we were ready to move on to dinner. Mom G joined us at the campground. This property used to have a house and a horse pasture on it when Michael was growing up. It's now a thriving RV community and the house is available to rest in, play pool, do laundry and cook. A church meets here on Sundays.  Mom G came over for dinner and visiting. After clean up....

Ticket to Ride - my new favorite I think

 Mom G scrolls around the blog

The boys invented a new game where you swat at the balls instead of using cue sticks...

Today was a blast...and we get to enjoy another full day tomorrow. Monday is a holiday!

Choosing Joy!
©2013 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Eureka!

We're out and about in CA. We drove to Eureka - a fun little coastal town.  We left bright and early so we could spend the day with Michael's sister, Mary K, and her husband, John.

These kids are good at entertaining themselves - outside Uncle John and Aunt Mary's

Back - Zander, Arielle, Nolan, Michael

Front - Uncle John, AuntMary, Stacia

We went down to Elk River Access to watch birds, walk along the bay and catch up. 

Me and Mary (Michael's Little Oldest Sister)

Michael, Myself, Mary and John 

Family Trivia -  Michael and I were married on John and Mary's Second Anniversary! Sound familiar? Izaak and BreAnne will be married on our 30th and 32nd anniversaries. 

Bubbles are especially fun along the bay

Mary Kay loves bird watching

Photos from Michael's Camera

After we had walked as far as we desired...we headed to Fort Humboldt.

Group Shot

We ended the night with dinner, more visiting, and a tour of Mary Kay's jewelry making and knitting. She gave the kids some very WARM hats and scarves. The girls enjoyed all the tips she shared on various crafts.  It would have been fun to fit in a trip to Michael's but time ran out.

We said goodbye...happy and at rest. It was short, but it was delightful. A great family visit.

Choosing Joy!
©2013 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Chicken & Dumplings - Instant Pot

I found this rather sketchy recipe on line - but I will make it again and continue tweaking. My tweaks are  in (). My family ate all of this and enjoyed it. Vegans picked out the chicken. In the future I may do it with all veggies. 

Ingredients:

• 4 Boneless-Skinless Chicken Breasts(whole)
• 1 Can Condensed Cream of Celery Soup
• 1 Can Condensed Cream of Chicken Soup
• 1 Onion Chopped
• Celery Chopped
• Carrots & Parsnips (Large Chunks)
• 4 T Butter
• Chicken Broth
• Marjoram & Thyme
• Ground Pepper
• Frozen Peas
• 2 Cans Refrigerated Buttermilk Biscuits (or a package of Mary B’s Dumplings)

Directions:

Place Butter, Chicken Breast, Condensed Soups, Onion, Celery, Carrots, Parsnips, herbs & seasoning into Instant Pot and then Cover with Chicken Broth (a minimum of 14 oz up to 30 oz).

Cook on Poultry Setting (for default time). Turn off, let pressure reduce & open carefully. Use 2 Forks to shred Chicken meat. I have also used a combination of Chicken Breast & Thigh Meat in this recipe.

Add Biscuits that have been quartered or cut into sixes (or add dumplings that have been cut into preferred sizes). I actually used a half a package of Mary B’s dumplings & 1 Can of Biscuits. If you like light fluffy dumplings use the biscuits if you like doughy dumplings use Mary B’s. Add frozen peas. Replace lid & set on Meat/Stew (for default time). Turn off & let pressure reduce. Scoop out & enjoy!

Notes: 
I doubled this recipe in place of the can of soups. Used Almond Milk in place of milk and I something for the butter but I don't remember if it was earth balance or coconut butter this morning.

Veggie amounts - play with it - I used an onion, 1 C celery, 1 C carrots and 1 zucchini I had on hand.

Spices - I just dumped until it looked right. ::snort::

Frozen Peas - used 16 oz bag of mixed veggies

Dumplings - I had one can of biscuits left from something and I really wouldn't have fit two in the pot. In the future I will simply use my dumpling recipe (which it appears I've not posted yet).

POT - I did the quick release after doing the poultry setting. I did just as mentioned for the meat/stew setting and it pressure cooked for 35 min. There was sticking on the bottom of the pan. In the future I will try 20 - 25 min.  Again, I did the quick release rather than the natural release.

Choosing Joy!
©2013 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Knitting Gone Awry

Arielle agreed to make me a fun infinity scarf with this whimsical "yarn." The first obstacle was finding the BEGINNING or the END of the skein of "yarn." 

Dad agreed to help - Yuuki hasn't left Arielle's side since our return

Getting SERIOUS now - still need to do something with those big squares

SUCCESS

Choosing Joy!
©2013 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Home Again.

Our Sunday was a bit dicombobulated. We usually attend Calvary Open Bible Church when in town. This time we went with Krista to Sunday School at her church.  It was then time to take Tressa to the train station. 

Krista stopped by an Asian Market on our way across town and we found BULL DOG SAUCE!!!! There was white miso too but I wasn't sure it would be good to take it without cooling. 

We met up with my folks, Lorri, Will and Sherri (Brother and SIL) and Harmony (their granddaughter) for lunch. BreAnne had an AWANA potluck.  The last time we ate here we Nate, Heather and Nadia were with us too. Fond memories. 

After lunch we tromped over to where Krista will be moving the end of this month. She is moving in with Drew, her cousin, and will be renting a cute house right next door to Will and Sherri.  She needed to check it all out with an eye to deciding how all will fit in the new home.

And then it was time to head to the train station. Our train was due to leave at 5:10 p.m. 

Arielle seemed reluctant to leave her seat but I insisted she come with us to the lounge care just for a bit. I was disappointed. We'd heard you could watch the stars from the car - but the lights from inside made that impossible. We're just going to have to do this at a different time of the year. In any event - we enjoyed the change of seat, a bit of a snack and determined to bring a game next time.

Arielle read

Stacia watched a movie on loan from Bre and Krista

When the train stopped in Klammath Falls I insisted Stacia get off with me. Arielle didn't want to budge. Stacia was a bit worried the train would leave us. It was NICE to stretch our legs...we went for a brisk walk while others had their smoke break.  She was happy to find SNOW - our first for this winter.

I know, I KNOW. I told her this was disgusting! She said she checked. 

We arrived in Sacramento at 0603 on Monday (today)....12 minutes early. We're going to do our best to get school done. Arielle and Nolan have a Japanese lesson. I should go  get some groceries...but I may not. ::snort::  We're home for a few weeks and then back to OR for the wedding.

The train was MUCH cleaner and nicer both trips this time. I did hear one passenger complaining at the station about an experience that mirrored our last one - but it was in another car. Again - a man getting on in Eugene.....same thing...Hmm.... but WE were fine and didn't have any exciting fellow-passengers to visit with. LOL

Choosing Joy!
©2013 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Talking Wedding Turkey and More

Krista and Tressa (Krista's friend from Turkey) left early this a.m. to climb Spencer's Butte. They enjoyed the view and then drove over to Skinner's Butte and slid down the "O".

BreAnne worked long nights this week so she could have Friday and Saturday off. We were all busy with various other things on Friday but Saturday was our day to work on all things wedding. BreAnne was sweet to talk over every aspect of the upcoming wedding with me; though she and Izaak have it well under control. It's one of those things a mother dreams of doing.  I think I was of some help as we discussed budgets and what she wants and how to balance the two.....I LOVED being part of the details.  The girls and I are going home with some sweet projects to finish before the wedding - which is in less than 5 weeks now!

The day began with BreAnne asking Arielle to do her hair. Stacia is fast becoming my mini-me. She hasn't put that camera down since she inherited it on Christmas day....it's my old camera.

This seems symbolic of the kids' lives. LOL Me hovering in the background with a camera! Though there are plenty of times we just set the camera down. LOL

Krista and Tressa decided to explore Eugene's culture. Arielle and Stacia decided they'd rather tour museums than talk wedding all day. ::snort:: Stacia took photos of each exhibit.

BreAnne and I settled in to  "talk wedding turkey." 

We figured out the "flower situation."  BreAnne would rather have less but real and the flower she adores than fake flowers....and we figured out how to have less and still look elegant and classy. 

Museum photo by Stacia

 We talked every aspect of wedding. Discussed how to utilize people who offer to help. Went to a wholesale shop and priced lace, went to Michael's, Target and somewhere else to price things.  We discussed reception lay out.

Meanwhile the girls visited a science museum...

Tressa and Stacia

Krista

 They also visited an art museum....this was one of Stacia's favorite pieces of art....um...caved in shed. 

We all met at Cafe Yumm for dinner. I LOVE this place. I told them they NEED to open a store in Northern California. At this point they are in OR and just opened a  cafe in Seattle. I've eaten here twice this week and what I LOVE is they don't hassle me when I want vegan. IN FACT...when I asked to skip the cheese and sour cream they OFFER extra deluxe toppings....most places are content to CHARGE you for ingredients you ask them to remove. LOL 

At this point Krista, Tressa and the girls went back to the apartment and watched a movie. 

BreAnne and I continued our hunt at Valley River Mall. We finally  found something pretty and frilly for 14 Feb 2014 - 9:30 p.m. ::snort:: 

Sunday I plan to juggle between two churches and several events....hope to catch up with all family and we leave in the evening to head back to CA. 

Choosing Joy!
©2013 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...