Tree Pies - Stout Grove 2014

This day was so full I've decided the best way to handle it is three posts. I also will mention cameras for a few more posts as I know some are following that. ::snort:: The first shots are from the Nikon D 610 - Michael's. 

Redwoods

 

Love the bark patterns

Picture of contentment

These things are BIG. We used Nolan, the human yard stick, to guesstimate this one is nearly 60 ft around. 

My photos (Nikon D3200) follow - I skipped the tree ones as Michael's are beautiful. 

We enjoyed looking into the middle of this tree - brings back memories of reading My Side of the Mountain

Hollow inside

Trees have been left where various storms have thrown them....fun to hear where the trail used to go

We had fun finding faces in the burls

Such majestic trees - I simply couldn't resist

When I saw this....

Me - "Kids do you know what causes these piles of mud?"

Stacia -  "No."

Me - "These are tree pies."

Stacia interrupts - "Tree poop?"

Others start to laugh....I continue - "Yes, tree poop. You see the tree eats....."

I caught Michael's face but couldn't stop.....

"birds...and when it eats a big crow...."

Zander - "Out pops Tree Poop!"  ::gasp::

We all had a great belly laugh. Michael took the opportunity to show Stacia mole holes and talk about them a bit...but she seemed captivated with Tree Pies.

It made thing of all the fun times we had camping with the Bower Family....I did my best, Beth!

Tree Limbo

Family Pic

Ah - I snapped the photo - then wondered why she looked melancholy....She was thinking of Jared.

Over the meadow and through the woods to Grandmother's house we go....

Me and My Ford

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

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...