Trevor and Melissa were here for Thanksgiving dinner. Melissa's friend from high school, Trevor, joined us for the third year, too.

In addition, my good friends the Bowersox - Joan, Paul, and Nate - were with us.

We had a Thanksgiving that reminded us of all we have to be grateful for!

Thanksgiving Visit with Collin and Family

Collin loves to laugh!!! He created his own joke! He pretends to sneeze, then he giggles loudly at

his own joke! Bath time, as always, is a special time for parents and children!!! So much fun!!!

Collin is ready to face the snow

The first snow fell on Saturday

night at Forest Home where Josh

works!

Collin and his parents love to read. They read many books each day. Collin read with Nana, too! She, of course, was very pleased!

Nana's visit was very fast, but so much fun!

Now to get ready for Thanksgiving. Melissa will be home Wednesday night.

A Birthday Hike with Joan behind White Pines

I am so blessed with wonderful friends. Joan called last night to suggest we meet this morning for a birthday hike on a trail behind our favorite haunt - White Pines. It was a perfect fall day with clear, blue skies, dogwood trees still colorfully displaying their yellows and reds, and tall pines. The brook was running below us. We are so lucky to live where we can easily escape into the beauty of this earth.

Here we are! The Sonora High Babes!!! Only seven of us were able to join the celebration at Alchemy in Murphys, but we had a great time. We missed Nancy and Mary. Three of us were celebrating our birthdays - Karen, Linda, and I. We were treated to a delicious lunch, wonderful friendship, and an abundance of gifts! We are so lucky to have each other. December 11th is coming - our next outing.

Food For Frustration!

I was so frustrated with working too much that I decided to cook, even though no one was here to help enjoy the results. But, the "Pumpkin Stuffed With Everything Good" is wonderful, and you might want to try it. I heard the recipe on NPR driving home from work Friday. Here's the recipe. Enjoy!!!

1 pumpkin - about 3 pounds
Salt and ground pepper
1/4 pound stale bread, thinkly sliced and cut into 1/2 inch chunks
1/4 pound cheese, such as Gruyere, Emmenthal, cheddar or a combination, cut into 1/2 inch
chunks
2-4 strips bacon, cooked until crisp and chop
About 1/4 cup snipped fresh chives of sliced
scallions
1 tablespoon minced fresh thyme
About 1/3 cup heavy cream
Pinch of freshly grated nutmeg

Center a rack in the oven and preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with a silicone baking mat or parchment, or find a Dutch oven with a diameter that's just a tiny bit larger than your pumpkin. If you bake the pumpkin in a casserole, it will keep its shape, but it might stick to the casserole, so you'll have to serve it from the pot - which is an appealingly homey way to serve it. If you bake it on a baking sheet, you can present it freestanding, but maneuvering a heavy stuffed pumpkin with a sotened shell isn't so easy.

Using a very sturdy knife - and cautioin - cut a cap out of the top of the pumpkin. It's easiest to work your knife around the top of the pumpkin at a 45-degree angle. Clear away the seeds and strings from the cap and from inside the pumpkin. Season the inside of the pumpkin generously with salt and pepper, and put it on the baking sheet or in the pot. Toss the bread, cheese, garlic, bacon, and herbs together in a bowl. Season with pepper - you probably have enough salt from the garlic, bacon, and herbs together in a bowl. Pack the mix into the pumpkin. The pumpkin should be well filled. Stir the cream with the nutmeg and some salt and pepper and pour it into the pumpkin. Again, you might have too much or too little - you don't want the ingredients to swim in cream, but you do want them nicely moitened. (But it's hard to go wrong here.)

Put the cap in place and bake the pumpkin for about 2 hours - check after 90 minutes - or until everything inside the pumpkin is bubbling and the flesh of the pumpkin is tender enough to be pierced easily with the tip of a knife. Because the pumpkin will have exuded liquid, I like to remove the cap during the last 20 minutes, or so, so that the liquid can bake away and the top of the stuffing can brown a little.

When the pumpkin is ready, carefully, bring it to the table or transfer it to a platter that you can take to the table.

I followed the above directions, and the results were great. I do have leftovers for tomorrow. I hope you enjoy. Cleaning the pumpkin was the hard part!

Food to Beat Frustration!

I am so tired of working, so I decided to cook, even if no one is here to eat the results. This is a picture of my

Frustrated with school!

Well, I just couldn't do any more work, even though I have much to do. Listening to NPR on the way home from school on Friday, I heard a recipe that sounded intriguing. I decided to experiment, despite the fact that no one is here to eat the results. This is "Pumpkin Stuffed With Everything Good!"

Here is the picture of the finished product, and it was sooooo good! Decadent, but delicious!

If you want to try it - here is the recipe!

Middle College Update

I have almost finished a whole quarter at the Middle College. I continue to really enjoy my students. But, I'm tired all the time. This week I crashed every evening before I could start working on lesson plans. I really paid for not working harder over the weekend. I cleaned the house and got the various stacks of Middle College books and papers organized! Yeah!

Last Sunday, I went to the junior Bach Festival Recital in Columbia. Two of my current students were performing. They were spectacular! Sydney sang

"L'hoperduta, me meschina" from The Marriage of Figaro. She has an incredible voice, and she is a very sweet individual. Emily played Concerto No.1 "Allegro assai" on the violin. What a performance! She, too, is a lovely young woman. Both girls are top academic students. I have pictures, but I don't think I should risk posting a picture of students online - Boo! One of my students from last year performed, too. Josh played Corelli's Sonata VIII on the trumpet. It was a wonderful afternoon! One of my seniors came to listen and support his classmates. Derrick is a wonderful young man. He is bright and kind. He plays the guitar and enjoys music of all types.

Meanwhile, I needed to complete more preparation in the evening this week. I also met with all of my students individually to discuss their essays. They are rewriting them in time to get their revised grade posted before quarter grades are due.

It has been raining here this week. My morning walk to class has been lovely along the pond and through the wet pines trees to my classroom. It is a very pleasant way to start the day.

Tomorrow morning, several of my students are meeting at 7:30 at the Senior Center in Sonora to help the Catholic Charities with an outreach program to senior citizens. We will be doing some yard work and light house cleaning.

Today, we had two individuals from Habitat for Humanity give a presentation. Several students are going to work with this organization. I'm excited about these community service opportunities and my students' positive respponses!

Here it is! Isn't Bret Harte's new pool beautiful!!! Joan and I tried it out right before she left for Italy. I have been back a couple of times since. It is clean, spacious, and warm! Late afternoon lap times are on Tuesdays and Thursdays. We feel so much better with a place to swim most of the year.

The bad news is that the pool is two inches too short to meet the Olympic standards. This means Bret Harte won't be able to host meets - really unfortunate. But, the pool will probably be open to the public more consistently this way.

There is also a full locker room! Yeah!

In addition to attending the wedding, I was fortunate to be able to visit with Robin. Robin and I taught English together for several years. She is now back in Santa Cruz with his husband, Dennis - he's in the background - and her son, who is the organic gardener. Robin is continuing to teach at San Jose State University and she is writing a new mystery. It was wonderful to re-connect with Robin. Thank you for the lovely vegetables!

The first picture shows Diane's daughter, Kristin, and Diane's best friend from high school, Ruth. In the second picture are Jessie, the proud grandmother, with Brett and Tenley! The celebration included all close friends and family. We had a wonderful time wishing Brandon and Sophie much happiness!

Here is my good friend of thirty-six years - we started teaching at Newbury Park High School the same year - surrounded by her sons, Brandon, the groom on the right, and Brett, the best man, on her left.

The sentiment that each of us came away with was that Brandon and Sophie are truly in love. They know each other well and find happiness within their relationship! This picture, taken just before the private Jewish ceremony, captures that feeling!

Brandon and Sophie chose a beautiful spot for their elegant wedding. We drove to the summit of Highway 17 and then dropped down to the site. As you can see, the setting was exquisite!

They were married in a semi-traditional Jewish ceremony. The canopy was created by Sophie's mother and grandmother. Sophie and a friend of hers created a lovely brochure for the attendees, so we could understand not only who was participating in the ceremony, but the significance of the various segments. The one that was new to me and was very significant was the bride and groom circling each other to create their own space as a couple and new family. The rabbi had known Sophie since her birth. The music was traditional and lovely. Sophie and Brandon wrote their own vows, too, which were representative of them as a committed couple.

I was fortunate to be included in the Heiken-Messer rehearsal dinner at Michael's in Santa Cruz. The setting was lovely on a heated patio with a view of a creek below. It was Brett's thirtieth birthday, and I met his daugther Tenley. As you can see, she is beautiful!!!

Diane's brother, Scott, was pleased to have his wife, Ann, and her son join the family from Sweden. Chritopher celebrated his 23rd birthday on August 15th, the day of Brandon's wedding. We had much to celebrate!!!

Skatepark Benefit

Trevor and his friend Neil worked diligently to create a fundraiser for the local skatepark. The event progressed perfectly on Friday, August 6th. Trevor had a beautiful spot in Murphys with DJ's and a reggae band from Sacramento. He got a liquor license, and he and I served beer and wine for the first five hours together. Neil's parents donated and barbecued the chicken and tri-tip, plus all of the fixings. Although the crowd was comparatively small, all costs were covered and the rest went to the skatepark. With better publicity, next year's event will be huge! Melissa manned the entry.

Did I tell you Collin is cute?

Nana tried to read to Collin repeatedly, but he prefers that Mama read to him. So, here is he holding the book Nana tried to read!

Collin's favoritie activity at home is to play with pillows. Did you know that pillows can provide endless fun? Collin and I played all three days! First, Collin insistes that I give him all the pillows, even the ones supporting my back. Then, he plunges into them, giggling. Next, he kicks them on the floor. He looks plaintively up to see if you will pick them up. If not, he gets off the couch and throws them back on the couch. He lifts his arms up to get back on the couch. Simply repeat endlessly to play correctly!!! Did I tell you being a grandmother is great fun?

Yucaipa Park

Heather and Josh enjoy being outdoors as much as possible. Collin thinks going on adventures is fun, as long as they do not require long incarceration in the dreaded carseat! This park is only a mile from their new house. Heather and Collin enjoy long walks or jogs in the park and the surrounding areas. Josh prefers to ride his bike. Nana and Collin walked in the park on Sunday, while Collin's mom went for a run and his daddy went for a bike ride! Collin and Heather enjoy lots of time at the park. Collin's lastest trick was learned from Grandad Mike - throw the wood chips!

Visit With the Erquiagas

I spent three days with Heather, Josh, and Collin. We had a wonderful visit. Who knew being a grandmother would be so much fun. Heather and Josh have just moved into a home of their own in Yucaipa, California. It is so cute and perfect for them. They have a three-bedroom home with hardwood floors, lots of light, and a nice backyard patio with a view of the mountains. Collin and his daddy are very happy in their new home!

Farewell

After the boat ride, we returned to the cabin, and I prepared to leave. I needed to get home to continue to prepare for my new assignment for this year. I had a wonderful time! Thanks for including me Elsa and Miguel!!!

Next time, we hope Doreen and Barb will be with us! We missed both of you!

Friday's Hike and Boat Ride

After a slow morning, Elsa and I headed up the lake to Huntington Lake Resort. We walked along the road to get across the creek and then proceeded to the lake path. Again, it was a beautiful day with lovely vistas of the lake. Miguel met us at the resort where we ordered sandwiches to take on a motor boat ride across the lake. Miguel was our captain. Of course, our meal tasted delicious because we were outside and hungry. We navigated the entire lake before we gave up the boat.

Elsa and I repeatedly tried to capture a picture of an orange butterfly. We finally succeeded when we stopped at the dam next to Huntington Resort.

Eastman Park

As we returned to the valley, we stopped at the Edison Project park created in honor of Eastman, who engineered the various reservoirs and pipes. The electricity created will power one million homes. It is called the "Hardest Working Water in the World." Here the water pours from the power plant into the river and on to the lake.

Our Return to Huntington

We headed for the cabin as the rain began, but it stopped quickly. We stopped to take another picture of the vast expanse before us. Later, we stopped at a meadow we had admired on the way to the hot springs. Elsa and I frolicked at the edge of the meadow, wishing you were with us! We did verify that the meadow looks much prettier from a distance, as it proved to be a bog with hundreds of bugs.