Halloween 2010

As the year is drawing ever closer to the end, thought I would post a picture to celebrate Halloween. Our boy Mikesh, 14 years ago. The picture is of his very first Halloween as a wee kitten.

He's still with us, though slowing down, with some off and on elderly cat problems. Most of his siblings are still alive and with us, though he's the last of his particular litter. Little did we know all those many years ago, how long we would be caretakers of our group of feral born cats.

Though we've lost some to accident and illness over the year, a good number of them are still alive and well, including their tough little mother who will be 16 this year..............at least.

Thanks to our immediate spay and neutering of the whole gang, the group has stayed stable.

With only a few strangers slowly creeping into our property, finding a home with us.

Pirate Squirrel at Lake Britton

After we informed this cheeky squirrel that we were not allowed to feed the wildlife, he thought about it for a moment, then promptly dove into the bag of ginger snaps, snatched one and proceeded to munch away. Obviously he felt that if he helped himself, we weren't breaking the park rules. :)

Lake Britton

After hiking along Burney Creek, all the sudden, around a bend, Lake Britton was revealed. A fair size lake, dotted with coots. Very tranquil this time of year with the summer vacation crowd gone and the adjacent camp ground closed for the season. A few stray day visitors here and there, but for the most part we had the trail and the lake to ourselves.

Upper Burney Creek

This is Burney Creek, down a little way from the falls, making it's way to Lake Britton.

We followed it all the way there, listening to it chattering and chuckling along, over the moss and grass covered rocks.

The banks ablaze in the first fall color.

Priceless!!

Burney Falls

Continuing with our Sunday Drives...........this weekend a visit and hike at McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park. The falls are enchanting. Though sadly on this visit the trail, which allows you direct access to the bottom of the falls, was under construction. But still, had a wonderful time. The leaves are starting to change so lots of color, with golden October sunshine illuminating the colorful foliage. Had our Tai Chi Friend Jean along, and after soaking in the beauty of the falls, made our way along the Lake Britton Trail and then back via the Rim Trail, enjoying the forest around us. Very few people out, so the trails were ours alone. Luxury!! :)

Indian Creek

Today we had an extra special day. Decided on a Sunday Drive. Took all day to meander along first the Feather River and then turned onto Hwy 89 to follow Indian Creek toward Lake Amador. Some spectacular scenery along the way. Sadly not much in the way of autumn color, but wonderful just the same. It was everchanging. Photo-ops at every turn. Though my little camera really doesn't do justice to the vast landscapes, it did well enough.

Quince

You know autumn is in the air when the Quince start turning golden and getting fragrant. These are a variety known as Pear Quince, as they are pear shaped. My Mom has an old Quince tree in her garden plot in Berlin so I took some pictures of the nearly ripe fruit. Each year she gathers them and makes Quince Jam or Jelly. It's an old, often forgotten fruit, I have a Quince tree in my garden as well, Apple Quince, which ripen in late October. Sometimes I just pile them in a bowl so their wonderful fragrance scents the air. They are inedible until cooked. Very nice stewed with cloves and cinnamon sticks. I did make a chutney with oranges out of them one year. Very tasty, but labor intensive.

Late visitor

A late visitor arrived while we were drinking our afternoon coffee on the terrace . The temperature is a comfortable one, Indian Summer like. Some of the warmest weather so far. But the nights are cool. This beautiful butterfly must have hidden away someplace cozy and is now refueling for the next cool night. Not sure if we have this kind in the States, it's called a "Peacock Eye" here.

Autumn

The Honeysuckle on Mom's terrace was pushing out some more blossoms, even as the berries of the earlier blooms were ripening, ready to be nibbled off by passing birds. Autumn is definitely in the air.

Forest Treasures

In the fall, after a warm summer and heavy rains, mushrooms spring up everywhere in the forest Many of them edible. Of course as I am not familiar with the varieties and Mom not 100% either, we merely admire them, rather then risking tasting possible deadly ones.

While we were at the Baltic Coast, hordes of people roamed the forests, willow baskets in hand, looking for the fragrant, tasty treasures. On our travels into Poland many had roadside stands set up, often with huge baskets of freshly picked Porcini mushrooms. My favorites are the Chanterelles. Which are offered in all of the restaurants right now. Delish!

Baltic Sunrise

Took this photo on the last morning of our Baltic Vacation on the Island of Usedom. It was still slightly hazy. The sun was just making it's way through the light fog layers that shrouded the coast. It was utterly quiet, other then for the breaking of the waves and the calling of the sea gulls. Barely anyone around yet. So a very nice Goodbye visit for me, before loading our suitcases up for our return trip to Berlin.

Snails

It's been a while since my last blog entry. On vacation in Germany, visiting Mom to celebrate her 80th Birthday with her. So many pics to catch up on. But wanted to share this wonderful little pic of two pretty snails, making their way across a bunch of rosehips . Rugosa rosehips are huge. Loved the markings on the snails as ours are just simple garden snails , not fancy striped ones. I've always been fond of snails, unusual for a gardener I know. I love the way their little horns come out and retract in an instant. :) I found these especially attractive.

Sedum

I love Sedums. Have quite a few Autumn Joys, but this delicate beauty, who's name escapes me, is an especially nice sedum. They do well here for us, as they can withstand the extreme heat much better then some of my other favorites.

What I like about this one is the delicate coloring of the blossoms as well as the burgundy stems. They set of the green leaves very nicely.

Four o'clocks

Through a trick of photography my Hummingbird bench by Rusty's pond came out a lovely Monet-blue. I was going to fix it to reflect it's real appearance of cast iron and aged oak, but then I decided I really like that color in the background, with the brilliant Four o'clocks in front.

So decided to share it that way.

View from the garden cafe on the Havel

Here's a view onto the Havel from that garden I just described in my previous post. Thought it might bring the mood along that started with a single bumble bee visiting a fragrant rose. Very shortly I'll be back in Germany, celebrating my Mom's 80th Birthday with her. Visiting Berlin in late summer, which I haven't in many, many years. Forging new memories for the years ahead. Adding pictures to my collection, many of which I hope to share here.

Bumble Bee

Found this fat bumble bee wiggling it's way through the golden heart of a Rugosa Rose during my last visit to Berlin.

Wandering through a beautiful private garden, open to the public on certain days. It's on the edge of the Havel, one of the many waterways in and around Berlin. So we sat there, with a lovely breeze coming off the water, having a delicious lunch. Taking in the scenery, enjoying a beautiful May Day.

Spring Views

It's been a few days since I've blogged. To busy with this and that. But wanted to be sure I'd not forget about this little corner of my world. :)

Today's picture was taken earlier this year on our morning doggy walk through the hills around our property.

I love it when the sky is not only a beautiful deep blue, but has banks of soft, white clouds as well. The golden winter hills were just starting to sport some pale green. With the oaks covered in delicate young leaves all around us. The earth was coming back to life, renewing us as well after a long, wet winter.

Garden Friends

Today I thought I'd share a few of my gardening friends with you. This happy pair of rabbits, nestled amongst the Virgina Creeper, Lemon Balm and Ivy.

They've been keeping us company for quite a few years now.

I love garden statuary, don't you? Puts life and points of interest amongst the greenery. Little surprises, hiding here and there. So even if nothing is blooming, there's something to see.

Two of our boys

Thought it was time to post another picture of members of our furry family. This one was taken last year, just 5 days after Beauregard, the regal boy in the background with the silvery snout, had his 13th Birthday.

Little did we know that we were to lose him before the end of that month. So a bittersweet picture of our old boy in the background, with the now "old boy" of our pack, King Tut, in the foreground. We still miss our dear old boy. He'll always be with us in our thoughts and the many wonderful memories we have of him. He was my stalwart friend and guardian, seeing me through many years up here alone, while my husband earned our living away from home.

Now King Tut is our "old boy" at 6 years of age. Slowing down a touch, in body only, with an arthritic knee. So our youngster, Petey, does a lot of his running for him. But though Tut's a little challenged right now with his painful knee, he's full of good spirits and craziness, keeping us laughing with his antics. He is a character. A bit on the wild side, but he's a good boy regardless.

Hummingbird Delight

There's nothing that delights our Hummingbirds more then the first Salvia blossoms of the season. All winter they've subsisted on our feeders, but finally, after a long, wet spring ,the first delectable blossoms are much appreciated. The "flying jewels" hover above the plants, which are thriving in a spot near one of our little ponds, darting often from the flowers to a quick dip at the nearby waterfall, tumbling into the pond.