It hasta be Shasta

 

There she is - 

Not a bad photo considering I took it out the car window at 70 mph. 

I don't get to see Mt Shasta from this angle, so it's always a treat. This is the north side of it, and of course, it has more snow. 

As we're driving south, it starts out on the right side of the landscape 

Then in the middle...

and then on the left side. 

The catchy jingle, "It hasta be Shasta," came from our regional soda brand that began near Mt. Shasta in 1899. Originally launched as a sparkling water, it shifted to soft drinks in 1931. The company made history in the beverage world by becoming the first to use aluminum cans in 1953.

Today

This morning, started in on deep cleaning my kitchen. I wiped down the tops of the cabinets, scrubbed the counters, stovetop, stove, toaster, bread machine, coffee maker, and air fryer until they were sparkling like new. I’m also sorting through utensils and planning to downsize or store some away since I don’t cook large meals in the summer. I'm not finished yet and hope to finish tomorrow. 

I still have the garden window, which, for me, is tricky to clean since I have to climb onto the counters to reach all the way into it. Take down the shelves to clean and wash the inside of the windows. 

All in all, it was a great day. 

That's all I have for this Thursday. 

Until Next time...

Debby

This and That and some Blogger Issues,

This is Mt Shasta in the distance, 

looking north 

January has brought us delightful weather, with crisp mornings that chill us until around 10:30. As the sun climbs higher, the air gradually warms, and by the afternoon, the pleasant temperatures invite us to throw open the windows and keep the screen door open till dinner time. 

Clover Creek Preserve is a great place for many of my leisurely walks, where you can enjoy the sights and sounds of diverse waterfowl and other birds, as well as vernal pools teeming with life. Numerous benches are strategically placed along the paths, inviting you to pause and soak in the serene surroundings. This 128-acre basin not only provides a tranquil escape but also plays a vital role in safeguarding over 5,000 acres of the Clover Creek watershed from flooding.

A great place to people watch, too! 👀

That is Mt Lassen in the distance, looking east

Looking west...

It truly looks like winter, with all the barren trees so 

It shouldn't be long before we start seeing signs of spring...

Although our rainy season isn't quite finished, we often experience brief interludes of sunshine that last a few weeks in the winter.  Without these dry spells, we might find ourselves drifting straight into the vast expanse of the Pacific Ocean. 

And yes, I know, some of you might secretly enjoy the idea of California taking a dive. 😉

I've been enjoying sitting in front with Laydee - the sun has been warm and feels good to both of us.  

☀️☀️☀️

"You talking about me?"

I wish I could tell you that by now, Laydee is wheeling happily down the sidewalk. She doesn't like it. She's a bit stubborn about it and resists. I think we might have waited too long, because she isn't having it at all.

We have until February 9 to return it for a full refund. 

🐾🐾

Laydee has found a way to manipulate us - one step, one treat, and then she won't budge until she sees the treat in our hand.  Then we're back to one step, one treat. If I reverse it and give one treat first, we end up waiting for that one step, which doesn't come. 

No, no, no, Laydee, it doesn't work that way. 

Oh well, what can we do? I can't force her, nor would I want to. The warm weather has her up, and about - but long walks are out of the question. So we're leaning toward option two: a cart we would push her in. We'll see how the rest of her training goes...

The daffodils are blooming on the hill beneath the redwoods. The vinca is starting to bloom with its periwinkle-blue flowers. By summer, they will have taken over since they grow like weeds here - trying to choke out everything. 

I'd keep them, but they don't play well with others. 

The other day, I whipped up some Hamantaschen and also baked a delicious banana bread with pecans, but my husband told me he prefers walnuts.

 That's fine - MORE for me.  

A Shoe In...

It's that time again for my husband to get four new pairs of shoes from the VA. He visits a quality shoe store, selects what he wants, and the VA covers the cost, including orthotics. This year, he chose a dress shoe and a work boot, but his hiking boots and sneakers are still good, so he’ll wait on the last two pairs since he doesn’t need them right now.

I need some new shoes this year, and with the money saved from not buying his expensive ones, I can treat my tired feet to a nice pair, or two. 

Blogger is giving me issues again. I can't leave comments on your blogs or reply to comments on mine, which is really frustrating.

Until this issue clears up, I'll answer comments here. 

I've been facing issues uploading images, and my blog theme is acting up, similar to when my blog went POOF a couple of years ago. 

I'm convinced Blogger hates me. 

To Janice and Carla, who asked how my folks landed in San Francisco. 

My parents followed a job offer when my dad's army buddy, a successful general contractor, mentored him. A few years later, he got his contractor's license. 

❓❓❓❓

I believe that's all the "This and Thats" I needed to share. I hope everyone keeps warm with the snow system and dropping temperatures coming your way. I'm not very well-informed about it, but please stay warm and be cautious. I assume you all are very accustomed to it and know how to manage it effectively, or else you wouldn't be living there. 

I would gladly embrace some snowfall here - It was approximately 5-6 years back. And we all enjoyed it.

Just another lazy Saturday

 

It's around 10:00 am, and we have just reached Castle Lake, located west of Mt. Shasta and close to Lake Siskiyou.

This morning, I felt a spark of excitement for a "senior" adventure! So, Pa, our senior dog, Laydee, and I climbed into the old car and headed a bit north. 

The weather was simply too glorious to stay home.  The recent storms left beautiful snow on the mountains, and I always love to witness it for myself. 

What a perfect day to explore and soak up the stunning scenery. 

With temperatures around 39 degrees, at the lake, the shade felt a bit chilly, but in the sun, we were perfectly comfortable! I wore a sweater with a furry vest, the perfect combo for our adventure. I prefer lighter layers, especially knowing it would warm up as we hiked. 

While the snow may not be piling up just yet, it's on the horizon! After all, we're in the midst of the beautiful fall season, and you can almost feel that chilly excitement in the air. 

Get ready for the winter wonderland that's just around the corner!

It was 2011, and a magical scene unfolded as the lake lay blanketed in a thick layer of ice. The world around seemed to pause, creating a serene winter wonderland about an hour away. 

For someone from the Bay Area, this was really different to me. 

It’s been since 2011 that we had the chance to venture up there in the winter - and to think this was supposedly a drought year! 😉

Laydee bravely stepped into the icy water. 

Labs have an undeniable passion for water, and if we hadn't stopped her, she would have eagerly leaped in for a swim!

Several families showed off their cheerful Christmas sweaters and captured a moment with their cameras.  Perhaps holiday photo cards are in the works! My husband even snapped a picture of one family against this festive backdrop.

Let's follow this trail...

Glistening patches of ice scattered like jewels across the ground. 

I just spotted my very first snow patches of the season! 

WARNING: cozy winter months ahead!

☃

I encountered something on the trail today I don't see all the time - needle ice! For those of you living in the northern regions, this might be a familiar sight during winter. 

So, what exactly is needle ice? 

It forms when soil temperatures are above freezing, while the air above drops below 32°F. This causes underground water to rise to the surface through capillary action, freezing into stunning, needle-like columns. Typically, this enchanting process happens at night when temperatures are at their lowest. You’ll often find needle ice along stream banks or soil terraces, creating a beautiful winter spectacle. 

Isn’t nature amazing?

A sweet little creek...

I just came across the cutest little Charlie Brown Christmas tree! It's so charming in its own unique way -  the perfect embodiment of holiday spirit. 

Now here's a memory that takes me back to my childhood! Every Christmas, we would venture into the Santa Cruz mountains to chop down our own Christmas tree.  In the early years after we moved here, we’d get a permit from the Forest Service to explore designated areas in search of our tree, surrounded by beautiful snow. It was always a fun adventure with our family. 

The last time we cut down this perfectly gorgeous tree in the forest, I felt sad. I questioned my decision.  The next year, we went to a Christmas Tree lot - and that was fine, but the prices were over $100+, so we finally opted for the convenience and price of an artificial tree, which has become our go-to. 

Behold the majestic Pacific silver fur, standing proud and still, a picture of effortless elegance. Its beauty captivates the eye, inviting you to bask in its tranquil presence.

Isn't it incredible how much more beautiful it looks in these natural surroundings than when covered in lights and artificial decorations? 

Just like our Creator made it. 

At this point, my husband made his way back to the car with Laydee since his back was acting up, and I wanted to ensure he stayed safe. I happily expressed my desire to capture a few more photos, so I continued on my hike. 

I truly wish we had gathered our chairs and simply soaked in all this breathtaking beauty together, but this time, Laydee joined us, and we’re genuinely dedicated to creating an adventure for her, enthusiastically embracing the experience, even if it means sacrificing our own comfort!

Patches of snow lingered on the ground, remnants of the earlier snowfall, but the sunshine promised warmth. 

Just at that moment, my eyes caught something extraordinary...

I caught a breathtaking glimpse of "The Mountain" towering in the distance!

As I drew nearer, a thrill of capturing the photo surged within me

Despite the chill and climbing over rocks, my mind drifts to rattlesnakes. By now, they're cozily huddled together for warmth, posing no real danger. 

But still...

I decided to head back to the car where my husband was. 

He prefers I stay close, but the invigorating cool air makes my heart race! Autumn, winter, and spring are my favorite seasons for hiking.

As we drove down the winding road, we suddenly spotted the perfect moment to pause. I couldn't resist the urge to capture the beauty around us, so we stopped for a quick photo opportunity.

Nestled just a short distance down the slope, Black Butte (a volcanic plug dome) beckons with its charm and beauty.

There she is!

Mt. Shasta stands majestically, a true gem of FAR Northern California and the proud namesake of our county. 

As we made our way back home, I couldn't help but admire the stunning clouds that filled the sky. 

cirrus clouds?

We’re almost home, and the weather is a perfect 73 degrees! 

What a lovely day

This is as vibrant a display of Fall colors as we can expect around here!

Here's our charming little bridge!

We’re almost home.  Just in time to enjoy lunch and settle in for a cozy nap!

As we journey across the shimmering expanse of Lake Shasta, I know home awaits us. Even Laydee perked up - her curiosity ignited. Isn't it something how they can pick up on the scents all around them, and I know she knew she was almost home. 

I believe we all really needed this boost this morning!

I really appreciate you coming along! Maybe, just maybe, later in the season I'll be able to share some beautiful snow with you!

Remember that you are never alone; God is with you every step of the way, offering His peace and strength. Whatever challenges you may face, trust that His grace is sufficient and His love is unfailing.