A California Thanksgiving

My annual Thanksgiving trip west to visit Shan, Carl, Drew and Erin began a little earlier than usual. I didn’t look at the calendar and I didn’t realize how late Thanksgiving was this year. So I headed to CA a WHOLE week prior to the actual day of Thanksgiving. It all worked out though. 

Shannon came down to Drew’s in Sacramento for the Penn State vs Ohio State. We watched the game at Drew and Erin’s friends, Robbie and Megan. Guess who was their team!Even though we didn’t win that game, we were pleased that it wasn’t a blow out by Ohio. 

After the game, Shan and I left for Nevada City for a few

Days. The sunset we saw on the way there. 

On Sunday we took a 6-mile walk. Milo is still able to go along with us. 

This is the new sliding glass door they put in their great room. It really opens up the space. 

Plus, the new door opens up to their new patio and hot tub. We sure made use of that while I was there. 

As we were leaving for Sacramento, it started to snow. We later learned that they got about 18 inches. 




Shan and Carl left to have Thanksgiving with Carl’s family in Boston. 

Drew and Erin made homemade fusili with sausage and a pistachio pesto for one of our meals. Yummy. 

When Milo and Bandit and I were walking, I saw this palm tree with a cactus hugging it. And the cactus was blooming. I’m always so enthralled with the different flowering plants here. 

Drew and Erin’s friends, Lorena and Boye, invited us for Thanksgiving with their family in their new house. Drew decided to make a rack of lamb. This was their first time to make this (mine, too). It was delicious. 

Of course a trip to Drew’s wouldn’t be complete without a trip to some wineries!  This was no exception. This time we visited Skinner and Turkey wineries. This is the view from Skinner. Unfortunately it wasn’t warm enough to sit outside. 

Now it’s time for baking Christmas cookies. 

It’s fun watching Drew and Erin cooking. They attempt so many unusual dishes that turn out so tasty. 

Look who wants to know where his cookie is—Milo. 


Saturday’s meal was Khachapuri, a Georgian meal. Drew has this when he visited cousin Joe in DC. I’m always impressed what food challenges Drew and Erin try. 

What fun to try new things. It was delicious. 

Next experience was a play in the BStreet Theater called On An Open Fire. A IChristmas Play with a lot of metaphors   Then a beer at the Ruthskeller, almost like our own Rathskeller. 

Next was dinner at Kodaiko Ramen Restaurant. I relearned how to use chopsticks. I think I’d be much skinnier if that’s all I used!  The tonkatsu ramen was very challenging but they gave me a spoon. Again this was delicious, too. So much so, we are having dessert!

Here’s the macaron cheesecake ... oh my!  


Even though it rained a lot Monday, Bandit and I were able to take a walk around the neighborhood. 

When Drew and Erin got home, we went to the Sac City Brews for dinner, beer AND bingo to benefit a neighborhood school. What fun. 

On the way home, we drove through the neighborhood to see the Christmas lights. Some of the places go all out.  

Mosquito Lake Campground- are you kidding me!

When Bill Shuffstall told me we were camping at mosquito lake campground for Monica‘s wedding, I said you’ve got to be kidding me. Who would ever camp there with a name like that. 

But here we are at the campground and it’s absolutely gorgeous and no mosquitoes other than this one we saw when we drove in. 

Let’s hope that’s the only one we see. 

We attended Monica Shilling and Joe Zappio’s wedding reception.  Enjoyed time with family and great food. 

After Bill left to go to the derby, Lenny and I took a hike. Peak season for leaves and really warm here plus no mosquitoes. 

Need to check with the staff to find out the mosquito situation in summer. 

On the road to the International Storytelling Festival

Once again we are in Tennessee’s oldest town, Jonesborough for the International Storytelling Festival. We are camped in Terry and Sandy Countermine’s lawn, along with Chip and Mary Ward. 

Here are some pics as we are driving to Tennessee. 

Sandy is a dog whisperer. 


Jonesborough at night. 

Lenny is in Terry’s guitar case. 


Tonight (Thursday) Terry and his Novelty Band will play at the Beer Garden at the International Storytelling Center to open the Festival. Great music, singing and dancing ... and beer! The Novelty band has a wonderful Roadie!  He helps load, unload and setup equipment ... all for just a few beers!

Here we are in the beer garden. 

Look at those Donald is sporting. Pretty snazzy!






There’s even a little bit of wrestling practice happening here. 

A fun time for all!

Around First Landing and Virginia Beach.

The weather is too cool and windy for kayaking so we decided to go hiking on a couple of their many trails. 

We started out on the Bald Cypress trail and then Osmanthus   

Love these Live Oak trees that are all around the campground. They have limbs that grow in many directions, some laying on the ground. 

Since we are at the seashore, we had to have some more seafood. Today we went to the Dockside Restaurant. Food was delicious and sitting dockside was fun for those of us landlocked Pennsylvanians!

Sangrias were good too. 

Last night here, we had to take in the sunset over the Chesapeake. It was beautiful. 

Tried a selfie. Didn’t get the sunset in the background but a great shot of friends. 

Ended the night with a roaring fire. You can see Bill and Fred and Janet’s legs under a quilt. 

A fun, relaxing trip with good friends.