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.  

April 10 - Hiking in Nevada City and Winery

Shannon had today off from work so we went to Nevada City to spend some time with her. We hiked the Butternilk Bend trail along the south fork of the Yuba River. It was so beautiful because all the spring wildflowers were blooming and they had them labeled. 

Here are just a few of the ones we saw. My favorites were the mini purple lupine and the California golden poppy the two colors together were stunning. 

After the walk, the dogs were tired. Three of them fit in the one bed. 

Shan drove by the house they are buying. Couldn’t see too much because there are lots of trees on the property. Hoping to g a better look another day. 

Then it was on to a winery that Shannon has wanted to visit. Loved the wines. Sat outside and ate cheese, crackers and fruit. 

After that full day, we went back to Shan’s (Carl was working) to have a large salad and brownies and ice cream to celebrate Shan and Bill’s birthday. The share March 26. 

Tomorrow we are back down at Drew and Erin’s to install a screen door. 

Thanksgiving trip- Wednesday and Thursday

After dropping Kya off at the airport at 5:15 am, Drew and I decided to grab a few more Zzz before exploring some wineries. 

First wine stop today was Michael David and then on to Bogel. Relaxing time. 

Then it was home so Drew could make dinner and Erin. Could begin her sewing project. BUT something was wrong with the bobbin case. I think in its cross-country trek, it got jiggled too much. We tried to open the needle case to fix it but couldn't get the screw loose. So I googled to find a Pfaff repair shop. Luckily there was one about 5 miles from their house. 

So, packed up the sewing machine and off we went while Drew and Erin went to work. Meissner's were able to fix it on the spot and didn't charge me ... score.

Before we could try out the sewing machine, we had to go test a brewery they hadn't tried before - Big Sexy Brewing Company. We met a friend (and their realtor) there and had a great time. 

That night Erin was able to start sewing. I think we have a sewer in the family!

Thanksgiving Trip - Tuesday

Today was Kya's day to visit UC Davis and meet with two students to show her the College of Ag and Environmental Sciences, specifically the Vet Med and Animal Science areas. 

The pic below is the surgery room that we were able to view. 

Had 2 VERY informative guides. We all were quite impressed with the breadth of educational opportunities at UC Davis. The vet medicine program is known to be the best in the US. 

Also had the chance to walk in the Arboretum which I love to do. It's a peaceful and relaxing walk. 

For the evening activities, we went to Old Sacramento to see the Christmas lights. 

Then back to Drew and Erin's place for a fire outside with hot chocolate. In case I haven't told you, their backyard was transformed by HGTV before they bought the house. There's a fire pit, a shuffleboard court, and a TV. It's a wonderful space. 

Thanksgiving trip - Sunday and Monday

Went to a Methodist church very close to Drew and Erin's house called The Table. Loved the non-traditional service. The contemporary band and vocalists played a diverse styles of music from Raggae to Jazz in English, Spanish and Swahili! It is such an open and welcoming place to worship. 

Since it was a rainy day in Sac, we decided to hit up some wineries then back to meet Shan and Carl. They flew to Boston for Thanksgiving with Carl's family and were coming back. So they picked Kya and me up and away we went to Nevada City to show Kya where Shan and Carl live. It's about 45-60inutes northeast of Sac. 

Shannon had Monday off work so we decided to take the dogs (oh yes, I think I neglected to mention Shan left Milo and newbie Rico with Drew and Erin). Rico has a lot of energy so we decided to see if we could wear him out. 

Hiked the Independence Trail that goes along the Yuba River. 

Californians take their trails very seriously with wooden walk Ways over gorges. 

And they even have "potties" along the way!  

After the hike we took Kya downtown Nevada City shopping. 

Then took a short hike on the "ditch" trail right below Shan's house. Beautiful sunset to end our time there. 

Drove to Crooked Lane Brewery in Auburn to meet Drew and Erin for our next adventure.