Adam and Erin visit, video call, Seeing friends, Aaron, Time with family, Old Town Pizza gathering. A wonderful life!

Adam and Erin 💗

Thursday August 21st had a great video chat with Jacob and Allissa.  She actually took us on tour of their cute little apartment and outside area. Ken said I need to get better at this, as they were looking at the back of my couch most of the time 😂😂 I could see them and that's all that really matters. 💖

The weekend of the 22nd of August Adam and Erin came to visit for a few days. They left on Monday the 25th as Erin had to be back to work on Tuesday. Adam still had a few days off as he had been in southern CA for 2 weeks for the Gifford Fire. 

Adam and Erin headed out for home in CA. 

I love the outdoor kitchen all lit up

Love our sunsets when there's clouds in the sky! 

We made a trip on Wednesday for my 6 month ophthalmology appointment. All good, 20/20 vision and glaucoma pressure at 16 and 18! Yay! I don't have to go back for a year now. While in Reno a necessary trip to Total Wine was had! :) 

Thursday was another return trip to Reno to pick up the CanAM. They had to order a part for one of headlights that was out so it was in the shop longer than expected. We got it picked up and then a trip to Lowe's for a few things. 

Saturday morning, the 30th we headed over the hill to Rio Linda to pick up 30 lbs of hamburger we bought from our friends KC and Sierra. The Conder Ranch raises some great beef! They weren't home but we got it from the freezer and called our friends, Joe and Rachel. They only live a few blocks from the Conders so we headed over there for a quick visit. 

So nice to see them again and their lovely place. KC and Sierra came by so it was a great visit. Actually we followed KC to their property as we couldn't find it! LOL We got to meet Joe and Rachel's daughter Corinna (not sure of spelling) and she's just an adorable 20 year old. 😊

A mimosa later and we had to head out to Antelope. Thank you Rachel! 🥂💖and Joe for your hospitality! Hope to see you soon! 

Russell and Lori weren't home yet so we got some quality time with Grandson, Aaron for a couple of hours. He'll be checking into his apartment at UCSB on the 19th of September. He should be home for Thanksgiving 🤞

Russell and Lori got home a little after 1700 and then followed Mike and Mel and then her parents. John and Andrea too. Russell did smash burgers on the griddle and they were amazing. We got to see their outdoor kitchen and the new cover on their patio. Pictures to follow when they get their furniture. They did an amazing job on both! After a too late night and adult beverages we hit the sack. Russell and I were last ones to go in. 💖

Time for some delicious smash burgers OH YEAH! 

The grilled onions are what do it for me! 

After a great night we got up on Sunday and visited for awhile. At 1030 we headed for Auburn and Old Town Pizza. We were meeting for an early lunch. Aaron couldn't come as he had a Fantasy Football meeting with friends. Said our heartfelt goodbyes just in case we don't see him before he leaves. Hopefully we can get over one more time! 😪 Yeah grandma tears up, but so proud of him! 

We had a good group of 14 I believe to start and then John and his sister in law stopped by too. 😊 Diane brought Ken's mom up so that was a very special addition. 💗

Lori and Mel..it was Mel's 41st Birthday! 

Love this pic of John and his sis in law, Justine. She recently
had a stroke but is doing amazing! So glad we got to meet
her! 

A gentleman from another table offered to take our pic. So, grandma (she'll be 98 in December), me, Ken, Mason, Chloe, Seth, Michael, Russell, Lori, Mel, Eric, Jesse, John, Justine and Diane.
So glad they all turned out! 💗💗

1100 turned into 1400 before we said our goodbyes. A wonderful afternoon! 

Loved this pic of Grand nephew Owen
enjoying the deck of their new stock tank! 

We got home about 1730 and then headed next door for Happy Hour with John and Karen. 😁 🍻🍷

This morning we joined them and Karen's mom Izzie for breakfast in town which was awesome. Came home and now I'm having a mimosa getting this done! LOL! 

Hopefully tomorrow Ken will get the last four rows done in the outdoor kitchen. 💗 He had to buy a new diamond blade for his tile saw as it gave up the other day. He's had it for many years, so it's understandable. So, lets get er done! haha. 

Just enjoying this Labor Day not doing much, me not Ken. He's always doing something! 

Sitting here reflecting on the weekend. How blessed we are to have the family we have and our extended family. We feel very fortunate that they all came out to OTP to see and spend time with us. The night at Russell and Lori's was amazing too. Our friends who were happy to see us made it special too. Nothing better than family and great friends 💕💕 How could our life be any better! 💖

 Have a wonderful rest of the day! 

Warm days, Happy Birthdays, Adam and Erin visit :) Ken brings home firewood!

It's a beautiful sunny day here in Yerington, NV. Thinking we're done with the cold temps I'm hoping. Of course you know what the warm weather does here, brings out the lizards! Yep saw my first one the other day and have seen a few more. The plug ins that are supposed to keep away pests obviously don't effect lizards. On to other measures to keep them out of my outdoor kitchen! 

One of the signs I got from Karen's store. 

Last Wednesday our middle son Eric turned 48! Our oldest grandson, Adam turned 24 on the 21st. This Wednesday, our oldest son Bryan turns 50!! It doesn't seem possible! 

Happy 48th Eric!💙

We ran to town the other day and stopped by Karen's store, Not Just Candles, a unique gift store! Well, never can walk out of there without spending some $$. Gotta keep the locals in business! 😊

Couldn't resist, if she had Marine corps I would have got that too!

And another 💗

Ken ran over to Rio Linda this weekend and met up with our friend, KC. They ran out to another friends place and picked up firewood! Already cut to length! KC sent home some walnut with Ken too! We'll be looking good for next year! Thank you KC and Craig! He was treated to an awesome barbecue dinner too and breakfast sandwiches (Thank you Sierra!) 😋

Our 20 foot car hauler, filled to the brim with oak!

This is walnut that was put in the back of the truck. 

Thank goodness for the log splitter! 

Saturday we were surprised by a text from Adam and Erin. They were in Bishop, CA and wanted to come spend the night with us! Of course! I ran to Raley's and picked up a few things and then a stop by the liquor store where they sell the best broasted chicken and seasoned steak fries. Not good for you, but oh so tasty! 

The kids got here about 1800, ate and then we all went over to John and Karen's for a great visit. 

Lila and Mugsy were happy to see them! 😃

Sunday morning we all took our time and the kids left about 1130. A nice surprise as we hadn't seen Erin since New Years. They are the cutest couple. 💗

She hurt her ankle while they were hiking, that's why the 
compression sock. 

We were in the outdoor kitchen to watch the pre race and opening ceremonies of Nascar. The patriotism gets me every time! 💖 [USA][USA] It was also Champagne Sunday so we enjoyed while I cooked up some bacon for bacon, lettuce and tomato sandwiches for lunch. YUM! 

Champagne Sunday with my hubby! 💛🥂

Bought a couple of six packs to put in planters. I don't go
crazy with them, as I usually kill em. Don't have my 
daddy's green thumb! 😟

We enjoyed and then later headed next door for an early happy hour, as John leaves around 0300 for CA on Monday. Some of Karen's  family were over so had a nice visit with them too. 

Looks like tomorrow we'll probably head for Lowes and wherever else we need to go. We need some paint for the final painting the back of the garage. Ken's got the wood cleared out, so he can paint that section. We'll see what the rest of the week holds! 

Have a great one. 

 

Home from CA ..Adam and Erin visit..Cheri, this one's for you at the end! :)

Adam and Erin had their one year dating anniversary on Saturday...💖

Came to visit us on Sunday! 

Saying good bye on Monday...

 Sunday we took our time getting ready and then we left.  Ken and Eric had been talking about the homeless population in Sacramento so we took a drive toward North Highlands (where we used to live years ago) down Roseville Road.  WOW! It's amazing they are camped everywhere! There was a grocery store that was near our home that the back is totally graffitied up. Homeless camps everywhere. 

We headed down another section of Roseville Rd and it's amazing how all the way down the road there are homeless camps. They city /county has put tractor tires on the side of the road to protect the camps. There are porta potties set up along with dumpsters. Too bad the camps don't appear to use them as it's just garbage everywhere. What a shame. I've got video I'll try and post when I have time..One video is 44 seconds and we are driving the whole time. One camp after another! 

Roseville Rd..

Don't know why Sacramento encourages and enables this! 

Once we finished our drive we were headed home.  Made a last minute decision to visit Edelweiss, our favorite restaurant in Auburn, CA. It was nearing 1130 so thought we'd have an early lunch. They were packed and there was a wait of about 30 minutes. Nope we've got a good ride home.  We went across the street to Cafe Delicias a Mexican Restaurant we used to go to all the time. 

My Fajitas..oh so yummy! Lots came home with us! 

Ken's plate of 3 enchiladas..nothing came home from his plate LOL..

There was no wait there, for awhile we were the only ones inside. We ordered, enjoyed our drinks and then oohed and awed when the food came out! 

We arrived home about 1630.  I made some tacos up for Adam and Erin so they'd be ready when they got here.  As it was Adam had to work until 1630 so they got here later than expected. They ate, we visited and enjoyed their company until it was time to call it a night. 

Monday morning I had my first appointment with my new doctor.  Danny is the same one Ken has and he is quite personable and caring. He came in about 0910 and I didn't get out of there until almost 1030.  Most of that was spent on history etc. I like the fact he's not in a hurry to get you out and he listens. I did tell him thank you for saving Ken's life with his lung issue. He did tell me that if Ken would have waited a few days more, the end result would have been totally different. 

We left there and I called the kids to tell them we were going to Dini's for a late breakfast as neither of us had eaten. Invited them to join us, but they were making pancakes. 

Once done we went home. The weather was cold, and blustery so around 1300 the kids left.  They were going around Lake Tahoe on the way home. I sent them with sandwiches, chips and soda. They could only stay one night as Erin had to work Tuesday morning. A little time was better than nothing. 

Because the weather was so bad, we became couch potatoes for the day. Sure don't want to make that a habit! We enjoyed our dinner of left overs. Easy peasy! 

I was wide awake at 0300, thinking I'd never go back to sleep. Uhhh hate it when that happens! Well, I did and it was 0630 when I woke! Hate it when that happens too! We had gotten a dusting of snow overnight. 

A dusting of snow..and WIND!

Got our coffee and treats, visited with our blogging friends and got the day going..slowly.  After breakfast Ken ran to town to take Joe some stuff that he couldn't get in his vehicle last time he was here. I did some cleaning here at home. Ken was going to bar b q chicken but it wouldn't have been fun with the wind and the cold. I put it in the oven and got some mashed potatoes going for him. 

Ken wasn't hungry for lunch but I had a little something and then decided to bake some cookies. 

Another blustery, cold day with a little light snow here and there, but didn't stick. 

Another day down, and it's Happy Hour time! Have a great evening! 

Cheri, This one's for you! More coming :) 

                                   The Best Chocolate Chip Cookies Ever! 

        I wouldn't go that far, but as far as good for you cookies they're awesome!

2 1/2 c almond flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 cup or more of chocolate chips (or any kind) I used Lilly's sugar free..

1/2 c salted butter melted (or soft)

3/4 c coconut palm sugar ( This is where I substitute a medium or large banana mashed)

1 large egg or (equivalent egg beaters)

1 egg yolk

1 teaspoon vanilla

Cream together butter and (sugar) or banana until creamy. Add eggs and vanilla until well combined.  Add Almond flour, baking soda to wet ingredients and mix. Add chips. 

Dough will be soft so stick in freezer for 10 minutes or fridge for 1/2 hour.  

Preheat oven to 325 degrees

Remove dough from fridge and take tablespoon size dough and roll a ball and flatten..not all the way though.  Parchment lined baking sheet. Bake for 9 to 12 minutes. (Mine are 11)

Remove from oven (cookies will be soft) place tray on cooling rack for 5-10 minutes.

Cookies will harden as they cool. Enjoy!   

I added some flax and chopped walnuts to this recipe...