Insect Lore Bugseum

I have wanted to take this trip for the longest time but hesitated as I just didn't know what to expect.  I'm not much of a bug person but I was very interested in seeing where the butterflies were sent from so off we went.  The drive only took us about an hour from our house.  We had planned to meet Grandpa and Grandma there but they had a little trouble finding the place so we explored outside first.You cannot help but notice the HUGE ovesized bugs decorating the front of the Insect Lore building.  The boys were suddenly willing to have photos taken while we waited for Grandpa and Grandma to arrive.

 Ralphie took us on a tour of the bus museum taking several of the various "bugs" out for the children to gently touch while he explained about their habitats, diets and  behaviours.  Amazingly enough, the boys were willing to touch nearly everything starting with this millipede.  I even held it and it really tickles as the hundreds of teeny, tiny feet move across your hand.

 Ralphie explained quite a lot about the various bugs and held their attention the entire time.  I was suitably impressed with his ability to capture the interest of the quite young as well as the adults in the group.

 These little beetles have a very hard shell.

Good-bye Insect Lore Bugseum, hope to see you again sometime.  I hear there is are plane and train exhibits nearby so that's on the list for next time.

California Gold

 Early yesterday morning, I went out and picked apricots from our neighbor's tree (yes, I had permission).  When I looked up inside the tree this is what I saw, perfectly beautiful luscious apricots waiting for me to pick them so I did.

 Five buckets yesterday and five buckets today.  They are so fabulous just to eat but there were so many that I decided to try my hand at canning them as I know they just won't last.

Total of fifteen quarts canned and I wasn't even through four buckets!  Tomorrow is jam making day so hopefully I'll have some more lovely photos of jam to share.

Day 30-Christmastime Excitement

On this last day of the month, I am thankful for getting the furniture moved and more of the house cleaned up and decorated for Christmas.  I could not have moved the furniture without help from my son, James.  Today we moved the television, bookcase, and a table and chairs.  It's been a lot of work but I also got most of the nutcrackers put up along with a few other Christmas decorations.  Have a few small broken things to repair but it's been so fun to get the decorations out of their boxes with the help of two little boys.  Put together two Advent calendars as well so the boys are looking forward to starting those tomorrow.  Read three more Christmas stories this evening, the favorite was Jacob's Gift by Max Lucado.

Day 29-A somewhat cleaner house

Having spent the last two days moving the furniture around and decorating a bit here and there and cleaning up the messes, I can finally sit in a room this evening and enjoy the view.  Yesterday, I just was going to put up some plates on the wall and unpack a few figurines which led to a china cabinet needing to be moved, which led to more cleaning.  Before the day was out yesterday, I had taken apart nearly the entire dining area, moved the china cabinet, stored the dishes, unpacked all the little figures for the nativity and the other figures as well.  So many memories contained in them.  Since I had moved the china cabinet, I needed to go ahead and clean up the mess which led to moving the sofas into a different room, which led to setting up the lamps and tables, which required another table to be moved.  Then to make it all fit, the computer had to be moved into another spot with hopes of connecting it to the television eventually-which I plan to move tomorrow.  So, I currently have two rooms done, the dining room and the front living room-well almost the front living room with the exception of the televison and the piano being moved.  So tonight, with an aching back, I'm ensconced on the sofa, reading a book and enjoying the new view and a clean room.  Just in case you are wondering what inspired this cleaning, moving frenzy-a simple question from my dear friends if I had ever finished that room and had I gotten settled over the past year.  I had to answer that I hadn't while I admired their lovely, comfortable home and an interesting bit of technology that connects the tv and computer.  The inspiration struck me that I should have this done by now and I really have no excuse for not feeling at home in my house so I got busy.  I'm so looking forward to tomorrow and having the family room cleaned up a bit and making it comfortable for our family.  This could get interesting.

Day 28-Morning Mass

Thanksgiving morning-we're up and the two youngest agree to attend mass with me.  While we still have the usual squabbling and searching for the lost shoes, we manage to get there on time.  

The boys both want to serve so I help them get their cassocks on and belted then stay with them while they wait for Fr. to arrive.

Just before mass time, Fr. Santiago shows up with Deacon Jim and Mr. Moon.  No other altar servers in sight so the boys step up and offer their help.  They are too small to carry the candles safely so they follow along and are given jobs to do.  The help with the water and wine, carry up the offering basket, do patens and all goes well.  This was a great way to start our Thanksgiving morning and I'm so thankful for the boys being willing to serve.

These photos are of three of the stations of the cross inside the church.  They are so beautiful.  Also, a new window has been added-Our Lady of Guadalupe.  It is stunning but I don't have a photo of it quite yet.

Day 27-Coach

Since I am home alone quite a bit these days, I find the silence a bit overwhelming at times.  As I go about my usual chores of dishes, laundry, making beds and sweeping floors, I often bring in James' sweet German Shepherd, Coach.  This dog has to be the best German Shepherd ever.  He has all the wonderful traits of a shepherd, loyal and protective while always being ready to play ball and/or follow me around the house.  Gary spent some time training him in obedience so he sits, stays and lays down on command.  Usually I find he will simply follow me around then settle down nearby if I don't move around too much.  However, he never misses an opportunity to see what I'm doing and more importantly hoping for a small snack along the way.   Today, I am thankful for our pets especially this sweet, silly dog.

Day 26-Ham, Pork, and a full freezer

A few weeks ago Gary went hunting for wild pig.  It seems some people with property are having trouble with the local wild pig population destroying their gardens and coming in too close to homes.  Although Gary did not get a pig that day, some of his co-workers and friends were able to get a few so they offered some of the meat to Gary for a great price.  Of course, he took them up on it and the meat was delivered to our house this a.m.  Now, the freezer is stocked up for a while and Gary is one happy man.