Adventures On Beck's Bounty

Thursday, March 04, 2010

Day 3: California: Trip To Manchester And Beyond

For our 3rd day in California, we headed 4 hours north to Manchester .... and along the way we saw many Vineyards that are part of Wine Country. The rolling green hills, the twisted curving roads, more Redwoods ... it was beautiful.

The scenery in the country was gorgeous ... and then our route took us along the water's edge .... through natural spaces that we did not realize existed anymore.

Much of the land in this area is zoned agriculture so codes prevent building against the coast. We saw cows, horses, sheep, goats, and llamas grazing in front of million dollar views. It was incredible.

We headed to Manchester for a dream .... my mother's dream since childhood to ride (for the first time ever) a horse on the beach.

California: Day 2: San Jose Area

On our second day, we visited the Emma Prusch farm in the heart of San Jose (note the freeway behind the house to the right). This beautiful jewel of a park once was a farm, and is situated right in the middle of the bustling city. Farm animals, Heritage fruit orchards, community garden spaces ... it was lovely.

We picked an orange and ate it --- WOW --- the taste was beyond words.

After lunch, we drove over to Overfelt Park to tour the Chinese Cultural Gardens.

Everything was so lush and green. A truly beautiful place.

As we finished visiting the Chinese Cultural Gardens, the rainclouds were moving in. So we decided to head to some near-by shops to get some souvenir shopping done.

California: Day 1: Santa Cruz

I have just returned from a whirl-wind trip to middle California with DadToCherubs and my mother. It was a spectacular trip - warm weather, plenty of sunshine, green grass, blooming wildflowers ... it was truly a wonderful mini vacation.

So -- what did we do there ?

Our first day in California was spent in Santa Cruz --- the beach, the ocean, light houses, the marina, Natural Bridges Park, the boardwalk, watching Surfers. And fantastic food at the Mirimar Restaurant.

And what trip to California would be complete without seeing the Big (redwood) Trees. Barb (Harmony Art Mom) recommended visiting Big Basin Park to see the trees -- it was GORGEOUS !!

Below is my foot in one of the grooves in the bark ... to show scale. These big trees were even bigger than I ever imagined. And Big Basin Park was absolutely beautiful. Thanks Barb for recommending it.

CM Blog Carnival

The newest edition of the

Charlotte Mason Blog Carnival

is ready.

Enjoy.

Monday, February 22, 2010

Multitude Monday: One Thousand Gifts

146. Two glorious spring-like days in a row.

147. Maggie making progress (but is still ill).

148. Robins in the yard.

149. Eastern Blue Birds fluttering about.

150. Texts from Cherubs while they are away.

151. Plenty of printer ink.

152. Repaired dryer.

153. A loving husband who changed many TO-DO’s into TO-DONE’s.

154. Gentle rains instead of heavy “monsoons”.

155. Tender moments with our Momma horse – it’s progress !!

156. Our wonderful, caring vet who is caring for Maggie, our new dog.

157. The blessing of dear friends wanting to pitch in.

158. Prayers offered of friends for our family members and household.

159. A great Merit Badge Clinic attended by Cherub 1, Cherub 3, and Cherub 4.

160. First Aid Merit Badge – eagle required. Accomplished. Hooray !!

161. Coffee House’s Caramel Macchiato coffee creamer.

162. Clean water buckets, and sparkling well water, for the barn dwellers.

163. Momma horse’s confidence that food is coming; no more food panic. (issues caused by previous owners) We're making slow and steady progress.

164. A fantastic “helpful” book, recommended by our Horse Trainer and dear friend.

165. Marguerite Henry and Walter Farley books for a horse lover – Cherub 5.

166. Having a white tile kitchen floor – and a Swiffer Wet Jet.

167. A day of washing and drying – and then fresh clean beds for everyone.

168. Stir-fry veggies served over organic long-grain brown rice. Yummy !!

169. Shelves of books – stores of knowledge – and a Charlotte Mason Style Education !

170. The encouragement of dear friends during times of stress and worry.

171. Wisdom from long ago – the writings of Miss Charlotte Mason.

172. Bella’s willingness to be a loving friend to Maggie. And seeing Bella's heart heal through tenderness.

173. A list of assigned school work, hand written, and promises of Cherubs.

Saturday, February 20, 2010

Longing For Spring

It's chilly this morning. However, the forecast promises another day in the 50's (like yesterday), which will be OH so pleasant after weeks of rain or snow, and chilly cold temperatures.

I find myself longing for Spring, but must remember ....

"If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant; if we did not sometimes taste of adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome." ~Anne Bradstreet

Thursday, February 18, 2010

AWARD: Beautiful Blogger

Thank you, Shannon of Mountaineer Country WV , for bestowing this lovely Beautiful Blogger Award .

Beautiful Blogger Award Rules:

(1) Thank the person who gave this award.

(2) Pass this award on to 7-15 "Beautiful Bloggers"

that you think are fantastic (and notify them).

(3) State 7 things about yourself that others may not know.

So, in the spirit of sounding very "official" ....
I hereby bestow the Beautiful Blogger Award to:

Blue Yonder Ranch

By Sun And Candlelight

Dewey's Tree House

Harmony Art Mom

Living At Whit's End

My Smoky Mountain Homeschool

Lessons Learned On The Farm

Feminine Farmgirl

Aspiring Homemaker

Holy Experience

And now, 7 things about myself that others may not know ..... (thinking) ...

(1) When the children are grown, and our fantastic 12-passenger van is no longer necessary, I would really, really like a restored (vintage !) VW Beetle ... possibly even restored by my own two hands.

(2) I did not get upset in the least when I turned 30yo, and am actually looking foward to turning 40yo. It's just a number, which I often forget about completely. Ha !

(3) I often appear far more organized than I really am ... my mind is extremely cluttered ... I rely heavily on my computer and on my vast collection of Sharpie markers.

(4) I would like to be a gardener / farmer when I grow up.

(5) I HAVE to get outside every day ... the fresh air is my Prayer Closet, and the place where I feel closer to Our Lord. The fresh air also motivates me, encourages me, drives me, inspires me. If I cannot get outside ... well, I just have to get outside every day.

(6) We are entering very "active" pre-teen / teen years with our Cherubs, who suddenly have many activities going on here and there. And so far we have discovered that being in the car too much makes us all grumpy, despite enjoying the activities. (I suspect the cherubs inherited that from me - ha !)

(7) I would love to raise our own "homegrown" beef, but am concerned that I will fall in love with that fuzzy-faced calf ... and so would be the proud owner of a 20+yo steer.

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Blog Carnivals

Be sure to read the new edition of the

Charlotte Mason Blog Carnival.

And while you are visiting, also

be sure to visit the newest

Carnival Of Homeschooling.

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Lately ...

Celebrating Scout Sunday

with the Cub Scouts.

Snow ... again.

Considering all of the snow we've had this year,

you'd think we lived in the Northern Parts,

but we really live in SE Tennessee.

First Robins spotted.

Zoe being silly.

Cherub 5 riding Bandit ...

their first solo ride together.

Cherub 6 "working" with

fellow John Deere fan, Mr. B.

Cherub 2 riding Cheyenne,

solo for the first time.

Other than all of this, we've had more snow ...

it's actually snowing right now,

if you can believe it ?!?!

We've had several full weeks of school,

played with friends ...

and the older boys went on a hike

and camped in the snow overnight for Scouts.

(photos to come)

Never a dull moment ...

well, never is such a strong word ...

let's just say there have certainly

not been any dull moments lately.

HA !

Monday, February 15, 2010

Multitude Monday: One Thousand Gifts

126. Red Roses for Valentine’s Day from the love of my life.

127. The blessing of a husband who loves me far more than I deserve.

128. Snowflakes in the air ... again.

129. Squeaky clean and shiny granite counters.

130. Basket of apples, red and greens.

131. Taxes finished, owing nothing.

132. A wonderful vet, and Maggie on her way to health (post-op abdominal infection).

133. Kona coffee … a gift from a friend brought from Hawaii.

134. Another sledding adventure; unusual to have snow so much in the south.

135. Watching Cherub 2 and Cherub 5 ride (horses) solo for the first time (at lessons).

136. Lavender oil added to cleaners – a scent that brings about relaxation.

137. Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup on a cold winters’ night.

138. DadToCherubs aka resident Math Tutor.

139. High School planning finished --- we’ll have a junior and a freshman next fall.

140. DadToCherubs’ diet success so far – blood pressure down, 15 pounds lost.

141. Book order arriving … just in time to snuggle up and read during winter weather.

142. Hot cocoa mustaches on Cherubs after sledding.

143. Biscuits with sausage gravy for breakfast – yummy !

144. Dear friends + sledding party = a fun afternoon.

145. Brine trucks spraying roads to help with icing.

I am thinking warm thoughts today ... as cold temps are staying, and snow is said to be on the way ... again. This has been a crazy winter, here in the south, with snow a plenty (but thankfully not as "plenty" as the Northern Parts have had.)

What is the Gratitude Community ?

Perhaps you would like to participate in Multitude Monday: One Thousand Gifts ? Be sure to visit A Holy Experience to discover ... to learn ... to be inspired ... to share His love.