Monthly Archive: December 2006

bike

Winter Solstice and Pink Flamingos

Dsc05741 First day of winter here in California, and my first day of  Christmas vacation. With rain in the forecast I wanted to get in an early bike ride today.  Got bundled up, on the bike, and on the trail before 8am.  Out to the end of the trail and mile marker 11 by 8:30. Took some winter solstice pics and headed back. At the last minute I decided to take a ride around Coyote Hills and do a heart attack hill. Dsc05758_1 We always say that we see something new or different every time we go out for a walk or a bike ride. Today was no different. As I made the turn to go around the backside of Coyote, I see a pink flamingo feeding in the old salt pond. At first I thought it was a fake one that someone had stuck in there, but sure enough, it was real!  So many birds in the old salt ponds, but I never expected to see such a big, beautiful, colorful, tropical bird ON THE WINTER SOLSTICE NO LESS! How wierd is that? Thought about that crazy flamingo the rest of the way home. Made my way up heart attack hill (hoorah!) and home the short way. Good thing too because I felt the first few raindrops as I rode through Ardenwood Historic Farm and raining pretty good about 5 minutes after I got home.  Welcome back old man winter! Don’t stay too long.

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Sac State Kate – Update –

Hpim2753 Kate has been up at Sac state for over two months now!  We sure miss that kid around these parts. She is doing real well up there though. Finishing off her first semester, already lined up a full load of classes for next.  Working part time at the on-campus Togo’s and spending free time taking some pictures! I love it that Kate can spot and capture the beauty of an ordinary day. This pic ala Kate was taken looking down her street, I’m guessing on one of the cold mornings this week. Way to go honey!  You make your old man proud! In many ways!

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Riding the Creek Trail

Dsc05728_1 Back on the bike this weekend. Out early on a frosty Saturday morning ride with Steve, aka Magnus Magnussan. We met up at the local Starbucks at 8am and headed out from there.  Nice flat, cold, 19 mile ride out to the end of Alameda creek trail and back.  Morning temps around here lately is low to mid 30 s. Brrrrrrrr.  Fortunately, being dressed for the cold weather makes for a comfortable ride.  Take a short break out at the end of the trail to enjoy the morning. Cold, crisp , clear, and quiet. We could see San Francisco with Mt Tam behind when we looked one way, and Buildings in downtown San Jose (in the picture) when we looked south.  Zero wind, and still, except for the birds. Hundreds and hundreds of birds both in the ponds and in the bay. Getting spooked and moving, flapping wings and water splashing, then still again. Back to Starbucks to sit in the Sun and enjoy a coffee on another fantastic California morning.

Did the same ride today by myself, only a bit later in the morning. Still chilly!

holidaze

Christmas time is here…….

Hpim0281 Been pretty busy around these parts of late!  But not so busy to where we can’t get ready for Christmas! Started doing some of the outside lights around Thanksgiving, Hpim0291 got the tree last week and just got around to putting it up this weekend. Its going to be a different kind of Christmas this year. Kate coming home from college for Christmas break, Kelly working A LOT, and Barbie on the mend from her spinal fusion. We are keeping it on the “down low” over the holidays.

Wishing you and yours the Merriest of Holiday Seasons

holidaze

Merry Christmas

Hpim0329_1 Merry Christmas everyone!  Here it is Christmas night, just finished the last of the dinner dishes and taking a break before some warm apple pie and vanilla ice cream. Hard to believe that another year, and another Christmas has come and (almost) gone. Its been a whirlwind of cooking and Christmas prep around these parts. With Barb only 3 weeks out from her spinal fusion we were staying close to home. Not much else to do but go for walks and cook cook cook. Spent most of the last week or so making batches and batches of fudge and Christmas cookies. Kate and I kept the enchilada tradition alive this year when we prepared a hearty Christmas eve tray (one beef, one bean and cheese) last night. That, along with Spanish rice and chips and home made salsa, made for a great dinner.

Sadly (for them), our children have grown up and are now young adults, so Christmas is a little more low key as far as presents go. We exchanged gifts and had a nice evening by the fire. I think everyone got what they wanted.  I forgot to mention that Staci came down for dinner and spent the night! How great to have all the girls home for Christmas!! : )

Up early this morning to see what Santa brought. Thanks for the toaster/poached egg maker Santa!  Then kicked back the rest of the day. I should mention that Barb and I did 4 mile walks both yesterday and today. Prime Rib dinner with roasted  (purple, red and white) potatoes, carrots and onions. Steamed asparagus, broccoli, and garlic toast.

Barb and I are blessed. Blessed with two fantastic girls who we love very much and who we are so proud of. We are proud of who they are becoming. We are fortunate to have such wonderful friends and family that are close to us even though some may be many miles away. As we get older, and wiser, we are realizing that the true gifts of Christmas are love, affection, caring and understanding. We hope to share these gifts with you both during the Christmas season and throughout the year.

and now on to that apple pie and ice cream……..

From our house to yours, a very merry Christmas!

holidaze

and by the way……

Hpim0236 HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

We had a nice, peaceful, family Thanksgiving. Kate home from Sac, Kelly, finally a day with no work or no school, and us.

Thanks