Turkey Time - Many Times Over

 

It all began on Nov 9, 2021 when we strolled over to the club house

to reserve our seats for the annual Thanksgiving Dinner.

These guys were trying to get a bench seat.

Nov 20th the dinner took place and

 the dinner was a fabulous feast, so much to eat, 

with "beverages" and pie that was hard to beat.

They sold raffle tickets for beautiful baskets that were 

filled with even more treats.  We had purchased 10 tickets and

I won twice - so I walked around the ballroom with my second 

basket taunting attendees for about 2 minutes before I placed 

it (as a gift)  in front of a total stranger!!! 

And on Nov 25th, we spent the "real" Thanksgiving with

Granddaughter Cassie and hubby Wes.

Hundreds of family pictures were taken.  Daughter Kristine

shares some of her favorites with her husband Richard and Grandpa Don.

My favorite was a picture of grandson Kenny (left), Cassie's

brother getting turkey carving lessons from Wes.  Incidentally, 

Kenny is a freshman at Univ of California, Santa Cruz, and he

followed Wes at the stove as he made a great Turkey Gravy.

Well they all didn't get eaten... this "wild one" strolled

along our retaining wall the next day, hoping for something to eat...

Look closely there's a huge mushroom at its feet.

As Don and I walked the street to burn off some of those

thousands of calories we had to eat, I was hoping Snoopy

might  have a spare seat...

"Thanksgiving is  an annual national holiday marked by religious observances

 and a traditional meal including turkey. The holiday commemorates 

a harvest festival celebrated by the Pilgrims in 1621, and is held in 

the US on the fourth Thursday in November."

We hope you, our friends and family, far & near,

had a very special and memorable day!!!

High & Dry

Folsom Lake was created in 1955 by Folsom Dam, a concrete dam

flanked by earth wing dams and dikes with a total length of about 9 miles.

That 9 miles is the length of the Dam...  If you click on any photo

you can get an up close and personal view.

I've zoomed up here to  give you a better view of the "flood gates" which,

as you can see, are high & dry above the current water level.

No kidding...  This lake usually features some 10,000 surface acres

of water when full and 75 miles of shoreline.  Over the years

I have hiked many of the trails around it and kayaked many

miles of shoreline, but not all 75 miles.

Looking at a part of the earthen dam, the high water line would

normally be at those rocks just this side of the green grassy area.

It sits at an elevation is 466 ft.

Folsom Lake, a critical water supply to the Sacramento region, is 

among the most depleted reservoirs in the state.  However,  it  has risen

 from 28% capacity to 35% just between Oct 1 and Nov 15th,  

according to the California Department of Water Resources.

Still looks high & dry to me... there should be water up

to those rocks in the foreground.

 

The normal lake capacity this time of year would find 

Folsom Lake 83% full.  

As we continued to walk around the perimeter of the campground area 

here at Beals Point, we could hardly believe what we saw.

But Folsom Lake is not alone.  With  the exception of the Don Pedro reservoir,

 all California’s reservoirs have fallen well below 50 percent capacity.

Stark signs of drought fatigue are everywhere 

with  the wet season still months away.

This otherwise beautiful full lake is only about a 10 minute

 drive from where we now live.    

Even though it's no laughing matter, this "no lifeguards on duty"

sign made me chuckle... speaking of "High & Dry".

This short video may give you a better perspective.

 

A Mixed Bag

 

Our dining room table arrived and filled the area perfectly

completing the furnishings of our open concept living,

dining and kitchen area.

So what did I do?  Went out to lunch with with some friends.

Barbara and I met

Cathy (who was visiting from Ohio) and Julie at one of 

our favorite restaurants at Pottery World in Rocklin.

We use to have a knitting group that met monthly at each others

homes.  Don't knit much any more but still try to get together.

Sorry Susan couldn't make it that day.

Fall is in the air so Don and I headed out to the "pond"

Taking a different route each time.  (There's that

crumpled ole map that appeared in a previous post!!)

On this particular route, we walked around the pond in the

reverse direction. It looked totally different.

However our friends were still there.  I noticed that these

geese seemed smaller than the ones we saw in AZ so I did

a little research.  All geese were considered "Canadian Geese"

Dark Geese is another name for the Canadian Geese.   

So if they have a dark head and a white chin strap, they are

Canadian Geese.  However in 2004 a new subspecies was discovered.

  This is a Cackling Goose and it is about half the size

of the Canadian Goose with the same dark head and white chin strap!!!

You may enjoy listing to us cackle at them as they cackle back...

and as we continued our journey we discovered another

inhabitant

a fairly good sized turtle.  Actually we saw 3 different

ones as they can up for air!!!

And in case you are wondering, this is not a goose.

Yah, I know, you're right, it's a colorful inflatable Turkey...

tis the season.

But these guys are pretty colorful themselves...

and they specifically like all the green area here in Lakeview Village.

We enjoy the color of several deciduous trees in our back yard but they

know it's "fall" time and every day the black garden bark is "painted"

in shades of orange, green & yellow.

So, after our gardner cleaned up all the leaves,

I quickly planted some colorful "mums" before the next 

downpour of leaves... 

Family Fun & Frolic - Part 3

 

Oct 30th, the day after the wedding we arrived at Wes and Cassie's

home about 3 for snacks and beverages.

Midas (the dog) found refuge under the table

while others gathered around to watch the opening of 

more wedding gifts and cards.

Then our car caravan drove to Roseville for a tour of

Cassie and Wes's recently remodeled vacated bank building,

which is now The Voice Academy...

Wes, Cassie and  their friends and family did all the remodeling, which involved

weeks of hard physical labor, from tearing out carpet and walls to 

building many individual singing rooms, etc.

Voice Academy is a studio dedicated to training singers and musicians

 from beginners to professionals. Their team of coaches work 

to create a comfortable learning environment 

and community atmosphere for all ages.

Voice Academy provides individualized one-on-one Singing Lessons to

 strengthen vocal ability, build range and help anyone discover the 

voice they've been dreaming of. 

Cassie explained all about the studio to part of our group

while Wes took others on a guided tour.

There are 8 separate singing rooms and eight instructors

who give singing lessons on a daily basis.

The Voice Academy also offers Guitar, Piano and Drum Lessons for all styles! 

Lessons are just one of the many things they offer. 

There is also an actual  vault where recording sessions take place...

now that's sound proof.

(Remember to click on any photo for a larger view.)

Remember this was once a bank building on Sunrise Blvd

in Roseville CA..

Subtle reminders appeared throughout the building so visitors

would remember the name of this business while on a tour!!!

They also  provide several performance opportunities,

 full production concerts, open mics, songwriting 

& professional recording services.

This blog on Family Fun & Frolic certainly concludes on a 

high note don't you think???

Family Fun & Frolic - Part 2

Wedding festivities began on Oct 27 with the Bridal Shower,

hosted by the bride's mother, our daughter Kristine.

Before all the guests arrived, it was family photo time.

Daughter-in-law Susan (all the way from HI & AK) snaps a picture

of her daughter Megan,  (from CO ) with the Bride-to-Be.

I snapped a pic of Kristine snapping a pic of my 3 grand-daughters...

Ryann, Cassie & Megan with Susan...

Then it's Ryan's turn to take the picture and you know the ladies

by now...

I got a special hug from Megan, while 

everyone else set out 

"something to eat"...

and then the sampling began to make sure it was as delicious  as it looked

and it passed the taste test.

Shower guests arrived and the fun began with a game

before the gifts were opened.

"Thank you Grandma". 

This is one of those photos you need to click on for a closer

view.  What else but a "bride" straw.

And last but not least some "sweets to eat".

After all the guests departed the family retreats

to the patio so Cassie can warm her tired feet. 

Oct 29th Wedding Day.   Pre-ceremony pictures:

Proud Grandma with Cassie.

And all my granddaughters, Megan, Cassie & Ryann

and another with Kristine

Outdoors, I get a shot of Jaron (Megan's husband) as he captured

some shots of wedding venue...

Wolfe Heights Winery & Event Center in south Sacramento

was stunningly beautiful in the daylight

and the dark.

After the ceremony, the wedding party got  their instructions 

from the photographer as he took a myriad of post wedding photographs.

The rest of the guest mingled and got acquainted with one another.

The youngest guest was only 2 months old...

 Don joins Jim (our nephew from San Jose, whom you met at brother

Roy's 85th birthday a few days ago.) 

I took this photo of Don specifically because he looked like

a two-fisted drinker, but I must admit that glass of wine is for me!!!

Cassie & hubby Wes  head to the main table as dinner is served

to about 100 wedding guests.

After dinner the dancing began and I had a great dance with

son-in-law Richard (to my left), and my grandson's Jaron, Kenney & Max.

This short video lets you join in the celebration.

Since music is their joint career, Cassie & Wes sang a duet

after the dancing was over.  

Stay tuned for Part 3 - Oct 30 as we visit the bride and groom's

home and get a tour of the Voice Academy in nearby Roseville CA.