Sepia Scenes #11 - Happy New Year to All

Another New Year's Eve has rolled around, a time for reflection - NOT!! I do enough of that during the year.

This is the night to enjoy the revelries from around the world. It's a night of channel hopping starting at Australia and working my way west.

It's a night of enjoying our traditional Italian sausages on a bun covered in sauteed green peppers and onions and pasta sauce.

And finally, it's the night to land in Time Square in the comfortable embrace of my old sofa to enjoy the happy noise of the people there and await the annual dropping of the sparkling ball to ring in the new year.

There will be kisses and hugs and laughter and finally tripping off to bed. First one up hauls everyone else into the living room in the morning and we enjoy the Pasadena Rose Parade.

It's nice that some activities are so reliable and so unvarying from year to year. So just as I have said before during this holiday season -

Happy New Year. May you all be blessed with a joy-filled 2009 with your lives overflowing with fulfilled hopes and dreams.

My year in review.

I was at There's No Place Like Home and found this excellent idea for reviewing one's year. You simply write the first line of the first post of each month. Include a picture if you like and, voila, you have your year in review.

Then I found My Romantic Home and had another place to share it as well.

JANUARY

It's January 2nd. I'm back at work.

FEBRUARY

Blonds are rare in our family.

MARCH

My ink spreads like tears
across papers rough and smooth.
My tears say good-bye.

APRIL

November arrives, welcome relief from heat, now cool,

MAY

Dreamings float without
direction like petals on
a calm, smooth surface

JUNE

I received an email this afternoon from a young woman with a lot on her plate.

JULY

Krista purchased her first digital camera on Sunday - of course, I had to try it out.

AUGUST

We returned from Portland late last night, exhausted but happy.

SEPTEMBER
I knew that once school started again that I would have a lot of problems coming across my desk.

OCTOBER
Now, fifty-eight years later, I've become the keeper of the family memories.

NOVEMBER
Typically, I would post such an article as follows at my Benedict Notes blog and, in fact, I did.

DECEMBER

I'm halfway through the fourth book in the Twilight series.

My World

Friday Dave and I explored back roads again. Our objective was to find the old truck I spotted on another drive. The truck seemed to be growing out of a fence right alongside the road and I had been caught unprepared that day without a camera. But Friday, camera safely tucked into my bag, we left to find that truck.

It's interesting how something that it glimpsed, as we drive by, is recalled so vividly. I just had to find that blue truck. It's setting was not quite what I recalled nor as picturesque as it might have been but the success of the hunt was more important than the reality. Happily, the reality wasn't half bad.

North and east of us is grape growing country. Many micro-wineries spot the back roads. The vineyards are bare now, mostly trimmed back, and waiting for the machines to come through in the early spring to turn the soil and return the trimmings, now mulch, back to the earth.

A little farther up the road is the Modesto Reservoir

home to deer, ground squirrels, and all manner of feral cats.

It also houses the Wildlife Animal Rescue Center. A revisit there on another day is scheduled. Along with a great variety of waterfowl, there are also birds of pray, particularly eagles. We didn't see the eagles but we did find their nesting spot.

If you ever have household electrical problems, this could be the reason.

Happiness Paid Us a Visit

Looking back on our approach to Christmas this year, we engaged in a rollercoaster ride of sadness that Q and Erin would not be here but thankful for his having a job at long last; then the stomach lurching drop of his layoff; followed by the knowledge that the silver lining would be something better and their visit for Christmas after all. Plans were set in place. Flight reservations made. And then, the snows came along with ice and then more snow compounded with even more ice. Flights were cancelled and I fell into a deep well of disappointment. For the first time, Quanah would not be with us at Christmas time. Our family would not be all together in one place. Empty nest and adult children's life had come home to roost.

Someplace along the line I finally got it that it was time to stop the pity party and get with the joy of the season. Things were as they were and that, as they say, was that. I felt this turn around start happening on December 20th after Mass. The display at the foot of the altar seemed to say it all.

.

And St. Joseph was there to remind me of the importance of family gathering and our options for creatively drawing ourselves together.

In no time at all things started to come together for me. We found our Christmas tree that afternoon.

And Don made his traditional banana cake the next day.

Christmas Eve and meal preparations approached. Our large gathering had shrunk down to five. Dave and Yolanda arrived. The kids were stuck in Oregon and Krista's Chad was delayed in San Leandro. Traffic was miserable and it was unsafe for him to drive after 12 hours on the road from Arizona. But by this time I had shaken off the Christmas blues and was embracing the joy of the season with zest and verve. Food, laughter, a couple of calls to Oregon and we were having a blast.

There is nothing to beat my brother's great big smile or

Krista's elation when she was presented with this body pillow that Dave and Yo had thoughtfully name "Chad", nor

the thrill of Yolanda receiving yet MORE of her favorite, I can't live without it, hand creme.

But without a doubt, the hit of Christmas Eve was Don's wish coming true to get a Radial Arm Saw. I, being clueless about these things, didn't know there was a smaller and less expensive version I might have gotten for him.

However, considering the happiness and glee he has been feeling, I haven't felt a single twinge of regret. I think I'll let the pictures speak for themselves.

Christmas morning found us going slowly. For the first time ever, no one was in a hurry to open presents. I bet if Quanah had been here it would have been a different story but alas, he was not and the morning was leisurely and relaxed.

The turkey was stuffed.

Don had his favorite turkey leg and homemade cranberry sauce.

We called Quanah and Erin and put them on speaker phone so they could share the table with us for a bit.

Tanner begged

and I finally have a warm and cuddly robe (thank you Don). I'm even wearing slippers. Miracle of miracles.

But best of all was the smile on our daughter's face - Chad was finally with us.

Space holding as I work on my Christmas post

Before the digital age I took the picture of Don on the left while on our honeymoon at Catalina Island. He was standing in front of a taffy pulling machine in a candy store window. It is just a tiny perhaps 1 1/2 inches at the most. I scanned it in, in the hope of saving it. I managed to get just enough to be satisfied and hold on to the memory. On the right, 30 years later, we are at Panera's enjoying lunch together. Love you, hon.

Wishing you Peace and Love and Joy

Ten Hard Years of Work - Big Results

It took ten years of hard work, sacrifice, determination, and sheer stubbornness at times but it was all worth it. Doesn't my sister look completely and totally happy? Congratulations Dr. Sis.

Sepia Scenes #10 and something a little extra

It snowed in Portland, OR and environs this week. It snowed, and it snowed, and it snowed. It snowed so much that our plans for Christmas with our children visiting here (where it doesn't snow) were dashed.

The bright spot in this change of circumstances (when I could final SEE a bright spot) is that Quanah and Erin were not stranded at SeaTac with hundreds of others. I'm grateful, too, that they were not stuck on a tarmac for hours on end waiting for clearance to take off.

Anyone who has been following the weather knows that the latest problem out of SeaTac is the de-icing chemicals getting into the ventilation system of one of the Alaska Airlines planes. Ten ambulances later (the last time I checked) people were being removed from the plane and being taken to hospitals.

It's been three days now since we learned that Q and Erin would not be making it here for Christmas and I've gotten used to the idea. I've gone from pity party emotionally to reconciled and accepting. It is the way it is and perhaps Easter will see us together again.

In the meanwhile, Quanah sent us a few pictures of their snow and I share them here with you. The first, their birdhouse, made a good choice for Sepia Scenes this week. So if you have gotten through all of this prelude, congratulations. Sepia picture next up followed by snow, snow, snow.

Even in cold and snowy weather, the welcome sign is out and the doorway nicely cleared of snow.

Growing up in California, this is a scene I NEVER saw.

Wolverine vs. the Snowelf (behind the camera)

Snowelf won. Q didn't mind.

Gatto the cat rambled through. I think he had designs on the birdhouse. Fortunately for the birdies, they were not at home.

Monochromatic Monday

Christmas Trees in B/W have their own kind of special beauty.

Pastures and Bonfires

According to my sister, there are many things that you just haven't experienced until you have experienced them Texas style. Our final night's visit was proof of that wisdom. We drove out to the ranch of her dear friends Marie and Arby. Seemingly the entire extended family was there for a bonfire and wienie roast. She assured me that everyone was NOT there. Seemed like the world to me.

We pulled in to a driveway that circled the entire house and I immediately started to snap pictures. Arby and Marie's place is a target-rich environment of cattle skulls, old wood burning stoves retired to the elements, a windmill, pastureland, barbed wired and barns.

A tractor with front loader brought in the final load of debris for the bonfire. Walt (one of the clan) clearly recognized that tractors and I had not been introduced up close and personal. The next thing I knew, I was being herded in the direction of the tractor. My brother, in his wisdom, turned the key to the off position and removed it. He then gleefully told everyone about the time I got stuck on a Harley. That's another story and thankfully, no one else is as compulsive about picture taking as I am or I would have no doubt been able to show an illustrated version of a very funny event. It was Annie versus the Harley and Annie lost. Fortunately, there was no losing this time and I cheerfully posed.

Marcia jumped in and suddenly we were the tractor twins!!

The debris pile above is ready for burning. Before it was lit, I wandered farther out into the pasture to enjoyed the fencing, the wire, burn barrels and winter skies.

Arby splashed the debris pile with fire starter and instantly, there was a bonfire.

It was so hot that we could not get close enough to roast the wienies so in came the frontloader to lift up a bucketful of embers to be carefully dumped and smoothed down for roasting. Perfection. We all gathered around and settled in to enjoy the juiciest, ash covered wienies I could hope to ever eat. It was all sooooo good.

This is Brandy, the mother of Marcia's Godson.

There is clearly nothing better than hot chocolate on a winter's night enjoyed in the heat and light of a Texas bonfire.

As the evening came to a close and we started to prepare for our drive to Austin and flight home the next morning, I noticed these two future bonfire starters. Clearly, the tradition of family gathering over food in the light of a full moon and a bonfire to warm the winter night will not be dying out anytime soon.

There are no words to adequately express the solemnity of this memorial to fallen youth at Texas A & M Univerity.

In the rising of the sun and in its going down,
we remember them.

In the blowing of the wind and in the chill of winter
we remember them.

In the opening of buds and in the rebirth of spring,
we remember them.

In the rustling of leaves and in the beauty of autumn,
we remember them.


In the blueness of the sky and in the warmth of summer,
we remember them.

In the beginning of the year and when it ends,
we remember them.


Jeremy Frampton, Turlock, CA

One of two students from outside of Texas who were killed that day.

I live in Turlock. We are a medium size town with a small town feel. Everyone knew someone who knew Jeremy or his family.


When we are weary and in need of strength,
we remember them.


When we are lost and sick at heart,
we remember them.


When we have joys we yearn to share,
we remember them.

So long as we live, they too shall live,

for they are now a part of us,

as we remember them.

Sepia Scenes #9 - Unfinished

This past weekend my brother and I were doing some back road exploring. This time we were in Bryan, Texas - a little ways off from our usual beaten path of the Central Valley of California. In the distance, I spotted this multi-storied building that reminded me of a cross between a French Chateau, a parking garage, and a disintegrating old mansion. A closer examination proved it to be merely an unfinished building project. Nevertheless, the initial impression, when seen from a distance, remained strong. The picture said, "Pick me. "Pick me, for Sepia Scenes this week". I obliged and the picture was quite right. I love the moody and atmospheric tension the sepia evokes.

Unfinished II

Below is the original photograph.

Bryan, Texas - Dec. 12, 2008

Unfinished

It was -2 degrees in Denver . . .

. . . on Sunday. After three days of back-to-back outstanding experiences in Texas, it was the delay of departing from Denver International that I had to post first.

Bad weather and flight anxiety are not a good mix and I knew if I didn't get this two-part cocktail under control I would be experiencing severe muscle spasm from the tension of it all by the time we landed back in Sacramento.

The refueling of the plane was much delayed because of the difficulty of moving around the equipment. And then there was the whole de-icing process. I had a window seat and so I settled in and commenced to examine everything in sight. My camera happily clicked away and by the time we lifted off 90 minutes late, the captain had provided us with free television viewing. 2 1/2 HGTV Christmas shows later, I arrived back at Sacramento International Airport completely relaxed. Please click the link below for the refueling and de-icing slide shows. They are the first ones I have created so I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it all goes well.

Refueling in Denver

View slideshow

De-icing in Denver

View slideshow

If the shoe fits - And it DOES

You Are Cider

Your holiday personality is cozy. The holidays are your favorite time to stay home, stay warm, and spend time with those you love. You don't need a lot to make you happy over the holidays. Seeing an old relative or favorite holiday film is enough to make your day.

What Holiday Drink Are You?

Back Home from Texas

Hi, y'all!! Yeah, that is what my sister says - y'all. And believe me, it is catching. LOL I have lots, and I mean LOTS, of pictures.

I took 425 photos. What a target rich environment. I got home a 2 p.m. (ish) today and now it is 6:37 p.m. I just finished uploading the whole bunch and organizing them. I'm beat.

I was really amused by this Texas designer waffle though and had to share it with you now. We stayed at the La Quinta by the Austin airport on our last night since our flight left at 6:30 a.m. They have a great breakfast bar. Passing on a waffle is hard for me to do even in ordinary times. That this waffle iron was shaped like Texas made passing impossible. I'm trying to picture a waffle shaped like California but it just isn't working for me. It would probably end up looking like a piece of bacon.

So, stay tuned. Lots to share.

Sepia Scenes #8

TO ALL OF MY SEPIA SCENES FRIENDS

I WILL BE OUT OF TOWN THURSDAY THROUGH SUNDAY. I WILL BE CATCHING UP WITH YOUR SEPIA POSTS INFREQUENTLY. DEFINITELY WILL BE LOOKING IN AGAIN STARTING MONDAY THE 15TH.

The original photo is faded black/brown to yellow around the edges. I ran the original through the Flickr photo editor use sepia, boosted to enhance and surrounded the faded edges with the vingette option for framing.

My father, Russ Bastian, on the left and his younger brother, Robert. They grew up in northern Wisconsin, the land of lakes. They had fish for dinner that night after catching this Northern Pike.

Yep, that's about right

You Are Flannel Pajamas

You seek comfort above everything else. You rather feel good than look good. You are a very relaxed person, especially when you're surrounded by your favorite things and people. You are a homebody. Home is the place where you can truly be yourself. You are likely to wear pajamas a lot. In fact, you often change into your pj's the minute you get home!

What Kind of Pajamas Are You?

Happenings in my kitchen

My creation, originally uploaded by AnnieElf.

I have a love/hate relationship with cooking, baking, pretty much anything that has to do with creating in the kitchen. Have I mentioned that before? I must have since it's a hallmark of my life. But yesterday was a fun kitchen day for me and I'm replaying the experience today.

I got the idea that gifts in a jar might be a nice thing to have on hand for unexpected gifting opportunities. So yesterday I whipped up cranberry pancake mix and hot spiced tea mix. It was a lot of fun and as long as I did them one at a time and scrupulously followed directions and measured carefully, I was OKAY.

It doesn't take much to create kitchen disasters in my food world but yesterday and even the clean-up afterwards was a big success.

Christmas Joy

Our family is very small and when one member is missing, it feels like a part of our body has been injured in some way. Thanksgiving was a joyful time because 7/9th of our family were all together in one place. We joined my brother and sister-in-law in Merced along with my sister from Texas and my nephew from Colorado. Missing from our small group was Quanah and Erin.

Q and Erin live in Oregon and their intention was to come down at Christmas. Then things changed and suddenly there was to be no Christmas. I am grateful that our little circle of three - Don, Krista, and I- would all be together, but the ache of not having Quanah and Erin started to gnaw at my heart and I found myself becoming deeply sad, almost sorrowful.

But THEN, last night, it all changed again. Suddenly Christmas has become a joy again. My family will be entirely together. Erin and Q will be here! My heart was aching and now it is soaring.

There is absolutely nothing more important to me than my family. They are a precious gift from God that I treasure beyond anything except my love for the creator Himself. There is no trial, no sorrow, that cannot be overcome as long as we have the love of family. If I could bottle this precious gift I would, and then I would share it freely with one and all so that everyone, especially those who feel alone, would feel less so.

But since I can't bottle it, I can at least give each of you a little gift that you can post as a reminder that you have the love and regard of a friend and know that you are NEVER alone.

The French Award

What a nice surprise I received in my mailbox this morning. Heidi (The Tao of the Elfin Poet) has bestowed upon me a love blog award, The French Award. It is so much fun to receive such awards from time to time and even nicer to send it along to others.

I promised myself that I would NOT PICK next time. There are so many out there that I love and appreaciate. SO!! Consider yourself selected. You ALL deserve to eat some cake.

Hugs to you all,

AnnieELF

Sepia Scenes #7

Romero Ranch, Santa Nella, CA - November 28, 2008

Good Reads

I'm halfway through the fourth book in the Twilight series. Little did I know when I picked up the paperback that I was walking into the pages of a pop culture phenomenon. It just seemed like it might be a fun read. When several of the young women in the department discovered I was reading Twilight, offers of loaning books 2, 3, and 4 came at me from everyone. All I could think at the time was there are FOUR books?

What planet have I been living on.? Then I discovered there was a movie. No, I haven't seen it yet but it's only a matter of time.