Calaveras BIG Trees

On our visit to Murphys, I twisted Diandra's arm to head up the road to Calaveras Big Trees State Park. This is one of my favorite places to go to, unlike my daughter's . I find it to be so peaceful and serene, she finds it cold and dark and quite frankly is over it. In the 6th grade, this is where they go for outdoor education. Apparently, when they went for her trip in 6th grade, it was laden with snow from tree top to tree root. Need I say more. Our family has gone camping there for a number of years. We drag her, each time. She hates it. I was forbidden to take more than one picture of the same tree, so that we could walk the tour and get out as quickly as possible. She said, she tried to be a good sport about going, but once we got there, the idea was out the car door. She said "Next time, bring Nana!"

Millions of years ago, giant redwoods dominated the entire northern hemisphere. Today, due to climatic changes (El Nino?), these redwoods have all but disappeared. This is one of only three locations worldwide. The colossal trees of Calaveras Big Trees State Park stand in quiet testimony to a time when giants ruled the earth. These massive relics, which can reach a height of 325 feet and a diameter of 33 feet. Some of these trees are thought to be as much as 2,000 years old. The camera does not capture how BIG these trees actually are. I know that there are special camera lens that take more than my camera will let in. I think that it is time to start saving... hmmmm.

Diandra walking the path


The Three Graces

It is unlikely that anyone could look upon the Sequoiadendron giganteum and not feel a sense of awe and reverence. Well... maybe Diandra. smiling :)

It is Spring Break for me! Yippie!

It is spring break for me! That means V-A-C-A-T-I-O-N!

Today my daughter Diandra and I took a drive to Murphys , Queen of the Sierra! It is a quaint and charming goldrush era town located in Calaveras. If you ever get a chance to visit you can find Antiques, Art Galleries, Bakeries, Dining, Entertainment, Salons, Shopping, Wineries and much more to mention. We strolled through many shops, laughed and really got to enjoy each other! We had lunch at a restaurant called Grounds.... her treat. I have to tell you, this was hard for me. It didn't feel right for my little girl buying me lunch. Is this what my mom feels like when it is "my treat"? Could it be that I was uncomfortable because it is a sign that she is truly growing up?

Here are some pictures I took today while we were in Murphys.














I have more pictures, but sweet blogger will not let me post them! grrrrr :(
I think it might be time for flickr :)

The Mermaid

An old weather vane on top of a barn ... excuse the generous gift's from the bird's!

The Mermaid

Who would be
A mermaid fair,
Singing alone,
Combing her hair
Under the sea,
In a golden curl
With a comb of pearl,
On a throne?

I would be a mermaid fair;
I would sing to myself the whole of the day;
With a comb of pearl I would comb my hair;
And still as I comb'd I would sing and say,
"Who is it loves me? who loves not me?"
I would comb my hair till my ringlets would fall
Low adown, low adown,
From under my starry sea-bud crown
Low adown and around,
And I should look like a fountain of gold
Springing alone
With a shrill inner sound,
Over the throne
In the midst of the hall;
Till that great sea-snake under the sea
From his coiled sleeps in the central deeps
Would slowly trail himself sevenfold
Round the hall where I sate, and look in at the gate
With his large calm eyes for the love of me.
And all the mermen under the sea
Would feel their immortality
Die in their hearts for the love of me.
But at night I would wander away, away,
I would fling on each side my low-flowing locks,
And lightly vault from the throne and play
With the mermen in and out of the rocks;
We would run to and fro, and hide and seek
On the broad sea-wolds in the crimson shells,
Whose silvery spikes are nighest the sea.
But if any came near I would call, and shriek,
And adown the steep like a wave I would leap
From the diamond-ledges that jut from the dells;
For I would not be kiss'd by all who would list
Of the bold merry mermen under the sea.
They would sue me, and woo me, and flatter me,
In the purple twilights under the sea;
But the king of them all would carry me,
Woo me, and win me, and marry me,
In the branching jaspers under the sea.
Then all the dry pied things that be
In the hueless mosses under the sea
Would curl round my silver feet silently,
All looking up for the love of me.
And if I should carol aloud, from aloft
All things that are forked, and horned, and soft
Would lean out from the hollow sphere of the sea,
All looking down for the love of me.

Alfred Lord Tennyson

Here is the full picture of the weather vane with her friends. :)

~ Happy Easter ~

Good Friday

Taken in Texas (link)

Love Hung on a Cross

God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son so that whoever believes in him may not be lost, but have eternal life.
John 3:16

He looked around the hill and foresaw a scene. Three figures hung on three crosses. Arms spread. Heads fallen forward. They moaned with the wind.
Men clad in soldier's garb sat on the ground near the trio....
Woman clad in sorrow huddled at the foot of the hill,... faces tear-streaked.
All heaven stood to fight. All nature rose to rescue. All eternity poised to protect. But the Creator gave no command.
"It must be done..." he said, and withdrew.
The angel spoke again. "It would be less painful..."
The Creator interrupted softly. "But it wouldn't be love."

In the Eye of the Storm by Max Lucado

God Bless you

For more information on this cross I took in Texas you can go here.

Never underestimate....

Several years ago, My husband and I decided to gut our main bathroom and remodel it starting with the built in tub. Growing up, I always had an old fashioned iron claw foot bathtub. My mind was pretty set that this is what I wanted to replace our existing tub. We found one in the paper for only $150.00. It needed some work, and needless to say my husband is always up for a challenge! It turned out beautiful!

I also wanted to replace the counter sink with an old buffet side board I had found at our local Tuesday Flea Market for $75.00. My husband cut a hole for the sink, painted it and replaced the counter with Corian that looks like marble. Also beautiful!

I had this wall paper picked out which I had found in a magazine. They introduced it being vintage and an anniversary for this particular print. It had me at one look! The only thing was that it was black and had BIG flowers on it. Very different from what my friends were picking out for their homes. I didn't care. I knew it was right for me.

I ordered it, finally got it home, and up on the wall. Charlie laid the black and white tile and marble squares on the floor. It was ready to be shown to my mom. I felt I had to get her stamp of approval. I was nervous. What was she going to think or say about this black big flower wall paper?

My Mom finally arrived. As we were walking towards the bathroom, I was preparing her for the black color I had picked out, saying, "I know it is different.... but I really loved it!"

She was listening to me, replying, "Well honey if you like it, that's all that matters!"

We turned the corner and then into the bathroom and the look on her face was exactly like the words that came out of her mouth.... I knew she was not going to like it!

This is what my mom said "Angela, What have you done?"

My heart dropped. I said, "You don't like it?"

All that she could say shaking her head in disbelief was, "What have you done?" Now I was thinking, 'Now this is just rude!!' She then told me to get my photo album out with my baby pictures in it. My mom grabbed the album flipping through the pages knowing what she was looking for. She found it and pointed. As I looked at the picture, I just said, "What have I done?"

She proceeded to tell me that after I was born, where we lived, my crib was against this wall for the first nine months of my life. I got the biggest hug from my mom and then she kissed me.

Picking out this wallpaper... was it a coincidence? I don't believe in coincidences. Never underestimate what a baby at any age takes in.

This Weekend.....

This weekend I took pictures of the "man on the moon!" If you didn't notice the moon last night, it was just glowing! Beautiful!

I called my girl-friend who lives in Ohio, we caught up a little before she went to her daughters soccer game. It is always so good to talk to her. sigh.... I miss her.

I also ironed my husbands clothes
did laundry
changed the sheets on my bed
hosed off the front porch while I watered the plants
took some pictures of my flowers that are starting to bloom
got caught up on my e-mails
I watched the movie "The Godfather" for the first time
went through more of my "clutter"
made a stew for dinner
etc.

I hope that everyone had a great weekend!