A Snowy Mountain Hike - Can you believe it's July!

 ~ Photos~

 Carson Pass Trail Head, Winnemucca Lake

 Marker to Winnemucca Lake, Pausing Near Frog Lake, Wild Flowers

Frog Lake, Dead Tree at Winnemucca Lake

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We left the house around 6:40 A.M., and after stopping at McDonald's for breakfast, we began the two hour drive up to Carson Pass for our annual mountain hike.

Usually we see the mountainside covered in wild flowers with a few patches of snow. This year, there was so much snow that most of the way we could not even find the trail. Occasionally, we stumbled upon sections of it, only to lose it again under more snow.

However, all we had to do to reach Winnemucca Lake was to head in the direction of Round Top rising above it.

 ~ Photos ~
Following the Leader

View of Round Top, View of Caples Lake from trail

Snow Covered Hill Below Round Top

Clear Section of Hiking Trail

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Winnemucca Lake Elevation: about 8999 ft.

It was a free fishing day, and the fellows had hoped to catch a few fresh mountain trout.

Alas, the banks of Winnemucca Lake were covered in icy snow.

All this snow made for a real adventure, a pleasant change from our regular hike.

~Photos~

Navigating Our Way Back

One for the Album, Winnemucca Lake

Trail with View of Round Top, Lunchtime at Winnemucca Lake

A Great Day for a Mountain Hike

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Breakfast Sandwich and Coffee

~ Along the way to Starbucks ~

This month and thru April 10, when we buy a coffee at Starbucks we get a sticker.

Collect five stickers ~ get a breakfast sandwich

~ Double-Smoked Bacon, Cheddar & Egg Sandwich ~

We share the coffee and sandwich.
(They say that two can live a cheaply as one.)

This gives us each a scrumptious breakfast of about 250 calories a piece.

And I mean scrumptious! This croissant bun is so delicious buttery tasting.

Mornings like this make us feel as though we are on vacation.

~ Morning at Starbucks ~

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Apple Butter on Toast

 I had a drawer of apples I needed to use up.
So, I made apple butter.
The family likes it!

Click on Recipes, below, to see Apple Butter Recipe.

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Sunday Breakfast of Corned Beef Hash

Corned beef hash, cheesy bagel, and fried egg breakfast

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Celebrating St. Patrick's Day

St. Patrick's Day is a big holiday in our house.

We enjoy our traditional corned beef, cabbage, potatoes, and carrots.
A little strawberries and cream cake is good too.

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Budget-friendly Lunches

A simple lunch of tuna fish sandwiched, carrots and olives, and spicy Cheetos.
My boys love tuna fish.
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After Breakfast

My three sons, along with my husband, ate breakfast
and headed out to the driving range for a morning of practicing their gold swings.
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Mornings in March ~ Marie's Donuts and Coffee

 We LOVE Marie's Donuts.
Maybe we are prejudice, but we think that there are no better donuts than Marie's.

~ 6:40 a.m. at Marie's Donuts in North Highlands on Saturday ~
(before the time change)

I could not find any photos online of the inside of Marie's Donuts shop in North Highlands
(which, by the way, has been here since 1960),
so I decided that I should take along my camera and take some of my own.

~ Happy feet at Marie's Donuts ~
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This morning's walk...

 ~ 6:30 a.m. on the American River ~
I have to say that I am saddened by the time change and the later sunrise.
Yes, very, very, very saddened.

I had to take a photo of our coffee shop to show the passing of the seasons
of our walks throughout the year.

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The Lord is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy. 

 The Lord is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works. 

All thy works shall praise thee, O Lord; and thy saints shall bless thee.

~ Psalm 14:8-10 ~ 

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Let's Have Some Coffee

One of my Pinterest boards.

I am sitting by my fireside this raining morning, having my morning coffee while pinning.
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Taking the San Francisco Bay Ferry from Vallejo

 Mid-January, my brother-in-law from out East visited and wanted to spend the day in San Francisco.
On his suggestion, we took the San Francisco Bay Ferry from Vallejo.
It was a new adventure for us and a thrill watching the scenery from the ferry deck.
However, it is $13.80 per person each way, so I don't imagine that we will be doing it again any time soon.

We spent a lovely afternoon moseying around the piers and enjoyed a delicious meal at Scoma's near Fisherman's Wharf on Pier 45.

Then we caught the 3:10 P.M. ferry from Pier 41 back to Vallejo.

These ferries really move.

That is Alcatraz Island in the background.

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Homeschooling does not end with high school graduation

These days, this is how I spend much of my time.

I read books about accounting, chemistry, trigonometry, and electrical engineering, along with several books for English reading and writing courses, all in an effort to try to answer my children’s homework questions.

I went to see the counselor with my 17-year-old yesterday to find out his GE requirements for electrical engineering to transfer to a 4-year university. His goal is to earn an A.S. degree in mathematics before transferring to a state university. 

This is his student educational plan.
He will have to maintain at least a 3.0 GPA to be accepted into engineering at a state university.

 We are in it for the long haul. 

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A Fresh Start for the New Year

~ From Tree to Table ~

~ Fresh orange juice ~

~ Making a fresh start of healthful eating for the new year ~

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A New Year

~ New Year's Day Dinner ~
First photo of the new year

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Happy 2017!

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