MacKerricher.

If you ever get the opportunity to visit Mendocino/Fort Bragg, please visit MacKerricher State Park. Once the Mendocino Indian Reservation and later a small logging operation, MacKerricher is now a free park to all visitors who wish to play at it's dunes, headlands, wetlands, beaches, bluffs and forests. My favorite activities are watching the harbor seals at the end of the boardwalk and of course, tide-pooling.

 

Jared and Jackson, tide-pooling.

 Pointing out starfish, anemones, slugs and fish.

 All The Littles were afraid of hurting any creatures by standing on them, Jack poked at a couple "sea-squirts" and Ivy held a hermit crab. Savannah just cried and cried at how we weren't being respectful of the creatures home. (Special thanks to Deeds for the photos and taking care of Ivy while Savannah lamented the injustices of our every step.)

 Sea creatures at low tide.

 Goo. The mer-man.

Thanksgiving.

 Even though we were out of town for the holiday, I decided to go ahead with roasting a turkey. And while this meant I was in the kitchen a large majority of the day, I still got outside to momentarily fly a kite with My Littles.

While I cooked, Goo adorably did this. I couldn't wait to sit and eat, get that dinner snuggle from him.

Hank dressed up for dinner.

Aunt Jenny took The Littles picking and collecting in the eucalyptus foliage for a centerpiece. It was perfect.

I can cook it, but I can't carve it. Thanks Jared.

The dinner table. Oh Tim...

Finally getting a Goo snuggle.

Finishing up the day playing while the sun set.

On Holiday.

Good morning from Fort Bragg!

We are on holiday with my brother's family and sister Deanna too. We have been looking forward to this trip for so long, it doesn't seem real to be breathing in this salty sea air.

This pretty toadstool greeted me on my morning run, a whimsical surprise in the vibrant green foliage.

This is our view for the next few days, I feel like I'm wasting my time here if I'm not looking at the waves every second we are here.

We are relaxing in the hot tube, flying kites, playing loopsies, trains and enjoying some quality family time. 

Tomorrow I'll cook my Maple Roasted Turkey and we'll celebrate Thanksgiving. Thanks for stopping by The Honey Hut, have a lovely holiday. I'm off to look at the sea.

What About Goo.

Grady-Goo is very busy lately. While Molly Mae stayed with us, he did his best to make her feel welcome. Boy and dog shared many snuggles and snacks. Every time we walked in the door he went to the window like this pointed at Molly and nodded saying, "dis, dis". I'd let her in on her mat and she watched him ride his bike around the living room.

Molly is now at home with Grandpa Dan, but this doesn't stop The Goo from marching to the window and pointing shaking his head from side to side.

This tiger gets lots of hugs and ahhs now that Molly isn't around.

Without canine distraction, The Goo is back to being very quiet. Which means he is likely standing on a chair or in this case, crawling on the table for a better view at Ivy painting her fingernails.

 

Feeling Saucy.

On Saturday we canned 37(!) quarts of applesauce. Here are some photos of our process, it was a full day project ending in yummy rewards. I am always amazed by the messiness of this project. Sticky sweet juice and apple bits everywhere later becomes tasty sauce in tidy jars.

Thank you Jenni for all the help peeling and coring, and Dee Dee for entertaining My Littles while I worked in the kitchen.

Happy Veteran's Day...

Dad.

I just tore the house apart looking for a photo I have of my Dad from one of his tours in Vietnam. Instead I found this awesomeness. I think about this kid pictured here and how a few short years later his worldview completely changed. My Dad was drafted into the army. He served as a medic through 2 tours in Vietnam. I can't imagine anything more terrifying than fighting in a war, struggling for survival, not knowing what the next minute held or whether or not you'd see your family again. It must take a bravery you aren't sure you have, courage to dig down deep and faith unwavering. Whenever I see an American flag I feel a tingle. When I hear the National Anthem, I blink back tears. It must feel monumentally more to a veteran. Someone who risks their life to preserve the freedom of others. Today I am proud of my Dad and the troops who protect our country and freedom.

Wha??

Can you tell what this is? I'm sure you'll never guess.

It's my 81 year old Grandma taking My Littles on wagon rides.

Just a kid at heart. As soon as we pulled out of her driveway Ivy said, "When can we take another wagon ride with Great Grandma?"

 

In other news, the weather has severely changed here at The Honey Hut. Yesterday the high was 72 degrees. Today 39. We expect snow and wind, I dare say my pistachio tree will unlikely ripen to her ruby red brightness. I have been burning and raking all morning, trying to beat the storm. Molly Mae is staying with us over the weekend, so all shoes and toys are up and out of mammoth-Mastiff-jaw reach.

Goo's trucks sit on my new table. I'm waving my white flag at these leaves and heading inside to sit by the fire.