A few days in Palo Alto

Dick came to California for a couple of weeks. Luke and Greg came to Palo Alto for a visit making for a very happy Grandpa.

And an equally happy great-grandmother.

Dinner in Dixon

We went to dinner at Dick's brother's house. I didn't get a single good picture of Tom or Kevin - darn. Dick is talking to Ann, Julie's mother who lives nearby.

Julie and Murphy.

I came home with 3 bags of seeds from their maturing garden, including nicotiana.

Thanks TJCKS+A. Dinner was delicious and your timing was perfect. Dick leaves tomorrow to make his way back to the boat.

Wedding at Rancho Cicada

Bride and groom, Stephanie and Patrick. Patrick and brother Andy were best friends of Mike and Greg as they all grew up in East Sacramento.  Andy was supposed to be the best man but didn't make it to the wedding due to the birth of his first son about 4 hours before the start of the ceremony. Mike is at far right.

Rancho Cicada is located on a branch of the Cosumnes River, about 6 miles from Plymouth, and down a scary dusty one-lane road with two-way traffic.

Once there, what a beautiful setting.

Dick with Gene, the groom's father.

Laura, Nicole (Greg's wife), Nicole (Mike's wife).

Greg, Mike, Luke.

Kathy (center, the groom's mother) visits with John and Marilyn.

Dick and Luke.

Backpacking trip

This morning, Dick drove Mike and Nicole to a trailhead in the southern Sierra Nevadas. He will spend the night, then drive home. Mike and Nicole will spend 10 days hiking the John Muir Trail going northward.

A quick visit to see Justin's pigs.

Drive safely.

Sunday Picnic

Dick organized a family picnic on a Sea Ranch beach.

From the bottom going uphill: Anthony, Aurora, Sophia, Mike is carrying the watermelon.

L-R: Nicole, Brady and his girlfriend, Mark.

Mark and Carolyn (Dick's sister).

Eric and Dick enjoy the grand finale - Rio Linda watermelon.

Celebration at Sea Ranch

After the baptism, Grandma Carol hosted a celebration at Sea Ranch.

Dick with brother Tom.

At left, Kevin (Tom and Julie's son) and Tom talk to Dick's sister Carolyn.

The bartenders Paul and Mike.

Luke Abel's baptism

Grandparents Tom and Martha and Uncle Andrew greet Father Mike.

Greatgrandmother Leta.

Grandmother Carol.

Not a very good picture, but the only one I've got of the embroidery I did on the christening gown.

Dad Greg, Granpa Dick, and Luke.

Father Mike welcomed everyone at the front door and gave the first blessing. Mom Nicole is to the right of Greg. Mike and Nicole are the godparents.

The professional photographer eventually assembled the entire group.

Apricot Pineapple Jam 101

9 am sharp, Phyl and I were at Merrilyn's and ready to begin.

We made 6 batches.  Each batch used about 3 1/2 pounds ripe apricots, one big can crushed pineapple well-drained

49 ounces sugar,

 

one package pectin, 1/4 cup lemon juice, 1/3 pat butter, and the constant stirring began. 

Even if your arm begins to ache, don't stop, keep stirring.

Even if there's an earthquake, keep stirring.

Stir until your hand gets so hot, you can hardly stand it and then stir for just one more minute.

 

Final result: 57 eight-ounce jars of jam.  Yay!

What fun!  L-R: Phyl, Christy, Merrilyn, Lynne.

Exploring Merrilyn and Bob's back yard.

 

A big thank you to Merrilyn for hosting this event.