Are You Ready?

Ready or not, heeeere comes Christmas.

Thanks and Giving

I choose today, the day after Thanksgiving, to take a breath and reflect on the good in my life. My sister who gives much more than she receives; my mom, ditto; my husband, double ditto. Hmmm, I'm surrounded by the best family. I had fun creating a little diorama in this dome my sis scored at the local Goodwill, for $3.00 I think. I collected some moss from the forest, brought in some of my crystal specimins, a few mushrooms...a free centerpiece. The meal was delicious, the day was cool but dry. And most important, we were together once again.

Mushroom Mad...ness

How hard is it to identify wild mushrooms, my friends? I live in a forest of Douglas Fir, Madrona, and Alder with a few Hemlock. Yes, really beautiful. And full of mushrooms this time of year. Last year I collected some gnarly ones to decorate my front porch. Then I bought a Field Guide to Pacific Northwest Mushrooms and studied it cover to cover. They all look alike! So this year I kicked it up a notch and attended a 2 hour identification workshop. The speaker, a state park ranger and mushroom hobbiest, droned on and on about spore prints, precise shape characteristics, whether they have "sap", smell, taste (taking the tinest bit of a bite...if you were pretty darn sure it wouldn't kill you), etc., etc,. etc. I just wanted to be told "this is a death cap, this one is psychedelic, this one is delicious"...ya know? In fact, of the 40 or so examples the ranger had on display, about 1/3 of them he could not identify. Still it was creepy to see the big, red polka-dotted amanita muscaria and the really cool looking large boletus; some delicious and some poisonious. And I apparently have a treasure trove of chanterelles in my backyard...but then again, there is the false chanterelle. So, I'm sorta back at square one as far as feeling like I have a clue about what I spot on my hikes and horse-back-rides. Not a bad way to spend time, though, stalking the wild mushroom.

Fragrance Freak

Yes, I am...a fragrance freak. And as of a couple days ago, my favorite candle scent is Carmelite by Cire Trudon. I noticed these candles were getting good reviews in several magazines. They looked very elegant, and the description of the various scents was intriguing. The candle factory is in France and has been around for centuries. Sure, you can buy them at Barney's, but where's the fun in that? Much more of an adventure to find it...well, I'll never tell. Should you happen to journey to Paris, near the river Seine, you may come across their shop. And perhaps take home a bit of Parisian history.

A Day At Dragon Slayers in Aptos, CA

Before I moved to WA state in 2003, I was a volunteer at Dragon Slayers, a privately operated exotic animal farm for the benefit of physically handicapped individuals. DS is owned by Josef Rivers, pictured here with a lovely rose-breasted parrot. When I visit my friends in CA, a day at DS is a must. This visit was on 10/27/2008. Josef's collection of animals is amazing; emus, a yak, a camel, land tortoises, birds of all types, and a herd of miniature horses, donkeys, brahama cattle, goats, plus mammoth donkeys. Spending time wandering the grounds with all the sights and sounds is transporting. Here is a cute scene between a baby mammoth donkey and Delilia, a rescued doberman pincer. No worries; they are playing. When I say rescued, I mean from extreme circumstances. Many of the critters that live at DS find their way to Josef due to owners who are negligent or abusive. This is especially true of the macaws. I ended up adopting one of Josef's finds, a scarlet macaw named Gandi. He was a holy terror that I observed from a safe distance for many months. But that's another story. Back to the present day. Two of my favorite DS "students" are Rae Ellen and Sherri. Rae Ellen is here with her service dog, Neal. She and Neal have been together for a dozen years. Sadly, Rae Ellen has just learned that Neal has a terminal cancer. She is really struggling to come to terms with this. Neal is the angel at her side. But Rae Ellen is an extraordinarily courageous woman. She will apply for and receive another service dog, but the wait is longer than it should be; up to a year. Rae Ellen also has a yellow cockatiel that she is training. And that is the gift that DS offers to "students" of all ages. The opportunity to train and lead an animal, chosen by Josef, in clever tricks. These "behaviors" as Josef calls them, may be leading a camel in a parade, or teaching him to "cush" (lie down) on command, or loading in a trailer. Or directing a miniature horse over jumps and to pirouette on a round stage. Oh, yes, this and more. All done from wheelchair. This is Sherri at work; leading a cute, albiet stubborn, miniature donkey. These students are operating under the watchful eye of Josef, who practices safety above all.

Day at the Show

I scheduled my trip to visit my good friends in Los Gatos, CA. to correspond with a Summit Riders Horseman's Association Horse Show. This way I could see even more friends and mix it in with horses...nothun' better. My hosts were not only competing, but preparing lunch, too. And that meant we all had to be there by 9:00 am. Henrik (more on him later) left even earlier after days of prep with the food shopping, loading a big grill, coolers, etc. in his truck. But enough with the back story. Ellen was entered in the very first class. She is on "Cash", and her competition is on that precious little pony, "Tony Pony".

Later in the day (and it was a hot one) Ellen dressed "Cash" as his true self, a magical dragon. Can you believe it? This good boy stood steady while Ellen afixed the claws, wings, and...well, whatever that spikey thing that goes down the back into a tail.

Now, back to Henrik. He very good-naturedly agreed to appear as St George the Dragon Slayer. I ask "Ellen, why is it that Henrik is always the one in costume with your horse?" Still, he does carry it off well. Do scroll down to an earlier post to see this dynamic duo in last year's costume.

OK, I just had to . The ladies are all agog at this new member of the horse club. And by golly, he can sit a horse and look dang good in the doin'. Plus he was proud as punch to escort his son "Zorro" around on this sweet little mare. Well, guess you can't see much of her. Hmmm, what was I thinking?

All Hallow's Eve Dinner Party

Why do kids have all the fun on Halloween? Exactly, adults can join in too. I decided to launch a new tradition with my friends, and invited them for an All Hallow's Eve dinner party...and to come as you REALLY are. My table was spookily set with evil birds, poisonous mushrooms, moss and R.I.P. favors...candle light and spider webs come with the territory.

First, the menu. As I was away in California for several days just before the 31st, I jettisoned my notion of cooking everything myself. Instead, I buzzed over to Costco day before party for their chicken enchiladas and cheesecake. I must say I can't produce better results on these 2 dishs anyway. Here is my kitchen set for pre-dinner snacking.

Me and my homegirls Cathleen and Marie. Marie is a WA state hunter trainer. With the de riguer ball cap, chaps, bling and cigarette. Oh, my! Cathleen is in her own vintage traditional Baltic garb, looking very fetching. And, me as a fortune teller.