Do you remember that song? “Back in the saddle again . . . I’m back in the saddle again . . .” I haven’t heard or thought of that song for years. It takes me back to my childhood, growing up with horses and cowboys. Cowboys and horses were one part of our family’s resort. […]
Tree Murals
Who doesn’t love trees? Especially this time of year, with all the changing colors of autumn. The trees here in Placerville range in color from bright yellow-gold to rich burgundy red. They’re so beautiful I was almost moved to write a poem. Almost. Something about how I had never noticed the beauty of trees as […]
Lazy Gal’s Guide to Fall Decorating
I coined this phrase yesterday – Lazy Gal’s Guide to Decorating – just as a passing thought. But a Facebook friend thought it was catchy. And when I thought about it a little more, I have to admit, I really am lazy when I decorate – especially for myself. I think the key, though, is […]
Fall Decorations–Use What You’ve Got
I almost said Forget It this year. I mean, I’m staying with my mother and all my decorations are packed in storage and neither Mom nor I are going to buy anything new. It would’ve been really easy to just forget it. There’s only two more weeks and then it’ll be time to put Christmas […]
Echo Lake – Gateway to Desolation Wilderness
I want to tell you a little more about where Echo Lake is located. Echo Chalet is a resort on the shores of Echo Lake, California, nestled in the Sierra Nevada mountains, just south of majestic Lake Tahoe. From the California side, there are two major routes to Tahoe – Interstate 80 and Highway 50. […]
Echo Chalet – 1963
In 1963, I was 5 years old. It was my 2nd summer at Echo. This might come as a bit of a surprise to those of you who know me, but I was painfully shy as a little girl. Painfully. Shy. And timid. I was afraid of my own shadow, so I hid in my […]
Painted Table Linens . . . and Martha
I like Martha. I do. I’m not a huge fan, but I like most of her stuff. It’s just that, back in the day, her stuff used to drive me nuts. Back in the day, when I worked in a craft store, customers would come in and want precisely the products that Martha had used […]
Oh, Snap!–Gingerbread Man Painting
When I worked as a floral designer and had to design tons of wreaths every Christmas – and I mean TONS! – I had to come up with all kinds of different themes. It all depended upon what the store owners bought. I’d never know what theme I’d have to use until the freight boxes […]