A Great Present !

     I have the best present to give.  You can even give this to yourself.  In fact I would give it to myself first then give it to someone else.  You could give it to yourself and say it's for your love one because really in a sense it is.  What is it ????  Join a Gym.  That's right.  Jim and I joined  "In Motion Fitness," in Chico, CA., last April.  We love it.  They have a Senior Wellness Program that is the Tops.  Bree and Stephanie who are the fitness trainers for our group are very knowledgeable in Health and Fitness and guide you in your exercises.  Then we have Kelly, who is the fitness instructor for Aqua exercises.  Wow, what a program.  She finds out what your needs are and shows you what, in water exercises, are the best for you.  What's great is your not in a structured class where you are unable to do half of the exercises.  So you end up watching the other members workout and you feel not quite up to snuff, if you know what I mean.  You can do your own and work as hard or as light as the day allows.  You know, some days you know you can do a lot more than other days and that's why it's perfect.  As you can tell we really love it.  It's the best decision we have ever made.  So I will be harping on this until Christmas and maybe even after, it's that important.  Take the time right now to check all of them out.  I for one think "In Motion Fitness," is the best but if your not close to Chico, (we live 35 miles away and go M.W. and F, in the mornings) then check out what's in your area.  Go in and talk to them.  Walk through and see what they offer.  Meet the people who will be working with you and number one.......Ask about the Senior Wellness Program.  If they don't have one, ask, why not ?  Then ask if they will start one.  Hey, it's for your health and the rest of your life.  Go, Go Now!  Tootles and Doodles

Two Classy Ladies, just ask them.

 Meet Eleanor.  I am looking out my kitchen window and what a site it is.  This is early morning in Northern CA.  Fog is shimmering over this orchard of peach trees and Eleanor is on her throne looking at me.  She does this every morning.  Next she will continue on the top of the fence, then jump down into the orchard and roam around a few minutes then come back in and sleep on my bed.  What a kitty !

This is Eleanor's sister, Elviria.  She prefers to look at the orchard from afar.  Like on my breakfast table.  You can see the fence in the back ground.  Elviria is the sweet one who cleans everyone's faces or at least tries too.
     Wanted to share a quote I found quite interesting..
"It is unwise to be too sure of one's own wisdom.  It is healthy to be reminded that the strongest might weaken and the wisest might err,  Mahatma Gandhi
     Isn't it funny how many of our Holiday's are not really real.  Some one made them up usually for profit.  I guess we could just have our own get together with family and not name it.  Probably would not work, as most of them would not show up.  Ha !   Tootles and Doodles

I have pictures for you !

 Did I describe it right or what ?  The setting is just like you would expect.  Home.  It's inviting and calls to our warm and calm side.  There is no way to refuse an invitation to come in, sit by the fire, while I put the kettle on for a nice cup of tea.  No, I'm afraid I was not asked to come in, darn !  But I would not have turned it down.  It's one of those day dreams you have, in the blink of an eye.  What if, kind of dreams.  They are quite fun to think about and who knows, maybe someday it will happen.  

     Don't you just love the yard.  I do.  I can imagine a family out in that yard.  Sitting on the logs, of course the kids are riding them as if they are horses and Mom and Dad are sitting on them like a bench.  Oh, the imagination of youth, is something no one should ever lose.  How exciting it makes our day and besides it just brings a smile when we need it most.

Now how about this barn.  Couldn't you see yourself inside selling apples and all the other products which are locally made?  I know I could.  Think of all the people you would meet.  Just watching them would be fun and hey, if you make some money to boot, well heck, you sure can't complain.  I love everything about it and hope I run into more of the same and when I do, you will be the first to know about it.

     Hey, check out my other site,  adustycottage.blogspot.com.  Tootles and Doodles

Is it apple time ?

     Last Friday we went to an Apple Farm.  How fun was that.  It's located in Paradise, CA.  The Name is "Noble Orchards".  It's old time at its best.  I mean, you drive in the driveway, it's a one lane road that you drive right by a rock house, which is adorable.  The yard is somewhat mowed but has overgrown bushes, loads of leaves and a few logs which are tree size, kinda stacked in a not set pattern.  I love it.  As we drive by the house here is this old barn which is all open at this end.  You can look in and see shelves and shelves of apples in sacks and boxes.  Let's just say many nooks and crannies.  There are two ladies working around.  We take our time and look and see what all they have.  On some of their shelves is all local items.  Butte View Olive Oil from Oroville, CA and Blackberry Sauce from Antelope Creek Farms.  I buy one of each and start looking at apples.  They have many varieties, we try several, as one of the ladies is handing out samples.  One in particular is yummy and that is the one we decide one.  It's Gala and delicious.  I come home and the weekend I am making apple pies till they are coming out my ears but before I even started the pies I peeled and sliced apples in my slow cooker to make apple butter.  That needs to cook for at least 12 hours and it's so simple in the cooker.  I'll add the recipe next time.  My house smells wonderful and I feel I am getting in the holiday spirit.
      Do what I did. Find that Apple Farm.  Go and get yourself a bushel.  It's great and nothing like the clones you find in the store.  You know the ones, when you put them up to your nose, you can't smell apple and if you scrape your nail on the skin off comes wax.  YUK!  I think my Mom had wax fruit on her dining room table back in the early 60's.  They really should not be in stores in the produce section.    Tootles and Dootles