Lucky Gold Fish After Raccoon Visit

I have posted in the past about our beehive and our pond. So proud of our oldest son who had a concept of using a large trough for a fish pond. He built his own solar powered pump. That is the good news. The bad news is that we have raccoons. Now, who doesn't have a raccoon problem right.

After getting home after his commencement and move out from the apartment, Jason noticed shortly after that the lily pads were disturbed. He had just placed all the lily pads on top of the water, but the next day, the lily pads were under the water. We decided to focus our camera on the pond.

Well, low and behold we had an early morning visitor from a raccoon. I am sure that this raccoon has been here before and it is probably one of the raccoons that used to live in the now removed tree from our neighbor's yard. The baby raccoons looked so cute. Well, this raccoon was seen walking around on the top rim of the pond. Then....it was seen putting its paws in the pond. Later, the raccoon was on the ground doing something which were unsure of until the following morning. There was the remains of a snail shell on the ground. I know snails right? Well, these are good snails and rare ones at that.

Later that day, our son discovered one of the gold fish lying on its side at the top of the of the pond. After doing research, it was learned that the fish either had a trauma (probably from the raccoon) or an infection. Our son took the cute goldfish out and placed it in a container. This fish was given treatments. Glad to report that the goldfish is doing fine and now swimming with its friends again in the pond. The goldfish was treated for 5 days.

We have put a heavy grid on top of the pond. BTW, it was also noted that the raccoon was trying to mess with our calm bees. The raccoon was stung. The bees were upset the following day, but they are back to being calm once again.

Fathers Day -Happy... Yet Sad

First of all I want to show you some pictures of a wonderful father and some pictures of me and my dad when I was a little girl. Love this man.

 Wedding rehearsal

Happy memories.

Now for the unhappy memories. Today, my sister would be 57 years old. She died from Inflammatory Breast Cancer when she was 41 years old, just two months before her 42nd birthday. She left behind a husband and 3 young children. We were not only close in age, but close.

 On September 18, 1999, my sister told our mother, ”I was diagnosed with breast cancer. The biopsy came up positive. She is going to see doctor the following Tuesday for 2 more tests (CAT and bone scan). The bone scan is to see if the cancer is her system.

On Oct. 6, 1999, it was confirmed. The doctors all said that she had breast cancer.

On Dec. 11, 1999

Barbara is sick from the chemo therapy. 

On March 25, 2001, my sister lost her life to the horrible IBC that consumed her body. Miss her every day.

Farewell Cotati, CA Our Favorite Places To Eat

We have been visiting Cotati, CA off and on, because that is where our son lived while attending SSU.

Below are the favorite places. There are not too many places to really eat in Cotati, but if you ever are up that way, I highly suggest visiting them.

Our all time favorite and that of the town is Marvin's Restaurant. Marvins is located at 7991 Old Highway, in Cotati, CA. They open up at 6 am, but if you plan on going there in the late afternoon or evening, then you are out of luck. Marvin's Restaurant closes at 3 pm. This place is busy especially in the mornings for breakfast. You will leave happy and that is for sure. Our all time favorite is the veggie omelet. The veggie omelet comes with home fries or hash browns and I suggest getting the biscuit instead of the toast. The biscuit is so flaky and oh, so good. You can choose to use their fresh jams to spread on your biscuit. We also enjoy getting the pancakes. These pancakes are large in size and they are so tasty. Be sure to also to get their freshly squeezed orange juice and pick up a day old muffin if there are any of the muffins left.  

Now, if you have an inkling for something frozen yogurt, then we highly recommend Swirl Time. They did a special on tv about frozen yogurt. Swirl Time makes all of their own yogurt, sugar cones, and they use fresh fruit for toppings. Of course, there are the usual sweet candies to top it off. Karen is the owner and my son visited this place often, since it was homemade and right across from SSU. Swirl Time is located at 1718 E Cotati Ave, Rohnert Park, CA 94928

Now, nestled in the old part of this small town called Cotati, is a true gem of a pizza joint. This pizza is a bustling hot spot for the people living and visiting Cotati. Sal's New Yorker Pizzeria is located at 8270 Old Redwood Hwy in Cotati. They make their own dough, pizza sauce, etc. On Tuesdays, children can make their own pizza for $10.

 We had the Margherita pizza

and... spinach salad

Now, we have two Mexican restaurants. Mi Ranchito is also a favorite place for visitors and residents as well. We happen to go the evening of our son's commencement. This place is normally crowded and this in particular was even busier than usual. Families were celebrating commencements and graduations. I forgot to take a picture of the delicious homemade guacamole. Yummy! Mi Ranchito is located at 7600 Commerce Blvd, Cotati, CA 94931

After packing our our son's belongings and loading the moving truck, we were tired and very hungry. Our son has gone to this small Mexican restaurant called Tacqueria Sol Azteca

For those individuals who like to drink or like bars (not for me because I don't drink alcohol), but there is a bar that opened up recently. It is right off of Cotati Ave (in Oliver's Market parking lot). It is called Jaded Toad BBQ and Grill. 

Latest custom aprons from www.countrynmore.com

I was asked if I could make an apron for Lee and one for Muriel. Turns out that after ordering the aprons, they became engaged. So happy for them.

Love this: Lee's apron said ...Lee with the two intertwining hearts
Muriel's apron said....and Me, with the two same hearts

I used fringe blue by Robinson Anton. Love this color against the navy blue apron background. My aprons all have adjustable neck straps with two metal D rings.

Today, they sent me a picture. They make such a cute couple. Of course, I asked if I could post it here and she said, "Yes."

Cute As A Button Personalized Pullover Bib for Eva

This is for a sweet little baby girl named Eva. Just love this. I already had the bib stitched out. Eva's father wanted his sweet little girl's name on the bib. This is what we came up with.