Camping sites to visit...

We are planning to camp 3 times this summer.  Once at Potato Patch up 32 outside of Chico, once up in the gold lakes region at Salmon Creek and in August, right before school starts, we'll go to Manzanita Lake in Lassen Park.  Last year we went to MacKerricker State Park for 3 days.  A place I'd like to go next year was recommended in Sunset Magazine:  Summit Lake South Campground in Lassen Volcanic National Park.  Sunset says: "Smack in the middle of the park, this campground lies at the southern edge of the tiny but picturesque Summit Lake.  Insider tip: Reserve early to snag site D9 or D10; both have great views and lake access.  For fewer neighbors and a little more elbow room, try C9. The E loop is tents-only. More info and reservations: recreation.gov or 877/444-6777.  Best for: Hiking  $16 plus $10 park entrance fee per vehicle.  Book it: recreation.gov     Here's what lloopperu (another blogger) has to say about Summit Lake: "...at summit lake campground, my all-time favorite place to sleep or relax at lassen, we picked the same spot as many previous trips. after much quarrelling during my feeble attempts to back up the truck, with its trailer, into our site, it was time to relax. as jan says "maxin relaxin". big time.  i found myself a large log; leigh found herself a larger log. and then we floated. and floated some more. with a kokannee a piece balanced on our logs with us. the uppermost 3 inches of water felt warm and the sun shined gloriously for the hour and a half we laid siege on summit lake.  i rate summit lake log lounging the number one moment of satisfaction from the summer of 2008."  And another blogger says: "Summit Lake was my favorite spot in the park. It was clear, peaceful and beautiful. A perfect place for camping and swimming."

Being a Spanish teacher, I have a particular affinity for all things related to "Dia de los Muertos". This cool little piece of art caught my eye. Peter Callesen does some amazing things with a sheet of paper and a knife. Every part of me wants to see if I can make that! Why? Who knows! Probably procrastination... ha ha Extremely neat-o tho.

OK, OK... so I LOVE American Idol !!!

I love to listen to the awesome singing! I'm loving David Archuleta's voice. I'll post a link to him on YouTube when I get home, (I'm at school right now where access is DENIED to YouTube!)





(edit: Here's the link!) David Archuleta on YouTube

Winds blowing in from Hawaii...

My parents are in Hawaii right now, and I get these wonderful
e-mails that make me want to quit my job and fly over right now!

They are snorkeling and hiking and living it up in the islands. Check out their adventures...




















































































Hula!

























Hi Mom!















Hi Dad!








One day, I will make it over to Hawaii. For now, I will have to live vicariously! Thanks for the photos, Mom and Dad!


Aloha!

God of this City

Here's a new-to-me song that I really like:

Easter is quickly approaching!

I love this time of year. Life is returning to the earth, and the most important holiday for me, as a Christian, is about to be celebrated. Read this amazing bit about Jesus:
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Why did Jesus fold the napkin?

Why did Jesus fold the linen burial cloth after HisResurrection? The Gospel of John (20:7) tells us that the napkin,Which was placed over the face of Jesus, was not just thrownAside like the grave clothes.

The Bible takes an entire verse to tell us that theNapkin was neatly folded and was placed at the head of that stony Coffin.

Early Sunday morning, while it was still dark, MaryMagdalene came to the tomb and found that the stone had been rolled Away from the entrance.

She ran and found Simon Peter and the other disciple, The one whom Jesus loved. She said, 'They have taken the Lord's Body out of the tomb, and I don't know where they have put him!

'Peter and the other disciple ran to the tomb to see.The other disciple out ran Peter and got there first. He stoopedAnd looked in and saw the linen cloth lying there , but he Didn't go in. Then Simon Peter arrived and went inside.

He also noticed the linen wrappings lying there, while The cloth that had covered Jesus' head was folded up and lying To the side.

Is that important? Absolutely! Is it really significant?

Yes! In order to understand the significance of the folded Napkin, you have to understand a little bit about Hebrew tradition Of that day.

The folded napkin had to do with the Master and Servant, and every Jewish boy knew this tradition. When the servant Set the dinner table for the master, he made sure that it wasExactly the way the master wanted it. The table was furnishedPerfectly, and then the servant would wait, just out of sight, untilThe master had finished eating, and the servant would not dare Touch that table until the master was finished.

Now if the master was done eating, he would rise from The table, wipe his fingers and mouth with that napkin and toss It on to the table. The servant would then know to clear the Table. For in those days, the wadded napkin meant, 'I'm done.'But if the master got up from the table, and folded His napkin, and laid it beside his plate, the servant knew that

The folded napkin meant, 'I'm not finished yet.
'The folded napkin meant, 'I'm coming back!'

Gracie took home Bongo the Bear from school for the weekend. Here's Bongo with his two buddies!