I keep saying, “Noooo, I’m not competitive” about the monthly cooking Throwdown at the RLEHS Sunday Socials. Phyllis laughs at me. And here I am, needing to talk to Merrilyn about galettes – the pastry recipe I found, working with berries, etc. Ok, maybe I’m a little competitive. So Phyl and I arrive, bottle of wine in hand, and Merrilyn had baked blackberry galette!

This is why I come to Merrilyn with all my baking and cooking questions. And I’m going to use her recipe for the pastry and filling for galettes for the March 15 Sunday Social.

Another fun get-together!

You can find out more about the Sunday Social at
rlehs.wordpress.com
The Throwdown has turned out to be an easy and popular activity at our Sunday Socials. I’m surprised that there have been so many volunteers willing to participate. This month, Farmer Deno from The Natomas Farm provided fresh lemons:

I won this time! Lemon Raspberry Trifles. Everyone was served 1/40 of the trifle in this picture, but in tiny plastic trifle footed bowls with just enough room for ONE raspberry on top.

Approximately 130 elementary and high school students and their parents were invited to North Ave School today to taste more than 30 new items the district is considering offering next year as part of the school breakfast and lunch programs and providing feedback.

I drove the fire truck – a rather chilly open-air ride by the way. Digger, from the River City Cats:

You can see more pictures at
rlehs.wordpress.com

Today, I broadcast some poppy seed at the Dry Creek Ranch House. It was fun. The guys had everything ready. You can read more about it at rlehs.wordpress.com.
Favorite moment: We were done and everything was being stored in The Shop. Ralph wanted to make sure everyone signed the Volunteers Hours sheet on the shop clipboard. I told them that’s ok but I keep all my hours on a sheet at home and I’ll put today’s hours there. But no, they all thought I should the clipboard in the shop. I just had to smile, it seemed important. And I wrote my name and hours on The Shop clipboard.

Stephanie and son Josh Jr with Barbara Longo. Stephanie and Josh made a delicious thank-you dinner for the Board of Directors.
I’ve started a new blog for RLEHS where you can see many more pictures:
rlehs.wordpress.com

What a fun afternoon! Sell me those raffle tickets!!

Good friends.

Good food.

If you’d like to see even more pictures, please go to
rlehs.wordpress.com
and look for December Sunday Social.

Many events take place at the Dry Creek Ranch House. Today, the first gathering of the season for the Sacramento Valley Equestrian Patrol. Center is event organizer Barbara Longo, right is Candace Taylor. Far left, so sorry, this reporter did not get your name.

After a 2-hour ride, the next step was to check your poker hand

then have a good meal.

Today I learned that I merely deadhead roses at the Dry Creek Ranch House – I remove the dead or nearly-faded blossoms. Someone else on the team is the artist. I think it’s Emmie, surely it’s not me.

I was in charge of vendor registrations. It was fun getting to know local entrpreneurs, especially when there was a family connection. This is Jim Perryman’s wife Sarah and oldest son Adrian. The Rio Linda Chicken (Mike Grandinetti) with Mary Harris, part of the organizing team for the Country Faire in September. Wagon rides. Eva Fox did great face painting. This project is in its first phase, but exciting I think. The quilt squares are painted and represent the organization particpating. They will appear on a tourist’s map to direct visitors around our community. Eva Fox’s husband tied balloons. Odin’s Viking helmet. More face painting by Eva.

I went up in the lift to take pictures of the tractor parade and the rest of the venue. Best award from Three Rivers Laser in Pleasant Grove.

Lots of school kids come on this day. They walked from Orchard
and Rio Linda Prepatory Academy.

Free crafts were provided by Westside Charter School

and Heritage Peak Charter School.

Green Acres 4-H brought animals. This boy was lifted from his wheelchair so he could touch the animals.

Doug came to help today (Big thanks!) and got to see his kindergarten teacher, Jeanne Regello.

Big treat provided by RLEHS: free sno-cones for everyone. Thankfully members of Rio Linda High School FFA came to help out, not just here but all over. There were about 40 of them and they were all put to good use.

The FFA advisor with Ed Valencia, another long-time community volunteer.

Touring inside the Dry Creek Ranch House.