Magic in Merced

There was something magical going on in Merced this weekend...somewhere on 11th Street some humble and kind men are turning a pile of lumber into a home for a family.

They have a quiet presence, working diligently and in perfect harmony with each other...

Their hands are always busy...

and their tools are rarely idle...

and their hearts are in the right place....turning these supplies into something that shelters and protects a family's life.

It is quite an amazing and inspiring thing to watch men who are capable of creating something of such importance out of almost nothing. 

The saying goes...'many hands make light work' - and today on the job site there were definitely many hands.  All working together, all moving towards the common goal of getting a family into a home of their own.

They work high above the ground as if it were nothing...

Making sure everything is just as it should be - each board secure and stable so this house may stand for many years.

These are men who use these tools each and every day, and are still willing to give of themselves to make sure that others have what they need.

This build is made possible by Habitat for Humanity....

and continues to be possible because of people like the Mennonite men that came out this weekend, and the wonderful ladies who brought them lunch, and the board members who donate their time, and the many other volunteers who believe that putting families into homes makes the world a better place.

Today is a good day....a home was started...a family will have a place to build their life...many good people are making sure of that.

I would like to thank my dad, Lyle Allen, for making us aware of Habitat for Humanity - he shows us in many ways what it means to think of and do for others.  He is coordinating this build along with the job mascot, Willie!

Habitat for Humanity works in partnership with God and people everywhere, from all walks of life, to develop communities with God's people in need, by building and renovating houses, so that there are decent houses in decent communities in which God's people can live and grow into all that God intended.

 

If you are interested in volunteering or making a donation please go here:

http://www.hfhmerced.org/

Habitat makes good use of all it's donations...(time and dollars!) here is something that will give you an idea of what goes into each house:

• Living room @ 256 sq. ft.              $15,360.00
• Kitchen        @ 120 sq. ft.                   7,200.00
• Master bedroom @ 150 sq. ft.            9,000.00
• Bedroom @ 84 sq. ft.                          5,022.00
• Bedroom @ 93 sq. ft.                          5,580.00
• Master bath @ 70 sq. ft.                      4,200.00
• Bath no. 2 @ 40 sq. ft.                        2,400.00
• Hallways and closets                           6,300.00
• Garage  @ 315 sq. ft.                          7,875.00
• Front porch @ 40 sq. ft.                      1,000.00
• Back patio @ 40 sq. ft.                        1,000.00

For a grand total of                                   $64,937.00

Now keep in mind that this cost doesn't include any labor...because the entire build is done with volunteers!   So, if you have some spare time or a few spare pennies...direct them towards the Merced Habitat for Humanity and my dad will personally make sure that you or your pennies are put to good use!

                                       When one helps another,
                                              both are strong.
                                                                 German Proverb


xoxo    Elizabeth

Mother/Son Guacamole

Last weekend we cooked with a jet mechanic!  My nephew, Jeffrey, was here from Las Vegas and while he and his mom...my sis...Jennifer (you've heard of her!) were visiting they made us Guacamole.  It's always fun to see how someone else fixes something - and this was delicious. 

Gather together:

1/2 of a white onion - diced
1 lime
1/2 of a jalapeno (or pepper of your choice) - diced
2 large avocados
2 or 3 large cloves of garlic - diced
Salt
Pepper

Cut up your avocados...we like to cut them in half, slice them while they are still in the skin, and then scoop them out with a spoon.

Jeffrey is more daring (after all...he is a jet mechanic!) and he just cuts them right in his hand!

Remember that wonderful zesting tool I told you about?  Well here is another good time to use it - grate the zest of your lime right into the avocado...

It adds such a wonderful fresh flavor.

Then squeeze all of that lime right into your bowl of avocados....yum

Mom shows Jeffrey how to smash the garlic clove with your knife blade and then peel off the skin before dicing it.

Some mother and son dicing....

And into the bowl it goes...

More dicing ensues...

Note the concentration...he gets that ability from my dad, his Papa - every task deserves your full attention.

Toss the onion and jalapeno into your bowl...add some salt and peppa and you are ready to smash!

I think Jen dressed with Guacamole making in mind - she matches!

 Jen used a potato smasher to get all that avocado mushed - worked great!

A dip...

and a taste!  And it's off to the coffee table for everyone to enjoy.

A little bonus...the book on the table is a wonderful sort of biography about a priest who works with ex-gang members and such.  And look at that cute card that my brother, Brad, and his fiance (hey, it's fun calling you that!), Tina, made for my dad.

Jeff, it was great hanging out with you - thank you for - as Papa says...being one of the 'good guys' and working hard to keep all of us and our country safe.  I love you 

xoxo    Auntie E  (Elizabeth)

If it's Fall I must be at the Pumpkin Patch...

We made our first trek to the pumpkin patch this weekend.  It was wonderful as always...although a little hot and muggy for my tastes - we are having some very unseasonal and undesirable weather here...I will repeat what I said (and I'm sticking to it!)  when the pool closes - THE SUMMER IS SHOULD BE OVER!

 Out in the midst of the peaceful orchards...at the end of a little dirt road...is the magical land of all things Fall.

This year we are so early in our visit that the sunflowers aren't even in bloom yet...which just means another trip is inevitable!

The Cosmos are blooming and a few zinnias, but soon all those Sunflowers will be nodding their golden heads...

Jennifer was here and she loves the patch almost as much as I do! (her pumpkins will be traveling to Las Vegas!  And yes Jeffrey you do have to take them - and don't put them in the back of the pick-up!)

This crazy guy greats us every year at the patch...

As do the incredible paintings that my friend, Wendy, has throughout the patch.

 Anything and everything is available at the patch...Cinderella pumpkins, (who can resist those?) white pumpkins, green pumpkins...

even these...that look like they just couldn't stop growing and began spilling out from the center.

 All warty and a beautiful colour...I could stay here all day...well sometimes we do...we bring our schoolwork and our lunch and camp out at the picnic tables!

There is the corn maze...I remember going in there when the girlies were little with my mom and wondering if we were ever going to get out!  I'm sorry to say (my apologies to the maze makers) we finally busted out the side...we did not injure any corn though!

The Pizza Oven taunts me...yes I know I just recently posted "Who needs a pizza oven..." but truly...I think I need one.  Really I do....

The owls have a special place..all fancy thanks to Wendy again!

Maybe she saw an owl.........

Me and my girlies...you see it's hard to leave empty-handed!

So, it isn't far...take Hwy 99 to Mariposa (the street, not the town), make a left on Mariposa and follow it all the way to Plainsburg Road, make a right turn onto Plainsburg and you will see a sign on your left for the Bear Creek Pumpkin Patch....turn into those wonderful orchards and head down that little dirt road and you'll be glad you did!

We'll probably see you there because...well...we just can't seem to stay away!

xoxo    Elizabeth