Saint Simons Lemon Pie Amazon 9” Deep Dish Pie Pan Lemon pie is one of those pies that fulfills the biggest desire for a luscious, rich dessert and is a great finish to almost any meal or to indulge with a cup of coffee whenever that craving hits you. It all started with a small cluster of citrus trees we planted in our front yard on St. Simons Island, Ga. We observed a fruit getting larger and larger on one of our trees. Several neighbors commented about our 'avocados'. Since we did not recall planting an avocado tree, we decided to cut into it. To our surprise it was a huge lemon. With a little research, I learned we had grown a Ponderosa Lemon. A Pondersoa lemon can weight up to five pounds! As you can see from the picture, our lemons weigh over 2 pounds each! With a thick skin, it can be harder to work with than a smaller lemon, but it is definitely worth the effort to get the juice out of this lemon. The juice from the Pondersoa Lemon has a the perfect tart for pies and lemonade. The tree stands only 5 feet right now and is loaded with the most beautiful lemons that are green until they turn yellow beginning at the end of November through December on Saint Simons Island, Ga. We always strive to eat what we grow when possible. With our annual holiday party on St. Simons Island approaching, I set out to make a pie out of the lemons. It only took one lemon to get 2/3 cup of juice, enough to make this scrumptious lemon pie. If you are not fortunate enough to have access to a Ponderosa lemon, you can substitute any lemon to achieve 2/3 cup of juice. If you prefer a strong lemon flavor, increase the amount of juice to 1 cup. I have made the pie with both amounts and I prefer to add 1 cup of lemon juice to get a really good lemon flavor! To decrease the sugar content, I use Truvia Sugar Blend, a mix of stevia leaf extract, erythritol, and cane sugar. It provides 75% less calories than sugar. If you decide to use sugar in place of Truvia, double the amount since Truvia is twice as sweet as sugar. I will provide measurements for Truvia or sugar in the recipe below. St. Simons Lemon Pie Graham Cracker Crust 1 1/2 c. crushed graham cracker crumbs 6 Tablespoons of melted butter 2 Tablespoons of Truvia Sugar Blend or 1/3 c. sugar Directions: Melt butter and mix butter, Truvia Sugar Blend, and graham cracker crumbs together in a bowl. Press into a 1-DEEP 9 " or 2 -shallow 9" pie pans and bake for 8-10 minutes at 350 degrees until it appears to be set. Lemon Pie Mixture 1 cup Pondersona lemon juice or other lemon juice (1 Ponderosa Lemon or 2-3 other lemons) 3 cans (14 ounces) Carnation Sweetened Condensed Milk 3 egg yolks 1 Tablespoon vanilla extract 1/4 teaspoon Kosher salt Directions: Mix lemon juice, sweetened condensed milk, egg yolks, vanilla extract, and kosher salt together with your mixer on medium speed for 3-5 minutes. ( I use my kitchenAid with the shield and just leave it for a few minutes). Pour into cooked and cooled graham cracker pie crust. Bake for about 10 minutes until the middle of the pie does not jiggle anymore. Cool and refrigerate for an hour or overnight before adding whipped topping. Whipped Cream Topping 2 cups heavy cream 2 Tablespoons of Swerve Confectioners Sugar or Regular Confectioners Sugar (depending on preference) 1 teaspoon vanilla extract Lemon Zest to sprinkle on topping Directions: Mix on medium to high speed of mixer for about 4-5 minutes until it forms peaks, but before it starts to clump. Do not over-mix! Watch closely. Spread on top of refrigerated pie, sprinkle lemon zest on top, and return to the refrigerator. (Makes 1 deep dish pie or 2 shallow pies.) Cool in the refrigerator for at least an hour. If it will be the next day before serving to guests, I like to place another pie plate turned over on top and wrap with saran wrap to keep it fresh. Guests will love the blend of the graham crackers with the creamy lemon pie and whipped cream topping. Alternative: You may use lime juice in place of lemon juice for a great Key Lime Pie. We hope you enjoy this luscious, creamy pie! Enjoy baking your lemon pie while dressed in this 100% cotton dress available on My Amazon Storefront. You will love baking in this amazing recently remodeled chefs kitchen at the beautiful Serenity Lake Cottage on St. Simons Island, Ga where you can actually pick your own lemons and limes from the yard when they are in season ( late Nov- Dec). I may make a small commission from purchases made through Amazon links. Read What I Pack For A Summer Vacation at St. Simons Island, Ga. Discover this amazing vacation rental on St. Simons Island, Ga: Serenity Lake Cottage, The Best Hidden Gem Vacation Rental On St. Simons Island, Ga. Follow along at www.lovingpetite.com for more comfort recipes, over 60 petite fashion styling tips, and vacation rentals.

Why Chili is Perfect for Cold Days Chili is more than just a meal; it's a comforting hug in a bowl. When the weather turns cold, there's nothing quite like a steaming pot of chili to warm you up. The rich flavors, combined with the heartiness of the ingredients, make it a perfect choice for chilly days. The Magic of Roasted Vegetables Roasting vegetables brings out their natural sweetness. In this chili recipe, we use a variety of vegetables to enhance the flavor profile. The caramelization process adds depth and richness that you won't find in regular chili. Ingredients for Caramelized Chili 2 pounds ground beef 3 cans diced tomatoes or frozen tomatoes 2 cans kidney beans 1 can tomato paste 2 packs of chili seasonings (I prefer hot) Roasted Caramelized Vegetables: 4-5 Roma Tomatoes 1 large onion 6 sweet peppers 6 jalapenos 1 bulb garlic 1 teaspoon garlic powder 1 teaspoon onion powder 1/2 teaspoon cumin 1 teaspoon black pepper 1 teaspoon white pepper 1 teaspoon oregano Instructions for Caramelized Chili Preheat the oven to ROAST at 400 degrees. Slice and chop tomatoes, sweet peppers, jalapenos (seeds removed), and onion into small chunks (1/2-1" chunks). Spread on a cookie sheet covered with silicone or parchment. Wrap the garlic bulb in aluminum foil and place it on the cookie sheet with the vegetables. Brush the vegetables with olive oil. Sprinkle garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, black pepper, white pepper, and oregano on the vegetables. Roast in the oven for about an hour at 400 degrees until caramelized. Stir the vegetables halfway through to caramelize on all sides. While the vegetables are roasting, brown the ground beef in a large cast iron pot. Add canned or frozen tomatoes, kidney beans, tomato paste, and packets of chili seasonings. Simmer and stir often while the vegetables are roasting in the oven. 10. Remove the vegetables from the oven when caramelized. Unwrap the garlic from aluminum foil, cut one end, and squeeze garlic into the pot of chili. Add caramelized vegetables to the ground beef mixture and simmer for 30 minutes. Nutrition Facts Servings Per Recipe: 12 Calories: 285 % Daily Value * Total Fat: 4.4g 6% Saturated Fat: 0.9g 5% Cholesterol: 15mg 5% Sodium: 109mg 5% Total Carbohydrate: 53.1g 19% Dietary Fiber: 15.5g 55% Total Sugars: 13g Protein: 16.8g Vitamin D: 0mcg 0% Calcium: 311mg 24% Iron: 17mg 95% Potassium: 1281mg 27% * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs. ** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data. (-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption. Powered by the ESHA Research Database © 2018, ESHA Research, Inc. All Rights Reserved Southern Cornbread with Lard This Southern Cornbread made with homemade lard by Harvest Eating goes perfectly with chili. We love the crispy bottom and sides produced by cooking the batter in a cast iron skillet prior to baking cornbread in the oven. This recipe uses lard, duck fat, or beef tallow. (Note: Using shortening or butter will not produce the exquisite taste of this cornbread.) Ingredients for Cornbread 5 tbsp lard, melted in an 8-inch cast iron skillet. (You will use the skillet to cook the cornbread in the oven, also.) 2 cups medium grind cornmeal 1 teaspoon kosher salt 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon baking powder 2 tbsp sugar 1 1/2 cup buttermilk (You can make buttermilk by adding 1 1/2 tbsp white vinegar to whole milk and letting it set for a few minutes while you mix dry ingredients.) 1 large egg Instructions for Cornbread Preheat the oven to 500 degrees. Mix dry ingredients with a mixer or a whisk (cornmeal, salt, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and sugar). Mix the large egg with buttermilk. Combine wet ingredients with dry ingredients for two minutes. Add 2 tbsp melted lard to the mixture. Pour the cornmeal batter into the skillet with the remaining melted lard, place on the stove over medium heat, and cook for 3-4 minutes or until you see a little color start appearing on the edges. At that point, place the skillet in the preheated oven for exactly 13 minutes. Let it cool for 20 minutes. Serve with butter along with a hot bowl of chili. Nutrition Facts Servings Per Recipe: 8 Calories: 770 % Daily Value * Total Fat: 64.7g 83% Saturated Fat: 25g 125% Cholesterol: 107mg 36% Sodium: 6605mg 287% Total Carbohydrate: 45.8g 17% Dietary Fiber: 3.8g 14% Total Sugars: 26g Protein: 3.7g Vitamin D: 4mcg 22% Calcium: 309mg 24% Iron: 2mg 9% Potassium: 677mg 14% * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs. ** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data. (-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption. Powered by the ESHA Research Database © 2018, ESHA Research, Inc. All Rights Reserved Optional Toppings Add your favorite toppings: grated cheese, chopped onions, pickled jalapenos, crispy fried onions, etc. Conclusion We hope you enjoy this great chili and cornbread combination on your next cold weather day. It is sure to warm you on the coldest day! Follow along at www.lovingpetite.com for more nutritious comfort food recipes, petite fashion styling tips, and Georgia vacation rentals.

Have you ever had the desire to make sourdough bread, but thought it was too much work? I discovered this recipe in a home farm store recently. They ground and sold their own wheat. The wheat is whole grain and crushed. Wheat #1 is finely crushed and is a 1:1 ratio for replacement for all purpose flour. Wheat #2 is coarse and gives crunch, hearty taste, and fiber to the bread. Look for these freshly ground whole cell wheat flours at your local farms. I have tried several recipes for sourdough bread, but this bread is my favorite because it is easy to make and uses the best, natural ingredients. I use the recipe for sourdough starter found on King Arthur Flour. Loaves of Freshly Baked Sourdough Bread Sourdough Bread Recipe 1.5 cups sourdough starter 1 cup + 1 tablespoon water 1/4 cup olive oil 2 tablespoons avocado oil 1/4 cup honey 1 1/2 teaspoon salt 4-1/2 cups wheat # 1 15 tablespoons wheat # 2 Directions Mix together in the evening. Mix wet ingredients: sourdough starter, water, olive oul, avocado oil, and honey. Mix dry ingredients: salt and both flours, in a separate bowl. Mix Wet Ingredients Mix Dry Ingredients With a wooden spoon, add 1/2 of flour mixture to wet mixture and stir with wooden spoon. Add remaining flour and mix with wooden spoon. Knead with hands. Cover with slightly damp towel with an ice pack on top overnight. The next morning, stretch and fold. Shape into two loaves and place in oil lined loaf pans. Let it rise for 3 hours, a little longer if it is cool in your house. Bread doesnt rise much until it is baked. Bake loaves at 350 degrees for 37 minutes. One recipe makes 2 loaves of bread. Nutrition Facts Serving size: 1 slice Servings Per Recipe: 24 Calories: 341 % Daily Value * Total Fat: 4.2g 5% Saturated Fat: 0.7g 4% Cholesterol: 0mg 0% Sodium: 2455mg 107% Total Carbohydrate: 67.8g 25% Dietary Fiber: 8.9g 32% Total Sugars: 1.4g Protein: 11.7g Vitamin D: 0mcg 0% Calcium: 30mg 2% Iron: 3mg 17% Potassium: 320mg 7% * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs. ** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data. (-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption. Powered by the ESHA Research Database © 2018, ESHA Research, Inc. All Rights Reserved Freshly Baked Sourdough Bread From the Oven Cooling In Pans. I hope you enjoy this sourdough bread recipe. You can always finish it with a fancy design on top. I have not mastered that skill. How do you like to finish your sourdough bread? If you enjoy eating bread you may enjoy these homemade biscuits and this easy recipe for french baquettes. Shop My Amazon Storefront As an Amazon Associate, I may earn a commission from purchases made through links and from shopping on My Amazon Storefront. Follow along at www.lovingpetite.com, Fun With Food, Petite Fashions For Women Over 60, and Georgia Vacation Rentals.

Crispy chicken without frying is always a welcome dish! I love to cook, but planning different meals to cook can become mundane. Since, chicken parmesan is one of my favorite chicken dishes, I decided to take it to another level to serve for guests by adding some special ingredients. It has been a hit with family and friends, so I want to share it with my friends who enjoy our website. Belinda's Chicken DeLight 6 chicken breasts (thinly sliced lengthwise to make 12 servings) Chicken Marinade (marinade chicken in a freezer bag overnight using these ingredients) 1/2 c extra virgin olive oil 1 lemon 1 teaspoon Garlic powder 1 teaspoon Onion powder 1 teaspoon Italian Seasonings 1 teaspoon Pepper The next day...... 6 carrots (finely chopped) 1 onion (finely chopped) 6 cloves garlic (finely chopped) 2 packs of Seeds of Change Quinoa and Brown Rice 1.5 cups of fresh chopped Kale (no stems) 1 cup Italian Seasoning Bread Crumbs 1 egg 12 slices Muenster or mozzarella cheese 1/2 cup chopped chives or new onions 1/2 cup chopped cilantro Optional: Gravy (because food is just better with gravy) 1 T Better Than Bouillon Italian Herb bouillon 1/2 cup water 1/2 cup heavy cream 4 cloves chopped garlic 1 Tablespoon cornstarch 1/2 onion (chopped) 1/4 cup Olive oil or butter to brown garlic and onion Directions Slice chicken breasts lengthwise, cover with saran wrap and beat each side with a meat tenderizer. Place chicken breasts in a freezer bag with seasonings, olive oil, and garlic. Refrigerate overnight. The next day, chop garlic carrots, onions, and kale. Cook Seeds of Change Quinoa and Brown Rice in a little olive oil and water. Add the chopped carrots and onions. Cover and cook (about 5 minutes). Add chopped garlic and kale to quinoa mixture. Cover and turn off heat. Let it sit while you cook the chicken breasts and gravy. Coat chicken breasts in egg, dip in Italian seasoning crumbs, and cook in olive oil just until brown on each side (not fully cooked). GRAVY: Brown 1/2 chopped onion and a few cloves of chopped garlic in olive oil or butter. Add 1/2 c. water (mixed with 1T ob Italian Herb Bouillon) and 1/2 c. cream. Add 1 T cornstarch and bring to boil. Immediately cut back to simmer. Allow gravy to simmer until thickened. Spread quinoa and kale mixture in 2 big casserole dishes. Place chicken breasts on top. Place a slice of muenster cheese on top. Place gravy on top. Cook in over on 350 degrees 15-20 minutes until chicken breasts are thoroughly cooked. Spread chopped chives, onion sprouts, and or Italian parsley on top before serving. Roasted Green Beans and Radishes-Chef Laurie Grizzle (Woodbridge General Store Cooking Class) A great side dish with this chicken dish is roasted green beans and radishes. Just clean veggies, snip ends of beans, slice radishes in half, and place on a greased cookie sheet. Drizzle with lemon and melted butter. Roast at 425 degrees for approximately 10 minutes. Buttermilk Biscuits with Strawberry Preserves Old-fashioned buttermilk biscuits made with homemade lard and strawberry preserves elevate this meal to make it my husband, Doug's favorite meal. I think it takes him back to his childhood days when his Mom and grandparents cooked natural food and used homemade lard. I've made biscuits many times, but, until I started using homemade lard, it never tasted like my grandmother's biscuits. Now, we can enjoy a special treat of homemade biscuits with our favorite meal. We hope you enjoy this chicken dish. What are some of your favorite chicken recipes? We hope you follow along at www.lovingpetite.com , Fun With Food, PePetite Fashiontite Fashions Over 60, and Georgia Vacation Rentals. Visit My Amazon Storefront for fashion and lifestyle products.

Savor the delicious, cream surrounded by dark chocolate and nuts for a protein packed afternoon natural treat! Move over Reese's Peanut Butter Cups-this is a healthy version of the much-loved treat! This easy, protein packed treat will provide you with an energy burst that will not leave you crashing like a sugar-filled treat. Made with Lilly's no sugar chocolate chips, cottage cheese, protein powder, natural chunky peanut butter, nuts, zero sugar maple syrup, nuts, and almond flour, this luscious, creamy cool snack will be a refreshing treat on a warm afternoon. Tray of Move Over Reese's Peanut Butter Cups-Healthy Version Mover Over Reese's Peanut Butter Cups-Healthy Verson Lilly's No Sugar Chocolate Chips 2 - 1/2 Tablespoons Olive Oil 1 cup of cottage cheese 1/2 cup 0% Fat Greek Yogurt 1/2 cup protein powder 2 Tablespoons Zero Sugary Maple Syrupt (Allulose & Monkfruit syrup) 1/2 cup natural chunky peanut butter 1-1/2 cup almond flour Toppings 1/4 cup chopped raw peanuts 1/4 cup chopped pecans Pink Himalaya Salt Directions Melt chocolate chips with 2 tablespoons of olive oil in microwave for 30 seconds. Stir and microwave another 30 seconds until smooth. Set aside. Mix remaining ingredients except toppings in a food processor. Roast chopped nuts in a 1/2 tablespoon of olive oil in a pan on stove over low to medium heat. Spoon a teaspoon of chocholate into silicone molds. Spoon a tablespoon of cream filling on top of chocolate in the silicone molds. Spoon remaining melted chocolate on top of cream. Drop roasted nuts on top of chocolate. Sprinkle with pink himalaya salt. Place in freezer until frozen. Remove from silicone cups and place in a sealed container in the refrigerator. Serve when thawed and maintain refrigeration of remaining peanut butter cups. Nutrition Facts Servings Per Recipe: 24 Calories: 264 % Daily Value * Total Fat: 21.6g 28% Saturated Fat: 8.3g 41% Cholesterol: 5mg 2% Sodium: 70mg 3% Total Carbohydrate: 24g 9% Dietary Fiber: 5.8g 21% Total Sugars: 0.6g Protein: 6.3g Vitamin D: 0mcg 0% Calcium: 19mg 1% Iron: 3mg 17% Potassium: 32mg 1% * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs. ** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data. (-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption. Powered by the ESHA Research Database © 2018, ESHA Research, Inc. All Rights Reserved Enjoy these amazing treats with natural ingredients to fuel your body! Visit My Amazon Storefront for tools and some of the ingredients to make these treats. Follow along at www.lovingpetite.com for more delicious recipes, petite fashions over 60, and Georgia vacation rentals at the mountains and the beach.

We browsed around Morro Bay, a pristine small town close to Hearst Castle. It was a last chain of volcanoes. The huge rock in the background, covering 50 acres at the base and 576 feet tall, is the remains of the volcano. We loved the charming town with many sailboats tied to moorings in the bay. The plants were amazing! We toured William Randolph Hearst's castle, a magnificent architectural structure composed of his art collection from the period of BC to the 1930's. The art was mostly ancient Roman,Greek, and Egyptian, but it housed art from all over the world. His love for art came from touring Europe at the young age of 10 with his mother. He started building the castle at the age of 56 with his architect, Julia Morgan. The castle, its grounds, and art collection were still a work in progress when he died at the age of 88. The top of the 'cathedral' castle, composed of many bells, came from a cathedral in Spain. It was breathtaking! This is one of 3 cottages that surrounded the castle. Mr. Hearst vacated the castle and lived in this cottage in his latter years when his health began to fail. The outdoor pool was massive and stunning with marble statues and columns. The state recently paid $10 million to repair the pool, which is the same amount Mr. Hearst paid to build all of the properties back in the 1930'-1950's. The views from the hilltop were outstanding! You could see the coastline in some areas. Mr. Hearst owned 250,000 acres, most of it had been purchased by his father and grandfather. He "decided to build ' a little something' because he was tired of camping in tents", he told his architect, Julia Morgan who worked with him over the next 26 years to build it all. The indoor pool with its golden diving platform and gold tiles was spectacular! It was built under the tennis court after the tennis court was built. Mr. Hearst loved to entertain movie stars and famous people in his home. This is the room where he received guests. He would enter from a secret door, making a grand appearance. Choir pews from ancient cathedrals lined the walls with the secret door enclosed. The dining room had been very lively with guests including Bob Hope and Clark Gable. Mr Hearst loved to entertain and sat in the middle of the table with his mistress, Marion Davies, seated across from him. His wife lived in New York during the years of the Hearst castle, but they never divorced. She actually inherited most everything. The estate was gifted to California in the late 1950's to be preserved for all to view and enjoy. The tableware, actually stoneware instead of china, was a gift from his mother. It was originally used during his camping days on the hill. Notice the symbol of power housed in the glass case . Mr. Hearst owned 96 businesses including the newspaper; his salary was around $60,000 a day! ( in 1930's)!!!! He was awarded the pulitzer for journalism! All of the art, consisting of marble statues, tapestry rugs, paintings, and decorative tiles were so detailed. So much talent from around the world went into making the remarkable estate. The stunning flowers in the gardens, trickle of the water fountains, and fluttering of many butterflies gave us a feeling of serenity walking through the grounds with our tour guide, Kay. I was unable to capture it in a picture, but we saw many zebras grazing with the cattle as we were leaving the estate on the bus. Mr. Hearst had many zoo animals including giraffes and buffalos. The zebras remained after the zoo portion closed. Upon returning to our airstream, we cooked more dishes using the local produce and homemade crab ravioli that we bought at the farmers market. With Doug's assistance of chopping fruits and begetables, we enjoyed cooking and eating more California dishes without the price tag of eating out. This cooking from scratch is getting real, folks! Crab stuffed ravioli in garlic herb sauce with parmesan cheese California cole slaw including fresh red cabbage, green cabbage, avocado, apples, red onion, and yogurt instead of mayo Italian chicken with mango salsa 💃 Wow Jesus! In the mist of the fog this morning we thank you for your love and for walking with us on our journey! Follow along at www.lovingpetite.com for more adventures, petite fashions over 60, and fun with food.

October 22-24 2023: Reflecting on our time in Carpenteria, its hard to imagine a nicer place with its small, pristine town. But, we headed on down the road south along the coast. With so many people and so much traffic, it took most of the day to drive through L. A. We both agreed we were grateful to make it through the city to our lovely campground in Oceanside, Ca. It was a jewel of a campground with a pool, hot tub (where we made new friends), gas fire pits, and a special paved trail with tropical plants, murals, and duck habitats .... ...........that led to one of the few spots to enjoy the beach. We enjoyed a nice walk and our morning coffee on the beach! Later we went on an inviting bike ride along the water as we enjoyedthe warmth of the sun, and viewing some very cool beach homes, boats and coastal wildlife! Now, driving back through L. A., we are so excited to see the Sequoia National Forest in about 5 hours. But, first we must tackle this: I am so grateful for Doug's calm demeanor in traffic and excellent driving skills! Jesus, thank you for my husband who has nerves of steel. Thank you for blessing us with this journey and we are so grateful for your love! Follow along at www.lovingpetite.com , Fun with Food, Petite Fashions Over 60, and Adventures.

After waking up to 29 degrees and frozen water, we decided to postpone biking for the day. We decided to be a "peeper" ( thats what they call visitors who browse through Crested Butte. With its charming historical shops and restaurants, I can see why many people visit the town year -round. It's a great place for the adrenaline junkie in the winter with the steep mountain slopes surrounding the town. Armed with hot coffee and so many layers we could hardly move, we explored Crested Butte. It was warmer the next day, so we set out for our senior mountain bike ride, Doug's name for riding an electric bike up a very high mountain! It felt like riding a bike through a beautiful movie! It didn't even seem real how gorgeous everything looked along the way. We wish we could capture this magestic Fall view! Our camera just won't do it! The golden leaves of the Aspen trees with their white bark, flickered in the sunlight against the background of steep mountains. Occasionaly the wind would blow the golden leaves all around us. We rode up the mountain to Mount Crested Butte and on up to Gothic mountain where the Rocky Mountain Learning Center est in 1928 studies wildlife and plant life in high altitudes. Marmots, a large squirrel like animal lives in these high altitudes. We didnt see a marmot, but we saw a fox catch a rat after we returned down the mountain 😳 Pedogo Bike? Yes, but being an exercise enthusiast, I never would have believed how much I love it. We initially became interested after visiting the Pedogo shop on St Simons to buy communication helmets for our regular bikes. We became interested in the bikes after seeing how light they are and I bought them for Doug's birthday just a few weeks before starting our journey. We love the bikes! It allows us to ride for exercise but also lets us see places we never would have had the stamina to go. Also, parking is such a big issue in many of these towns, we can easily ride and park, making most places accessible Rule #1: Turn off the bike before getting off. I learned this while trying out the bike. My hat fell off, so I hit the brake, stopped, and started to get off the bike. As soon as I let off the brake, off it went with me hanging on sideways! I can laugh now, but I won't do that again! So, put on your motorcycle boots, black leather jacket, and unleash that cool biker chick you always wanted to be! Just dont forget the communication helmet so your husband can hear you yell as you fly off the mountain! Here we are all packed up- our Bette fish, Fred in his bowl tucked safely in his crate with the bible keeping him secured. I bet no Fish has traveled and camped in so many places! Have fish, will travel! After all this is a family friendly trip! No, Fred did not go on the bike ride , but he does have breakfast with us every morning🙃 Follow along at www.lovingpetite.com for more adventures, fun with food, petite fashions over 60, and Georgia Vacation Rentals.

After leaving the Airstream Rally in Sedalia, Missouri, we stopped over in St Louis for a few days. I did’nt know what to expect, but it turned out to be so much fun! The Gateway Arch stood 630 feet high on the banks of the Mississippi River! It was completed in 1965 and is secured in the ground by 60 feet of concrete, 30 feet in a rock bed. I wouldnt let my fear of heights stop me from going to the top! I told myself it would be like riding in an airplane, but it was actually more like being an astronaut in a space capsule as I entered the small enclosed capsule that took us up the height of 63 flights of stairs! “Aint scared a bit 😆 “ We shared our capsule with a gentleman and his 2 small children. They kep their eyes on Lili and Lili eyeballed them all of the way up! At last, we made it to the top where we escaped our capsule to walk around the top. The views were amazing including the tiny matchbox cars below! The tram ride down took only 3 minutes and everyone was more comfortable going down than we had been going up. We toured the beautiful grounds and museum before departing for the zoo. The St Louis Zoo was a short ride away and we could tell from the massive packed parking lot, this would be an experience unlike any zoo experience we had in our childhood or even our kids’ childhood. The animals habitats were made to be similar to their natural habitat in the wild. There was so much to see and do, we were not able to cover it all in one afternoon. We marveled at the beautiful animals, the butterfly atrium, sea lion show, and the gorgeous landscaping covering the grounds. The 4D theater was exciting as it made you feel you were part of the movie riding a run away roller coaster while experiencing all things haunted with much humor mixed in. It was only 20 minutes, but I was wiped out with adrenaline. We teturned to the campground for trick or treating held by the KOA for the kiddos. Of course that meant Gilligan, MaryAnn, and the skipper (too) showed up. Unlike the guests at the Airstream Rally, only a few people knew about Gilligan’s Island. I think they just thought we were old,goofy folks, but we enjoyed handing out candy to the kids and watching young families having fun together. Next stop— the Airstream Factory Tour in Jackson Center, Ohio. Join us for a tour of the Airstream plant to learn how our Airstream, ‘Gracie’, was made. Follow along at www.lovingpetite.com for more adventures, fun with food, petite fashions over 60, and Georgia Vacation Rentals.

Airstream provides free tours at 1 PM Mon- Fri at their factory in Jackson Center, Ohio. Reservations are required . They even offer a first come campground on the property complete with water, electricity, and a dump station for $20 a night. The new, ‘Mothership’, Airstream factory, containing 750,000 square feet opened in 2019 after outgrowing their previous location close by. In addition to providing a detailed one- hour tour of the plant, it also has a gift store, coffee shop, and a museum with many of the older models refurbished to look like originals. Beautiful woodwork!! Photos were not allowed to be taken in the manufacture portion of the factory, but photos were allowed in the museum. The 70’s model with Harvest gold interior😳 Wally Byam built his first Airstream in 1929 and started the Airstream factory in 1931. His original Airstream was restored and displayed in the museum. Original heaters, stoves, and woodwork were used to restore the Airstreams. Older units had more kitchen space and small bathrooms. Newer models had less kitchen space and bigger bathrooms. That’s just one of the signs that tell how our culture has changed over the years. The design of the older models with its sleek pointed end looked very unique. The 3 pictures above show an Airstream revised for funerals that included a place for guests, the casket, and even a place for flowers. Sales were low in 1979 , so alternative versions of Airstreams were produced for businesses. The tour of the factory was very well done. No photos were allowed. We were provided with safety glasses and earbuds with a listening device to hear the guide over the noise in the factory. The ‘Mothership’ was pristine, with different compartments for each job. Once framed, the Airstreams move to each section to be completed. They even put each airstream in a room that simulates heavy rain to check for leaks. If any leaks are found, it is repaired in the rain room to continue inspection until no leaks are found. The flow of the assembly line was amazing with each person completing his/ her task. With the perfection of the machines comes some degree of imperfection of assembly because none of us are perfect. About 5% of Airstreams show an imperfection that forces them to the ‘trauma’ area for repair after the final inspection. This could be as slight as a scratch or as significant as needing a panel replaced. Many inspections are performed along the assembly line and after completion to insure every Airstream meets the highest quality of standard before it is sent out the door to Airstream dealers for us to enjoy the adventures of a lifetime! Airstream chose the farm country in Ohio to offer employment to farmers and workhours (6-4) to allow employees to farm and engage im outdoor activities. They provide a cafeteria and medical services on site, making it a very desirable place to work. I recommend this tour if you are interested in purchasing an Airstream or if you are one of the fortunate owners of the silver bullet. Next stop- West Virginia, where we hope to view some pretty Fall foilage, another gift of God’s creations. Follow along at www.lovingpetite.com for more adventures, fun with food, petite fashions over 60, and Georgia Vacation Rentals.

Driving from Oceanside, Ca, we saw miles and miles of citrus trees and many workers harvesting the fruit. Our new destination, Sequoia RV Ranch, was charming with a mountain stream that flowed next to our campsite. The music of the rushing waters made for some really good sleeping! The drive to the Sequoia National Forest and for miles inside the forest was characterized by rocky mountains and small hardwoods. We questioned if we were even in the right area to see the trees. The road into the forest was very curvy. As the elevation increased, we began to see the terrain change from barren mountains to beautiful, lush forests with spectacular views! Eventually, we saw the majestic rust-colored bark of the Giant Sequoias standing vigorously among the other conifers. These robust trees, ranging in age from 1800 to 3000 years old, were astonishing! With our hiking boots laced up, we delighted in hiking the General Sherman Trees Trail along with people from all over the world to see more of God's creations! Here, Doug and Lili are barely visible standng at the base of one of the giants! Here, Doug is checking out the cross section that had been cut out from a giant tree Unfortunately, a fire ignited by lightning in another section of the forest in September, destroying some trees and left some areas still smoldering, filling the air with smoke. Redwoods actually benefit from some fires to contol the undergrowth, so they can grow to a massive size. The fires caught us by surprise but fortunately it was only smoldering fires! No biking on these winding roads, but heading east now back to Talking Rock, Ga with a few special stops aling the way! Follow along at www.lovingpetite.com for more adventures, fun with food, petite fashions over 60, and Georgia Vacation Rentals.

Monterey and Carmel, Ca October 14-18 Cruising down the Monterey Coastline Bike trail on our bikes was magnificent as we watched the waves of the Pacific ocean slam against the rocky coastline. It was a great bike trail that took us along the coast and through the towns of Marina and Seaside before reaching the Fishermen's Wharf in Monterey where we were greeted by sea lions lounging on the rocks making those weird noises. We realized that must have been what was making the noises we heard throughout the night before as we slept. On the way back, the fog rolled in making it hard to see any distance on the path. We were soon covered in a cold mist making it quite chilly, but we kept reminding each other that we are on an adventure! Our GPS took us back a different route that abruptly ended with a broken bridge forcing us to walk our bikes down a steep path. But.. we are on an adventure! On Monday, we rode most of the 17 Mile Drive through the Pebble Beach Golf Course where we saw some amazing views and mansions. We visited the beautiful Pebble Beach Golf Club; the flowers were stunning! This ride was much easier with no fog and less wind. We saw beautiful deer relaxing and grazing with the golfers! The golf course was gorgeous! Many things are expensive in California, produce is not one of them. Miles and miles of farmland stretched out along the highways. Without the farms of California, with their rich, black soil, the US would probably starve The fields were extremely level with rows spaced perfectly apart. We visited several farmer markets. I couldn't believe how reasonable the prices were. The markets were so much fun with live music. We stocked up on produce since we are cooking most meals. We bought our fish, Fred, some succulents to look at! We went back to the airstream where Doug started chopping and I started cooking. We made some really good dishes from scractch including salads, and meat loaf with mushroom sauce and pea shoots. We made a Shrimp chowder with corn Doug scraped off the cobb, fresh peppers, onions, garlic, potatoes, and lots of seasonings. For Doug, I made oatmeal apple raisin muffins. It's amazing what we managed to cook in that little Airstream! We are all packed up again and heading on down the road, still in awe over the miles of farms, thousands of acres, and workers picking produce! California should be known for their produce, not their movie stars! Follow along at www.lovingpetite.com for more adventures, fun with food, petite fashions over 60, and Georgia Vacation Rentals.