From My Shasta Home

Lately, we’ve been embracing the activities that bring us joy and fulfillment so I find myself reluctant to use the word “busy,” as it carries a sense of obligation that makes it sound like I’m voicing a complaint or expressing a lack of control over our lives. We’re enjoying it all, but we need to remain mindful of the time we spend together, ensuring that our pursuits don’t detract from the precious moments we share. We want to cherish and savor our connection without letting outside distractions interfere.

So this week, we chose today to spend it together. We had some errands to do, which is always more fun when we can do them together – picked up some white picket fence paint, some red, white, and blue bunting for the fence. Went to Costco – had a hot dog and Coke for lunch (best deal in town at $1.50 each)

I stopped by Home Depot today because they have new grills on sale for Father’s Day, and we could really use a new one. We love grilling year-round, but one of our burner plates broke, and it’s aluminum, so finding a cheap replacement has been tough. Honestly, with how much we cook on the grill, it might just be better to get a new one. I spotted a Nexgrill that’s just like ours for $299, which seems perfect!

With all the kids likely coming over for the 4th of July, I definitely want my grill ready to go. Last week, we were all set to grill some hamburgers, but then we found out we were out of propane. What a hassle! I ended up having to finish cooking them in the house. The next day, we switched out the propane, but unfortunately, the corn and pork chops didn’t heat up properly either, and had to be taken inside to cook. It made me realize that it’s time for a new grill, as it’s really thrown off the meals I had planned for the week.

We stopped by a new bakery we hadn’t tried before, called When Pie Meets Bread, and it was such a treat! Everything they make is with sourdough, which is pretty cool. We picked up two small pies: a delicious strawberry rhubarb and a yummy peach pie just for me. My husband was eager to dig in for lunch and then again after lunch, but I’m holding off until after dinner tonight. Got to have some boundaries, right? Can’t wait to enjoy them later!

What a charming and spacious place! You can watch them bake in the enormous kitchen, and guess what? They’re adding another one too! The smell is absolutely amazing. Plus, there’s a delightful boutique where you can find everything from clothing and handcrafted cards (made by a talented friend of mine) to adorable ceramics, lovely soaps, oils, and all sorts of fun gifts made by local artisans. It’s a wonderful spot to explore!

There’s a cozy hangout spot upstairs that’s perfect for just chillin’. When I was there, I noticed a group of women gathered for a Bible study, which added a warm, welcoming vibe. The furniture is wonderfully mismatched and eclectic, giving the place a unique and charming character!

What a lovely day we had together! With gas prices getting close to $7-8 a gallon, we might need to scale back on our day trips a little. But remember, every day can be an adventure right at home! And you don’t have to go far to find it.

Hoping your Thursday has treated you well.

Ephesians 5:25 –

“Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her”