Ho Ho Ho!

Here is, perhaps, my favorite picture of this holiday season: Cleo in her holiday finery. And so on the last day of 2013 I am looking forward to the new year and all it holds. Happy New Year!

Seasonal Cuteness

Blogger is still giving my trouble, but I am actually liking not being a regular blogger. However, this sweet shot of Chris hunting for the perfect pumpkin inspired me to sit down at my computer and attempt a post. I discovered that I can no longer type text...only in the caption mode. Grrr. But isn't he cute?

The End?

Oh my. Blogger is not cooperating with me. Or maybe my computer is on the fritz. At any rate, I am not enjoying the frustration and will be taking a break until I can get the train back on the track. The picture on this page shows me with 2 of my grandsons as we celebrate my birthday this week. The big question: How did I get to be 70?

All's Fair

We did it up in a big way as we took the Sonoma County Fair by storm. Our first stop was, of course, the rides. 



Getting to the fair shortly after the gates opened was a wise decision as it was not until afternoon that the lines grew, involving lengthy waits.


We sprung for the pricey admission deal that allowed us unlimited rides, another wise decision and a money $aver in the long run. 

The most unusual ride of the day was named "Walking on Water" and involved the boys being placed inside giant plastic bubbles that rolled around a large pool. Walking was pretty near impossible, as you can see from the picture. And  yet no one got wet!

Great day!

A Garden Gala

The summer fundraiser at the Luther Burbank Gardens has come and gone, and it looked like it was a big success. I helped with the flowers, which turned out to be a more athletic job than I had anticipated. First I had to pick up the many arrangements from cold storage and transport them to the gardens, about 35 vases in all. That was the easy part. Once I got to the gardens, they had to be unloaded to hand carts and then wheeled to the tables on the far (of course!) side of the property. The final step was to schlep them to the 20 individual tables and plop a table number in the center of each vase. I was pleased with the finished product, but my feet were telling me that I was finished, too.

So, as the band and the catering team arrived,  I limped to my car and left the approaching festivities behind, not even stopping at the martini bar, open for business, featuring fruit infused gin and vodka. The $100 a plate tables looked beautiful and welcoming, and the weather was perfect. 

Hallelujah!

Being Posh at the Palace

To celebrate Dick's birthday, a b-i-g one with a zero, we made a special day of it and went to brunch at the historic Palace Hotel in San Francisco. We knew we were out of our league when the bar tab for  Bloody Marys, three of them, came to $45! Yikes.

However, we did not pick the Palace in order to sit there and count our pennies. It was a day to be extravagant, live beyond our means, and maybe pretend just a little.  I could not stop looking up at the fabulous glass ceiling and the sparkling brilliance of all the chandeliers.

The food was amazing: fresh crab, dim sum, paella, sushi, prime rib, omelets to order, seven different food stations in all, just packed with all kinds of goodies. I managed to empty my filled plate four times, my favorite being the dessert plate.

There was even a table with cold cereals, just in case someone had to have their Cheerios! 

Please.

More champagne, please?

A Cousin Reunion

The day began with an early lunch, gazpacho, which turned out to be a very tasty treat.  Jane had packed lunch for the boys, I had potato chips for them, so everyone was happy as we had our meal before heading out to the parks.



Chris



The first stop was Brush Creek Park where all three grandsons found plenty to do: swings, slides, and all sorts of wonderful gadgets on which to climb.



Jane and Nika



The highlight of the day, however, was the arrival of the Bowen Family. Our park meetings used to happen regularly, but busy schedules have made visits a bit of a challenge.



Taylin, John, Kate, Rylee, Alex and Chris

 What a wonderful day it was!