Trains, Old Churches, Friends, And Family Roots

 Happy May!  This is for sure my favorite month, with my birthday and Mother's Day all in one swoop. 💚 ~emerald is my birthstone~  Long post today, so just to prepare you for the many pictures I took on my recent trip to my hometown.  We left early in the morning, and the first thing I needed was a cup of coffee, so down the mountain we went straight to Starbuck's.  They have a new strawberry matcha loaf that I tried.  It was good, but I prefer the original raspberry loaf.

I drove the whole time, so we made stops along the way, and treated myself to fast foods that I never get to eat.  I can't remember the last time I had the Burger King chicken sandwich, and oh, I loved every bite.  We got to my hometown and rested a bit, and that night I met my girlfriends at a popular restaurant in town, and I was glad to see many other friends at the fundraiser dinner also.  I've known these friends since high school, and some of them since grade school.  They.know.me.  They are respectful, loyal, funny, and make me laugh.

The next morning, Jess met me at Starbuck's, and it was nice to catch up on the happenings of Francesca's life.  I love to hear the stories she tells - they are interesting and funny.  She loved the nail stickers I got her, and started putting them on right away.  After, we went to Brian's mom's house.  Now, I've mentioned this before, but she is the most gracious hostess.  She served us coffee as soon as we got there, and always makes sure we are comfortable and welcome.

For lunch, we headed over to our favorite taqueria, and my brother joined us.  I'm always so happy to see him.  This is where Mia lost her tooth.  She was very uncomfortable, and after chomping on something, it finally came out.  I was telling them how we used to have our teeth pulled back then - my mom would take a piece of thread, wrap it around my tooth, and yank it out!  Nel gave her brother and me some thoughtful gifts.  Mine was the cutest cloth doll, and she's wearing pearl earrings, just like I did for the dinner.

For the fundraiser dinner, I always like to wear a different color than the year before, and this year I went with white.  It was a pretty white blouse, which went well with my pearl earrings.  Nel does my hair every year, and I told her I wanted the top part poofed up.  So, she brushed it, teased it, twisted it, poofed it, and after a few "ouches," my hair was done.😬  But honestly, she does an excellent job with hair styles, and used to do Jess' hair all the time for proms and events.  This is the blouse I wore; simple and lightweight with flared sleeves.

Sisters ready to party! ✨✨✨

We can't forget about the photo booth.  I'm so glad they added this feature at the dinner because it's a fun and festive time with props like hats, feather boas, sunglasses, fans, and more.

And a mother can't ask for better sons-in-law.  Along with my son, they seem to go with the flow, which isn't easy in an all-girl family.

The next morning, we all met at our favorite cafe'.  There is a train that runs alongside the restaurant, and you can sometimes hear it while you're eating.  I get sentimental, as trains are special to me for many reasons, one being that my grandfather worked for the railroad. 🚂  I always order the same thing, scrambled eggs with onions and cheese, sausage, and a cinnamon roll.  Friends, their sausage is amazing, and they get it from the meat market in town, which has been in business for over 70 years.  Charlotte loved to watch the toy train that runs along the upper part of the rooms.

Sunday we had a little nostalgic time..... drove pass the house I grew up at, stopped at the church I went to as a child, and visited my favorite park in town.  Mia went down the longest slide ever!  And her and Nel and uncle B. walked over to the bridge at the park and played 'billy goats gruff'.....the same game Nel used to play as a kid.  Mia was the Troll.  When we got to the church, we all went inside and had a quiet and peaceful moment together.  This is the church with the beautiful stained glass windows.  I told Mia that her mama was Baptized in this very church, and she just listened.  I can't explain how very special it was to see Mia kneel before the alter....... the same alter that so many sacred ceremonies were held through the years for my family.  And I mentioned to her that in back of the church was the spot where her mama was Baptized.

That night we went to a sushi restaurant for dinner.  Nel and her brother love sushi. 🍣 Me not so much, so I ordered the teriyaki chicken with rice. 🍚

We all had a fantastic time....seeing glimpses of the past, and appreciating our time together in the present.  This is the town that my kids grew up, I grew up, and my dad grew up - three generations.

The next morning we got up very early and headed back home. Close to home and still in the city, my son found a pizza place to try out - MOD Pizza (made on demand).  One of the best pizzas I've had, and will definitely go back again.  We stopped at Sprouts and picked up some goodies to take home, and I really wanted to go inside Home Goods and browse because I love the uniqueness of their items.  I bought this white marble paper towel holder with a cute flower design.

As I was starting to drive back up the mountain, I noticed the most lovely clouds, and I had to pull over for a minute to get some pictures.

And for me, there's just no place like home.  The Robins have been on my lawn all week welcoming me home.

Family And Fundraisers

 I just got back from my trip to my hometown, and I'm a little tired from all the travels and driving, so this will be a short post with just a few pics.  We had a fun time, and I met with my girlfriends one night for appetizers, and I saw many other friends at the fundraiser dinner.  I got to see my family every day, and the best part was hugs and kisses from the grandgirls.  We ate a lot of good food, and we all met at our favorite Mexican taqueria, which is the best in town.  People actually come from different parts of California to eat at this wonderful restaurant.  Nel brought me a gift, which I'll share later.  Mia lost her tooth right at the restaurant, and the tooth fairy put $10 under her pillow that night.👸  The dinner at the fundraiser was chicken, beef, salad, rolls and butter, and they served  Baklavah for dessert.  I'll show more of my trip next time, but for now, I'm pooped.  ; )

Hearst Castle

 Well, last week was a planning week, and this week I'm on my way out.  Taking a short trip to my hometown, and it's only three and a half hours away, but I'll be driving, so hopefully it's a pleasant trip.  I'll take it slow and make stops along the way, and thankfully, my son will join me in the travels.  I will see my family, my siblings, some of my high school friends, and attend a fundraiser dinner, which I'll have to squeeze it all in one trip.  I have the little girls' bags ready, and the big girls' bags ready. 

Along with their papers, I threw in some goodies too....keepsakes I wanted to pass on to them, and some mint chocolate cookies and wine.  I like to find a wine with a delightful label, and I thought this was just right for Jess, as she loves the flamingo.  I thought Nel could have hers with her sister on a sleepover sometime.

I went to A's Home shop to see if I could find any jewelry for my trip, and was hoping to just get in and out, but she had some new things, so I browsed.  I found some pretty pearl earrings, a candle, a coffee cup, and a big chocolate bar.  The fundraiser dinner is casual, so I usually just wear jeans, but I always like to dress it up with a nice blouse and jewelry.  Pearls are a classic choice, so I bought these.

I loved this coffee cup with the special words.

And when you find a candle that has your granddaughter's name.....you buy it!  The words are Joie de Charlotte, which means Charlotte's Joy.  I will give it to Jess.

Mia had a dance performance, and it was a Hip Hop dance.  It was so funny to watch because she's already a good dancer. 

Since I'll be traveling this week, I thought I'd share with you some pictures of Jess' visit to Hearst Castle and camping.  Hearst Castle is an estate located on the central coast of California.  The castle was built between 1919 and 1947.  Before Jess started teaching elementary school, she got her degree in Interior Design, so she was very interested in the architecture of this castle.  I have to tell you that Charlotte looks exactly like Jess did at her age in this picture. 

I'll see you when I get back!