Are You Ready, Boots? Start Walkin'

 I just returned from a trip to So Cal to see my family, and I had a delightful time.  I stayed at Jess' house and Nel's house, so I will show you my time spent at Jess' house first.  There is a Chinese Restaurant on the second floor of the airport, and after checking in with my flight, I got myself an eggroll.  I asked for one, but they gave me four.  I could only eat one, and a few bites of another.

Taking off at our mountain airport.

I'm always amazed that it only takes a little over an hour to get from north to south.  Landing in So Cal.  "Toto, I've a feeling we're not in Kansas anymore."

When I first got to Jess' house, I noticed the pretty white flowers on her table.  She got them from Trader Joe's.

I got in late, and the next day it was the fourth of July!  I was so happy that Mia came over also and I got to spend the day with all my family.

Brian barbecued every meat you can think of - hot dogs, sausages, chicken legs.  Everything tasted great.

Isn't this a festive fourth of July pie that Jess made?

It was blueberry, and she made homemade whipped cream to go with it.  It turned out amazing, and I had it for a couple of days after with my coffee.

The kids went to the pool in the afternoon, and we watched the fireworks that evening.  Jess has an area right by her house which has a great view of the fireworks.  It's a golf course, and we sat on the grass to watch.  It was one of the longest and grandest fireworks displays that I've ever seen.  I kept thinking about how much it must cost the city to pay for such a show.

It was so fun for grandma to do the sparklers once again with the kids.

Jess kept us busy all week, and found such delightful things for us to do.  And I suggested Play-Doh, as I remember my kids loving it when they were little.  Is there anything more delightful than Play-Doh hands?

Francesca made herself some Play-Doh nails.

Jess made tostadas one night, and Brian made breakfast burritos one morning.

We drove over to Barnes & Noble because Jess wanted to get Nel something for her birthday.  Francesca really wanted this black cat stuffie, and I had such pleasure buying it for her.  This cat looked so real.  She named her "midnight."

When Francesca showed me their new cowboy boots, I introduced her to the legendary song back in the day, These Boots are made for Walkin' by Nancy Sinatra.  They did a little dance performance for us, which was so cute.

Brian made chicken parmesan one night, which was incredible.

And while I'm a one item breakfast eater, Jess always has a variety of goodies on her plate for breakfast.

Me and Francesca played several games of Checkers.  She's getting better and better each time I see her.

It was a good day to watch a movie at the theatre, so Jess got us tickets for Toy Story 5, which was so delightful.  And for me, there's nothing like movie theatre popcorn.  This was Charlotte's first movie in a theater!

Jess and Brian had a date night one evening while grandma watched the kids.  They had a great time, and were so appreciative of those few hours all to themselves.

I'll show you my time spent at Nel's house next.  It was a good week, and this is pretty much what it consisted of.....I don't think it gets any better than this.

We also went to a beautiful Rose Garden in Jess' town, and I will share pictures of that later.  There is a water fountain and a gazebo, and also a shaded area with benches.  It really is the most lovely rose garden I've seen.  If I lived close to it, I would go there at least once a week.

I will leave you with this song, just because I love it.

  

A Grecian Adventure

 When you read this, I will have already left for my trip.  While I'm away, I thought I'd share the rest of the Greece pictures with you.  Nel and Jess recently took a trip there, and they had the most wonderful time.  In Santorini, they feasted on lamb stuffed gyros and honey drenched Baklava, and climbed cliff side trails connecting ancient trade routes across the island.  Nel wanted to have a white bathing suit with gold jewelry in Santorini, and when we were shopping one day, we found these gold earrings that looked so Grecian, and I bought them for her.  They arrived at the site of a small whitewashed Chapel tucked into a cave, and they rang the bells for blessings.  On the island of Zakynthos, every few minutes, the color of the water changed from shades of cobalt to turquoise to electric blue.  There was a view of the vineyards and a centuries-old olive orchard.  Nel said that Zakynthos is truly one of the most beautiful places in the world she has ever seen.  They enjoyed a dinner with a view of the Acropolis, and had these red drinks (cocktails) with big bubbles that pop and smoke when you make a wish.  Here are some pictures, in no special order.

I will see you when I get back.  My trip won't be nearly as grand; I'm just going to So Cal to see the family, but I'm sure I will have a story or two to share when I get back. 😉  Until then, know that you are special to me.

It Blows Me Away

 Just an ordinary week.  I have just been getting ready for a little trip, and you know how that is - gathering all the essentials needed, washing clothes, and taking care of things around the house before I go.  I went to K's Boutique in town, and saw this cute blouse, so I bought it.  I've always loved florals in fashion, and thought it would be cute with some jean shorts.

I think these are Sparrows (you can tell me if I'm wrong), and one day last week so many gathered on my lawn.  It reminded me of the verse we've heard so many times before.

~Are not two Sparrows sold for a penny?  Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father's care.  And even the very hairs on your head are all numbered.  So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many Sparrows~

~Matthew 10

And the pretty, but naughty, bird has been coming around a lot pecking at everything and anything.

This purple flowering bush is at my neigbor's house.

Ready for summer.  One of my favs is the Magnum Double Caramel Ice cream.  Incredible.

Tacos!  I've also been making iced green tea these summer days.

Over the weekend, it wasn't too warm, so I wanted to take a drive in the country.  In the mountains at summertime, there is a mix of greens, browns, and blues, with some vibrant splashes of color from the flowers.  I noticed the billowing clouds right away.  I came across some tall stalks that were unusual and unfamiliar, but the blooms were pretty.  I saw more chipmunks than usual cross the roads and hide themselves in the woods.  Come along with me on my country drive, and see some of the views from this mountain area.

My Nel will turn 45 in a couple weeks, and I just can't get over that.  I was only 20 years old when I was pregnant with her, so on my 21 birthday, instead of going out and dazzling the town with drinking and dancing, I was at home nursing this funny little baby.  I was the lucky one, as there was no place else I'd rather be.  She became my best friend, and I did everything with her.  I think since she was my first child, and I was constantly with her, when she started school I was very protective, and I literally watched and waited until her teachers came out, formed a line, and she was safely in the classroom.  But she did well in school, and always got good grades.  She developed her own personality, and through the years I noticed that she had a few different traits than her mom; she loved water sports, she loved to travel, and she loved college.  But now that she's a little older and a mama herself, I see many of my own traits in her.  Even at 45, I look back and remember all those years of wonder, and I think to myself, ~I'm so glad you're part of me, and that, Danelle, you're mine~