Old friends

Hannah had an old friend show up today as a complete surprise to her to spend her birthday weekend with her!!! Abby and I have been plotting for weeks!!!  Roasting a marshmallow for s’mores  at Campfire restaurant.  Yum.  

They click like they have never been apart. Such sweetness. 

Indy boy

My little buddy helping me get through the rough days.

New distraction

Never in a million years would I think that I would not only play, but actually enjoy a game like this.  I played by myself for months and then I made Danny learn to play too.

Now we play all the time.

It takes me into a world and gives me a break from reality.

I get now why my kids love gaming.

This was Danny's brilliant driving.  Got our car stuck on a wall. 

I wonder what all those young men out there would think if they knew they were actually teaming up with a 53 year old woman?? hehe 
Keeps it interesting!

Sights along the road

Driving from AZ to CA 

Catching up on House of Cards to help pass the time

Traveling companion

Christmas parade

Small towns have so many events that promote a sense of community.  Prescott has an annual Christmas "electric parade" which consists of trucks covered with Christmas lights, and floats carrying cute little kids all decked out with Santa hats and reindeer ears.  We didn't go to the parade, but we ate at a restaurant right on main street and watched the parade while sitting in warmth and sipping on martinis.  

After the parade, we went to my FAVORITE store on the planet.  

The owner was outside with a campfire going, live music, and an adorable little cavalier! 

After a few minutes in the store,  Jacob found the most remote corner and just sat there waiting.

His expression says it all! 

Found another restaurant gem in Prescott.  Tara Thai.

Irish Christmas

Went to see a show tonight called Irish Christmas in this small historic theater.  While the dancing was amazing, the singing and skits were so cringeworthy that we left at the intermission!!!

Thanksgiving

I am thankful for my family.  It isn't perfect. We, like all families, have our struggles, trials, relational issues, and we have had a rough year, but it is still the heartbeat of my life.  I know that God is working all things for good somehow.   I am thankful that the bottom line is that whatever struggles there are, family is still always there for you in the end. No matter what. 

Driving the other day I looked at the mountain ahead and felt such a reminder that though we are in the valley now, with all its trials and darkness, we know it is temporary, and that the mountains of JOY are up ahead!  We can see them!  God says "Be truly glad, there is wonderful joy ahead."

 (1 Peter 1:6)

."

A guy from our church posted this the other day. Great summary!

So, as always, what I am MOST THANKFUL for is my FAMILY!!!!

Why I love/hate Pinterest

When I was a mom with children still at home and made special meals or planned special projects, like planning a birthday party (which was one of the greatest joys I had) or planned special crafts for homeschooling, I was left to my own very limited creativity, or the ideas in the Family Fun magazine I subscribed to.  It took a lot of research, and to be honest, most were lacking in creativity.  But I didn't think so at the time.  I thought I was amazing! haha  

Then along comes Pinterest.  Which confirmed even more my pitiful attempts at making fun and meaningful and memorable traditions and crafts.

I made hot chocolate for the kids in a crockpot and was so proud of myself that there was a warm, sweet, chocolatey hot drink available for hours.  The smell would fill the kitchen, and I would put out my best Christmas mugs and a can of whipped topping. It was messy, hot chocolate was always spilled on the counter, and though it was tasty, it always looked something like this:

Then the "Age of Pinterest" begins.  Today's moms are creating "hot chocolate corners with cute, trendy decorations and looking pinterest worthy all while only spending dollars at Target!"

Don't get me wrong.  I am a HUGE fan of pinterest and all the ideas it gives today's mom.  I just wish that it had been around when my kids were little.  Oh the birthday themes I could have planned then!!  And the hot chocolate stations and creative chore boards and craft ideas and fun recipes with snacks shaped like elephants and time capsules, etc!  haha

Hoping and praying I get to use these new ideas as a grandma someday.

Succulent

Headed out for coffee this morning with Hannah.  We went to our favorite coffee shop and were so delighted to see that they had decorated for the holidays with a succulent tree!

Sunset

Nothing prettier than a palm tree canvased by the sunset.  

California sunsets are breathtaking this time of year.

  

Night in Carlsbad Village

Had a great night out with these two!  So so so FUN to hang out with your own kids as adults!!

They showed us all the best spots to go out in the village!

I may be biased, but I happen to think I have the most handsome sons on the planet.

California Fall

Just a peek of red leaves is all 

that we have seen for fall foliage.

In a very spontaneous move, Danny and Maria and I 

hit up another winery today.

This is a side view of the tent

used for weddings and events

Beautiful beautiful Maria.

Thank you for the adventures where you bring me along for the ride.

Dark

Getting dark so early now that everyone is sleepy by 8 o’clock!

Oranges at last!

Night in LaJolla

Feel a little guilty having an enjoyable weekend while the California fires are taking homes and lives, but some of this was planned before the current natural catastrophe started.  So sad about all the fires burning here now - turns out they have  been the most destructive forest fires in CA history - and I remember when I was a kid watching my dad leave for weeks to fight fires in CA.  It is a sober reminder that what we have today can be gone in the blink of an eye.  

Anyway, UTC Mall in LaJolla has been majorly renovated recently and is now almost like a different version of Disney Springs!  Restaurants, music in the bushes, beautiful shops, coffee bars and lit up trees everywhere, it is just so beautiful!

Went into a bar called "Raised by Wolves" which has the most unique bar entrance I have ever seen.  You walk into a lobby and wait your turn to be granted access - which happens only after you sit in one of two chairs in front of a fireplace, which then spins full circle into a secret bar that is incredible!  I didn't go in personally but will at some point!  

Seeing an Amazon bookstore was a first for me!  I knew they existed (I think haha) but seeing one was a surprise!  I do miss the old bookstores still though...

Had an amazing dinner here outside