Tidbits

We went to a fundraiser for Finally Family Homes over the weekend, where we played bingo and bid on silent auction items. 

Here I am with Christina, our friend and FFH's leader, with my winnings. Our bid was highest for this wine basket, which includes a gift card to a nice restaurant. I can see that being a nice dinner out for us for our 20th anniversary later this year.

Bingo! Poker was also on the cards - ha ha - but not for us. We stuck to what can be easily learned and played!

Coming home from my daily walk, I saw this group of vultures on the ground near our tot lot. I think they were finishing off a skunk, based on the fur I could see.

On another walk, just after our fishing weekend, I came across this VERY unusual sight on the paseo. The fish was huge! And it smelled! By the next day, it was gone. I'm sure some wild animal enjoyed it. Or vultures!

As part of a Mother's Day treat, Violet coated these strawberries in chocolate. She still has a sweet tooth, and is so good about making things to satisfy it. She also regularly makes mug cakes for dessert - single-serving microwaveable desserts.

Liana celebrated her 13th birthday with a backyard camping-themed party. Here, Violet is playing the "chubby bunny" game, where you win by stuffing the most marshmallows into your mouth.

Reyes Creek Camping - Fish!!

Proud girls, with their catch.

I've heard of stocked lakes, but not creeks! This was the best part of staying at this campground. We could see the young trout, and we were allowed to catch and eat them!

Both my girls had their first experience with actually reeling in a fish. I love this photo! You can see the fish highlighted against the tree behind them.

Colleen took many of these photos, including this one showing the pretty coloration of this trout.

 

Later, Colleen showed the girls how to gut and clean the fish.

Cora was quite excited about this, and did a great job.

Violet then took over the cooking of said fish. 

They were delicious, if a bit bony because they were so small!

Reyes Creek Camping

We made our annual Violet Birthday Camping Trip this past weekend, to a new-to-us campground since Wheeler Gorge is closed while they repair flood damage.

Reyes Creek is very close to Hidden Creek Ranch, where Violet did her mounted archery competition last year. It's between Ojai and Frazier Park, in the Los Padres National Forest. 
 

Since our trip ended on Mother's Day, we got a pic of the moms and kids.

We were excited about the trout-stocked creek running through camp, and our site overlooked it. 

Adjacent to the campground was an interesting fake ghost town, an attraction created by the landowner. We had a look around - there was a "Boot Hill" graveyard too, with wooden "grave" markers.

We had S'mores the first night for dessert, and doughboys the second night (biscuit dough wrapped on a stick, cooked over the fire and then filled with yumminess).

We all played a game together.

We also used up a fire color packet Violet had won in a raffle a few years ago.

Reading overlooking the river!

Colleen playing with Hula

Enjoying the river!

Campfire hot dogs!

Fun with Nan and Pop, Part II

We took Sue and Gord to Quigley Canyon for a walk, and then to The Master's University's Trophy coffee shop by the baseball stadium. It's nice doing those little things together!

A ride in the MG... Stace also enjoyed taking his parents out in his TT.

We had a weekend day in Newhall, so Pop needed a photo opp in front of Pop's fancy ice cream shop.

We got treats from Loaf bakery, and took them to Hart Park. It was a gorgeous day, so we walked from Loaf to the park.

We also spent a day in Ventura, walking around the Main Street antique shops and getting dinner at Andria's fish and chips.

On their last night with us, we went out to dinner at Stone Fire. We exchanged gifts for Sue's birthday, and Stace's too, a little early. 

Melanie had given me a similar vase for Mother's Day, where you put flowers in to create hair for the face. Sue loved it, and we managed to find a similar one in a little Newhall boutique.

Stace is making sure his Mum can smell his new watch, a beautiful gift from them for his upcoming 50th birthday.

We loved having Nan and Pop with us!! Thanks so much for spending the time here. 

Fun with Nan and Pop, Part I

Stace and his dad spent some quality time together on Gord's birthday, going shopping at tool stores and then getting a beer at Telco, one of the local breweries Stace enjoys. 

They also went to the picturesque Iron Horse Bridge, where the mighty Santa Clara River actually looks like a real river.

It was nice that Nan and Pop were here for Violet's induction into the National Junior Honor Society, which took place Wednesday evening at the Hart auditorium.

 

Thursday was "May the Fourth," a date celebrated by Star Wars fans for its similarity to the phrase "May the force be with you." 

We'd heard that Pocock Brewery was having a big event, so we dressed up and drove over. It was PACKED! Like, we could barely get in the door! So, we walked around to check out the festivities and people in costume, and then went back out. We stopped for a quick photo with this car before ending up back at Telco.