Pretty Things

 On Sunday, Stace and I walked our nearby canyon and enjoyed the green hills and beautiful clouds. Later, Violet and I went to a local antique/resale shop that was closing down. Violet found a lamp and basket for her room. 

In the evening, we went to Wildwood Canyon for a walk. 

More beauty!

These two melt me!

I couldn't pick just one photo - they kept getting cuter.

Also this week, Stace went in briefly to work on Monday morning, and then went to help our friend Christina at her nonprofit. I also went over to help organize donated clothing.

And I made sourdough again!

I'm using my home-milled flour, so that's why it looks darker than most sourdough you'd buy in the store.

On Monday night, Cora and I went to Magic to see the slider show at Holiday in the Park. Cora knows most of these folks, and would love to join their ranks next year. 

She's been practicing her sliding here and there.

Day Out: Santa Paula

 Violet and I had a mini summer adventure in not-too-far Santa Paula, the town off the 126 on the way to Ventura.

Months back, I'd heard about a new park near the Santa Clara River, which runs through SClarita and along the foothills here on its way to the ocean. I had the idea that Vi and I could check it out, since we've been very blessed with nice (not scorching) weather since our return home.

It was a bit of a walk from the trailhead, but we found the river. It looked to be a mile wide and three inches deep. (Not really, but it was much wider than I would have imagined.)

Lucky for us, Liana and Colleen were free last minute, and up for the adventure.

We had Mexican food in Santa Paula, and drove through the adorable turn-of-the-last-century downtown. It would have been fun to stop in some of the shops, but we were running short on time.

Later that evening, Stace and I went with Mom and Dad to a Magic employee night at Hurricane Harbor. Because it's actually been not too hot, it wasn't truly warm in the evening - weird situation to have in July. So, I didn't do the water slides, but Stace and Mom had a great time and did all the ones that were open. (At employee nights, they don't have everything open.)

I took these photos to show the results of Six Flags pouring a ton of money in Hurricane Harbor. The refurb looks fantastic! This building is open on the other side, and has the guest lockers.

Holiday Happenings

Magic Mountain hosted their employee family Christmas party on Thursday, and Stace and I took advantage. The employee we knew was actually working the party, so we visited with her for a minute as she walked out of the photo-taking cabin to take her break.

The lights are so pretty at the park, and we party guests get tamales, chips and salsa, s'mores kits, cookies, churros and hot cocoa, if you want. Several rides were open, with very short lines. 

We had a very nice mini-date night together.

 

On Saturday, Vi and I joined Colleen and Liana at the Placerita Nature Center annual holiday craft day. 

Beautiful work, ladies!

Vi and I took a nice hour hike/walk down the canyon trail.

On Saturday evening, we got the decorations up in the house, and our Christmas tree.

And on Sunday, Stace, Vi and I took a nice walk down our nearby canyon to see the decorations the neighbors there put on the trees. I love this walk year-round, but especially in December!

Can you hear the crunching??

On Sunday evening, Stace and I went to see the SClarita Symphony present their Christmas concert, with the Nutcracker songs filling the first half. It was a nice night!

Cora was busy much of the weekend shooting a short film with Jarod, who played her father. It's set in the Old West, and directed by a college film student for a class project. Can't wait to see it - it has quite a dramatic premise.

Weekend Fun

This weekend, Stace's work held a company picnic again at Magic Mountain, for the first time in a few years. The girls didn't want to come along, so just Stace and I went. Why not, it was free! It's always nice to see the people he spends so much time with, anyway.

We had a lovely barbecue lunch, and on the right here, the DJ was playing music and helping lead games for the younger people. It was definitely fun if you had younger kids, with limbo, hula hoop and water balloon contests.

We walked around the perimeter of the park, and stopped for a minute to listen to this Western trio who were very good. We didn't ride any rides because the lines were long. It had taken a long time to get our car parked, that's how crowded it was. 

That evening, I went to a theatre "senior showcase" at Cora's old school, with some of the kids she used to perform with. Cora was at a birthday/graduation party for Dani, her Chicago costar. 
 

On Sunday, Stace, Vi and I took Liana with us and went to Ventura for the annual California Strawberry Festival. This has been going on decades, and I remember going as a child. I thought, since we were free, we should make our kid go, and form those kind of lifelong memories.

We bought a flat of strawberries for $10 - always buy at the end of the festival for the best deal!

It wasn't something we need to return to, but it was nice to be out together for the day. There were carnival rides for little kids and teens, though my girls didn't want to go. There was also a big arts and crafts fair, and we bought a few things. 

I'd say we all enjoyed seeing the artwork.

So many strawberry food and drink items! We tried a few. 

Seasonal Fun

Other than cat news, two Christmas things happened this weekend. My dad and I went to Magic Mountain's employee  Family Night, though the girls were party poopers and didn't want to go.

Mom was working as Mrs. Claus, so Dad and I waited in a short line to get a photo with her and Santa.

We enjoyed our free tamales, chips, cookies and s'mores. Seeing all the little kids enjoying the activities made me reminisce about the girls being younger and coming to this event over the years, playing the man-made snow.

It was cold enough that I didn't feel like riding the rides. Maybe next year!

On Saturday, Violet and I went to Placerita Nature Center for the annual Christmas Craft Fair. I was so pleased when she had asked me a week ago if we could go again, after creating yule logs last year.

Colleen and Liana were free and interested in joining us, which was fun.

Nice!

Thanksgiving: Mrs. Claus and Dinner

 Grandma had to work Thanksgiving, so we all went to visit her at Magic Mountain as she portrayed Mrs. Claus.

Grandpa took this family shot, and then we tried to recreate a classic Christmas photo I enjoy each year. 

It didn't quite turn into an exact replica, as Violet refused, so Cora took on the disgruntled role.

Then, home to cook the turkey and enjoy a fabulous meal. I had brined the turkey over 24 hours, and used herb butter under the skin, and it was so yummy! I actually wished I'd bought a bigger bird, for additional leftovers.

Melanie made most of the sides, and all was delicious.

Fright Fest 2023

Cora and I ran over to Magic Mountain on Thursday after school to see our favorite witch.

It was the first Thursday Fright Fest of the season, and being it was still September, we figured it would be one of the least crowded times to be at the park.

We were right! We had a great time together, and were able to ride seven rides with basically no wait time.

 

I was happy to be out spending time with my girl, and thought this Oktoberfest photo opp was screaming out for our photo. Cora obliged, kind of.