Catio Project - and a New Project

We have a new project, one we've been thinking about and planning for a few months. The netting and framework will become a catio, or safe outdoor enclosure for our cats. 

Here, you see Stace in engineer-mode, staring at his project, and thinking hard. 

 

Cora lent a hand for a bit. We've been blessed with beautiful weather, so we can work on the project and it's not too hot.

Here is where it will go, with the cats entering via a cat flap in the screen in the dining room window, on the left. 

Also this week, I worked on the 2024 and 2025 blog books, cleaned, and baked. Stace and I rewatched Wolf Hall, and he watched a lot of World Cup games.

We also went to Ellie's dance recital - we especially had to show up for our dancer, since Grandma and Grandpa were in Alaska.

With Violet gone, Evie had to hang out with Cora! (I promise she was happy; I just caught her looking angry.)

Cora had a friend in town from out of state, so she hung out with this friend group from her first high school.

And then...

...This happened.

While Stace was outside working on the catio, I heard a dripping in the bathroom. It sounded like someone left the tub faucet on, but we don't use the tub. I looked up and saw two streams of water flowing down from the ceiling onto the tub and floor.

Uh oh. 

Stace turned off the water and began clearing up six bags of wet insulation from the attic around a pipe that had burst.

The orange circle shows where the copper elbow is, on a joist, which it had evidently been rubbing on all these years.

As the ceiling began looking worse, Stace propped it up with a stick. We had a mitigation company come out on Sunday, and learned we'll need to demo both bathrooms because the drywall and the studs behind them are soaked. Then, high-powered fans and a dehumidifier will be brought in to dry out the internal structure.

We did NOT have this on our bingo card this year.

Needless to say, the catio is on an indefinite hiatus.

Once Violet was back, we went out to dinner as a family, for Stace's birthday. 

On his actual birthday, Violet, Stace and I started off on our summer road trip to Nevada. Stay tuned for more!

Violet's Birthday

We started Violet's birthday celebrations on Saturday, with a trip to Ojai, just the three of us. Cora had two shows, so she couldn't come with us. 

Violet found a lovely nature walk with great views. As you can see, it was a cooler, cloudy day with the threat of rain. 

After our hike, we walked the main street, and then drove to Boccali's, the Italian restaurant Violet picked. 

We shared bruschetta, an antipasto salad and eggplant lasagna. All was delicious.

We then started for home, but stopped in Santa Paula at a New Orleans cafe I've heard about called Rabalais. We had their specialty for dessert - beignets, with a latte. Ohhhh, yes please! 

Violet's actual 16th birthday was Monday, a school day. We stopped by her favorite nearby nature walk after school. 

She then went with Cora to West Ranch to work as a stage hand while Cora was stage managing Mean Girls during the start of their tech week(s). That meant for a late birthday dinner. Violet chose Bonchon, the Korean place in Stevenson Ranch. 

After dinner, we had their doughnuts for dessert.

Because Violet's upcoming Alaska trip is her big 16th birthday gift, we gave her a map of Alaska to study and admire.

Cora gave Vi some CDs from a band called The Arcadian Wild, and sweet treats.

We enjoyed being out together, celebrating with our favorite artist-animal loving-nature girl!

Family Time and Milestone Birthdays

 My Dad is turning 70 this weekend! To celebrate, we're having a small party on Sunday, and Uncle Bill and Aunt Patty have come down to attend. With our new Murphy bed, they're staying with us! 

On Friday, we had charge of Ellie, and it was warm enough to enjoy the pool (though the water wasn't heated, so it was *very* "refreshing"). 

Here, Ellie is leading Aunt Patty in a water ballet dance. 

Stace and Cora did a bit of soccer in the yard, and then they started hitting the punching bag, with Uncle Bill. 

We bought this beautiful tomahawk steak, which Aunt Patty handled masterfully on Saturday.

Also Saturday, Liana and Sofia came over to play D&D in a campaign with Violet that Cora is DMing (being the Dungeon Master, or game leader).

THIS was a dinner worth savoring!

We enjoyed dinner and the evening outside, talking and thinking about a possible trip to the UK for Bill and Patty. They'd love to see where Stace grew up, so we told them all of our favorite places.

Stace pulled up a Martock visitor's guide on the TV.

On Sunday, it happened to be the annual Queen's English car show, so we four went together.

Once back in town, we got a coffee and walked around Newhall. We noticed an old payphone stand on Lyons - funny it's still there. No phone, though.

Later on Sunday, the big event! Dad's 70th birthday party!

We had about 17 people at my parents' house for food and fun. 

Posing with our dog, Maverick. (He insisted on being in the photo!)

Here is the photo card I made Dad. Lots of love to a wonderful father and grandfather, Dad! 

Weekend Fun

We worked in the garage Saturday, tidying it up so we can move our bedroom furniture in. After 16 years, we're replacing our carpet with the vinyl flooring we used in the addition.

After working hard, Colleen and Rigo picked us up and took us to River's End for a St. Patrick's Day event. We ate, watched live music, checked out the vendors, and walked near the river.
 

Such a lovely setting! 

Meanwhile, Liana was at our house, and Cora drove the girls to In-n-Out and Teacision.

Later, Colleen and Rigo and Stace and I enjoyed a drink in our back yard. 

On Sunday, we celebrated Melanie's birthday at a Japanese restaurant not far from their new place. 

We had some sushi rolls, but here, they cook in front of you on the big iron griddle, and that is the draw.

The chefs put on a show, and it's very entertaining (and delicious).

A fun night! And tasty leftovers!

Before and after our dinner out, we were emptying our room and painting one wall, for an accent wall. More on that later!

Cora's (Belated) Birthday!

 We aimed to celebrate Cora's 19th at MB2, with the go-karts and laser tag, but when we arrived, it seemed most of SClarita was already there. So, we ended up at the bowling alley, and fun was had by all. 

Lucas and Mackenzie, and their moms, joined us, along with Grandma and Grandpa.

Behind Mackenzie, you can see Stace putting his spin on the ball.

Cora bowled pretty well.

After we finished bowling, we went across the street to the big park, which has been redone recently. I had a feeling this group of teens would actually enjoy playing at the park...and I was right. 

And, we mamas here got one more (last?) time as being mamas at a park with the kids playing! At her next birthday, Cora won't even be a teen anymore.

And while I have your attention, here are a few screenshots of the video I screen-recorded of Cora's Taming of the Shrew scene at ACTF last week.

Tidbits

On Sunday, we watched church online at home, and then went to Mel and Nick's new apartment to help them. Stace put up lots of curtain rods, while Violet put up a stick-on tile backsplash in the kitchen, and wallpaper in the bathroom. I did lots of moving of boxes. 

Monday was Cora's 19th birthday! We decorated the house, had gifts laid out, and sent her off to college for her first day of the spring semester. 

Then, I met my Dad at Costco and was very excited to find these Heinz "British Recipe" baked beans. I've never seen these here - usually we have to buy English style Heinz beans at import stores, at import prices. These cases were $8 for six cans, a steal!

Violet and I got Teacision, and the gal behind the counter wrote a special note to Cora. Ha!! 

We got Stone Fire for dinner and she opened her gifts, and then went to college theatre rehearsal.

The American College Theatre Festival began the next day, so Cora didn't feel great on Monday, with all the nerves. We'll celebrate later, when she can relax and enjoy it more.

In the photo, she opened Violet's gift - a stained glass piece representing her character in D&D. They hugged, but I wasn't ready with the camera, and they refused to recreate the moment. Cora isn't much for hugs, so it's a real treasure to get one.

Later Monday, Violet began working on an oil pastel portrait.

I was in awe Tuesday when I saw it. 

She also has been busy on her lino cuts. Here's a javelina, and below we have a prairie chicken. Also, a desert scene in glass.

We have been on an "All Creatures Great & Small" kick since Uncle Bill and Aunt Patty introduced it to us. And, our library has it!

This little guy planted itself by the nectarine tree, and I just have to let it stay! So bright and cheeful.