Week in Review

 Stace was off Monday for Memorial Day, and we went to Home Depot to check out supplies for the catio we're going to build. He found a Panini World Cup sticker album, just like the one he filled up in 1986. 

We then went to Total Wine and More, for cider - he's been reading his cider book, and wants to brew some up this year.

Violet had a solo horse lesson on Tuesday with Rocky. She got some great experience trotting and guiding the horse directionally.

Happy girl! So glad we have found this ranch and this way for her to ride again.

On Tuesday, after her lesson, she watched the film Hidalgo with us, because it features Viggo Mortensen in a grueling horse race.

On Wednesday, Vi and Cora had Sofia and Liana over for D&D, while I met up with a friend for Happy Hour/dinner.

On Thursday, Violet and I went to the optometrist and she picked out new glasses. Cora, meanwhile, went sliding for the second time this week, and later played D&D. And on Friday, I went up to Palmdale and lunch with my former newspaper co-workers. It was nice to see them again.

On Saturday, Stace watched the Champion's League final with work friends, while I met up with "the ladies" and celebrated one of their birthdays at Agua Dulce Vineyard.

We had a wine tasting and then enjoyed a picnic. It was a great time together.

On Sunday, we celebrated Rigo's birthday at their house.

They'd had a family part on Saturday, and Rigo showed us the very old sword he inherited and was just given. Very cool!

The kids (and young adults) played Telestrations, and other games.

Mt. Pinos Camping

 We went camping with Colleen, Rigo and Liana over our long Memorial Day weekend, up Mount Pinos to a new-to-us campground. 

It was full of huge pine trees, loads of pine cones, beautiful views, and very quiet.

At 8,250 feet elevation, the campground got a little chilly at night.

There was a 1930s ski lodge near the property, and this cute little cabin was next door. Both have been abandoned for years, though in the cabin, there was evidence of squatters from about 10 yeas ago, judging by the newspapers inside.

We ate well, we relaxed, played games, and read. The sites were huge, and very quiet.

We enjoyed Colleen and Rigo's 1967 tent trailer again, perhaps for the last time, as they're looking to sell it. I'd love to buy it but we can't store it. It's really a joy to use and sleep in.

We were playing Triominoes, similar to dominoes. 

We had a lot of laughter playing Mad Libs around the fire.

It was a great trip!

Splendid Sunday

On Sunday, Vi and I watched church from home and then went to Colleen and Rigo's house, where we visited the chickens and then drove to the beach.

 

We're having a March heat wave, and it was perfect weather at Rincon, our favorite beach. The girls spent a lot of time body boarding (though the water was chilly, since it IS March).

It was a lovely, relaxing few hours - I actually fell asleep!

Meanwhile, Stace went to the Petersen Automotive Museum with Jim and Jonah (pictured here, in hiding behind this gorgeous Alfa Romeo!). I got Stace the ticket for Christmas, and it included access to "the Vault" of all the cars. 

Stace took this funny tiny car for Violet, who used to say she wanted a car big enough for just one person.

When Stace texted us this photo to our family group, Vi responded with, "That's the dream."

The guys enjoyed a special exhibit featuring Aston Martins.

They also liked this interesting early '90s Japanese Kei car, the Mazda Autozam.

When Stace got home, he and Cora worked together to trench out and move a water pipe so we can have more convenient hose access in the back yard.

Weekend Gatherings

On Saturday, we hosted Stace's coworkers for a Christmas party. 

We had about 15 people here, and it was a potluck, so we provided sausage rolls, s'mores and some drinks, and everyone else chipped in as well. 
 

We worked hard to make the house and yard look its best.

After everyone ate, Stace got a fire going and some people enjoyed toasting marshmallows and making s'mores. 

So much food and drink! That was our payoff for cleaning the house up - lots of leftovers for the next few days, and no cooking duties for me!

It was really nice getting to know Stace's coworkers better, since I hear about them often.

Cora and Violet went to a friend's house to watch shows and have dinner, and generally get out of the house. (We would have enjoyed having them home, but they declined.)

On Sunday night, we went over to Colleen and Rigo's house to hang out with them and their new puppy, Xena.

She's adorable!

When we pulled up at home, we found a new friend on the cul-de-sac, an opossum.

Earlier in the day, we went by Gilchrist Farms to check out the Christmas festivities and see the goats and horses. It was nice to be back, and Violet was welcomed warmly by Mrs. Gilchrist.

Placerita Craft Fair

 

We had Ellie on Saturday, and that happened to be the day we were going to the Placerita Nature Center Christmas Craft Fair. It's a fundraiser for the nature center, and we've been many times over the years. We knew Eloise would love it.

She made this little birdfeeder...

...and dipped a candle.

We also went into the Walker Family Cabin, where a docent told Ellie about churning butter.

Liana and Colleen met us, and the three ladies made their wreaths.

Someone thought it would be funny to stick a sticker to me while I took that photo. I won't say who it was. But it wasn't Ellie.

I don't know if I mentioned already, but Stace came with us.

It had been a while since Ellie had been to Placerita, so she enjoyed looking out the telescope and seeing the animals on display near the nature center, like the tortoise, hawk and owls.

Pretty barn owl!