Devil's Punchbowl

Violet wrapped up all her online school work early, and didn't have any in-person finals, so we made a day trip to a beautiful county natural area in the Antelope Valley. 

We'd talked about going to visit Devil's Punchbowl for a couple of years, but it would definitely need to be a winter destination with our summer heat. Thursday, it all worked out well. 

It was about an hour away, and well worth the drive. The views were so pretty, and interesting, and different. Rock formations reminded us of Vasquez Rocks, about 30 miles west. We could see snow in the San Gabriel Mountains to our south, and there was a good amount of water in the creek.

A fire a few years ago still was evident in the burned trees. 

We had a snack by the water and enjoyed the peaceful sounds for a number of minutes.

The drive home was lovely, too.

We stopped at a new boutique in Acton that I'd heard about, and Violet got a shirt. It was a lovely day!

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.

Creative Violet

Violet has taken up a new artistic endeavor - stained glass. Her school has the equipment and supplies, and Violet has made some outstanding pieces. These were her first two. 

She made the cat, below, as well.

She also cut the hem in these jeans and added the black ruffles, which she created on the sewing machine.

Such a cool style!

And, we got some new oil pastels, and she came up with this elk. It's amazing to watch her work.

Week in Review

 On Sunday, we went out with Colleen, Rigo and Liana to a new pizza place in town, where Lucas is now working. 

Later, Stace and I went to help our friend Christina at her nonprofit, which helps young adults who were part of the foster care system. And then, we went to see a Christmas play at a church with my other friend named Christina. 

It's December, and the girls (even the young adult) are happy to still have their Advent calendar chocolates to count down the days until Christmas.

Cora's also celebrating the end of her college English class this week. She didn't enjoy it, or the teacher, so it's good that it's over. She had kinder words to share about her other two online classes, and her fall semester theatre experience.

Violet has another week of school left, but she did attend a Christmas party with her online school ASB (student government).

We bought a tree this year through a Catholic charitable group that donates proceeds to Christina's nonprofit and Cora's old school. After buying more string lights, we decorated it after Stace played soccer on Friday. 

Evie helped...

...as did Winston. 

(Despite the funny cat videos we've seen, our cats don't mess with the tree. Winston will occasionally bat an ornament, but rarely.)

Violet and I went to Castaic for one of our evening walks. 

It was fun to see the deer prints in the mud.

I checked on these cuties once this week while my parents were both out all day.

I also went to watch Christina's daughter Melanie in a theatre production of Alice in Wonderland. She's second from the left, playing the Queen of Hearts. Off with his head!

Finally, I made sourdough bread for the first time, after getting starter and tips from my friend Lydia when we went out to breakfast this week.

There's room for improvement, but not bad!

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!

Holiday Fun

 It's that time of year for fun Christmas activities. With the girls growing up, there aren't nearly as many things for us to do as when they were younger. 

But, Stace and I had fun Thursday night at the Magic Mountain Holiday In the Park Employee Night, which is something of a tradition for us now.

We didn't officially see my mom as Mrs. Claus, as she was walking out on her break, but we said hello.

We enjoyed the tamale dinner and chips, the cookies and cocoa, and the lights and characters.

The park has done an admirable job with the decor.

And, we got to ride a couple of rides. Fun night!

On Friday night, I went to Sue's house for our annual Christmas gathering. 

This year, instead of making a craft, we took part in a Favorite Things Party. Everyone brought three of the same item that is a "favorite" of ours. Then we drew names to see which lady would go home with one. So, we all went home with three items. 

I brought Honu coffee syrup and a battery whisk; I went home with various hair care items, body butter and a mascara.

Week in Review

 
We did a few nature walks in the first week of December, a perfect month here for hiking. And this year, with the early rains, there are green hills and interesting fungi to enjoy.

On Monday, Vi and I went to Quigley and spotted this deer up on the hill. 

And on Thursday, we joined the Hiking Club with Violet's school for a walk to the Placerita Waterfall. 

Violet's supervising teacher is wearing the black coat; we're fortunate she and Vi were paired up.

After this hike, we went to Trophy Coffee for these lovely drinks...

...and then back to Quigley to enjoy the Super Moon.

Also this week, Stace and I met with a financial advisor for the first time, to start the process of thinking ahead to his retirement. Are we on track with our savings? What should we be doing to prepare? Such grownup (old person) questions! Ha!