joy

"we should all do what, in the long run, gives us joy, even if it is only picking grapes or sorting laundry."
e.b. white, letters of e.b. white

extras

"landmine" and "sweet rain" by train

"hold yuh" and other songs by gyptian - might need to look up the lyrics ;)

a gift from the sea by anne morrow lindbergh - recommended by K

venetian moon pinot grigio at trader joe's

the best cheese and caramel popcorn in the whole wide world - i suggest the half/half tin and don't worry, the prices are worth it

down at the creek

yes, this is arizona!

L and i spent half a day up north on a hiking adventure at fossil creek...had never done it before and it was absolutely breathtaking.

laughed all the way on the drive up like we were in high school again and it was about 10 degrees cooler which was noticeable (we'll take anything we can get!)...arrived about 1:30pm and made it down to the creek at 3:30...hung out until 5:00 and made it back to the car at 6:45.

8 miles roundtrip...downhill all the way to the creek which meant uphill all the way back to the car ;)...needless to say we got our workouts and i am still sore!

didn't see too many animals except lizards and birds on the way down...everything was a lot greener than i expected and there was a nice breeze here and there, sometimes so loud through the trees it resembled the waves of the ocean.

after checking with some other hikers we finally made it down to an area near the start of the creek which was gushing freshwater...a guy there told us it was the best place to fill up our containers and we were so grateful because we had gotten low on our supply...we filled up on the way out and it was the best water we ever remembered tasting.

at the creek we tried to hike around and get further downstream to reach the waterfall but it ended in loops and dead ends and we just wanted to relax and cool off...we decided to go back where we started from and cross the creek in order to swim there. on one of our turns, L spotted a blue dragonfly and we were just dumbfounded that she was able to get so close to it while she took this image...she couldn't have been more than 6 inches away from it, and she swore it was looking at her and posing...she said she could see every detail of it and we also saw some that were black with white spots and some that were bright orange.


once we were on the opposite side of the creek, we took off our shoes and shirts and after watching and taking advice from two little girls who were clearly professionals(!), we used the same rope swing to swing out and splash into the creek...the water was perfectly chilled and the base of the creek was made up mostly of smooth rock...we could see little fish who occasionally kissed L's toes ;) and we saw tadpoles around a large mossy rock in the water...we did the rope swing a few times each and then hung out in the water...even found some cool rocks to take home.




(rope swing hanging down to water on far left and large rock below it is where the tadpoles congregated...further ahead led to waterfall, swimming hole)

we headed back up the mountain and had to stop briefly a few times to catch our breath because of the elevation but we saw some beautiful views on the way up and high-fived at the end to mark our accomplishment.

my family lives nearby and they so graciously invited us over for dinner with a surprise visit from my aunt/uncle and we sat outside on their patio...it was a perfect night as we cooled off and relaxed...thank you J&K for a wonderful end to our perfect day and for having us in your home! B&L it was so great to see you too and i just wish we all lived on the same street!!

btw - next trip equals backpacks instead of just a camelbak plus a gun, a gerber, first aid kit, flashlight, extra socks, a small towel (like a washcloth), snacks and tons of water. a sign at the entrance suggests 4 liters of water, and if you were not able to fill up at the spring in the right place, you could get sick from drinking the creek water. we happened to get lucky. ;)

thank you, L, for sharing this memorable adventure and creating some awesome memories

california livin'

had an awesome california vacation thanks to M/J...crazy relaxing, perfect weather and great visits with friends

M's ultrasound and the final answer is...one boy, one girl! so fascinating seeing each baby moving around and hearing their heartbeats, especially since i'd never seen an ultrasound being performed. now on to the shower...bring on the pink too! lunch afterward to see D before she moves to CO...lots of laughs.

spent lunch and the early afternoon in corona del mar...hit my favorite zinc and took it to the lookout point...sat in the grass and watched the people, the waves and the boats...took a bunch of images along marguerite and found the most foreign-looking flower i have ever seen...it was growing all over and around a patio's wrought iron fence...apparently it is called a blue passion flower.

walk with C&M and dinner at C's with L, N up from san diego...some funny stories about life on the island and of course great food...thank you, C&B!! unique pastries and i made a chocolate peanut butter semifreddo...mmm, mmm...i must have been on vacation!

brunch with K&L and on to C's for a baby visit...so great to catch up with the girls and hear about all of the good news in life and love...frosty day beer with K and hit a laguna beach cove later (try Cress St off of PCH) for some sweatpants/sweatshirts beach time. make sure you bring quarters for parking and K says this rooftop bar is really something at night, and i believe her because i went up there with her during the day and saw the view.

carlsbad with K at the lookout and mexican food and beer on the patio..."all-inclusive friends" was the term of the day and it is absolutely true!! dinner and hanging with J, always making me laugh with her different perspectives, random finds, authenticity and sense of humor.

dinner at K&J's and with R the exhibitionist...gorgeous wedding pics and exciting remodeling plans...seems like old world village was so long ago! thank you for the yummy dinner and homemade frozen yogurt!

HB with C&M and on to the pier, checking out the high school national surfing competition...M was a little mouse and we just sat having lunch and catching up, enjoying the weather and the waves.

hit crystal cove, still one of my favorite places on earth...took a bunch of images...not as many shells on the beach as there used to be and tide was high...ate lunch on some rocks angling upward out of the shore and at the beginning of the tide pools...laid on the beach and walked into the water several times...it smelled so good, the flowers, plants, ocean, heavy air...utter peace and calm and refreshing for the soul. btw, it's now $15/day but still $125/yr. later on, B's fancy bday dinner at M&K's...so fun seeing T&T&M too...miss that second family. ;)














caught up with new baby D and little T, showing T how to take photos with my camera...he did great and amazed me with his laughter, speech and how he can 'cheers' with his cup at 2. met T in oceanside just in time for the farmer's market and some super sweet peaches and plums...great lunch, talks and walk out to the pier...should have spent more time exploring oside when i lived close! happy hour later on...great california draught beers (cheap at hh!) and everyone said the food was good...plenty of room for everyone, cool decor and plenty of tv's.

saw "twilight" with M, J and took M on a walk almost every day around the lake...saw turtles, geese, ducks and ducklings...all of the dogs followed me everywhere around the house and were right on time every morning squeaking at my bedroom door to let me know they were ready for breakfast. M even got my oceanside farmer's market fruit off the counter...found two pieces and one mauled piece on her dog bed and we all had a good laugh...just wish we could have caught it on video!

great fourth of july in HB with friends and food and pictionary and the lookout point where we could see about a dozen fireworks shows at the shoreline.

thank you all for the smiles, laughs, hugs, treats, talks and love. look forward to seeing you soon!