Labor Day Weekend Recap

Good morning, friends.

♥

Oh how I love myself a three-day weekend. And oh how I love myself a trip to California to spend some time with my fun family. Come on in....

Carrie and I flew to California Friday evening and there was a bit of a snafu with our flight. The information monitor showed that our flight was delayed, so we decided to have a glass of wine and a bite to eat to kill some time. By the time we got to our gate, the flight had been downgraded to a smaller plane (eek) and had, in fact, taken off on time. Without us. Ugh! We got boarding passes for the next flight out, went back to the dining establishment and had more wine.

Friday night was a late night, but we were up early on Saturday morning and heading to a nearby town to visit my grandma. We had my niece/Carrie's sidekick, Britny with us too. I loved spending time with my grandma, daughter, and niece on Saturday! I took all of the quilt squares that I've made and received for Fiona's Friendship Quilt Exchange and my grandma loved seeing those.

My uncle, Ken, made a yummy lunch for us, and Grandma made a chocolate dessert. As I was telling her how delicious it looked she mentioned, "Marti told me to make that for Carrie." Grandma turned 94 this year and her mind is sharp as a tack, but I'll admit when I heard that I thought maybe she was starting to lose it just a little. Then she told me she'd been reading through an old calendar/journal she keeps and pointed it out on the counter for me to see...

 

Back at my sister's house later that day, we had the sweet pleasure of spending time with my baby niece, Olivia who is growing so fast! I felt so happy when Olivia's mommy pulled this quilt I'd made out of her bag and spread it out for Olivia to play on. It was fun to see how soft it is now that it's been washed several times. And that sweet baby girl?!?! Be still, my heart!

And there were sweet, smart, handsome nephews to love on as well...

Saturday night was a late night too, but we were up early on Sunday morning for a little yoga session. As part of my teacher training I'm required to lead four classes on my own, so I checked one off my list by leading a class in my sister's living room for four of the girls. I need a lot more practice before my technique (and confidence) is where it should be, but everyone has to start somewhere, eh?

Sunday afternoon seven of us went for pedicures and got teal toes for my mom. {See yesterday's post...}

This next picture warms my heart and also tugs at its strings too. One final photo before we said goodbye and headed for the airport to come home...

But wait, we're not done. Doug picked us up at the airport on Sunday and drove us to downtown Phoenix and dropped us off at the venue where Jason Mraz was preforming. Our whole day had been a series of perfect timing - woke up in time for yoga, made it to the restaurant for lunch with more family, made it to the airport just in time, a flight home with no delays, and dropped off at the concert venue just as the doors were opening.

Sunday night was a late night, and included one of the best concerts I've ever been to. Carrie and I love Jason Mraz anyway, and this time he's touring with Raining Jane. It was a very laid back and beautiful performance. Loved.It.So.Much!

And yesterday? I slept.

 

Wishing you all a wonderful {short} week ahead.

xoxox

♥

Photo hunt finds from Cali

Today I have some more photos from our trip to California last week, but these are some that I found that are items on Rinda's Summertime Photography Scavenger Hunt. Check 'em out...

#2 - a garden gnome



I loved this little gnome, tucked in among the plants where we stayed during our visit.

3 - birds on a wire

Not the most beautiful photo ever, but three little birds on a wire, nonetheless.



4 - a group of tourists



I was hoping for something a little different on this one - like a group of tourists gathered around a historical monument with cameras in hand. But I suppose that means I would have to go to a historical monument of some sort myself, and I don't see that happening any time soon.

11 - a horn

I actually found six different horns during our vacation week in Cali, but this one was my favorite so I'm going with this one today.

13 - a {tequila} sunrise

Ah...the elusive sunrise. For the record, Doug and I are up before the sun every day during the week so capturing a real sunrise should be simple, but I haven't noticed any that were really colorful yet. Doug had this brilliant idea to photograph a tequila sunrise, so there you have it. Thought of by Douglas, and drank by him too.

17 - a lamp post

I loved these lamp posts at Hotel Del Coronado.

 

19 - a public garden

When we arrived at our destination last week I actually let out a squeal of delight as we entered the garage under the building and saw this garden at eye level. (It's where I found the gnome too.) And since this garden is shared by the other residents of the building, I'm calling it a public garden. {Thanks so much, Sue! I really loved this feature and took a ton of photos!}

21 - a photograph of me with something representing the season

I originally thought I'd try to get a photo of myself with something that represented hell since that's how hot it is in Arizona during the summer, but this one seemed a little less edgy. Doug and I make a trip to California every summer to be near the ocean and have a little break from the heat, so I'm going with me and an ocean view to represent our summer.

Of the 21 items on Rinda's list, I have found all but one. I'm not sure I'll be seeing a parade by the end of the photo hunt, but you just never know. I'm not giving up yet, no siree!

Are you playing along with Rinda's scavenger hunt?

You can read more about it by clicking here.

♥

Longest Weekend Recap Ever

Hello, my friends!

♥

~sigh~ This past weekend lasted nine whole days for me and I loved every minute of it! Doug and I headed to California where we spent the first five days on Coronado Island soaking up sun, eating yummy food, drinking fun drinks, and...well...having lots of fun. Of course, I have photos to share.

Strands Beach, Dana Point, California

 

The road trip to the coast is a six-hour drive, so I kept myself busy by doodling a starburst {inspiration here}.

 

The first part of our California stay was a working gig for Doug, so while he worked on his job, I got to know the area. First stop: Seaside Papery as recommended by one of my local paper-loving-friends. {Hi Vee!}

 

And I found the restaurant Vee recommended. We ended up having a few meals {and margaritas} at Miguel's. Yum!

We were within walking distance of the famous Hotel Del Coronado and we frequented its beach a few times during our stay on the island.

I had an opportunity to do a lot of sketching during the course of the week and I thoroughly enjoyed it! I used watercolors and color pencils, and played with a  few techniques that I've been learning from Sketchbook Skool. Love!

San Diego's skyline from Coronado Island:

We had an amazing latte and chocolate crepe at Bonjour Café in Dana Point. Holy smokes it was good!

Crossing over the bridge from San Diego to Coronado. Kinda' scary but cool...

 More food at Miguel's - a tostada grande that I barely made a dent in...

Doug and me in the sun...waiting for sunset. ♥ ♥

I found a yoga studio really close to where we were staying so I did manage to have one hour of healthy living while on the island. This photo was taken on my walk to yoga one morning:

We spent some time on Coronado's Central Beach the last afternoon of our stay. This young couple struggled with assembling their shade for well over a half an hour. Poor things - the wind was really whipping around and it was difficult to watch without laughing out loud. We hid behind our umbrella as best we could, shielded from the flying sand they were stirring up and hiding our poor attempts to curb our laughter.

 And...last but not least...the final margaritas...

We returned home late in the day on Thursday, and I have spent the past few days unpacking and taking care of stuff around here. The last thing I really want to do today is go back to work, but Monday mornings can be that way most of the time.

So, here goes nothin'...I'm off and running...

 

There's change brewing around these parts, and it's going to be an awesome week!

♥