Turkey Soup with Mom

Day after Thanksgiving. We were glad Michelyn, Derek and Joseph could spend the night before heading on to Derek's family for celebrations.

Randy's family spent the night and joined us for a trip to my Mom's for Turkey Soup.

Playing on the deck before we headed an hour south to Grandma Howard's. Randy watching Siena pull Tegan in the wagon.

Grandma Howard playing with Tegan.

Siena climbing a Cherimoya tree in Grandma Howard's orchard.

We picked up my brother, David, from assisted living in Fallbrook so we could celebrate Thanksgiving Turkey Soup together. He is telling his 'Mr. Wilson' story. Siena and Tegan are putting a puzzle together.

Cousins at sunset on T Day

Garrett playing a video game his Dad brought for the kids to enjoy.

Cousins playing together...Tanner, Joseph and Garrett

The children were all trying to fit into a small tent set up on our living room floor. Here is Tanner and Aubrey laughing. Reminded us of the years when we tried to see how many of us could fit into a VW! Lots of laughs.

Sun setting. Watching the activities are Kaylee, Brian and Derek.

T Dinner for 21 at our home

This was our year to have Thanksgiving Dinner at our home with our children and their families. We are trying to do the every other year thing so they can plan special holidays with the other side of their family. We had a busy Thanksgiving day with all of our children and their families, Mike's Mom, Sister Pam and hubby Gary (who took 'professional' photos of our families) and Mike's brother Brian and his family.

We had 21 sitting down in our dining room for a yummy dinner that many contributed to.

I don't have photos but Gary does. You may see them later.

Last minute prep for dinner with Nicole who arrived with her family early to help.

Mike, ready to carve the turkey and I look like I am just standing around telling everyone else what to do!

Family members chatting. Mom Gould is in blue. It was a wonderful day for her to have all three of her children here, Pam, Mike and Brian.

More catching up with siblings and spouses. Derek, Staci, Randy and Michelyn.

After dinner we are playing catch in the living room. Oh, yes, two fun granddogs joined us!

Paint, Bugs and Bows

We were invited to Randy's for a paint the livingroom day. Well, more like a grandchildren day for me as I had fun with Siena and Tegan while the rest of them worked....really hard.

While Tegan napped, Siena and I created a succulent wreath. Had just enough supplies left over from my workshop for one more wreath. She was such a good helper.

I love this photo. Can you guess what Siena captured in her bug box? She collected them and was intrigued. I was grossed out.

I found a couple of items MY Grandma Ella crocheted. Siena and Tegan tried them on and looked so cute!

Sunset views

Thought you would enjoy this photo I took of the blossom of a Philodnedron in the Courtyard at the Casa. Quite impressive!

Now that the time has changed, I happened to be at the Casa at Sunset...so beautiful!

Veteran's Day at Casa

Casa wanted to honor veterans by offering a tile you could buy to honor someone.
I chose the spot for the tiles...at the foot of the stairs that previously went nowhere.
We covered the newly placed tiles with red fabric then I unveiled them at the end of the ceremony.

I am at the right, standing beside the tiles listening to the ceremony with Marine, Community and Casa dignitaries talking, then Taps were played by a local high school student. Very touching. We had about 150 people attend. Most were behind me.

Casa surprised Rod-he insisted on a photo together- with a tile. He is a former Marine, operates the tree service that the City uses for tall trees and he donates time to Casa to take care of my tree issues and drops off a dump truck load of mulch for me every few months...all donated!

Succulent Wreath Workshop

I hosted a Succulent Wreath Workshop on our deck for 35 garden club members. A very popular workshop. The secret of our wreaths is filling the leg of a panty hose (hard to find them now) with potting soil.

Then you place it on a wire frame, cover it with sphagnum moss, wrap with floral wire then poke holes with a screwdriver through the panty hose to insert succulents. Sounds easy...

It was fun but a lot of work to create your wreath. Very time consuming.

Here are some of the proud owners of their wreaths leaving with them.

Big Bear Cabin work weekend

We took a long weekend and headed up to the cabin. We wanted to finish sealing the cedar siding before the snow came. So, hauled the power washer, compressor and ambition and took off.

On Friday, Mike power washed the dirt off the wood. I plugged all the holes in the cedar with foam spray then painted it to blend in with the wood.
Mike got a new tool for the project. An air sprayer. He loved it. On Saturday used the new sprayer for the cedar sealer/stain and sprayed away.

Prep takes a lot of time. Covering windows, lights, screen door etc.
I tried to keep ahead of the spraying and taped off everything that needed to be covered.

We forgot to take an 'after' photo but the cabin looks so 'rich' now. And our muscles agree it was alot of work but such a rewarding project.