Catching up

    I am not a very faithful blogger like some of my friends. I mainly blog now to keep those non facebook friend/friends up to date on my life. And you know who you are :) !! I will let the photos tell most of the story. These are all places I have posted pics of before but the beauty still astounds me. The people in the photos are new though…. Dave's sister Arlene and her hubby Dave came to visit. They retired to Tennessee from Illinois right about the time we moved to California. This was our first time to see them since our move and we had a grand week together! And we had special meeting company too so that was very special.  I think we wore our guests out walking and hiking but they claimed to enjoy it!

Whatever…..

        I am procrastinating starting the day because I am tired and don't feel like walking.  But I will go walk anyway just like I do every day of the week (except Sunday).  I will walk because I feel better when I do, because it is good for me, and because I don't want those pesky pounds and inches I have lost to find me again!  Perhaps I am tired because Dave and I walked 4 miles in the morning then did yard work, cleaned the fountain and cleaned the garage.  To top it off we went to the ocean and walked another 3 miles.   Dave knows I can never resist going to the ocean. Here was our conversation yesterday.  Dave," What are we doing tonight?"    Me," I don't know.  I am kind of tired ( sweat dripping as I prune and weed).  Were you thinking of going to the ocean?" Dave, " Yes."  Me, " Okay why not. We live in CA after all."  I still revel in the fact that the ocean is 25 min away and the weather is walking weather year round.
     I am thankful for our friends out here that have adopted us into their circle of friends.  One particular friend included us in their family time on Sunday.  I was feeling very lonely- missing our children and wishing for a lazy Sunday afternoon spent with them.
    Fall is in the air even here in perpetual summer land!  The days are sunny and in the 75-85 range and the nights dip into the 50-55 range.  We literally only spent $100 on AC all summer.  Now the house stays cool all day and we sleep with the windows open.
   We are looking forward to a visit from Dave's older sister and husband.  We haven't seen them since before we moved since they live in TN.  Will be fun catching up and showing them around.   Sounds like we may have a visit from some good friends/relatives from MI the first part of November! Yeah!  And mid January both guest rooms are booked: Brooke and Tristan come with Jeff and Tina ( Brooke's parents).  There are still many dates available for those of you who have promised to visit…..
    And we need to book our tickets for our WI trip next month- home for deer hunting and Turkey Day!
   We have lived in our house for 19 months so I decided it was time to redecorate the kitchen.  Just a minor redecorating no painting or such. Out with the old and in with the beach! The beach just kind of overflowed from the sitting area off the kitchen….. Poor Dave misses the clock that was on the wall but I replaced it with a fish and he likes fish so not sure what the problem is???  I have to admit I have looked at the fish several times looking for the time!

The deep blue sea

Our " cruise ship" waiting for us to board.

Our getaway to the "distant" city of San Diego!

The Hilton

    We realized that since moving to CA we just don't go anywhere for a weekend. All of our trips involve longer stays- kind of miss going to someone's house for the weekend. My wonderful husband suggested using some of his Hilton Honor points to spend a night away from home. I opted for the Hilton right on San Diego Bay.  It was a great choice- glorious views!

A super yacht which hails from London.

Perfect night for strolling along the waterfront

My date for supper in the Gaslamp District

Dessert at Ghirardelli of course!

View from our room. We overlooked Petco Park also and watched their fireworks.

Daytime view

And this view also….

A glorious day for a hike at Torrey Pines

In my happy place!

Minnesota State Fair

You are in Deere country

I bet even if I hadn't labeled this post as "Minnesota State Fair" you could have guessed just by the photos! Part of the fair is called "The Northwoods".  It was a sweltering hot day close to 100 with matching humidity.  We didn't go until late afternoon but it was still HOT!!!

Wondering how this is possible in such heat? Note that ice is in quotation marks.

Was not tempted to try all the forms of spam.

Cute couple with their fried vegies.

Quite a sight! There were less weird people than other fairs I have been to.

14 little piggies and one big momma

1 day old

P

Pretty sure these two will own a cow someday.

A fair classic- Sweet Martha's warm chocolate chip cookies with all you can drink milk.