Hiking Peter's Canyon

How blessed I feel to be plopped into a home surrounded by wildlife and hiking trails! We hiked part of Peter's Canyon this afternoon. And here are a few of our favorite scenes. I realized after we got home that Tiffani is not in one of them...next time! There will be MANY more times.

It was a little disconcerting to read the Mountain Lion and Rattlesnake warnings at the trailhead, but plenty of people and dogs were moving about on the trails throughout the canyon. We saw nothing, but beautiful blue sky and critters of a feathery & four-legged reptile variety.

Happy trails to you!

Corn Maze & Hot Fudge Cake

Tiff's Teen Scene group went to a Corn Maze on Friday night. I didn't take pictures ~ surprise! And Tiffani didn't either as she left her purse in the car. I'll post more as we receive them from friends.



After leaving the maze, we drove to Bob's Big Boy ~ haven't been one in over 20 years at least! Had to have my favorite ~ Hot Fudge Cake...brings back childhood memories and evidentally not just for me! LOL!

Here's a picture at Bob's of her former Girls Bible Study group.
(Karah, Hannah, Tiffani and Sierra)

Brunch at Pelican Hill

OK...I think today concludes my 10-day birthday celebration! LOL!

After church today, we had brunch at the Pelican Hill Grill. It was a gorgeous day and you can see the ocean in the distance of this picture.

Our sweet girl enjoying a laugh and French toast.

Gratitude is
the memory of the heart.

~Jean Baptiste Massieu

What a difference a year makes. Last year around this same time I was in the midst of an incredible health crisis. Today I am thankful to be here and alive and loving & being loved by my family and friends. I am truly blessed.

Sending love and hugs to all of you who share my life in the big ways and the small ways...

Courtesies of a small and trivial character
are the ones which strike deepest
in the grateful and appreciating heart.

~Henry Clay

Ferris Wheel

And my birthday celebration continues...

Today was Date Day, so Jeff and I were off to the Irvine Spectrum Center for dinner and a movie. We had an hour before the movie started and realized the Ferris Wheel had reopened. So up we went...did I mention that I'm afraid of heights??!

My Special Gift...DOVES!

We were blessed by a pair of Doves in the backyard today while we were pouring our tea! They are the first pair we've seen since moving here and they appeared TODAY.

If you've heard my Dove Night testimony, then you know this is a very special gift. How God-incidental that they'd show up on my birthday. :-) Tiffani and I just looked at each other smiled...God is good!


And I said, Oh that I had wings like a dove!
for then would I fly away, and be at rest.
~Psalm 55:6

Happy Birthday, Traci!

How fun! While I was chatting on a birthday phone call, Tiffani came into the Craft Room and motioned for me to follow her. I hung up and we walked over to the Den. I walked in and found this beautiful Tea Table. She'd baked the Chocolate Croissants from Trader Joe's and the teapot was ready for the new Moroccan Mint (mint, jasmine & green teas) that Lyndi gave me last week. She'd even written "Happy Birthday" in the powdered sugar.

What a perfect way to begin a birthday morning! Thank you, Sweetie! I love you!

Once again, Wiggles is not to be left out. LOL! He enjoyed playing behind the tablecloth...thinking we couldn't see him.




What greater gift than the love of a cat?
~ Charles Dickens

Special Delivery

Tiffani's new bed arrived today. She chose one that had 2 bookshelves and 2 small drawers in the headboard, as well as 8 drawers around the bottom of the bed. It's a beautiful piece of furniture!

No Eiffel Tower on the wall here, but she has her other Paris pretties displayed.

Birthday at Babe's

I told my hubby that I feel so blessed to have so many friends/sisters with such beautiful hearts. I felt so loved today as I shared time with Yvonne, Leslie, Phyllis, Dani, Bethany and Lyndi. When Lyndi asked where I'd like to go for lunch, the answer had to be Babe's. It's one of a kind and I haven't found anything like it out here yet.

Everyone of these beautiful women brought their daughters (Hannah, Lexi, Chloe, Hannah, Tiffani & Sierra...we're missing Karah in this picture!) to share time together at their own table.



A big THANK YOU for your kindness and thoughtful gifts. I am truly blessed!

Friendship is a treasured gift,

and every time I talk with you I feel as if I'm getting richer and richer.
~ Anonymous

Western Mystery Party

We had a beautifully FULL Day today! We started the morning at Melissa's home and enjoyed our time chatting and playing with Elizabeth & Joshua, then had lunch at Babe's (pictures above).

In the evening, while I enjoyed some precious time with our Dinner/Movie group: Bethany C., Yvonne, and Christine (we missed you, Marny!), Tiff's Teen Scene group had their 3rd Mystery Dinner Party tonight.

Previous themes: Pirate and 1920's Puttin' on the Ritz. This one was a late-1800's Western Theme. Tiffani played Annie Maluver (Animal Lover) ~ the town Veterinarian.



Several of the girls got ready at Sierra's home and have Karah to thank for their hair styles. In fact, Karah played a Beautician in the mystery.




Sierra was a traveling Shakespearean Actress and Lexi was the town Librarian.






The Guys

The Gals