Happy Father's Day

So thankful for my Dad and DadIL today and for a loving Dad for my guys. My Father in heaven has blessed me with good Dads in my family.

Hubby got *'dustwatialwayswanted' for Father's Day, XM Radio for a year, a tractor sprinkler and a call from Danny.

Hubby's parents came from George for the day and we had dinner at my folks. Very traditional menu, BBQ steaks, baked potatoes with all the trimmings, salad, corn, asparagus, bread and strawberry shortcake for dessert.
My guys-

All the guys- even future fathers...

Sam and Max with their Grandmas.

*translation= "just what I always wanted!" When he was three years old, Sam always said this as one word when he got gifts. We still say it.

He Ate the Whole Thing

Driving down Highway 111 we noticed the La Quinta Cliffhouse right away. A quaint looking restaurant tucked into the cliff. I checked online and they were owned by the same company as Duke's in Honolulu. It was mentioned online that they too served Hula Pie. So, my guys were in.
One afternoon Hubby and I stopped there for happy hour, we enjoyed a Prickly Pear Margarita and a fish taco. We decided to bring the guys for dinner the next evening.

Many of the Palm Springs restaurants were offering three courses for $30 while we were visiting. Cliff House offered 3 for $24 and wine pairings for $12. This was a super deal and gave us a chance to try out their menu. My sea bass just about made me cry, it was that good. Shelly knows the look I get when food is that good.

Sam had the calamari, a flat iron steak and chocolate mousse. Good choices.

We all enjoyed our 3'fer choices except Max. He's a growing boy. Our server couldn't believe her eyes as they only remember one other guest eating the Hula Pie in its entirety without help. The last guest was someone who came for the pie and had an appetizer to save room. Max had already eaten his 16oz. rib eye steak. I think the woman at the next table is appalled.
I know I was.

Karen, doesn't this pic just bring it all back?

Good trip, good times.

It's a Good Thing

Good things in Palm Springs...

Hubby loved the Caddy CTS and wants one for moi! It was nice, but I don't think we're buying a $60K car anytime soon, it was real nice though.

I read a wonderful book.
Insert mini book review here: American Wife by Curtis Sittenfeld is really not so much a story of a President's wife or of Laura Bush, as many have speculated, but a story of relationships. Sex scenes at the beginning (I generally prefer my imagination to descriptions) but they go away and the author explains that in the end.
The Washington Post says... "Sittenfield has an astonishing gift for creating characters that take up residence in readers' heads."
So true, I started it on the plane and finished it on the way home. Perfect. I didn't always agree with Alice Blackwell but I did appreciate her story.

Early on I found the perfect spot and came back to it over and over.

If you got hot, you got into the pool. We left the lazy river and went to the big pool where there were less kids. Perfect for Sam.

This splash pool was fun to watch and cooled the area nicely.

Blurry but happy. It is a good thing to have fun with the guys. Lots of conversation and laughs.

In California they sell frozen juice packs just for Mommys. Had to love that! Put the straw in and chill.

I laid at the pool next to a textin' fool so I always knew what was going on in Lynden. Maybe a bad thing, but he was still good company.

The desert is beautiful. Our resort was beautiful. We had a 3 bedroom condo so everyone had their space. A good thing.

TBC...

Palm Springs or Close

Okay, I guess we didn't actually go to Palm Springs, now that I think about it. We flew into Palm Springs and then left and went everywhere else. One city leads to another in Southern California.
The resort had beautiful landscaping, foliage, flowers and ponds.


We went to a shopping area, The Garden, where the gardens and the sculptures were gorgeous. The guys thought it was like U Village on steroids.


When I loaded my photos I had a good laugh. After shopping I mentioned to Hubby that Saks was their cornerstone store and we hadn't even seen it. Apparently, I was busy taking photos of the gardens and flowers and missed Saks.

While I shopped, the guys went to Tommy Bahama's for a smoothie. We had dinner there too.
TBC...

Maybecation to Cheapcation on VaCaTiOn

Our garage sale was sooo successful... Kidding, just kidding.

We are going to Palm Springs. For four nights with Sam and Max. We are staying in Indio. Several months ago we talked to Hubby's Mom about using their timeshare, and they were happy to share. The Oregon coast was full but there was a special in Indio. We made the decision to reserve a spot and watch for good airfares. If we couldn't fly round trip for under $100 per person- no go.
I watched and waited and one evening sure enough, $48 each way.

When we tentatively planning this "maybecation" we thought Danny would be here for the summer and wanted him along with us. He is in MI for the duration so no go.

Anyway, we are going.

Whoo woo, pack your bags guys. But pack little bags as I didn't pay extra for luggage. Carry on only.

Then I started to look for a rental car. I watched, I waited, I stalked the Budget, Thrifty and Dollar sites.

Whoo hoo, I got a premium car for $25 a day, cheaper than the compact cars. Weird. Why would anyone rent the compact when they can have the luxury car for less?

So, what are we doing in the desert in June? I am laying in the lazy river. That's it, that's all. Max wants to go to In-N-Out Burgers, I can do that. But pretty much that's all. I am laying by the pool.

Maybecation to Cheapcation, hey, it's a Vacation and I need one!

Later.

Early Bird Shopper

Only one early bird shopper, Miss Emilyn. I couldn't entice Caleb to leave the computer. Holly stopped by but we missed her visit. Probably on the patio, it's where we live in summer. Sorry Holly, no pressure washer for sale.







After much deliberation, Emilyn decided on the pineapple glasses. A fine choice.

See you at the sale!