Goodbye Summer

Hello friends, lest you think I've vanished off the face of the earth I thought I'd share a couple of pictures from a recent trip hubby and I took. Two weeks ago we drove out to Lake Tahoe for five days; hubby spent most of his childhood summers there and our family always made it a vacation destination. In the past, there has always been a boat concourse and we've enjoyed going to it. Last year it was cancelled due to Covid, but it looked like it would be held this summer. We bought tickets and invited some close friends to join us at Tahoe and go to it. Unfortunately, the boat show was cancelled again. The other couple chose to pass and we decided to drive out anyway. I can tell you the drive was tiring! Along with the long days of driving, throw in the Dixie fire and dangerous air quality. We did get to walk around Hot August Nights car show and then spend three days there. South Shore Tahoe is not what it used to be and we both decided we don't need to go back. While we were there, we couldn't do any hikes we had planned and so drove to Fallen Leaf Lake~another hot spot for hubby's teen years. I couldn't pass up this shirt.

It took us two days to get home, only to find out the air quality was just as bad as there.  We decided to run up to one of our favorite Colorado get aways-Steamboat Springs. The air was clear and it was as delightful as ever to visit.  We only spent two nights there and hiked one morning.  

I sent these pics to my girls and was immediately informed that their dad who was styling a fanny pack for carrying water bottles, is really in style-as these are coming back again.  What???  

 WE had a lovely time and a couple of delicious dinners.  We're home now with our busy schedules keeping us running in different directions.  

I hope you are all well. 

Hugs,

Noreen

Memorial Day

Hello All,  Last weekend hubby and I flew to Northern California to attend a 70th birthday party for hubby's brother's birthday.  What's a gal to do, but call her brother and sister of her heart asking them to pick us up at the airport and then go to lunch before we headed to hubby's sister's house.  My brother and sister in law found The Waffle Experience that was in close proximity to where his sister lives and we enjoyed lunch there.  From left to right-hubby, sister of my heart, my brother(both who we hadn't seen for 1.5 yrs) and myself.  We had a such a great time catching up, but sadly it was over too soon.

Hubby's sister has several passions, one being gardening.  While she has quite a small home, she has about 1/3 acre in the back yard.  She has landscaped it beautifully and loves spending time weeding and redoing plants. She has at least 10 Japanese Maples, hubby is standing in front of one.  Their dad loved these trees and had a yard filled with them; hence each of the four siblings love them as well.  We had so many in Santa Rosa, but they aren't as hardy here.  We do have one Lacy Leaf Japanese Maple in the front yard and a miniature in the back yard.  We have to go to some lengths to help them survive our snowy winters.

We had a wonderful two days with hubby's family and surprised his brother who couldn't believe we flew out just to attend the party.  When we got home all my Iris plants were in bloom in the back yard.  I call this garden area the "Loretta" garden after my mom, who loved Iris plants and my dear friend Loretta who gave me all the bulbs that bloomed here.

 This weekend we will celebrate one granddaughter's birthday and then it will be relaxed.

Hope you have a great day!

Hugs,  Noreen

Gourmet Delight

The Broadmoor Hotel is incredible and needless to say we had never experienced anything this high end before.  The food was so delicious; the seafood croquette was so good.  Somehow the photo of hubby's dinner didn't turn out, but he loved the Rack of Lamb.  

For breakfast Friday morning we enjoyed another great meal-I had an Egg White Frittata  and hubby had a simple egg breakfast with all the trimmings.

One of the many delicacies was this Rose Water Raspberry Macaroon.  Let's just say I knew I'll be needing to cut back on calories when we returned home.

 We so enjoyed ourselves and it started our Memorial Day weekend off on a good note.

Joy to you. Noreen

Celebrations

Hello and Happy June to you! Last Thursday, hubby and I went on an adventure to Colorado Springs to celebrate both of our birthdays and our upcoming 44th anniversary.   We started by driving around Garden of the Gods, remembering a family trip taken years ago.  It was a beautiful day, but cold and windy.

Our destination was a hotel that we've heard about for years and wanted to experience-The Broadmoor. It did not disappoint.  This is a very expensive high end hotel that was worth every penny, even if just for a night.  

The next picture is of a beautiful room that used to be an ice rink and many famous skaters, including Peggy Fleming, Dorothy Hamill and Scott Hamilton perfumed there. Everything about this hotel exudes elegance.

 I will share some of our food entrees tomorrow.  Initially we thought we'd wait until our 50th wedding anniversary to go back, but we are both talking about possibly next year to celebrate turning 70.  

Hugs, Noreen

Spring Is Here

Hello friends,  Just about the time I think I'm back on schedule with blogging, life shows me I'm not. Now that spring is here, camping has begun again.  Two weeks ago we went to our favorite local lake and camped for a night, making sure everything was running well with our trailer.  Then this week we headed up to the Rockies for two nights with our dear friends. This is the view we had, it was so beautiful.  It's been almost 11 years since we camped here. It is dry camping, which is a change for us- but fun all the same.  

It was a bit cold and the ground was wet from heavy rains on Monday, so Hunter wore his jacket the entire time.

Another great view; this area reminded us of the Sierra's.

Of course, Wednesday afternoon a thunder/hail storm rolled through for about 30 minutes. It looked like it had snowed.

Our friends had two dogs with them and Hunter enjoys them both, but loves Milo(on the right).

Our campsite had a spring running through it so we hung out in our friends campsite.  

I can't believe how fast May has flown by; this coming week is crazy for us with lots of commitments.

Take care and enjoy every day.

Noreen

He Is Risen

 For those of us who are Christians, today is a special celebration.  Death did not conquer the Son Of God, He conquered sin and death.  May you day be filled with Thankfullness of all He has done for you.

We will be celebrating with 19 family members at our home, enjoying warm sunshine and the blessings of family.

Joy to you.

Noreen

Good Friday

Many around the world hold today to be a Holy Day, in which our Lord and Savior gave His all for us. 

Remember the sacrifice that was made that you might live, eternally and abundantly.

Blessings,

Noreen