Merry Christmas 2018

So much food!
I guess I was in the moment and forgot to take photos of our events.  We had a lovely Christmas Eve dinner at Mark's house and Christmas day with Vince's family.  I didn't take one damn picture!  So it's pix of food :)  But I forgot to take photos of everything I made (pumpkin crumb cake muffins, two apple cakes, fudge brownies with peppermint frosting, Mexican balls, p-nut butter cookies)...Damn, I'm slipping with the whole photo thing....

My second cake - made in a different pan and it came out more of a tart then a cake.  Both were good.

I'm dangling this paper string (we're not allowed real string because of the cats).

   And here's a picture of me trying to get the string out of Zuri's mouth.  She ate it.

Zuri digesting her string...

A visit to Santa Barbara

Christmas officially started on December 17th for us.  Spent the day with Mom in Santa Barbara.

After we dropped Mom off we went to Lorie's house for an overnight stay and the spoiling of a lifetime.  Lorie pulled out all the stops and made an amazing swordfish, fancy rice dish and roasted cauliflower with romesco sauce.  Good food, beautiful surroundings and the most wonderful friends make life even sweeter.

On our way home we stopped in Ojai to visit another dear friend, Sina, at her sweet home.  Sina is an amazing artist - check out this glass counter she made by hand.  Cut the tiles herself and all.  Damn girl...(oops, I was so busy looking at all of her amazing art that I forgot to take a photo of us.)

Three Stooges Fest 2018

And it wouldn't be Thanksgiving without going to the Three Stooges Festival with the gang.  We go every year and it's always a highlight to our holiday.  Thanks for the laughs.

Descanso Gardens 2018

We dropped Mom off at the train station and decided to walk off some turkey at Descanso Gardens.  It was a perfect day to take a stroll.

Photo Shoot with the Hernandez Family

What a fun tradition - a Christmas Photo Shoot with the Hernandez family.  We take goofy pictures and then go out to dinner afterwards.  Always a good time with our dear friends.

Aaron was out of town so he phoned it in...

Thanksgiving 2018

Had a lovely Thanksgiving breakfast at Uncle Bob's house...

We had brunch then went to the movies and saw "A Star Is Born" (loved!) and then home for dinner.  We were so full from breakfast that we ate a small plate at 7:00.  The next day we went full bore and had a huge meal.  

After seeing "A Star Is Born" we walked around the Americana.  It's in full Christmas glory.  

Posing with my superstar, Zuri.