Fire escape...

 After days of fires and smoke and sadness...we went over to Richie and Nicole's house and played a game, had some great food and laughed.  The laughing felt strange but cathartic.  We needed that.

On Sunday we watched "Wicked" with Mark and Larry and then had dinner at Mess Hall.  Later we watched, "Bookie," which was an extra funny episode and once again, it felt so good to laugh.

  

I wish I could say...

 ...the parties over.... but I was actually cleaning out my freezer after us not having power for 24 hours during the Eaton Canyon/Hollywood Hills/Palisades fires.  Lot's of melted ice cream.

Birthday again?

 Yup, and to celebrate you will eat a lot of food!  At least I ate a salad first.  

Vince truly understands how to spoil his wife.  You don't even see the Sweet Lady Jane cupcake that I devoured or the John Kelly chocolate that we ate.

Happy New Year

 My favorite kind of day - sunny vibes to uplift my spirit.  Good food, company and nature.  Yes!

We need rain!  It's super dry.  Come on rain!!!

Random holiday photos

It's December 31st, the last day of the year.  Vince and I both felt that if we didn't watch the news, or know what's going on in the world, that we'd both feel like it was a really good year.  So that's good news - don't watch the news!  (it's slanted and half-truths anyway.)

I'm happy that we're happy.  That my partner in life is on the same page as me.  We love life and are having a good time.  Happy New Year!  Health and happiness to you all.

I can't even describe how beautiful Priscilla's tree is adorned with ornaments made by Lisa Carrier.  Classy, beautiful, fancy, flashy are a fewwords that come to mind.

Breakfast with Jocie, Azzy (who just turned 1 last month) and Zach at Bub and Grandma's restaurant.

For dinner we had these delicious chicken pot pies that Vince's brother Mario gave us at Christmas.  They were delicious served with an arugala salad.

A Few Of My Favorite Things...

While looking at these photos, picture Mary Poppins in the background singing, "These are a few of my favorite things...."

Christmas 2024

 It was an extra fun Christmas with the addition of our little ones - Smokie and the just turned five months old, Izzy.

The best present ever - Izzy!

Izzy in lights!  Cousin John sent us a Light Bright

And he sent Vince a Rock 'em Sock 'em Robots toy

Christmas Day at Marla and Greg's house.  So much food!  How are we even standing?

Liessa Schumann and Family.

 We celebrated Liessa's birthday at Ronan Restaurant - delicious food and a fun crowd.  I hadn't seen Liessa's kids in over five years, they're all grown up!  What a beautiful family full of love and friendship.

Cookie time

 I love baking...especially for the holidays so I can share with others.

First batch:  Pistachio balls, Molasses cookies

Second batch:  Mint fudge brownies

Up next:  cherry blueberry crumble

Peanut butter cookies and Mexican Wedding Cakes

Christmas with Mom, Uncle Bob and Lorie and Gug in Santa Barbara

 So nice to spend the day in Santa Barbara with Mom, Uncle Bob, Lorie and Gug.  It's a long day of driving (thanks Vinney!) but we had such a nice day that we feel blessed with the memory of spending time with loved ones.

The Sun Was Shining.

Fresh clean air..

I swear my mom isn't missing a tooth.  Just a shadow :)

Glasses off!

Gug chillin with precious Aja.