Ramblings....

April is here!

The month of Mom and Pat's birthday, Easter, Solvang which you can read about HERE, San Clemente and lots of lovely memories!

I want to also try to remember to include really lovely interactions that stick out. I think we forget sometimes how lovely sweet human interactions can be - and I want to try to capture them somewhere since my poor brain can't remember bupkis anymore:

On Pat's birthday, which was a beautiful Sunday weather-wise, we got to the Circle early to walk around a bit with Rascal before we met up with Jeanne/Susie for brunch. As we're walking along, a very dapper older gentleman was walking towards us - orange bowler hat - matching orange tie - maybe he was a performer or something? As we approach he points to Rascal and says "You know there's a show called "Little Rascals" - I respond with "His name is Rascal". The made smiles so sweetly and says "Noooooooooo!" Super gruff and super cute. This all happened as we passed each other on the sidewalk not even stopping - just that lovely exchange. I giggled the whole way to the restaurant. Just made my damn day!

Another lovely moment:

An older couple lives across the way from us, and we sometimes hear him playing guitar. He's so good! It's always very faint, coming from inside. One time I saw the woman outside and said "I really enjoy listening to the guitar - is that you or your husband" "It's my husband, he plays for me every night before bed". I died. I haven't heard it as much lately - maybe because I go to bed before they do most nights. One Sunday afternoon, I was lightly napping upstairs and I heard him playing. Much more clearly than I usually do. I peeked out the window and there he was! On the porch quietly playing his guitar! I rushed downstairs and quietly opened my front door, then just curled up in the living room chair and listened to him. His wife soon joined him on the porch with what I think were wine glasses, then they just sat out there and I think were reading. I made up a chore to take out some trash so I could walk by and say "Hi! I loved listening to you play!!" They were very sweet and I was just so excited that after 3 friggin years of living at that condo - finally saw some other people hanging out on their porch! And got to hear him play a bit. I sure hope this happens much more often.

Yes, I'm a bit of a stalker

Bowling Shenanigans:

One night was Beth's Birthday!

So stoked Dad came one night!

Corey and his team basically totally kicked our ass

Dad may become a regular!

Hikes:

Right before he jumped in

The McDonald's are becoming regular hiking partners with us

Not a hike, but the sky was really pretty

The rain thwarted our hike one morning so we took a lovely stroll through Irvine Park.

Food:

Pork Chops, Zucchini Salad, Rice Pilaf

Salmon with a yogurt sauce and Bok Choy

Chicken Picatta

Pat is getting really good at cooking whole chickens

Steak with a fancy sauce I can't remember, mashed potatoes and asparagus

The cutest Saki container EVER!

Chicken Pot Pie and a Fennel Apple Salad

Not often Pat gets me to eat mushrooms....

I love when I come downstairs and see Pat's prep

A really light tomato sauce with Shrimp

Pat wasn't happy with Eggs Bennie he made the weekend before, so we had breakfast for dinner one night and he nailed it!

Pork Chops with a lovely apple/onion sauce and that carrot salad was such an interesting mix of flavors! Dill, cranberries and yogurt! Yum!

Salmon with Nicoise Salad

This was a salad with green beans and a bunch of stuff with a poached egg on top. So unique but yummy!

Steak and Cauliflower

Pat veered away from his "schooling" and made one of my faves - the pickle brined fried chicken sandwich. So damn good!

This was a hearty soup! It was delicious but my gut didn't seem to like the beans...

The fur babies:

Gramma got Rascal an Easter Presie

Was walking by Maria's office one morning and text her this pic

He's so weird

Happy Mama is home from Solvang

Spoiled

Mom wasn't able to do her big Easter Party this year, so we just hit up Lazy Dog for brunch!

The drinkers decided to grab one more after brunch!

Then the very next night was mom's birthday so we took her out to 1886!

Love my dudes

Pat's Birthday was April 19th. I tried to surprise him with a dinner, but too many questions from him and I had to tell him. Sigh. We had a really nice time though. Had dinner at Les Amis then a glass of wine at Twisted Vine afterwards. So glad I could get all his friends together to celebrate him. On his actual birthday we had a lovely brunch with Jeanne and Susie!

Pat's People

Brunch at Culinary Dropout

Terri and I got out one night and saw the Moth Stories. I was really inspired. We saw 5 folks tell a story. There was also a lovely host who added his little bits here and there and talked about how storytelling is such a great art. A little gal played the violin before each act as well. It was really a lovely evening!

Had brunch with two of my favorites!

Another highlight this month was I spent a couple days and one night in San Clemente with Mom. We went shopping and enjoyed the beach!

Mom sneaking out with more freebies

She has some points so we got to hang in the VIP area at the Outlets

We fancy

1st geocache!

Our view from Chart House

Yummy!

Might as well keep celebrating her birthday!

Geocache #2

Love sunsets

One of my favorite things is how people gather to watch the sunset. All of sudden all these people start to come together, and those walking by always stop. It's one of the few things I think us humans do that connects us and I love it so much. Who doesn't love a sunset!