Thanksgiving

I arrived at Allison and Brian's on the Monday before Thanksgiving and Steve joined me Wednesday night.   Allison served a delicious birthday eve dinner -marinated grilled pork chops, roasted brussel sprouts and sweet potatoes with goat cheese and cilantro.  Brian's parents, Susan & Lloyd  and his sister, Joy Lynne, joined us for this dessert- YUM!  (Wish I had taken a picture of them, too!)

Thanksgiving morning Allison, Brian, & Steve made a delicious birthday breakfast- pumpkin pancakes, eggs, and sausage. 

We then loaded the car for our trip to Boone, NC.  

First stop was a walk around Bass Lake.

Then off to the Daniel Boone Inn for Thanksgiving dinner where the wait wasn't too long, but it was cold enough for me to wear my new mittens made by Wendy, Scott's mother-in-law.

The next morning we did a little Black Friday shopping at the outlets and our favorite shop, Bless Your Heart.  Then to one of our favorite restaurants, Melanie's, for lunch in downtown Boone.

Friday afternoon we arrived at Dorothy and Marshall's home.  That night we had dinner with our old small group, the Clements, Caroline and Dan, and Deborah and Stephen.  It was a highlight of our trip being together and having a time of prayer.

Thank you Clements for such a wonderful visit!  It was so good being with you and your family, seeing your beautiful home, and visiting by the crackling fire.

Steve flew back to California Sunday morning and later that afternoon Allison and I visited one of her favorite antique stores where we found a few items for Natalie and Dan's upcoming wedding reception.

Allison and Brian went back to work on Monday morning and I got to spend the day with Toby before flying back to California late that night.  

Thanks, Allison & Brian, for such a nice visit- loved being with you on my birthday and Thanksgiving!

San Diego

Walter's expression spoke for all of us, we were sad to leave La Jolla last week.

Before heading back to Marina del Rey, we decided to explore some of San Diego.  Our first trip there was with Allison & Natalie when they visited in June and we didn't have much success (other than a delicious dinner!).

Our first stop was to the USS Midway.  We parked by the Bob Hope Park where we could hear recordings of Bob Hope entertaining the military in his USO shows.

The USS Midway was in the background.

I tried to convince Steve to take a tour, but he insisted that he would need a whole day to visit.

We then walked over to the USS San Diego Memorial

We walked along the San Diego Bay Walk and found a restaurant that allowed Walter and it had a beautiful view of the bay.

Walter loved lying under our table and when he stuck his head out, he looked like he was wearing a cape.  The funniest part was that he just stayed there like that- maybe he was cold.

Then we went to Coronado Island via the Coronado Bridge

And found this national historical landmark, the Hotel del Coronado.  It was beautiful!  We didn't get to explore it, due to you know who, but we hope to return before we leave California.

Back over the bridge . . .

And it's time for Walter's 2 1/2 hour nap as we travel home!

La Jolla

Steve had a business trip to San Diego last week and Walter and I got to go with him.  We reserved a room in La Jolla after hearing how beautiful it was there.  We were not disappointed- even with the clouds it was stunning!

It was too early to check into our hotel when we arrived and with this view, who wanted to be in a hotel room anyway?  Sadly Steve went to work and Walter and I took off to explore the area.  

I loved watching this artist; he would paint a few strokes and step back and study it for quite a while.

In the picture above all of those black things on the beach are harbor seals!  Walter and I had so much fun watching them and listening to them.

Our hotel with a ocean view- what a treat!

Pictures from day two:

Day 3:

"53 Women" Mural

Outside an art studio- (Dr. Seuss had a home in La Jolla before he died in 1991).   

John McCain & Mitt Romney have homes here, too.  I kind of expected to see Mitt; this is where I'd go if I needed some cheering up.

Ok, the next set of pictures is all about Walter.  I just couldn't help myself.  He loved sitting in these huts that were along the walkway.  He'd sit up on the bench or stand on his hind legs to look out.  People would come along on the walk way to pet him.  He loved it.

We made it back to our hotel right before the rain started.  

Our last morning:

He loved walking on the concrete wall!  One lady asked if he was training for the balance beam in the next olympics.

Walter and his new friend, Dexter the Doodle, a fellow labradoodle who looks more like a typical labradoodle.  (Walter needs some grooming; he looked a little embarrassed.)

We had a wonderful time in La Jolla and we're actually there again this week.  I only have a few pictures that I'll post about soon.