Pictures is the answer

A month has gone by, and I have not made any entries here, so I'm posting some pictures so you can see some what we've been up to.

October, of course, deserves an Octoberfest.

Michal & Adam are at work feeding us Bratwurst.

Coming to the serious part, the next weekend, the
experts (Natalie & Geoff) are cutting
pumpkins for Halloween.

Kellie is getting her pumpkin ready to insert the knife.

In the meantime, Patricia has a growing man to feed.

Another weekend trip was to Seattle, Patricia's old stomping
grounds during college at Univ of Washington.

The Chihuly glass exhibit at the Civic Center is a permenant home
of this famous Washington native son.

And as always, Patricia is creating great memories.

Back at home Michal, Adam and Kellie invited me for an
evening of wild entertainment, go-carts, pinball machines and minigolf.

Then, we are off again, this time to San Miguel de Allende
to visit our friends,Whitney and Don

Don waiting for Patricia who is discovering the town through
her lense.

Back home again hanging out having coffee at
the CUP, a little coffee shop in Oceanside.

Back home

We have made it, more soon.

Ok Ok here it is

Natalie has been pestering me to update the progress of Aariel's front yard; so here are pictures of our substantial effort.

First, I had to make sure that all the piping is ok. Even though

I am not using the old system as it is, all has to be watertight.

Then we had to get rid of the old grass, 

but first we had to bash off the soil and take off the plastic mesh backing.  Did you know that sod is grown  in/on/with a fine green plastic netting  - which has to be removed before disposing of said sod at some recycling stations?  A major pain.

Mind you, Aariel does not stop just because baby needs to sleep.

The plot needs to be nicely leveled,

and the plants need to be placed by our top designer.

We do need a break on occasion; it's hot in this Southern California sun.

 For some, mulching is the fun part.

 In the end, all got done, and now Patricia can do more of her
magic with all the little things in between. 

Who else wants their front or backyard designed by Patricia?

San Diego Fair Photo Entries

Once again Patricia has hit the jackpot.  She entered 5 photographs for the Exhibition in the San Diego Fair and 3 were accepted.  Yay!!  Winners will be announced on June 7, and she may or may not be one of them.  In any case, a ton of people will see her pictures and admire her work - and our grandson, one of the accepted entries.

Our Grandson, Gavin titled "Wide-eyed Wonder"

Black Faced Monarch photographed in Australia in 2011.

Sydney Opera House from the Inside looking out.

These are the two that weren't accepted.  Go figure!

Eastern Spinebill from Australia.

Cattai Wetlands "Lilies Forever" Australia

Party time

It's that time again.  We have been staying with Whitney and Don for the last few month and having a great time. This is the first time that I've lived in San Diego proper rather than in a beach town somewhere further north.
No matter where we are this time of the year, there is some decorating to be done.

Don & Whitney just finished decorating their Plumeria tree

I basically started last night at GENI where we had an Open House Holiday Party.  We had quit a number of people visiting and sampling good food and drinks and celebrating the season with us.

Christian, Kimberly & Robin

Party in full swing

This was Wednesday. On Friday night, we will keep partying on in the neighborhood, until the new year.

Art in the City

We found this mosaic in someone's front-yard.