...weekend visitors

A co-worker/friend asked if I'd dog-sit for the weekend. Nothing was on the calendar, so sure, I'd be happy to help. Meet Mufasa. The coolest little dog I've ever hung out with. I'd like to clone him!

Nate called and asked, "Mama, are you going to be home this weekend?" Yep, I sure am. So he and Andrea came for a visit.

It was a delightful weekend of sunshine, laughter, music, hanging out on the patio, sharing a meal with the neighbors, and a friendly little dog for company. Throw in a bike ride this morning while my house guests slept in, and a good book on the couch after they'd gone--an almost perfect weekend. Life is good!

...Christmas

Just a few days ago my house was busy, noisy, crowded, and filled with merry-making.
Nate brought his girlfriend Genavieve and his roommate Anthony home for Christmas this year.

On Christmas eve we packed five adults, one medium sized dog, presents, and goodies into a smallish car and headed over the mountain to my folks' house.

Once there, we played games, laughed a lot,

ate non-stop,

sang songs,

(Good King Wenceslas is "our" song. We know all the verses and have been singing it together for many years.)

and exchanged gifts.

On Christmas day my brother Tim and his family joined us,

and my brother Dave came for dessert.

(We shore do loves us some pie!)

Taylor (one of my birthday twins) and his newlaptop from Santa.

Anthony had mom in stitches. "Sounds beautiful!"

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A fun Christmas.

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This morning my house is quiet, very quiet, and I am enjoying the solitude. Happy New Year, everyone!

...Tumbleweed

The 13th annual Tumbleweed Folk Music Festival has come and gone once again. My sister Arlene and I have not missed a year yet. How much of the festival we've seen has changed from year to year--when we moved Katie to college we only made it back in time for the evening concert. Other years we have gotten a motel room and were there for both days from beginning to end. This year we spent all day Saturday and part of Sunday, and thanks to a helpful neighbor didn't need to rush back to potty the ol' dog. (The Saturday night concert was rained out so we ended up going home early after all.)
Good music and dancing, yummy food from our favorite booths, sweet smelling soap from a couple of vendors, hanging out with my sister--another fun Labor Day weekend of being hippies in the park. :-) Summer is officially over...

...quinoa

My sister Arlene has turned me on to a little-known food (at least in podunk-ville). It's called quinoa. I had her pick some up for me in the bulk foods at Winco, but it's probably available at the local health food store as well. I looked online for some recipes but they were all too involved so I did my own thing. Here's the end result that I've been enjoying the last couple of days--quinoa, black beans, tomatoes, onion, cilantro, and garlic. I put a little lime juice and Tapatio chile on it for zing. Yum.