California Poppies

The California Poppies are in full bloom and they are gorgeous. We were on our way to my niece's baby shower and I just had to stop and admire them with Mason and Danielle. The hills and surrounding area have patches of these everywhere right now. They even have a preserve that you can go to with a lot more than this. This is the California state flower and you can't pick them or dig them up. I did find out you can get seeds and plant your own if you want.

Mason & his Great Grandma Lenie

Mason and I took a trip out to see Dwight's mom today. She lost her husband of 67 years 3 months ago and is doing real well. She loves company so we went over to her home today and Mason had lunch at the counter like a big boy with his great grandma. What a special treat for both of them. I love the photos....Enjoy!

Mason's personality is sure coming out and he's just so stinking cute and funny! Have a great day!

Look at what I've Been Up To!!

Look!! Look!! Our garden is growing and we city folk are so tickled about it! The Hubby and I enjoy checking to see what's new each day and my son and his girl friend are excited too. Who would have thought a garden could be so entertaining? We can't wait to taste our strawberries, cantaloupe, watermelon, peas, beans, carrots, squash, lettuce, tomatoes, onions and corn.

I've been outside these last couple weekends with a project encouraged by all those handy bloggers who love spray paint. I took on my patio furniture(6 chairs, 1 large table, 1 small table and two foot stools) which was green and still in good shape. I wanted a new brown set. So after 13 cans of Rustoleum Universal Advanced Formula All-Weather paint in Brown Hammered. This was an ambitious first project since I've never spray painted much in my life but I DID it!! I experienced a very sore finger and thumb after the first weekend and finally got the hang of holding the can and spraying. I had to go over all the metal a few times to make it look good. I am a bit of a perfectionist. I love the end result and figured I saved half of what it would have cost me for a new one with all the same features. I did buy new cushions at Target.

This is the before:
This is the after:
I absolutely love it!! I am going to enjoy my summer in my backyard with my new patio furniture. What do you think?? If I can do this, anyone can!

Where has March gone???

That's what I asked myself recently and I see my last post was March 17th. I was doing so well posting every couple days...so here's what I've been up to:

The hubby and I planted our garden.

I spray painted our patio set and bought new cushions. I have the table and side table to finish yet.

Taking care of Mason two days a week now= FUN!!

This is grandpa playing with him...he loves this sand and water table just like Bella and Dylan did!

Enjoying Mason playing in the sprinklers the other day just like Bella used to do! I sure miss that little one.

Taking my daughter and Mason up Mt. Rubidoux for a walk was fun recently.

Taking family photos for my daughter. Mason didn't want to smile!!

Taking a new photo of my youngest and his girlfriend so we can replace their prom photo from 2 years ago. She is tired of seeing it in all of our homes. This looks like a cute one!

My youngest, Dustin turned 21 and we all went on a tour of a microbrewery. It was interesting.

His first legal beer with his brother-in-law Nate and his girlfriend(not 21 yet).

Dustin turned 21 and launched his own clothing company...he's wearing one of the shirts he designed.
I painted our computer/hobby room.

Went shoe shopping with my 86 year old mother-in-law and her friend.

Took a trip to Arizona and saw two Dodger Spring Training games.

Stopped in to see my mom(she just moved into Assisted Living) and sister while we were in Arizona.

My hubby, brother, and their mom spreading my FIL's ashes on the baseball field and football field of the high school they attended. The school was gracious to allow them this last wish.

Ate a wonderful meal at the best Mexican restaurant in Phoenix....we've been going there over 30 years. It was YUMMY!!!


This is the Machaca Chimichanga that I enjoyed! So worth going off Jenny Craig!!

Enjoying our meal!!

And the hubby and I met up with Kat and George at The Mission Inn for dinner. This was the second year we've gotten together for dinner when she and George come out in the spring. What a sweetheart she is...we talked, laughed and enjoyed every minute of our time together. Visit her at JustABeachKat to see her photos.

So that's what I've been up to and I have lots more photos that you would have seen if I hadn't been too busy to post more often. I hope to catch up with my blog reading today when Mason naps. Have a great day!

Dylan Turns Two!

My grandson Dylan is TWO today! He is a St. Patrick's Day baby. What a precious child he is with his big brown eyes and his cute little voice like his daddy had. Grandma and Grandpa love you Dylan and hope your birthday is a lot of fun today!

P.S. Happy Anniversary to my friends Kat & George from the blog Just a BeachKat!

We had a busy weekend!

The hubby was busy building and making our planting mix for our first box garden. I am so excited to see what we grow. We bought lots of seeds...all kinds of veggies and strawberries! We are using the book All New Square Foot Gardening by Mel Bartholomew as a guide. He breaks it down simply for us city folk!

While the hubby was working on the garden, I was busy painting our computer/hobby room. It looks so nice with a new coat of paint(I enjoy painting~ if you recall the hubby and I repainted all of the downstairs except this room and the laundry room and the upstairs bonus room and hall for 3-1/2 days about a year ago). Click here to see the kitchen and here for the family room, click here for the living room/dining room to take a peek.

We both feel so good accomplishing so much this weekend and now are on Alleve for the aching muscles that we don't use on a regular basis. Looking forward to a good week and dinner with a blog friend and her hubby tonight. Have a good week!

Flashback Friday~Your First Ride

Today I'm joining Linda at Mocha with Linda for meme Flashback Friday~How and when did you learn to drive? Do you have any particular memories associated with getting your driver's license? How old were you when you got your first car and what was it?

My dad was in the military and we were stationed at Edwards AFB near Lancaster, CA where they were developing the space shuttle. I used to see it flying piggy back all the time when I was driving on the base and into Lancaster. Little did I know then that it was the next rocket to space exploration. Ok...back to the subject: I learned to drive when I was 15-1/2 years old through a Driver's Ed class at my high school which was free and a part of our education. Mr. Boyette, the PE teacher was also the Driver's Ed teacher. I drove with two other students(I don't remember who) and was a horrible driver at first. I thought 35mph was too fast and clipped a few curbs when I made a right hand turn. I remember taking my driving test and passing. I was so relieved.

My parents only had one car~a big old blue station wagon so that's what I drove when they let me. My girlfriends and I even went cruising our downtown in that big blue car! I clipped a few curbs in that car too. After I graduated from high school and got my first job at Bank of America I bought a beautiful sparkly green VW bug. I loved that car!! I found a photo recently and scanned it for you. This is circa 1976.