Dazzling Tahoe Nights

Song - Graceland & You Can Call Me Al by Paul Simon

Mr. B and I returned from Britain 10 days ago to California and a major heatwave!  It has been in the 90's & 100's since we have been home.  This is normal weather for late summer but not in June!

On Saturday we headed up to Lake Tahoe....

Sunset on Saturday night was amazing.  That's Mt. Tallac in the background with the cross of snow.

 We had dinner across the street from this beach on the lake at 8:45pm so we got to enjoy a yummy Mediterranean meal and watch a glorious sunset from Jimmy's patio. 

 There was live music nearby at Basecamp

But the true reason we were in Tahoe was that three of my cousins 

had invited us to a concert on Sunday night.

It was a perfect evening and we could walk there from our hotel.

Yes....it was the legendary Paul Simon and once again that man can sing & play.  

And he has an amazing back up band.

And as I was cheering him on, he looked me straight in the eyes because
I think he remembered our magical night together.  (Click HERE for details!)

Two and a half hours of music under the stars - singing, dancing & whistling!

Monday we spent the day relaxing on Baldwin Beach at the base of Mt. Tallac

 enjoying how much water is in the lake this year!!!  

There is so much water still coming off of the snow pack that there will not be much beach in the next few months.  Even the swamp near the beach was full and I haven't seen that since my boys were young and would catch frogs and snakes there.

Everyone seemed to be enjoying the mountain air and crisp water!

"Still crazy after all these years." - Paul Simon

Hot Summer Nights

 Heatwave by Martha & The Vandella's

My dad at the Boardwalk beach a few years ago!

Just returned from 3 days in Santa Cruz with Mr. B, Andy & Ashley and Max. 

Mika got to stay with Grandma & Grandpa and get spoiled for a few days. 

It has been so hot here in California that the hills are brittle and brown while the trees are begin to show signs of distress. Everyone and everything is "crisping up" - is that a word?

However, Santa Cruz was beautiful up in the Redwood forest.

Our first night there we dined out on the Wharf.  For the life of me I could not get a good photo of the Boardwalk with all of rides whizzing by in full color.  (I think I had better read my camera manual!)

Is it plumb Mr. B.?

The guys worked on the cabin deck.  This has been a real team effort as everyone goes down to work as they find the time. Notice how Mr. B supervises while Andy is "in the trenches"???

Ashley and I fed the guys and worked on individual projects inside as it was warm even there. However, late one afternoon she took me for a joyride in my parents golf cart.  I didn't know golf carts could go so fast!!!

Just kidding, she was an excellent driver and we enjoyed taking a tour of the park with Max sitting between us.

Max supervised the guys work from inside the cabin and he made sure that Ashley & I were safe from big dogs that would walk by.


On Saturday evening we played a wild game of shuffleboard.  We were not too sure of the correct rules but Andy & I are sure that we skunked Mr. B & Ashley!!!

Huveros Rancheros casserole with a poached egg on top

This morning the guys did some work and then the four of us went to Gayle's Bakery in Capitola for Brunch.  Yum-oooh.


If you have never been there, it's a great spot for some wonderful food, casual dining or getting something to go and heading to the beach for a picnic! 

Always a hit with my boys - Fresh Fruit Tartlettes

Cute "broken plate" tables at Gayles

One question for my brother Tim.....what's up with this addition? You used 45 screws for a temporary little step?  Mmmmm......I had better check the receipt book for the cost of that item!

Mr. B checking out the decks progress....

Looks plumb to me!

 Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life.  It turns what we have into enough, and more.  It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.  ~Melody Beattie