Week 34

Hello again and happy Tuesday!  Seems like it's been awhile since I actually had a Tuesday post but made it today.  Unfortunately we're still dealing with fires and south shore Tahoe is at risk right now with high winds blowing the fire their way through Wednesday.  Please let it stop 😢  It's so hard to stay positive for so many reasons but we're trying our best.

At least last week was fun and here the pictures to prove it: 

Day 235- Monday, 8/23/21

Today we explored the streets of Santa Barbara with a food and drink tour which was a fun way to learn about a new city.  Our guide was wonderful at taking pictures of us too especially since there were only two couples today.  It's such a beautiful city that takes pride in its Spanish architecture.  After our amazing city tour we took to the seas and enjoyed a gorgeous but cold sunset cruise.  Not a bad way to spend a Monday!

Day 236- Tuesday, 8/24/21

This morning we headed for the hills to the wine country in Santa Ynez valley.  Our plan was for a tasting and picnic lunch but sadly aggressive yellow jackets liked our sandwiches a bit too much so we had to have our lunch later indoors.  Thankfully we had time for that and a short nap before heading out on an electric bike tour along the beach and into the streets of Montecito.  That was so much fun.  The bikes are great and being able to bike on the beach along the coast was an amazing way to spend the afternoon.  We ended the stopping by the Fish House near our hotel for some yummy drinks, good food, and a fabulous dessert afterwards.

Day 237- Wednesday, 8/25/21

It's time to head home so we hit up the Funk District for some specialty coffee on our way out and then made our way to the Danish village of Solvang for breakfast.  It was the perfect road-trip detour  to end our trip with and such a cute town to explore.

Day 238- Thursday, 8/26/21

We're home now, went back to work today, and then spent the afternoon with the pets who are happy to have us back.

Day 239- Friday, 8/27/21

 Still with the orange glow.  It's even in our shadows.  TGIF--nice to have a short 2-day work week and now the weekend to regroup.  Our Friday night movie we streamed on HBOmax was Reminiscence with Hugh Jackman.  It was different than what I was expecting but still good.  Love that you can instantly stream some of these new-to-theater movies on their release date.

Day 240- Saturday, 8/28/21

We're supposed to be staying inside because of the smoke and poor air quality, but I just noticed one of my rose bushes has started to bloom again after more than 2 months of nothing and see that it's flowers are a great contrast to those blue flowers behind them that have held strong through it all.  I just had to go out and smell the roses and also see the clear blue of the pool even for just a minute.

Day 241- Sunday, 8/29/21

We for sure stayed inside today too.  I was working at the desk taking care of bills and school related things for Brandon's senior year like booking pictures, ordering a yearbook, and submitting athletic clearance forms--senior year is no joke.  Later I actually found this ice-cream we tried from Santa Barbara in our local Nugget store.  Our tour guide said it would be a long-shot but to try looking for it back home.  Score!  That's what's for dessert tonight and just as good as we remembered from our trip.

Ok all done!  See you next week as we start September.  I'm ready to bring on fall.

Week 33

Hello and welcome back!  Happy Sunday. 😊 I'm quite a bit late since we were traveling this week so now I'm using a weekend stuck at home to catch up.  The air quality here is super bad with the fires so we are highly encouraged to stay inside.  At least that slows things down a bit for me to get computer and accounting stuff done.

At any rate, here are last week's pictures which are almost a week late but so worth the delay for us to be able to get out of poor air conditions earlier this week:

Day 228- Monday, 8/16/21

Today was move-in day for Justin at HSU.  He's so happy not only to be back but to be back with all his friends.  He gets to room with his best friend this year which was supposed to happen last year but never did because of COVID.  The campus is way more alive this year with plenty of safety protocols in place so here's to hoping for a slightly more normal year.  After we got him all settled in his new room we went out to lunch at one of our favorite spots before I said my goodbyes and started the 6 hr trek back home.

Day 229- Tuesday, 8/17/21

. . . And this is what I came home too.  Not only is the enormous Dixie fire still burning out of control north of us but now the Caldor fire has exploded overnight and is even closer to us threatening more people we know (fire photo credits: SFGate and Mercury News).  Our skies are super smokey and lit up that sickening red-orange color still.  Can I go back to Humboldt where there are clear skies and fresh air? Pray for this state--we are in crisis.

Day 230- Wednesday, 8/18/21

Found this notebook at Target and love the velvet textured giraffes plus the inspiring message and the soft pink color.  I don't really need another notebook but couldn't resist.  Speaking for reaching for new heights after avoiding AP classes most of his high school career Brandon finally found one he's on board with.  Tonight was virtual back-to-school night so I got to meet his teachers and learn more about his classes for this first half of his senior year.

Day 231- Thursday, 8/19/21

 It's been one of those weeks where there has been no real time to cook dinner.  Thankfully we had a lot of leftovers to choose from but those are all gone now so since I actually had time to throw something in the oven tonight I cooked--beef braised short ribs over rice was on the table for a win.  It's the little things people!

Day 232- Friday, 8/20/21

Yep!  The fires are still very much a blaze with practically no containment and the skies are still orange casting a rose-colored tint on everything as you can see while Bella and I take a short walk because we can't be out in the bad air for too long. Ugh but TGIF! And just for kicks, John made us a drink to match the sky.

Day 233- Saturday, 8/21/21

Since we are leaving town tomorrow we had family dinner tonight featuring a nice tri-tip roast with all the fixings.  As I went to call the kids to the table this is where I spotted Tyler and Lupe.  Aren't they cute together?  Obviously Bella is more interested in eating than they are.  LOL!  Tyler will be staying here for a few days to help Brandon take care of the house and pets while John and I are away.  It's so nice to have him living so close for now.

Day 234- Sunday, 8/22/21

We were on the road most of the day heading south, and made it to Santa Barbara just in time to enjoy a sunset dinner on the beach for your anniversary. Cheers to 29 years! What a great place to celebrate and can't wait to explore more over the next few days.  I'm happy to report the skies are clear here and the air nice and fresh.  Later tonight I saw this post from Justin which makes my heart sing. Classes start tomorrow so they had a bon fire on the beach tonight. The guy in the green shirt is his roommate and a super nice kid I had the pleasure of meeting Monday. It's so great to see Justin in his element having a good time, and I hope things can continue like this for them all.

That's it!  See you in a few days to post this week's pictures with more Santa Barbara fun.

Week 32

Welcome back and happy Thursday!  I missed posting Tuesday since I was traveling to move Justin back to school so I'm able post today instead.  We're holding on here trying to stay out of the poor air and praying that these fires get under control soon.  My escape to the north coast was refreshing and this coming week I get to escape to the south coast.  These little trips away from the valley help but do make it harder to return home where things are bleak.  We all just need to stay positive and hold strong until this passes.

Here are last week's pictures:

Day 221- Monday, 8/9/21

Love this girl.  She's great about staying by one's side and is always up for attention.  Her ears are the softest, her energy is contagious, and she brightens the mood in any room she enters. 

Day 222- Tuesday, 8/10/21

After meetings today I took my car in for a tire rotation plus tire and brake check since we have 2 long-distance road trips coming up.  Thankfully all looks great so we are good to go.  The boys also had their annual sushi lunch before one head back to school.  They'll need to find a different type of lunch when Brandon starts college since he's not a fan of sushi.  John also needs to get his camera phone fixed. It's not holding focus and making for blurry pictures.  Regardless, I still love this one.

Day 223- Wednesday, 8/11/21

Yet another smoky red sunrise.  It's pretty but at a huge cost.  Today is also the first day of school and it is in-person this year.  Brandon is starting his senior year and will be taking English, AP computer science, psychology, economics/government and digital music production.

Day 224- Thursday, 8/12/21

Justin is very slowly eating his Cheez-its snack and Bella is very intently watching.  Later for dinner I busted out a couple fresh avocados to go with our Mexican meal.  Yum!  Fun fact- my dad grew up on an avocado farm. 

Day 225- Friday, 8/13/21

TGIF!  It's a bit cooler and clearer today and I'm feeling those summer vibes especially since I'm done with work for the week and get to travel in a couple days.  In our pet world he eats and she eat in their 2 different spots so she doesn't steal what he eats.  Haha!  Dinner is one of their favorite times of day.

Day 226- Saturday, 8/14/21

Speaking of dinner, we had family dinner tonight since this is Justin's last night with us until the holidays.  He requested homemade pizza right out of the wood-pellet oven so we had pizza and then watched the 49er pre-season game.

Day 227- Sunday, 8/15/21

Awww! The fresh air and cool temps!  It's so nice to be able to head to the north coast to play in the redwoods and play on the beach--totally worth the 6 hr drive.  We move Justin into his dorm first thing tomorrow morning before I turn around and head right back home.  This small tree-canopy walk is new at the Sequoia Park Zoo in Eureka and the beach we visited this time is Moonstone Beach just outside of Arcata.

Wait! One more: 

August's Family Photo

Taken the night before Justin moved back to school so this will be our last complete family photo for awhile.

Ok!  All done!  I'll be late again next week since we'll be having some fun in Santa Barbara the first part of the week.