Sun, sand, sunset & football

One week ago today was my cousin Tami's (actual) birthday. It was one of my favorite days ever. We woke up (after sleeping in) to the most amazing sun, it felt like summer. We had brunch at Good Stuff on the beach, one of my favorite breakfast/brunch places. The walk on the strand was breath taking. Some of the clearest skies I have ever seen in Hermosa Beach.

This is from 2nd Street, I think, looking over at Malibu, locals call it 'the Bu' :)

Surf man in front of the pier

Hermosa Beach Pier Boomer being such a good girl waiting for her momma, I tried to convince Tami that she wanted to come back to KS with me, but she didn't buy it...
Sitting at breakfast, do you see the hummingbird?

It is flying away

Manhattan Beach Pier - still can't believe how clear it is!

After breakfast and our walk we went shopping. Of course when you want to go shopping and WANT to find something you can't find a darn thing :( So we then went back down to Cantina Real at the Hermosa Pier and threw down a Cadillac pitcher of margaritas... Not sure if it was a margarita or a large shot of tequila... I am surprised we weren't hungover by dinner. They were so yummy and the conversation that Tami & I had was even better. I am so lucky to get to spend time with her. She is my big sister from another mother :)

This is the scene for the night festivities - Saint Rocke The sunset on our way down the street to Saint Rocke

Lynn, me & Tami. Lynn is my potential roommate :) I love me some Lynn!

Arlene, Tami, me & Lynn

October birthdays: Tami - Oct 26, Alec - Oct 18, me - Oct 20

Carl & Tami

Carl, Me & Brad (I think he looks like Marc from O.A.R...)

I LOVE THIS GIRL! Happy birthday Tami! Thanks for letting me enjoy in your day once again. Can't wait for many more to come. I love you!

I really love the TV show Glee. Here they were the other night singing at the World Series. Wow!

Candy corn cupcakes... kind of

I was really excited to try a new recipe for candy corn cupcakes but as much as I tried to get them to work, they just didn't turn out as I had expected. Even though they did not look like I expect they tasted YUMMY!
I served them up for Audra's birthday but we didn't get a blog worthy picture of her with them and she would not be very happy with me if I posted a less than perfect picture of her, not that I can blame her. So you will have to use your imagination blowing out her candle.

Birthdays, wine & a party bus

Last week ago at this time I was on my way North in California to go wine tasting. We tried to leave South Bay at 9, but I think we were a little behind schedule. Beware, lots of pictures ahead!

Shannon, Aunt Diana & birthday girl Tami
Shannon, Tami & me
The Elder girls! Inside the party bus THE PARTY BUS!! Complete with a stripper pole in the middle My breakfast Cocktail :)Shannon & Aunt DianaThe soundmaster CarlAt the first tasting room - Kerry, me, Tabitha & Debbie

We stopped for lunch at Patrick's Side Street CafeKarl & Laura - they are getting married in May Carl & TamiSam & Krista - Sam's head was getting toastyTami & me The lawn ornaments Going into Bridlewood Me and Krista on our trek around the groundsSo pretty! Look at those vinesTori, Tami & Mary inside Bridlewoodme, Tami & Tori.. This was our last stop, for good reason :)Krista & MeTami & her beautiful momma!

Loving the lavender

Roaming around the grounds

Sam & Krista are so cute!

So cute -- JimmyMac & Mary

Perfect photo opt!Most of the girls The girls + Carl - what a lucky guy :)Just gorgeous!Now for the ride back... Everyone wants a turn on the pole :) JimmyMac got it warmed upDaniel gave it a whirlThe birthday girl was really good!Maybe this is where I got all my unexplained bruises... But hey my arms look good :)No we are not naked... Just tired No night is complete without a stop at In-N-Out.

Flashback for a week

One week ago today I whisked off to beautiful & sunny southern California. My cousin Tami & my birthdays are 9 years and 359 days apart. This year was a big year for our birthday's b/c I was turning 30 and she was turning 40. I had a bit of a flight delay on the way there, thanks to some frost on the plane, but I made it with little trouble only about an hour later than expected. As soon as I arrived we went to Burke Williams for some R & R. Talk about luxury... Steam room, sauna, mist room, and the best 80 minute massage, 80 minutes of pure heaven!
Here is Tami & I right after our session, enjoying the warm Southern California sun in buttercup, her VW convertible. We are blissfully happy. We were on the way to PF Changs for a late lunch courtesy of our Aunt Peggy's birthday money :)
That day/night Tami had no idea that her big birthday surprise was on the way. I love surprises. I love to get them and I love to be in on them. Her sister Shannon came up from San Diego and told her that her gift was in the back of her SUV and she had to come get it... Little did she know that it was her mom who flew in all the way from Colorado Springs. I love her reaction!
What an awesome birthday surprise!Check back for more Southern California pictures and stories :) There are many but I can't tell all my secrets...