Why didn't I think of that?

I walked out onto the vacation veranda to note these two ingenious girlies. Both were in full noodle float mode when I arrived on the scene.

Really, why didn't I think of that?
Wrap.
Float.
Sleep.

A very Big Rush

My youngest asked me in passing a few days ago, if we could get tickets to see Big Time Rush in concert.

I have to say, the fact that the TV show boy band was touring (or really sang on stages) was nowhere near my radar. But we were alone for the weekend and absolutely free on Friday night. So, (with visions of boy bands gone by dancing in my head) my fingers walked the internet and I found a pair of tickets.

There are many joys in momhood and one of the big ones is truly surprising your kiddos. I downloaded the tickets and put them in my laptop bag. And then I waited for the ceremonial asking of the question - again.

A day later, she came through. We were ending our day when she said with just a hint of a whine in her voice,  "Mom, is there any way we could look on Craig's List or anything for tickets, I'd really like to see the concert." I asked her when the concert was - she said Friday - I handed her the pages I'd printed out, saying, "Read this, I think it says something about Saturday." It took her a few minutes to connect to what the pages were and then the shocked smile and "REALLY? WE'RE GOING?" Oh, yes.

So we went. We had fabulous orchestra seats amongst 12,000 screaming girls, parents and the occasional kid brother. It was great fun. The boys work really hard and put on a great show. They're well choreographed, but casual and they have tons of personality. But enough about them, the real show was watching my girlie as she kept mentally pinching herself, video taping with her iPod, singing with the boys and saying "Thank you Mommie, this is the best!" We sang along, jumped and clapped to our delight.

A couple of times it really struck me - these moments are few and far between and mark her stepping into the hallway of the teen years. Gratefully, we took the step together. My ears are ringing but as you might imagine, if was quite the rush.

Now, it's off to download the new song and the wallpaper.

Apples in the country.

It started here in Colonial Chesterfield - Riley's Farm in Oak Glen, CA. It is one of the most beautiful places in the state.



While you may drive up in a four wheeled wonder, you move into the 1700s when you cross into the farm. We've enjoyed much fun here in the past, including a Revolutionary War re-enactment, but that is not this story.

On this day we started with lunch at the Hawk's Head pub including music of the Colonies whilst being served by costumed maidens with British accents.

Then we headed off for our mission: picking apples.

Shenanigans and hi jinx ensued.

And yet, we found the mother load.

And then some.

And apples, beautiful, crisp, fresh and yummy,  came home.
The pumpkins are Part 2.

The found delight.

I have been working. Back to work. Working. Working. Working.

And this morning my dear husband needed me to make the trek to my eldest's acting class 40 miles north. But he had a carrot. A wonderful little massage place called, "Foot Inspiration." He'd happened on to it several months ago. And on his Saturday jaunts to the Valley, when he isn't writing or brunching with a friend or client, he stops in.

The initial draw was the foot massage. 1/2 hour for $18. It includes hands and face and feet.

As I walked out the door he handed me $27 for the massage and $5 for a tip. I figured my feet were going to feel great but oh, there was so much more. A cozy chair, calming music and partitioned areas where the masseuse works. No disrobing required.

My friend started in on my head, my face, my shoulders, then off to my feet and over (in the Barcaloungerish which flattens out to a chaise) for my back. I was completely relaxed, joints manipulated and muscles all smushy.

What an unexpected treat. Just as my kiddo was winding down a morning of improv comedy exercises, I was winding down from winding down.

Don't tell my dear, but I might make that drive again. Foot Inspiration, who knew?

A fun little find - enjoy!

Here is one of the cutest things I've seen on this here webthinger. Click to smile (and wish you were in Paris with Kiki and Coco). A find from Design Mom.
And, c'est mon plaisir.

The Girl of 1000 Chopsticks

We had sushi at Awesome Sushi on Saturday.
May I say, it was AWESOME.
We even started with the an awesome roll called the Awesome Roll.
Ok with the awesome already. It was really good.
Now, this was a girls' day out. Five lovely ladies with well-manicured nails at a table in this awesome place (yes).
This particular lovely lady (occasionally referred to lovingly by her mother as, "the cat" for her stealthy movements about the house and perimeter) seemed to have trouble keeping a chopstick either in her hand or on the table. The scores of chopsticks hitting the ground began to sound like (awesome) music.
We all giggled and swiftly gave her the new (oh yes, and awesome) nickname:

The Girl of a Thousand Chopsticks.

We love her in all her pensive, delicate, sweet, catlike, chopstick-dropping, ways.
She's, well, awesome.

A little post script: if you ever find yourself in this area, you might not notice or think of trying Awesome Sushi. It's in a funny setting, next to a smog certification store and a tutoring center. I didn't go, it just seemed like the wrong position (juxtaposition actually). But my lovely friend Marjorie wasn't daunted by the out of place nature of the yummiest of sushi and recommended it. Don't miss it. It's imaginative and delicious and in my top three on this coast.