Quick Catch Up

I mentioned a few blogs ago about wanting to learn how to make tulip sleeves.  That began my quest to search You Tube and Blogger for tutorials, only to come up empty.  

During a quick visit to my mom's, I asked her "Hey mom, by chance do you know how to make tulip sleeves?"  Not only did she know how, she made a mini pattern out of a paper napkin to explain the process.  I got the best tutorial ever.

Mammoth Way to End Summer Vacation

We had a last opportunity for a family vacation.  Mammoth Lakes, in Nor Cal.

We all went hiking and both boys were very excited to see this rock formation.  Alex, was eager to teach his old mom all about this being the most perfect example of a Basalt formation.  He went on to explain how they are formed.  Eli chimed in here and there.  I couldn't retain any of it, other than what I already stated. It doesn't look like a mammoth sized formation, so I added something to help put it to scale.

 Eli is at the very bottom of this Basalt formation, better known as the Devil's Postpile.  The hexagon stone chips are larger than my kid.  You wanna know what else I remembered?  My legs almost falling off climbing to the top of the rocks. There is a path, so no rock climbing necessary.

After the coming down from the rock formation we continued our hike.  We kept on the main trail until the roaring water called us closer and off the beaten path.  The powerful river shot a cool mist upward that was refreshing after the mammoth climb.

Our final destination was Rainbow Falls.

A semi-family pix after the hike.  

Of coarse I had to do some shopping.  I'm a "baller on a budget", so I went into a thrift store. I found this basket that holds my towels nicely.

My daughter found this handmade mirror.  Super cute.

My Birthday

 Yesterday (8/1) was my birthday.  Happy Birthday to me, Happy birthday to me, Happy birthday dear....  Ok, ok, you get it.  It was also a HOT & HUMID day, so we vegged out all day in our non air conditioned home.  Several hours and showers later, my honey came home from work and we

got dressed to enter a nicely air conditioned restaurant for dinner.  BUT, before dinner, I had to take pictures w/my munchkins.  

  They are so cuuuuute, and no longer munchkin size, but they will always be My Munchkins.

My honey and I

No pictures during the feast, but I snuck in a shot of my two photo friendly munchkins.

Alex, is anti-photography and covered his face every time I tried to capture him.

The picture taken below was taken by Eli, so I had to include it.  I thought he did real good.  The pix is centered, my head is not cut off and he got a candid shot.  

Thanks honey for taking us out to eat to beat the heat at home.  I had yummy steak and shrimp.  Any family members probably just gasped.  Yup, I ate shrimp.  It had lots of seasoning, so no fishy taste.  The texture was gummy so I chose to ignore it and swallow quickly.  I don't think I will do it again, but I can say, I tried shrimp.  The steak was perfect.

Watching re-runs of the Big Bang Theory before going to bed.  Sheldon is a crack up with his smart, awkward, inflexible, close minded self.

Family is all I needed on my B-day.  Thank you Jesus that I also received an out pouring of calls from my beloved sisters, bro, and many birthday wishes from friends on FB.