Sunny San Diego

Living the first 45 years of my life in San Diego means that when we come to visit we don't do touristy stuff. The places we revisit have obvious meaning and revolve around family and friends. First thing is always a with visit Mom. She is really enjoying her new cushions and the warm temperatures in her lovely backyard.

Most of the garden has been moved to the raised area so it's easy for Mom to tend. The barbeque that Dad built is just waiting for a couple of chickens to get thrown on.

Every trip to SD involves some food and drinks with best friends Mario, Patti, Daniel & Evie

This is Watson. He's a pet pig that lives at the RV Park we stayed in.

We had a great time at Mike Dini's birthday party. Kaela got to see the brother she never had: Zach

An excursion with Kaela and Joshua took us to La Jolla. It was a very windy day.

Veterans Day brought us to Mount Soledad to visit Dad's plaque on the wall of servicemen and women. There are Presidents, Generals, Spanish-American War Veterans, and peoples from all branches of the service. The the only civilian allowed on the wall is Bob Hope in recognition for his 25 years of entertaining the troops. One family has remembrances of the father and 11 sons who have served our country in the armed forces. The docent commented their mother deserved to be on the wall too. 

The last couple of years I have reconnected with my girlfriends from my Del Mar days. Sandi and Michele along with their husbands Tracy and Brad met up with us for an evening at Proud Mary's Blues Jam. Kaela's childhood friend Alex and her man Jonathan came along as did our good friends Evie and Daniel. This gathering reminds me of our Tacoma days.

While in San Diego, Kaela had a couple friend fly in to see her from Tacoma. We all went to dinner at Dini's

Can you believe I made these! They are as tasty as they are beautiful.

Tim golfs. I bead. It is my hobby while living on the road. In addition to jewelry, I enjoy designing and making these beaded votive candle holders. 

Wine drinking, camper girls, flower power, hummingbird, and Christmas lights

More holiday and other personalized designs are coming.

Early Thanksgiving at the Oswald's

The center of our Thanksgiving has traditionally been about the big bird on Dad's rotisserie. Tim did an amazing job, he kept the oak wood fire at the perfect low and slow temp. Dad was smiling down on Tim to let him know his first attempt was a great success. 

I carved the turkey and did a pretty good job of it.

Right smack in the middle of the kitchen is where to be during this time so you can score a taste of moist turkey (and skin) before it reaches the dining table.

The excuse for our early Thanksgiving was partially because Kaela and Joshua are visiting from Australia. Several family members wouldn't be in San Diego on traditional Thanksgiving day so we combined a welcome home with giving thanks..

Our family is a combination of carnivores, vegetarians, pescatarians, and vegans. Everyone brought a dish to share and the result was unique and delicious. What you don't see here are the 3 pumpkin pies, 1 pecan pie, 2 banoffee pies (a traditional British dessert), 2 pans of magic bars for dessert, and Ciscso's surprise German chocolate birthday cake from Meilu.

My girl and I have matching squinty eyes