Thoughtful Thursday - Friends

Wordless Wednesday - Temple With Friends

Chinese with Friends

This morning, I made these Mini Chocolate Chip Pecan Pies with Salted Caramel Drizzle treats and took them to my friends at Dr. Kiholm's office. I first tasted these delectable delights at a Memorial Day Party at Villa Strayer. Whitney Lichty, author of "Haus Food" blog was the creator. Whitney, and her husband Ben, have since become the proud parents of a beautiful baby boy and I'm sure Whitney's busier than she's ever been in her life, but she so graciously agreed to give me the recipe before it was even posted on her blog. Thank you, Whitney, for taking the time to email this recipe to me! I have a new favorite dessert! To see the recipe, and check out Whitney's blog, visit her at Haus Food. You'll be glad you did!

After I was "crowned" queen for the day, we all went to lunch at Diamond Chinese Restaurant. It was just like old times. I'd forgotten how yummy this restaurant is! It was a special treat to have "Dr." Mike join us today. I love that guy. Nobody understands my "lack of color" like he does! ;-)

This is what came out of my fortune cookie today. I guess I'd better be thinking green. I'll need all the luck I can get next week.

Fun With Friends

Tonight I hung out with Lynne, Erin, Carrie and Carol. We had dinner at Mexquite Restaurant in Folsom. We talked for a couple of hours and then went to Big Spoon Yogurt for dessert. I have sure missed my P'ville friends!

Long Time...No See!!!

Today I spent the ENTIRE day with my long, lost friend Leslie. We haven't seen each other since Angie's wedding (almost 10 years ago). She and I go waaaay back. I served with her in Ward and Stake YW in Tracy/Manteca. We've camped together, shopped together, and tolerated our husbands together through their Hans and Frans phase. She's been my personal nurse, confidant, and all-round great example of the kind of person I want to be. I've missed her. She was visiting her dad in Antioch and set aside an ENTIRE day for me!!!
We met half-way in Elk Grove (after a small cell-phone issue :-), had breakfast at "Mimi's", where we talked for almost 4 hours. We moved down the street to "Five Guys" for lunch, where we talked for another 3 or 4 hours. We ended the day at "Pinkberry" for not one, but two frozen yogurts! We talked for almost 4 hours there too! I still don't think we've completely caught up, but it's definitely a start. I'm not sure I've laughed this hard in a LONG time! We vowed to NEVER let another 10 years go by without getting together. Maybe I can lure her out to DC!

Midnight in Paris

Tonight I went with my friends, Lynne, Susan, Alicia, Patsy and Carrie to see "Midnight in Paris" in Folsom. There were mixed reviews among us, regarding the movie (I really liked it), but I think we all agreed it was fun to get out and have some girlfriend time!
I REALLY want to go to Paris someday....

A Day With Friends

This morning I had the honor of attending the temple with my son's new mother-in-law, who is also my friend, Claudia Smith. What a wonderful experience we had. We enjoyed the peace that can only be experienced in the Lord's House. We then walked to Lake Natomas and chatted the whole time. We ended our morning with lunch at Rubios. YUM! Thank you Claudia! Thank you for your friendship and for the gift of your sweet daughter in my life....and, by the way, this is the yummiest whole wheat bread and strawberry jam I have EVER eaten!!!

As if my morning were not perfect enough, I got to spend the evening with my dear friend Tara! Her sweet husband did Dad duty so she could visit me in Placerville. We had dinner at a new restaurant here in Placerville - Bricks Eats and Drinks. What a fun restaurant! We stopped for frozen yogurt at Whistle Stop, and came back to the house where she gave me iPad lessons and we looked at our DC pictures and talked until she turned into a pumpkin at midnight. I sure do love my friends. I am so blessed!

If The Shoe Fits.....

Today I went shopping with my friend Judy. We made our way through Kohl's, Ross, and Michaels. We had fun trying on crazy shoes. Judy bought 4 pair. I bought 1. No worries, we didn't buy any of the shoes pictured above! ;-) We had lunch at La Bou, great conversation, and LOTS of fun!

Those Pearly Whites!

Today I had the pleasure of going to the dentist. A few years ago, I would never have considered any dental experience a pleasure, but I have come to LOVE Dr. Kiholm and his staff and look forward to having my teeth cleaned every 6 months! I miss my dental office co-workers and consider them my extended family!

Lunch at Roundtable with the whole gang was even better. Sorry about the garlic breadsticks Rachelle!!!

Fran and Misty

I have the privilege of driving a lady from church to her dialysis appointment every Monday morning and then picking her up later in the afternoon. She is such a good example to me of perseverance and cheerfulness. I've learned a lot from her. One of my favorite things to do is to play with her dog when I take her home. I've never seen such a smart dog!

Tara's Visit - Day 8

So sad to see Tara go today. I know her kids and hubby are missing her, or I'd keep her forever! What a fun time we had! Now we'll both need a week to recover from this whirlwind week! Love you Tara!

Tara's Visit - Day 7

Today we visited the Museum of American History AND the Museum of Natural History. It's our last day in DC, so we crammed them both in. Normally, a person could spend a week at each of these museums, so, needless to say, we didn't see everything. Not even close. I've been to both museums, so I was able to show Tara and highlights. We had lunch at The Old Post Office and took the elevator to the top to see the entire city. Tara was able to ALMOST finish her souvenir shopping in the gift shops today. YAY! Back to Chick-fil-A for dinner. I think Tara loves their chocolate milkshakes ;-)

Twinner sweatshirts!

Tara's Visit - Day 6

This morning we took VRE to Union Station, walked to the Capitol, took the tour, then went to the Library of Congress and took the tour there also. We walked back to Union Station and had lunch at Uno Chicago Grill Pizzeria, then walked through the US Botanic Garden. We're getting some serious exercise!
Tara, in front of the US Capitol.
This is our first warm day.
Look mom....NO coat!

Strolling through the US Botanic Garden.

Tara's Visit - Day 5

We drove to Arlington Cemetery today. It was so peaceful and serene.

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

The Memorial Amphitheater

A walk through beautiful Georgetown.

Such a beautiful town.

Georgetown Bakery - made famous on TLC's "DC Cupcakes."

The line at Georgetown Bakery. Tara's waiting at the VERY end.
We waited for over an hour.

Kodak moment while we wait.

Beautiful cupcakes! Too bad they don't taste as good as Tara's! ;-)

Tara's Visit - Day 4

Kurt got home late last night, so he joined me and Tara this morning. We drove to DC and walked around the Tidal Basin to see the cherry blossoms. The blooms were at peak today - SO beautiful! We stopped at the Jefferson Memorial and the FDR Memorial on our walk and then went to the National Air and Space Museum. Today is Kurt's birthday. We all went to Panda Express (Kurt's request) for dinner then went home and opened presents and had some of Tara's amazing cupcakes. What a fun day!

Jefferson Memorial

Tara, posing in front of the original Wright Brother's Flyer.

Tara, creating her AMAZING lemon cupcakes!

The birthday boy. Notice the new GPS. Now I can use the old one and won't get lost on the beltway again!

The. Best. Cupcakes. EVER!!!
Thank you Tara! Happy Birthday Kurt!

Tara's Visit - Day 3

Tara and I covered a lot of territory today. We got up early and took VRE (should have thought of this yesterday) to DC. We went to the Washington Monument, WW II Memorial, Korean War Memorial, Lincoln Memorial, Vietnam Memorial, Albert Einstein Memorial, White House, Federal Triangle, Old Post Office, and The National Archives. We were exhausted! We did some shopping in Manassas and had dinner at Chick-fil-A.

Lincoln Memorial

White House

Tara's Visit - Day 2

This morning, the parking lot at Vienna/Fairfax Metro was full (darn those Cherry Blossom tourists ;-), so we decided to drive to the West Falls Church station. Kurt has the GPS with him in Florida, so we were winging it. I missed my turn and as we were trying to figure out how to get back on the beltway, we saw the Tyson's Corner Mall. We both looked at each other and smiled. Guess where we spent the day? As it turned out, it was a good choice. It was a miserable, rainy day - the perfect day to be inside....shopping....eating pizza.....shopping.....

Tara's Visit - Day 1

This morning we slept in since Tara's flight came in so late last night. Then we took Metro into DC.

We spent the afternoon at The US Holocaust Memorial Museum. No photography is allowed inside, so we got this photo outside. It was a cold, rainy day. We're having so much fun!

Guess Who's Coming to Visit?

My friend Tara flies in tonight! I'm so excited to be her tour guide and have some girlfriend time! Is it 10:55 pm yet?

Not Quite - But Almost!

Kurt and I have been on a quest for some decent Mexican food ever since we arrived here in Virginia. We've been so spoiled living in California to be able to enjoy yummy authentic Mexican food. Not so much here on the east coast. Tonight we went with Howard and Sharal to one of their favorite Mexican restaurants in Leesburg. It's definitely the best we've had since we moved here, but I'd give anything for some Tijuana Taqueria carnitas!