Grand times in Littlerock and Memphis

Mom and I in front of Heifer International

Mom and I went to visit the gang in Arkansas and Memphis in May.  I had been promising to visit for awhile now and finally said, "we are going."  We were there May 9 to the 19.  I thought we might be pushing our welcome staying 10 days, but I thing they managed to put up with us.  No, really, we had a great, fun time.  We visited the headquarters of Heifer International which is one of my favorite charities and the Clinton Library which is one of 30 buildings in the world that has LEED platinum green building award.  It does this w/o using any solar power, instead uses natural lighting by being long and narrow and collecting rain water for use in the building in a huge water tower incorporated into the building design

Mom and I in replica of Oval Office

Lobby of library

This is the water tower

Romey (right) and 2 friends after school Ballet program

 

My forever beautiful Mom

We got together with Amy and Liam (Matt) and Taylor and his new bride Stacy who also live in Memphis

Jacki and Larry's cardinals

Yumm,  look at that spread!

Beckett's Birthday Big #2!

 I cannot begin to tell you how much fun we had in these 10 days and how much I love my Littlerock (soon to be Memphis) and Memphis rellies!  It was great to spend so much time with Jacki and Larry, Kelsea and Philip, Romey, Archer, and Beckett.  We got to see Jacki and Larry's and Kelsea and Philip's new lots in Memphis. Kelsea and Philip's home is beautiful, but they will have more room in their new home.  They will be within shouting distance from Jacki and Larry.   I got to see Amy and Liam's home in Memphis also. It is a delightful older home with much charm.  It was great to spend quite a bit of time with Amy and Liam and to meet Taylor's sweet beautiful wife, Stacy.

I wish we lived closer, but this way we get to really spend time together when we do see each other.  It was great to see the area of Memphis that they will be living.  It is close to parks and has city charm which is not to be denied.  There is a community center that serves amazing lunches each day and has a community garden.  I look forward to the houses being built next time I visit!

Elmo the bubble maker was one of Beckett's gifts

Grammy Jacki and Beckett

Cute boys, Beckett and Archer

Grandma Coral and Beckett

How a year can fly by! Memories of visit to see Diane and Bill

I was thinking of how wonderful this year has been and wondering exactly when we visited Diane and Bill in San Francisco/Pleasant Hill.  I was looking at that folder filled with pictures and realized that we were there a year ago (Aug-Sept)!  Mom, Gary and I flew over for a visit.  I am amazed that it has been a year, since it seems like we were just there a few months ago.  Diane's home is always a delight.  Flowers blooming and veggies growing.  I was telling her today that she has a green thumb because her yard always looks beautiful.  Well, she said that she kills more than bloom, but I don't believe it for a minute.  She was saying that her zinnias were the size of saucers or dinner plates this year because she finally figured out how to keep them from getting mildew damage.  Gary had never been to San Francisco believe it or not so it was really fun to show him around.  It was great to meet Nicole and baby Clare.  Nicole is sweet and beautiful.  Joel is lucky as is she to have found each other.  They live at Venice beach and planned a trip to see us!

Nicole, Joel, Me, Billy, Diane holding Clare (Billy's 1st born), Bill and Mom

This picture has Gary in place of Bill and is taken from the front looking to side of house

Now, These are the zinnias that supposedly didn't do well last year! 

I like contrast between pink of flowers and blue of sky

Diane's home is always filled with flowers in every room

Back yard

Here is their apple tree in foreground and old chicken coop behind.  I miss those chickens though!

Back and side yard.  Around the shed are many wine barrels filled with veggies and flowers

Nicole and Joel with Grandma

                                          Our Day in San Francisco

We took the BART then rode the trolley.  We had to wait forever for the trolley, but I wanted Gary to ride

Views of the Bay to take your breath away!

 Fisherman's Wharf

One of many hanging flower baskets

 

Bill, Gary, Diane and Mom  at Fisherman's Wharf

I just love the people, colors and the bird in this picture

 

 

Sonoma & Mission San Francisco Solano

It's always great visiting Diane and Bill because they always take us to wonderful places.  You could visit many times and never see all within a day trip to the Bay area.  These are pictures of our day trip to Sonoma.

This is inside the Mission.  Love the windows and designs on wall

Sonoma town square

Gary leaning on city hall

Mission San Francisco Solano

Prickly Pear

Diane's thinking of going up to preach a sermon

I took these for the reflections of wine on napkin and glass and napkin reflecting on wine glass itself

Yours truly and Gary, Cheers

                                   Sonal Valley Regional Park

 

This is a sycamore you just want to hug

My cute little Mom, still blond and beautiful

 

This is California to a T.  Oaks and yellow grasslands

                                          Sausalito

OMG, how I love this town!  We took the Ferry across and spent the day wandering.  It's a ways from the town to Sausalito to the house boats.  We found we could catch the bus although no one at the tourist bureau had any information about the bus!  The house boats are artsy, saucy, colorful and magical.  They radiate joy

Diane and Bill in ferry

Gary and Carol in ferry

 

 

Mailboxes for houseboats

 

 

Diane, back in town of Sausalito

I loved how pregnant she is.  Her baby is now probably crawling

I left my heart in San Francisco

Golden Gate bridge.  Picture doesn't do the colors justice, but not bad.  Note the bird