When the Moon Hits the Sky....

Oh my...August was such a busy month for me it melted into September.  And by melted I mean I came back to
triple digit temperatures and well....melted. 

The weather was glorious while it lasted though.  In August we celebrated my mom's August Bunco
"Under the Tuscan Moon" 

The evening didn't go exactly as planned

(does it ever?)

but it was glorious just the same. 

We spent the entire evening in the
"Porkadillo"

and it couldn't have been any more perfect. 

Kevin had brought in a wheelbarrow full of wood that is still there, waiting to be called upon,

to warm our first cool fall evening. 

Ours was perfect...as is.

Welcome to our dining experience...

Everything is ready in anticipation of Diana's guests...

 Our gorgeous April Cornell sunflower

tablecloth was our inspiration.

Yellow dishes...sunflowers....and

Dean, ready to lend a song

 

 Mom's yellow dishes

always make an appearance for August bunco.

We paired them with green and brown napkins adorned

with a raffia tied sunflower

Fun and festive

You can't have Italian without Red Pepper flakes

to spice things up.

and of course the Vino

I always love do get the Chianti in these

basket bottles.

It makes me feel Italian

All we need now are a few guests

My friend Tammy made our invitations and our

bunco score sheets. 

Everything was so cute.

Menu:

Appetizers

 

Vegetables and Fiesta Dip

(with Jicama of course)

Kristi's fabulous Bruschetta

Main Course

Italian Chopped Salad
with Balsamic and Olive Oil dressing

Roasted Red Pepper Eggplant Parmesan

Sausage, Cheese and Basil Pizza

Pine Nut and Feta Angel Hair Pasta

(another one of Kristi's fabulous creations)

Dessert

Italian Cheesecake

(do I dare say it??? another

delicious creation by Kristi,

and did I mention she is

the most fantastic partner to work with

when we are having any sort of party?)

Kristi....did we take pictures of that delicious food or did we just eat it, as soon as it came out of the oven?

Tammy and me

We ate, drank, talked, laughed and

maybe played a game or two of bunco.

What we didn't do was karaoke.

but that just gives us an excuse for another

party.

Not that we need an excuse of course.

Bunco only started my August festivities...next up

Stacy, James and Bella come for a visit.

Ingredients

All great chefs know that the best ingredients

create the best things...

as in a party...

and as in the celebration of a life....

Only using the best ingredients...

 we started with the pretties...

good colors, 

and a fun table,

just waiting for the festivities to begin.

Stir in a few flowers

and a gorgeous evening

a splash or two of liquid .....

Most importantly

we must add our vintage ingredients...like

great wine.... great family

and

lifelong friends

A dash of food for spice

and good conversation...

One serving of "Old Fart"

and

a little help from a local Sous Chef

or two

A pair of well worn but ever so useful hands.

and a pinch of laughter for good measure.

Don't forget the balance....

with salt you need a little sugar

and a whole lot of LOVE

Yup...

we mixed up those ingredients and helped 

create a very special birthday party

for a very special

MAN...HUSBAND....FATHER...

GRANDFATHER...GREAT GRANDFATHER

AND

DEAR FRIEND 

So many hats, so many years...

and Jim, the best is yet to come.

Happy "80th" Birthday!!!

(and many more)

Can't Get Enough

.....Rock Creek

On our last day at Rock Creek...

after losing 2 of our group to an early departure,

we tried to fit as much as we could into that last day. 

We started off the day with some fishing.

Everyone fished....but the most successful fishermen

were the "Tubers"

Kevin finally decided to try Ron's tube

and boy did he love it.  

After a quick lesson

and a cute new outfit...Kevin was

ready to roll float

The day was gorgeous and the water like glass

Ron chose to fish with Sue this day...so Kevin was a lone floater.

Sue caught a nice fish, with

a little help from Ron.

After fishing...lunch at Pie in the Sky....

and eating Pie...in the Sky,

the ladies decided to have

a relaxing afternoon in the campsite drinking wine

and reading our books. 

That turned into a short nap

Next...showers

(often and ordeal with the limited water)

and then

off to Mammoth for a bit of sight seeing and dinner.

We went to upper Twin Lakes

as well as Lake Mary and Lake Mamie

From the top of the waterfall you can see

Upper and Lower Twin

and we also smelled a photo op

Whoever took the pictures of us (can you guess who?)

decided to

add some extra footage...

We were right at the edge of the waterfall

Yes ... you guessed it, the prankster himself...Marc

From there it was off to dinner in Mammoth and

"Mammoth Margaritas"

Yummy

A little light shopping.

Marc was looking for a nice swimsuit to wear on

the upcoming men's trip

I'm not to sure what Ron was shopping for

but everything looks manly on Ron.

and a little something for the girls.  Marc

bought all the girls a cute T-shirt.

and last but not least...that night I realized I

was out of water and would not get a morning shower

before the drive home.

Marc to the rescue.

He carried at least 3 of these bad boys to fill

my tank.  I was so grateful, I gave him Kevin's scotch.

I decided next mornings shower was the

best ever...

as was Marc.  Thanks Marc!!!

I may post some campfire dinners...but since

I will be going back up to Rock Creek with

the family...we shall see.  I do have other

interests afterall.

I am linking to Susan @
A Southern Daydreamer
for
Outdoor Wednesday

Mesquito Flats

Kevin woke up bright and early the next morning

at Rock Creek and decided to fish. 

The morning was cold, so I didn't hesitate

to send him off with my well wishes

and kick back. 

I actually built myself a fire and enjoyed my coffee.

and enjoyed the sunshine

Before I knew it plans had been made for

a hike to Mosquito Flats.  I think

our ultimate elevation was in the neighborhood of

10,000 plus feet.

The plan was to hike to the "Meadow"

It didn't take us long to get a ways up the mountain.

It's always nice to use a photo op to

rest and get used to the altitude.

Can you see Greg in the background with his map.

Yes, Greg was our navigator.....???

Greg had an ulterior plan. 

He had visions of going to

Ruby Lake

which was a much more vigorous hike.

Before we knew it we were way above the "Meadow"

I do remember once or twice someone asking

Greg if we were going the wrong way.

His reply was always the same.

"NO"

I think we spotted the meadow from way up here...

as he was still checking his map.

It was a gorgeous view

But alas, Greg's plan ran into a small snafu....

SNOW

We were forced to turn back because the path was

still snowed in.

So back down the mountain we went....

to the

"Meadow"

Greg was a bit too smug and never

admitted he sent us the wrong way.

We were lucky enough to get someone

to stop and get

a picture of

our little hiking group.

and each lake we passed

was more beautiful then the last.

and Greg is still looking at his map....

and once again we were twarted. 

Snow as well as a

rushing stream kept

us from our ultimate goal.

Just on the other side of this stream

about 1/2 mile in was the lake we were heading to.

But because the rocks were a bit

slippery and the path was

covered with snow we turned back.

On the way back...

there was a little snowball fight going on.

Unfortunately, Kevin was aiming for Marc and

hit Cheryl right in the shoulder.

No worries...Cheryl is a trouper.

Boys will be Boys!!

or Girls!!

It was a great hike...I think we

hiked at least 10 miles...if not 10 maybe 9,

but for sure at least 8 ....

We did miss Kris and Ron though....

Ron fished

in Mammoth for the afternoon

and Kris enjoyed her book back at camp.

I am linking to http://asoutherndaydreamer.blogspot.com/

for Outdoor Wednesday.