Calistoga Ranch

Sometimes I have to pinch myself when I think of all the wonderful places I have been with Paul.  People ask me all the time, "What is your favorite place you've ever been?"   That is such a difficult answer because each place is so unique & different - way too hard to compare!  However, I do recognize that I am spoiled to have experienced some pretty fancy-schmancy places...& this place ranks up there with the best!

Calistoga Ranch (near Napa) is in the heart of the wine country - so green & beautiful!

We got to stay in these amazing "cabins" - yeah, not even close to a cabin!  Luxury at its finest!  Both of the buildings you see were ours to enjoy while we were there.  The building on the left is the "living area" while the building on the right was the "bedroom & bath" area...

And let's not forget this outdoor living area in front of the indoor living area that shared a fireplace between the two...

Inside the "indoor living area"...

The door into the bedroom...

The bathroom was as big as the bedroom!  Besides the shower & tub that you see here, there is a sink to the right & a sink to the left along with his & her closets on either side & the "privy" to the right.  But wait...can you see through the glass door & window there?

If you walk through that glass door you would find yourself in this incredible open air "outdoor shower!"

I didn't want to go any where else!  I enjoyed hanging out in our "cabin" while Paul had meetings.  This is where Paul's meetings were...in The Cave!  This meeting room is built into the side of the mountain - perfect wine cellar!  However, this was truly wasted on us since we don't drink nor do we know anything about wines!

Inside the Cave...

I did manage to take a few walks.  This resort is built on old camping grounds, surrounded by beautiful natural woods & streams...

 Yep, I walked all the way up the hill to the Spa...

Another walk took Paul & I up to the top of a hill to see the surrounding valley below.  We found this appropriate "rock message" along the trail...

We managed to get out & explore the area.  We had lunch at the Culinary Institute...

I was amazed by the lamps - yes, this metal baguette & grape vines are working electrical lamps!

Lunch was fabulous!  Olive oil tasting appetizer, butternut squash soup, pork tenderloin, & some fancy beef thingy...

We walked around the cute little shops in town - these train cars have been converted into shops...super cute!

This planter certainly has personality!

I thought this was a fun piece of living art that requires participation.  You are supposed to take a slip of paper & write down what you want "less" of & then tie it to the tree.  For the record, this is not my orange slip of paper.  I just took a picture of a random slip of paper that was already tied to the tree...it made me sad to think this person has hatred in their family.

Another interesting "sculpture"...doesn't look welcoming or comfortable!

We drove by the Calistoga Water Bottling Company & I made Paul stop so I could take a picture of this "bigger than life" metal sculpture of this delivery truck...so fun!

Did you know that there is an "Old Faithful Geyser" in Calistoga?  We didn't.  We stopped to check it out, but it wasn't scheduled to spew any time soon & we were pressed for time (plus, it was kinda pricey!)  Paul's expression pretty much shows how he feels about all the pictures I take...but he loves me.

Incase you want to look this up in the National Geographic or the Sunset Magazine...now they can add us to their list of "notable people."

Sunshine in Midgetland

We flew from Vegas straight to Mesa to see the Midgets...

We got to cheer them on at their Fun Run, a school fundraiser kind of like a walk-a-thon...they were so excited that we were there to watch them...

Cindi took us to the Gilbert Temple open house - such a beautiful temple!

Since we were out in Gilbert, we stopped by to see our dear friends, the Parkersons.  This picture isn't that great, but we had a great visit & laughed a lot, telling old stories.  They seem to be doing great!

The weather was perfect for playing outside.  These little midgets are pretty creative...Lucie is successfully riding her bike with roller skates on...

These "trikes" are pretty tricky...the back wheels revolve 360* around the handle bars - they are crazy!

Jessica brought her sweet baby Ella over for us to meet her along with her big brother Hayden.  They  seem to be adjusting to AZ pretty well...

The next morning was Valentine's Day & we made pink heart pancakes for breakfast...the kids were excited for their parties at school & they were even more excited with all the cards & treats they brought home.

We took them to see The Lego Movie & learned that "everything is AWESOOOOME!"

Celebrating my birthday with donuts on the way to Cori's volleyball game...

She's a great little player - aggressive & confident...

We found this great street sign on the way home & I had to stop & take a picture with it.  I've never seen a street named after me before...

Cindi & the kids made this delicious cake for me, some sweet cards, & they sang to me.  It's nice to feel loved...

I basically had my cake & ate it, too...

I'm usually ok with my birthdays & I look forward to growing older, but I have to admit that it was kind of sobering to realize that I'm 59.  This is the last year of my 50's...I have officially begun my 60th year!  Happy Birthday to me!

Viva Las Vegas!

Way back in February, Paul had a business trip to Las Vegas...naturally, I tagged along.  Waiting in the airport I was wasting time, viewing my Instagram posts & noticed that Paul's sister Karen (who lives in Missouri) was getting ready to leave Vegas.  So I texted her & we made arrangements to meet for a quick hug between gates...

We stayed at the Four Seasons this trip which happens to occupy the top 5 floors of Mandalay Bay...weird, huh?  Look at the fabulous view of McCarran International Airport out our window!  Meh, not my favorite view but the room was nice...

I really do like Vegas because of all the shows & entertainment.  We are not drinkers or gamblers, but we do enjoy the shows!  I usually want to see the newest Cirque du Soleil but this time we tried some new things I've been wanting to do...like the Terry Fator Show.  He is a super talented vocalist/ventriloquist, winner of America's Got Talent.  He put on a very fun & clean show.

The next day we ventured out to see the Neon Boneyard Museum.  This is such a fun tour, viewing all the iconic signs from Vegas of Yesteryear, including some interesting history that goes along with it...

I pulled this image off the internet.  It is the original La Concha Motel that is now the home of the Neon Boneyard Museum.  The lobby itself is such an iconic structure with its la concha shell shape...

Google Image

Behind the building is a yard full of signs that once illuminated The Strip & adding to the excitement of Las Vegas at night...it was fun to stroll through the signs, recognizing many of them & where they used to be or learning about the reason they were chosen for the Boneyard...

The Sahara no longer exists, but it's where Paul & I spent our honeymoon after we were married in Vegas 22 years ago...

I had fun collecting these letters to create my own sign...

That night Paul took me to see the Donny & Marie Show.  Go ahead & laugh...I'm a huge fan & I have been all my life.  I grew up on the Andy Williams show & feel like I grew up with the Osmonds!  They put on a great show & I really enjoyed it - Paul was a good sport...

No photos were allowed during the show & I couldn't figure out the camera lighting for this backlit sign - I'm washed out without the flash & the reflection is blinding with the flash...

As we walked through the lobby to go across the street to Serendipity's, we came across Donny's Dancing With the Stars display that was referenced many times during their show...I'll just say, Marie's still bitter because Donny won & she didn't.

I love me some Serendipity's Frozen Hot Chocolate!  They are so delicious & huge!  I know it looks like we each have our own but we are sharing this one...

The next morning, before we headed out to the airport, we stopped by the Las Vegas Temple where we were married 22 years ago...doesn't seem that long ago...Happy Anniversary to us!