Wednesday, November 7, 2007

Day 2

I had lunch with my friend Susan today at the place where she has just recently started working - The Huntington Library. There are huge botanical gardens there, and after we ate, we walked the grounds soaking in the scenery. It is a lovely place and it had been years since I'd been there. The Huntington family was a huge driving force in Pasadena history (really the whole San Gabriel Valley) and there are more things named after them than you can shake a stick at, but this is without question the crown jewel of the family name.

Even though Susan isn't a blogger, a lot of you already know her through her comments, both as my two cents and as Mrs. Weasley. She has fifteen year old twins and we've been friends since they were around a year old. They were in a Mommy and Me type class with Sasquatch and the rest is history.




I didn't take any of these pictures, by the way, because I'm having camera issues. You can thank Google for the visuals. These are all pictures of the Huntington. (Or at least that's what Google says).




I also made a pit stop at Trader Joe's, which was just as wonderful as it always is. Sadly, I forgot one of the things I specifically went for and will have to go back and do it again tomorrow. Oh, well. I guess it can't be helped.


Later in the day I went to Susan's house and ate cheesecake and visited with her family. And that's all I'm going to say about that because this one deserves a post all its own. Stay tuned.


Last, but not least, we had a big family dinner with all of the people I've grown up with, who may not be blood family, but are certainly closer than a lot of blood relatives. I call this bunch The Usual Suspects and don't remember a time in my life when they weren't there. You've never seen a more respectable bunch of reformed radical hippies in your life. They were the friends my mom made when we moved to California and they developed lifelong relationships. All of their kids (like me) grew up together and now we're all married and have kids of our own and it's just a riotous bunch. And while it was quieter than usual without my gang, there were smaller ones who tried their hardest to bring the noise level up to par. It was great.


And I think that's it. Who knew relaxing and taking it easy could be so tiring?



16 comments:

Pam said...

i always need a vacation after my vacation lol nice visuals

Anonymous said...

Trader Joe's is about the only thing that I truly miss about LA.

Flowerpot said...

yes, holidays always are tiring - sounds a great onethough!

Jen said...

We had a Trader Joe's in Raleigh. I only got to go once. The coffee was so good.

And I'm so glad you're having a good time. I can practically read the smiles in your posts!

laurie said...

DAMN that sounds nice.

(we have two trader joes here. so come on up!)

those pictures are gorgeous. i hope your weather was as nice as in those google pictures.

and lucky, lucky my two cents.

Jo Beaufoix said...

Sounds wonderful, and if you see Susan again, give her a hug from the Beaufoixs won't you. She's fab.
Oh and I have an award for when you get back. x

Kim said...

Just gorgeous. So glad you're having a wonderful time.

I feel a bit deprived. I've never been to a Trader Joe's.

ped crossing said...

I love Trader Joe's. I have one 5 minutes from work, but sadly I don't visit often. I am usually rushing to get home instead.

Sounds like a fabulous time. And I agree with Ciara, I always need a vacation from my vacation too.

Amy said...

Sounds like a good day. We have a Trader Joe's, but I've never been there.

the rotten correspondent said...

I have a feeling that I may need a vacation after this vacation. I'm running a little low on gas and today is all stacked up, too. Oh, well. I'll be in a car for two days sitting on my butt. That oughta do it.

The weather was darn close to the photos. My mom's house has a hill of rosemary right next to it and you can smell it everywhere. It's sunny but cool.

For all of you TJ's fans, lucky you if you have one and poor you if you don't. I found out in August that (if the rumor is true) they're finally putting one in Kansas City. (I was the laughing stock at a going away party when I found this out BTW. Stood up and shouted HOORAY to a full room of people who had no idea what the hell I was talking about or what TJs is).

Have a great day!

Kimberly Vanderhorst said...

Those pictures are amazing!

Beth said...

I'm heartbroken that you'll have to make a 2nd trip to Trader Joes. Life's so unfair!

Potty Mummy said...

Aaaah. Time away from the kids. Breathe in, and say aaaaah...

wakeupandsmellthecoffee said...

Love the photos even if you didn't take them. Sounds like you're having a fab time. I'e been to a Hawaiian style bar. Is Trader Joe's like that?

Bethany said...

This is sweet! I'm on vacation and I haven't lost any PTO!

It's easy to forget things at Trader Joe's. I am forever grumbled at for going to the grocery store (with a list, mind you) and coming home with yummy snacky things and maybe about 25% of the items on the list. Ummm, I forgot?

I think I just secretly want to go back. I am hoping for more in store samples.

Susan said...

Yesterday was one of the nicest days I have had in a long time!