Palmdale

This summer I have spent quite a bit of time in Palmdale. Maybe I needed some time away from it, but it is one of my favorite places, for so many reasons. Here is a picture dump from the past summer months.

Beautiful sunset on a (rare) rainy day.

Every time I'm in Palmdale my parents treat me! They know all the best places to eat. Like this citrus coconut pecan shrimp. Or nachos pretty much served on Captain America's shield.



I had to introduce my parents to Dole Whips. All the times taking the family to Disneyland growing up, but they didn't know what it was! Ross used the pineapple soft serve but made a tropical/ shark-week themed treat with cheesecake bits, coconut, and a gummy shark.



While we are on the topic of food.... My mom made this amazing blueberry cheesecake with fresh blueberries. Simply epic.



Palmdale means Vallarta. Somehow I ended up there unsupervised. Pan dulce, horchata, and Pelon later, I came out mostly avoiding the pastry section. Settled for a tostada at home.



It was my first time getting the huge Pelon. Because I live large and I've made it. Ross had one taste and was revolted. Just tastes like childhood to me. No idea how I shared those things with my friends and playground kids and came out mostly okay and healthy.

Synge is such a user. He is crazy for ice cream too. He will get up in your face and start pawing at you.



One time my mom jokingly asked Synge, "If I lost my hands in a car accident would you still love me?!"Good thing he can't talk -I don't think my mom can handle the truth. Just look how devious he is.



With the time I spend with my grandparents, I also get to hang out with their cat, Sabby. I like this sassy photo. I captured her at the perfect moment.



Dad and Ross staring so intensely at the broken doughnut machine at Krispy Kreme. Seconds away from jumping in with a toolkit, or maybe just grabbing the machine and shaking it, "WHERE ARE THE HOT DONUTS NOW?!"



They crack me up.

August brings quite a few birthdays for my family, so we all got together for a party. So much food it wouldn't fit on the table. And Snapchat stickers. This snapchat from my cousin of the dog gettin' so intense on dat cookie. 

And homemade waffle bowls! Calvin gave mom and dad a waffle bowl maker but I guess the recipe for it sucks, so I set out to find a better one. Luckily others thought it sucked too so I didn't have to look long before I found one posted in the Amazon reviews. I perfected the method and have since forgotten it, so enjoy a bit of trial and error.

--Waffle Bowl Maker Recipe--

Ingredients:

3 large eggs 

3/4 c. sugar

1/2 c. butter, melted and cooled

2 Tablespoons vanilla extract

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 c. all purpose flour

Directions:

-Beat the eggs, adding in the sugar gradually, beating until smooth. Add the cooled melted butter and the vanilla.

-Stir in the baking powder and flour, until all mixed. 

-Spray the iron with a light amount of cooking spray- this will make the first ones turn out imperfect but is important for the process. 

-Drop about a tablespoon of batter onto each bowl. Cook for about 40 seconds, open iron and with a towel or potholder to protect your hand, rotate each bowl about 180 degrees so all sides cook evenly. Use the cooking time as a guide and adjust. 

Of course the best part of going to Palmdale is hanging out with your parents! This time I learned that when my mom was little she was absolutely-fan-girl-status obsessed with the series The Man From U.N.C.L.E. 

I've probably shamed her since I've never even heard of the series before. My mom goes into her magical closet and pulls out this old briefcase. She was not messing around when she was 10! She said that it had been forever since she opened this little time capsule. Inside were autographed photos, magazine clippings, and notes from the fan club she had formed. The best part was the script that she wrote. Dang, my mom was even smart and creative when she was 10. That script was super legit, all typed up on a typewriter and everything. That's some major stamina for a kid.

I'm likely forgetting other tidbits and photos from my summer lovin' in Palmdale, but for now this will do,

Patio Project

There has been talk for quite some time now, about building a sort of patio extension with a raised planter bed and trellis. This idea came from one that we had seen at Home Depot before. I wanted to get this ball rolling, so after a trip to Home Depot, we came home and staked out the dimensions to see how it would look in the backyard.

We mistakenly thought it was a kit that you could purchase with lumber already cut. Well, it wasn't but that ain't no thang for the son of a carpenter, my dad. And it actually gave us (read: dad) more freedom to change the dimensions and play around with the idea. But first things first- breaking up the earth. AKA concrete desert adobe clay that is the backyard. That was definitely an interesting chore. Especially when the rototiller isn't cooperating. 

Ross and dad were at it early one Saturday morning- trying to beat the heat, even in April. It's a good thing too because this was a task that took several weekends and many people working together. 

See how many different types of tools you can spot in this pictures. In Palmdale we don't use snow shovels for snow. 

Progress! Looking so good. 

Another angle. 

Then before we all knew it dad took off with the project and had already started laying the pavers. That ain't no joke. Laying the tarp, dumping the sand/ base layer, then perfectly rotating and positioning the heavy stones. 

We helped where we could but we barely touched the tip of the iceberg. My dad turned into an animal to get this done!

Here he is pushing the top layer soil sand stuff into the cracks once all the pavers are in place.

Then next thing we know dad sends the family these pictures. 

My jaw dropped! Are you serious? I know it was a huge amount of work hauling the lumber and even figuring out the construction dimensions but it looks like he just whipped this together like it aint no thang. 

Dad is so amazing. He just figured it all out and thought through everything including holes in the bottom for the water to drain. He's been doing amazing projects like this for as long as I can remember. In junior high I remember writing a poem about him "Mr. Fix-It." But it needs a part two "Mr. Build It from Scratch." 

Next comes the top and side trellis, and then soil.

And before you know it plants!

It is a truly amazing piece of art! With the California drought I think it's smart too, because it reduces the lawn and need for so much water. It really beautifies the backyard and helps block out the houses behind. Hopefully even more so when the climbing plants grow a little. I know it was a huge project for my dad to take on- essentially all by himself with minimal help. I really admire his determination and diligence. The goal and extremely short timeline was to get it finished by Cassie's bridal shower. All decorated for the party! It made a fantastic focal point for the get-together.

All the guests couldn't stop oo-ing and ahh-ing. But my dad may be in trouble because I saw several ladies taking pictures and commenting that their husbands have a new project now. Haha. 

As a family we spend a fair amount of time outside, and we have already enjoyed the new patio so much. Find some more blog posts featuring this beaut

Here 

also Here 

and Here. 

Family Fun

After a full, busy, and fantastic week of wedding prep and celebrations it was fun to relax while everyone was still around!

One day, crepes for breakfast.



And watching the movie Inside Out, and chowing down on In-n-Out.



We ended the day with a fire and s'mores. We have been very much enjoying the recent backyard transformation.





Kyle helping string up the ball of fire, I mean, lights.

Another day we went to The Valley. Kyle has somehow never been to a Lego store. So we fixed that. We all had fun building our own minifigures. 

As you might surmise, the top right are mom and dad. The bottom right are Kyle and Ali. So clever. And since we were in the area, we had to stop at Cupid's for hot dogs, of course.

I love my mom's goofy face. Are you finally starting to see I get it from her and dad? 

Ali was being so dumb with Snapchat stickers. 

And if you don't get this one, that is okay. You just must hate Justin Timberlake and not have grown up in the AV. 

That evening we killed some time at the Promenade and for the first time wandered around this cool little park. I had recently seen it on a LA Instagram account I follow so it was fun to go.

It was a chill spot.

While we were all together we played this fun game Ali and I got for Dad for Father's Day. It's called Telestrations. It's a kind of mashup of Telephone and Pictionary. It was pretty hilarious.

Unfortunately all too soon everyone had to leave and return to normal life. But it's always fun to be together, no matter for how long.

The Cass & Cal Wedding

My sister is getting married! All week long I have blogged about wedding preparations.

And now the day is here. As you might expect, we got started early. I volunteered for bouquet duty. Lorna made the bouquet and we afraid it was too delicate but we blasted the AC and kept ice packs around it and it was great!



The perk of bouquet duty is getting to smell and stare at this breathtaking bouquet! Absolutely stunning.

Cassie wanted bowties for the guys and regular ties for the dads and grandpas.

 Mom made the boutonnieres and corsages. They look so nice.

Trying to figure out bowties and pocket squares. 

Waiting for the new wife and husband to come out.

There they are! What a special moment. <3 p="">

 Of course, pictures, pictures, pictures! 

Dr. Pepper, endorsed by this bride -wedding day fuel.

Later at the reception we got this awesome photo of the John/ Widdison side of the family. It was so cool that so many cousins could make it! 

It was a great day and everything went incredibly smooth. I am so happy for Cassie and Calvin as they start their new life together.

Congratulations you two!