If You are Happy and You Know It

I was squinting in the sun even way back then!

This was taken in front of our home in Eastern Washington where the the summers were hot and sunny and the winters were cold and often sunny.

After growing up and moving to the Western (or WET) side of the state, that blue sky seemed to be rare indeed.

And now, in my 60's (well, barely JUST) I am living again in a world of beautiful weather and blue sky.

I've been an official California resident for just over 3 weeks now.  There are still a handful of boxes in the garage waiting to be opened.  And I notice I am missing a few items I am used to having in the kitchen, so I'm hoping to get through those last boxes this weekend.

But it will be busy.  I am planning to attend a community "health fair" here in Yountville tomorrow before noon.  Then I'm heading to Napa for the demonstration at the Art store of someone who does paintings with spray cans.  On Sunday, the Guild I visited last weekend is having their big Quilt show, so I'll go and check it out.

Weber did indeed send me the clips that were missing from my new charcoal grill, and Jay and I will put that together this weekend and he wants me to go ahead and buy that table and chairs for the deck if it is still available.  

I made my first foray over to the pool this week, and it was lovely.  Need to work on my "tan" so when I go back up north at the end of the month, maybe I will be flesh colored instead of pasty.

Can you tell that I am happy?

Today

Was kind of a big day for me.  I went to the Farmer's Market in St Helena.  It was FABULOUS!!  Only problem was that it started at 0730 and ended at noon.  I got there about 11:30 which was good as far as finding a parking spot, but not as good to get a full flavor of this great market.  They only operate until the end of October.  I did sign up for their weekly newsletter so I'll know when they start again in the spring.
While I was there, I picked up a few things.
First was about 2 pounds of Concord Grapes.  I LOVE them.  It is a childhood memory of eating these grapes.  We lived in the tri cities in Eastern Washington, Kennewick to be specific.  The mother of a friend of mine worked at the Welch's factory and would bring us home these beauties.  I love them seeds, skins and all.  On the drive home from ST Helena the bag of grapes had sat in the sun, so when I popped them in my mouth they were even more wonderful...
I also bought a nice (and a bit pricey) collection of some balsamic vinegar and infused olive oil.  And a jar of a peppered pomegranate jam, which I enjoyed with a smear of cream cheese and a spoon of jam on a honey wheat Ritz cracker.
After the market Jay and I went to his favorite cafe and had breakfast for lunch.  Then strolled down the street and stopped in at the hardware store and got some new batteries for my Boze remote controls, so now I can listen to music at home!!
I arrived at home with about half an hour to spare before my appointment with my new hairdresser!  She is only about 5 minutes away.  A very quirky little shop.  Jenn will be my new hairdresser for sure!  My hair is a shade lighter, which only seems right for being a California girl!!
So why was this a big day?
Because I recognized that my old pattern of being up late, sleeping late and being in the house all day was coming back.  And I can't do that again!!!  So it was big because I have re pledged myself to a new life!  Tonight I'm heading to bed before 11 so I am up by 8 and heading to Napa for a Quilt Guild meeting that starts at 10.  They have social time before the meeting, so if I get there at 9:30 it should give me enough time to mingle a bit.
I'll stop at the Napa market afterwards, then head home and plant the few things I bought the other day for my little front planting area.  Then the Husky game is on at 4.
It is gorgeous here, the weather is perfect, and I need to keep moving forward.
Photos to come!

Some Things I Miss

Two weeks I've been here in BEAUTIFUL Napa Valley California!  I'm loving all my little trips out and about.  It takes me 30 minutes to get to Costco (went today) so I will be planning those trips more carefully than I did when it only took me 15 minutes.  Was interesting to not have a parking lot full of Canadians (NOT that there is anything WRONG with that, Camille).  This store is maybe half the size of the big stores, and the layout is so different.  Some products they don't carry I miss, like the Cascade Ice soda for Jay.
The produce section is really small, maybe because of the abundance of Farmer's Market's.  The prices on the alcohol is amazing....yes, I did pick up a few items.......

Onto the things that I am missing after these two weeks away.

1.  My toilets........We had the TALL thrones in that house and boy do I miss them!

2.  Bathroom storage space.  I have about 20% of what I had, and I keep finding more not yet opened boxes that say "bathroom".

3.  My mail across the street.  Here it is on the other side of the development.

4.  Putting the garbage at the curb.  Also on the other side of the development.  Driving my garbage is umm....weird.

5.  My computer monitor, which somehow didn't survive the trip.

6.  Jillian, Ethan, Jeff and Krista being a 15 minute drive away.....and knowing I can see Carter, Henry, Kyle and Genie in 2 hours instead of 14 hours.  And having Todd come by.....

7.  Reading the letters to the editor from the ultra conservative in the Lynden paper, this time of year.

8.  Knowing what channel is what.

9.  Being able to actually walk on both sides of the bed in the Master bedroom.  Now I have to kind of shimmy (not a pretty picture) along the shutters on the sliding glass door.  I need to learn to get up and go the bathroom when I am not in a hurry.

10.  My Circle of Friends.....

I'm planning to bike around Yountville in the next day or two and get some photos and share them with you all.
Hope you are enjoying your home....