La Quinta, California: When I last left you, Dave and I had returned for his Roomie Anniversary trip to Mexico. We flew to Los Angeles to attend Grandparent's Day with Lucy at her school. Then the kids came out to La Quinta with us (they had the entire week from school), and stayed with us for 5 days. Swimming was involved:
Lenny came out to bring the kids back, and remained here a few days as well. One day Lucy rode 5.5 miles on her bicycle:
One evening, Leo requested steak & potatoes for dinner. I obliged. Before dinner, Bubba and Lucile performed a comedy routine... drum roll please... complete with costumes, disguises, and props. So sorry I did not record this epic show. Our little granddaughter (9) has impressive timing while telling jokes or funny stories. Dave has owned the fake glasses and nose since college. (I can't explain why he is wearing two hats.)
We also tried a new Handel's Homemade Ice Cream shop that opened in Indio. First time to try this ice cream. I wasn't overly impressed with the quality (I ordered chocolate chip), and their "small" scoop would feed three people.
Even Leo couldn't finish his ice cream. Another thing I was not crazy about was they offer no indoor seating (in this hot valley?), and seating for only 12-15 people on their patio. It is their first store with a drive-through window though! The tables and chairs were sticky with melted ice cream. Not a pleasant experience (bees!). (Again, when will I make my fortune with a pressure-washing business?)
On Wednesday we all went back to Los Angeles to celebrate Thanksgiving at Angela and Bryan's home... and we were so excited to spend time with their adorable one-year-old, Sebastian. Angela's mother flew in from Greece, Angela's sister flew in from New York, Bryan's mom drove a few miles from her house, and friends gathered from so many other places.
I can't begin to describe our feast. It was my first-ever Greek-inspired Thanksgiving. Yes, we had roasted turkey, Angela's aunts famous cornbread stuffing, rolls, and gravy. We also had Greek pasta (spaghetti with grated mizithra cheese), but there was a turkey gravy with cubed potatoes to ladle over the pasta. Angela's mom also handmade beef-stuffed dolma. Their friend brought the most delicious Spanakopita I have ever eaten. There was apple pie, pecan pie and chocolate cake. No pumpkin pie and no cranberry sauce. Thank goodness - it was such a feast.
What a wonderful week we had and it was so wonderful to see Angela's sister and mom again (though we do see more of them lately as Angela's parents fly more often to LA now to see Sebastian). Dave and I totally understand! Sebastian and his parents will be spending Christmas in Greece this year, so I gave him a little something for his Christmas tree. I needlepointed the ornament, then sent it off to a wonderful woman in New York who turns my stitches into treasures:
Until my next update, I remain, your stuffed correspondent.
What a beautiful ornament!