Did A Little Carvin' And We're Off...

As I've mentioned before one of my very favorite traditions is pumpkin carving with my niece and nephew. This year my nephew brought a couple of his best buddies along and everyone pitched in an helped clean (eeewww!) and carve.

Of course I was in my glory just hanging with them - man they make me laugh.

And laughter people, is the very best medicine!

Here's a shot of the four of them (Taylor, Alec, McKae and Clark) with the final product. This picture doesn't do the pumpkins justice - and as for the kids, well anyone can see that they are all fabulously cute!

You might wonder why we are carving so early this year. Well, the Senor and I are heading out on another adventure. While away we plan to relish Little Italy and the Fisherman's Wharf, gaze upon the Golden Gate bridge, marvel at the splendor of Muir Woods, drink our way through the wine country and challenge "Lady Luck".

Yes, I should have all kind of tales to share upon my return.

Until then...Adios...Auf Wiedersehen...
au revoir ...αντίο...
arrivederci...adeus...
vaarwel...
bye-bye!

I Am A Traditionalist...

I am a traditionalist.

Family and tradition are at the core of who I am. One of my most favorite traditions is that of our annual Dove Days celebration.

Dove Days started out as a small get-together of six friends and their families. They would gather for the weekend, do a little dove hunting, have a bar-b-que and basically use this yearly event to celebrate their friendship.

Twenty-five years later the small get-together has grown in to a group of over eighty people who gather for the weekend, do a little dove hunting, have a 3-day bar-b-que and celebrate their friendship!

The most amazing thing about these six friends is the fact that they have been enjoying this crazy thing we call life together for the past sixty something years – give or take a few. And through these years they have brought together a unique group of individuals, in some form or fashion, to develop what we refer to as our Dove Days family.

We just completed our 25th annual Dove Days celebration. Over that weekend I took a step back and had a good look at those six men who have had a direct influence on who I am as a person.

And who am I?

Well, one thing is for sure, I am a traditionalist.

And that is one of the qualities I must have acquired from them.

They've taught me the lesson of friendship throughout my life...the importance of nurturing friendship through love and laughter, through trials and sorrow, through births and loss through forgiveness and through tradition.

Because of each of them, I am blessed...and I am thankful.



***Photos courtesy of Cory Hendricks-Seebackwards Photography - www.seebackwards.com