Still in Sunny California!!!

I have been visiting with my brother Gary and good friend Rick in CA through Sunday. We have had an awesome time visiting with Rick's family to celebrate Gary's birthday.

Lots of great food, fun and laughter. We even had a mini spa experience in the kitchen with all the girls ;-)

I brought care packages for each of them filled with my handmade soaps, some body sugar scrubs, whipped body butters, chocolate truffle lip balm AND my new bath bombs. They loved everything! 

On Sunday, we went to Santa Monica and had a scrumptous brunch at iCugini. The best food ever!!! Then we had to go down to the beach of course  ;-)

I also had a chance to visit Rancho Santa Ana Botanical Gardens. I think we spotted the great Kukuie monster through the trees ;-) 

Just kidding....the gardens were awesome and I was able to take pictures of plants, trees and flowers that do not grow in Washington state.  The park is over 86 acres so we had a great afternoon walking the trails and enjoying the afternoon.

We also had a chance to visit an authentic Italian Deli and boy o boy...talk about being a kid in a candy store! Fresh mozzarella, pastas, marinated olives, artichokes, mushrooms and a plethora of Italian meats and cheeses. Today I will be making pizza from scratch!  I'll post the recipe and a few pictures tomorrow.

YES! I love to cook but have not had time because of school. I've been cooking a few new recipes for the boys which they have loved....my husband is jealous and misses me!!!

It is so nice to have a break this week before school starts again on Monday ;-) 

I have been taking lots of pictures with my new Nikon D5000 digital camera.  Hope you enjoy the pictures.

Have a safe and fun week everyone. Hugs, Maria

Oh I forgot to mention my new little family...or my brother's little family...Roxie...Dagger and Hector ;-) They are so sweet and such cuddle bugs.