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This week is the Arizona Nurses Association Convention.  One of the speakers is Dr. Linda Aiken, a world renowned nurse researcher.  My system sponsored her so we had an evening with her for 1:1 interaction.

I guess since I was the contact person for the hotel it was all about me!

Dr. Aiken and me

I also had a poster at the convention with Rayette, one of my facility directors

 

 

 

10th Year Anniversary

We took four days and headed to San Diego to celebrate 10 great years of marriage.  We headed out Thursday morning about 6 AM.

 

We stayed at the Catamaran Resort and Spa on Mission Bay.

Beautiful flowers on the grounds.

There were exotic birds in their area right below our room.  They retired early each evening so as not to disturb guests as they tried to sleep.

 

Friday morning we headed out to do the historic trolley tour of the city.  It was a great way to get around and see the sights and learn about its history. Here we are standing in line outside Richard Walker's Pancake House.

Well worth the wait!

 

 And how can you resist Ghirardelli?

 We didn't!  We managed to squeeze in a scoop of chocolate with peanut butter topping.

 One of the stops was at the Hotel Del where we got of and strolled around the grounds.

 Beautiful architecture. 

After the tour we cleaned up for dinner.  This picture was taken in the lobby of the hotel.

We went to Del Mar and the Poseidon for our anniversary dinner.

Kendall had reservations for 7:15 so we could sit outside and watch the sun set over the ocean.  It was an awesome table and spectacular view!

 Saturday was a relaxing day.  We rented this fun 2-seater and meandered around the bay.

Getting the batteries installed 

 

Beautiful sights 

A bird taking a rest

 Soaking up the sun



After meandering around the bay, we walked 2 blocks across the road to the Pacific Ocean for the full water and sand experience.  

 

Saturday evening was dinner at Café Secret in Del Mar. 

 Café Secret is a Peruvian restaurant 

We were joined by Karen, Paul, Claire and Dan who drove south to join us.  It was great to see them.

 Inca Cola reminded Dan and Kendal of their ride in Peru in 2002 - the golden cola.

 The food was outstanding!

 Karen's chicken

 They brought us a treat to help celebrate our anniversary

 Paul's sharp eye spied this Chocolate Bar on the way in to the restaurant.  Dessert?  Of course!

 Sunday morning meant it was time for one last memorable meal before heading home.  We consulted Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives for a location.

This place came highly recommended



Forever Friday - Book Review

Forever Friday, A Novel by Timothy Lewis



Huck – what a name for a girl.  But one that she claimed at a young age, short for Huckabee her maiden name.  She thought it had more character than her given name of Pearl Garnet.  The nickname seemed to fit her.  This book is a story about the life time of love between Huck and her Gabe, intertwined with that of Adam Colby the owner of a small estate-sale business.  Adam finds 60 years of postcards lovely placed in photo albums – one arrived for Huck every Friday for 60 years.  Through the reading of the postcards, he was able to piece their lives together.  He realized that hope and commitment to each other were secrets to their 60 years of deepening love. 

 

As he read through the postcards, he came in contact with Yvette.  She was the daughter of Huck and Gabe’s housekeeper and a person Huck considered to be like a granddaughter.  This story is a great combination of going back in time with Huck and Adam as well as reflections of Adam as he tries to figure out what went wrong with his marriage (selfishness) and begins to see hope in the budding relationship with Yvette. 

 

A great book – highly recommended.   

 

Read an excerpt from the book:  http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/blog/2013/07/03/sneak-peek-forever-friday-by-timothy-lewis/

Authors website: http://timothylewisbooks.com/

 

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aeIPM89-D9Q

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”



Blackberry Jam

We collected blackberries over the summer and stored them in the freezer until we had enough for a batch of jam.  So, after we met my friend Julie and her boyfriend for brunch in town, we decided it was time to cook up a batch.

 

So much sugar!  Good thing you only eat a small amount at one time.

 

Putting it into the jars

 

Putting the jars in the canner

 

Taking the jars out after processing

 

9 beautiful jars of Blackberry jam!