SATURDAY AND EASTER SUNDAY

💫💫💫💫💫SATURDAY💫💫💫💫💫

The Access Van got me to Ellen's about 10:30 and I was presented with a lovely tulip plant for Easter.  We had a bite to eat, then Ellen prepared a big salad and we took off for Santa Barbara. Got there and were greeted by niece Carolyn, her Dana, and of course, Calvin, who almost knocked m over with his tail. Great-niece, Claire, was just leaving for work (doggy day care). Also there were niece, Francine, her husband, Charlie, and two of their three sons, college and high school age. We all sat in their lovely back yard with sandwiches and drinks and talked happily. This was family, the best kind of companions. 

Carolyn and the boys decided to bike to a restaurant at the harbor and the rest of us would drive and meet them there (except for Charlie, who decided on a nap, instead). Here's Carolyn, in her biking gear,  talking to Ellen in their beautiful backyard, which also has a newly-installed hot tub:

                    

...the three girl cousins:

Carolyn, Ellen, Francine

Ellen drove Francine and me to the harbor and we met Carolyn and Dana there. Went to a nice, casual, seaside restaurant and had Margaritas and other drinks, plus glaucoma, chips, and fries.

From left: Dana, Carolyn, Francine, yours truly, and Ellen.

I wish I had gotten a picture of Charlie and the boys, but they didn't join us at the harbor, so I didn't. We went back to Carolyn's for more chats, then said goodbye after hugs and kisses and "love you" all around. And yes, I do love them.

El drove us back to Ojai and we got in about 6:00. She made us a bite for dinner and Greg came over about 7:30 so we could play our favored game: yummy for gin rummy! We played until 10:00, actually past my bedtime, but it was fun. Slept soundly until 6:15--actually better than I've been sleeping at home.

💫💫💫💫💫SUNDAY💫💫💫💫💫

As mentioned, I slept well and got up at 6:15. Took my weekly med, waited the half-hour, and poured my coffee. I sat reading a wonderful cookbook by Ima Garten, then another on healthy eating, which was even better. Ellen has getting more and more interested in cooking and Greg, of course, has always been a marvelous and inventive cook. He came over shortly after we had breakfast, bringing over his partially prepared main dish for dinner. We visited for a bit and I took this of the three buddies: Ellen, Cessy, and Greg (Gwennie was out, no doubt killing things):

Then the three of us (not Cessy) took off for the Ojai Meadow Preserve, where we enjoyed a hike of about a mile. It's a lovely area with lush greenery and soaring hills that overlook the site, and the weather had turned wonderfully warm. 

Back at El's, the two cooks busied themselves with preparing dinner, which was de-lish. Besides Ellen's roasted Brussels sprouts and potatoes, Greg had outdone himself with a main dish that contained both salmon and cod. They were united in a wonderfully flavorful tomato sauce, made with fresh tomatoes, onions, and a variety of subtle spices. 

After we finished, Greg and I went to Bart's Books, a constant hang-out for Greg, which I greatly enjoy, too, and we stayed for 45 or so, happily browsing. I have a lingering interest in the Kennedys and found this, which I bought for ten bucks:

Back at El's, I got the standard Access Van message that I'd be picked up between seven and twelve minutes. After hugs and thanks for a lovely weekend, off I went. I'm looking forward to seeing El again this week, as I asked her to come with me to buy some new footwear. We'll choose a day later. Hey, that was one of the best holidays I've had in years!