Little Houseguest

When we get ready for company, it is usually a matter of cleaning the house, putting fresh sheets on the bed in the guest room, stocking the fridge, setting up the blender and formulating a plan for keeping everyone entertained.

Most of our guests are adults.

Tonight we are expecting a two-year old (well almost two, his birthday is in October).

I met him when he was a month old. We hugged. We cooed. We bonded. I passed him to his parents when he got fussy.

Now he walks. Talks in Finnish. Climbs. Is nicknamed 'the locksmith' at his daycare center. Apparently he can get into anything.

It will be a two-week visit.

We are excited and slightly nervous.

Baby furniture has been borrowed, a travel bed and a bright pink high chair. A blow-up wading pool and beach ball are ready to be inflated. There is milk in the fridge. The breakables are hidden.

We are ready.

I think.

If Statues Could Talk

Corner of Cedros and Rosa

"Dude, it's July. It's noon. Where's the sun?"

"Behind the marine layer."

"I'm lookin' kinda pasty."

"Should we get a bottle of spray tan?"

"Nah, we live at the beach. That just seems wrong."

Gelato

I am a sucker for coconut gelato.

Have been known to walk into a shop, scan the flavors in the case, become momentarily tempted by tiramisu or berry, but walk right out, empty-handed, if they don't have coconut.

Imagine my delight when we took a little side trip to Coronado on Saturday.

Parked further than we planned from the main drag due to the heavy backed-up traffic on Orange.

Walked by some gorgeous architecture.

And ended up in front of Bottega Italiano on C Avenue.

Ottimo gelato!

Kirk House

There is a beautiful Victorian Queen Anne Revival-style residence that serves as an office and home for the pastor of a nearby Presbyterian church.

It is a historical landmark in Coronado.

At 959 C Avenue.

Can you imagine living in such an exquisite home?

Woodworking at the Fair

An unusual piece of furniture.

Built from sawdust and scraps.

Environmentally friendly, but can you actually sit down?

A pretty piece that just used wood.

Picture of a supervising woodworker made from maple, redwood and sapele.

Love this!

Tools of the trade on display.

San Diego County Fair 2012

The theme this year was OUT of this WORLD.

It was evident in the exhibits.

The landscaping.

And the friendly aliens that chattered indecipherably.

But knew how to drive and pose for pictures!

Sooey!

There were a lot of pigs at the San Diego County Fair.

To eat.

To pet.

To cheer on at the races.

Bacon wrapped turkey leg being dropped on the grill.

Napping in the Livestock pen. One of the pigs from Fallbrook was named 'Paula Deen'.

The crowd went wild cheering Kevin Bacon, the pig, as he crossed the finish line.