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While my parents were in town visiting at the end of October we made a trek to Oak Glen to try our hands at some good, old fashioned apple picking.

Who knew they even grew apples here in southern California? Apparently they do – and lots of them.

Read more on Apple Pickin’ Fools…

Emma enjoyed the Auto Show so much last year we just had to go back. Henry was old enough to participate this year and, much like his sister, he was nearly apoplectic with joy.

Henry was in a whiny mood the other week, pitching fits whenever he didn’t get his way. After a few of these episodes in one day I’d had enough. So, as he screamed and cried, I calmly sat right in front of him and captured the moment on “film.”

We went to the Taste of Newport a few weeks ago with Katie and Spiff. It’s a big food and music festival held in Newport Beach.

We went to sample the wares of local restaurants like Agora Churrascaria, Clayton Shurley’s, Wildfish and others. As an added bonus The Go-Go’s were performing! Being the huge Belinda Carlisle fan that she is, Marla couldn’t pass it up.

Read more on Taste of Newport…

The unquestioned hit of this birthday party was the cotton candy. All of the kids gorged themselves on the brightly-colored treat. Afterward, their veins coursing with sugar, the children burned themselves out on the playground.

Greetings from Norway! As I write this it’s 29 degrees, a light snow is falling and at high noon the sun is barely above the horizon. I’ve just come in from a brisk walk where I got wear my scarf for the first time in years…

Marla and Emma are both big Faith Hill fans. (Witness Mississippi Girl if you need proof.) In late August the Soul2Soul II tour came to town and I sent my two girls to enjoy a night of their favorite artist.

Emma was in rare form the day these pictures were taken. Early in the day she wanted to dress up and pose for the camera. The white straw hat put it over the top. Later in the day she and Henry took turns making sweet music (sort of) with my guitar.

Tomorrow is election day around the country. In California our ballot borders on the riduclous. The election guide for ballot measures alone was 191 pages long. 191 pages! That’s a travesty on multiple levels.

We made chocolate ice cream the other week and, as you can see, the kids seemed to enjoy it. It was the first time we’d attempted making chocolate and it turned out fairly well. I think that Emma and Henry would have enjoyed it either way!