Atlanta Saturday

We had a relaxing morning.  Tea, GF Cinnamon Sugar Donut, and conversation.  

This sweetie prepared the tea and donut as well as great conversation.  There also may have been a little knitting.

This is Peter's coffee mug and reading material.  Yes, the book is in french.  Pretty impressive this son-in-law. Appreciates my amazing daughter and reads in french!

He also did lots of driving, busy city streets and highway, putting up with his wife, mother and mother-in-law making suggestions and giving directions.  

Perfect weather for a day at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens.  This amazing plant filled space in the middle of downtown Atlanta.  It felt like we were wandering through a rainforest, or massive country estate.  Truly amazing and worth the price!  Great idea Abby!

This massive plant filled sculpture butterfly greeted us as we made our way to the cafe for lunch.

We paused for a quick group shot in front of The Ogre.  Very cool!

Warm and sunny, in the mid 80's with a nice breeze, perfect weather for eating outside.  

My GF lunch: fresh fruit, gorp from the gorp bar and popped chips.  

We wandered slowly along the many paths stopping to read signs and marvel at the dozens of huge butterflies.

So pretty!

There were lots of benches along the path.

Signs to read along the way.

The Edible Garden had a wide variety of fresh fruits and vegetables. Tomatoes, eggplant, squash.

Even edamame!

A few recipes.

Beautiful sunflowers

And my favorite: zinnias.

Beauties of all kinds!

A huge building full of orchids of every color and size!

Peter brought a book in case he was bored but never opened it!  Lots of interesting things to see and smell!!

Pretty leaves; they look hand painted!!

Back outside we found a pomegranate tree.

In the middle of this photo there are some baby quail.

And here is a giant bee on the flowers!

Lots of interesting fences and gates.

A HUGE unicorn.

As seen from the Canopy Walk, a cool suspension walkway, high above the drive and paths, we could see this Earth Goddess.  Very cool from here, truly amazing up close.

Intrigueing metal and wood benches alomg the Canopy Walk.

A huge Shaggy Dog. Hard to see how big he is here.  Eight feet tall?.  

After a long drive through crazy traffic we all needed a little rest before heading out to dinner.  Abby and Peter took me to another of their favorite restaurants.

A lovely Japanese Restaurant complete with waitresses in kimonas.

I had some vegetable sushi, edamame, rice and green tea.

Oh yum!!

A fun and busy day!

Friday Fun in Atlanta

Dinner at Mellow Mushroom, Abby's  favorite pizza place.  

I had Gluten Free Pizza with Daiya cheese ( a non-dairy mozzarella.)

After dinner we drove to the Mall of Georgia.  Lovely "village type" place with lovely landscaping,  seating areas and great shops and restaurants.  

We browsed thru Williams-Sonoma,  then sat to sip tea and look at magazines at Barnes and Noble.

I had a lovely "welcome basket" in my room from my girlie.  

I am getting to know the very pretty Lucky who is not much of a snuggle cat but submits to an occasional petting. 

Friday Funny Boy

Early morning trip to market.

Plus local peaches, onions,cucumbers,  broccoli, avocados, spinach and blueberries.   York County goodness!  

He says "Lala, lets count them.  One for John, Lala, Riley, Ozzy and Daniel Tiger!"

Picking out some tea and busy counting and sorting.

Watching Mr Ray cut the grass.  Moves from window to window to watch.

Where is the eye patch?

He says". I can still use this.."  Them stands with face pressed to patch on window.

Keeping an eye on all of it.  good Oz!

Applesauce!

57 degrees this morning.  Feels like September!  After I picked up sweet boy we filled up with gas and made a quick stop at an orchard.  Local peaches, zucchini, squash, tomatoes and a big bag of apples labeled "tree ripe summer Rambo."  I was assured they were great for applesauce.

Riley grabbed one and quickly decided he does not like green apples.

As i started peeling apples little man grabbed his toolbox to start "fixin stuff."

Wow look who stowed away in the tool box.  No wonder it was so heavy.

After a few short minutes of work it was decided that it was naptime.

Naptime at 9:30.   They all snoozed for a bit.

Until they smelled the applesauce.  "Can you hear my belly, Lala? It's growling really loud.  It needs some applesauce."

Everything tastes best in a blue bowl.

Lost a bit on his shirt so shirt was quickly removed for a second bowl.

Time for a little more fixin.

Lots of hammering!

First batch ready for freezer.  All natural, safe for all family members food restrictions.  No lemon or citric acid,  no added sugar.  20 pints and still a dozen apples remain.

Pretty centerpiece.