Lunch at Las Casualas

We couldn't possibly come to PS and not have a meal here. It was coolish yesterday but we had the best seat in the house on the patio in the sun and looking out over the mountains. It certainly wasn't cool there and we still got our morning and afternoon swims, hot tub, and sunbathes. Back to normal temps today and up to the high 70's-80's for our last few days. We leave Tuesday for home...sigh.

Melvyn's at the Ingleside Inn

We've been meaning to get to Melvyn's and it definitely confirms its reputation as a time warp. The food was actually rather good and for lunch we had a filet mignon with peppercorn sauce on a chanterelle mushroom. Ancient waiters in white linen jackets that filled water glasses almost the moment you drank from them. One thing I did like is they didn't take Jim's plate away until I was finished...amazing how the opposite happens in the best restaurants. Entertainment nightly and a big bar...can just picture the ancient barflys who frequent this place at night. We came for lunch.

Itty Bitty Book Review: "The Girl..."

I did enjoy the first one then tired of the second one, gave it up, and am now reading "The Given Day" by Lahane so I guess even the endless sunshine here didn't completely turn my mind to mush. I must admit that watching all three movies might have had something to do with stopping the reading. We did enjoy the movies. We have this movie channel available here and the owner of the condo includes 5 free movies. I see "The Social Network" is now available so we'll probably watch that tonight.

Monster storms

This is Leo the cat. Its owner in Chicago posted this photo to a newspaper saying the "storm of historic portions" was no match for Leo. He does seem determined to get the best of it!


I went onto the TimesColonist today and was pleased to see that Canada also blames the US for the
weather sometimes. We often read down here that the "cold front from Canada..."

"The system, which originated in the United States and clobbered much of northern Indiana and Illinois, Missouri and Oklahoma, dumped between 10 and 15 centimetres on parts of southern Ontario on Wednesday morning. The winter storm warning was lifted for the region around 11 a.m."

This storm is even affecting the desert and the temps are lower today and will be very low tonight. We still got our swim, hot tub and sunbathe this morning.

Golf at Taquitz...

Yes...we are still buying books...

We can't seem to resist buying books even though we worked hard to get rid of lots of them! Susan highly recommended "The Given Day" by Lehane. Actually, he is appearing at Rancho Mirage Library on Feb 10 but we will have left by then. John was high on the Atkinson and of course Coetzee is always a good read usually.

For a buck each...how can you go wrong?

Snow on the mountains

There was fresh snow on the mountains today and it will be a little cooler for a couple of days...high 60's but will feel like low 70's...perfect really since completely sunny. Went to the Street Fair yesterday then lunch in La Qunita. Jim had a great pulled pork sandwich and I had a hot dog...with guacamole, bacon, and sweet peppers...very tasty. And we loved the microbrew beer from Healdsburg, Red Rocket Ale. It made us nostalgic for our wonderful time in the Sonoma with Don and Elaine.

Then dinner at Nicolino's with Tom and Claire. For me a wonderful veal picatta with loads of lemon and capers and Jim had a traditional chicken caccitore.

Just back from our swim and sunbathe and now out to play golf.

Villa Royale Inn

We had a super dinner and fun evening with Erna and Marvin last night at the Europa Restaurant at the Villa Royale Inn. It's a charming place and I think it would be fun to stay there...rates seem pretty high, though.

Cool display at the Palm Springs Tourist Bureau

I always make a trip to the tourist bureau because they always have some interesting books. This year I was attracted to and bought "Palm Springs Holiday: A Vintage Tour From Palm Springs to the Salton Sea". Also, the Palm Springs Modern Committee had a neat display with lots of memorabilia. I just love this stuff!

Mid-Century Modern Shopping District

In Uptown Palm Springs they have number of stores selling mid-century modern type furnishings. I hadn't browsed these stores before so was rather interested. These are new, not originals and the prices are unreal. I thought of getting one of the beach towels or a cushion for a souvenir...beach towel was $200 and the cushions were $400. Furniture is in the thousands. Didn't see many customers but I guess someone buys this stuff. Anyway, fun to look at and take photos of...that will be my souvenir of this area of PS.

Lunch at The River

We had a super lunch at P.F. Changs at The River yesterday after our golf game. We always really enjoy the food there even though Jim isn't a big fan of Chinese food he does love this food. It's always very fresh tasting and sitting outside looking at the fountain and the mountains makes it taste even better.

I'm so glad we finally made it here and I am feeling relaxed for the first time in months.

Hummingbird in our fountain

The hummingbirds love to get a drink and have a bath in our fountain.

I love the views at this golf course...

We never tire of the Elephant Bar. Strange looking 3 wheel, 2 footstand scooter...?

Views of the San Jacinto Mountains everywhere

Took this while driving into our condo complex.

We had lunch with Tom and Claire yesterday in Palm Desert and then hit some thrift stores to get a few odds and ends. Always fun to go through these stores and Jim found a Flannery O'Conner novel he didn't have. Out to play Par 3 golf today then the Elephant Bar for lunch.

Another lazy day in PS

We listened to the group at Las Casuelas for a while but too long a wait to get in for lunch...we'll try again next Saturday. Had a super lunch at a Thai restaurant. We haven't had Thai food for a while and it was very fresh and tasty. Sitting people watching in the sunshine with Singha beer and good food then home for another swim, hot tub and sunbathing. Now time for a nap. Richard, I thought you'd like the In and Out Burger tee-shirt.

"Sunny and pleasant, sunny and nice, bright and sunny..."

I do pity the poor weatherman around here...forecasts do get rather boring. Mid-70's -80 for the upcoming week which means like it will feel like above 80. Just perfect...not too hot. Off to Las Casuelas for lunch. Saturday is always a fun day because they have these old rockers playing music.

Walking around Canyon Sands

I was pleased to see they have made even more desert type plantings and replaced the water thirsty ones. I never tire of the palm trees and the mountains...no mountain shots as the sun was right there. Lots of mountain shots to come.