Birds and a squirel in the backyard.  Along with dreams of greens and purples in my magic garden.  

My engine alert light went on yesterday.  The new more efficient me make an appointment at Firestone.  I thought,  someone will drive me to Target and I can get a bday gift for Violetta.  Then,  in the midst of my exercises,  Em calls.  She's taking a day off work and wants to shop.  Yay.  Shopping and fun with Em.  

I get to Firestone early,  wow.  Early.  That's a first.  Em picks me up and we're off to Z ville and Leslie Jane's my new fav place to shop.  Em gets things for her trip to Israel.  I get a great hippy skirt and a shirt that I just love.  Also a b day gift for Nicole.  

Then we go to one of my fav lunch spots,  Plum's Upstairs.  It's worth the trudge with cane on one side and the banister on the other.  We sit in our fav seat by the window.  So divine  Like being in Europe.  Looking down on cobblestones and people walking and kids playing in their colorful clothes.  A woman in orange and her kids in shades of pink against the dark colors of the street.  

We have soup and a roll dipped in olive oil.  The soup is one of their best --tomato bisque.  I love that soup.  It's delicious with rice and bits of perfectly seasoned tomato.  And of course French Pressed coffee.  

It's lovely to chat and eat and to look at the ever changing scenes out the window.  Dogs and dog owners.  Shops and kids.  I am a big fan of Z ville.

Then we squeeze the last drop of energy out and go to Target.  We find an adorable ballet costume for Violetta along with a Fancy Nancy book ,  boa and pretty pink purse.  Also a spidey man toy for Xavier.  

Then Em drops me off to pick up my car,  which is ready-- perfect timing .

At home my crock pot meal is waiting.  Way too spicey.  I adjust with evaporated milk,  sugar and extra rice.  Still spicey but delicious.  Yumm.  MKate eats with us.  We are in perfect time to put away the food and troop into MKate big ,  fun van.  Off the concert.  

The Carmel Symphony does a popular concert.  And yes,  the soloist,  a singer does sound like Frank Sinatra.  His stories were charming.  He shared about his mom who gave up a singing career to raise 5 kids,  but taught them all to sing.  And about his neighbor lady who baked amazing cup cakes.  At age four,  he'd sing outside her house,  hoping for and always getting a cup cake.  I love his stories even more than his singing.  So warm and rich.