Happy Birthday Momasita!

Mom ejoying a specially made mystery martini

served in her new cupcake birthday glass

Roses from her boyfriend Peter

We spent a few hours late morning and early afternoon packing and moving. She moved from our house to a cute studio in downtown Ventura. I love the area, it has lots of unique little houses built in the 50s... lots of picket fences, mature palms and landscaping, quaint victorians, little beach adobes and climbing roses. It's within a few blocks of downtown and the beach! You can see the beach in the pic above, which I took standing in front of the apartment looking west. I hope that she finds herself again in this new home... a new beginning, embracing all of her talents and finding true happiness!

Mario and I had wanted to take Mom, Peter and Willy to Cafe Nouveau, but everything took a little longer than planned and they were closed for the afternoon. Instead we went to Zoeys, a little outdoor cafe in a courtyard off Main Street. The picture above was taken from my seat looking straight up. They have music and poetry readings in addition to the cafe and bar, it's a great little spot!


Above, mom opens gifts from her sister, my Aunt Elaine. The book is "The Secret of Happiness" by Joyce Meyer. Elaine and my mom's younger sister Lois have both read it, so now it's her turn! They had even highlighted good quotes in the book, and she opened up a page to read and it was a great highlighted quote about making a decision and doing it, and keeping things simple. :)

Amen to that, sisters!!

My mom has an affinity for sock monkeys - probably always, but especially the last 5 years or so. In honor of that, Elaine bought her a little sock monkey from her recent trip to the Outer Banks. We named her Zoey, in honor of the restaurant. She took a dip in the sugar bowl jacuzzi and as you can see... also had some wine.


Mom, Willy and Peter on the bench in front of her apartment after linner (due to a snafu in the kitchen, our lunch became an early dinner...)

In an unusual display of domesticity (thanks to a recommendation by Rebecca Bommbatz), I baked cupcakes for my mom - german chocolate with pecan/coconut icing, and strawberry with dark chocolate.

Zoey gets her party on back at the apartment