Third Annual California BBQ!!!

[Sus]

Although I've already had a preview of some of these pictures, I have been looking forward to viewing them again! They are so cool!

Santa Monica beach looks like a marvellous place! I don't think that I've ever seen that amount of sunshine on any photo ever. I love it! And I really love to be taken on this "Tour de Sunny California" by all of you BBQ participants... All I new about Santa Monica was that they have a famous race track there. (Wll, don't they??!)

Love,
Sus and Bella

[gini]

Good morning Sus..............yes, all of that California sunshine you can see. It is hard to believe that we just ended a season with the second most rainful in recorded history.

I am thinking that perhaps God loves the BBQ - because so far each year the weather has been perfect.

This weekend it is very hot and humid and uncomfortable.

Sus, I think you are thinking about Santa Anita racetrack that is indeed famous - it is in the Pasadena/Arcadia area of Los Angeles and quite a bit inland - near the foothills of the mountains. It is always fun to go there for a day.

[momoffuzzyfaces]

Great pictures Randi.
I sure love that blue stemware in the lunch picture!
I bet Fister is thrilled to have you home.
Give him a head kiss from me if he allows, ok?
I'm so glad you had fun!!!

[Randi]

Thank you, MOFF! Yes, Fister is being very velcro, but at least I'm feeling back to normal today, I have really felt the jetlag this time!

On with the pictures ...

When you see this house from the street, you’d never imagine what was going on inside and in the back yard.



Gini had managed to get quite a few PTalkers together for the 3rd Annual BBQ and we all had a lot of fun! Thank you!!

Everyone got to know each other a little better and had a great time. Don and Terry was BBQing chicken and everyone had brought something, so we all had some yummy food. Barbara and Koxka had sent wine and cava - uhmm!! Thank you so much!











Richard was pouring slushies ...



... but he also had time to sit down and entertain the guests



more in next post ....

[Randi]

.... and judging from this picture, he had poured a lot of slushies.



As the party proceeded, sirenes were heard and this Firetruck turned up.



... along with some handsome guys in uniforms. Phred had sent them.



They soon were convinced to join the party ...



... but Gini was running away.



Lut and Gini had made aprons for us all, so we didn’t get our clothes dirty - Thank you!!



However, I know how to kick a glass of wine around ...



So Julie had to borrow a pair from Gini.

[Randi]

Before the firebrigade left, they agreed to have a "few" photos taken ...



... but we stayed on, partied some more and had a chat.







It got wilder and wilder ....



... but some kept in touch with PT.



Thank you for inviting me, I had a great time!!

[Barbara]

I thought after 100 party pictures I couldn't see anything new- but the pictures of the Slick-monster and the Laurie-monster ARE new

[momoffuzzyfaces]

Originally posted by Barbara
I thought after 100 party pictures I couldn't see anything new- but the pictures of the Slick-monster and the Laurie-monster ARE new

These are the ITT sisters. They were born at the last BBQ! See below:

Originally posted by gini


LAURIE SAID - DON'T TAKE MY PICTURE!!!

This reminds me of one Halloween at the insurance office I worked for. I didn't wear a coustume to the party so went into the bathroom, combed my hair over my face just like that and put on dark sunglasses. I told everyone I was cousin ITT from the Adam's family!

[Sus]

Originally posted by Randi
[B]

LOL!!!

You have some veeery interesting creatures in California!!! What species do these two belong to???

And Gini - about race tracks: Thanks for clearing that up for me!

Love,
Sus and Bella

[gini]

Oh Randi, thanks for posting all of your wonderful pictures. I have already forwarded a few to my brother who lives and works in Brazil. The one with the firemen has his daughter and her roommate in it.

Now I will forward some to my other brother in Boston - he cannot believe that his sister is up to no good in Los Angeles
But, on second thought, he knows me pretty well.

[gini]

And can you believe that I actually let these two stay at my home???? One is known to run around on my street at 2:30 am - yelling "Mary - is that you?" The other spontaneously changes sheets.

[gini]

Yesterday, I was right in the middle of posting a long thank you and acknowledgement to everyone and my brother called long distance. I went to another site to help him with something - and lost the entire post! It was too long anyway

It is now a week after the BBQ and it is so quiet here. No firemen, no laughter, no signs, the kitchen is immaculate. What's wrong with this picture?

I have a lot of thanking to do............but most of all THANK YOU to everyone who traveled such great distances to be here.

RICHARD:Thank you for the pre-BBQ shopping. I am negotiating with Costco to see if they will allow you back in the store. Thanks for all of your huge help, incredible salsa, rice, beans, carnitas, tamales mixed with outrageous jokes every minute. And the bartending - how could any of us forget? Good slushies made by an expert! And also the tables and chairs.......great rental service!! (so where's the $$)

SLICK:Dear friend, did you ever stop? Thank you for the wonderful chili........the crab dip and the BAILEY'S! Your never ending support means the world to me. LES, so I will stop!

LAURIE:None of you have had a crab cake until you taste Laurie's. They are the best. Sweet friend, thanks for keeping me level as the plumbing overflowed and the neighbor yelled.
But most of all for keeping the laughter level a solid 10 all weekend. And don't try to sneak into town ever again!

SARA:For opening your home to Randi, Karen, Debbie and Terry - driving all of the way here loaded with a delicious salad, sausages, Randi's apple cake and wine.

DON AND TERRY:For tackling the BBQ for all of us. Special medals should go your way - that was a lot of chicken and sausages!

DEBBIE:I just loved having you here right in my own backyard. Did you get a pitcher of slushies - or a coke with just the right amount of ice cubes? I sure hope so!

KELLY:My newly adopted daughter who makes the best cake - better than - yes, it is true! However, I think Lindsey got fed the last few bites The fruit kabobs as always were a huge hit. And those lemon bars - my very favorite! Just having your sweet self here - would have been more than enough!

KAREN AND AARON:Do you have any idea Karen, how many people told me how pretty your are? Pretty and special. Thank you for that great artichoke appetizer and bread.......wish I had some of it today - but not a trace of a leftover. And California wine that you brought for everyone to enjoy. I love you both and hope we can get together for an in-between BBQ get together.

STACI:What an ordeal to get you here - and then get you back home. I hope it was all that you had hoped and you can muster up strength to come again next year. Word has it that you missed a few shops May I officially adopt you too so now I have triplets? TONYA, KELLY AND STACI!!!! Thank you for the special presents - and the kids LOVE their toys. I almost killed myself on one of the balls this morning - but I am used to it!

BARBARA: When Sara walked in with that beautiful bottle of wine I was dumbfounded. The next best thing would have been to have you here and I hope that this can happen. Thank you for the thoughtful present - and a chance to say hello to you.

KOXKA:That you would also send wine here with Debbie just made my day. Oh, how I wish that you could join us too.
Thank you - the thought and gifts just mean the world to me.

TRACEY AND AMBERLEE:Where do I start with you two?
Delicious cheese balls and sodas.......Richard and I were fighting over the cheese - but I think you missed that event. Toys for my children - Tracey you will laugh at this. I asked why in the world do they call these wonderful beds "condoms" - someone said "well just look at it" I took another look and laughed - Now I get it. Rascal has decided that BOTH are his but he hasn't figured out how to lay on both at once. I smile when I see the cat coasters and my floor is covered in little squares filled with something good - they have drool all over them.

MARY:I cannot think of a lovlier guest to arrive at my door at 2:30 am. You wanted an adventure - you got more than you bargained for! Did you notice that we put you right to work on Saturday? Thank you for the coffee and presents for everyone.
You are Mary aren't you?

TONYA:Ah yes, my first adopted daughter. Just as beautiful and sweet and intelligent and full of the devil as always.
Thank you for the very special bag of goodies - and all of your help and laughs! Did you notice that your gift bag disappeared?
I am no dummy!!

JULIE AND BYRON:So sorry that the projector broke down and the cat slide event didn't happen. Absolutely everyone here fell in love with the both of you. Julie, glad we could get to know each other so intimately immediately - bring the rest of your wash next time.......

LAURA AND ALEXAAnd now you know - we are all nuts.......and I was so happy that you both came to the BBQ.....and we had at least a little time to talk. It was just great having you here - everyone commented on how much they liked you both! Thank you for the yummy coffee too!

And last but by far, certainly not the least!

RANDI AND KAREN: To think that you both would fly all of this way just to attend an afternoon BBQ just brings tears to my eyes.
I knew I would - but I fell in love with both of you instantly.
Randi, I am so glad that we had some private time with Sara before the BBQ. I don't think I hugged you enough..........but I sure wanted to.

Karen, I hope I didn't embarrass you too much by asking you to "talk" in front of the firemen. They wanted to be sure that you really are Scottish.

You both brought so many presents that I would be here forever thanking you for each one. So I extend oneTHANK YOU.

Rascal, Annie and Emma thank you too...........I think this was good for them - they saw Rascal getting constant belly rubs and Annie had to get in the act - Emma realized they were still alive.........humans ARE good for something and she allowed herself to actually be seen.

Most of all I send huge Pet Talk hugs to each and every one of you................and gratitude and love to you for attending the Third Annual BBQ.

See you all next year.................I HOPE!! xxoo xxoo Gini

[Karen]

Meanwhile, back on the East Coast ...

Gini decided that, even though we couldn't be there, we could at least have a commemorative apron! We waited until the weather wasn't tooooo hot and humid for a furry little bunny to be outside, so today we finally got Paul to take the "photographic proof!"

We were there in spirit, anyway!

Thanks Lut and Gini for the wonderful apron!




By the way, my hair is brown, not red, it's just the sunlight that makes it look that way!

[captain]

OMGoodness ............. IS THAT MISS HOPPY?????

A photo of MISS HOPPY - W W - I remember asking for a photo ages ago, and it took Gini's BBQ, and an apron to get it .........



Great pics everyone.

[Karen]

Originally posted by captain
OMGoodness ............. IS THAT MISS HOPPY?????

It is! That's my bunny! She's a reluctant model, but for very special occasions, can be persuaded.