Weekend Coffee Share; Summer Reminiscing!

On By DianaIn Living life, weekend coffee share
A beautiful magnolia bloom I took on my trail ride last week!

Welcome, can I get you a cup of coffee or maybe some tea? I made some blueberry muffins and they are delicious. I am enjoying summer. It has been a bit hot but we usually get a nice breeze by noon so being outside has not been that bad. I am also thankful it cools off at night usually into the 60’sF (15’sC) and so in the mornings it is really beautiful and it takes awhile before the heat sets in (up in the 90’sF) and I think this is because we are not to far from the ocean. My poor family in Arizona, this last weekend it has been averaging 110F (43C) and at night it only has been getting down into the 90’sF (32’sC). Now that is really hot! It is truly a dry heat with little to no humidity but now that I think about it I am happy we were unable to make the move to Arizona. I miss my family there immensely but I know here in California is better for me and my horses and not too hot!

My hubby has been working around the house and he keeps busy with the yards and house upkeep. I know I have shared before that he built a saloon in our backyard. He originally was building a storage unit, 10X20ft but since we live in a horsey town he decided to turn it into a saloon and so it is decorated inside and out like one and my kids through high school enjoyed spending time out there and had small parties there too. The saloon is mostly a storage unit now, just half full of boxes and holds some saloon furniture. The thing that excited me was I totally forgot that we had purchased a small wall piano for $50 from a yard sale years ago that fit perfect in our saloon! My hubby was working out back on the saloon cleaning up the dust and spiders and so I went back there to see him before I went to work and my heart leapt as I saw the piano! YAY! Here’s a few photos (click on photos for full view!)

Its in good shape and plays fine. It needs a tuning but truly there is only a few keys that sound tinny but it actually plays better than my old parlor grand piano that really fell apart and it became unplayable. Currently we do not have a place for it to be in our house so if I have a yearning to play, I will have to sit out in our saloon! Haha, that’s fine with me. I just miss playing and being an accomplished pianist hearing music that we can impart with our own hands just brings joy to my heart! The action of the keys are not the best, that’s okay as it sounds like an old timey piano. So FUN!!

My sweet girl BZ, my hubby named her so many years ago!
From an old west website, Oh My! HAHA!

The photo with my sweet girl and all the chairs is looking out from the saloons porch. That barn in the photo is the back of a storage unit built like a barn that you buy from Lowes or Home Depot and it came with the property when we bought here. My husband decorated the back finding that “Stables” sign here in town. As a matter of fact so much of the decorations on our saloon are from farm or ranch properties that had yard sales or items with “free”. There is one more photo I can share of the front, but I wasn’t planning on spending so much time out in our saloon. It is really cool though, eh?

Shh, don’t tell my hubby that I am sharing his photos with the world. (He’s fine actually) Haha, I’m thinking he looks pretty dang good for turning 70 this year. He is eight years older than me and is doing great! He has worked so hard all his life and is now partly retired, is a Vietnam Veteran and the best hubby, father and best friend. I will say since I am on the subject that I can see why marriages change as we get older. Things are definitely different now than with little babies running around and then teen-age kids, and now they are grown adults with kids of their own. My goodness, I never wanted to dwell on aging and I am so thankful we are super active (I still work full-time) and as you know I do so much with my horses. 😀

Can I get you a refill? As I am writing this post I started out wanting to share summer and as always my horses which I will save for another post. I absolutely love it when I start to write and as the words flow from my mind to my fingers I end up sharing a subject that is near and dear to me and I am feeling rather nostalgic and so this is what I want to share today! It is so much fun for me! The next two photos are photos of a photo that my hubby came across going through some photo boxes. We have tons of photos we need to go through eventually. These caught my eye and so I’ll share here!

My son Harrison with Darth Vader. He is now 33 years old and a Dad himself. We are huge Star Wars fans so it was fun to run across this photo. That lightsaber he is holding looks like it is as long as Harrison is tall almost! Haha! And the second photo is such a neat photo of my niece Allie who came to visit back in the 90’s and I am on horseback as we ride around my sister’s backyard. I just love the accidental lighting on our smiling faces. These kinds of photos are just the best! I shared these photos with them on my social media and it was so wonderful to reminisce with them. And to think there is hundreds of photos to go through and I am sure there will be more gems to find.

Thank you so much for visiting my coffee share and I am just making it into the link up. I appreciate you visiting and I hope you all have a wonderful week ahead! 😀

Feeling nostalgic Mom and Grandma,

~Diana ❤

30 thoughts on “Weekend Coffee Share; Summer Reminiscing!”

  1. What a sweet post Diana. I imagine the mornings so close to the ocean are refreshing and makes the heat of the day bearable. It did feel like the heat kept me as a prisoner when I lived in Las Vegas with similar temperatures as Arizona, when the heat just never disappears, not even at night. With a nice, cool morning I can take the heat for a little while 🙂

    I really enjoy seeing photos from your house. It looks like a happy home. So many memories.

    This week I’m going to start working in my new garden. I signed the lease yesterday. My daughter haven’t seen the place yet (other than pictures,) so it is very exciting. I did some weeding last night. I’m going to do a lot of clean up, and prepare the garden beds that currently are there to begin with. After that I’m going to install more raised beds. I think raised beds are most suitable for this space, and I have some control of the soil quality. There are a couple red currant and raspberry bushes at the property, but the are not in great shape. I think I can salvage them with some TLC, but I also ordered more berry bushes; red currant, black currant and gooseberry.

    Have a wonderful new week! ❤

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    1. Thank you Maria! I’m so thankful that it cools off at night here and we have plans to eventually move near my daughter in a few years and she lives on the coast near Santa Maria. Her highs are in the 70’s and at night drops into the 50’s right now, how perfect!! It will be a wonderful area to retire and my hope is to find a horsey job at a stables there. I could not imagine living in Las Vegas, I’m not sure how I thought I’d make it in AZ. My son and family are hoping to move out of that state, he’s applying and had a job interview at Mayo Clinic in Minnesota! Fingers crossed prayers said for them as it’s an excellent opportunity. 💖

      And thank you. I like to say a happy home is where my heart is and I know my love for everyone is the glue that makes us all happy and smiling.

      So very EXCITING for your gardening adventures. Sounds like you have a bit of work to do but good feeling, get your hands dirty kinda work you Love!! I hope the berry bushes come back for you and all the things you are planning sounds wonderful. I think the raised beds are such a great idea. I would need to do that here just because of the rodents/gophers and even bunnies that are around. The gophers are the worse garden pests. Lol – I can’t wait for some photos once you get to that point!! Red currant, black current and gooseberry’s sound so YUMMY!!

      Have a wonderful week too! 💖

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      1. Your plans sounds lovely. Isn’t it interesting how a path we once thought was made out, then changes and a completely different path shows itself to be the obvious best choice? I do like being surrounded by nature and do a lot of gardening, but recently I’ve come to appreciate community more. I really like the passive-house apartment complex I live in now. It’s close to both my children schools, the neighbours are wonderful and somewhat like-minded, and it is in a good area (safe, close to town but not in town, bike-and-walking-distance-close to several amazing nature areas, and close to my work.) With this new opportunity to garden more than my (still-much-appreciated) balcony offers I don’t feel any rush to purchase a place of my own. It gives me a deeper sense of peace to not be looking for a place all the time, and a chance to save up more.

        Have a lovely week my friend ❤

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      2. I’ve thought about your response all day today because it truly is amazing how one path just turns into a dead end and then a different path looks better and more doable. I was so incredibly sad though when I knew it just wasn’t feasible to move to AZ. 😥 I knew in my gut and heart it wasn’t going to work and it was best to stay here.

        My daughter has encouraged me (us) to retire near her which I’m determined to make happen eventually!! I’m praying for this someday. (Following my son to possibly Minnesota just isn’t in the cards as they say, just too far away.) I hate to give up on being near my grandchildren, but it is what it is and am thankful for the technology to stay as close with them as possible.💖

        You are so wise and I am so thankful you share your world with us as your strength with all that you do is so inspiring Maria. (I’m sitting here thinking your world experiences are beyond anything I can comprehend as I could never see myself moving to another country. You are so strong and brave. And here I’m trying to figure out how we can someday move about 3 hours up north! I’m in awe and admire you more than these words can express!) It is soooo great how we can see how new environments can meet the needs we crave and how our needs can change. Life is full of changes and having a like minded friend like you is priceless. I just Love what you’ve shared! I thank you from the bottom of my heart! 💞💞💞

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  2. I do not think I could live in Arizona and even your place in CA might be a little warm. Our weather was similar, but maybe 10 degrees cooler.
    I like the saloon. Funny. I hope you get a chance to play the piano! My “real” piano (I play mostly electronics) is very, very out of tune, but still fun to play.
    I see you have done a little walking down memory lane with the photos.
    Have a wonderful week!

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    1. I grew up in Newport Beach which has very cool and temperate weather. We didn’t even have an air conditioner and it never got above 90 in the summers so it’s taken some acclimating to enjoy this inland living. Haha, I tried to convince myself it would be okay in AZ because I wanted so desperately to be near my grandkids. It just wasn’t in the cards, and I’m rather thankful!

      The saloon has so much character and has been a fun place. My husband put in a window air conditioner and my son and wife lived in it for a few months and then my nephew lived in it for at least a year maybe two! Like a tiny house but no bathroom or kitchen. A multi -purpose saloon! And I can’t wait to play the piano in there! Someday I’m going to purchase a keyboard!

      Have a wonderful week! I hope your work is calmer this month. 🤩

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  3. Hi Diana,
    I agree with Trent. I’ve been through Corona several times on my way to San Diego for various reasons and know that you’re very close to there – and it’s too hot for me.
    Sonoma county is right at the edge of where I can be comfortable heat-wise.
    My wife is fine here. With some variance for humidity, I get uncomfortable in the mid 80s while she is fine into the low 90s. But with our last child moving out next month, we’ll be looking for a new landing spot as I finally pull the trigger also on retiring.
    I love the idea of having a saloon in the back yard. What a hoot that must be!
    Finally – did you note that I finally produced something of a horse story?
    Okay, I fess up that it’s a sea horse story, which obviously is different, but I still thought you might get a kick out of it.

    The Reach of a Sea Horse :: N2W 220709


    Question – do you serve up a good dark beer in that saloon?
    Blessings.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Hi Gary,
      Yes, I don’t exactly love the heat where I live but it’s amazing how one can acclimate. I’m thankful it cools at night most of the time and it doesn’t stick around forever.

      I’ll be interested to hear where y’all might retire too someday? 😍 My family is spread out now and maybe be even further away and since my daughter has been on the move in the military for many years now it will be wonderful if we can be close to her as she will settle and stay the 3.5 hrs from us as she gets closer to retiring from the military. Life is full of changes, right? 💜
      The saloon has been wonderfully fun over the years, and it’s also a place we can store extra boxes that we need to go through eventually. And if you want a dark beer, coming right up as we set up the BBQ! I do not like beer but my hubby does! 🤣

      Have a wonderful week!
      P.S. I visited and read your sea horse share and it was wonderful! Thanks for the link. 🤩

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      1. Hi Diana, your visits always make my day. You are correct. Corona may often be hot, but it is not Arizona. Normal humans can live in Corona but something un-natural is going on in AZ.
        So, I can’t buy you a cold beer on my next pass through the area. You may have to settle for refrigerated chocolate. 🙂

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      2. Aww, I love your visits too and I agree as more and more people moving to AZ I sure do wonder how they will truly enjoy it all year round! It’s pretty crazy. My son and family after one year there hate it there because it’s toooo dang hot! The winters are nice weather, hence the snowbirds affect. But my DIL especially can’t wait to move from the desert. So drab and not green and pretty either. Maybe an ice tea or a tall coca cola, that sounds great! 😎

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  4. Hi Diana, Thank you for your weekend coffee share. How fun to have your own saloon . I hope you get to play piano more often. AZ triple digit temperatures are too hot for me. It’s lovely to read your reminiscing post and see your pictures. Have a great week!

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    1. Thank you so much Natalie! I agree with you about the heat in AZ. It would be so very difficult to enjoy my horses there so I’m thankful I’m still here in CA. Thank you for your kind comments and for stopping by as I reminisced. I hope you have a wonderful week too!

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  5. The saloon looks terrific.Nice to see the photos of your husband too. He looks like a good fellow. I love the swing doors on the saloon. Just like a set from a Western movie! I hope you will play that piano. We have a piano in our living room but neither my husband or Ican play so it sits as a place for family photos and remains unplayed. Have a good week ahead Diana!

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    1. Thank you so much Anne! This was a fun post to put together and I enjoyed the spontaneity of it too. It’s refreshing to share and include other things I love including my hubby. 😍 My dad was almost a concert pianist, but ended up becoming a psychiatrist/neurologist and all us kids took lessons starting at a young age. I was 5 yrs old and I was the only one out of all us kids that stuck with it and took lessons into my 20’s. Did your kids play? Thank you so much for stopping by, and I hope you are mending up fast and have a great week too! 💖

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  7. Thank you so much for the coffee and delicious blueberry muffin Diane! Your husband has done a wonderful job with the saloon and it is lovely to meet him here too! I hope you get to play the piano again 🎶 and please give sweet Chloe and Murphy a big pat from us all 🤗🧡🐴 xxx

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    1. Thank you Xenia for sharing coffee and muffins with me and for your wonderful comments. It is so fun to share the things I love and I’ll get back out to playing the piano soon. I’m excited! I’ll give those sweet Ponies Chloe and Murphy big pats from you all, and please give Misty a pat and a hug from us here! 💖😍🐾🤠🐴💞

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  8. What a beautiful post
    And before I came here I mentioned your old piano in my comment to you on my blog
    And Diana, then to come
    Here and read you discovered the smaller piano in the saloon
    / how awesome
    —
    And your hubs does look excellent for his age – oh and you are so right – marriages grow and evolve as the phases and stages progress
    Cheers to grandkids

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    1. Aww, thank you so much Yvette! I love the connectivities of our thoughts as it truly is ironic that you mentioned that only to find out I remembered and shared my second piano! So cool!! It truly is awesome and I’m thrilled to have something to play. 🤗❤️
      I’m thankful for your kind comments, crazy how life ebbs and flows as changes slowly come about as we age. Many cheers to grandkids!! 💞

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