California visit...and texture Tuesday...

"We are cups, constantly and quietly being filled.  The trick is, knowing how to tip ourselves over, and let the beautiful stuff out." -Ray Bradbury

I think the above quote is perfect for this picture!  I am on the front of the cup...just pour me out.  I got the cup as a free offer.  It is the right size for a pumpkin spice latte which is a perfect beverage for the middle of the afternoon.  Yum...so good.  I am linking this up with Kim Klassen's texture Tuesday.  I have not participated in it since before Christmas.

kk_waterfront18, soft light 100%, kk_scripted,soft light, 100%, kk_rien, multiply, 56%, masked painted over the cup.  

I am so behind in my posting, so I am going to catch up by going back to the end of December when we took a trip to LA to see Mark and Amber.  We flew into the DFW airport, where boarded our plane, and sat at the gate for an hour, because there was a dent in our airplane.  They had to get a mechanic to come make a decision as to whether our airplane was flight worthy with the dent.  Thank goodness it was approved for flight.

The delay put us into LAX in the evening.  I was glad this was our final destination.  Mark and Amber live only 15 minutes from the airport.  We were very excited to see their new apartment.  They always select places where there are nearby stores, and fun things to do.  Our hotel was just across the parking lot from their apartment.  This was very handy.

Zach joined us for our California adventure.  We were very happy he was able to get time off to join us.

Mark, Zach, Warren

 We all went for a walk to take in the sights...with a stop at Starbucks for tea, and coffee.

Mark waits outside of Starbucks with Oliver.  

 Amber's brother, Tony, joined us for the afternoon, and dinner at this fantastic barbecue joint.

Warren, Tony, Zach (look at his eyes), Mark, and Amber.  

Then football game watching time for the guys...

 Head shots...when we were out and about...

Mark...

Zach...

Amber...

Of course, we had to take a walk along the beach...it was such a gorgeous day!

Amber and Mark...

Amber working, and a view of their kitchen.  Amber always has such pretty flowers on the table.  

Oliver...isn't he so cute?

 We grilled burgers...well Zach grilled burgers for our evening meal.  Mark supervised.  Their apartment has an amazing outdoor pool with nice grills, and fire pits around it.  There are nice tables for eating outside, and that is exactly what we did...eat outside.  Amber's mom joined us for dinner. Very nice, and pleasant...and good, good food.

Zach and Mark...

That evening we went to get some sunset photos of the beach.  It was a beautiful sunset.

And we cannot forget the family in the sunset...

Zach...

A little chilly in the water...

Mark standing, me kneeling getting a photo...

Now it is Zach's turn to get a photo...Mark is standing close to the water's edge...gazing at God's glorious sunset.

Just Mark...

Mark, and Zach looking mean, sort of...

Mark wanted me to take some head-shots to use on his website, so we took a lot of photos.

These are the unedited ones.

This is not one he can use, but I like it a lot...

We took the photos in their bedroom since it had good window light.  (SOOC-straight out of the camera)

This one I took as we were finishing...also, not to be used.

Here are a few of the edited ones.  He wanted them on a white background, so I extracted him, and put him on a white background, just like he wanted.  

We left sunny California just in time to catch a snow storm here at home.

Our Maggie was so glad we were home.  

I am now caught up on all the activities for December.  Yeah...