good friends and flowers

Today me and my knitty crew got together and celebrated Darcy's and Maryjo's birthdays. April is a fabulous month for a b-day, almost as perfect as May (but not quite, heh). Natalie had the inspired idea of going to Descanso Gardens, outside of LA. I'd never been and Natalie's mention was the first I'd heard of it. For starters, we ate at a Mexican Restaurant, a place called Joselito's in nearby Montrose, which was damn good eats. From there, we headed over to Descanso, for a fine walk through the gardens, then a fun round of gift giving and cookie eating.

The day lifted my spirits. When Ellen picked me up to start the trip this afternoon, I was feeling a little low. Someone stole my favorite t-shirts and my bras at the laundromat yesterday. I'd hung them up to air dry, then dipped over to Target while the rest of my stuff was in the dryers. This I do not do, because I don't like the idea of people pawing my clothes if I'm not back in time. But yesterday I went ahead because my father is in the hospital and I needed to get a few things for him. I'll be going home to Ohio this week, and the whole idea of my dad, who is almost never sick, facing a serious illness has me scattered. I'm doing what I know how to do, buying things and making things to make his time in and after the hospital more comfortable.

So this morning I had a case of the yucks. It's amazing what good friends and flowers will do for you.

I'll let the day play out in pictures. You might notice a very special bouquet among the flowers!

Pretty things:

Pretty people:

Tomorrow, pretty presents, pretty yarn porn, more pretty people, and the pretty gift I made for pretty Darcy.