I am back home today reflecting on a marvelous 4th of Julythat was all about finding new holiday traditions for Jeff and I!
Sometimes, latelyholidays come in packing such an emotional punchandthis hit usually happens when I am expecting it the least.
I thought I was doing pretty well about the 4th with my kids grown and on their ownat least until the Wednesday before the 4thwhen dear friends starting posting pictures on Facebookof this holiday pastand it hit me.
All those years agoI would never, ever thought it would be like this today.To have my sweet little boy continuing to estrange himself from the family.Seeing all the pictures of him littleand such a lovecut my heart.
Which always opens it up to feel the loss of my other two growing up with full lives of their ownespecially on the 4th.
It's a funny thing about parentingeven in the caseswhere things turn out just the way you were hoping with your kidsyou can still feel a loss.
ButI have been letting goandholding on long enough nowto realize I can let the sorrow inbut just for a bit to acknowledge it ….
and thenit's up to me to refocusand fill my heart with gratitude for what isandcompletely invest in some new holiday traditions!
That's just what Jeff and I did!We headed out on a road trip to the Palm Springs desert!
How I love a road tripeven short ones.The getting out on the road and finding all different kinds of beauty.It can be like seeing with new eyesboth on the road and then again back at home.
It was such a lovely drivewe took the time to stop and see sights all along the way.
Out to the beautiful Palm Springs!It's just an hour an a half from our housebut it feels a world away!
Lucky for methe shopping on El Paseo is goodbecause it wasn't more than an hour into our road tripthat I realized I forgot all of my makeupexcept on red lipstick.I was so happy to hear Saks was open!Not willing to reinvest in everythingI soon realized a great foundation with lipsare my must haves, especially in the summerwhen it's sunglasses for the most part.I just let go of caring about the rest!
Our Palm Springs destination was the brand new reopening of L'Horizon!The hotel is intent on bringing back the Glamour of Hollywood's Golden Ageand I for one couldn't wait to play along!!
I will share more about this fantastic propertyanother timebut this is the charming view from our roomI couldn't wait to get in and changeand hit the pool with cocktails!
Here's a great big cheer for new holiday traditions!!A stunning hotel with mellow fellow guestsandcocktailing at the pool was the perfect for us place to be this year!
As the sun began to setI knew just where I wanted to gofor the evenings fireworks …
The very top of that distant mountain!
Palm Springs is known for it's arial tram to the top of San Jacinto.I have always been enthralled with the conceptbecause I love a great view like non other …but I always knew it was out of my bravery level …that was until this year.
My driving quest to make new fabulous memories with my husbandhad me certainthat being at the top of the mountain this July 4th was just where we needed to be.
We had driven by in the afternoonand checked out the processso I could break it down in my headso I could make it up the top.
Our pre researching the endeavor worked for me.Especially finding out it was only a ten minute ride up the mountain in the tram that can hold about 50 people and in the summer comes about every 15 minutes.
The views were as spectacular as I had hoped!
Once up the whole valley was laid out before us!
I was so happy and proud of us for taking the plunge into stretching our comfort zonesfor such a magnificent adventure!
On the top we had cocktails as the sunsetandthen had dinner as we waited for the sun to setandthe fireworks to go off.
Marvelous new memories were definitely madeandI will be happy to make this a new tradition to be sure!
We ended our 4th of July at Melvyn'sOne of our favorite Palm Spring iconic spotswith a long history of being a spot frequented by the Rat Packin the days gone by.
With live music and a dance flooryou can imagine the glamour of the days!
Going back to our fantastic hotel …made for a simply perfect ending to the day!My goal of making new 4th memories was a complete success!
The next morning had us back in the cardriving off the beaten pathsfor as much as I get huge enjoyment form a swanky localeI also have much appreciation for true rustic and natural.
Which makes a trip to Palm Springs all the more!Less than an hour out in so many different directionswill have you in some mighty unique spots.Like Pioneer Townwhich was built by Roy Roger's to accommodate the film industries.If you make it out that wayPappy and Harriet's Palaceis a must stop for a local watering hole with fantastic food to boot!
Our little road trip ended up being just what the doctor ordered.I came back renewed and invigorated.
For me it's fine to step back into a past that no longer existsas long as it's only once in a while.
For meit's important to be able to go back just long enough to rememberthe past has some great momentsbut it wasn't perfect.
Raising three children 4 and underhad some huge challengesas raising littles always does.
I want to remember the good timesand remember to respect fact it was hard as well.
Looking forward …Maybe the best is yet to come …
I think so very much of lifeis deciding how to see it.
I want to see life through eyes full of gratitude for the beauty that can be foundespecially when we go out intentionally looking for it.
As always my friends
I wish you love and joyas you style your life
