On The Road -- Again. Part V The Whole Family Gathers At Lizzy's

We really didn't mind the running here and there. As I've said, it makes 5 days expand into several weeks (in one's perception). After dropping in at Mildred's, we made our way back to our hotel and freshened up. Lynn was taking a bus from downtown to Mike's work place, saving time by avoiding separate trips to fetch her and him.

Lizzy and her boyfriend, Shawn, live up in the Hollywood Hills, not far from our hotel, in a house they recently bought. Up and up we climbed, the road twisting and turning the higher we went. The Hills are amazing, with fabulous houses perched (precariously, it seemed) one on top of the other as the road switches back to reach each new level. Of course, the view looks down upon the communities below (where the commoners live) or out into the distance and the towers of downtown . Quite beautiful.

Assembled at Lizzy and Shawn's , besides our entourage, were Janie (Lizzy's mom, unexpectedly and coincidentally in town the same time as us; a pleasant surprise), Josh (Stacey's cousin Steffi's older son), his girlfriend Erin, and an old friend of Lizzy's, Brandon.

Lizzy is very talented and creative - she writes, designs jewelry and, unbeknownst to us previously, cooks. Tonight she was demonstrating this new-to-us facet by cooking up a storm of a dinner - a wonderful pasta carbonara and stuffed peppers. Good bread was set out along with a nice spread of appetizers and a selection of wines and drinks to keep us satisfied as Lizzy cooked, talked, took us on a tour of her new house, cooked, talked, etc. Dinner was a few hours away. But we were having fun with this mini-reunion of young family from back east, many of whom were now living in L.A.


Lizzy shows off her cooking talent.


Janie, Mike, Erin and Josh gathered around the yummies.


Shawn - chewey bread is the staff of life.


Lizzy and Janie Press - daughter and mom!


Josh - plays the guitar??


That's Matthew and Janie.


The family gathers around for reminiscences.


Josh and Erin - sweethearts.


The fabulous cake from Muriel's Belwood Bakery. Almost too pretty to eat -- but we did.

It was a wonderful evening - filled with reminiscences of old family times back on the east coast. It was great seeing Mike and his cousins and friends united in this cozy setting at Lizzy's place. The only ones not here were Danielle and Erik, and they were missed. Before we knew it, it was after midnight. Another long day in L.A. filled with pleasant memories. Tomorrow, Saturday, we were leaving town and driving south to Long Beach and Palos Verdes. We would be visiting my cousin Jay and his wife Beverly - that's where my Aunt Sissy was staying. Then on to the Jon and Carrie's wedding on Sunday and beyond that ... home.

Stay tuned for the final chapters of our L.A. trip.