The best kind of weekend

This past weekend was one of those ones that leaves you with a smile on your face, and feeling very grateful for so many things.  It was a full one, but it was all so wonderful and full of adventure and beauty.  It all kicked off Friday night with one of my best girls birthday celebrations.  We gathered at her new place for some birthday fun.   It has got to be a good sign when this is the sunset that kicks off your weekend:

For her birthday Juli had arranged for one of her friends to do henna for all of us girls.  Let me tell you I LOVE me some henna, and her friend was so talented.  So many beautiful designs, and she did them all freehand.  

Aren't they beautiful?  Below is the end result, all of us together.  It was a great night of good food, music, and laughter.  

Happy birthday to my soul sister!  I hope your 33rd year is filled with all the love and happiness in the world, I cannot think of anyone who is more deserving. 

Later in the weekend, my husband and I decided last minute to head up the mountains to explore.  Juli decided to join us too.  We intended to go to Julian and walk around a bit, but then we saw the turnoff to go to Palomar Mountain, and in about two seconds we decided to go for it.  Also, Juli had never been even though she grew up here in San Diego!  It was on her birthday list of 34 things to do before she turns 34 so we checked that one off for her, and even on her actual birthday. 

    

We headed up the mountain and with about 15 minutes to spare before they closed we got to go into Palomar Observatory.   Palomar Observatory is an active research facility operated by the California Institute of Technology, and it houses the famous 200 inch Hale Telescope.  It is a pretty amazing place. We got to go inside and had time to walk around the grounds.

Pretty little pollinator outside the Observatory.

We then headed into Palomar State Park and wandered around on a few trails before it got dark.  I am glad we ended up there on such a beautiful day.  The weather was so nice, (hello tank tops and sandals!). 

Doane Pond with lady luna in the background. 

We were lucky enough to be graced by these beauties.  

Us with the birthday girl.

Dear San Diego, I love you big time.

It was the perfect end to a beautiful weekend.  I even managed to finish getting the garden planted on Saturday (thanks Juli for your help)  We now have tomatoes, kale, two kinds of squash, corn, and beans planted.  

You know, it is weekends like this that leave my heart feeling so full, and it definitely left me feeling refreshed even though there wasn't much rest that went on.   I hope you all had a beautiful weekend, let's rock the crap out of the rest of this week!!