Spring is here and the Roses are starting to bloom. We went out to the  World Peace Rose Garden at the State Capitol to look at their beauty but we certainly got an eyeful.  
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Ladybugs putting the O in capitOl.

Well Christmas is upon us. The good, the bad, and the ugly happening out there this time of year. Sometimes people get to wrapped up in self and consumerism. Cheryl and I aren't that big into Christmas other than seeing family. When we get presents to give they are usually small but there is a thought behind them. It's not just buying for the sake of buying something. There's usually a story to tell.

So we went out looking to knock as many off the christmas list as possible so as not to keep stringing the shopping along. We shopped small to no avail. Not finding what we wanted we headed to World Market ne Cost Plus. On Saturday afternoon everyone was out and World Market was packed. So packed we drove by and kept on driving for a while. Eventually circling back with the lot maybe 2/3 full. So it was on like donkey kong.

Cheryl had to get stuff for coworkers and family. Me I was grabbing for Cheryl's sister. The pressure to get her coworkers good stuff got to Cheryl. We powered through the freakout and got the first meaningful gift. Knocking one off made the process easier and soon we were finding the goods and grabbing good stuff. End of the expedition we were mostly finished with the recipient list. Some minor things to grab but a certain specialness behind all the purchases.

After the shopping meltdown it was time to chill and remember the spirit of Christmas. So it was decided that we were to watch A Charlie Brown Christmas after looking at Christmas Lights. We got an early peak at the Fab 40's Christmas lights(still a work in progress), grabbed a Papa Murphys Pizza and entertained ourselves with Charlie Brown and company. I recommend you do the same and come down from holiday shopping.

We love road trips. For us they are grand for some it leads to fights. I'm the driver and she's my lovely passenger and sometimes there is a third voice in the car; Google driving directions.

Sunday we decided to hit the road and be festive. St Nick style and not Santa & Elves way. Nevada City throws a Victorian Christmas on wednesday nights and on sunday aternoons. We decide Sunday was the fun day as it would be warmer to do before the sun drops. Lots of others had the same idea.

I'm a Foothills kinda guy. I dunno something speaks to me over 1000ft up and certainly 2000ft. I've always loved Grass Valley and Nevada City and even Placerville. Anyways, it was a bit hard to park near downtown but I already knew it and had a plan. We drove to the city government area and hopped on a waiting short bus to take us down to the main Victorian epicenter. It's nice that Nevada City figured that bus service out. Thousands of people were miling the downtown closed off area checking out the street performers, the food trucks, the vendor tents, and of course the Nevada City local stores! Cha Ching....

Music filled the chilly air as street musicians lined the roads while "characters" walk around all dressed up in victorian garb. It was just missing two things. Snow(that would have been problamatic) and the smell of chestnuts on an open fire(i must have missed that food truck!). Otherwise this Nevada City Victorian Christmas was a gas and a fun date idea. By the way there was plenty of warm libations from toddys and mulled wine to hot chocolate and cider to wrap your hands around.We had a great time as witnessed below.

Cheryl's is always noticing the changes in season and staring t the moon. We were bored sitting around the house so i thought I'd take her for a drive so she could keep her eye on the Harvest Moon  for a while. A small thing one does for their love.

A romantic date night idea that is free(just gas money) from Date Night Sacramento

So we were at Home bored saturday afternoon and luckily we don't have kids so we can just get up and go. A suggestion was made for a road trip and we were off just like that. A spur of the moment date night Sacramento.

Although technically it was Date Night Folsom. We parked and strolled the old town promenade. Checking out the store fronts as we walked and trying not to get attacked by any glow walkers from a race event being held  in Folsom. Walking up Sutter Street till we had to go into Dorothea's.

Being Fall it was all decked out for the season. A little bit pumpkin, a little bit turkey, and a big part santa. Lots of nice stuff to look at but we didn't end up taking anything home. The real "stop" was just ahead. Just across the block. Just Across some traffic.

it was Snooks. Chocolate and Fudge heaven in Folsom. we grabbed a small morsel of fudge and we were satisfied with out folsom trip for a date night sacramento.

We went for an evening drive off into the sunset(literally) on the 50. Listening to some jazz and hoping to see what all the fuss was about with Venus and Jupiter getting so close together. We go lost in the Yolo county roads out by the landfill for a while making sure we went someplace dark after the sunset.

As for the sunset.

I picked up my sweetie after work and we hit the road. Not the clogged freeways but the side streets in search for Art. The Sacramento Mural Festival was running all week and we had to check it out. There have been some murals in Sac but certainly not in the same volume as we have seen in Portland.

So good for Sac for doing this and we had to represent. Some were still be painted as we showed up mid week. See the gallery below for a smattering and some "action" photos.

Where did winter go? Where's that waskily el something or other... The tree's are opening the flowers popping so I took an allergy pill and took a stroll with my sweetie at the Sac State Arboretum. 

A good place for a stroll and a free date. Minus the allergy pills.