Palma,

We love Keedy's so count us in for breakfast. I had responded that we would be out on Friday and make it to dinner but we now have a conflict so we'll just be out for the Saturday GTG.

Carole

Hi Palma,

I would really like to join everyone for breakfast on Sunday but it depends on whether or not I am able to find a place to stay over on Saturday night.

I've been checking to see if there was anyone still looking for a "roomate" but time is getting short now. So I need to find a place to stay solo on Saturday night or else plan on driving back to Orange County after the GTG.

So please count me in for breakfast on Sunday at this point.

Thanks!
Tery

Well, It looks like Neither Kathy or Terry is planning MY breakfast in bed...
Sounds perfect for us!

Hi Palma,

Breakfast at Keedy's last year was so fun! Count me in!

--Sharon

Since I didn't get on the Friday night dinner list before you reached 24, I'd love to join you for breakfast on Sunday.Count me in.

Sandi - I guess we'll have to wait until we get to Montisi to enjoy breakfast in bed!

quote:

Originally posted by AnnieK:
Since I didn't get on the Friday night dinner list before you reached 24, I'd love to join you for breakfast on Sunday.Count me in.

AnnieK,

Was there a 24 count cut-off on the dinner? I noticed that I am beyond the 24 count...

Palma,

My sister and I will join you and the group for breakfast as well...

Thank you for arranging all these. Truly appreciate all the work that go into these events.

Is anyone staying through Monday? I have been sort of vaguely thinking about staying Sunday night in Palm Springs, and going to the outlet mall that is kind of close by sometime on Sunday. I could do that on the way home, but last year I sort of longed for a Sunday afternoon lounging poolside (could have been, uh, the hangover.)

Not sure yet - but as soon as I know for sure I will sign up for breakfast. Do they have cheap mimosas there?

Still room for Friday night, AnnieK! I'm just keeping Acqua Pazza updated on our numbers so they reserve the right number of tables. No limit!

Breakfast so far:

Palma and Brad
Gail, John, Jerry (or we could toss you an egg on the way out...) Is that what you meant?
Kathy, Sandi, Terry
Marcia and David
Jane, Ken and Casey
Carole and Roy
Teri (maybe)
Sharon
Annie K
Eden and sister

"Do they have cheap mimosas there?"

No bar at Keedy's. It really is a diner, complete with soda fountain and formica tables. However... Shannon, I know where you can get a "cheap drink" by a pool AFTER breakfast.

Bill and Charity for breakfast, two, please.

This is beginning to sound like a lot of togetherness. Think we can stand it?

Charity

Great! Please add me to the Friday night dinner list. My thanks also, Palma, for all of your hard work and superb organizational abilities. It will,no doubt, be a fabulous weekend.

Palma--we'll do breakfast--sounds too good to pass up.

Hi Palma -

I am definitely in for breakfast on Sunday morning !

I was able to get a pretty good deal on a room at the Courtyard Marriott - $139 for Sat. night plus free internet access . So I can bring my laptop to try post some photos to SlowTrav from the Desert GTG.

I wish I could make it out for dinner on Friday the 19th, but I am leaving work early this coming Friday to go to Vegas for the weekend - not to gamble but rather to attend the Las Vegas Renaissance Faire and go out to sing karaoke with my friend's 80 year old dad who lives there (we've done this for the past 4 years and we always have a lot of fun). So, unfortunately I can't leave early again the following Friday too

I am looking forward to meeting everyone on the 20th!

Tery

I'm really looking forward to the weekend, and it's fast approaching. Palma, thanks so much for all your preparations. (I'm enjoying reading about all this on your blog too.)

Shannon, our group (bugalu, teaberry and me) is all staying on until Monday morning when we fly home. We have talked about doing some sightseeing on Sunday afternoon, but don't have any firm plans. I've read about the Joshua Tree National Park and a tramway that goes up to the top of a mountain and both of these are interesting to me since it's so different than where I live.

But there's also the possibility of enjoying the pool and other facilities in the condo development where we're staying....

Kathy

GREAT, Tery! I'm so glad you're staying over! I would have worried about you driving all the way back. This crowd likes to party! Now you can relax and be close-by! I've added you for breakfast.

Looking forward to meeting you soon!

Hi Kathy, Both Joshua Tree and the tram are very different. Palm Springs tram would be closer Palm Springs Tram. Joshua tree could be close to a 1 1/2 hour trip one way. Joshua Tree

And if you go to the Palm Springs tram....we are in the construction business and re-did the lobby/ticket area a few years ago

Stephanie dogma to Rosco and Zoey

Flint River Ranch Dog Food

Kathy,

I would highly recommend the tram for your group; we took one of our German high school exhange students out there one summer day. He was amazed at the difference in temperatures and eco-climate from the valley floor to the mountain top. It's pretty amazing.

And it's close; you could certainly do that and spend time at the pool or on your golf cart on Sunday afternoon.

Marcia

quote:

I have been sort of vaguely thinking about ... going to the outlet mall that is kind of close by sometime on Sunday

Shannon, this is exactly what I will be doing. I've driven by the mall a thousand times but never gone in. I'll be doing it before the drive home, as I definitely need to be back at work on Monday.

Beth

quote:

I would highly recommend the tram for your group; we took one of our German high school exhange students out there one summer day. He was amazed at the difference in temperatures and eco-climate from the valley floor to the mountain top. It's pretty amazing.

And it's close; you could certainly do that and spend time at the pool or on your golf cart on Sunday afternoon.

It's true that the tram is nearby and that it doesn't take long to go up and come down. But if you like walking/hiking at all, I would HIGHLY recommend taking some time to do that before heading back down. The area up there is gorgeous. Hikes range from very easy to strenuous.

http://www.pstramway.com/things/hiking-detail.html

Beth

Is anyone coming from the SF/Sonoma area? If so PM me . . . my supply of olive oil is getting low! LOL

I just sent a mass PM to party guests. It has details and driving directions. Let me know if I forgot anything!

(I will email those who do not have PM)

Hey Jerry,

According to a post from Colleen on the North America board, The Olive Press is offering free shipping now until the 15th. If you act quickly I bet it could be delivered to your weekend address in Palm Desert before you get there.

It's a thought.

Marcia

Palma, i didn't get an email or a PM, so i must be out of luck for coming this year? Next year i won't delay!!

SUSAN K.

Susan,

I have sent you a PM.

Marcia - brilliant plan! That way I shall be able to jet home with my Glen Ellen blend!

I should have thought of that - Paul is on their mailing list and got the free shipping e-mail!

I will take my thanks in Prosecco .

Marcia

Hi Jerry,

I can't make it to Palma's, but I will be in Paso in January. I'd be happy to pick up some olive oil for you then.

gloria

That would be wonderful Gloria! I notice that you can't order the Glen Ellen blend (unless as a part of a 'set). I guess I shall have to have another type delivered to palma's house!

My lord - I am becoming the house guest from HELL!

Just want to say that I am SO looking forward to next weekend! Thanks Palma for giving us all this chance to spend fun time together. Can't wait to see those I already know and so look forward to getting to know all the others that are only known through cyberspace. It will be fun to be a real adult for a change with no 9 year old in tow (as much as I love him.)

Are we still supposed to bring something imported from bella Italia?

The "Italian Thing" in a bag, can be ANYTHING you think represents Italy. It is NOT something that you have to share...think of "Show and Tell".
It can be a momento, a photo, a food item (but we're not going to eat it), a ticket stub, etc. That's enough hints. GET CREATIVE! For those who travel to Italy...look around your house. There will be a small prize for the "Most Interesting" (you'll vote, or there will be an "applause meter") and the "Most Creative".

I can hardly remember , but for my 40th Birthday party, my ex-husband took 34 friends and I on an all afternoon/evening "Scavenger Hunt" around San Francisco in a motorized cable car. One of the stops was "Little Italy", and the teams had 20 minutes to buy something Italian, and get back on the cable car.
It was hysterical what they came up with. We had a salami, a cannoli, a tacky "I HEART Italy mug, and I think what won was an "Italian condom"! They had no advanced notice!

quote:

I think what won was an "Italian condom"!

Oh, shoot, Palma, you went and ruined it!

Here's the 6-day weather forecast...
WARM! High 93, Low 55, which actually means it will be fabulous to be outside all evening! It should be a lovely 75 by dinnertime!

Still time for anyone to let me know if you would like to join us for dinner Friday night at Acqua Pazza, or breakfast Sunday at Keedy's!

See you around 4 on Saturday! PLEASE COME HUNGRY!

Palma, I've scanned the past replies on this thread but can't find what I'm looking for--------What time is dinner Friday night and where is Acqua Pazzo?

A Presto

Those in town may join us for dinner at 7:30 on Friday evening at Piero's Acqua Pazza restaurant at "The River" in Rancho Mirage. We will be on the patio, under reservation for PALMA.

Piero's Acqua Pazza
71-800 Highway 111
Rancho Mirage (Corner of Bob Hope Dr./Hwy 111)Acqua Pazza

Won't make it for dinner for Friday. Wish I could. But plan to be there for breakfast on Sunday.

Still trying to reserve a room for Sat. night.

Tracey

trying again...

Got my reservation at the Marriot on Cook Street for Sat. night. Will see you all soon.

I just want to make sure that Brad is not wiring up the Palma Desert Webcam like Chiocciola suggested. She said it would be more popular than the sorrento webcam.

What happens in the desert stays in the desert!

quote:

The "Italian Thing" in a bag, can be ANYTHING you think represents Italy. It is NOT something that you have to share...think of "Show and Tell".

Woo hoo - finally found something to bring! I don't know if it represents Italy or not but what can you do!

quote:

Those in town may join us for dinner at 7:30 on Friday evening

Oh, these USofA restaurants that open at such uncivilized times!

quote:

Originally posted by JDeQ:
Woo hoo - finally found something to bring! I don't know if it represents Italy or not but what can you do!

Me too, Jerry. I finally decided on something after racking my brain and trying to figure that "Italian in a bag" thing to bring for Show and Tell... I should be good at this being a kindergarten teacher... but noooo...

quote:

I should be good at this being a kindergarten teacher... but noooo...

Eden - I used to do show and tell years ago. Perhaps it is all those hours of listening to 'this is my rock. It is grey. It is hard. It is round. I found it on the school yard' or 'this is my magazine. I found it in my daddy's workroom. See, it has lots of pictures of pretty women' that cause us to draw a blank with this sort of stuff!

Are you guys "finding" stuff in your homes from your travels to Italy, or did you go buy something? I'm still wracking my brain. Everything seems un-funny and too normal to be classified as "interesting."

Beth

[QUOTE]Originally posted by mischievous:
Are you guys "finding" stuff in your homes from your travels to Italy, or did you go buy something?

Hi Beth,

I went shopping, actually bought a couple of stuff and ditched those ideas. I decided on something that I had in my classroom... I am not sure if what I have can be classified as funny or interesting but I have got to go with this one... for now, or until another idea hits????

I have been so stumped about what to do about "bring something that represents Italy. So I am so happy to see others also are having to work. I haven't been to Italy in years and years so I can't bring something from my trip, in fact I am not sure I really bought anything. Now if this were bring something from England I could pack a u-haul. So I am trying to be creative, and I'm not a creative person. The rock that is gray and hard sounds pretty good.
Beth

Hi Vegas Ms,

Are you in Vegas? I was thinking (scary idea, right there! ) that maybe you can go to some shop at the Venetian Hotel and find something funny, Italian related humorous items, irreverent, etc...

Just popped in to see what's happenin' on the Palm Desert GTG front and I have to laugh! I didn't realize the ST folk were so competitive! Hey guys - this is supposed to be a fun weekend vacation. You are letting Palma mess with your heads. If you don't bring a show and tell, you life will not end - and I don't think Palma will send you away in shame, either. Just stick a jar of Trader Joe's best pasta sauce, or a handful of spaghetti in a bag and go with it. Life is too short to stress.

Have a great time, all. I'll raise a glass to the party-goers on Saturday evening.

Judy

Thanks Judy...voice of reason! It was meant to be fun...not stressful. It is an OPTIONAL activity.
Some Slow Travelers will do ANYTHING for a prize, no matter how small.

I can't find the post about this "bag with Italy stuff" contest - can you post it again Palma?

The bad/good news is that my video camera is broken!! I will see if I can figure out what is wrong. But I am bringing my voice recorder so we can make a podcast from the GTG.

Does anyone else have a video camera?

Judy, I came to that same conclusion! Life's too short. I'm just going to bring something that for me represents the essence of Italy. I WILL say that if anyone's secret Italian thing is a luscious, edible pastry item....I want a bite!

Pauline, here is Palma's post:

The "Italian Thing" in a bag, can be ANYTHING you think represents Italy. It is NOT something that you have to share...think of "Show and Tell".
It can be a momento, a photo, a food item (but we're not going to eat it), a ticket stub, etc. That's enough hints. GET CREATIVE! For those who travel to Italy...look around your house. There will be a small prize for the "Most Interesting" (you'll vote, or there will be an "applause meter") and the "Most Creative".

I can hardly remember , but for my 40th Birthday party, my ex-husband took 34 friends and I on an all afternoon/evening "Scavenger Hunt" around San Francisco in a motorized cable car. One of the stops was "Little Italy", and the teams had 20 minutes to buy something Italian, and get back on the cable car.
It was hysterical what they came up with. We had a salami, a cannoli, a tacky "I HEART Italy mug, and I think what won was an "Italian condom"! They had no advanced notice!


Beth