On my trip to California last weekend, the main event was a day at the races. Specifically, the Del Mar horse races. We had a table reserved for lunch and drinks up at the Turf Club. Sounds fancy, huh? Yep, there was a stinking dress code. But the food was fabulous and the drinks were flowing nonstop. Vodka sodas with lemon taste divine when you’re feeling the warm breeze off the California coast.

My memories of a day at the races when I lived in Del Mar 15 years ago involved tank tops, shorts, and beers out in the hot sun.

This experience was definitely different this year. And different was good. The day was nearly perfect. Mainly because I spent with my dear friends from college. Cat is in the green, Suz in the yellow, Tami in the black shirt and I’m in the strapless colorful dress. Here are some pictures to prove the smiles were real…

I spent the day betting on horses. And I picked them solely on their names. Kind of like buying wine based on how cute the label is. Yes, I do that too.

With wine…I can get buzzed from cute labels. With horses…I can win based on cute names. It was proven. I won.

I’ve learned that if you pick them cute, you will come out ahead. Or at least buzzed.

As I’m driving home on Sunday getting ready to wind down my weekend, this is what I see along a busy road.

This was right after these two creatures bolted in front of my car as I’m speeding along at 50 miles per hour. The photo isn’t great, but hey…I was driving.

They were super cute. And one of them had an adorable (= small) rack.

Awww. This stuff tugs at my heart strings.