Did I enjoy my trip?? Look at this goofy grin, it says it all! I had a blast, wallowing around in all that luxury.
We even had sunshine and warmish weather for most of the trip.
After a long, dark, and cold winter in Kansas, I had almost forgotten how a bed of blooming flowers can lighten up my heart.
I could have been perfectly happy just staring at the colors all weekend and soaking up some springtime.
Honestly, I enjoyed sitting in a rocker in the courtyard with Victoria magazine, listening to the fountain as much as all the time I spent in the spa!
And I wasn't the only one enjoying the lovely weather.
This little guy seemed happy to pose for me.
I was missing Sugarwings when I saw the kid's pool area. There was more than one pool, this one, as well as the adult pool near it, and a pool out side of the Ladies lounge area at the spa. I thought about peaking to see if there was a guy's pool in their lounge, but thought it might not look good to the CEO of my husband's company if I was thrown out of the club because I was checking out the men's spa.
Brisk, spring time air was a bit too chilly for me to brave swimming any way. It didn't seem to bother these guys, though.
Walking around the property and soaking up sunshine along with the perfectly manicured beauty of the surroundings was enough for me.
Everything about this hotel was PERFECT down to the last tiny detail, such as serving butter shaped like golf balls!!
Which brings me to the food. It was just almost too pretty to eat! (but I managed to try it all anyway)
For Thursday's dinner at the country club, we meandered through the club sampling food from a dozen or more themed stations set up around the club house.
Orchids in each appetizer??? How decadent is that????? It about killed me to eat a scallop and then watch my empty cup with its pretty little blossom get carried away on the waiter's tray. If I worked there, I'd be in the kitchen washing each one off as they came back in empty cups and putting them into water to make centerpieces.
I hope they were saved! 
But then, I am the person who can't throw away a poinsettia at the end of January because it is still valiantly trying to cling to life. Does anyone else suffer from January Poinsettia Guilt Syndrome?
Okay, back to the pictures of pretty stuff!
We were served a roof top buffet for lunch one afternoon.
And the awards banquet dinner was beautiful too (of course!)
Gourmet food does tend to be tiny, but they pack a lot of flavor into every bite!
I kept calling it all "Top Chef" food. I had ceviche as a snack one afternoon and closed my eyes to pretend Chef Tom was there next to me. (if you are not a Top Chef fan, you should at least watch the show just to see his eyes!! I have a crush on that man)
And then, of course there was the spa. I had a facial the first day, and was told to come early and enjoy the spa facilities. I wish I could have taken photos, but didn't want to intrude on the privacy of the other women indulging themselves there.
Some people stayed all day, going from the whirlpool, swimming pool, multiple lounge areas, sauna (eucalyptically wonderful!), steam room and back again. Laying around eating fresh fruits, sipping teas, and having beauty treatments.
There was so much to offer. I loved the individual shower rooms, set up so nicely with all you could ever need in them. Then, the big mirrored dressing rooms were filled with any item you might wish to primp with. It was like Willy Wonka land for grown women instead of kids. Candy dishes set out with combs, brushes, creams, gels, anything you could desire before dressing and leaving.
I looked at the clock a lot to see how long I had been relaxing. Five minutes drag for me when I am just sitting in hot water.
Maybe it was because I just loved being outdoors so much. I went for long walks to explore the neighborhood and see the flowers.
"The River" is the name of the shopping center across the street from our resort.
Its too bad I wasn't hungry, the restaurants were had wonderful views of the mountains and the fountains. On the other hand, the free food they were filling me up with at our hotel was too good and I just had no room to sample anything else!
I browsed mostly, admiring the cheerful, blingy California style.
But not so much the California price tags.
But, if you know me, you know I found the sale racks!
And not only were these Tees on sale- they had faeries and crystals on them!
The one on the right is my souvenir for the trip.
I fell in love with these too, but didn't really need new sandals, since I had bought some for the trip.
And anyway- I was given a pair of Crocs as one of the many gifts they kept giving us!!!
This is just a bit of the loot they showered on us, along with books and treats. Oh and of course, the entire weekend, with flights, meals, spa treatments, golf, etc.
My husband also got a $100 gift card, but we were so overwhelmed with the generosity we had been treated to, that we donated it to the company charity. They have a fund for employees with financial difficulties. Such as one of the workers at a course my husband runs, she lost her father recently and had no money for a funeral. The company paid for all the costs for her! Now, doesn't this sound like nice people to work for????
We were so well cared for and pampered while there.
Its too bad I am not a bigger drinker, the wines and cocktails were fabulous too. I decided this New Zealand white is my new fave.
I met so many friendly people, and should not have worried about snooty country club types. I have figured out, that at any gathering or group meeting, people can seem distant. But if you just go up and say hi and introduce yourself, they are usually just as happy to meet some one as you are.
Everyone that I talked to was as welcoming as can be and no one treated me like I didn't fit in at all. Even if I was the only one goofy enough to be taking pictures of all of my food and acting like a dork of a tourist!!
But there is no place like home and it is wonderful to be back in Kansas with my own little "Dorothy".
Oh Karla, I sooo enjoyed hearing all about your resort weekend in CA! How wonderful to be so pampered!
You are such a doll in all your pics!
So happy you had that time away... to slow down and smell the lovely flowers!
Posted by: linda t | January 28, 2008 at 02:18 PM
Wow, you had a fabulous time and the dress looks great. You wouldn't believe the size of my eyes when I saw the Matua Valley bottle!!! It is a nice wine!!!! Dorothy looks so sweet:) Rachael
Posted by: Rachael | January 28, 2008 at 02:20 PM
Karla, what a fabulous time you had.
BUT there's no place like home - especially when you have 'Dorothy' to come home to. Sugarwings looks so cute dressed like Dorothy.
Alison
Posted by: Alison Gibbs | January 28, 2008 at 02:56 PM
Wow... You look like you had a ball! I am impressed with your good time!
Posted by: Terri | January 28, 2008 at 03:17 PM
I feel like I was on a vacation looking at all the beautiful pictures of your trip.Your new fairy tee is sooo cute!
Posted by: Denise | January 28, 2008 at 03:57 PM
OMGosh you look amazing ...looks like you had a great time!
xo
mary
hoganfe handbags
Posted by: hoganfe handbags | January 28, 2008 at 04:13 PM
I'm so glad the weather decided to behave for you. Looks like you had a great time! You look fabulous in that dress!!
Samantha
Posted by: Samantha | January 28, 2008 at 04:46 PM
It looks like you had a great time! You deserve it! I'm glad you got to enjoy one nice weather day at home before it turns cold, too! Love all the pictures of your trip. Love the blingy gel sandles, too! AND You looked GREAT in your little black dress!
Posted by: gail | January 28, 2008 at 04:56 PM
Ain't that the life! Your dress looks great; love the frilly cardigan over it.
Posted by: Jessica | January 28, 2008 at 05:48 PM
Oh what a wonderful time. I felt like I was there. Your pics sure did brighten up some cloudy weather here in PA.
Dona
Posted by: Dona | January 28, 2008 at 05:53 PM
What a beautiful place. Its so nice to see flowers blooming somewhere this time of the year. And I love that cute diving duck picture :)
Posted by: Felicia | January 28, 2008 at 05:57 PM
Welcome home Karla! It looks like you had a wonderful time, but there truly is no place like home!
Barbara
Posted by: Barbara @ Southern Lady's Vintage | January 28, 2008 at 06:53 PM
Oh Karla, It all looks so fantastic! Glad you had a great time. Do I suffer from poinsettia holdover? I used to but the darn things just wont die so now I set my resolve and toss them when they start to look puney. No regrets. I just think of tham as dead already when they get straggly:>)
Posted by: Kathleen Grace | January 28, 2008 at 07:10 PM
your vacation looked soooo lucious...i'd have been right there with you snapping pictures...lol
you are just so darn cute...
hugz
Posted by: Barbara Burkard | January 28, 2008 at 07:19 PM
Thank you for sharing the trip, the resort looks beautiful! How fun to just get away and relax and enjoy such wonderful food!! I'm with you though, I would want to be outside, especially in the nice weather and all the pretty flowers! Glad it was a good trip and that you arrived home safely. -Sandra
Posted by: sandra @7th St. Studio | January 28, 2008 at 08:13 PM
Looks like you had a wonderful time, thank you for sharing your pictures. Im so wanting to go on a vacation right now !
It always feels to good to come home but then you miss vacation once your home.... oh well !
Have a good week,
Stephanie
Posted by: Stephanie | January 28, 2008 at 08:50 PM
I'm so glad you had a nice time and that the weather wasn't too bad. It's been raining, here, for the past week.
Wonderful photos and all the food and services, oh my. sigh
~elaine~
Posted by: Elaine L. | January 28, 2008 at 08:53 PM
You look fabulous! I'm sure you fit right in! the pictures are just beautiful - the spa ecperience must have been such a treat! But most of all, I think your husbands company must be wonderful to go all out like that AND what they did for that woman- how sweet!
Posted by: Robin~Thrifty Miss Priss | January 28, 2008 at 09:14 PM
What a great trip--I enjoyed all the pics! Not only do I suffer from Poinsetta Guilt Syndrome but also Hibiscus End of Summer Syndrome--I have to bring them into work to get a little more out of them!
Posted by: Tara | January 28, 2008 at 09:43 PM
It's a wonder that you came back home after such a wonderful trip! But I'd come back to Dorothy & Toto, too!!
Big Hugs,
Stephanie
Angelic Accents
Posted by: Stephanie | January 28, 2008 at 09:44 PM
This looks fabulous!!! You are just missing great friends to share the time with...that's all! I'll go with you next time, if you want :) The flowers are gorgeous...your photos made me want to pull out pastels and draw them! And the food!!! I'm happy you had such a good time! By the way our poinsettia is still thriving, due to my husband's green thumb and we love wine from New Zealand and Australia...they seem to be doing something right!
Posted by: bethany | January 28, 2008 at 09:58 PM
Wow and double WOW!!! You are so swet to share this amazing trip with us. I am glad you had a wonderful time. I know you are glad to be back with your sweet child...Smiles
Posted by: Mary Issabella | January 28, 2008 at 11:05 PM
Hi Karla...thank you SO much for sharing all these fabulous pictures with us! It looks just beautiful and so happy you were pampered so lavishly!!!
And how cute is that little "Dorothy!"
XO,
Michelle
Posted by: m i c h e l l e | January 29, 2008 at 12:12 AM
I'm so glad you had a wonderful trip! Oh my gosh, they spoiled you! How fun! And what a sweet picture of your little "Dorothy"!
Posted by: Betty @ She's Sew Pretty | January 29, 2008 at 01:48 AM
Lucky girl. You seemed to have an fantastic trip. Its very soothing for a north living person to se those palmtrees, colibries and vibrant coloured flowers. Now Im off out in the snow to do som lunch shopping with the CA warmth in my mind. /linnea-maria
Posted by: linnea-maria | January 29, 2008 at 05:14 AM
I glad that you had enyoyed.
Posted by: María Elena | January 29, 2008 at 06:24 AM
You managed to bring some sun into my cloudy room...thanks!! I love it when you are giving us all those details; I never experienced those golfball butterballs before hahaha! And....? Did you try the crocs already. Of course I know they are ment for summer, but I wear them as slippers in winter. as I am addicted to them now. So you have been warned!!!
That Dorothy is soooo cute! xoxo L.
Posted by: LiLi M. | January 29, 2008 at 06:50 AM
HOLA KARLA!!
QUE FOTOS MAS LINDAS Y SE NOTA POR TU SONRISA QUE LA PASASTE MUY BIEN...
ME ENCANTO LA FOTO DEL PICAFLOR...SE NOTA QUE PRONTO USTEDES COMENZARAN LA PRIMAVERA...
UN SALUDO DESDE ARGENTINA
JORGELINA
Posted by: JORGELINA | January 29, 2008 at 07:43 AM
Wow! I've never been any place like that! Glad you had a really good time.
Posted by: Katy | January 29, 2008 at 07:50 AM
Karla,
You look amazing and it looks like you had a gret time! It looks wonderful and warm and sunny...ahhh.
Jen R
Posted by: Jen R | January 29, 2008 at 08:58 AM
LOVED the beautiful pics and your fun comments. I look out my window and see snow and there is a blizzard coming today AGAIN!
You and I will have to share Chef Tom, even John knows that he's my boyfriend. I love that show but I love the idea of you taking pictures of all your food too :-)
Welcome home,
Pam
Posted by: Pam blogcabinfever.typepad | January 29, 2008 at 10:25 AM
Looks like you enjoyed yourself. It is so fun to be pampered in a new place you've never been...but SO GOOD to come back home sweet home!
Posted by: Sarah Keith | January 29, 2008 at 11:15 AM
What a fantastic weekend you had. thank you for sharing it with us. I just loved seeing all the pictures.
Karen
Posted by: Karen Young | January 29, 2008 at 11:57 AM
Hi Karla,
Oh just look at the fun going on in those pics! So glad you had a good time in the Springs :) I just love it there and I'm glad the weather worked out so well!
Hugs,
Dena
Posted by: Dena | January 29, 2008 at 12:02 PM
Hi Karla! What wonderful pictures of your trip. You look soooo rested, I am jealous:)
That little Sugerwings Dorothy and her red shoes~now that is the best picture of all.
Hugs,
Carol
Posted by: Raised In Cotton | January 29, 2008 at 01:47 PM
Love the "dorothy" picture! Yes, I have January poinsettia guilt also, wish I had watered mine more. Looks like you had a lovely trip!
Posted by: Stacy | January 29, 2008 at 02:20 PM
Karla, It is so great to see you grinning ear to ear! I have always enjoyed southern california, and your pictures just brought it all back to me. Thank you. Susan
Posted by: Susan at black eyed susans kitchen | January 29, 2008 at 04:31 PM
I was giggling when I read your comment on my question. Well you're not the only one guessing wrong. Of course it was a man who gave the correct answer, youll now when you see it. If you check my next post you will propably see what it is.
Have a lovely evening (or day) Hugs /linnea-maria
Posted by: linnea-maria | January 29, 2008 at 05:05 PM
It sounds like you had a fabulous time. Thanks for sharing all the delights with your readers.
Lorrie
Posted by: Lorrie Orr | January 29, 2008 at 07:42 PM
Oh you lucky lucky lucky lady you!!! Just look at your grin! The only grin that tops that is the darling little grin on your Sugarwings face in the last photo! A spa treatment -- all that glorious food -- shopping -- soaking up the sun! WOWZA!!! (PS - I know how to make those golf ball butters if you want to surprise your hubby some day! heehee -- It's really easy -- I learned when I first started working at my inlaws gourmet shop.)
Posted by: beachy | January 29, 2008 at 10:57 PM
Oh how fun to go along on this trip with you through your eyes.... you are SO cute and I'm really happy that you had a great time! You deserve it!
xo,
Kim
Posted by: Daisy Cottage | January 30, 2008 at 08:12 AM
Great post Karla and it came full circle too! Can you paint on crocs? Some flowers around each hole maybe?
Posted by: phyllis | January 30, 2008 at 11:14 AM
Thank you for sharing your get away with us. The place looks like it was very special. I love the pix of the flowers and the hummer.
Posted by: Lisa | January 30, 2008 at 12:00 PM
Full of jealousy here, but I'm with you...there's no place like home.
Posted by: Sharon in NE | January 30, 2008 at 01:38 PM
Your trip sounded so relaxing, rejuvenating, and just the right thing to get away from the cold weather. Thank you so much for sharing. Your Dorothy is just the cutest!
Posted by: Amy | January 30, 2008 at 02:28 PM
The "butter balls" are cool and your "Dorothy" is adorable!
Posted by: Whitney | January 31, 2008 at 04:12 AM
Love the pics of the resort, looks like lots of fun. I love Leandra's Dorothy outfit, I'm going to hang it on our fridge to remember our lil cuz in Kansas...so cute!!! Have a great week, love and miss you all!!!
Posted by: Stevie | January 31, 2008 at 11:18 AM
Hi Karla, Oh how funny. I too was out west last week and we DROVE THU Plam Springs on Thursday afternoon. Seems like YOU got the STAR treatment while there. Good for you. I know you had a great time. How wonderful. I LOVED reading about your trip AND your shopping for "just the right" clothes and shoes. You look beautiful in your pictures. And your Granddaughter is just soooooo adorable.... I too was sooooo glad to get home after 8 days.....:) There IS no place like HOME.....!!!!
Warmest wishes,
Dianne
Posted by: Dianne Wood | January 31, 2008 at 12:07 PM
Karla, Where the heck do I begin!! I LOVE any photo when mini Dorthy appears!! next were you wetting my appitite for summer with those flip flop pictures? Oh I can't wait to rid my life of shoes for awhile!!! And the flowers, food and giveaways oh my! So did you and hubby make up for lost time???LOL Lori
Posted by: Lori | January 31, 2008 at 12:23 PM
oooh girl, you are livin' large!If you need to bring a friend to your next posh getaway, I'm available!
I can't go 2 weeks without reading your blog again, I'll never catch up now, lol!
Posted by: carlene | January 31, 2008 at 02:23 PM
Oh Ranchos Las Palmas is absolutely wonderful. My husband took me there for our ten year anniversary. And being five months pregnant, the spa was incredible. My husband actually did the couple spa day. I will always remember that vacation!!
I hope you got a pair of those havanna flip flops. They are so comfortable and were on Oprah's list of favorite things. Living in Illinois they are very hard to find. I was drooling when I saw all those different colors, wishing I was there to snap up every single one.
I'm glad you enjoyed yourself and had some relaxation. Ranchos Las Palmas is the place to do it.
Posted by: susie | February 01, 2008 at 09:11 AM
All I can say is WOW what a trip!
Posted by: Amy P | February 02, 2008 at 02:45 PM
Karla, your pictures are awesome, especially we never took any. Thank you for sharing.
Richard
Posted by: R Kjellstrom | February 02, 2008 at 08:44 PM
Hi Karla,
I enjoyed seeing the pictures of your trip to P.S.!! I am SO glad you had what looks to be good weather! Hey! Not fair! I live about 2 1/2 hours north of Palm Springs, and we were cold with rain! Palm Springs is truly a little world unto itself, isn't it? Gosh it will be MONTHS before I am back into flip flops and such! In the 30's here tonight..maybe I should run down to P.S.??
Carol in CA
Posted by: Carol | February 04, 2008 at 02:01 AM