Elizabeth Rhiannon is...

Where Has It Gone?

2011-11-26T20:34:00.000-08:00

October...

I spent a beautiful fall birthday back in my hometown of Orange, Ca. (I live barely an hour away) ...

I spent many days decorating and welcoming fall...

and Halloween/Samhain...

(this WAS full of candy at one time!)

And I cooked and baked and baked and cooked...

Homemade mac and cheese...

My first Tortilla Espanola...

Caramel Apples before going in the oven...

Roast with Veggies...

Homemade Spice Muffins...with and without Homemade Harvest Frosting (oh, yum)...

and of course, the pies...

Pumpkin Pie ;)

I've also been to France...on the internet (apt. hunting...it could happen, one day!) and in my head (with my french lessons)...

Not to mention, I've been thrift-sale-ing, apple picking and cider tasting, traveling around SoCal, house-hunting, working in the yard, taking my daily walks with Becks (my walking buddy and sympathetic ear-and vice versa), reading by the fire, learning how to talk to my teenager, taking care of my hubby, Mr. B, talking to my cats, tracing my ancestral roots, changing my mind about life and what mine means and taking a break (so to speak) from my real estate job. October blew by like the wind it came in on.

November...

A random morning picture of my 1930's dresser top...

And then...BANG! It was Thanksgiving! Just like that! I have NO idea what happened to November.

But I kept my table simple and made all the food my hands would allow me to...

Homemade pumpkin and cherry pies (son and hubby requests)...

Mashed potatoes, stuffing, scalloped potatoes, candied carrots (plain for Mr. B), green beans, roasted brussels sprouts, rolls, cranberry sauce and a 23 lb. bird...which I must state here, I had no part in eating. The older I get, the more my love of animals (and disgust of eating their flesh), has me eating less and less meat and poultry...but everything else was amazingly good and worth the effort.

The quiet aftermath...

The day after Thanksgiving is always such a quiet day...just like the day after Christmas. Everything just silently glowed and cast, what I always think of as, an old light...almost an 'ancient light'.

And the leftovers ain't too bad! ;)

I suppose I can't recall much of November because my life has made such major shifts these past few months, that I've just spent days on end contemplating my life and learning to live in my new thoughts. Thoughts that are still evolving. I can feel a new start of my life about to emerge. You know, that excited but scared feeling you have when you know a major change is going to happen? It lives in me and lately my cards have been including the Tower, Death and Wheel of Fortune. Change is coming...and I hope it's all good.

Blessings

~ER~

Blessings For A Magickal Samhain

2011-10-31T08:58:00.000-07:00

Today is my most favorite holiday. I will focus on healing and love. For me. For all. Blessings to you and yours today...

~ER~

That End of Summer Glow

2011-09-20T09:40:00.000-07:00

Oh, those summer evenings. All the windows and doors flung open, crickets chirping, the moon is clear and bright. A perfect opportunity for lazing about. Not me, of course. I can't stand being a couch potato. Unlike Mi-Mi and a few other people in this household who shall remain nameless here (uh-hm).

Anyhow, back to my summer night. It was a few nights ago. It was one of those magical summer evenings when the night air was balmy and the moon was bright and I wish I were out leading some fantastic fantasy life...at a party, in a Spanish villa, on the balcony, a glass in my hand and like-minded friends all around (~sigh~). But I'm not complaining, SoCal is just as beautiful on a night like this. These are the nights that speak to me and I really come alive. My favorite! How could I waste it watching another vacuous t.v. show? How can one waste life like that anyhow!? Of course, running around the house (and in the yard!) in my excitement to capture it all on camera, I was given those funny looks from family (human and feline) couch potatoes. Nevermind those that doen't understand, here's what I had the pleasure of experiencing on my summer evening...

Luna, I can never spend enough time in her presence...

The end of summer. All the best bits. Meant to be relished...

...and do you think they even remembered what they watched on t.v.???

Hope you're relishing the end of your summer, too ;)

Adios and au revoir, friends...

~ER~

Searching and Discovering

2011-08-31T13:07:00.000-07:00

Well, friends...it's been awhile. I have to admit, a few of my reasons for not blogging much anymore are my struggles with Blogger. Although, I shouldn't complain because I haven't done anything to resolve the issues (difficulty posting, pictures not appearing) but sadly, blogging has fallen to the wayside. When life gets full, something has to give.

Life has been full and varied, nontheless. That seems to be my path, either handed to me or created, my life continues to be full of surprises and upheavals...good or bad. Yes, such is life but I've had too many, what I thought were casual conversations about my daily life with a friend or aquaintance, only to look at their face during my conversation and see a look of shocked disbelief or amazement! Of course, my life isn't a roller coaster on a daily basis but I'm assuming more energy and change than most people find acceptable :) I find, the more open to the universe I am, the more change, chance and opportunity enter my life but...

at the moment, I've gone inward...searching for my sprituality again, my true self. Tracing my ancestors and finding great connections with them. Finding my way back to the land they originated. So far, it's lead me to Navarra, Spain...a destination I will visit year after next and will take my son, out of importance to his heritage...and his soul.

My great uncle, Senor Cardon (French~Spanish) B. 1875

Not only have I spent hours upon hours upon days researching my familial Spaniards, I've had to get another Spaniard ready for school...

My handsome son, first day of school :)

I've spent time at home, collecting pieces of this and that, resembling northern Spanish and southern French influences (where my mothers family originated). Trying my hand at authentic Spanish recipes (not Mexican, there's a difference). Trying to brush up on my Spanish (the only language my mother knew as a child) and learn little bits of French (not going so well at the moment ;).

I've also had my mom, sister and two neices up for a 4 day visit that was full of talking, talking, talking and laughing. A well-needed and long-anticipated visit.

I've had a new appreciation for the summer that I hadn't had since I was a teenager. For years, I've loathed summer and the heat. Now, I can't get enough of the sunshine and activities. Being on the lake was my most favorite place to be this summer! It helped, being that we didn't do any traveling this year...something that we're definitely feeling the repercussions of. Both of us itching to get away...

Reminders of travel (and England) last night when I received this gift from a traveling friend. Chocolates from Stonehenge...strange combination but, who cares, it's chocolate :) and it's still my beloved England...

But we've pacified ourselves with little weekend travels. A couple weekends ago, we stayed over in Old Town Pasadena. Explored alleyways, bustling with pubs and restaurants, shopped in little hole-in-the-wall shops with goods from Tibet or India...and then did a little more serious shopping in Pottery Barn and such.

I drank Spanish cerveza (I'm a beer lover ;) and nibbled on tapas.

...and wandered the town all the next day. Yes, I can feel life taking another turn...in a different direction. Who knows where it'll lead. I know I'll be in Spain in a little over a year and that may make all the difference in my life...

Until next time (or until I get Blogger sorted!)...adios, my friends ;)

~ER~

Life. Ever-changing.

2011-07-07T08:34:00.000-07:00

Long gone are the hours, days, months and years of researching our move to England. The visa entry window has slowly closed and is locked us out for now. Immigration experts have told me, it may be years before it loosens...and that's even a bit 'if-y'.
I first knew we wouldn't be moving for a few years because we'd gone and made ourselves a semi-permanent part of this mountain community. That was fine. My son could remain with his life-long friends and finish school with them. Hopefully, we'd see him into college and somewhat settled and then we'd make our move to England.
Then, what I didn't see coming, was this immigration lockdown. It's now been a little over a year that we decided to stay here a while and that the news of the changed visa system was in place. The latter helped me get it through my head and get over the fact that it may not happen. A life-long plan. I threw myself into work outside the house, focusing my energies and thoughts towards new projects and horizons. One of my three year projects has been my family geneology research. I delve back into that...

and came out with a new horizon to learn about, focus on and immerse my senses in. Although, I still love England with all my heart (it's in my DNA for bloody-sake!), I do have another half. My mothers' side. I started research on my 'Spanish' side, learning I'm Basque. Not quite sure if I'm French or Spanish (or if it matters), but Basque. My mothers' maiden name is Armendariz...from the town 'Armendarits', France in the Basquelands' Pyrenees. Many of the Armendariz people migrated to Chihuahua, Mexico, where my grandfather was born. I've been searching, learning and recording information non-stop for the past few months...and it's answered many questions about myself; my passions, my leanings towards certain things, things that 'click' with me, things that just 'feel right'. I believe it's all in the genes! So far, it's all rang true. We're planning a trip there in a little over a year.

In the meantime...summer is alive and kicking here in the Southern California mountains. We've just enjoyed a wonderful 4rth of July weekend, with our oldest kids and their 'other halves' coming up for bbq's of hamburgers, potato salad, smokey 'Ranch' beans and yes, a homemade apple pie. Along with hundreds upon hundreds of mountain residents and 'flatlanders', we searched out the perfect firework viewing nooks and crannies. For the first time in my 13 years on the mountain, I found the best spot by the lake. We enjoyed sandwiches from the local deli while we waited out the 2 hours until the show. The sun was setting, people visiting, laughing, people swimming in the beautiful 'Tavern Bay' area of the lake. The sky was clear, as usual. A thumbnail moon hung in the twilight. A warm balmy breeze kept the energy alive. It. Was. Amazing. Truly beautiful...with or without the holiday. Nearly 9:00 p.m. as flocks of boats cruise their way out to the center, nearest to the barge where the fireworks are launched. People cheered, clapped, woo-hoo'ed. It was great and always brings tears to my eyes that I try to inconspiculouly wipe away :)

Besides all the fun, there has been a LOT of work. My husband decided to take a week off from work and...work! We have a very long wood fence that wraps around the property that my husband decided needed a new coat and a few new boards. Sunburnt and sore, he's back at work. The fence is half done ;)

My other project was to start cleaning up and repairing my little old, delapitated 1928 cabin. It's about 10 minutes drive from our home. Alone, abandoned, neglected. Abused by the 'previous tenant' that shall go nameless *uhum* . Above is a BEFORE picture of some damage done...

BEFORE of the front yard

AFTER a hard days work. Picking up debris, trash, piling rocks, raking, weed-whacking, dismantling wooden 'things' and hauling scrap metal and so, so much more.

AFTER as my son works hard while rockin' out with his iPod. Music makes everything better ;)

BEFORE of the back and side yard. Piles and piles of scrap metal and wood, trash, etc. left behind.

BEFORE

AFTER...a very satisfying day though! But still not done. A little more haul-off, then it's on to either massive repairs or demolition!

But in between fun and work, I love noticing the little changes in our daily habits that the seasons bring. Mother Nature is always in charge and we comply ;)

The doors and windows are open from first thing in the morning until the last thing at night. Fresh, cool air in the morning and warm, sunny days throughout.

Looking down at the coffee table the other day, I noticed how the season (and current life) has changed it's contents; my friend Becky's gift of apricots from her tree, my son's ukelele that he is always strumming, a catalog of Spanish and Basque goods and a postcard from the oldest son and his fiance on their latest trip to Maui.

In my kitchen, summer recipes, a thank you card from the Temecula wine country wedding couple, orange scented candle, home-canned apricot preserves from one of hubbies work colleagues and my packet of now-sprouting Moonflower seeds.

My diet has changed and just in time. A dr.'s appt. yesterday alerted me to a few health problems...no doubt related to being a foodie.

Back to the Mediterranean!

If only with food and in my dreams.

Enjoy the season :)

~ER~

Blessed Solstice

2011-06-21T10:47:00.000-07:00

From my Summer porch, to yours...

~ER~

Life

2011-06-13T09:07:00.000-07:00

Well, the house is finished...well, almost. A few tweaks here and there and hopefully, we'll see the last of the construction crews! The change from the original knotty pine walls (in every room, except the bathrooms) to drywall has been huge. Though I know I'll hear loads of complaints of getting rid of the knotty pine, it works for us and will help add to the sale of the house one day. More on the house in another post...it's full of furniture and slightly decorated now...but that's for another day...

Besides the grande move (what an event...and it is still going on!), we've been to a vineyard wedding, down in Temecula. What a beautiful, gorgeous event that was...

Reception in 'The Barrel Room'...food, music, wine and champagne were amazing and the guests were fun and friendly ;)

Another recent weekend has seen us back in Long Beach, at the Aquarium of the Pacific for a wonderful day with family...

This past weekend, we had to 'investigate' a brewery anniversary celebration. Seriously. This local brewery wants to hold their next anniversary bash at the university where hubby works. One of his many roles; to investigate :) The weekend bash was a bit bigger than we anticipated...hundreds and hundreds of people! Pretty fun, though ;)

Besides changes in our house, moving back home, changes in my relationships (which is just life) and a major change on our plan of moving to England (another post), my work life has changed as well. My employer, a real estate agent, has signed on again with HER previous employer of a few years back and has become the caterer for one of the filming studios in L.A. and will be catering for the show 'Big Brother'. That means major changes for me; more responsibilities, more to learn, more hours...of course, more money, which we all could use a little more of in these times. So, I'll basically be running most of the real estate business...scary. Interesting, though!

Life is interesting, changing, adventurous...

Besides all that, I'm learning French ;)

More to come, friends...stay well.

~ER~

New Things For Spring!

2011-05-20T00:00:00.000-07:00

The sun has been blazing and the temps are mild. Everything is blooming (not to metion our hay fever). Above, Mi-Mi in the little penned-in yard where they've already managed to catch two, sunning lizards. One, brought in the house, in the dining room and placed on the heaters floor grate. It looked as if the cat's were preparing to BBQ him on the grill. Poor little guy.

As I sun myself and think of far-off, exotic places I want to visit, I find tiny leaves, tiny flowers and listen to little birds, learning to chirp and fly.

The old oaks are in full bloom.

Oak and Sun.

But all the newness of Spring isn't confined to Mother Nature. This Mother needs a little Spring treat as well.

My latest treat to me (the person I often overlook) is a bottle of Lolita Lempicka perfume and a big jar of Borghese's Fango mud. I see a root touch-up, a steam and mud facial and hot oil treatment for my hair in my very near future (as in 'tomorrow').

My other treat was a book. The lovely Pattypan at tarragonandthyme.blogspot suggested the tv series but sadly, we didn't get the only channel showing it :( So, I bought the book! Only on page 8 but I love it so far....thanks for the great recommendation, Tricia ;)

Besides the book (from Costco), I completely forgot I had a Barnes & Noble gift card tucked away from last Christmas! Funny, the things a tree on your house will do...so I ordered 'Bridget Jones Diary' (yes, several years later-tired of trying to catch it on tv!), a silver folding, double picture frame and an Al Bowlly CD :)

My final purchase was at another shop entirely...a 'Beginning French' CD and book. Wish me luck...France in 2013!

Then, by surprise, another great gift...not from me, but for me! This is the second goodie-scrapbooking-craft box my wonderful sister has sent me through the mail. She is a crafting-scrapbooking queen and regularly has a clear out and bless her, she thinks of me :) It boggles the mind how to organize all of this and then, how to use it! I'm sure I'll have fun trying :)

Lastly, of all things new for Spring, our house is nearly done! In the past week or so, we've had upper wall trim, baseboards, window mouldings, custom windowsills and aprons installed and the entire inside painted (minus the little kitchen and 2 bathrooms). We were supposed to have the carpet installed but wouldn't you know it, we're forecasted for snow! In May! Ah well...much to look forward to.

Have a wonderful weekend, friends and hope you're enjoying your Spring ;)

~ER~

P.S. Update! Update! This post was written a couple days ago. Last night, we dropped by the house and lo and behold, there was carpet! It's nearly complete, may be moving in next week. Ahhh, lovely Spring~

Weekend Celebration

2011-05-17T05:46:00.000-07:00

(Little D, opening his gift from his sister and her boyfriend)

This past weekend, we celebrated my son's 13th birthday, which took place in my hometown of Orange in Orange County (Southern California, that is). It started with a meet-up consisting of my daughter, her boyfriend, my brother, hubby Mr. B and of course, the birthday boy, Little D and I at...

...a favorite (and original) 1940's/1950's diner in the heart of 'Old Towne' Orange, called Watson's Drugstore...a real treat. (My Rueben, above...the best!).

Afterwards, while the boys played at the Army-Navy store, my daughter and I ducked out to take in a couple shops . The first was 'Paris in a Cup'. Very, very cute! While we oooohed and aaaaahed at the American translation of what French style is, the tea and treats section in the back was hosting a bridal shower. Very cute...

(The front of 'Paris in a Cup')

Next door, one of Orange's several 'antique malls', filled with stalls of all things vintage and antique.

My daughter, proclaiming seriously, "I think I'm in love with hats now"....as if I should be writing this down :)

Outside, the center of 'Old Towne' Orange, what we call 'the Circle'...really just a very beautiful roundabout with the old fountain in the middle, old rose gardens, palm trees and benches to take it all in.

Afterwards, we all piled into 3 cars and headed over to the house I grew up in, just to feed my nostalgia. Here is one of many, many historically preserved homes in and around Orange (no, this is not my house :).

Then, onto the freeway, to follow my brother to his boat in Long Beach...the highlight of our day and Little D's birthday celebration.

A handsome friend I met along the way. I can never resist meeting a border collie. As usual, always the friendliest dogs.

My daughter can't resist as well :)

Little D and the daughters boyfriend, as we cruise past the freight carriers.

Cruise ship. Nothing like hundreds of happy people about to embark on a journey, waving to you!

One of the many port restaurants.

Tug boat

Mr. Pelican

Sunbathers

Lighthouse

V formation

Another cruise ship

Bon Voyage!

I'm fascinated by the freight carriers, there were so many more pics...

Just for me?

End of a beautifully perfect day....

Last stop, my brother suggested dinner on a floating restaurant that served up the best fish & chips and Newcastle.

Fun, food, family...that's what it's all about. We're all meeting up again in a couple weeks to visit the 'Aquarium of the Pacific'. Can't wait to share that with you as well!

~ER~

A Little Folly?

2011-05-02T14:08:00.000-07:00

With all the heaviness and seriousness in the world, sometimes ya just gotta lighten up...

and Kirks Folly goodies are just the thing...

Christmas bracelet...

Cheshire cat necklace...

A ball to gaze upon...

Twinkle, twinkle and maybe a wish...

And whoooo are yooouu?

and my favorite...

My moonman...

www.kirksfolly.com

Royally Stunning

2011-04-29T13:53:00.000-07:00

Yet again, my blogs' title of being 'Misplaced in SoCal' rings true. I set the DVR to record 2 channels, beginning at 1 a.m. P.S.T. for the pre-show and the actual wedding coverage beginning at 2 a.m. As much as I wanted to watch it live, I did not intend on getting up and staying up, until the first sunlight of Friday...meaning weekday...meaning work.

But that loooong British thread that runs through my heart and soul and all the way back to England, gave me a tug in the wee hours. With no alarm set, my eyes snapped wide open at 1:56 a.m. Knowing I would be useless for work in the morning, nevertheless, I was delighted. Delighted to join in with England and the rest of the world and delighted that my soul gave me a good shake. I felt that wave of energy from across the pond and before you knew it, I was on the couch with a cup of hot tea.

The only time my face changed from it's constant smile, was to one of amazement (eyes wide, mouth slightly open) or to tears of pride. It was stunning. It was emotional. It was perfect. As billions of people do the same today, I wish Kate and Will all the happiness I can send.

~ER~

P.S.

No, I did not go to work today. I e-mailed my boss that I had a 'wedding hangover'....she promptly e-mailed back, 'Me too! Have a wonderfully, lazy day' :)

Weekend Mish-Mash

2011-04-20T11:55:00.001-07:00

I won't even attempt to put my weekend into any sort of order. It was just a wonderful mish-mash of things, some of which I didn't capture on camera...like the delicious breakfast I had at a favorite 'greasy spoon' in the small Lake Arrowhead community of Cedar Glen, aptly named, 'The Cedar Glen Inn'; an egg-substitute omelette (eating healthy!) with onions, spinach, avocado, tomatoes, bell peppers and Swiss cheese, a few stolen bites of country potatoes and sourdough toast from Mr. B. Heaven! Not to mention the not-so-healthy lunch Mr. B treated me to at our other favorite (and highly recommended) local sandwich shop, 'Rocky's' in Skyforest-another small Arrowhead community.
Another highlight was a geneology find that I've had difficulty with in the last year or so. Pinpointing where in Basque Spain my family is from. That was the most exciting news of my weekend :) Plans for a trip in the future...Or the simple pleasure of eating lunch on the Springtime-sunny patio, music of my choice in the background. Cats chasing lizards. Cheerful neighbors walking dogs. My friends al fresco Greek lunch. Aaahhhh, the Spring weekend...

A couple of trips to the nearly done house...

After breakfast, a gander through a favorite shop, 'Timberline in the Glen', in Cedar Glen...

Springtime abounds at Timberline...

'Gilded Cages'

Whimsical light....

A favorite, blue and yellow in a French country style

The yellow dinnerware...

Unfortunately, one of my favorites didn't show up so crisp; sage green plaid and mocha colored dinnerware...

Indoor beauty was balanced with outdoor beauty; my son and I hike the trail around Lake Gregory, the next lake closest to us besides our Lake Arrowhead...

Bear-proof trash cans :)

Little D, burning off all his youthful energy, starts a good gallop ahead of me and back again, bouncing and jumping off things...a couple times :)

Approaching the other end of the lake with the baseball field and historic hall...

One of the streams that feed the lake...

Historic hall in the background...

with it's fountain, topped with a bear, holding a trout in his mouth.

Later, Little D and I visit a favorite old spot where we knew the hang-gliders and para-gliders would be preparing for take-off...and they were, in droves.

Once they saw us with camera, they made a point to hover and swoop :) On my 'lifes-to-do' list...para-gliding (this pic is hang-gliding)

The weekend was full of things to do, although some chose to tuck themselves in for a catnap...

The end of a beautiful, sunny day and the breeze was blowing, the birds chirping and the first boats of the season whizzed around the lake while I enjoyed a Newkie Brown, a Veranda magazine and the Gipsy Kings on my iPod.

The perfect ending to a lovely Spring weekend, my Luna. Rising full through a wisp of clouds blown in on a breeze. As Mr. B slept, I opened all the blinds and took several pictures as she rose above the old oak...and I listened to Al Bowlly on my headphones, singing 'If I Had You'.

Al Bowlly and moonlight. Classic.

Happy Spring...

~ER~

What I've Been Up To...

2011-04-12T17:24:00.000-07:00

Springtime is sloooowly creeping in to Southern California...at least here in the mountains. Now that's it's stopped snowing, I keep my eye out for the little signs of life that lift my spirit and light up my face with a smile. Blooming, brilliant flowers, little buds on the oak, birds chirping (and teasing the cats) and weather that makes me want to dance. I looooove thrift stores, flea markets and the such. A treasure found at a bargain makes my day. I found these sweet things at our local thrift store... Easter egg lights to create my Springtime tree, Easter ribbon, a beautiful pearly, ivory and silver frame and E. M. Forster's, 'Howards End'...which I attempt to read every night. All under $10.00 :) Along with the new things of Spring, our house is moving along quickly. Now, with the drywall going up, it's time to choose paint colors. Mr. B and I see eye-to-eye on nearly everything.

But it seems we've found ONE thing we do not...and that would be paint colors. Whereas, Mr. B is more conservative, I'm a bit more ecclectic and a touch dramatic...we haven't seen eye-to-eye since we've received this fan deck of paint colors 2 weeks ago...

So, our compromise? He is choosing the paint color for the entire house....while I will happily turn our bedroom BLUE.

Oh, not just any blue, mind you...but the deepest navy I could find. Here are my inspiration rooms...

And THIS is the color I chose (below)...Club Navy by Ralph Lauren. Bright, white trim, dark wood furniture, possibly white plantation-type shutters. Silver accessories. White, over-stuffed bedding (as above, with the navy stripes)...did I say 'dramatic'?

Mr. B isn't thrilled but we did agree to change it after several months if he couldn't handle it :) It'll look amazing...I think he'll be okay.

A couple of recent trips down to my hometown area of Orange County resulted in a little shopping at a favorite spot, South Coast Plaza. A place that brings back a flood of memories of growing up in Orange County...

The glass dome at South Coast Plaza

The mall (that doesn't sound right), the shopping mecca (more like it), usually has some happening on the weekends. This past weekend had Japanese themes... Beautiful kimonos on display with cherry blossoms trees. It was a beautiful sight...

And with receiving so much love from others lately, I decide to return love to them. Remember the box my lovely, little mommy sent me? I'm getting one together for her. A couple of goodies to start it off from Williams-Sonoma.

and finally getting that Easter goodies box out for the care home.

Besides all the 'fun stuff', I've been working hard at learning a new online real estate program, creating a new way of real estate dealings which will make transactions quicker and more streamlined...but it's doozy to learn. I'm also in the very beginning stages of planning my parents 50th wedding anniversary for next year! What a hoot that'll be :)

Until next time, friends...take time to smile at a stranger, smell some roses and turn up the music and dance. Happy Springtime :)

~ER~

Viva Las Vegas...

2011-04-05T17:02:00.001-07:00

First and foremost, I am not a Vegas person...as I believe I've mentioned a couple of hundred times here and elsewhere. The day before we leave, I tell my Vegas-born and Vegas-loving friend, Synthia that I'm going. She's says, "Oh! Lucky you!", then I shoot her a look that says, "Are you kidding?". She looks at me with disdain. "Oh, you're not a Vegas person?" Well, hm...let me think for a minute. Drunk people, heat, dirty, filthy streets, groups of people on street corners shoving adverts of naked strippers in your face...which also litter the ground. All while I choke on the second hand smoke and pay $9.00 for a beer. Heaven forbid! Well, our reason for coming back to Sin City, where we once said, 'never again', was for a wedding. Mr. B's sister. This was our only reason, but we decided to make the best of the city and actually had a pretty good time (despite the second hand smoke, the smut, the pounding music, the drunks...you get the picture). Hanging out with two of our favorite people helped. Good company will work miracles :) Arriving at our hotel

Check in

Waiting for the happy couple in front of the chapel

They arrive

After the ceremony, we head off to check out the reception site at my in-laws time share

Sites along the way

Yes, that's the cheesy version of the Eiffel Tower :)

At the reception site, long before the partiers arrive

Chess anyone?

We decide we're too early for the reception and head back to the hotel to change...

Hotels next door

New York, New York hotel

Back in our lobby-love the chandeliers :)

Our view over the pool and limo parking

Vegas sunset

Another view from our room

And another...the Aria, next door

I take a breather and put my feet up while the mister changes...

Back at the cabana for the reception. It was actually one of the most beautiful evenings I've spent in a long time. Warm, balmy and breezy.

A peek of the strip from the cabana...

A peek in the cabana as Mr. B is chatted up by another woman :)

After the reception, back to the strip where we decide to get into the nightlife...

2 a.m., back at our room, views out our window

The Aria, next door

Bright and early the next morning!

We passed on the $16.00 pot of coffee and headed to the local Denny's for a full breakfast. Back on the road home, we sat in bumper to bumper traffic for nearly 6 hours, broken up by a stop at the outlet center for a little Williams-Sonoma and Ralph Lauren retail therapy :)

All in all, it really was a good time...good company, a good Stella, a good couple of wins on the slot machines and a little shopping in perfect weather...but I'm glad to be home. Tomorrow-off to Orange County!

~ER~

Spring Table

2011-03-29T13:12:00.001-07:00

Aaaahhh, Williams-Sonoma. Nothing that the party-giving, kitchen-conscious foodie wouldn't love more than to spend a few thousand in one of their stores. Myself, included ;) Here are a few of my latest W-S loves for Spring-Easter-Ostara...happy shopping! :)

~ER~

Spring Fever vs. Cabin Fever

2011-03-25T10:22:00.000-07:00

We are experiencing our 4th storm in the past 7 days. Snow, snow and more snow. Wait...didn't the calendar say it was Spring??? I suppose I can't complain too much today because we are having snow showers. No shovelling...fine by me! In the weather world of 'Rock, Paper, Scissors', rain beats snow...because it helps melt it...yippee! So, with a cup of hot peach tea and rain beating on my window, I'm as happy as pie...but the week hasn't been all happiness and sunshine. More like, dreaming of Spring while experiencing cabin fever with bouts of back-strengthening (or breaking) shovelling...

My early morning sunrise, after some night-time snowfall...

During the week, once the roads were cleared by plow and sun, Little D and I had a few minutes in between storms to head over and check out the new library...

Wall art at the library

Ceiling art at the library

But Little D and I weren't the only one's with cabin fever...

Ahhh, Mi-Mi and Bun...the picture of blissful coziness...

It always starts with Bunny licking Mi-Mi's head...

In their usual pattern, Mi-Mi starts to inch her head towards Bunny's neck, then you know it's all over...

Then the 'smack-down' is on (as we call it)...whap!

Taptaptap...

Pow! Right in the kisser... In anticipation of Easter (or as I celebrate it as Ostara), we bought bags of cheap sugar and plastic. Unfortunately, we plan on giving plastic eggs stuffed with this cheap sugar to a care home. Really, is this how we honor the maiden? Well, I hope it will at least brighten the day of those in the home that have been all but forgotten by their families.

I, myself have received a gift of goodies. My mom...what a caring little woman she is :) Knowing of my rough past couple of months, put together a 'care package' of sorts. A care package for the weary soul. What I couldn't include in the pic were the 2 jars of homemade jam and the lovely, luxurious body wash...because I've already put those things to good use. As you can see the candle has been put to good use as well...

2 romantic movies

1 inspirational book

1 mag. filled with lovely things :)

1 set of French themed notecards

1 small (but pretty) address book-not pictured

1 jar Pomegranate jam

1 jar Apricot/Habanero jam (mom knows I love heat!)

1 box Chamomile tea

1 bottle luxurious body wash

1 pair super soft, Aloe treated socks (feet feel like silk!)

1 soft, fuzzy plaid throw

1 3-wicked Lavender candle

Did I say my mom was sweet and thoughtful or did I say she was sweet and thoughtful? My eyes welled-up when I opened the box. Sunshine :)

Besides all that fun, we gotta eat. This weather calls for hearty (but simple) stews. Our favorite is steak and potato stew. The steak is browned with a lot of pepper and a little salt.

Set meat aside, saute the onions and celery, last min. add garlic. Add all with meat mixture to beef broth. Simmer one hour. Then add all your potatoes, whip in a flour and water mixture and stews on! I even made little homemade biscuits...that were here, then they were gone!

I layered my stew with cheese. The recipe called for cream and cheese...but Mr. B isn't a cream and cheese kinda guy. Crazy, I say.

Mr. B's portion...and then some :)

Well, as I sit here watching the snow on the ground, listening to the snow showers beat my window, I look online for a dress to wear to Vegas next weekend...where it will be 82 degrees!

Happy Spring!

~ER~

The Sisters In Washington

2011-03-21T16:26:00.000-07:00

A little Spring light at the end of a long, Winters' tunnel. My mom, my 2 sisters, my aunt and I are planning a Spring train ride to the state of Washington to visit our oldest sister. :) Once there, there will be neices (3) and their children (4) and spouses and a brother-in-law. I'm so excited to spend time with my sisters and mom (a rarity) and can't wait to be shown the beautiful sights of Washington...

Happy Spring! ;)

Sprinting Towards Spring

2011-03-15T10:11:00.000-07:00

Sprinting...more like, running as if my life depended upon it. Personally, we've experienced a very tough winter in many uncommon ways and I'm glad to see it's departure. Not so much 'a tough winter' measured in snow levels. Actually, weather-wise, we were a little light on snow...and just when we thought we were in the clear, we were wolloped with a mountain of snow. In our temporary house, we have a lovely looooong driveway that needed to be shovelled, not to mention the thick, high berm the snow plow left us. Wa-wa-wa. Realizing that I sound like a cry-baby, let me just say we had two properties to shovel out. So, after hurting our backs to the point where every move was excrutiating, we had to go over to our own house to shovel so that construction could resume, being that we're already weeks behind of schedule because of the late snow. That's my snow gripe. My other reason for wanting to forget about this past winter were the four deaths of family and close family friends we experienced. All four in a matter of two and a half months. Very unusual. Another reason...a close personal relationship, that shall go nameless here, has been sorely tested and put to a different, somewhat uncomfortable level. A very testing time that whether or not it continues, will leave it's scar. Yes, that's life and I do learn from these trials of life but for such a supportive relationship to show signs of cracking at this troubling time is a little damaging. Again, yes, that's life... Let's not forget the tree that tried to kill my family and our house. In fact, it almost seemed to signal the beginning of the next 2 months of mayhem. That loud crack of the tree may as well have been a bell..."Ding! Ding! Ding! Let the mayhem begin!" Not to mention the extreme weather all over the world and the failing economy in so many countries, my depressing immigration news... I'll be glad to see the last of these images until I can recover and enjoy my next winter... My Jeep

Yes, that is actually my other car...

The tree

The house, last week I'm MORE than ready for Spring. I'm sure you are too, going on what I've also been hearing from friends. So, let's have a cup of tea, a g&t or a Newky Brown (one for me, please!), whatever your preference and say 'to hell with all this negativity!' and prepare for the bright, positive, exuberant dawn of a new Spring day.... These images from a favorite, cheery site, 'Berry Red'...

Oooooh, I want theeeese!

My own personal images of my last couple Springs, in my hearts home of England...

Bluebells in Battle

Lambs outside our cottage door, Rye, Sussex

Grounds of Leeds Castle, Kent

Early morning from the cottage window, Rye, Sussex

Spring morning, cottage doors to the deck and the fields

Cemetary, Winchelsea, Sussex Past Spring flowers from hubby, Mr. B that still put a smile on my face...

My favorite

Springtime, as interpreted by my local favorite store...

My own house...

Until March 20th, keep Spring in your hearts and a spring in your step :)

~ER~

Donate

2011-03-11T13:23:00.000-08:00

Living in Southern California, we are all just waiting for the Big One to hit. So, many of us Californians know the fear all too well and realize this will be us, one day. Watching Japans horrific disaster on the news, I see the fear in their eyes, I feel the pain of this destruction and can't help but feel...helpless.

We can all help...but do so wisely. Every lowlife in the world is going to come out of the woodwork on this one and try to scam people (BBB article below has good info), so donate carefully so that you don't get ripped off and the donation goes where it's most needed.

I used www.redcross.org/ where there are options on where your donations go.

BBB: Give wisely to disaster relief

Updated Friday, March 11, 2011 12:03 PM

Better Business Bureau
After today’s devastating earthquake in Japan, many Americans will want to make contributions to help the victims. The easiest way to help is by making donations to disaster relief agencies and charities that are experienced at working with disaster victims.
However, as with every natural disaster, there are unscrupulous people who will attempt to take advantage of your generosity.
“In the face of any disaster, Americans will immediately make donations to help the victims,” said BBB President Tom Bartholomy.
“Unfortunately, scammers will also try to take advantage of generous donors.”
If you want to give, the BBB has this advice:
• Before making a contribution, check the charity out to see if it meets the BBB’s Standards for Charitable Giving. Go to www.bbb.org/charity to obtain detailed reports on relief organizations and charities.
• Give to charities that are experienced in disaster relief. While other charities may solicit donations for earthquake relief, these organizations may not have the ability to quickly deliver aid to those in need.
• Watch out for fake charities that imitate the name of well-known organizations in order to confuse donors.
• To ensure your contribution is tax deductible, donations should be made to organizations that are tax exempt charities.
• Beware of emotional appeals that do not address how the charity will directly meet the needs of victims and their families.
• Do not give cash or send money via wire transfer. Checks or money orders should be made out to the name of the charitable organization, not to the individual collecting the donation.
• Do not give your credit card number or other personal information to a telephone solicitor or in response to an e-mail solicitation.
For more information on the BBB Wise Giving Alliance, please visit www.give.org.

My blessings for Japan and it's people.

~ER

Bringin' On The Heartbreak...Again

2011-03-09T15:12:00.000-08:00

Yes, I've gone and done it....again. Making long-term plans to get outta here. Mr. B and I recently discussed the 'big move', me thinking that he'd gone off the idea. Well, what was I thinking? Of course he hadn't :) but we're obviously tied here for a few more years.

Since I'd been away from that thought pattern for a few months, I thought I'd skip on over to the ever-so-informative UK Border Agency page to see what good news awaits...

my heart, broken, again. Shattered. Ugh, will it ever end? They've put a serious limit on 'skilled worker' visa applications that will begin it's long-term position in April, I believe. Well, there goes that!
I believe our only option (if this doesn't change in a few years) is the company transfer. Geez, that window is getting smaller and smaller...

I need one of my Brit friends to adopt me soon! :)

My fingers crossed that this all changes in our favor in a few years! Wish me luck...

~ER~

Life Today

2011-02-25T14:27:00.001-08:00

Aaahhh, life. Full of up's and down's. High's and low's. Scarce and plenty. As of the last couple of months, mine has done a sky-rocketing (but steady) upswing, then it gave me a good crash, face down in the murk and mud of life. I've shaken most of it off, but some still remains and has become a nervous concern of mine...mainly trees. I love trees, as most any goddess-loving Pagan does...but not when they fall on me.

So, life today is a welcome calm. Still a bit unsteady because we are in a temporary house (meaning: don't get too comfortable!). But a welcomed, safe, cozy calm of a cocoon.

Bunny Pyewacket and Mi-Mi Papelbon, enjoying a two-storey life again...lots of dashing up and down the stairs...and sunning themselves on them!

Every so often, we take a peek in, at the scene of the crime. This is what our little cottage looks like these days...

Hard to imagine my recent Christmas dinner in this dining room was so warm and cozy, shared by the fire, now looks like this...

Most every room in the house has been torn down to the studs...including the roof torn off, repaired and replaced. Soon, the cracked fireplace/chimney will be demolished and re-built.

All of this has sorely tried my and Mr. B's nerves. At times becoming short-tempered and snappy with each other, when I finally decided to hand over all decorating decisions to him; flooring, carpet, paint, mouldings. Although we know that this (along with hundreds of other obstacles that entailed) will soon pass and we'll one day laugh about it, it's best to just walk away from a situation instead of escalating....but in the meantime, I have taken on another project which I'll share with you in a moment!

Once, we stopped by to check on the little house, unlocked the front privacy gates, puuushed them open from all the snow...and I gasped. It was like walking into a secret garden...untouched and so beautiful with the pristine snow. Well, all except for the construction toilet :)

But I can't complain. Even though it's temporary, we're back in our old neighborhood, on the 'sunny side' of the lake which has done wonders to lift my spirits. Not too shabby of a house, either...

The front

Looking down the drive from the first deck

The back, with some great hiking trails and forestry land.

Inside...well, not my cup of tea but a great game room for 'the boys'...and yes, Mr. B taught me how to play :)

Everyone's settled in and content...

I have a large, workable kitchen (I even brought one of my islands) to keep me happy...

The house even came with it's own mini-house. I popped a tea light in and couldn't resist taking pictures of the warmth and coziness it exuded.

Every night, we sit around it while eating dinner while it glows :)

Another plus is a large master bedroom and a roomy, double-sinked vanity with mirrored wardrobes in the bath. I love all the space!

A corner of the master

One day, near sunset, I just lay down, exhausted by life's obstacles and just stared endlessly out the bedroom slider, watching the day change...

Stepping out onto the bedrooms deck, I took several of these changing shots...beautiful.

Another night, again off our bedroom deck, I caught Mother Moon...so we sat down and had a good long talk :)

Clouded over...

But most of my cold nights are spent here, in the family room...

Sometimes staring at this picture over the fireplace with it's adjustable lighting. At first I thought the picture was a little cheesy (I don't care for painted landscapes, really). But the more I stared at it, changing the lighting, I began to appreciate it. On the brightest setting, it looked like a bright, Alpine day. On the dimmest setting, like sunset or daybreak. I got lost in it...I'll actually miss it :)

Stacks of decorating books for my upcoming project, a fire and snow falling outside. Perfect combination...

Mi-Mi enjoys it as well...

as does Bunny-Bun.

Now, for my project. My long-neglected, dilapitated little old cabin in the woods.

How could something so small, hold so much work on the inside? Trust me, this is the room that needs the least amount of work. We're talking foundation work, roofing, doors, windows, plumbing, electrical, re-finishing of hardwood floors, new carpet, new appliances, blah, blah, blah...

But of course, that is why it's a 'project'. Certainly not anything I have the time, money or energy to do immediately but over time. It will be a labor of love to get this little 1928 cabin inhabitable again. I have plans of renting it out, either full-time or a vacation rental, or a place to run to when the trees want to fall on me :) then ultimately selling it before we move to England. Oh yes, we're still on that track.
This being my first day back online in over a month, I will be back and continue to blog about life, whimsy, dreams, reality, cat's, love, mishaps, misundertstandings, travels, food, music, nature, family, fears, hard work, bloodsweatandtears...that is life :)

So, as we Southern Californians brace for a giant of a storm, the gale winds gust and ice beats on my window, I will say good-bye for now, from my little cabin to yours :)

P.S.

I can't wait to get around to all your blogs and do some virtual visiting. And WELCOME BACK, Libby Buttons!!!! We've all missed you!!!! :)

Blessings,

~ER~

"Out With The Old...

2011-01-12T21:55:00.001-08:00

And in with the new", isn't that what they say? Well, we're certainly doing that in grand style for this new year.

The end of the year, Christmas/Yule. What a beautiful Christmas get-together we had. Had I told you how much I looked forward to it and how much I prepared? All our kids would be together for the first time in a long while. I was so happy to see the two oldest with their 'significant others' and looking happy. That's what we want for our children, isn't it? Happiness.
I thought the house looked beautiful; festive and glowing, exactly what I wanted...and clean! ;)

A large dinner was prepared, half of which I made the day before. It came out perfectly and Mr. B's turkey was delicious! I'm not a turkey person, so that's saying quite a bit :) He started working on it several days in advance and made a wonderful home-made brine...it was well worth it. Everything was great and worth the effort to see everyone enjoying it.

Gifts arrived from all over; the beautiful centerpiece (that I kept adding to!) delivered on Christmas Eve from my sister in Washington. The bottle of wine came in a beautiful plaid fabric wrap from our wonderful neighbors. A cute set of stacked boxes that looked like Santa, full of goodies from my aunt arrived 2 days before and so on...

But beyond all the decorations and gifts, my happiness was having everyone together. With a fire crackling behind me, good food on the plate and all my loved ones happy and in front of me, that's what it was all for. I'm blessed. Then we opened crackers :) We were silly and had a great time.

The gifts were shared, the kids left (the big one's, anyway), I cleaned the house, snacked on leftovers for the next couple of days and RELAXED. I thought Mr. B and I could finally crack open that bottle of Dom Perignon, using New Years Eve as our excuse. But 4 days later, Mother Nature had other plans.

We had a very unusual 6 solid days of rain. Very unusual for Southern California. The night the rain stopped, we had freezing (9 degrees, to be exact), gale-force winds, with gusts up to 80 mph. You can imagine, an area that isn't used to that amount of rain, then followed by freezing temps and high force winds, something was bound to go wrong...and it did.

About 1 a.m., this 9 foot tree top came crashing down on our house, tearing out our phone line. Needless to say, I didn't sleep that night. I paced throughout the house, making Little D sleep on the living room floor, nestled against the couch for a 'support', should anything fall through the roof. Mr. B thought I was paranoid, for sure.

At 3 a.m., a crack so loud that it hurt my ears then a force that I can only describe at a semi truck hitting the house...twice. The 110 foot, 90 ton tree fell the complete distance across our house, first blowing out the chimney (that must have been a sight!), then bouncing and coming to rest on the ridge beam of the roof...that it also blew out.

Just a few days earlier, we enjoyed our Christmas dinner here with the kids.

We ran outside to see the cause and were blown away by the scale. Literally, from the back corner of the house, reaching diagonally to the opposite front corner of the house and taking out the side of our neighbors house. Yes, our wonderful neighbors that gave us the wine :)

It pushed the joists out of the front and back of the house.

During the night, we could hear similar cracking and crashing sounds in the dark. It was awful. About 30 minutes after the tree fell, Mr. B found our homeowners ins. policy to see if we were covered. Right as he began to read it, wouldn't you know, we lost electricity. He read by candlelight as I packed bags and rounded up cats, waiting for the tiniest hint of daylight for our escape.

Once it was light, we could see a little more clearly.

Off we went, down the mtn. to a hotel we knew would accept our feline children.

After a little breakfast and a little sleep, we head back up the mtn. to survey the damage and recount the night with our neighbors.

View from the back

One house over, this tree fell. Four doors down, another huge tree, responsible for taking out our electricity. Behind our house, 2 more big monsters lay, overlapping.

A birds nest Mr. B found that must have fallen from our tree. I will save it for another family this spring. Give and take, give and take...life is a circle after all ;)

Our several trips up and down the mtn. over the next couple of days showed me beautiful scenery I wouldn't have seen otherwise. It was almost a gift after all that we had been through in such a short time, we all sat, speechless in the car, looking at all the beauty.

Our second morning at the hotel and we're off to meet with the crane and tree crews.

This was such a beautiful sight for my sore eyes. Help was on it's way...thanks to Mr. B's many phone calls the day before.

Cutting, lifting and loading the giant logs onto our driveway. Lot's of firewood for the next year or two :)

Once the tree was off the house and the crews had gone home, we had clean up to do but were happy to stay in our own house.

The following week, a big, fast-moving crew sweeps in. Up goes the plastic barriers...

Down comes the drywall ceiling...

Up goes the hydraulic jacks...

Off comes part of the roof to get a better view of the damage...

On goes the plywood...all just to stabilize the house, which took 8 1/2 hours! The real construction has yet to start...

This is the window we had just taken our Christmas dinner picture in front of several days earlier! Amazing.

I look on the bright side...I didn't care for that chandelier anyhow or the knotty pine walls (I know, I know, you probably love it. Everyone seems to but me!) and would have prefered more updated recessed lighting and different carpet and a skylight in the bathroom and...etc., etc. Just your typical long range plans that we may or may not have ever gotten to...but now, it's all going to get done by the insurance company.

At different times in the past 2 weeks, we'd had the house crunched, gone without electricity, without water and without phone and internet. We now have all (today is my first day with phone and internet! I'm connected to the world again!) and a house that will get it's much needed structural fix and cosmetic lift. It felt good to hear every single person that inspected the damage say how amazed they were this house held the tree...and saved us. Every contractor telling us it is definitely well-built. That felt good to hear...

Today feels good too...the sun is shining, the snow is melting.

So fast, in fact, that these icicles are long gone and it's only been a couple days since taking this!

In the meantime, we've contacted the county about a hazardous tree removal program. They've come out and tagged 3 storm damaged trees to be removed, which would have cost us about $10-15,000 to have it done on our own. Little blessings in disguise...

One of my greatest blessings is one that my husband thinks is some kind of curse. I insisted Little D and I camp out in the living room that night. What my husband points out is that it was the most dangerous place; it was exactly where the tree hit, right over our heads but every contractor agreed, if the tree had gone one foot to the left or one foot to the right, it would have missed it's tiny target...the chimney and we would have been crushed under debris. It was the chimney that took the first forceful blow, that saved us. I believe the opposite of my husband. I feel blessed. I feel it was a small miracle that saved Little D and I. We definitely had protection that night. Protection of some kind...and I feel it. Not only do I view all this as a positive, it really showed us all the love, help and offers of support from family and friends. The kind that really show you the people that glow and shine with love and concern, the sort of people that give help without looking for recognition.

Well, friends, that is my New Years story...out with the old, in with the new! We've just been told by the engineer that we will have to move out for 1-2 months while the work is being carried out. I'm looking forward to it. With the hard work of moving going to professional movers for the first time in my life and a new change of scenery, I think it'll be kind of fun :)

Stay well...and happy new year ;)

~ER~

Merry, Merry Yule Time

2010-12-15T15:11:00.000-08:00

Whew! I can't get over how long it's been since I've blogged. I've been busy decorating, cooking, planning a Christmas menu, shopping for gifts, singing carols, eating chocolate (too much), wrapping gifts, filling out cards, visiting friends, raking up leaves and shoveling snow! That's just the tip of the iceberg. With the daughter coming up this Sat. and our first meeting of her new and somewhat serious young man, she'll be with us for nearly 2 weeks. Geez, I miss that girl...but 2 weeks? Calling on my patience :)
Silliness aside, this will be our first Christmas in 3 or so years with all 3 kids together...2 of them with 'significant others'. One significant other will definitely be a fiance soon, the other, well, it's too soon to tell but they are already talking of long-term, future plans.
A big Christmas feast is in order with all the kids here. Can't wait. In the meantime, here's some trouble I've caused in our house. Enjoy...

Approaching the house...

Window next to the front door and my 'red tree' to greet with cheer...

Inside, it looks like everyone's here, so let's take a tour of the damage ;)

The 'red tree' in the front room (I'm a little obsessed with plaid this season)...

The lighted mantle garland...

The hearth, decorated with fresh holly from the front yard...

The chandelier, be-ribboned and ornamented...complete with prancing reindeer...

Cinnamon scented candles...

A cozy corner in the dining room...

The kitchen, where I create magic for those I love...

Even the pot-rack gets a slap of lights and baubles. I can't resist. I warn you not to sit still for too long in my house...

The old gingerbread house. This picture was actually taken 2 weeks ago when we had snow on the ground. Since then, the snow has melted and the gingerbread house now boasts skylights; each roof panel has slid off!

The kitchens bay window, 2 weeks ago...

and today. Foggy with 2 upcoming storms blowing in! Snow shovels are at the ready...

Even Bunny (Piglet) Pyewacket and Duchess Mi-Mi Papelbon have a decorative stocking above their food. Of course, they have their own individual stockings for Christmas morn. Of course!

Into the living room. I tried to refrain and think simple. That word always sounds good to me but it never sticks...

I just bought a bag of my favorite Yule scent of pine and cinnamon pot-pourri today. This is where it landed, temporarily...

Of course, the sparkling, be-ribboned fir tree...otherwise known to the cat's as their drinking bowl...

Looking up at der Weihnachtsbaum...

And the area behind the couch (that's Miss Mi-Mi in the foreground), got a dazzling makeover...

My birdcage, stuffed with anything but birds...

A cylindrical glass vase, filled with gold, glass ornaments and lights...

Well, I do thank you for stopping by to survey the damage. It isn't over yet. It never is. I add and add up until the day of Christmas. Until next time, friends, blessed Yule.

~ER~

"And I Would Like To Thank My Computer..."

2010-11-12T15:10:00.000-08:00

There I am, in my beautiful gown, accepting my award, speech, applause...walking down the stairs, then...whoooaaa! stumble, stumble, a rolling-walking stumble, almost balanced, then stumble, stumble...splat! Flat on my stomach!

Take away the speech, the applause and the award and that is exactly what I did once in a restaurant. Dress and heels and all :) I'm thankful I do not have to accept this award in heels, on stairs...

I graciously accept this award, Tricia! Thank you! Thank you! And no stairs to trip on! :)

~ER~

Visions Of Yule Dance In My Head (Already!)

2010-11-09T11:47:00.000-08:00

Well, it's definitely (and finally) Autumn here in the Southern California mountains.

Somewhere, below that bank of clouds, there's a bustling city but thankfully, I'm up here.

So far, our Autumn/Mabon has been a busy one.
Hubby, Mr. B and I shared our October birthdays, along with countless other October-baby family members. It made for a month-long celebration. My husband and I, constantly treating each other to birthday treats throughout the month...yes, it was a sickening display to behold :) While indulging each other in birthday wishes, cute little birthday nicknames, gifts and treats, Halloween/Samhain squeezed itself in. It was a pleasantly quiet one, but Little D had a blast with his friends...the way my childhood once was. Then came the giant mound of Halloween candy we've been feasting on since it came home in a pillowcase. Ugh. I can't look at another Smarties or Blow Pop or Reeses or....

But what I have enjoyed watching, is the change all around. Nature. Continuous fascination. Endless wonder. Beauty=Truth=Nature...or in any combination, it's all the same to me.

My, now yellow, Dogwood leaves as they fell this morning.

This morning, Nature turned water to ice...

here in my birdbath.

But my day is brightened by the Autumn sun, casting prisms throughout my house...

It's my latest obsession; a crystal in every rooms' south facing window!

And although, I can't wait for Thanksgiving, a day for all of us true foodies, my mind is already building anticipation for the grand-daddy of gift-giving-foodie-heaven, family-and-friend-celebrations of Christmas/Yule. Oh! Let's not forget the decorating!

Here is my current teaser of Yule inspirations to get you in the mood (if you aren't already)...

All from Country Living:

Usually, I go a little over the top, but I think this year I'll stick a little closer to simple. I'm in love with plaids lately. Olive green and red. Natural decorations; holly and berries, unadorned pinecones...well, we'll see :) But not my overly lavish decorating. Again...we'll see.
I bought 2 sets of plaid Christmas plates, green placemats to go over my dark red tablecloth and 2 boxes of Christmas crackers in the same color scheme. I purchased the plaid, slightly irridescent tablecloth (bottom left) a few days before the plates...not knowing I'd fall in love with plaid plates! So, obviously, they can't clash together on the same table. So, plain red tablecloth with plaid plates on the dinner table and the plaid tablecloth with solid green or red plates on the small dessert table. There! Problem solved! I tell you, am I obsessed or am I obsessed? Must be the Libra in me that makes me decorate but the Scorpio that makes it an obsession :) Oh! Almost forgot...the red and green hand towels and washcloths in the upper right corner...for the guest bathroom, of course! Yeah, I'm enjoying this and it's for an even better reason than the usual holiday excitement; we're expecting the oldest son and his future fiance and the daughter and her getting-very-serious-talking-about-future-plans-boyfriend to spend the holidays with us! I haven't had all of us together in...is it years? Oh, I can't wait. I've even planned the menu already and nearly done with Christmas shopping.

Obsessed, I tell you!

~ER~

The Celtic New Year

2010-10-31T04:44:00.000-07:00

...and a blessed and beautiful Samhain to you,

even though I'm already getting my Yule ideas together :)

Blessings,

~ER~

Weekend: Day Trip, Visits, Laughs and Painful Memories

2010-10-26T11:13:00.000-07:00

Happy October/Autumn/Mabon to you!

(Front porch Halloween/Samhain tree. Purple lights and large, orange bulbs with black spiders and webs painted in black on the bulbs. I love those bulbs! I'll be so sorry to see them burn out. If anyone knows where I can get more strands, please let me know! )

We've been happily shrouded in fog and showers for the past week and today we awoke to a sunny, Winnie-the-Pooh kind of blustery October day. Sunny & bright, cold & windy complete with swirling leaves. As I like to say to Mother Nature, bring it :)

As for the weekend, Saturday started with a day trip down to our hometown of Orange County. We spent the day with Mr. B's mom and husband, lunch at a Mexican restaurant, then a brief visit with the oldest son and his girlfriend and then Mr. B's sister and family.
Psst...don't tell Mr. B he's in the pic! hehe!

It was a nice visit and a typically beautiful Orange County day but our main reason for the trip was to pick up these two plastic containers overflowing with pictures. Family pictures. Mr. B's family pictures, to be exact. Decades and decades of memories documented in these containers. For the next 72 hours, I spent huge chunks of time, planted in front of these containers...and yes, I looked at EVERY picture in those boxes. Whew!

Leaving Orange County

Saying good-bye to my home always brings out the nostalgic and sentimental in me...even if I'm only an hour away!

"I could have danced, danced, danced...aaaallll niiiight!"

Once home, we collapsed on the couch, ate and laughed along with 'The Birdcage' 'til past midnight. A favorite, with Hank Azaria as 'Agador/Spartacus', whom I love as much as Nathan Lane as 'Albert'.

"Wait! There's shreemps!"
God, I love Agador :)

Sunday, we were awakened by a spider on Mr. B, who came flailing out of bed...happy birthday! For someone like Mr. B who is horrified by spiders, it was a pretty memorable way to wake up (needless to say, we fogged the house later).

It was Mr. B's birthday and it was spent lazily. We drove around and looked at foliage on our way to an early dinner.

It isn't very often I get to treat Mr. B but his birthday is an exception, no matter how much he tries to talk me out of it. We had a wonderful dinner at a favorite Chinese spot on the mountain.

Later, I spent more time going through his family pictures. Only intending to look for elusive pics of our time together as teenagers, then I was sucked in and looked at all of the pictures the rest of that Sunday and a couple hours on Monday.

I had no idea those pictures would affect me in such a way. Well, Mabon and upcoming Samhain (Halloween) are a time for reflection after all. Reflection with a capital 'R' in this case.

For those who do not know the long fairy-tale of Mr. B and I, I'll keep it simple. We fell in love-at-first-sight on our teenage blind date in 1984, deeply in love for the following 2-ish years, then on a dramatic teenage impulse, I broke up with him, devastating both of us.

I have never stopped regretting that move, especially as I grew older and realized the bond I had broken when I left him. More than puppy love.

I should have been in all of those pictures; marrying him, having the baby showers, having our children, Christmases, Fourth of July's, birthday's, vacations. Although, I am very big on moving on and not getting stuck in 'what-if's' and 'if-only's', I was totally blindsided by the immense feelings of regret and the sense of missing out on a wonderful life full of memories with him and what would have been our children. That was Monday...

Today is Tuesday. Those containers are closed. I feel better today, my normal self, with thoughts like, "Live in the present", "We have the rest of our lives together", "We're together now, that's what counts", "The best is yet to come"....and all that good-intentioned Libra optimism, that I fully believe in.

I have this beautiful October/Autumn/Mabon day and I'll cherish this moment, today...

but still, I'll sit and reflect and embrace this scar of the past that I'll always carry.

As Joaquim De Almeida's character says in 'Only You', "Enjoy the pain, my friend" :)

~ER~

Lost in the Details...

2010-10-22T09:35:00.001-07:00

October has been a pretty busy month for me but as I look back for something to say about it, I'm at a loss for what I accomplished. I guess it's just all those little things, all those details that need to be taken care of to make the bigger things in life run more smoothly, that's what I've been working on. Well, that's my excuse anyhow ;)
I can't believe my last post was published on my birthday! This weekend is already my hubbys birthday! Where has the month gone? Well, besides time flying by, we've been teased with English weather. It's been rainy, foggy, rainy, then a peek of sun through the mist...then foggy. On and on all week. Whew! A whole week! Now that's record breaking in Southern California ;) but you won't hear a complaint out of me. I think it's wonderful. Well, I won't spare you anymore of my dull, mind-numbing ramble and I'll leave you with something a little more interesting for fall...

~ER~

Bowlly For My Birthday

2010-10-08T17:02:00.000-07:00

What a wonderful day I've had! This morning started with an estate sale, bright and early, in one of my favorite dream homes; a Tudor listed at $1.5 million. I've always wanted to see the house in person and of course, never thought I could but today was that lucky day for me...someone who has a passion for beautifully crafted homes!
There were beautiful antiques and a couple of 1920's radio's that caught my eye but alas, too much for this budget shopper.
I've been back on a Bowlly kick...Al Bowlly, that is. I always love Al, but I don't listen to him constantly, but when I do, there's a strange tweak in my soul that I've lived in that era before. So, I've been thinking of purchasing some 1920's items lately, the radio my number one choice. Unfortunately, as I said, the two I saw today were too much for me. One day, one day...
After the estate sale, I thought I'd wander into an old favorite, a giant thrift store that carries many high quality items as well as plain old junk. I had a great hour in there, coming home with two bagfulls of goodies!
Afterwards, my good friend Becky took me to lunch at a favorite Mexican restaurant. We walked in the spring-like sunshine to the restaurant and ate alfresco and talked and talked and talked...thanks, Becks! ;)
Afterwards, I had cards and cards in the mail to open. One had gift cards; one of the gift cards was for Barnes and Noble. My choice? You guessed...Al Bowlly.
As you guessed, it's my birthday...and I choose Bowlly for my birthday. Here is one of my absolute favorites (so far!) from Al...singing to me from a cloud, somewhere in the sky, on my birthday :) P.S. If you want to hear Al, you'll have to pause the Playlist on the right.

Mini cocoa brownie and cherry-filled cake from my hubby.

My cocoa brownie cake, my mini chocolate cake in front and a giant 5" cupcake for Little D! Oh! And Italian dinner delivered by hubby any minute :)

~ER~

Wind and Water

2010-10-04T16:32:00.001-07:00

A big day in Southern California; rain, rain, rain...and wind! While I hear the collective 'ugh' of thousands of SoCal residents who flock here because of the never-ending sunshine (and heat!), it's lifted my mood and outdoors I will go to play...

Pines in a puddle

A Mi-Mi, not too happy to be in...

Wet glass, blowing in the wind...

Water pours off the roof and wind rings the chimes, almost signaling, "It's here! Autumn is here!"

Blowing fog and the rush of wind through the tree tops sounds like ocean waves....

no doubt the faerie folk will be here to play :)

~ER~

Orange Oktober

2010-10-01T10:02:00.000-07:00

First and foremost, Happy 1st of October!
Here are a few reasons the color orange and the month of October are special to me:
Orange:
Before I came into this world, my great-grandfather was responsible in founding one of several orange packing houses that has given the city of Orange it's foundation...and it's name! My father, after retiring as a successful businessman, went back to his roots. He found a small citrus town in central California, similar to the city of Orange in it's beginnings and moved there. In his retirement, he has grown and tended his acreage of organic oranges. He's known for bringing bags and bags of the most delicious organic oranges for everyone at every family event. Probably why my favorite flavor and scent is orange. I also love the color orange because it symbolizes fall to me...fall...the month of October...

October:
It is my month because I was born in October...and while we're on the subject of the color orange and October, let's say we call orange the official color of October, shall we? Orange is everywhere in October! From my magazine covers to the color of nature.

Then there's Oktoberfest. I'm German and love my German culture...and beer! No, not for getting sloshed...well, maybe occasionally in my much younger days :) but I've always loved the taste. Yes, yes, I'm well aware that it's not a 'ladies drink'. While all the other women say "I'll have an apple martini", "I'll have a glass of sauvignon blanc"...I'm saying, "I'll have a beer!". Usually after I say that, there's a gentle lull in the room :) I can't deny I love the taste of beer and I jokingly attribute it to being German. Being German=Oktoberfest and lots of beer. That's my connection in my twisted mind, anyhow ;) Also, Halloween is my most favorite holiday and fall my most favorite season.

So, born in Orange...
Family in the orange business...
Born in October...
Octobers color is orange (it is!)...
German, beer, Oktoberfest...
Halloween, Fall...

Something like all of that. Anyhow, it gave me an eye for all things orange lately and here are my results...

Happy October!

~ER~

NOTE FOR 'K'

2010-09-27T09:24:00.000-07:00

Hello K! You did not leave any contact information and your blog profile is not enabled. Please leave some contact info, thanks!

~ER~

Blessed Mabon

2010-09-22T12:09:00.001-07:00

A most blessed Mabon to my friends in this season of Autumn magick...

~ER~

Home Is...

2010-09-20T14:40:00.000-07:00

a haven...and I'm thankful.
Aaahhh, Sunday, late afternoon and I'm sitting on my porch and being amazed at all that is around me. No, it's not officially fall but I don't think the 'decorating police' are going to show up at my door and fine me for putting my decorations up a couple of days early. So, up they go!

I sit underneath the fall-decorated porch overhang and marvel at the clearest of blue skies and towering pines. Breezes blowing here, birds chirping there and every imaginable shade of green laid out before me. I'm blessed.

My latest issue of Taste of Home arrived today, a gifted subscription from my Virgo friend, Synthia. Don't ever let it be said that Virgo's are unattentive friends; thoughtful and generous, they are. Well, lo and behold! this issue is full of delicious Thanksgiving and fall recipes to try :) The excitement of autumn reigns in my house, that's for sure!

Already browsing cookbooks for the big turkey day.

Little signs of Halloween are making their appearances as well. One of my favorite holidays, Halloween/Samhain, and yes, it is a holiday in my book :)

Little gourds and pictures of my loved ones. Two special Libra's in my life; my daughter and my nephew.

Smiling faces of the pumpkin kind...

and autumn themed candles that smell of apples and caramel.

Thank goddess for the haven of home. I've gone and complicated my life with two blogs, two Facebooks and the possibility of a real estate job in my very near future (as in, tomorrow!), not to mention family and friends, my daily errands, cleaning and cooking...oh! and nearly forgot-time for myself! Something has to give! So, I'm thankful for our home, our haven...

we all are :)

~ER~

Old Habits...

2010-09-13T13:27:00.000-07:00

What's that saying about 'old habits'???
Lately, I've done a very good imitation of someone who could give a damn about jolly ol' England. If I see a program on t.v. about England, I usually pass it. Usually. I no longer click on my 'UK' favorites tab and start up BBC radio as I have every morning for years. I will definitely not make anything that requires HP or eat beans on toast and the like. I'm very proud of my newfound strength :)

But England...sneaky little island that it is, I was forced-forced, I tell you!-to watch English Premier League soccer...um, football. Little D's first soccer game of the season was Sat. and we've been watching a lot of it lately. That started it aaalllll. Just like an alcoholic...just one little drink, and there it begins. I've been flat hunting in London. 'Why?' you ask, I have no idea, it just makes me feel better. I've succumbed to BBC news in the morning. I'm welling up while the footie fans belt their hearts out. I'm looking here http://www.invented-city.com/ for a possible swap for Southern California. 'Why?' you ask. I don't know because hubby, Mr. B would never agree. I'm listening here http://www.listenlive.eu/uk.html to news, music...whatever eases my pain.
Ugh. I'm full blown again. Talking to myself this morning, while walking up to the post office for my mail and my daily walk with Becky. "My life here is wonderful, what am I thinking? Get over it!"
Mumbling and grumbling to myself, arguing with myself...silly girl...I'm fine! I'm doing fine, really...

Becky slaps my mail down on the counter...

Great.

~ER~

P.S. If anyone knows of a great recovery program for this, please let me know.

The Autumnal Domestic Goddess Awakens

2010-09-09T09:27:00.000-07:00

Autumn is giving it's preview this week and it's cold! We had 'tree rain' last night-moisture dripping off the trees from fog, basically and there is a definite crisp snap in the air this morning. Welcomed and invigorating.

Being so close to the 'rim' now (cliffside of the mtn.), we experience more fog and this morning, there is a slight mist in the air, as the sun shoots through the pines and Dogwoods.

The sun is taking on that 'autumnal glow' that I look forward to every year. It just gives everything that 'other-worldly' tint, I say anyhow.

Inside, I'm beginning to add little hints of the Autumn season. I thought, I'm not going to let the calendar dictate when to put my fall decorations up! But I thought twice because we're likely to warm up again and I reeaalllyyy don't care for Autumn decor when the weathers warm. It almost breaks the spell in my mind. So, only hints for now, only hints...

Apples on the mantle...

Mini apple and cranberry garlands swagged over a window as the beginnings of my bright day starts...

two, orange glass, canister-type candles, scented with orange spice...

and a cluster of golden maple leaf-shaped bottles in the porch window. Just a hint and I stopped at that before I got carried away...as I tend to do :)

The cold weather also has me thinking of cooking. Cooking and baking. Baking and cooking. That's what I did half the day yesterday.

My friend Becky shares the bounty of her huge garden with me from time to time. This time it was two wonderful zucchini's. I chopped them up with onion and garlic...

some of my dads extra virgin, first cold pressed, organic olive oil :), some freshly ground sea salt, fresh basil leaves, stewed tomatoes, a little Italian tomato sauce and a little freshly grated Parmesan cheese...

heaven. After cooling (and much taste-testing) it went straight into the fridge to go over my daily lunches of pasta. I'm actually trying whole wheat pasta this time. I hope it's edible, I need a healthy diet!

Then there was the herbed red potatoes that Mr. B and Little D love...

Then the home made mac and cheese that Little D and I love...and it didn't last long!

Not to mention an apple cinnamon loaf and the Italian meatloaf, mashed potato and green bean dinner that hubby loooooved :)

Tonight, a roast with all the trimmings and an apple pie. After all, it's going to be a crisp 34 degrees tonight!

And well...all this Autumn crispness, food and decorating, well you knew it would make me think of Thanksgiving. Yes, already! :)

This was last years table. Nothing spectacular...at least without the food it wasn't.

So, Mr. B and I have already been discussing Thanksgiving. I definitely want it here. If I could have it my way, all of our children (3) and their significant others (1, at the moment) would be here as well...but all we can do is put the word out and hope for the best.

I've always wanted to hold a beautiful Thanksgiving feast outdoors...with outdoor heaters, if need be. Nothing can beat Autumns decorations...

*from Country Living*

On the note of decorating, here are a few favorite samples from a very favorite website, Bayberry Cove:

Autumn tree by Janet Burzenski

Gourd ornaments, also by Janet B.

Vintage postcard pennant by Bethany Lowe (I bought her 'Moonman and Cat' a couple years ago. Can't wait to bring him out again!)

Harvest pot by Bethany Lowe

Pumpkin topiary, also by Bethany L.

And now, leaving on the note of cozy warm wishes for our upcoming Autumn...

Bunny, staying warm and cozy.

Here is a wonderful recipe to welcome Autumn that I will definitely be making...

Edible Simmering Potpourri from easy-homemade-recipes.com:

Apple cider to fill a large soup pot

One apple, cut horizontally to make circular round slices 1/2-inch thick

One orange, cut into round slices 1/2-inch thick

3 whole cinnamon sticks

6 whole cloves

6 whole allspice berries

One 2-inch piece of fresh gingerroot, cut into small rounds
Place all ingredients in a large soup pot and bring to a simmer, then reduce and allow to simmer uncovered, adding cider as liquid evaporates.
When guests arrive, ladle out a mug full of the hot cider for each person, adding a splash of bourbon or brandy, if you like, and serve with an additional cinnamon stick in each mug.

~ER~

Smoooooth Late Summer

2010-09-06T16:19:00.000-07:00

...and a little Luther. The late, great Luther Vandross, that is. First 3 songs on this posts Playlist are from Luther. I had forgotten how much I loved his smooth voice. While rummaging through some Orange County beach pics, it made me realize that summer is near officially over. While rummaging, Luther was playing and I thought, "What a perfect match". :) So, here's to Luther and late summer in Southern California...

A Newport Beach house I know all too well...one of my favorite beaches is nearby :)

An oceanfront, courtesy of MLS (real estate listing, sorry, just had to include it)

Newport

My town, city of Orange and 'the Circle' with it's fountain **photo credit John Doukas**

What a great summer it's been. One of the best I've had in years but...

bring on fall! :)

Enjoy these last days of summer, friends...

~ER~

Simple Weekend Delights

2010-08-30T11:19:00.001-07:00

Now, who switched on the 'Autumn' button? Mother Nature is a little trigger happy lately and I just wanted to send her my blessings personally ;) With last weeks temps of 89 degrees here in the mtn.s (and a humid 89, at that!) and poor Mr. B braving 107 degrees down the mtn. at work, we welcomed the drastic 25 degree drop over the weekend. It's fall! Well, for a few days anyhow, the climb back up begins tomorrow but nothing like the heat waves we've been hit with at the end of this summer. A mild summer with a few last hoorah's thrown in at the last minute. Bring on my beloved Autumn in all her crisp, windy, exciting glory!
It's crisp and breezy, as the towering 'old growth' pines sway.

The Dogwoods dance...

and beautiful sunsets set the stage for a lovely weekend.

This is our first year attending the annual community bbq, now that we are officially part of this community that we have been trying to move back into for the past few years. We're finally back and couldn't be happier. The annual bbq and potluck was wonderful and informative with a guest speaker from our local historical society. Not only does this area of the mountain have a magical, woodsy feel, it's the people and their protective love of the area that make it a special place on the mountain. Case in point, our new neighbors. Although 'weekenders', we've already spent a couple of wonderful late nights with this couple; laughing, eating, drinking, talking...and playing 'Mexican Train'. After the annual bbq and meeting many other wonderful people (I'm even going kayaking with a new aquaintance :), we walked back to our house with a few other people in the dark, all of us displaying different reactions at the 3 coyotes that cross the street in front of us. I love them! Others were frightened, some couldn't be bothered to make a break in their conversations. In my mind, they looked like they were just walking home from their little get-together as we were :).

Once at our houses, our weekender neighbors invited us in for a couple of Newkie Browns (Mountian Dew for Daniel :) and a game of Domino styled 'Mexican Train'

that lasted until midnight! It was fun and thank goodness I didn't play for money...they would've cleaned me out. I lost in a huge way...but we all enjoyed it...and isn't that what it's all about?

P.S.

Friends that followed on my private blog, you'll notice I deleted the blog, it was just too much to keep up...just in case you're wondering where it went :)

~ER~ is...waiting for Autumn :)

Coins In A Fountain

2010-08-26T15:19:00.001-07:00

My mini gargoyle fountain with holey stones collected in Rye, Sussex...

and coins from various trips and people.

It's true, I love my life. I do love where we have planted ourselves...for the next few years, it seems :), we're making wonderful friends with our new neighbors and am keeping myself happy and busy working on projects. Alas, I made a promise to England that I would return...and I will. I remember once while I was there (Glos. to be exact), the day before I was to fly home, I became depressed about leaving. Staring out the rainy, second storey window, I was compelled to get up and open it and touch the wet, mossy roof tile and said outloud, "I'll be back" (not in Schwarzenegger voice). And I was.

Then again on another trip, alone by the Thames, I spoke to the water and said, "I'll be back"...and against great odds, I did just that!

Every time I had been back to England, (most of) my trips were a validation of my determination; under great odds, but I did it!

This time is no different; I made a promise and I will get there.

Just something that has been on my mind the past couple of days ;)

~ER~

Salt Lake City, Utah

2010-08-16T13:55:00.000-07:00

The majority of our vacation was spent in Salt Lake City. Again, I was pleasantly surprised at how beautiful a city it is; beautiful architecture, lush gardens, preserved older neighborhoods. We all agreed, it would be an easy move to make...if ever we wanted to. These pictures are only one of few afternoons spent walking in Salt Lake City...
Utah's state building...

'Temple Square'...

Residential gardens...

Hollyhocks make an archway to welcome you...

Center St. held many childhood memories for hubby, Mr. B. This was a very sentimental trip for him, I was glad I could be a part of...

One of my favorites, more hollyhocks!

Poetry on a wall...

Residential side street with the dome of the state building peeking over the top...

Lavender and Victorian houses in beautiful, tree-lined neighborhoods...

I even liked the architecture of the apt. buildings...

You know me and tudors. I couldn't resist...

Very close to the residential area is a bustling, yet clean downtown area, complete with street trolley...

"In honor of Brigham Young and the Pioneers", who brought Mormonism to Salt Lake City. This is outside the Mormon temple...

In 'Temple Square', construction is booming...

and the temple looks over all.

~ER~

Saddle Up, Partner!

2010-08-09T15:15:00.000-07:00

Just in case you filed a missing persons report on me, negative on that. I'm here...or, shall I say, 'I'm back!'.

Here's a short picture summary of what I saw and what I did but I will return shortly to put my adventures in detail...

From California to Nevada...

Oops! Yes, Tommy's too...

From Nevada to Arizona...

Arizona to Utah...

and back to California.

We braved the desert heat (yes, that's 111 degrees)...

and rode a ski lift to the top of a mountain and rode a 'slide' all the way down... (yes, that's Mr. B and I)

ate steak dinner in a covered wagon...

hiked meadows and forests that, yes, put my California mountain to shame...

went to Paris again and never again, I say this every time...

saw dinosaurs...

and ran nearly a mile to the waters edge in this thunderstorm.

I sat in quiet solitude and watched deer...

visited grand temples...

opulent palaces (or the hotel lobby)...

and melted in the desert heat
while visiting a ghost town...

with it's house made of glass bottles.

More importantly, I spent it all with my wonderful hubby, Mr. B and my lovable son, Little D. I'll post more pics and details in upcoming posts...so, come on back now, ya hear?

~ER~

Busy Summer Bee

2010-07-20T10:00:00.001-07:00

Bumblebee and my parents wisteria bush

Besides the usual daily grind, this busy bee has been planting seeds, of which I watch the birds happily eat the young green sprouts (!) and while I tend to my first beds of struggling flowers, I learn a little more each day about my new soil, it's strengths and weaknesses and how the glorious Sun god singes the leaves of my delphiniums (sigh). It just takes time to find out what will work in our new spot on the mountain. A wonderful problem to have, as far as I'm concerned. Bigger plans for the front and back yard are in the developing stages right now which will include retaining walls and stone masonry, which keeps me from planting too much. It'll only need to be pulled out, moved and may not survive once the yard construction gets underway, so no point. I'm just sticking to smaller outdoor projects to feed my soul at the moment.

Well, my energy must go somewhere!
Indoors, is where it goes...
where I pour over home decor books...

find inspiring pictures online (this is the inspiration for the living room)...

more books (inspiration for dining and kitchen)...

and websites (more kitchen/dining inspiration, this from Country Livings website).

In between planting and growing, planning and decorating, walking my grueling walk with friend and torturer, Becky, the usual daily grind and preparing for an upcoming summer trip, Mr. B has come up with a brilliant idea; planning a family get-together, where my family will drive and fly in to visit, barbecue, play volleyball and/or softball and visit our beautiful lake.

Plan A was Lake Gregory in Crestline, which is beautiful and public but they've taken out barbecues and picnic benches but they do have a baseball diamond where Mr. B was hoping to organize a family softball game.

After visiting the north shore of our Lake Arrowhead (private, unlike nearby Lake Gregory) this weekend and remembering just how beautiful it was, I said, "This is the place!"...so this is Plan B.

This picture is not my own and does not do it justice...at least not the magnificent, late afternoon we experienced last Sunday. It was nearly sunset, the weather was perfect-balmy and windy, which made for slightly choppy waters but it created an energy that had everyone out in their boats, people on docks with friends enjoying wine at sunset. The air had a very summer celebratory feel to it that was exciting and positive.

One of the lakes private beaches, Tavern Bay, where imported sand makes it comfortable and clean, bathrooms and picnic tables make it easy to bring the family and a roped off bay for kids to swim and float in. I hope to take guests here for the kiddies to enjoy the water.

Tavern Bay Beach Club

Now, since we're possibly going with 'Plan B', which means we'll be in Lake Arrowhead, it has me taking an entirely different direction in planning this family get-together. I'm thinking, with so many out-of-towners and out-of-staters, a large family sized vacation rental would do the trick!

I currently have my eye on this one, near the lake...

From Vacation Rentals By Owner-vrbo.com

and this one on the lake...

Not too shabby a view, huh?

Needless to say, this family event is planned for next summer, so I have a little time. :)

Did I mention, the very next day after our summer trip, Mr. B gets up at the usual pre-crack-of-dawn for work and I take Little D to his first day of summer soccer camp? Talk about 'hit the ground running'. I'll be wiped out for sure...but it's nice to be a busy summer bee.

Speaking of, I must get back to my daily grind, my walk, the garden....

See you soon and happy, shimmery summer days :)

~ER~

Happy Summer Dreamin'

2010-07-16T08:44:00.000-07:00

Another hot, summer day, evident by the lazing about that immediately follows the morning outting.
On cool sheets, Mi-Mi happily dreams...

of the birds and chipmunks she just chased, the tree she climbed and sun she warmed herself in. Summer Bliss.

Have a wonderful summer weekend, friends.

~ER~

Dreaming of The Night

2010-07-13T15:07:00.001-07:00

Waikiki, Hawaii

Rome, Italy

Madrid, Spain (by Bill Wassman)

Santorini, Greece

Budapest, Hungary

Laguna Beach, California (by Lan Bui)

London, England

New York, New York

Vienna, Austria

Paris, France

Prague, Bohemia, Czech Republic

~ER~

Weekend

2010-07-12T09:13:00.000-07:00

What a busy weekend-whew!

Saturday...

started with an hour drive to our old hometown of Orange County, usually evident by miles of traffic, but thankfully it was in the opposite direction which was our case on the way home as well!
(Click on any picture to view larger)
My 'underwater' version of traffic, as seen through the green glass at the top of the windsheild :)

Not too clear, but the traffic on the other side went on for miles and miles and miles...

Once in Orange County, we headed to my sisters house to celebrate my neices 11th birthday. While Little D and my neice ran around and my sister cooked, I got lost in books and books and scrapbooks filled with family history that my grandmother was so very 'German' in recording.

Pages and pages of family announcements similar to this. It was my personal goldmine...I was in heaven. Here, my dads 2 year birthday announcement.

Pictures of my childhood I've never seen. My wonderful 'Aunt Vee' entertaining us with a mechanical teddy bear. One of my 3 older sisters in the brown and red, my cousin Jeff in the blonde hair (obviously fascinated by the bear! haha!) and myself in the blue. It looks as if I'm thinking, "C'mon, you think I'm fallin' for this?" :) Actually, I still fall for stuff like this!

Our annual Huntington Beach 4rth of July celebration at my aunts house. My grandma Evelyn and I in 1972.

My handsome father in 1956...forever the brooding Scorpio :)

Dear ol' dad, again.

My grandma Evelyns 'school book' from 1915

Her high school yearbook, 1927

Page from the yearbook, some kind of 'funny dress' day...

Grandma Evelyns yearbook picture. I have her same round face :)

Pages and pages of old photographs of her early life in Colorado (by way of Germany and Austria), when her father was a goldminer...

Around about the time I got to these pages in the scrapbook, my hubby, Mr. B was due in Dana Point (also in Orange County) for a birthday party in an little oceanview 'mansion' for his former boss. While he went on to his festivities, I spent another hour looking through books and taking more pictures. A wealth of family history that I wish my grandma Evelyn were here to spin tales around but I'm thankful for her dedication to saving and preserving.

I found it hard to tear myself away when my sister squawked, "Hey! Are you going to visit with me or just look at books the entire time!?"...I didn't tell her my real wish, but I visited for a while :)

Mr. B came back to pick me up for our trek home about 10:00 p.m., where he proceded to tell me that his ex-boss received a new Porsche Carrera for her birthday. I'm glad I didn't go after all...I would have been sick looking at the house alone...but a Porsche!

Friday...

Breakfast in Crestline at the 'Billy Bear' coffee shop...

then I was surprised when Mr. B agreed to a walk around Lake Gregory.

We had both forgotten how beautiful Lake Gregory was and decided to plan a bit of a family get-together/reunion for my family (next year) at this lakes picnic and baseball field area. Oh yeah, Mr. B wants a family softball game...most likely something to do with the fact that he played baseball for about 15 years! I suspect he thinks he'll be the 'star player', heehee!

Once we were home (after a little sidetrip down streets we used to live on), we beat the heat with some homemade iced caramel coffee (came out pretty good!), while I let the cats out back and we caught the end of Spains World Cup defeat. I am part (proudly) Spanish after all and was elated at their win.

A few hours had passed when I began asking Little D and Mr. B if they could remember the last time they saw Bunny (aka Piglet, the Adventurous One). It had been hours since any of us last saw her. Mi-Mi was meowing loudly at me, in Lassie-like fashion, trying to tell me something. Bunny had escaped from her well-coralled yard...and most likely hours ago. We were in full panic mode as we scoured the forest and streets, as I called 'Buuuunyyyyy, Bunny-Bun' until my voice was hoarse. Little D, staying at the house, secretly crying and watching for any signs of her showing up. We searched for over an hour as the evening approached, we all knew the coyotes would be out hunting; darkness, despair, losing hope...when in the distance, Little D yells at us from the house, "She's here! She's here!"

I ran as fast as I could, where I crushed Little D and Bunny in a bear hug, kissing and scolding her at the same time. She was scared....

and oh-so tired :)

She slept, glued to me as we winded down our weekend by watching the movie, 'Downfall' (which we loved).

Did I say, "Whew!" ? Of course, there was more to the weekend, but thats it in a nutshell and that was enough!

Soon, I'm off to see my torturer, Becky and do the gruelling walk...she liked that title, by the way :) and then run other errands on this beautiful mountain. Until next time, stay well, dear friends ;)

~ER~

July 4: Beers, Bears & Fireworks

2010-07-06T10:14:00.000-07:00

Our 3-day holiday weekend was a happy mix of perfect weather (blue skies, sunshine and mild temps), new friends, a little shopping, some fireworks and live music and a lot of sleeping in. During most of the 3 days though, Mr. B, Little D and I tackled a massive raking and digging job in the backyard (as part of a future project).

Little D unearthed 4 vintage 1950's Miller beer cans...

And on another interesting note, a local Lake Arrowhead resident had a visitor to her bird feeder...

and the grand finale to the weekend was our amazing firework show. I tried to upload the grand finale in video but I'm having problems with Blogger. The best grand finale I've seen in my 41 years, so I suppose you'll just have to take my word for it :)

So much more to say about what a wonderful past 3 days we had...but as usual of late, I haven't the time. Life has certainly become much busier since moving, but busy in a good way ;)
~ER~

Old Footprints - June 28th and the Moon

2010-06-30T10:12:00.000-07:00

"SOME PEOPLE"

by Flavia Weedn

Some people come into our lives

and leave footprints on our hearts

and we are never ever the same.

Some people come into our lives

and quickly go...

Some stay for awhile

and embrace our silent dreams.

They help us become aware

of the delicate winds of hope...

and we discover within every human spirit

there are wings yearning to fly.

They help our hearts to see that

the only stairway to the stars

is woven with dreams...

and we find ourselves

unafraid to reach high.

They celebrate the true essence

of who we are...

and have faith in all

that we may become.

Some people awaken us

to new and deeper realizations...

for we gain insight

from the passing whisper of their wisdom

Throughout our lives we are sent

precious souls...

meant to share our journey

however brief or lasting their stay

they remind us why we are here.

To learn... to teach... to nurture... to love

Some people come into our lives

to cast a steady light

upon our path and guide our every step

their shining belief in us

helps us to believe in ourselves.

Some people come into our

lives to teach us about love...

The love that rests within ourselves.

Let us reach out to others and feel the bliss of giving

for love is far richer in action

that it ever is in words.

Some people come into our lives

and they move our souls to sing

and make our spirits dance.

They help us to see that everything on earth

is part of the incredibility of life...

and that it is always there

for us to take of its joy.

Some people come into our lives

and leave footprints on our hearts

and we are never ever the same.

{Memory

{Moon

{Ocean

{Incense

{Water

{Night Forest/City Lights

{Mushroom

{Crab

{Snake

{Crow
{Koi

~ER~

Sunday

2010-06-28T10:43:00.001-07:00

My weekend was bright, beautiful and busy but my mornings looked like this...

I make tiny handclaps and little sounds of excitement when I see things sprouting to life. Then a quiet study of my small and few seed beds...

with my faithful assistant by my side.
This is the new Bunny. After 3 years of hard confinement and a 3 storey fall off a scaffold trying to escape last year, she's out hunting, exploring, jumping and digging in the fresh mountain air and pure SoCal sunlight.

Once back inside, I made waffles....

and put to good use those sweet, tangy organic oranges from my parents groves...

and it looked like this. It tastes amazing...one of my all-time favorite tastes and it's good for what ails you! :)

After breakfast, off we go, Mr. B, Little D and I to run errands then a stop at one of the local nurseries. This is the tiny, tiny community of Agua Fria which is actually part of the town of Blue Jay, Calif. ( http://www.bluejayvillage.com/).

The Agua Fria Hardware/Nursery is by far my favorite nursery on the mountain. Not to mention they have a wonderfully tempting home decor/gift shop next to the Bent Willow floral shop.

Showing great restraint with the home decor shop, our focus was green and growing things so outside we went to make our selections...

Favorite colors...blue and purple.

Butterfly bushes, complete with butterflies!

And thousands of lady bugs in the air, on plants, in our hair, on my shoulder...

and under that umbrella...

baby robins awake to the wind that sways the umbrella, thinking it's feeding time :)

On the other side of the buildings...

we wind our way through a lush jungle of potted trees, grasses, shrubs. There's more over the bridge, beyond the little stream...

View from the jungle, looking at the stream that runs the full length behind the property.

Many decorative, patriotic pots of flowers and flags for our big upcoming 4rth of July celebrations. Big, the American way ;) haha! Yes, big in some bad ways and big in some good ways...

So, with hollyhocks and lavender in tow, we head off for home. We return next Sat. morning for the big blow-out sale where we'll purchase wisteria and a few trees for Bunny and Mi-Mi to explore ;)

Bunny, the huntress

As for today, it is my walking day with my friend that works (literally) a one-minute walk from my house. If that. We walk every Mon., Wed. & Fri. on her lunch break. She's evil, I tell you. In the heat of the day, she takes me on a grueling 45 min. walk. How she can carry on a conversation while we do this, is beyond me. I usually let her talk on the uphill parts, though :) My third week walking, you'd think I could handle it, but no. It hasn't gotten any easier. Hm.

Well, I must go and prepare for my torture (but with great conversation, it's like therapy :) and I'm hoping your summer is something wonderful.

~ER~

Dreams of London

2010-06-22T09:24:00.001-07:00

Last night, I had the most realistic dream that I was walking down a busy street in London. I could feel myself walking as my feet took pounding steps on the pavement. I could hear people talking all around me to fellow townies or on cell phones, cars, cabs and buses polluting the air as they drove past in their stop and go manner. I don't remember who I was talking to or maybe that it wasn't clear who I was talking to but the person was female, as we had one of those rushed conversations about life as you walk through a bustling city, dodging people in suits or holding coffees.

I woke up with a strong feeling of yearning, like missing a loved ones touch. I felt as though someone I loved and knew so well had been removed from my life but at the same time, I felt a relief at having seen them, at least in the most realistic version my senses could conjure. What a tease, London. In my dream it felt so close, yet in reality, it's so far.

I've been thankful at my chaotic life at the moment. It's given me/us that life in our home of Southern California we've always wanted but of course that came with a price, a trade-off; we're here for the next several years. As Mr. B and I both agreed, if we have to be in the states, this is the spot we want to be in. But my real reason at being thankful for my chaotic life is the fact that I haven't had a moment to sit and think about that trade-off. The fact that England is not in our plans for the next several months but several years. Silly, I know, but I even have a hard time watching anything on television that has to do with England. I've stopped watching my usual BBC shows on DVD during my lunch (as I do nearly every day)...and funny enough, since we've moved and had to change cable providers, our new provider does not air BBC America as a part of our package. Good timing. I've even become somewhat disinterested in my Woman & Home magazine and haven't touched my bottle of HP sauce :) I no longer listen to BBC news radio every morning, read headlines at the Guardians site and I hate to say, I'm even a little grateful my friend with the Brit accent (because of boarding schools) has gone on her annual summer stay with her parents in Italy. It's my love of England, which I feel is home for me, that has me turning my back on it. It's all or nothing for the sake of my obsessive insanity, to save me turning depressive and not fully living my life here, in the moment.

But that dream last night had me reluctantly reaching for my latest Woman & Home magazine this morning. I peered at it through cautious eyes, almost half looking away, not wanting to get sucked in but there were so many good articles, pictures and such. Before I knew it, I had read 4 full articles and found myself all buoyant and smiling, like reconnecting with an old friend. It's just going to take time, some time to repair my heart and slowly let England back in again :)

But I can dream...

~ER~

My Rant and Life Without Internet!

2010-06-18T10:50:00.000-07:00

Well, here I am, at last...moved into the new nest but we've been without internet. Well, nearly without. Our move was a disorganized mess (as usual) which made for clearing up a disorganized mess for the past couple of weeks. It was if someone had taken the previous house, lifted it up off the ground, held it over the current house, turned it upside down and shook it out into the current house...only in boxes. Stacks and stacks of boxes with narrow passageways to shuffle through...that was the aftermath. What a mess. So, with frazzled nerves, sore bodies, little sleep and food, what do we do? One day after moving in, we leave the disorganized mess and drive 200 miles to daughter C's graduation. We arrived a couple hours before the ceremony, stayed overnight at my parents (of which I have lovely pics of their house and surrounding area for a future post ;), went out to a family breakfast the following morning, then we were back on the road for the 200 mile trip home to...the disorganized mess. We arrived just before sundown (because of a few stops along the way). Thankfully. Even more tired, frazzled and frayed than before, we were so relieved to finally be home where we just wanted to collapse....but no. As soon as one of us flicked on a lightswitch, we realized our agonizing week wasn't over...no electricity. With barely enough light to see, we grabbed a fresh pair of clothes, a few toiletries and towels and headed off to the old house for our nightly showers. Hubby, Mr. B spent the first hour at the old house on the phone with the phone co., the gas co. and the electric co. What a nightmare.
The following week was just as tiresome and sore with the disorganized mess. Meanwhile, life goes on and Mr. B must work and Little D must go to school...same chores and errands while navigating through the disorganized mess. Our first house was 3,500 square feet, now in the third house, we're trying to fit it all into 1,300 square feet. More land, less house but I'm happy with that ratio. It's been challenging but I'm nearly done. Needless to say, we're having a yard sale this weekend :) So, that week of torture went by with all of us still frazzled, trying to stay out of each others' hair, the weekend comes around and we're off again. This time only an hour away. We're off to another graduation ceremony. The day before, very proud of my regained clarity (more sleep, less unorganized mess), I prepare my outfit for the following days' graduation ceremony. Apparently not as clearheaded as I thought; I had overlooked the fact that I had left my only pair of black heels at my parents the weekend before for my daughters graduation. The following morning, I have nothing to wear because of the missing shoes. I rarely dress up, therefore do not own many dressy clothes or shoes. I have casual or formal, not much inbetween. Now...wouldn't you know, we had every last single thing moved out of our last house...except the shoe rack, full of shoes! I had no idea if I even had dress shoes in other colors, it's been so long. So, there I am, Saturday morning, the day of the ceremony, we're up at the crack of dawn and I'm frantically ironing three outfits to match three different shoes I may or may not still own! I had no idea what shoes I had gotten rid of over the years. Needless to say, I was the reason for our tardiness. We still had to drive back to the old house while I ran in and threw shoes around 'til I found a pair to match one of the three outfits I had brought. Now I know why I never wore those shoes; I could swear each of those beautifully beaded straps were fashioned out of razor blades. Ohhhh, what a wonderful day to look forward to! Thank goodness most of the day involved being seated at the ceremony and then lunch afterwards. But no...because we were so late, we were directed to the furthest parking lot, about a half mile away! I secretly grimaced in pain with each step but put on my best smile. It was a happy day and I was very happy to be there...besides I knew, with each painful step, I was that much closer to that amazing pesto ravioli I have been craving since last years trip to the same Italian restaurant :)
Now, (this week) we have all utilities but the final straw at pulling our hair out was, once we finally put the house together, hooked up the computer, we found that the phone jack in our bedroom (where the comp. is) is dead. Dead, dead, dead. The cost to make the simple repair is ridiculous, the phone co. even suggested we find an ind. contractor to do it for less...and even their cost is ridiculous. So, Monday we're being paid a visit by one of the only electricians that will do phone wiring repairs. Although, all of this time, I could have hauled the computer out of the bedroom and set it up in the dining room/kitchen area where there is an active phone connection but after reading all of the above, you can assume with confidence that I didn't have the strength. Did I mention that daughter C was rushed to the hospital a few days ago with a burst appendix? Little D's last day of elementary school was yesterday (it was a big day for him). Big C is recovering fine, thank goodness and was just released from the hospital yesterday. Little D spent last night at a friends for a big 'end-of-the-school-year' bash, on his way to the big league; middle school. The Lakers won last night which made Mr. B pretty damn happy...although our relationship has suffered a few blows with all the craziness of late and we sorely need a little time away...alone.
So, you can safely guess, I've dragged the computer out of the bedroom and hooked up the mess of wires at the dining table for now, out of desperation for some kind of normality I used to know. It certainly wasn't for lack of anything to do. I still have little piles of unorganized mess waiting to be sent off to sheds or closets but for the most part, I can sit down and relax with an hour on the computer and a cuppa.
Along with the house stuff, there has been yard stuff. At last, a yard. In between the daily chore and errands stuff, the house and family stuff, I've been shoveling, raking, sweeping, planting. I'm sore, scratched, scraped, cut, sunburned and bitten.
I couldn't be happier.

So much to share in the coming posts, so much to do here in the meantime but with all my chaotic busy-ness, I still felt that little void where my blog and blogging friends reside. I just had to come on to tell you, "I'm still here! Barely alive, but I'm here!" and can't wait to read what you've all been up to and share some posts with you as well.

So, as summer approaches and spring is in full bloom here in Lake Arrowhead, I thought I'd share pics I had taken over the past 3 weeks, whenever I saw an opportunity, which was usually during moving or running myself ragged all over the mountain running errands and such.

Hopefully I'll be back next week, until then, take care blogging friends!
~ER~

Like The Moon

2010-05-26T09:39:00.001-07:00

Like the Goddess...

and the part of Nature that I am...

I will wax and wane...

When my life quiets down, my blog becomes a flurry of activity. When life picks up and becomes a whirlwind, my blog seems to go into something of a hibernation stage, which seems to be whats currently happening. Today, I'm off running errands, getting things sorted and talking to various people. I will be back soon, if not to post then at the very least to refresh my mind, have a laugh or share your day as I go Blogger hopping at your blogs :)
Enjoy the Spring,
~ER~

Friday, Saturday, Sunday...

2010-05-24T10:05:00.000-07:00

Day after day, we've had blue skies, mild Spring weather, sunshine and light breezes.
Friday was no different, it was the perfect set-up for Little D and I to pack up some snacks and camp out next to the highway to watch the cyclists in the Tour of California race...

Skyforest, spectators begin to line up...

Across the highway, crowds begin to gather and wait.

The first of many, many motorcycles and cars that seemed to far outnumber the cyclists...

The first wave of cyclists, always followed by unbelievable amounts of team cars, media, highway patrol, etc., etc....

Another wave...

More cars!

Another wave...

After 3 hours of waiting, cheering, waving, cheering, waiting...we headed off for home, but remember those blue skies and the mild weather of Spring? That was Friday...

Saturday was a little different...

Sunday was completely different. In the wee hours, I was stirred awake to hail hitting the window and thunder shaking the house. By the first light of morning, everything was white again; it's nearly summer and we have snow! Thunder rolling, a power outtage, wind, hail, snow...what a huge difference from Friday!

Sundays snow

Thankfully, this morning the sun is back in it's clear blue sky as I hear water running off the roof from melting snow. I have a million things to do this week so sunshine as opposed to snow is greatly welcome!

Enjoy your day,

~ER~

No School/Bike Race Friday/My Dad

2010-05-19T09:54:00.000-07:00

I have to admit I knew nothing of the Amgen Tour of California bike race. The only news I had received was an automated phone recording from the school district that school will be closed for the entire Rim of the World school district this Friday...because of a bike race. I was upset because we have snow days, attendance parties (kids are rewarded for doing whats expected? I don't get it), field trips to the local movie theater (?)...too many days spent out of the classroom, as far as I'm concerned. Now, a bike race? I thought it was a local bike race, as we do host a local triathalon through Lake Arrowhead in the summer. I wasn't aware of the scale of this bike race until my dad called this morning. Now, if you knew my dad, you'd probably laugh at his somewhat giddy enthusiasm about this race. Giddy is NOT a word to describe my father. Words or phrases that come to mind are more like 'powerful', 'intimidating', 'not always liked but often respected', 'strong but silent'...not giddy. He even looks like a cross between Henry VIII and Jack Nicholson. So, when he called this morning, excited that he had given blood yesterday and received his super-special yellow Amgen t-shirt, I was thinking more along the lines of "I think it's time to have you committed". Apparently the bike race is a major event and the shirt and special wrist band allow him special access to watch the race whiz by, sort of V.I.P. He's also giddy (there's that word again) about the fact that the race is going to pass next to his 57 acre orange and olive grove. I said, "Hey! Maybe you should put a sign up, advertising your...whatever you need to advertise". He said a friend already suggested that but he isn't in the business of olive and orange products anymore :( Well, there goes my unlimited supply of organic, first cold-pressed, extra virgin olive oil. Damn. Well, anyhow, I'm not a cyclist or a bike enthusiast of any kind but I do know who Lance Armstrong is and since Little D will now have the day off, I guess I'll be out on Highway 18 this Friday to watch stage 6 of the race with my camera!

from http://www.amgentourofcalifornia.com/:
"The largest cycling event in America, the 2010 Amgen Tour of California is a Tour de France-style cycling road race, presented by AEG, that challenges the world’s top professional cycling teams to compete along a demanding course from May 16-23."

from http://www.amgentourofcalifornia.com/:

"...odyssey with more than 12,000 feet of climbing. The race will climb to a high point of nearly 8,000 feet as it rolls along the Angeles Crest Highway. Then, there is a brief respite as they descend to Wrightwood and over to Highway 138. The route again ascends as it passes through Crestline and Lake Arrowhead, as the cyclists take to the "Rim of the World" highway. Entering the Big Bear area, the riders will take the northern route around Big Bear Lake and then tackle the last rise to the finish at a more than 7,000-foot elevation at the Snow Summit ski area for the Amgen Tour of California’s first-ever alpine finish."

~ER~