Beauty Close to Home

We were going to take a trip down to Anza Borrego to see the wildflowers, but that trip fell through.  Instead, we decided to go on a hike at Diamond Valley Lake right in our own "backyard".  My sister, Jodi, and I ended up being the only two who went on the hike, but it was a beautiful day and we had a great time.

We were a couple weeks late to see the California Poppies at their peak, but they were beautiful non the less.

We picked up a brochure at the Visitor Center that had pictures of all the different wildflowers with their description.

The lake is actually a water reservoir that was built several years ago.  Boating is allowed, but swimming is not allowed.

Visiting My Sister in Hollywood

I visited my sister in Hollywood over the MLK weekend.  We had planned to go to the Griffith Observatory, but there wasn't any parking even remotely close so we ended up going to the movies. We saw "Hidden Figures", and it was a great movie.  We shopped the local shops in Los Feliz, and had lunch at Fred's 62.

Sunday afternoon we went to Frank Lloyd Wright's Hollyhock House in Hollywood for a nice tour. We had been a few years ago, but since then there has been remodeling to take it back to the original 1920's state.  Photographs were not allowed inside, but it was beautiful.  Afterward, we drove over to Glendale to the Americana and had lunch in a cute bakery/restaurant.

Pallas

Pam

On the drive over to Glendale, I noticed this cute shop in a truck, parked and open for business.

2016 Road 2 California Quilt Show and Goodies I Bought

My sister and I spent three days at the quilt show this year, and one of our long time friends was able to meet us there for the day.

The view out of our hotel window is of Mt. Baldy in the San Gabriel mountain range - we grew up with this view, and always love coming back to this area of California.

This is this years winning quilt.  Doesn't it look like you could just pull the pillows off the selves?

I'm not a quilter like my sister, but that doesn't mean that I don't find great things to buy from the vendors - here are a few treasures - new block print fabric, vintage and new trims and buttons as well as a new paisley block for printing and fabric paints (not pictured).

Lunch With Author, Barbara Anne Waite

Barb and Curt

Barb and Pallas

At the close of our beach trip, John and I met with Barb and her husband, Curt, for lunch in Oceanside. Barb and I became acquainted through email, and we set up a lunch date to meet.   Barb wrote a book that I loved, "Elsie - The Arizona Adventures of a Frontier Teacher 1913 - 1916", and she is working on her second book about Elsie's days on Palomar Mountain - I'm looking forward to reading that one too.  I was thrilled that she  signed a copy of the book for me as my copy is on my Kindle - thank you Barb.  Barb has an interesting website where she describes her book, and also includes interesting old photos.  In addition to the link in this post, I have also included a link to her website on my sidebar.  The book about Elsie can be purchased from her website as well as from Amazon - I highly recommend it!  It is a wonderful glimpse into life 100 years ago through Elsie's diary and letters home.

Barb's Book

A Beach Getaway

Each year around our anniversary, John and I enjoy a couple days at the beach. May weather isn't always predictable, but we were lucky to have sunny days. The water was cold, but I braved it one day. Our villa had its own patio, barbecue and fire pit. Wouldn't it be nice to live at the beach?

Disneyland With My Sis

Jodi and I spent three days at Disneyland & California Adventure last week. We go together every year, but thought we wouldn't get there this year because of my hip replacement. Well I'm healed and getting around great, so we decided to go. I got around great, and pain free too,

Winter in Palm Springs

While friends and family were sending pictures of the snow they received in Kentucky, John and I enjoyed an afternoon in nearby Palm Slrings. 

Old Town Orange Outing

After a great six week post op appointment with my surgeon, John and I spent a while in nearby Old Town Orange.

We shopped in Country Roads Antique mall where I found an interesting quilt scrap - never mind that I already have more than I could possibly use in my lifetime. 

We ate dinner in a nice little Cuban restaurant named Felix - yummy.

After dinner we walked and shopped a little more, and I bought a New York fashion print of a 1950s coat - I'll have to decide if I'm going to keep it in California or take it to Kentucky. 

Quilt Show Outing

Thank you to all my family and friends who sent well wishes to me after my hip replacement surgery. 

It has been four weeks today, and I was out with my sister and husband to see a small quilt show near us. I want to add, this was my first outing without a cane - yeah!

My friend, Wanda, is the featured quilter this year, and is pictured next to her thirty displayed works of art. 

My sister, Jodi, and I weren't able to attend the big quilt show, Road 2 California, this year but we'll be looking forward to it next year when I'm able to walk miles at a time.  It feels great to be on the mend. 

Merry Christmas 2014

I'm wishing you all a very Merry Christmas, and happiness during this holiday season. This Christmas card was hand painted by my mother's cousin for her several years ago.  She often painted cards for my mother, and now my sister and I have them.

Merry Christmas to All

Lavender Festival

We aren't usually in California in June, but lucky me, I was able to go to a  Lavender Festival with my sisters at the Highland Springs Resort in Cherry Valley. 

The lavender fields were fragrant, and so pretty. 

There were tents set up for venders, crafts and food. 

There were tables set up to have lunch, and a string quartet played while we ate. 

The property was used as a stagecoach stop, and there is a stunning 1100 year old Live Oak tree on the property. 

http://www.monumentaltrees.com/en/usa/california/riversidecounty/8948_highlandspringsresort/

Of course the day wouldn't be complete without buying some lavender infused goodies. Yum!

Los Angeles & Los Feliz - From Shabby Chic to The Getty Center

I spent a few days with my sister in the Los Angeles/Los Feliz area, and I always enjoy the city with her. 

I've always wanted to shop at Rachael Ashwell's Shabby Chic store in Santa Monica, and it was lovely. 

I bought this pretty stationary:

Five designs - six sheets each. The image is muted in grayscale on the back as that is the writing area. 

A nearby store had some amazing trims - I bought these two:

On another day, we walked to Los Feliz and had lunch at Fred 62 on Vermont, and then caught a movie across the street at the old (1934) Los Feliz theater. 

A trip to LA wouldn't be complete without going to The Getty. 

The Getty was built with limestone that was taken from the same quarry as the limestone that was used to build St. Peter's Basilica in Rome. Much of the stone has fossil imprints of leaves:

Here is a "Selfie" of sorts - taken in a window reflexion.

I love this Renoir painting (La Promenade), and enjoy seeing it every time I go to The Getty: 

I am fascinated with seeing how artists paint textiles with such realism:

Here is the entire painting and info:

I found this cute coin purse at the Getty gift shop - it has two handy zipper compartments:

I got these two photos while on the freeway ( Not to worry - I was the passenger):

The Capitol Records building.

And the Hollywood Tower Hotel - (Disney's Hollywood Tower of Terror anyone?)

 

And like any visit - it was over in a flash!