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.

Lily, Lily, Lily My Pretty Girl!

Lily, Lily, Lily My Pretty Girl!

I cooed those words to her for the last time on Monday.

She lost her 2 1/2 month battle with Lymphoma,

 and we had to let her go Monday afternoon.

Saying goodbye after 14 years was difficult.

I am heart broken!

She spent her last night sleeping right next to me.

I'm not sure if I was comforting her,

 or if she was comforting me.

On Monday she went out on the patio.

I put her in her favorite chair, and spent time holding her,

 as well as petting her and talking sweet talk.

Lily was a constant companion to me.

She wanted to help with anything

I was doing.

After I put clean laundry away, she liked to ride

in the empty basket back to the laundry room.

She was always nearby when I sewed, and

loved sitting in this wicker chair.

She would sit outside any closed door, and 

wait for me to come out.

She wanted me to open her pet door

first thing in the morning so she could

go out onto her patio.

And she obediently came into the house

when I wanted to close up everything at night.

If I took a nap, I'd say night, night, and she

came to lay by me every time.

She talked kitty talk to me when I talked to her.

I have a hole in my heart where this kitty used to be. 

Merry Christmas 2015

We had a fun Christmas Eve at my sister's and brother-in-law's home.  My sister-in-law brought a selfie stick so we could all get in a group selfie.  Four brothers were there - but two sisters weren't able to come (one in Ventura with her daughter's family and the other sister lives in Colorado.)  It is hard to get the eight siblings together at one time.  It's always great to get together with my brothers and sisters, I love them all.

Happy Thanksgiving 2015

We got home this past Tuesday, I got everything unpacked, and my guest room ready for one of my sisters who will stay a few days with me.  Our family gathers at my brother's home for Thanksgiving. I bring the sweet potatoes, and I'm also bringing a bag of Starbucks Thanksgiving Blend coffee beans.


I haven't created anything for the Thanksgiving holiday, so I'm sharing a hand painted card my mother's cousin painted for her.  Gleva painted a number of holiday and birthday cards for my mother over the years, and I'm lucky to have a few of them that I treasure.  This Thanksgiving card isn't dated, but then sending Happy Thanksgiving wishes is timeless.

        Happy Thanksgiving to all of you

Baby Sis Came For a Visit

My youngest sister, Jodi, came to Kentucky for a two week visit and we had a blast.

I didn't even give her a chance to unpack, because the morning after she arrived we went for a three day two night stay in Paducah, Ky - home to the National Quilt Museum.

National Quilt Museum - Paducah, KY

While we were in Paducah, we attended a class on Gelli Plate printing taught by Kristin at Ephemera.  We had never heard of Gelli Plates, but we are officially hooked.  The class was so much fun!  The class size was limited to six, and we had five ladies who took this Saturday morning class.  Now I want to take a mixed media class at Ephemera - maybe next year. I wish Paducah was closer.

Gelli Plate Printing Class at Ephemera - Kristin in Red & Blue

Inside Kristin's Shop

Paducah is a cute town and the old downtown buildings are being used for shops and restaurants.

Near the River

The old Coca Cola plant has a coffee shop in one end, and a craft brewery in the other end.

Everyone told us that we needed to stop at Patti's for lunch on the way back from Paducah.  It was delicious - we had pork chops and wonderful desserts - I had the six inch high meringue pie.

At Patti's


Of course Jodi and I had to buy Gelli Plates, and we set up our own craft tables in my sewing room. When I get better at printing, I'll share my prints with you.  But trust me, it's fun

Jodi Happily Gelli Printing

Jodi helped me host a luncheon for friends.

John and I took Jodi to the races at Churchill Down - Jodi was the winner that day.

Jodi - Twin Spires in the Background

Seeing the horses up close at the Paddock 

At Churchill Downs With a Gallopalooza

You never know what life has in store for you

Life can throw a curve once in a while, and getting older sure can sneak up on you.  I'm less than a week from having hip replacement surgery. At this point I'm passed being a little freaked out, and counting the days to the beginning of a new me.  Thankfully a cortisone shot lasted through our first trip to Europe, and I was able to get around quite well.  But the past few months have been difficult, and I am so ready for the new hip, and optimistic about my recovery.

My baby sister is going to spend a few days with me after surgery, and baby me.  I'm one lucky big sister to have her - I love you Jodi.

Jodi and me on her birthday in November

Of course my hubby has been babying me through all of this. And he has been doing most of the housework, and cooking a lot of meals too - I love you John.

John toasting me at Dels, our favorite New Mexico restaurant

James Neville Vititoe - Dec 1919 - Feb 2013

Sadly, my father in-law passed away on February 8, 2013.  James was a loving, wonderful man, and we are all going to miss him greatly.  We love you James.



James - World War II

James and Irene on a date in 1940



James on his 90th Birthday in 2009

A Blast From the Past - 1957

I received some old photos from a relative recently, and this was among them.  It is a photo I had never seen, so I was happy to receive it.

This photo, taken in 1957, is of my mother, my sister and me.  We were visiting relatives on their farm in Minnesota.  My sister and I were wearing 'farm play clothes'.

Do you enjoy looking into the past as much as I do?

Tom Tonyan - July 3, 1951 - July 7, 2010

Thomas Douglas Tonyan

My brother-in-law tragically passed away from injuries he suffered in an automobile accident on Wednesday, July 7th.  It is impossible to believe he is isn't with us any longer.  Tom was a brilliant jazz musician who played the piano, organ and keyboard.  He had a witty sense of humor, and had an infectious laugh that I can hear now.  He was a loving man who is deeply missed by his family.

We love you Tom

Recently, on April 16th of this year, he played with Red Holloway for the opening of the Friday Night Series of Jazz at LACMA (the Los Angeles County Museum of Art).

Here is a review of the evening.

Although you can just see the top of his head in the videos, that is Tom on the organ.  I have embedded the You Tube videos for you to enjoy.

Here is a photo of Tom that evening playing the organ.

Weekend in LA

I spent last weekend with my sister in Los Angeles.  It was such a beautiful weekend, more like Spring than Winter, and I took a few pictures along the way.

Pam had a piece of artwork on exhibit at Barnsdall in Hollywood.  She is a member of the Los Angeles Printmaking Society, and they were having their 20th National Exhibition at Barnsdall Art Park in the Los Angeles Municipal Art Gallery.  We were out of California when she had the opening ,so I wasn't able to attend that.  In fact, the day we went last weekend was the last day of the exhibit.  I enjoyed it very much.

After lunch we went to Glendale to visit the Brand Library and Art Gallery.  Pam had artwork in a show at this gallery earlier in the year.  It turned out they were closed because of the New Year holiday, so we didn't get to go inside.  However, the buildings and grounds were lovely and I was able to take a few pictures.

Pam's artwork is to her right at elbow height.

This is the view of the Hollywood sign and the Griffith Observatory from the Barnsdall grounds.

Palm tree lined drive to the Brand Library.

Front of the Brand Library

Pam at the top of the steps at the front door of the Brand Library.

View looking back through the gate we drove through that I took from the top of the steps.

Beautiful Arches.

That's me in front of the library.

Beautiful Bird of Paradise were prolific on the grounds.

This house, that had belonged to three different doctors, was moved to Brand Park in order to save it.

Ho Ho Ho - Merry Christmas

John recently changed into Santa for a visit to a retirement community.

I snapped this picture of him just as he arrived home down the chimney.

Happy 90th Birthday

John's dad recently celebrated his 90th birthday, and we were able to be with him.

                                Happy Birthday James

Daddy 1922 - 2009

I haven't ventured into my blog at all since John and I left Kentucky.  In fact, I'm just now deciding to share this with you.

My dad went into the hospital the day we returned to California from Kentucky.  Our family was by his side for the nearly two weeks he was there.  He passed away on November 19th.

This picture of him was taken in 1992 when he and my mother visited John and me in Florida.  I love this picture of him because it captures his personality.  He was a happy loving father to all of us kids throughout the years.

I love you Daddy.