Tuesday 4 & Wednesday Hodgepodge

The party was a success! More pictures on the bottom.

Summertime means travel time for many people. Let's talk about travel and holidays.

1. Will you be traveling this summer at all? We just took a vacation at Vegas. We might spend a few nights in San Diego. I hope to go to Israel in October as long as it is safe to go.

2. Will there be day trips in store for you? visits to the beach, evenings out? We do plan to go to the beach which is about 35 miles away. I am blocked from Disney until the 2nd week of August. We will do something with the grands. My husband and his brothers have planned a family reunion the last weekend of June. I mostly need to get in shape for Israel.

3. Do you eat out more in summer... do you go for ice cream or treats more? I don't think we go out more often. We usually go out on Sunday's after church. After a busy week with graduation, we will take it easy until Father's Day. I don't eat ice cream to often. It has too much sugar!

4. What is your favorite place to visit and what is the most exotic place you've been to? I love to go to Disneyland! My favorite exotic place is Hawaii and it all goes well, we might go one more time.

1.  How would you define 'the good life'? My relationship with Jesus. My kids are saved and doing well. My extended family are doing well and we all get along. We have all that we need. A steady retirement income, a home, good church and friends.

2.  What's the most used app on your phone (and are you proud of that)? I check my email first. I check messages next and I take a lot of pictures! I like to play Words with Friends and use Facebook and Instagram.

3. 'Every rose has it's thorn', 'everything's coming up roses', 'looking through rose-colored glasses', 'it's no bed of roses' or 'stop and smell the roses'...which rose idiom best relates to something in your life currently. Explain. Stop and smell the roses is a good one. I want to take in everything now and relish it. I will be 71 in a couple of months. Each day is a gift from God. I will try to be positive and see the good in my life, even when things don't always look too good.

4. How do you feel about floral flavorings in food or drink (rose, hibiscus, elderflower, lavender)? I don't mind it in teas. I just tried Starbuck's new drink because I had a gift card. It is called the Tropical Butterfly Refresher. A visually striking drink with layers of guava and passionfruit flavors, mango-pineapple popping pearls, and a butterfly pea flower infusion. I added the coconut milk and it was so good. I added water because it was so sweet and only drank about a third of it.

5. Over the course of your life what have you probably spent more time pondering than anything else? 

My life as a believer of Jesus Christ.  Growing up in church, not going often for several years after being married and then rededication and walk over the past 35 years.

6. Insert your own random thought here. I have been resting for a few days after having survived my grandson's graduation and party. My daughter did a lot to make it special and I was so proud of my family and how they all made the day so special! my husband made shredded beef and it was so good! He cooked a chuck roast for hours after marinating it. My younger son and his wife made the marinated chicken and the rice. We got beans from a favorite place in town. I made the guacamole and bought the chips to go with it at a market that has the best home made tasting chips. Hubby made the salsa too! One of my sisters brought salads and my other sister and her son brought all the fixings for the tacos. My oldest son made quesedillas and "crispers" fried tortillas that are topped with cheese and then zapped in the mocrowave oven. The boys ate them like that with salsa. Some added beans and meat to make tostadas. My older son had everyone come in and he prayed for the boys and the food.

There was a whole dessert table that was a hit after the food and games. The best part for the boys was a giant jumper! That is what Eddie wanted. The boys spent several hours is it. My sister who is a marriage and family counselor said that was the best thing they could do after going through the trials of finals and all the senior things. My son has gone to school with some of these boys since kindergarten!

All these boys are off to college.

My sisters, I am the oldest and Ann on the right is the younget.

She did not stay long because she had to get back to her grandson's grad party!

My brother Scott and his wife Cindy and sister Terry.

Scott and Cindy were off to my nephew's party after ours.

My brother is the baby of the family.

Thanks to my son and his wife for hosting the party!

My beautiful grands. The youngest grandson was playing video games upstairs.

Jazzy graduates next year. She doesn't want a party. 

She wants the family to go to Disneyland!

Previous post has grad pictures.

Thanks to Annie and Jocye for the memes. Links are on the left.

Friday's Fave Five & Saturday 9

We left to Las Vegas las Saturday. I am thankful that we were able to rent a nice SUV that has heated, massaging seats. It was nice that it was a six-seater so that my son's family could fit in ours when we had to drive places. It takes 3 1/2 hours to drive there and I took my crafts to work on during the drive.

It was nice to be able to enjoy our son's timeshare at the Grand Chateau Marriott Resort. We stayed in a family unit. When you walk through the door at the end of the hall, you can go right into a 1-bedroom condo. Or you can go straight into the 2-bedroom condo. We have gone before with more family and used the couches that turn into a bed too. I was able to use our small table to craft on. Meals were eaten on the large 8 seat table in the larger unit. Once we got settled we went out for dinner and walked around. Later I was able to work on my Faith Journal.

It was nice to enjoy the pool on the 5th floor. We ordered lunch a breakfast and a lunch at the pool grill. I had two eggs over avocado toast with bacon, and it was so good. The cauliflower crust pizza was really good too! I used lots of sunblock was there. Thankful that many things were walking distance. I had bought sunblock but left it at home. I found what I needed at a Target and Walgreens. 

2017 and 2026. Eijah was trying to recreate the look!

Thankful that my granddaughter and I got to enjoy a few hours at Disneyland on Thursday. She enjoyed sitting at the front of the monorail. She went on it as a baby but did not remember that. The monorail was closed last time we went. We went on the carrousel too which we had not been on all year. We enjoyed lunch at the Plaza Inn and share the fried chicken meal. It came with a breast, thigh and drumstick, mash potatoes and gravy, green beans an a roll. She ate the potatoes and I ate the green beans. It was plenty for both of us.

Today I am thankful to have a pajama day after a busy week!

9: Mystical Magical (2025)

Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

1) This week's song is about a new love affair, and Benson Boone bounces between frustration and optimism when he thinks about it. Does anything inspire your mixed emotions these days? My faith and my family. 

2) The lyrics mention "moonbeam ice cream," which is something Benson just made up. Last summer, when this week's song became popular, ice cream shops were inspired to create flavors with that name. What's your favorite ice cream flavor, and will you take that in a cup or cone? I just had some ice cream/gelato in a plastic cup at the Venetian Las Vegas. It was passion fruit and pineapple and reminds me of Hawaii. I kept the small cup to use when I watercolor.

 

3) He sings that "once you know" about a love like this, "you know." Tell us about something you had to experience to fully understand. Lots of things! Isn't that what life is about. Pregnancy and Labor and mothering. Being a grandma-Mema.

 

4) He composed this song at the piano. Do you play piano? I used to but I have not played in years.

5) He first sang in public at a high school talent show, which he only entered on a dare. Can you recall any dares from your junior high or high school days? I can't think of anything.

6) Benson was a good high school athlete and competed in diving at the state level. Can you execute a dive off the diving board? I used to be able too. But I would not try now with all my back issues.

7) When he was 18, Boone auditioned for American Idol. What were you up to when you were 18? I was dating, going to UCI, got engaged and got married two days before I turned 19.  

  

8) Benson has a dog named Max. He's not alone in this. "Max" is one of the most popular pet names in the US today. Have you ever known anyone (furry or otherwise) named Max? My pastor had a dog named Max.

 

9) Random question: If we knocked on your door on one of your lazy, stay-at-home days, what would we likely find you wearing? if it is morning, I would still be in pajamas.

Thanks to Susanne and Sam for the memes. Links are on the left side.

Tuesday 4 & Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. Where have you traveled and what is the furthest you've been from home? I have traveled to Mexico City and Acapulco in 1970  Novia Scotia, Canada, while on a New England Cruise. Juneau Alaska while on a cruise and Puerto Vallarta Mexico while on a cruise. Hawaii, 2000, 2009, 2012 and 2018. The Mexican Riviera Cruise is listed above. I need to finish a couple of more days.

2. Is there a location other than where you are, that you think would be a nice place to live? Hawaii!

3. Do you have a photo or story from a favorite place to visit? I have photos and whole links to the pages I did at my Website. I linked a few at my last post. My website is linked on the left under the memes link. Ifo you go there and click on Site Map, it will take you to a page that list 100's of pages. The vacations are on the lower middle section.

4. What dream destination do you have tucked away in your heart? Do you think you'll be able to visit them one day or are plans in the making? Israel, Spain, Italy. I don't think I will go there physically, but there is a lot to see online. I am just traveling through. My final place is Heaven and one place I know I will get to in God's timing. I hope I smell plumerias there!

Waikiki

1. When does time pass slowly for you? When does time past quickly for you? The days just fly by now. I like to be busy for the most part. The day drags when I don't have anything to do.

2. Do you have a favorite beach? What's your favorite 'beach' activity? Tell us what we'd find in your beach bag. There are several beaches I like that are about 30 miles away from me. Takes about and hour to get there because of traffic. If I had to pick one that is local, I would say Corona Del Mar. I would go there while I was attending the University of Irvine. We would go in between classes or just miss a class because we could. It was a wonderful break from school and the reality that childhood was over. It is the beach we took our kids too. The water is a bit more calmer. We also went there with the grands.

Corona Del Mar

Huntington Beach

Balboa is another beach. Our kids liked walking the pier and playing in the water. Then we would leave the parking lot, what across the street, and head to the bay. There was a Ferris wheel at the boardwalk. We would get corndogs, pizza and Balboa bars, a favorite of mine. Sometimes we would drive our car to the ferry and go across to Balboa Island. We were last there with our married group in October. We took a bay cruise, but the captain took us out further towards a pod of dolphins which he estimated 200-300 dolphins. 

It was great! But my most favorite place is Hanauma Bay in Oahu Hawaii. I haven snorkeled there 3 times and loved it. Clear water, and lots of fish. The time with my husband in August of 2009 was the best. The water was warm compared to our Pacific Caost Beaches that are cold.

The grands are older and now the family goes to Newport and Huntington Beach. The piers are busy, and there are a lot of shops. And of course a lot of surfers! It's a lot harder to get a family day for the beach with everyone's schedule. When I go, I take one of several beach bags I have. I always take the basics like sunscreen, sunglasses, towel and water. The past few years I take a journal or travel Bible so I can watercolor in it. Hubby usually packs everything else. 

3. Your favorite book or movie with a beach setting? South Pacific comes to my mind along with From Here to Eternity.  I have seen the Halona beach cove from the love scene in that movie. This picture was taken in 2009 when we were on an Island your of Oahu.

4. What's a food you love, but find it's a pain to eat? Is it worth it? Pomegranates.

5.  Do you like roller coasters? What's the best (or worst) roller coaster you've been on? Yes, I do like roller coasters. I like to go on them at Disneyland. The tallest one was Magic Mountain. I think it was called the Colossus. The last one I went on was the Incredicoaster at Disney's California Adventure. It goes upside down and I liked the feeling. It actually made my neck feel better!

6. Insert your own random thought here. I love to be at the beach. The sounds and smell of the ocean are the best. I like to collect shells. I do not like the drive and hard to find parking. Hubby does not care for the beach for the same reason. I usually ask to go there for our anniversary. which is August 10 or for my birthday which is August 12. My family is giving me a pool n all party on the 9th. I will see how we feel on the 10th!

Hawaii 2009     Hawaii 2012

Thanks to Annie and Joyce for the Memes, links are on the left.

Tuesday 4 & Wednesday Hodgepodge Fall

Sunday September 22 was the Autumnal Equinox, the first day of the Autumn season.

1. Are there pumpkins or chrysanthemums on your porch or are you planning on putting some out?  

I have started decorating. I have a few more things to put out. I have decorated inside too.

2. What seasonal changes are you noticing in your part of the world? What would you add or take away?

I would like a real longer fall, and longer winter with a bit of snow and rain.

3. Is pumpkin pie on the menu for you this fall?  How about pumpkin spice or pumpkin latte coffee flavors? Are you a fan?   Spiced teas?  What do you like?  We have already had some pumpkin pie when my daughter brought it over last week. I bought a few small pumpkins for my table. I need to get some pumpkin spice creamer.

4. If there was a free week long tour of New England, complete with peak colors and a trip to Plimouth, Massachusetts (the colony site with historical players), would you come along?  If that doesn't suit, where would you like to go for your Autumn trip? I went on a New England cruise in 2008 and the Maine countryside was just starting to show it's fall colors. I would go back for a longer timeframe if I could. We can go up to Oak Glen, about an hour away and see some fall colors.

1. It's officially fall y'all...in the northern hemisphere anyway. What are three of your favorite things about this particular season of the year? It is not fall in So CA. We won't be there until mid October.

The cooler nights is always welcomed and the mosquitoes start to disappear!

2. Your favorite fall fabric-denim, flannel, tweed, corduroy, tartan, polar fleece, leather? Do you own something made with your favorite fall fabric? Fleece is nice and I have a couple of flannel shirts I wear over a t-shirt.

3. According to Everyday Health here are ten healthy fall foods- apples (flavonoids may improve brain health), pears (for heart friendly fiber), cranberries (helps your body fight oxidative stress) winter squash (for eye health), pumpkin (another great source of Vitamin A), leeks (an anti-inflammatory food), Brussel sprouts (full of fiber and anti-oxidants), sweet potatoes (loaded with Vit A and C), parsnips (keep your bones healthy with Vit K), and broccoli (may help prevent cancer). 

How many on the list do you eat on a regular basis? Which one is your favorite? Which one gets a big no thanks from you? We ear broccoli every week. I eat an apple everyday. I like sweet potatoes and even put them in my homemade soups.

4. Tell us about the last time (or a recent time) you experienced a wave of nostalgia? A memory popped up on Facebook of my parents when we were on a New England cruise in 2008. We were celebrating my dad's 75th birthday on September 22.

5. Sept. 22nd was National Daughter's Day. Like mother, like daughter...does this idiom ring true for you? You may answer in terms of your own role as a daughter or, if you have daughters, then your role as a mother of daughters. I am like my mom. My daughter's temperament is not like mine. We do both tend to do too much. My oldest son is most like me and his daughter is a minnie me!

6. Insert your own random thought here. I am still waiting for the results of my MRI. I sent a message to my doctor and her assistant said it can take up to 14 working days. I started with a new physical therapy group and I think I have overdone some of the exercises and my lower back hurts more. Hopefully that will improve. I have dermatology appointment on Friday and a mammogram on Saturday.

I am resting today and working on my kits for my next Bible journaling group. We will be discussing the Jewish fall celebrations. I really dive into my Bible and online groups to get a better understanding. I will also talk about oils in the Bible and I plan to pass out a few samples of Frankincense and one called Joy since a verse says oil of joy or gladness. I plan to set the table with apples, honey and pomegranates. My hubby and I are going to a Jewish market in Orange Country so I can get some Challah bread they make round for Rosh Hashanah. In December we will talk about Hannukah and the Jesus Birth.

Thanks to Annie and Joy for the memes, links are ton the left.

Friday Faves Five & Saturday 9

1.Thankful for a family dinner with fun and games at my son Daniel and Melinda's home. I love when my whole family gets together. I didn't get too many pictures this time. It was nice to see my sons playing the old Nintendo games. We were celebrating the September birthdays.

2. Thankful that we were able to go to church on Sunday. Our granddaughter sang planned, and we were really touched when toward the end of the song, she dropped to her knees. We knew it was the Holy Spirit, because it was not planned, and she did not do it at first or third service. Thank you Lord!

3. Thankful I was able to stay with Audrina on Tuesday. She had been sick the night before. I was able to take my homework and get it all done for my Wednesday night class. I was also able to read about the Jewish fall holy days coming up that I will discuss at my next Bible journaling group.

4. Thankful that our Marriage group was able to help prepare the food bags for Sunday's food day.

We took a picture after we were finished. Then we went in for a lunch they provided. Hubby and I also got fingerprinted so that we could be greeters again. Also if we are needed in children's ministry or security. We greeted from 1995-2005. Then we were busy with grands, aging parents. We normally help out at the special events. I was on the Women's board 1995-2006. I also did lay counseling.

5. Thankful that I am able to go back to physical therapy and I my request to no go to jury duty was approved. It would have started on Monday.

Looking forward to a family wedding in Temecula this weekend. We will be spending the night at my sister's home and we will go out to brunch on Sunday to remember our dad who would have been 91. 

 Saturday 9: Drive to You (2006)

Unfamiliar with this week's song? Hear it here.

1) In this song, Jewel sings that she can't sleep and is staring at the ceiling. Did you fall asleep easily last night? yes, but I woke up early because the dog was barking.

2) She concludes that the only thing to do is drive to her lover's side. Last time you got behind the wheel, where were you headed? Physical Therapy.

3) Jewel grew up in Alaska. Have you ever visited our largest state? Yes, in 2006 while on a cruise.

First stop, Juneau and the Mendenhall Glacier.

Skagway

Ketchikan

4) She once performed at the Sydney Opera House, which is more than 7,300 miles away from Anchorage. There are no direct commercial flights between those two cities. Given your choice, would you rather spend less on travel but have to change flights, or spend more and fly non-stop to your destination? Spend less. Non stop for a short flight. 

5) Actor Sean Penn developed a crush on Jewel after seeing her perform on TV and attended many of her concerts during her 1995 tour. What's the best concert you ever saw? That is a hard one to answer. I really enjoyed the Adore Him Concert, Christmas season with Chris Tomlin featuring Lauen Daigle. Amy Grand and her husband and they introduces there little girl. I think that was in the 90's. 2019 Toby Mac with Mandisa, Danny Gokey and Ryan Stevenson. And next February we will hear Cece Winans with her More Than This tour. Oh, I can't forget the Beautiful Concert that features the music of Carole King.

6) She married Ty Murray, a successful rodeo cowboy. Have you ever attended a rodeo? No.

7) In 2006, the year "Drive to You" was released, Al Lewis died. He was best known as Grandpa on The Munsters. It's time for you to declare where you stand on this issue: do you prefer The Munsters of The Addams Family? Both were funny, but I would choose the Munsters.

8) 2006 was a very good one for tennis pro Roger Federer. He reached the finals in all four Grand Slam tournaments, and won three. What's the last game you won? (Yes, Wordle counts.) Word with Friends.

9) Random question: Using one word, how would you describe 2024 so far? Busy! Lots of health issues and appointments.

Thanks to Susanne and Sam for the memes. Links are on the left.