California May 2012 - More Newport Coast

Did you see the eclipse on Sunday, May 20? We drove to a nearby hill and waited - and watched. Made pinpoint holes in white paper and then bounced the image onto another white paper. Actually I took this image just straight through camera. It was rather foggy along the western coast but I think this is pretty cool - the eclipse right in the middle of parting fog. It was actually quite amazing to see.

We went to see the movie "Exotic Magnolia Hotel". Was a little sleepy for me. Admission was very $$$$ - about $15! I asked if that was the new Southern California movie price and the attendant said it was a little higher than normal but said "you'll love our seats". Well not so much. They were cushy leather that leaned back, but seats were too long and the arm rests - check them out - were about 8" wide. It was actually uncomfortable seating. You had to sit like a king, which was too far and wide. Not worth the cost. We'll go with our local theatre's deal - Senior Tuesdays, admission, small popcorn and small drink for $4.50 -- that's $9.00 - total -  for both of us!!

Loving this place with dear friends!

Another thing we loved was seeing all the jacaranda trees in bloom. They are at their peak May into June and so our timing was perfect. We had one in our front yard at our Newbury Park home. Messy when the petals begin to fall but oh such a gorgeous color! This isn't the greatest photo as it was taken from my phone at Disneyland.

We spent two fun days at Disneyland. The first day we went to Disneyland park where our first ride was Space Mountain, where I screamed from beginning to end!  I decided to "travel light" and didn't take my camera so this is the only photo I have worth showing. It's of Mary Poppins in the Disney parade. I always love the parade. The Disney characters are bigger than life and so friendly with the crowd. 

At California Adventure, the guys went on California Screamin', the very FAST and HUGE roller coaster. It's Rich, at the end, second car from the right. Crazy guys!!

Next stop ... Mission San Juan Capistrano.

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day to Rich - my dear hubby, and father of our three sons!

And also to our sons, Jeff, Brett, and Jeremy!

These men all love the Lord God and consistently lead their families according to His principles. I am honored to be their wife and mother!! I love all of you - with all of my heart!

All four men live out these scriptures ...

"Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it." - Proverbs 22:6

"A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold." - Proverbs 22:1

Happy Birthday Moira!

Today is Moira's 12th birthday! My goodness!!! Time has certainly flown by!

I love this photo of Moira at 3 years of age!

Mo, as I often call her, is the oldest of Brett and Esther's four daughters. She is a very bright young lady, articulate and not at all timid when it comes to conversation. She is an avid reader (is currently reading "Little Women"), loves to write and illustrate her own stories, likes crafts, has sung in the Newton Community Children's Choir and this last school year played the viola in the school orchestra. She now has her own instrument and is playing in a local summer strings program. She has played soccer and this spring participated in track. This is one well-rounded "tween"! She tells me her favorite thing to do with me is birthday shopping, as well as helping me cook, and frosting /decorating Christmas cookies! Gotta love it!

And here she is today - sporting her first contact lenses and fancy sunglasses!

Mo, in a year - that's just 365 days! - you'll be a teenager.  It's fun watching you mature and "grow up". I give you these Bible verses in hope they will help guide your path - Philippians 2:3-5.

"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. .. you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus."

With much love!

California May 2012 - Loving Newport Coast!

We spent a glorious week at the Marriott timeshare resort at Newport Coast, located between the beach communities of Newport Beach and Laguna Beach. Larry and Elaine joined us for the week. How we love to travel with them!!

When we opened the drapes and windows of our villa, this was our view!!! Actually saw the blue sky and ocean only on first/last days as it was "June Gloom", low clouds, fog,overcast the rest of the week. Go inland a short distance and it was back to sunshine. LOVED the cool temps!!!

Views from our room.

A view from the kitchen of our villa; living room, dining area. Also had two lovely bedrooms/bathrooms. This is a perfect arrangement - breakfast here in the morning and then Elaine and I each cooked in one night. We make a good team and felt right at home! :)

I say this is as close as you can get to going to Hawaii, without getting on an airplane. It truly is lovely!

To nurture our souls we went to Roger's Gardens the day after arriving. We've been there before, but it NEVER fails soothe and fill our hot, dry, drought-filled bodies and hearts!

I've tried my hardest to get the following photo to portrait orientation, but to no avail. It was a garden at the entrance and being a lover of all things blue, it grabbed my heart, and so I include it anyway.

Rich, Larry and Elaine. Seems like we get to travel together once a year, sometimes twice. They are such dear friends!!  We go a looong way back - to their wedding in 1971 when Rich was Larry's Best Man. The guys sort of "threw Elaine and I together", but we have so much in common and really are each other's "other sister".

I love sweet peas. My wedding bouquet was white roses and sweet peas. It's also the flower for my birth month. They are so fragrant and these colors were gorgeous!

Even the succulents were abundant and very interesting.

I love heart-shaped things. Aren't these pots cool?!! Would have loved to bring some home, but in the hot Kansas summers, plants would dry out faster than you could shake a stick.

My favorite rose, "Double Delight". Sweet and spicy!

This tree had the most unusual bark. It felt just like paper.

Interesting potting containers.

The coastal climate is perfect for bright, vibrant colors and plants of every type! How many ways can I say that we love this place!???

More fun to come!

California May 2012 - On the Road Again!

We had a delightful road trip to California May 16-June 5. Weather couldn't have been more perfect! We had a great visit with friends, Larry and Elaine, my mom and siblings, and of course our precious CA kiddos, who celebrated Lauren's graduation from Oaks Christian Middle School and Cole's graduation from Oaks Christian High School.

 We drove our favorite, I-70 through Colorado and Utah and connected with I-15 through Nevada, a bit of Arizona and into California. Our first day was the longest drive, home to Grand Junction, CO, about 12 hours. We thoroughly enjoyed this gorgeous rest area in Glenwood Canyon. A plaque stated that this canyon drive is the 12 most difficult miles of the national interstate system. It goes through the White River National Forest and is truly beautiful! It's here that the White River and Colorado River merge. Another bit of trivia - I-70 is named the Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway. Didn't know that.

Barstow, CA is hardly the garden spot of the world but it does boast the Harvey House Museum. I've wanted to see this museum every time we driven through town, but there was never time. On this day we could do it. The old train station has been refurbished and houses the museum. Loved the architecture!

Fred Harvey's agreement with the Atchinson, Topeka and Santa Fe railroad in 1876 was to develop "deluxe restaurants along the railroad's lines throughout the Southwest". The museum in Barstow displays how those restaurants were established. There was one at the train station here in Newton.

Mr. Harvey had very specific rules for the Harvey Girls, had to be "of good character, attractive and intelligent, aged 18-30", and often immigrants. "They were not to wear jewelry or rouge, and had to maintain spotless uniforms (white for breakfast, black and white for dinner)." They were expected to remember the patrons' order and could not write them down. Beverage choices were indicated to busboys by position of cups and saucers. Orange juice must be freshly squeezed. Coffee must be fresh. They carried everything on a tray, even a single glass.

Posted rules were:
They must be single for the duration of their contract. Must live in the dorm on-site. Must never have a man in the dorm. Must have a manicure once a week. Must keep dorms dusted. Must keep a 10:00 pm curfew. Must wear a hairnet. Must polish silver continuously. Never talk to patrons. Napkins must be folded precisely. Tables must be set precisely.

In the chain's 70-year history, more than 100,000 girls wore the uniform of a Harvey Girl. More than 5,000 of them married and settled in the West.

This mannequin wears the dress of a Harvey Girl in the dinner uniform.

Dining room - then.

And now - same chandelier.

Some menu items - Traveler's Special - $1.45 - Fried filet of sole, tartar sauce, French fries, cole slaw OR Potted ox joint (whatever THAT is!), potatoes, vegetable, rolls and butter, choice of pie, ice cream or sherbet, choice of beverage.

Station master's suite consisted of bedroom, bathroom (claw foot bat tub in this suite supposedly used by Winston Churchill!), and dining room/office.

Some old railcars were at the station.

When we arrived in Barstow gas was $4.99. We decided to drive to Victorville for gas where it was $4.59 - BIG WHOOP!

Next stop - Newport Coast - where it was gorgeous. Come along!

Chuckle for the Day

We had a fabulous trip to California - which I'll blog about later. Among our activities were precious visits with my mom.

Last fall my siblings and I went through Mom and Dad's home, sorting, dividing, all that entails. (And I must say not a cross word or hurt feeling among the five of us!!) On our most recent trip to CA we drove so that I could bring home my "treasures". My sister Kathy packed things up for me last fall. After a lot of discussions, I knew much of  what had been saved for me, but there were some surprises - like an envelope with various articles Mom had saved. Tucked into this envelope was the following, "Chuckle for the Day". I must say I don't know where it came from or how long Mom and Dad had it, but they most certainly found it humorous (both always enjoyed a good laugh) - and relateable. It gave me a good laugh - hopefully you will too! ....

Chuckle for the Day
"Remember old folks are worth a fortune with silver in their hair, gold in their teeth, stones in their kidneys, lead in their feet, and gas in their stomachs.

I have become a little older since I saw you last and a few changes have come into my life since then. Frankly, I have become quite a frivolous old gal. I am seeing five gentlemen every day.

As soon as I wake up, Will Power helps me get out of bed. Then I go to see John. Then Charlie Horse comes along, and when he is here he takes a lot of my time and attention. When he leaves, Arthur Ritis shows up and stays the rest of the day. He doesn't like to stay in one place very long, so he takes me from joint to joint. After such a busy day I am really tired and glad to go to bed with Ben Gay. What a life!

P.S. The Preacher came to call the other day. He said at my age I should be thinking about the hereafter. I told him, oh, I do all the time. No matter where I am; in the parlor, upstairs, in the kitchen or down in the basement, I ask myself what am I here after?"

Happy Anniversary Jeff and Caroline!

June 1 marks 21 years of marriage for Jeff and Caroline! They have worked hard to establish a marriage and create a family that honors God. With their gifts of teaching and hospitality they open the doors of their home to many. Life is lived there to the full.

I Corinthians 13 - The Love Chapter - was read at their wedding. I quote in part ...

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Love never fails. ... 

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. 

But the greatest of these is love."