Almost Ready for Christmas

Posted on by
2

Christmas CardsWe are almost ready for Christmas. In my last post I said I would write my Christmas cards the next day and I did. I usually take several days but this year I finished them all in one day. Our house is decorated inside and out, thanks to my very creative husband. Once he’s started, he just keeps going. He really is amazing!

Husband laying track

While Martin set up the train track I baked oatmeal cookies and gift wrapped them to give to friends.

oatmeal cookies

cookies

Yes, we’re definitely almost ready for Christmas. Tomorrow I’ll share my oatmeal cookie recipe with you. I know you’ll love it.

Blue Birds and Christmas

Posted on by
2

P1010418

I thought the blue birds were gone for the winter, but when I looked out the back patio door they were back. I grabbed my camera and got this photo of one taking his bath. It always makes me happy to see them.
Last Night we saw “Deck the Hall”, a wonderful concert presented by the California State University, Fullerton School of Music. I could have sat there all night listening to the three different choirs and the University Symphony Orchestra. I tend to get a bit stressed at Christmas time, as do many people, but listening to the music certainly put me in the holiday spirit.

P1010435

As we drove up our street we were greeted by our brightly lit house, a perfect end to a very special day. Tomorrow, Christmas cards!

Photography Field Trip to Los Angeles

Posted on by
1

P1010282
The weather was beautiful yesterday and perfect for our photography class field trip to Los Angeles. We caught the MetroLink commuter train at Irvine station and from there traveled to Union Station. There we caught the red line subway to City Hall. I learned that for a five dollar MetroLink ticket a person can travel to and all over Los Angeles by bus and subway. An amazing deal! Once inside city hall we were given a guided tour by one of the knowledgeable docents.P1010287City Hall’s interior is amazing. Built in the 1920s, it was designed in the Art Deco style. Here you can see the beautiful Christmas tree in the central lobby and some of the architecture. The marble floors and ceilings, and just about everywhere else you looked, there was something to photograph. Since the late ’50s I’ve seen the outside of this building, but never stepped inside until yesterday. Now that I know just how easy it is to get there by public transportation, I plan to go back soon and take my husband with me. P1010346

Our next stop was the historic Bradley Building in downtown Los Angeles, another gorgeous building from the 1920s. I was amazed at the amount of brass used in staircases and other fixtures. Above  is one of two ornately decorated elevators.

The next part of our trip took us to the Grammy Museum, which I strongly recommend if you are a music lover. If you go to their web site www.grammymuseum.org you will see some of the many outstanding exhibits.100_3731

Last but not least, we went to L.A. Live next to the Staples Center. There we were treated to live music and holiday lights. It was spectacular. There was also an ice rink for those who wanted to give skating a try.

We returned to Orange County by tour bus, and as we traveled home listening  to Christmas carols we also enjoyed seeing brightly decorated houses along the way. It was a wonderful day filled with new adventures. We’ve often seen the Los Angeles skyline from a distance as we’ve traveled north on the freeway, but yesterday I was in the very heart of this amazing city. My photography instructor encourages us to seek out new experiences, and that is certainly what we did!

The Christmas Party Season is Here.

Posted on by
Reply

Gals on scooters
The Christmas season is here, and Saturday we attended a festive Christmas party hosted by the San Clemente Scooter Club. Here you can see two of the members arriving on scooters decorated with holiday lights. The evening was cool and crisp and it was a great excuse to wear our warm jackets, boots and hats. Cozy fireplace

Once inside though, it was warm and cozy. Our hostess had decorated the house   beautifully, and we were quickly moved into the holiday spirit. silver table decoration

There was no shortage of delicious holiday treats. As they say, everything from soup to nuts, literally! P1010271
Just before leaving, we all went out to the back yard to enjoy the view one last time. Not only were the lights down below beautiful, but there was also a full moon. It had indeed been a great party and a wonderful way to start the holiday season.

Christmas Decorating Ahead of the Storm

Posted on by
Reply

Finished decorating

This is our first Christmas without Dad, who passed away in February of this year, so we wanted to help Mom decorate for Christmas. We knew that a storm was brewing, but we went to her home in Seal Beach anyway. By the time we arrived, she had the tree up and beautifully decorated, and most of the inside of her condo was also bright with the yuletide spirit. She really is amazing! We did have a little rain as we began work, but it stopped just long enough for us to get her outside lights up under the threatening skies.decorated mirror

Storm is coming
As we drove away from Mom’s, the rain started again. Driving toward storm clouds on a darkened freeway, we were sure we were in for a really huge storm, and we suddenly drove through some very heavy rain, but five minutes later the rain was behind us and the sky was clear.