DOING NOTHING... NOTHING DOING...

6.30.11 ~ BIG BEAR Cabin

"A vacation is having nothing to do 
and ALL DAY to do it in."

~ Robert Orben, American magician & professional comedy writer

COFFEE 

& MORNING SUN...

SPENT THE DAY WITH...

:: LYDIA ~ SWIMMING IN THE HOT TUB ::

:: ENJOYING OUR EVENING ENTERTAINMENT ::

:: CHASING PEANUT IN THE GRASS ::

:: PEANUT = LYDIA'S BDAY PRESENT ::


GIGGLES... MEMORIES...
More tomorrow!

PUZZLING...

:: finding the border pieces ::

"It is one of man's curious idiosyncracies 

to create difficulties 

for the pleasure of resolving them." 

~ Joseph de Maistre, French philosopher, writer, lawyer, & diplomat

 :: taking shape ::

F-I-N-I-S-H-E-D 

after dinner ~ Tuesday evening!! 

:: 1000 piece puzzle!! ::

RESTFUL...

early morning visitor

"Sometimes the most important thing 

in a whole day is 

the REST 

we take between two deep breaths."

~Etty Hillesum

reflecting on the morning

mealtime view

peeking outside

RELAXING....

Sunday morning sun... 6.25.11

H-O-M-E... Part 1

relaxing on the couch @ 5:35pm ~ 6.23.11

"IT DOESN'T REQUIRE A LOT OF 

$$ MONEY $$

TO MAKE A HOME; 

IT TAKES A LOT OF LOVE."

~ Sandra Magsamen, from "LIVING ARTFULLY"

LOVE this BOOK!

(words in orange box)

"A Heart-full Guide of Ideas and Inspirations That Celebrate Life, Love, and Moments That Matter"

:: FLOWERS FROM TRADER JOE'S ::

:: $4.99 = A LOT OF LOVE ::

WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE TIP FOR CREATING

H-O-M-E...

DUCT TAPE = EMERGENCY REPAIR TOOL

repair job 6/20/11

MONDAY = LAUNDRY DAY

tossed some towels in the dryer. set the dial on hot. pushed in the dial. whooosh! lint came flying up from behind the dryer. climbed on top of the dryer... 

the exhaust hose was smashed & had a hole! grrrr!

trimmed the crushed end & reattached it to the pipe venting to the outside...

DUCT TAPE to the rescue... taped the hose to the plastic pipe and reattached it to the back of the dryer...

pushed the dryer back against the wall... 

WOOO! HOOO! back in the "LAUNDRY BUSINESS" 

This is a temporary fix... ummm... the hose is still pretty wonky! 

DUCT TAPE TO THE RESCUE!! Yep, Dad.... I CAN do this!!

GRACIAS, DAD!!!

DAD ~ one of my FAVE pictures

My D-A-D...

... never looked like a little kid! he was probably a kindergartner in this picture! one of the few pictures from his childhood.

DAD & MOM ~ 1948

... fell in love with this "cutie" ~ Mom is wearing his letterman jacket. they married a year later...

DAD - front row, far right

... taught us to love baseball! DAD played baseball in high school & after he married... he coached Little League teams... he taught me to keep the baseball scorebook (at a time when girls did not have the opportunity to play on extra-curricular teams)... he followed baseball games for 60+ years (his kids, grandkids & great-grandkids)... you can tell he LOVED baseball ~ look at that dazzling smile!

DAD ~ on the JOB

... taught us the value of working! he was a trained BRICK MASON... his brick work was precise, clean-looking & represented a superior level of skill. Dad worked weekend jobs (building fireplaces, block walls & room additions) to support our family! 

... shared his home repair skills with his family. Dad showed me how to use power tools, gave me tips on painting & gave me tools of my own. My fondest memory ~ several "DATE NIGHTS" spent at Home Depot... buying door hinges, sandpaper and furniture refinishing supplies. I'm certain that my DIY philosophy was prompted by his, "You can do this, babe!" attitude.

DAD ~ his other HOBBY

... begin playing golf in his later years... he shared his love of golf by taking us to shoot a bucket of balls! giving us set(s) of refurbished golf clubs!
... marshaled golf tournaments! he would share stories of the famous golfers he met (Jack Nicholas! Tiger Woods!)... all his kids & grandkids have one of his golf shirts or tournament jackets from his years of participating as a volunteer marshal.

DAD ~ loved dressing up!!

... loved clothes!! YEP! small in stature, his pants had to be shortened... perhaps that is one of the reasons he bought my mom her first sewing machine? (early in their marriage) ... we will remember him as being clean-shaven, smelling fresh (his granddaughters loved his Irish Spring soap smell) & tidily dressed whenever he wasn't working or puttering.

 GRACIAS, DAD... 
for everything you shared with us!

:: HaPpY FaThEr'S DaY :: 

FROGGY FRIDAY...

6.15.11 ~ Woeste Garden Shop, Los Olivos

“Time's fun when you're having flies.”

~ Kermit the Frog 

PLANS FOR THE WEEKEND!!!

:: attend 1-1 Apple Computer Class ::

(Saturday @ 8am)

:: declutter bedroom ::

(first on declutter list)

:: wax car ::

(it's been foggy! now's the time!!)

 

:: watch HGTV ::

(my guilty pleasure when JPE is away on business)

How will you SPEND your weekend? 

What are your plans for Father's Day??

LONG MAY SHE WAVE...

pic taken 6.14.11

In August 1949, President Harry S. Truman proclaimed June 14 as Flag Day.

A bit of flag trivia: The red, white & blue flag for the United States is one of the most complicated in the world to MAKE. The US flag has 64 pieces of fabric that complete our flag design.

AH!!! LOUIS....

Palm Street, SLO ~ 6.12.11

Cheery, yellow bike

outside the

AH LOUIS STORE

 
Yesterday, JPE & I went to the PALM THEATER to see Woody Allen's movie, "Midnight in Paris" ~ unfortunately, it was sold out before we got to the ticket window. 

So, we bought tickets for "Incendies" ~ deep, dark drama ~ nominated for the Best Foreign Language Film (French). A heart-wrenching drama about a sister & brother who are given two envelopes at the reading of their mother's will. Their instructions are to hand the envelope(s) to their father (thought to be dead) & a brother they didn't know existed. Jeanne begins the journey to locate their father & brother, and decides she needs her brother, Simon, to complete the unraveling of their mother's mysterious past. Thought-provoking ending... a bit disturbing... but also believable!

AH LOUIS STORE ~ 6.12.11

The PALM THEATER is located across the street from the AH LOUIS STORE ~ the historical landmark of the Chinese community in San Luis Obispo. 

Ah Louis immigrated from China at the age of 21, landing in San Francisco, and eventually working his way down the coast to SLO. He opened a store (in 1886) that sold herbs, groceries and clothing. All eight of Ah Louis' children were born & raised in the living area above the store. 

When the youngest son, Howard Louis took over the store in the 1930's, the store shifted to selling Chinese imports. A generous man, HOWARD LOUIS was respected for keeping the Chinese presence alive in SLO, and fought to prevent the demolition of his family home. His perseverance paid off - in 1965 the AH LOUIS STORE became a California Historical Landmark.  

MEE HENG LOW ~ 6.12.11

Additional reminders of San Luis Obispo's Chinatown are the neon signs from two restaurants... 

SHANGHAI LOW ~ 6.12.11

When my girls were little, we'd walk by the AH LOUIS STORE & peek in the dusty windows... I think we ventured inside only a few times!


Much of the time the store was closed ~ Howard would leave a little sign on the front door that read, "GONE FISHING"...


Howard Louis passed away 10 days after his 100th birthday! You can read more about the family HERE in his obituary from August 20, 2008.


If you look at the small photo of the AH LOUIS STORE, you'll see the yellow bike (pictured above) parked to the right of the doorway.

RESTAURANT? CAFETERIA?

GOODBYE Food Pyramid!

I was visiting MEG DUERKSEN @ WHATEVER... & she asked the question, "What do you feed your kids in the summer?" 

Over 200 women commented... so, visit MEG'S SITE to see the tasty meal & snack suggestions posted. 

Before you venture to WHATEVER, consider some of these COMMON SENSE IDEAS: 

1) Don't operate your kitchen as a cafeteria or restaurant. kids will eat what's put in front of them, IF they are hungry. OR they can wait until the next meal. 

2) Eliminate eating non-stop! whether this happens in your  home, when you are out running errands, at the park, or while transporting kids - STOP! LOOK around & I think you'll agree... it seems kids are allowed to SNACK ALL-DAY LONG!!! When dinner comes, they aren't hungry for the meal being served. 

3) Check your habits. Not only are our eating habits supporting a CULTURE of "NEED-IT! WANT-IT! & NOW!" but more importantly, children are eating out of boredom, often substituting sweet drinks for water, consuming a full day's calories before dinner, and may not be eating a healthy portion of a day's suggested amounts.

Over the years, eating & physical activity habits have changed - When I was growing up (the 50's), we were not allowed to get a snack unless we asked permission & it wouldn't "ruin our dinner" (meaning, "ruin our appetite" for dinner). And, everyone knows we spent more time outside "playing"... 

 
4) Commit to adopting a simpler outlook on eating. I saw this in a NYTimes article - check the date on this poster, published by the US Food Administration. 1917... these concepts are NOT NEW!!

5) Model healthy living. SO - while your kids are young - establish eating habits that are healthy, ones you can live with financially (box drinks were expensive - perhaps you might consider these as treats to be used while traveling), and allow your kids to learn to make wise food selections & portions.

Question: are you running a cafeteria? restaurant? fast food stand? 

I'd like to continue this conversation later this week...

TICKLED PINK...

Mother's Day (flowers from Lydia, TB & JMG) ~ May 2010

I'm TICKLED PINK...

JPE bought me a 13" MacBook Pro a few weeks ago. 

I've been taking 1-1 classes at the Apple Store for the past few Saturdays... getting there at 8am = quiet classes (without the hustle, bustle of the store being filled with people trying out all the Macs)... no feeding the parking meters (they are free until 9:00am)... easy to find parking close to the Apple Store (not many people are downtown SLO at 8:00am)... 

I "HEART" JPE for getting me a new computer! 

Mom's Valentine's Day present ~ February 2011

Busy organizing our photo library - dumping photos that are mediocre! (2000+) & reorganizing them in albums. Should?? WILL!! be easier to locate photo(s) soon! 

SWEET? SOUR? CRUNCHY? CHEWY?

Created by ACE for LARS

When SLE & ACE were growing up, they named our family dog, SNICKERS! A "mutt" (or mixed breed), SNICKERS  resembled a wiener dog & a terrier... 


ACE created this "SNICKERS" for her dad, as a ceramics assignment. 
I don't remember the exact "design requirement" ~ something with a wrapper? create an animal? something that is a "play on words"?  Such a creative mind! She "cracks me" up!!


Which brings me to the SUBJECT of today's post!

C-A-N-D-Y

so... what do sort of CANDY do you like? something sweet? those sour candies with sugar? chocolate (dark? or milk?)? with nuts? what kind of nuts?

what a deal! 2 cups in a pack!!

JPE liked MILKY WAY, THREE MUSKETEERS, MILK DUDS (sounds like a chocolate-ly kind of person). But his favorite was (& still is) REECE'S PEANUT BUTTER CUPS... 


My DAD was the original CANDY MONSTER! he loved all sorts of candy! if you went with him to fill the car with gas, he'd buy you a candy bar at the gas station! 

sour patch candy

As a child, I remember him buying DOTS, JUJUBES, GOOD & PLENTY, ROLOS... His tastes changed as new candy came on the market! I'm sure his grandchildren remember him for his JELLY BELLIES and WERTHER'S CARMELS. I don't think he ever developed a taste for SOUR PATCH KIDS, though??

five flavors

When I was young, SANTA would put LIFE SAVERS in our stocking. The five flavor kind ~ cherry, lemon, orange, lime and grape! What sort of candy do you remember having around the holidays?

Cracker Jack's w/Sailor Jack

MOM would buy CRACKER JACKS for our family movie nights. In 1908, CRACKER JACK'S was immortalized in the song, "Take Me Out to the Ballgame." The third line goes, "Buy me some peanuts and CRACKER JACKS."
Do you remember collecting the prizes? a ring, stickers, charms... what other prizes were there?

GRANDMA JESSE (Jesse was her last name! all my grandmothers were called "Grandma" + their last name to keep them separate from each other! Grandma Knock & Grandma Castillo... ) had a round glass jar on her desk that she filled with wrapped candies. 

Coconut Neopolitans

Did you ever eat COCONUT NEOPOLITANS? they had three layers of coconut ~ strawberry, vanilla & chocolate. Secretly, I loved these candies!! I would eat a layer at a time... my brother & sister wouldn't sneak this candy, even if it was the ONLY candy in the jar.


Check out the OLD TIME CANDY STORE, and leave a comment about what sort of candy you loved as a child? or teen? or as an adult?


Check back for another post on C-A-N-D-Y!!!

FEELING DEEPLY...

Matilija Poppies ~ 5.30.11

"

"Happiness comes of the capacity to feel deeply, 

to enjoy simplicity, to think freely, to risk life, to be needed."

~ Storm Jameson

 OJAI - Part II
OJAI - Part I

JPE & I ventured out of the artistic, downtown area of OJAI...

to  MEDITATION MOUNT ~ a place of quiet, beautiful views, gorgeous flowers... 

...and someplace to "refresh" our senses before going to dinner.

Our day-trip had started at OJAI'S ART IN THE PARK, earlier in the morning...

 

Matilija poppies line the steep drive to the top of the road...

 

Outside the largest of the two meditation rooms stands the PEACE POLE.

It reads, MAY PEACE PREVAIL ON EARTH, in eight different languages.

Two MEDITATION ROOMS are open to the public for quiet, reflection, meditation, and prayer.

Pleasant, gentle breezes, swirling up the valley, cooled us from the thick heat of the downtown area.

 

Bees were buzzing...

A faint bong-bong-bong of the chimes floated through the quiet of the afternoon... 

We stood in the coolness for a moment... 

taking in the silence... 

the beauty of the wood beams... 

the ceiling arcing toward the skies...

the view through the windows drew us to the garden path...

A group of people were seated on the outdoor patio, enjoying the view...  quietly speaking in German... with a few words of English thrown into the conversation every now and then.

Volunteers were silently tidying the various areas of the garden path... the peacefulness was incredibly calming!

I watched as JPE sat on this bench, overlooking his former town, wondering what he was thinking? 

of other visits to this site?

of the memorial service he conducted here ~ for a dear friend who passed before I met him?

http://meditationmount.org/

I don't know the answer... but, our visit to

MEDITATION MOUNT

was a time

to ENJOY SIMPLY, to FEEL DEEPLY, 

and to THINK FREELY.