Pleasing To The Eye ~

I walked by this window and seen this antique green settee. It stopped me in my tracks. I think it was calling my name, "Angela, I would look lovely in your home. Please take me home." ~ Sorry, my hubby won't let me or really... I would. :(


I would like to try to make one of these hanging baskets with succulents some day. I think they are so pretty. A soon 'to do' project.


Every time I walk into this garden shop, I gravitate to this green shelf next to the stain glass. It has antique bottles with ocean motif bottle stoppers. Charlie will come up and as I am standing there and say to me, "What are you doing?" I always answer the same answer, "Just looking." He thinks I am strange sometimes.


I love the color of these succulents. It is called Echeveria 'Haagal Tolimanensis' known for its chunky olive green leaves suffused with amethyst and grey. I bought the only two the garden shop had. A Aeonium 'Kiwi" came home with me too. I will have to take another picture of them both. They are thriving and the succulent shown in the picture above has turned into a deeper purple amethyst! Simply beautiful!


The owner of the garden shop knows I love succulents and showed me this succulent garden in a pot. She said they flowered over night and it must have been that they were expecting me to come, and therefore, flowered for me ~ she is so sweet. :)


This garden shop has a huge enclosed gazebo with two french doors. I gravitate to this window also. Honestly... I could stay there all day.


I love the contrasting colors in these plants. They make me think of the next season to come... Fall. My favorite.

A Beautiful Sunday ~

San Carlos Borromeo de Carmelo

On our previous visit at the coast, we made a stop at this mission. It was really beautiful. I could have stayed longer, but Charlie didn't want to. He was too eager for lunch. I will have to make a point to go there when I am alone.








~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Yesterday we celebrated our son Rob's 26th birthday. Rob has been in the Military for the past four years and has spent his special day either alone or with his wife Vanessa. It was a real treat to spend this day all together. His best friend even came from Los Angeles to surprise him. We had a BBQ and cake with ice cream. Right down to the weather, the temperature was in the 70's which made everything seem like it couldn't have been more perfect.



This Sunday is on the quiet side after our festivities we had yesterday. A little too quiet for me. I am a little surprised with how I am feeling; I'm usually okay with quietness. Our daughter made chocolate chip cookies this morning and I even called the kids trying to bribe them into coming over.



I hope your Sunday, quiet or filled with business is all that you want it to be.
:)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I will leave you with this passage taken from Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert.

But suddenly it was like a lion was roaring from within my chest, drowning all this claptrap out. A voice bellowed in me like nothing I had ever heard before. It was so internally, eternally loud that I actually clamped my hand over my mouth because I was afraid that If I opened my mouth and let this sound out, it would shake the foundations of buildings as far away as Detroit.
And this is what it roared:

YOU HAVE NO IDEA HOW STRONG MY LOVE IS!!!!!!!!

The chattering, negative thoughts in my mind scattered in the wind of this statement like birds and jackrabbits and antelopes- they hightailed it out of there, terrified. Silence followed. An intense, vibrating, awed silence. The lion in the giant savannah of my heart surveyed his newly quiet king-dom with satisfaction. he licked his great chops once, closed his yellow eyes and went back to sleep.
And then, in that regal silence, finally ~ I began to meditate on (and with) God.

To Do ~ To Do List...

Anybody who knows my husband Charlie, can testify to anyone else that he is a very busy-bee or a workaholic. Take your pick. Even when we get away, he brings some kind of work with him. Here he is checking his list for the umpteenth time on a beach house project's order of supplies. I on the other hand, watched The Joyce Meyer show on television.



The hotel we stayed at had this wonderful magnifying mirror. I looked in it and let out a gasp not realizing how bad my eyebrows were. No one told me I had a Frida eyebrow going on. I jokingly (*key word ~ JOKINGLY, would never do this) asked Charlie while he was still going over the beach house plans, if he could take the mirror off the wall so I could bring it home. He promptly said laughing, "Oh that's nice... maybe you need to watch another Joyce Meyer's show." Oh how he is quick to keep me sharpened.

I picked one of these mirrors up at Bed Bath & Beyond the very week we got home. I won't have to look through my eye glasses, lower them and then try to pluck my eye brows anymore.
Woo hoo!

For Eternity ~

Love is not written on paper,
for paper can be erased.
Nor is it etched on stone,
for stone can be broken.
But it is inscribed on a heart
and there it shall
remain forever.

Seaweed ~

Love is like seaweed;

even if you have pushed it away,

you will not prevent it

from coming back.

Nigerian Proverb



Ever drifting, drifting, drifting
On the shifting
Currents of the restless main;
Till in sheltered coves, and reaches
Of sandy beaches,
All have found repose again.


Excerpt from Seaweed
by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Gettin' Down ~

After we got settled in our room, we walked down to Cannery Row and had dinner at Sly McFly's.

Nestled near the bay, in Monterey's world renowned Cannery Row, Sly McFly's has earned a reputation in Monterey as the place to hear blues. Colorful stained glass windows with antique race car motifs brighten up the place, and the view of the Pacific is nothing less than spectacular (The web page for Sly McFly's couldn't have said it better!).

After dinner, there was dancing to some live oldie but goodies; Boogie Oogie Oogie, At Last, She Used To Be My Girl, Move It On Over, Respect, and I Remember. In that order!





After we left Sly McFly's, we got a drink at Starbucks and sat out by the ocean under the stars. What a great way to end our first day!

False Advertisement ~

In order to understand what we were expecting please take a peek here (click on the red "here") first before reading the rest of my post.

Charlie and I came across an advertisement for the Asilomar Beach Resort in Monterey that looked like a rustic charming little room. It is one of their historic rooms and on the picture you see a bed next to a rock fireplace. As I looked at the photo, I could imagine candles placed throughout the room and being able to take long walks holding hands with my husband and watching the sunset. So romantic! We made our reservations and we both looked forward to our little get away. My first impression as we drove into the resort was so disappointing. The grounds were absolutely dead. Dry as a bone. I thought to myself, 'Uh oh. I will not complain.' Charlie parked the truck and got directions to our room.



Another 'Uh oh,' entered my head as we had to drive out of the resort and across the street, which meant we were not on the ocean side. I couldn't believe how dead everything was. I prayed that who ever smoked would not throw their cigarette down or we would be goners. We got into our room and my heart just dropped into my stomach.



I think I said out loud, "This is a mistake," as I looked at two twin beds. Charlie went back down to the office to tell them we had a queen bed with a fireplace and they said they would push our beds together and all of the rooms come like that AND there are no fireplaces in any of the rooms. How can they do that? I started reasoning and trying to convince myself and Charlie that we really wouldn't be "in" our room very much, we spent most of our time on the beach anyway and it would really be okay (I'm really not a snob! I promise!). Charlie walked outside again to get more of our luggage (I thought).



My stomach started hurting as I took pictures of the room and bathroom to show our son, who would be staying at this resort the following weekend. I knew he would also be disappointed and I didn't want him walking into this thinking he would be getting something like the advertisement displayed. As I started unpacking, Charlie walked in and said, "We aren't staying here, I got us another room." I thought I was going to cry as if my man rode up on a horse in shining armor, scooped me up, and saved me!



As we drove out of the parking lot, Charlie said boldly, "This IS WHY I am a creature of habit!" I called the front desk at the Asilomar Resort to let them know that we were leaving and immediately called our credit card service that held the room.



As Charlie and I checked in to our 2nd hotel (which by the way, was where we spent our honeymoon), the lady who checked us in knew our story and was so nice! As I was put on hold with the credit card company fixing the fiasco from the hairy-moldy hut we were going to stay in, the receptionist at the 2nd hotel quickly told me they were serving wine, fruit, assorted crackers and cheese in the dining area, and to head that way to try and relax and unwind. Which was what I did. Oh my goodness, yes... I had some cheese with that whine!

;)



What a prince!

Pawsability?

Sorry girls ~ not this time.

First Day Of Shool~

School is back in session.


This picture is of me on my first day of Kindergarten. The towel that I would lay on during rest time is in the brown bag I was holding. My teacher would give us graham crackers and milk before rest time.

My mom parked the car at the bus stop and stood outside with me while I waited. I remember how excited I was trying to climb up the big bus steps. She cried and smiled waving goodbye to me as I took my seat. My mom put my sister in the car and they followed the bus to school. She met me in my classroom to see how I was doing and I can remember telling her I was okay and to go home. She gave me a kiss and after a few minutes, I caught her in the window watching me. I gave her a look like she was embarrassing me and waved her away like I had a magic wand in my hand. After she saw I was truly okay and eager for the day to begin, she finally left.


I love this picture of my little sister and I squinting with the sun in our eyes. I remember her being very upset that I was leaving her and me telling her I would come back and teach her how to read.

I also remember being so disappointed that first day of school. I thought I would have learned something and we had basically gone over the rules. At the end of the day, I went up to my teacher Mrs. Stout before leaving the classroom and asked her if we could please learn something tomorrow when we come to school. She gave me a quick hug and said, "Yes, I promise."

The Lab ~

In the morning my daughter and I quickly discuss what our rapidly changing, individual plans are for the day; it's what you do to keep the communication flowing when you have busy schedules. Although she consistently says she is going to the lab to go over tests or work on data. I recently went to "the lab" and saw where my daughter spends a lot of her time. It is a windowless room little bigger than a big walk-in closet; I can see why when she gets home, she takes a walk. There were anatomy and brain posters adorning the drab yellow walls, an occasional framed picture of art that had different colored ceramic mugs placed next to them. I admired a green pouring pitcher sitting by this huge sink and thought it looked familiar, until my daughter said, "Oh... uhh, I need to bring that back home. I borrowed it for a research meeting." HMmmmm... so this is where it was all this time.

Notice the black statue. It's actually a neat example of our visual processes, according to my daughter. She says, "We see the gestalt, either the foreground or the background of the statue as faces." Can you see the two faces? If you focus on the black rather than the white, you will see two faces, rather than a vase-like statue. My daughter says you can be aware of both images, but your brain can't ever see both at the same time; it constantly toggles between the two. The wheel the statue is on turns and it actually looks like they are laughing as it spins. It's all about exercising the brain.

;)

Vision ~

When I am in a bead store, I will look and see what has been clearanced out and usually come home with some cool finds. I came across some shell beads made by a company called Organic and thought they were so pretty. I envisioned them in a strand and when I got home made the necklace I kept seeing in my mind.

Last week, Charlie and I got away for few days and when I was going through a book in our Hotel room, I came across a picture of a lady with a necklace on that looked similar to the one I just made. Look how sweet the model made it look! I love it! I took a picture of the picture on my cell phone and sent it to Nessa, who has had her eye on my necklace since I made it. Shhh ~ I am making her one too.

Seeing the picture after making the necklace affirmed that I still have a sense of style all of my own (I question myself at times). It was a good feeling!

Down By The Seashore ~

“I have always loved the beach. The smell of the salty water, the wind in my face, the gentle roar of the waves all combine to create a sense of peace and calm.”
--Anonymous



“May your time be filled with relaxing sunsets, cool drinks and sand between your toes."
--Anonymous

I've Tried... But Me No Likey ~

I've tried sushi several times because everyone has raved about it and it actually does look really good. I will never forget the first time I experienced this type of food, it was at my sister's baby shower. I took a bite and it came right back out and onto my napkin. My mom and I did it almost in unison. We both immediately looked around to see if anyone saw us.

The thought of raw fish doesn't sound appetizing to me, so that doesn't help. But then I came across a vegetarian Californian roll that looked good. It consisted of brown rice, cucumber, carrots, and avocado. I just knew this was the one! I would officially be able to say, "I like sushi!" I took one, put it in my mouth and it came right back out. I couldn't eat it. I am trying to accept it; as pretty as sushi is, I feel my taste buds do not want anything to do with it. Confusing. I was disappointed to say the least. Maybe I am eating it wrong? I probably should go with a group of friends to a sushi restaurant, so that I could watch them and then try it myself. I must be doing something wrong! Do I need to smother it with Tamari sauce or wash it down with a swig of Sake?

I guess what baffles me is if I can eat calamari, why can't I LIKE a vegetarian Californian roll?

Did You Know?

the
Kiss
of life

Regular smooching
can stave off stress
and beat the blues.

By Christian Millman

Splish Splash

Listening to children play ~

* a good belly laugh that stays with you
* aware of wonder
* creativity
* stress reducer
* improves life

Here Comes The Sun ~ Do Do Do Do

Here comes the sun, here comes the sun,
and I say it's all right


Little darling, it's been a long cold lonely winter
Little darling, it feels like years since it's been here
Here comes the sun, here comes the sun
and I say it's all right


Little darling, the smiles returning to the faces
Little darling, it seems like years since it's been here
Here comes the sun, here comes the sun
and I say it's all right


Sun, sun, sun, here it comes...
Sun, sun, sun, here it comes...
Sun, sun, sun, here it comes...
Sun, sun, sun, here it comes...
Sun, sun, sun, here it comes...


Little darling, I feel that ice is slowly melting
Little darling, it seems like years since it's been clear
Here comes the sun, here comes the sun,
and I say it's all right
It's all right
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I couldn't help post this video with the lyrics... it's how I've been feeling.

I hope it adds some sunshine to your day!



:)

Carmel By The Sea ~

Carmel is known for it's story book cottages, but you won't find Walt Disney characters here.

;)







~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Do you see the girl?


A lady has a shell up to her ear listening to the song of the sea.

Day Trippin' ~ Carmel

I was so grateful that I was able to spend some time with both of my girls on the same day. It is hard to get time to do this, coordinating three schedules. We went to Ocean Avenue in Carmel and shopped a little, walked two beaches, and then planted ourselves in the warm sand and just listened to the ocean waves sing us a melody that almost put us to sleep. It was so relaxing.

My daughter and I have wanted to take some things to the consignment stores and got to do that as well. So we had some business to take care of. I asked the girls what their favorite part of the day was and they said, "Walking on the beach hands down... and then shopping. Mainly spending time together." I had to agree.

:)


My two girls ~


Wave washing in.


Walking on the beach.


This seagull likes the sound of the ocean too.


The sweet ocean.

Ahhh ~