In The City For My Birthday

 People have wondered through the years why I like to spend so much time with my kids and do things with them, but they have always been my best friends.  I spent a lot of time with them growing up, and honestly as much time as a mother can spend with her kids.  They make me laugh, and know and tolerate my funky ways.

  I had the pleasure of being with my best friend on my birthday last week, my son.  I really didn't want to drive to the city, but I was glad I did, cause I had the best day.  I went to all the shops, went to the theatre and watched a movie (which wasn't that good, but the popcorn made up for it), went out to lunch, did some more shopping, and came home with lots of birthday goodies.  Jess' package came, and it was filled with many thoughtful gifts; a pair of slip-on tennis shoes in a mint color (very cute), a tin of See's candy, English Breakfast tea, a drawing that Francesca made, and this sweet mon cheri pillow, which means "my dear."

A pretty card from my best friend.  I love Papyrus cards.

And Nel made this card.  She is teaching her students a program, and she created this for me.

In the city, I went to Starbuck's, Target, Hobby Lobby, Home Goods, Michael's, World Market, and JCPenney.  Hobby Lobby is my happy place, and I found this cute vintage 4th of July girl ornament.  I had the best 4th of Julys growing up, so I had to get her.

Some of you know that I love the ladybug.  There is a story about Mother Mary and the ladybug that I've shared before.  When I walked inside World Market, I first noticed the coffee kias, and this ladybug cup was hanging there along with coffee samples to try out.  I immediately put it in my cart and kept shopping.  ; )

We went to a favorite Mexican restaurant for lunch.  I wanted to go somewhere festive and fun, and you can't get much more festive than this one.

These are my birthday goodies.  My son bought me a chocolate cake with vanilla frosting.  I was so tired when I got home, and it was the perfect end to the day with a cup of coffee.

And the cloth doll Nel gave me.

I had a nice visit with my neighbor, and we caught up on each other's lives.  While I don't like to drive long distances, she doesn't mind, and just returned from a long road trip to see her family.  We both, however, appreciate being home after such a trip.  It was starting to get so warm in the city at the end of the day, and there was a nice breeze driving back up the mountain.  It was actually chilly last weekend, and I had to put on a sweater.  I had a visit from the California Quail on my birthday week too.

Have you ever noticed that the coffee and tea you drink taste better in your favorite cup?

And for my birthday month, I put a few things out on my hutch and call it my "her hutch".......everything I love.

If you didn't hear the story of the ladybug, I'll share it with you now. 🐞

The story goes that in Europe during the Middle Ages, swarms of pesky insects (probably aphids) destroyed crops and threatened faithful farming communities with starvation.

In desperation, the farmers, who had a devotion to the Blessed Mother, turned to the Virgin Mary for help!

Soon after, a cloud of black-spotted, red-orange insects came and devoured the plant-destroying pests, saving the crops!

The farmers considered this an answer to their prayers and a sign of Our Lady’s intercession. They began referring to these life-saving, beautiful insects as “Our Lady’s Bugs.”

California Poppies For Mother's Day

 After a trip, it's always nice to be home, and last week was catch up time.  When I'm around so many people and crowds and traffic, I need to retreat to nature after, as it's a sweet part of creation that grounds me and keeps me calm.

Nature is lovely here in the mountains, and it's even more special when nature comes to me and visits me right here at home.

Since I was just with all my family recently,

it was nice to spend a serene mother's day with my son just visiting nature.  We headed over to the creek, but first we picked up some tacos and burritos at the local restaurant in town.

Everything was full and green, and it was a warm, sunny day.

I was hoping that the poppies were in full bloom - they come and go quickly, so you have to visit at just the right time to see them in spring.  When I first got there, I could see orange in the distance, and was surprised to see a cluster of poppies near the edge of the creek.

Some fun facts about the California Poppy.

*They were designated as California's state flower in 1903.

*They open in full sunlight, and close during cloudy weather or at night.

*Native American tribes used the California Poppy for its mild sedative properties to promote relaxation and sleep.  They also used the plant as a pain reliever.

*The vibrant blooms are a magnet for bees, butterflies and beneficial insects.

*Known as the "Golden Flower of the West."

*They have four delicate petals that form a cup.  Also known as "The Cup of Gold."

I made a batch of chocolate chip cookies.  Such yummy morsels of goodness.

Wanted to show you my calendar for May.  It's delightful and says ~Spilling the tea at the Fairy Tree~

*And for my new blog friends, a little about my own mom....I was fortunate to have an amazing mother.  She was always there for her five children, and tended to their needs, with me being the youngest feisty child.  Her Singer sewing machine was her hobby, and she made many wonderful things on it, including most of my clothes growing up.  I designed them, told her just what I wanted, and she went on busily sewing them for that special ocassion.  She worked on so many projects, like the fabric Christmas ornaments that she put on her tree one year.  Nel still has some of those ornaments tucked away.  She was a calm mom, who held her composure when it was especially needed.  Her family was her life, and she was the best cook, making homemade meals every day.  The person that resembles my mom the most I believe is Jess.  They are both petite with fair skin and lighter hair.  She truly was a great mom.

This is Jingles, Walt Disney's favorite horse on the Carousel at Disneyland.  It's really hard to get her when standing in line.

 

Hope your week is filled with all things good.  Here's a California Poppy for you.

Trains, Old Churches, Friends, And Family Roots

 Happy May!  This is for sure my favorite month, with my birthday and Mother's Day all in one swoop. 💚 ~emerald is my birthstone~  Long post today, so just to prepare you for the many pictures I took on my recent trip to my hometown.  We left early in the morning, and the first thing I needed was a cup of coffee, so down the mountain we went straight to Starbuck's.  They have a new strawberry matcha loaf that I tried.  It was good, but I prefer the original raspberry loaf.

I drove the whole time, so we made stops along the way, and treated myself to fast foods that I never get to eat.  I can't remember the last time I had the Burger King chicken sandwich, and oh, I loved every bite.  We got to my hometown and rested a bit, and that night I met my girlfriends at a popular restaurant in town, and I was glad to see many other friends at the fundraiser dinner also.  I've known these friends since high school, and some of them since grade school.  They.know.me.  They are respectful, loyal, funny, and make me laugh.

The next morning, Jess met me at Starbuck's, and it was nice to catch up on the happenings of Francesca's life.  I love to hear the stories she tells - they are interesting and funny.  She loved the nail stickers I got her, and started putting them on right away.  After, we went to Brian's mom's house.  Now, I've mentioned this before, but she is the most gracious hostess.  She served us coffee as soon as we got there, and always makes sure we are comfortable and welcome.

For lunch, we headed over to our favorite taqueria, and my brother joined us.  I'm always so happy to see him.  This is where Mia lost her tooth.  She was very uncomfortable, and after chomping on something, it finally came out.  I was telling them how we used to have our teeth pulled back then - my mom would take a piece of thread, wrap it around my tooth, and yank it out!  Nel gave her brother and me some thoughtful gifts.  Mine was the cutest cloth doll, and she's wearing pearl earrings, just like I did for the dinner.

For the fundraiser dinner, I always like to wear a different color than the year before, and this year I went with white.  It was a pretty white blouse, which went well with my pearl earrings.  Nel does my hair every year, and I told her I wanted the top part poofed up.  So, she brushed it, teased it, twisted it, poofed it, and after a few "ouches," my hair was done.😬  But honestly, she does an excellent job with hair styles, and used to do Jess' hair all the time for proms and events.  This is the blouse I wore; simple and lightweight with flared sleeves.

Sisters ready to party! ✨✨✨

We can't forget about the photo booth.  I'm so glad they added this feature at the dinner because it's a fun and festive time with props like hats, feather boas, sunglasses, fans, and more.

And a mother can't ask for better sons-in-law.  Along with my son, they seem to go with the flow, which isn't easy in an all-girl family.

The next morning, we all met at our favorite cafe'.  There is a train that runs alongside the restaurant, and you can sometimes hear it while you're eating.  I get sentimental, as trains are special to me for many reasons, one being that my grandfather worked for the railroad. 🚂  I always order the same thing, scrambled eggs with onions and cheese, sausage, and a cinnamon roll.  Friends, their sausage is amazing, and they get it from the meat market in town, which has been in business for over 70 years.  Charlotte loved to watch the toy train that runs along the upper part of the rooms.

Sunday we had a little nostalgic time..... drove pass the house I grew up at, stopped at the church I went to as a child, and visited my favorite park in town.  Mia went down the longest slide ever!  And her and Nel and uncle B. walked over to the bridge at the park and played 'billy goats gruff'.....the same game Nel used to play as a kid.  Mia was the Troll.  When we got to the church, we all went inside and had a quiet and peaceful moment together.  This is the church with the beautiful stained glass windows.  I told Mia that her mama was Baptized in this very church, and she just listened.  I can't explain how very special it was to see Mia kneel before the alter....... the same alter that so many sacred ceremonies were held through the years for my family.  And I mentioned to her that in back of the church was the spot where her mama was Baptized.

That night we went to a sushi restaurant for dinner.  Nel and her brother love sushi. 🍣 Me not so much, so I ordered the teriyaki chicken with rice. 🍚

We all had a fantastic time....seeing glimpses of the past, and appreciating our time together in the present.  This is the town that my kids grew up, I grew up, and my dad grew up - three generations.

The next morning we got up very early and headed back home. Close to home and still in the city, my son found a pizza place to try out - MOD Pizza (made on demand).  One of the best pizzas I've had, and will definitely go back again.  We stopped at Sprouts and picked up some goodies to take home, and I really wanted to go inside Home Goods and browse because I love the uniqueness of their items.  I bought this white marble paper towel holder with a cute flower design.

As I was starting to drive back up the mountain, I noticed the most lovely clouds, and I had to pull over for a minute to get some pictures.

And for me, there's just no place like home.  The Robins have been on my lawn all week welcoming me home.