A Day at the Huntington Library

So, last Sunday, The Husband and I spent a lovely, relaxing day at the Huntington Library and Gardens in San Marino, CA. There was a cool breeze, plenty of sun and beautiful things to see.

This shady arbor reminded me of my BFF's grandparents' backyard, where they grew grapes. I can just see Vov and Vovo relaxing under the canopy of leaves.

The Chinese Garden--next time, we're having some Chinese food at the cafe in this peaceful area.

A colorful bonsai Bougainvillea

One side of the Japanese Garden...

The other side of the Japanese Garden. We sat on the terrace, looking out on the weeping willow. I grew up with a willow in my backyard. Whenever I think of trees, I think of a willow. We sat on the terrace for quite a while, soaking in the tranquil scene and talking about what we want to do with the rest of our lives.

The interior of the Japanese house

I love my camera! This blossom was at least 10 feet away! Isn't it lush?!

A beautiful marble statue of Pandora...

And her box. I tell ya, I love this camera!

The Husband was fascinated with this Frank Lloyd Wright recliner. That's also FLW's dining room set in the background.

We had such a good time, spending hours in the museums (there are four buildings) and walking in the gardens, we're considering becoming members. It's not a bad drive and the area is so nice. If you have a chance to experience this gorgeous place, break out your walking shoes and have a great time!


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A Day at the Fair

We spent last Saturday at the Orange County Fair, where I witnessed first hand my first and second place necklaces! I wish they had been hung with a little more care in the final displays but I'm happy and grateful to have won.


Here are some other favorite moments from our day:

Ode to the OC Fair, made out of bread... To see a bread Eiffel Tower, click here

An "antsy" tablescape, with ants on the table and the mannequin. Take note of the "melting" plates!

Here are two of my artist friends' entries:

Max Yamada is the artist I know from the Yorba Linda Celebration of the Arts. That's his Corgi in the foreground!

And here's Kim Vanderhoeck's landscapes. She got to go on an art trip to Italy recently. I'm jealous! Visit her blog here

A little Wallaby Joey safe in a "pouch". We saw one of these "pouches" at Sea World, too.

Donkey Love. The Husband used to work with a donkey at Knott's, so he has a soft spot for them.

Piggies!

And more piggies!



And me with the quintessential Orange!

We had quite a weekend, being as my birthday fell on Sunday. Next post will be our trip to the Huntington Library in San Marino.

Do What You Love!


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Wordless Wednesday

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Christmas in July on Etsy

From now til July 25 (or whenever I get the chance to change all my prices back...), Etsy is hosting Christmas in July. Many of us Etsian’s are putting some of our goodies on sale or featuring free shipping. I’ve decided to do a discount on some of my handmade jewelry and vintage jewelry. You’ll see a special section in both shops. So come by and buy!

It’s never too early to start shopping for the Holidays!


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12 Questions

I found these questions a while ago and finally decided to answer them. I know, I haven’t been blogging consistently. My Muse seems to be on vacation…

1. What is one really fast, know-by-heart "go-to" meal to fix in a pinch? English muffin pizza’s with sauce, cheese and whatever meat is in the house

2. What is one item you won't leave home without. (Purse and license do not count.) My cell phone

3. Where is one place you never tire of visiting? The library

4. Share one factoid of your family's history. My father drove a tank in Korea

5. Complete this sentence: "Once upon a time I ...." dreamed of being an actress

6. If you could win a one year's supply of anything, what would it be? Cat food--highly recommended by all the wildlife we feed around our house (raccoons, skunks and possums, not to mention three outside neighborhood cats, plus our own two inside cats)

7. "One quirky thing you may not know about me is ...." I put less-than-fresh licorice in the microwave

8. You have one dollar in your pocket. What will you buy? A tiny notebook

9. "One thing that always makes me laugh is ...." The Husband, sometimes even when he means to

10. What is one thing you could do today to help yourself reach a personal goal? Not eat the trail mix that’s calling to me from the cupboard

11. What is one thing you could do today to bless someone else? Compliment them.

12. What is one thing you're looking forward to soon? Meeting up with my cousin in Palm Springs in August. Haven’t seen him in 25 years!

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Fun at the Mall

After we dropped the necklaces at the Orange County Fair, we ducked into South Coast Plaza. Back in the day, SCP was the main mall across the street and the place we were visiting yesterday was called the Crystal Court. Now it’s all one big complex connected with a flower-lined bridge from one mall to the other. Anyway…

Since I had the Canon with me, I shot a few things I found interesting and fun.

This mall loves to decorate it’s main hub for any given holiday. This week: The Three Story Flag

Jessica McClintock in the Spirit of the Fourth

The Husband admiring a wonderful desk at Restoration Hardware. It’s in the guise of a huge steamer truck and can be closed when you’re finished for the day. He has something similar and smaller at home, but without the evocative trunk design.

The Wife, admiring the Eiffel Tower bookends and the big Z, which reminds her of her BFF, Zan.


A glittery pirate ship chandelier at Z Gallery

The colorful window of Paper Source

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Off to the Fair!

Today was drop off day for the two necklaces I entered in competition to the Orange County Fair. We went in the middle of the day so we’d miss the first-thing-in-the-morning crowd and the just-got-off-work crowd. It slipped my mind to take decent pix of both necklaces, so here are a couple of quick pix taken when I made them.

Tequila Sunrise

Sparkle and Glow chainmaille and crystals

Last year, I regretted not taking a few snaps of the fairgrounds, to give you an idea of where we were. But I took the cool Canon camera with me this time:

Parking at the Fairgrounds, usually full of the weekend Orange County Swap Meet (think it’s called The Market Place, now).

Outside the exhibits buildings, where the Home Arts and Fine Arts are turned in. The Husband thinks it looks like a train station. I have to agree.

Hustle and bustle inside, although there aren't many people in this shot. You’re taken into another area one by one to set up your jewelry and I didn’t want to take up any time trying to take pictures of the set up process… I’ll try to get pix when I go see the displays during the fair.

I want to go on this again!!

I always look forward to the fair. I usually like to stay around the air conditioned buildings (and fairs are always in the middle of the raging heat of summer why??), where the creative stuff is. But The Husband will be doing some MC’ing of the Pie Eating Contests that Knott’s are sponsoring, so I may have to venture into the heat to see him do his thing, which he does very well! Maybe we'll see you there.

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