MEMORIES, DREAMS & REFLECTIONS 2012

Memories, Dreams & Reflections

I'm participating in Ashley's Annual Memories, Dreams & Reflections for 2012. Stop by Rambling & Photos to see what others have posted from their photo archives for this past year.

ME (& JPE)

Greatest accomplishment in 2012 --- Exploring Machu Picchu (Peru) & the Amazon River in July.

LOVE YOU

Lydia turned nine in July! she spent a week with us in August --- we went camping in Pismo Beach. We LOVE YOU, Lydia Daily (the letters in her first name rearranged, spell Daily).

 

STILL LAUGHING

Boston Terriers don't have much body fat OR fur! Allie had Lola wear her red parka & boots in Big Bear to keep warm. Doesn't she look thrilled to be warm? STILL LAUGHING about this picture!

WINTER WONDERLAND

Had a bit of a WINTER WONDERLAND in Big Bear --- just after Christmas. The adorable "snow bear" facial features were created by Tasha (mom of Lydia). Lydia added a "growling" face.

BIRTHDAY

The first weekend in August, friends & family gathered at the Big Bear cabin to celebrate JPE's (60th) & Natasha's (40th) "milestone" BIRTHDAYS. Jack McG organized the SENIOR Olympics - kayak races, a corn-hole tournament & ringers.

FRIENDS

The "guys" (FRIENDS) sitting in a driftwood barrier at Andrew Molara Beach (Big Sur) --- we got to share our favorite coastal sites with JPE's family from Ohio.

INSPIRATION

Origami cranes = INSPIRATION!! perhaps I'll make one for every elected official & send it to them --- reminding them to "play nicely in the sandbox" --- it's a new year, so let's get back to a philosophy of "peaceful co-existence."

SPRING FEVER

SPRING FEVER - I almost missed seeing the Cherry Blossoms in Washington DC this past April. I flew back a couple of days before SLE had back surgery - there were signs all along the Tidal Basin telling you NOT to pick the blossoms... but, picking them up from the ground was "okay"...

TRAVEL (or VACATION)

During our summer trip to PERU, we visited a school & met some of the children. We taught them the Hokey-Pokey & they sang & shared one of their reading / writing lessons. Seeing the children in their native costumes was a "highlight" of our Peruvian VACATION.  

SUMMER DAYS

Tent camping = so'mores over the campfire & headlamps for card playing & reading. Ahh... SUMMER DAYS.

DAY IN MY LIFE

When I retire (getting closer!!), I imagine spending the days perfecting my photography, sewing, taking walks, and drinking coffee or tea!  Sounds like a wonderfully relaxing DAY IN MY LIFE! 

ALL SMILES

ALL SMILES --- Three generations --- daughter, granddaughter & Dad.

AUTUMN HARVEST

Weekly visits to Avila Valley Barn in the Fall --- the premier place to experience the AUTUMN HARVEST!

HOME

HOME is simple living --- time spent with my love, JPE.

CELEBRATE!

An amazing cake --- CELEBRATING the "milestone" birthdays.

LET'S DO IT AGAIN

Kayaking on Big Bear Lake --- laughing at the lack of coordination in paddling together! Definitely, LET'S DO IT AGAIN!

I MISS YOU!

Since work resumed in August, it's been difficult to get away for trips to visit my mom. I'm looking forward to 2013 & having more free time for weekend excursions! I MISS YOU Mom! (don't you love her back walkway - she transplanted these rocks when she downsized to a condo).

BEAUTIFUL

The BEAUTIFUL coastline of Big Sur --- the location where we were married --- a three hour drive from home & perfect get-away to camp, ride bikes, hike, explore the beaches and enjoy being outdoors.

DRESSED UP

Lola DRESSED UP in her Christmas colors --- her groomer "gifted" her with some holiday finery!

MACRO

Favorite MACRO picture showing raspberry thorns. Our raspberry bushes continue to multiply! love them for my morning breakfast of fruit + a scoop of cottage chesse topped with slivered almonds. Yum!!

HOLIDAY

My favorite HOLIDAY is Christmas. I LOVE the decorations, colors, carols, and the glitter!

FAVORITE MEMORY

A FAVORITE MEMORY???  Well, I'm certain this is a memory I'll never forget! Spending 6 days on the Amazon River (Peru) was challenging! The humidity zapped my physical stamina & I'll never forget seeing the living conditions and poverty of the Amazon region. BUT, I'll also remember the brilliant green vegetation, the amazing sounds of the birds, the pink dolphins, the wide expanse of the Amazon River and the stunning skies (cloudy, sunny, rainy and the inky blackness of nighttime).

DON'T EVER CHANGE

I WON'T EVER CHANGE my feelings about the stunning sunsets along the ocean. And, I'll always appreciate living in such a beautiful location (even when the traffic seems to get more congested with each passing year).

JUST BECAUSE... SO THERE

Our accommodations on the Amazon River, in Peru, were primitive! IMAGINE --- single beds covered with mosquito nets, no warm water, grass roofs, no electricity. AND, amazing bugs!! This grasshopper twitched his antennas, but didn't move from this spot for at least 20 minutes.

HOPES & DREAMS

In 2013, I HOPE for good health, family & friends to share adventures with & DREAMS that our home improvement projects are begun & completed before the next holiday season.