IT'S A NEW DAY...

taken 1.24.16

Every morning... we get a clean slate to start our day...

ME? Moi?

I'm going to finish reading Brooklyn, by Colm Toibin

for Book Club tomorrow evening.

Start a new puzzle.

Go to the movies with JPE.

Get my calendar brought up-to-date.

Tidy my desk.

Call my mom & girls.

Who knows what else will happen?

what about you? what are you planning today?

G.R.A.T.I.T.U.D.E.

Skyline Drive, Shenandoah National Park, Virginia ~ 10.24.15

Our Thanksgiving Week has been AMAZING!
It wasn't just the food,
{which is always tasty}
B.U.T.
JPE & I spent quality time with Mom!

Monday - Cambria, Splash Cafe clam chowder, & the Palm Theater to see "SPOTLIGHT" {a thought-provoking movie}.

Tuesday - Massage w/Patricia {mom}, began House of Cards-Season 3 Marathon, & watched a PBS Special about the Mayflower & first settlers.

Wednesday - Another episode of House of Cards, saw "BROOKLYN" {sweet, love story} at Fair Oaks Theater, early dinner at Old Juan's Cantina, Oceano & a few more episodes of House of Cards.

Thursday - Started our morning with House of Cards & oatmeal, Thanksgiving with Lars & Kathryn's family/friends in Solvang {incredible food, company & wine}, & a nightcap of House of Cards.

Friday - JPE put our turkey in the oven, watched an episode of House of Cards w/am coffee, turkey dinner w/Mom, JPE & Lars {sorry, you missed it}, the thirteenth & final episode of House of Cards, followed by evening news w/Gwen Ifil, & Andre Botcelli {both on PBS, our favorite channel}

We chatted on the phone with our girls, texted other family members... and just R.E.L.A.X.E.D.

Unfortunately, Mom insists it's time to board Amtrak to head home tomorrow. Bummer! But, it's only a month until Christmas, so time will pass quickly.

There's SOOO much to be thankful for!

F.O.O.D.

F.I.L.M.S.

F.A.M.I.L.Y.

How was your holiday?

SUNDAY ON THE GO...

enjoying our company (the Skids)...

breakfast + movies + coffee + dinner + ice cream for dessert

:: two movies ::

"This is Where I Leave You"

{hilarious! about a dysfunctional family}

"The Drop" 

{intense!! organized crime & the use of neighborhood bars

as money-laundering drops}

IT'S A DATE!

JPE & I are headed to SLO (San Luis Obispo) this afternoon...

:: to take photos of the chalk drawings ::
{VIA DEI COLORI SLO}

:: grabbing a bite to eat at Natural Cafe ::
{yummy soups}

:: & planning to see the movie "Magic in the Moonlight" ::

{starring Emma Stone & Colin Firth}

see you tomorrow...

GOOD. RANDOM. FUN. {WEEK 35}

GOOD... completed more work in the front planter!

succulents in ceramic pots.

river rock detail. 

FEELS GREAT

getting back to blogging!

hadn't planned on such a long

B-R-E-A-K!

RANDOM... have you seen this movie?

it's charming! a must-see!!

FUN... been doing a bit of sewing...

 reading... seeing a few movies... 

posting with 

Tamar at RANDOM-OSITY

see you tomorrow!

{to: Susan & Mom! THANKS for giving me

a P-U-S-H to start blogging again}

CELEBRATING...

HOW ARE YOU CELEBRATING??

this is National Library Week (April 13-19th)...

This sculpture is located outside the former SLO County Library... 

the newer library sits a block away, but I have found memories of taking my girls
to "this library" when they were toddlers! 

{at the time, our city HAD NOT built the South County Library}

Today's plans, included getting JPE's i-Phone fixed, eating lunch at Urbane Cafe
& catching a movie at the Palm Theater {local indie theater}...
the final showing of Ernest & Celestine was showing at 4:15 today!

With our extra time, we slipped into the local bookstore {at Lydia's request}... one of the displays featured John Green's "The Fault in our Stars" which I mentioned I had just finished reading. Lydia said, "oh I flipped through the book... you DO KNOW they are making a movie about the book??" I realized then, I need to read more young-adult novels if I want to stay connected with the kids in our family.
{BTW, I loved this book & can understand the attraction for young readers}

between two worlds - technology & print

Lydia selected a new book --- one I never imagined she would ever "blink an eye at"
but, as long as she's reading, we'll buy her books!
I did ask if I could read the book after she was done!

Ernest & Celestine was originally produced in French. This animated movie was based on a beautifully written book {of the same name}, and features charming watercolor illustrations. 

via

 it's adorable with a feel-good ending --- if you get a chance, see it!
as we were leaving the theater, Lydia said, "that movie reminded me of a book I saw at the library" --- it gave us another chance to chat about books that are made into movies.

I imagine Lydia has labeled us "different" because we don't watch TV or play video games.
BUT! she knows --- we READ!  {and go to movies}

reading w/grandpa {l-r}
by the campfire - Big Sur {2009}; our house {2006}; using headlamps - camping in Big Sur {2007}

So, what are you currently reading?
what young-adult novel have you read?

TREASURE HUNT-DAY 3...

Treasure Hunt - Day 3

JPE spent some time this morning working in the garden. On Mondays, he travels (3.5 hour drive each way) to Palo Alto, CA to teach at Sofia University (leaving at 7am & getting home at 9:30pm). So, his garden provides opportunities to relax.

photos taken 4.15.14

Natasha, Lydia & Jack "GIFTED" JPE this gathering basket to commemorate his retirement. He's already using it...

via

TREASURE HUNT-Day 3: Your mission today is to notice the color at your feet. Set the camera on the ground. Click the shutter. Post what you see!

We're off to the movies - this afternoon...

the THE LEGO MOVIE! see you tomorrow!

SONG-OGRAPHY 3.2.14

paper sculpture ~ Sunnyvale, CA

 posting with Kathy @ You'll Shoot Your Eye Out

this week's song is "NOTHING MORE"

by Alternate Routes (an two-person indie band from Connecticut)

For some reason, I thought of women when I read the lyrics of this song. I pulled some samples of women from my photos archives to illustrate the theme of this week's SONG-OGRAPHY.

During my research of this week's song, I learned it was played at the opening ceremonies of the Olympics in Sochi...

painting on the side of a building ~ San Francisco, CA

statue of a military woman ~ Arlington Cemetery, Washington DC

wall art ~ Women in the Military Museum, Washington DC

This song, "Nothing More" was written  for NEWTOWN KINDNESS, the organization founded by a family who lost a child in the Sandy Hook Elementary shooting. You can learn more about how schools are using this song to “to promote kindness as a guiding principle of humanity” by clicking THIS LINK.

Before the Academy Awards begin, take a peek at some of the other bloggers posting their interpretation for SONG-OGRAPHY.

Will you watch the ACADEMY AWARDS tonight?

My prediction.... Best Picture Award will probably go to "12 Years a Slave" - the only movie in this category that we HAVE NOT seen. Having seen the movie trailers, I need to be in the certain frame of mind to watch the "deplorable" way we've treated people... in this case, slaves.

I predict "FROZEN" will win the Best Animated Feature Film & "LET IT GO" (from the movie, FROZEN) will win the Best Original Song. Will see this again when it comes out on video... YEP! it's great!

SONG-OGRAPHY 1.26.14

photos pulled from my archives ~ Big Bear February 2013

Have you seen the Disney movie, FROZEN?

source

if so, you'll recognize the lyrics to this week's

SONG-OGRAPHY!

Kathy @ You'll Shoot Your Eye Out posted a "cool" looking photo! Check it out...

California is still hoping for some rain...

or at least a winter chill to the air!

Here's a YOU-TUBE video for this week's song.

The movie is adorable! & the song gives me chills (no pun intended!)

SCAVENGER HUNT SUNDAY 9.15.13 + SONG-OGRAPHY

Critter @ Barnes & Noble Bookstore

Busy weekend! Saw two movies --- My Family (Robert DeNiro, Michelle Pfeiffer) & Austenland (starring Kerri Russell). JPE left for two trips (5 days of teaching @ Sophia University & another 5 days for a trip to Cincinnati to visit his dad). Lauren (niece) is moving into a studio apartment in SLO to begin her credentialing program (mild-moderate disabilities) at Cal-Poly --- so, I'm off to our storage unit to pass along some items we no longer need.

I took most of my SHS photos while we were in SLO last night.

Ashley at Rambling & Photos posted these words: ENJOY A PUMPKIN DRINK, READ A BOOK, EAT OR BAKE SOMETHING SWEET, ANIMAL & ARTSY.

Our local Barnes & Noble Bookstore (SLO) sells Starbuck's coffee, but they are also selling Harney & Sons tea. The tins are beautiful --- the smells are incredible --- I've added a PUMPKIN SPICE tea purchase to my list for a return trip downtown.

I cannot stay away from the children's section in bookstores & libraries. I love pop-up books! There are so many cool books --- one of my favorite past-times is taking time to READ A BOOK with children.

The truth!! I didn't EAT or BAKE this SWEET TREAT. But, doesn't it look tasty? The girl behind the counter said these cupcakes are worth every calorie at least once this fall... may have to give it a try when I return to buy some tea.

Found this guy (gal?) in the kid's section at the bookstore also. JPE put this ANIMAL puppet on his hand, so he could stage a show for me.

What a score, huh? Five out of five photos were taken at Barnes & Noble Bookstore. Found this ARTSY picture  displayed on the wall at the top of the staircase (created by children in a summer art program).

 
And now, SONG-OGRAPJHY... 

this was actually a photo from our August camping trip with Lydia...

Don't forget to check in with Kathy to see what other bloggers post for the song, "SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL"...

At the time of this picture, Lydia & I were talking about the beginning of the new school year... and she was wondering if any of her girlfriends would be in her class... (they are all in the other 5th grade class, bummer!)

So, there you have it --- two "meme's"... see ya tomorrow.

STEP RIGHT UP!!

Our second floor landing looked like this ~ SATURDAY, MAY 11th!

{sorry for the crummy light}

walls were being painted, BUT the top step needed FINISHING!

{and floor molding added}

YESTERDAY,

Chris {the contractor} sent someone out to finish the top step!

A BULLNOSE was added...

 UMMM... nice!

I know you're wanting to peek in our bedroom

{SO, come back tomorrow for look}...

At the top of the stairs, {on the left} is the guest room. 

Still unpacking & S.L.O.W.L.Y bringing things back into the house!

Also, looking for different fabric to recover the stool & chair seat!

We're O.N.L.Y bringing items back into the condo that we really LOVE! and placing them in different locations.

the "CLOCK"

{was given to JPE's dad upon his retirement from Merrill-Dow,

the pharmaceutical company in Cincinnati, OH

- he worked there for 30+ years}

...its previous location was on a dresser, inside our walk-in closet!

We'd LOVE to get it working again!

Remember Southern Living parties?

I bought the "ANGEL" years ago!

It's lived downstairs, but, I think it has a new place in the guest room.

You can order similar items from Ballard Designs!

OFF to the movies --- THE GREAT GATSBY

with Tobey Maguire, Leonardo diCaprio, & Carey Mulligan.

SCAVENGER HUNT SUNDAY 4.7.13

SHS 4.7.13

SCAVENGER HUNT SUNDAY - April 7th edition!

Arrived home before noon this morning... we're in the midst of laundry, watering the roses & making a Trader Joe's trip to get a few groceries for the week...

Check out this week's SHS words: OUTSIDE, CHATTERBOX, COMFORT, IN THE KITCHEN & TREES.  

We spent Wednesday at Lydia's house... OUTSIDE, JPE found an injured moth, so we had a "guest" take a walk through the neighborhood with us.

Spring Break included lots of family-time. Our favorite "CHATTERBOXES" are (l to r) Lydia, Mom/Nana/GiGi (non-chatterbox), Matthew, Katie & Derek.  Eight of us went to see THE CROODS on Monday. Loads of craziness & laughs with these kids... 

The sound of water... the feeling of being clean... pure COMFORT!

I had forgotten about this photo... which I took at the beginning of our Spring Break in San Francisco. Wouldn't you love to have a display of rolling pins IN THE KITCHEN? 

Actually, this is one of many TREES located in Lydia's neighborhood. Couldn't pass up the cute TREE face.  

Lydia thought it was "amazing" that the moth stuck around for our walk. NB (Lydia's mom) thought it was "amazing" that we made Lydia responsible for picking-up after Peanut. Apparently, she (sort of?) takes off on her skateboard after Peanut does his "business"... 

Don't forget to hop over to RAMBLING & PHOTOS to see the other interpretations of this week's words. 

For next Sunday, the words are: GLOW, OLD, SHADOW, SPRING & SMILE.  

 

P52 {WEEK 8}

Although blurry, I love the background colors of this picture. I spent some time on the patio, crouched below the hummingbird feeder, waiting for the "bully" to sit on his perch. I say "bully" because he keeps all the hummingbirds away, even though there is plenty for everyone.

We had a tad of rain, followed by clear blue skies... the tree outside our bedroom window has a FEW leaves left... but, did you notice the buds are growing and will be ready to split open soon... Like during the next warm spell.

Put away the Valentine decorations... do you decorate for the holidays?

Made tuna salad for lunches this week! I really don't think it will last more than a few lunches. Favorite way to eat it --- with Trader Joe's pita crackers! {no, I didn't get paid to say that; nor did I get a free box as compensation}... although, one of my girlfriends does work there... 

Once again... thank you TAMAR for hosting P52... check her blog to see who else participated. 

As for the Academy Awards: Jennifer Lawrence was my pick for BEST ACTRESS! with nine contenders, it was a difficult selection to pick BEST PICTURE... but, Argo was a fabulous picture.

Which movies did you see this past year?