GOOD. RANDOM. FUN. V.17 {2016}

4.16.16 ~ SHOWER for BABY BEE

BABY SHOWERS are thoughtful, social, & emotional!

SLE's shower was NO exception! While working with my mom, daughter, niece, sister & sister-in-law, it was ALL about thoughtful details. The mother-to-be didn't want a "themed" event, but agreed on greens & yellows. Once the event was in full swing, it was ALL about the social aspect of visiting, eating, playing games, and presents. I hadn't anticipated that I would be so emotional the week following the party!!

SLE told me on the way to LAX (to catch her flight to Washington DC), she "didn't want the party to end!" YEA!!! it was a G.R.E.A.T. success! 

I wish we had taken more pictures of family... urrgh!

Friday, JPE & I met friends for dinner at the Olde Port Inn, Avila Beach. Great conversation, tasty food (although, expensive) & a beautiful evening...

a RANDOM picture of our walk on the pier. We never take for granted that we live in a beautiful community!

Several days before the shower, I scheduled some time to teach Katie to use a sewing machine. She's at that age where she's expanding her creative interests!

Some of the handmade gifts... Katie sewed five burp pads (bottom left)... Nana/Gigi made the baby quilt... Auntie Allie knit the mint green hat & purple headband! the monkey first appeared on this blog a few weeks ago. Auntie Janene (top picture) did all the table decorations for the party! & I know Baby Bee will be getting a handmade gift from Auntie Stacy... Welcome to the FUN club, Katie!!

posting with Tamar at Random-osity

Flying to Washington DC tomorrow!

catch me here, or on Instagram!!

ONE DAY I WILL...

In RECOGNITION of WOMEN

throughout the world!!!

MARCH 8th

was

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY!

turn up the sound

touch the close captioned button [cc] 

tap the brackets [ ] on far right to watch w/full screen

I hope you enjoy this video as much as I did!

GOOD. RANDOM. FUN. V.3 (2016)

It's a GOOD time to begin blogging again! After all, it's a new year (BTW, I love even numbered years... 2016 is even... divisible by 2... I know, that's weird huh?) and I'm beginning to settle into RETIREMENT! It's been more than 6 months, BUT I'm still trying to find my "routine."

I'm thinking that for so-o-o-o many years, a woman gets used to a routine and then when it adjusts (due to having children, illness, or even vacation), we THINK we will start doing all those tasks we "dream of" when we are in a parenting-working routine.

I'll let you in on a secret... it's been hard getting used to being RETIRED! I LOVE it, but I still flounder around for most of the day trying to figure out which "productive task" I need to complete before my head hits the pillow at night. 

Before you think I have NOTHING to occupy my time... well, you only need to look at my "stuff" to know crafts, books, photography, and sewing projects are all at the "tip of my finger." It's a matter of "turning off" my work-mindset and being OKAY with creating my path each morning over coffee.

A RANDOM thought... JPE & I haven't been to the Big Bear Cabin in the WINTER for several years. I'm missing the beauty of the lake... the cool-frosty mornings... sipping a "cuppa" while I watch the birds "swoop & skim" the glassy surface of the lake... Ahh! maybe we need to calendar a trip??

My second favorite holiday (besides Christmas) is VALENTINE'S DAY!! It's not quite as much FUN cutting, pasting, and creating messages of LOVE without other crafters. Does anyone want to come over and join me? 

Thanks, TAMAR for continuing to host this Monday meme! 

Her birthday is coming soon... Check out her "blazing candle display" 

as she begins the "count-down" to her BIRTH-day.

BABES 4 DINNER...

hosted BUNCO BABES for dinner!

we DON'T play BUNCO

(a dice game)!

we DO eat! talk! laugh! 

found this adorable little heart at World Market! 

wrapped raffia around the neck
of an inexpensive glass vase
 (from the Dollar Store)
& attached the heart!

easy... peasy!

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}

GLITTER...

12.8.12 ~ Santa Barbara

Has anyone else noticed 

GLITTER

seems to be a

TREND-SETTER

this year?

I must admit, I didn't like 

GLITTER

when my girls were young.

(too messy)!!

Last night, my BUNCO group met

for a tasty dinner,

good cheer,

LAugHter

& 

GIFT EXCHANGE.

(Thanks, Julie for hosting)

As I was brushing my teeth & getting ready for bed,

I glanced in the mirror... my face was GLITTERY... 

(all those pretty bows)

 

IN THE MOOD?

Are you finished decorating?

Monday, after work, Susan & I met for dinner

& to wander the Apple Farm Gift Shop...

hoping the holiday glitz & sparkle would inspire us

 to get our decorating started... completed!!

I think we've decided to "DECORATE LIGHT"...
& cut-out the frenzy of doing-too-much!!

SOOOO, in addition to tasty food, the APPLE FARM 

decorations are...

GLITTERY....

includes SPECTACULAR LIGHTING...

plenty of RED & GREEN...

and SANTA & HIS SLEIGH!!!

all pictures taken @ APPLE FARM, SLO

now that these pictures are posted,

I think I used too much "frost" from the Winterland theme...  

I edited my pictures with PICMONKEY !!!

Check out PICMONKEY ~ it's a FREE PHOTO-EDITING program!!! 

how cool it that?

 

SUNSHINE ON A CLOUDY DAY!

picture @ Remnants of the Past 10.20.12

Loving the overcast weather!

but, that's no reason there can't be

sunshine in your day!

Where will you spread the SUN?

Tonight, Girls Night at Susan's!

Can't wait!!

SCAVENGER HUNT SUNDAY 10.21.12

pic taken 10.20.12

Working has been getting in the way of playing!

But, I HAD TO participate in SCAVENGER HUNT SUNDAY!
How about you?

This week's words are such fun... 

ORANGE or PINK

(representing Breast Cancer Awareness Month),

FACELESS PORTRAIT, VIEW FROM THE TOP, 

COZY & STACKED.

ORANGE or PINK

There's a new candy store in SLO! with every flavor of taffy imaginable. Salt Water Taffy was one of my Dad's favorite... I'm sorry I don't remember the flavor of this ORANGE-PINK taffy? JPE & I looked through all the bins... Bit O' Honey, Big Hunk, Abba Zaba, Look, Dots are familiar to both of us. But, I had never tasted a Cherry Mash or Buckeyes Candy... do you think it's because he grew up in Ohio & I grew up in California? 

FACELESS PORTRAIT

Now you didn't think I'd post a shot of my face, did you?  Today was "girls day" with Susan. Breakfast at Honeymoon Cafe (Pismo Beach), then off to Remnants of the Past (at the Madonna Expo Center in SLO). Cute FACELESS PORTRAIT, eh? adorable hat...

VIEW FROM THE TOP

Couldn't pass this typewriter with out taking a picture. I love anything that involves lettering, type or fonts, with one of my favorite blogs being, I Love Typography. Taking in the VIEW FROM THE TOP, you'll be able to compare your keyboard to this typewriter. Quite a lot has changed... if you want to learn more about Blickensderfer's check HERE. BTW, this typewriter was introduced at the World's Columbian Exposition in 1893.

COZY

Looks COZY, huh? after checking out all the vendors indoors, we moved to the outside vendors. This pillow caught my eye! Adorable... love the ripples... something I'd like to try making. I'd look for a fabric that is softer (this one was wool)... wonder if heavy-weight flannel will work? 

STACKED

I took several pictures of items that were STACKED... but, this one was the best... after eliminating the blurred images! the ones with the visible price tags! & others with the busy background! I'm not even sure what these rolled tubes of paper were... maps? wrapping paper? pictures?

With the exception of the first photo, I took these photos at Remnants of the Past Vintage Show... you can see more about this event HERE.

Next week's SHS words? check in with ASHLEY...

SCAVENGER HUNT SUNDAY 5.13.12

"Tile TIMELINE" ~ AVILA BEACH

MOTHER'S DAY +

SCAVENGER HUNT SUNDAY

what could be better???

Didn't post much last week....

but, looking to change that this week!!

Some photos of this week's words: 

SIDEWALK, INSPIRING, TIME, CLOSE-UP

& WITH MIRROR

SIDEWALK

The "redesigned" SIDEWALK in Avila Beach! Lovely tile-work details the evolution of this formerly "funky" beach community. I'll post more about how Avila Beach acquired this sidewalk in tomorrow's post!

INSPIRING

This picture was not taken intentionally for SHS. For those of you who know me {personally}, you know I'm a "quote" & "self-help" junkie. I love books that provide INSPIRATION... I was practicing taking nighttime pictures... & didn't plan to use this pic, so it's really bugging me that there are two specks of white dust next to the book.

TIME

To welcome 2000, this clock was erected outside the San Luis Obispo County Court house after being donated by the Arnold Volny Family. The inscription on the dial face reads, "Spend TIME with those you love" ~ JPE & I were in SLO yesterday to grab a bite to eat & see the movie, "Salmon Fishing in Yemen" ~ funny title... it's actually an adorable love story!

CLOSE-UP

I didn't realize how many colorful pieces of art I'll see when we travel to PERU this summer. Here's a CLOSE-UP of two pieces in my current collection. The HEART was purchased from THE FOLK TREE & the other item is a Peruvian WHISTLE (which SLE brought back from her trip to PERU). I've posted about them HERE & HERE!!!

WITH MIRROR

I carry my Canon Point & Shoot & I-Phone in my purse ~ good thing, because JPE pointed out this photo op! This is SOOC (Straight Out Of the Camera)! Before we crossed the street towards the JCPenney's building, we looked up & saw this reflection. I think this qualifies for WITH MIRROR... (the trees across the street are planted in front of the GAP).

I've heard from my girls

(either by email, phone, or written cards)...

I LOVE my girls... 

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY

to all

the beautiful girls... ladies... special women

in my life &

cyber-space!!!

GIFTS...

Every Sunday, just after dinner, JPE & I begin to fret about our weekend coming to an end!


Instead of beating myself up over the tasks I didn't accomplish, I decided to put a positive spin on the GIFT of a WEEKEND...
having said that... here are some GIFTS I want to remember...

laughed, critiqued & enjoyed
a "scrumptious" pasta dinner...

{with a dear friend from Oakland}

enjoyed our Central Coast weather...

{a cool breeze with a touch of warm sun}

paid a visit to Patricia's

{a full-body massage does wonders

for the knots in my back}

spent 90+ minutes on the phone w/Myra...

{getting caught up on family, work

& how she broke her arm on Friday the 13th}

JPE & I snuck burritos into the theater...

{& munched while watching "Hunger Games"}

wrote & posted several blog entries...

{extremely busy work schedule prevented me

from posting this week}

downloaded the itinerary for our July trip to Peru...

{MUST schedule an appt for Yellow Fever immunizations
 + a tetanus shot, for me}

laundry... 1/2 completed

{have gotten into the bad habit of putting folded laundry
on the bench, in our bedroom}


walked SLE through the steps for removing
a catsup stain from her silk scarf...
{small stain-on the tassels}


texted with brother...
{he & my SIL had taken my mom to OREGON
~ for a birthday celebration}


coordinated work & summer calendars...
{yep, JPE & I are planners}


texted with sister...
{how did I manage to stay in touch, before texting?}


read blogs & pinned...
{ahhh! Pinterest, how I've missed you!}


SCAVENGER HUNT SUNDAY will resume next week!!
the hunt is on... for SHADOW, KEYS, SMILE, UNEDITED (SOOC), & FISH

A TASTE OF LEMON...

:: A TASTE OF LEMON ::

Monday evening, I baked mini-bundt cakes for 

my girlfriends... 

I've been making this recipe for a dozen years!

(recipe courtesy of sister-in-law)

it's dense & quite tasty with a cup of coffee or tea!

LEMON LOAF

1 medium lemon

2 1/4 c flour

1 1/2 tsp baking powder

3/4 tsp salt

1 1/2 c sugar

3/4 c butter

3 eggs

3/4 c milk

1. PREHEAT oven to 350 degrees (F).

2. GRATE 1 TBSP lemon peel & SQUEEZE 4 1/2 tsp lemon juice; then set aside.

3. GREASE a 9"x5" loaf pan; or 4 mini-loaf pans. If you double the recipe, you will get 15 mini-bundt cakes.

4. In a large bowl, MIX flour, baking powder, salt & sugar with a fork. Use a pastry blender to CUT in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. STIR in grated lemon peel.

5. In a small bowl, BEAT eggs slightly & STIR in milk. MIX until flour mixture is moistened.

6. SPOON into greased pans. FILL loaf pans 3/4 full. If using mini-bundt pans, SPOON 1/2 c of batter into each section.

7. BAKE 9"x5" loaf for 65-70 minutes; mini-loaf pans for 45-50 minutes; mini-bundt cakes for 15-20 minutes.

8. COOL in pan on wire rack. REMOVE from pan.

filled TOO FULL!
removed two teaspoons of batter from each cake

LEMON GLAZE

8. In 1 qt sauce pan (medium heat), HEAT 4 1/2 tsp of lemon juice (see #2) + 2 TBSP of sugar to boiling.

9. COOK, STIRRING continuously (until slightly thickened) about 5 minutes.

10. With pastry brush, SPREAD sugar mixture over top of bread.

11. Can be served WARM or COOL... 

NOTE: If serving the next day, consider making more glaze & spoon it warm over slices of the LEMON bread 

(& add a few raspberries & a dollop of whipped cream).

glazed mini-bundt cake

The glaze is sticky, so I wrapped the bundt cakes

in waxed paper before dropping them

into a cellophane bag! 

added a bit of ribbon & mini-ornament.... 

VOILA...

cellophane bags ~ World Market

ribbon & mini-ornament ~ Michael's

platter ~ Target 

TASTY TREAT

for my "girlies!!"

We met at Ventana Grill, overlooking the Pacific Ocean...

knowing our group of ten like to talk

(sometime all at the same time), 

we asked to be seated where we wouldn't disturb anyone... 

our waiter (Dick) was exceptional, the food excellent 

& we played our "STEAL 'EM GIFT EXCHANGE"

 without being asked to leave the restaurant!!!

HOPE YOU ENJOY THE RECIPE!!!