This is December

This is our yard in December, it might seem some of the flowers, bushes and trees are a little mixed up - but also you can tell why I love fall (when it finally hits) in California.

THE FLOWERS

The roses are still in full bloom.

It is azalea season also.

The daffodils are a little confused though.

Along with the hydrangeas...

but the camillas know this is their time to bloom.

THE BUSHES

Heavenly bamboo is heavenly this time of year with its orange berries and colorful leaves.

The Mexican Sage is still a bee's heaven

And the rosemary smells divine.

THE TREES

I do not know the name of this tree but it is Aimee's tree, along with shading the home during the summer it gives us colorful leaves in the fall

The liquid amber is rightly named for its fall beauty.

The flowering pear gives us white blossoms in the spring and gorgeous leaves in the fall.

The apple trees are pure gold

and an overview.

I love this beautiful, amazing world in the fall.

Homing Pigeons

Sometimes when I am driving down Calavo I see a flock of homing pigeons. I love watching them flying in their group and circle around and return home. If you want to know more visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homing_pigeon. It explains a little bit about why the birds return home. I just find it interesting that they can return from a distance hundreds and hundreds of miles away from home.

But this post isn't really about homing pigeons. Thursday morning while I was driving to my home I noticed the pigeons again. I thought "home", that is really where we want to be. I was returning to my home after spending a little time with a friend whose husband was in his last few moments of life as we currently know it. And I realized we know to return "home" after we are finished here. We KNOW where to return, I don't know how that all works but it does. HOME is just waiting for us when we are finished with our flight here. And HOME is where we want to be after this.

This friend's husband has now returned home. Over the years, I have had family members return home and I know they are glad their flight is over and they are welcomed back. This post is really about returning home, returning to where we belong.

A Month of Gratitude

I chose to write daily on facebook something I was thankful for in my life. This is my month of posts - some are not exactly a "I am thankful for ..." but they were things I thought about daily that I was grateful to have or experience in my life.


Nov. 30 - I never realized that not all houses in California have heaters, I am grateful on this chilly morning to have a house equipped with a furnace.

Nov. 29 - Just played a most hilarious game of Monopoly with Nate & Aimee Berrett, Craig Garrett and Norine Garrett - I lost with a most slow but painless death it was just laughable

Nov. 28 - I am in the midst of a winter wonderland today. It is beautiful outside.

Nov. 27 - I have decided I have become a wimpy Californian - I thought it was cold there at 60 degrees but now I am really freezing in Utah with 20 degree weather.

Nov. 26 - So good to be with family

Nov. 25 - Our trusty little red Mazada got us to Utah safe and sound - Craig drove all night but the roads were clear, we appreciated a warm car when it was -22 in the middle of Utah at 2:30 in the morning, grateful for good eyes that spotted a huge mule deer in the middle of the road near Cedar Hills and welcomed a cozy bed prepared for us by Norine – so happy to be spending Thanksgiving with so much family!pared for us by Norine - so happy to be spending Thanksgiving with so much family today!

Nov. 24 - My mom taught me how to sew when I was around 12. I have been sewing ever since. Last night, I figured out how to alter 1 of my favorite skirts so it fits me again - in case you were wondering I downsized!

Nov. 23 - Roses are lovely and delicious smelling but have thorns, pyracantha are fascinating with their colorful orange berries but have thorns, bougainvillea are bright and colorful but have thorns - life is beautiful but has thorns. I choose not to let the thorns stop me from enjoy it all.

Nov. 22 - oh, the scents in the air - yesterday I am sure someone was baking oatmeal raisins cookies, today the crispness of the air and at our home - TOFFEE - yes, Craig is cooking his famous toffee

Nov. 21 - if you want to marry a good man, see how he treats your mother - I married a good man; he is helpful, encouraging, thoughtful and kind

Nov. 20 - I so love the rain, it really could rain almost anytime - well at least in the fall & winter months

Nov. 19 - totally frivolous, but I love Winco - they are the only place I can find vanilla Instant Breakfast, which is my favorite

Nov. 18 - 11 months ago sweet Zoe came into our lives - we have watched her go from a tiny newborn, learn to roll, sit up, crawl, stand, walking around furniture to just give me some credit cards and your cell phone (favorite toys) - she is a delight to our lives

Nov. 17- oh, the wonders of electricity - just a few perks from it today - heater that keeps my bed warm, fridge to keep my milk cold, clock to know the time, microwave to warm my syrup and waffles up for breakfast - without electricity none of these would be enjoyed

Nov. 16 - our pioneer heritage is something to be proud of - the sacrifices made to make my life better is wonderful - enjoyed a visit to the Mormon Battalion Visitor Center in Old Town, San Diego - what our early Mormon ancestors did to make even just California a better place is awesome

Nov. 15 - today's post - it is good to have work to do, it is good to have a job and to have a job I like

Nov. 14 - post for yesterday - I love to see the temple - love that I have an eternal family

Nov. 13 - planted my first winter vegetable garden - broccoli, cauliflower, romaine and red lettuce - we will see what grows

Nov. 12 - I am healthy, my hubbie is healthy, my kids and their families are healthy - wow that is something to be grateful for

Nov. 11 - Happy Veteran's Day. We are blessed to live next to Camp Pendleton and feel the sacrifice and respect that is given for our country by these wonderful Marines. I am happy to know several of them and their families, they truly do so much for our freedoms. Thank you – and all those who have served for all that we have here in this great United States of America

Nov. 10 - so many different kinds of apples; we tasted Golden Delicious, Fuji, Arkansas Black, Braebrun, Pink Lady and more - we settled on the Braebrun

Nov. 9 - laughing at the fact that my grandbaby Zoe called me by speed dial on her daddy's cell phone

Nov. 8 - oh the comfort of a warm, cozy bed

Nov. 7 - experiencing this world is wonderful - last night's beautiful sunset with its amazing pink, this morning's walk in a refreshing drizzle - each new day I rejoice in what is before me
Nov 7 - I love Sunday afternoon church; it means sleeping in, just talking with Craig, walk with Natasha and relaxing getting ready for church.

Nov. 6 - Saturday! what more is there to say

Nov. 5 - Yay for the Wright brothers discovering flight - Yay for airplanes - Yay for the airplane bringing my mom to California today so we can be together

Nov. 4 - so very grateful for the garbage man, he does a job most of us would not even consider

Nov. 3 - Cell phones and computers - I can see and talk to my children - the best thing ever

Nov. 2 - I live in a wonderful country with so many blessings, privileges and responsibilities. One of my privileges and responsibilities is the right to vote. I will be exercising that blessing today.

Nov. 1 - it's November; the wonderful, wonderful month of November. I was so grateful for the crisp air this morning, it made for a nippy walk for Natasha and me - glorious!

Dia de los Muertos

Craig and I are taking a Spanish class. Not that I would have chosen to do this on my own, but I told Craig once I was finished teaching seminary we could learn a language together. He is learning - I am still trying.


Out of this Spanish class, we occasionally have a culture lesson. This past month we were presented with Dia de los Muertos; Day of the Dead. Interesting it is held in relationship to Halloween and All Saint's Day.

Dia de los Muertos is a day of celebration and remembrance of those who have died. All Saint's Day is a day of prayerful spiritual communion between you and those who have died. (Well a little bit more than that but that is the simple version.) Halloween has roots in the belief that the veil between this earth and the afterlife is thin on this day and honoring family members who have died.


Dia de los Muertos is a day of prayer for those family members who had died. You may honor them with altars that are built around pan de muerte. marigolds, favorite foods of the deceased and sugar skulls. You may gather on the altar and eat a meal "with" your family member that has died. Marigolds are used because of their strong scent to call the person back to this earth. Pan de muerte is a simple bread made for this day. Photos and memorabilia may also be placed on the altars.

San Diego County has several Dia de los Muertos celebrations held on October 31 through November 3. Craig and I attended one at the San Luis Rey Mission in Oceanside and another at the Escondido Performing Arts Center. Both had altars and dancing and pan de muerte but they were different also.

San Luis Rey had more of a party atmosphere with lots of different vendors and booths selling food, clothing, jewelry and other items. The altars were huge and hundreds and hundreds of marigolds were used. But they also had a chalk cemetery were you could take a square and design/decorate your own altar with colored chalk.

At the Escondido Performing Arts Center they had samples of pan de muerte, hot chocolate and water. But there were squares marked off to build your own simple altar for your loved one. Each square had a bowl with chilies and beans or corn seeds to use to design your altar. There were family oriented art activities were you could make your own paper flowers, sugar skulls and other items. And there was a dance performance too.

Because of the recent death of my brother the knowledge of this holiday invaded my thoughts and I wanted to participate by making/designing my altar to Curtis. Craig and I drew a chalk memorial using mostly yellow chalk with yellow flowers for the first one. Yellow being Curtis' favorite color. Coincidentally I wore a bright yellow jacket that day or maybe it was my subconscious taking over for a moment.

I planned a bit more for the one in Escondido. I put pictures of Curtis and his family on a yellow poster board with a small thought of love and memorial about Curtis. I bought yellow marigolds - although you usually find them in orange. And I got some diet Coke and doughnuts to eat together on the altar. We also left a doughnut and Coke for Curtis.

I know you might think it was really weird of me to do this because I am not Hispanic nor really into such a belief that Curtis would be there eating with us, but it felt good to do this, really good. It was just one of my ways to honor my brother. The other thing I am trying to do to honor him is hug people more and take time with them.

Curtis - I love you and miss you. You will always be a hero of mine.

I HAD a most excellent blog on my mind this morning

What a refreshing walk with Natasha this morning. My mind rambled about with lots of thoughts of my surroundings. So here is a peek of where my brain can go in 55 minutes.

The air was crisp and delicious on my face. I used a sweat shirt on half of my walk and was sweating the last half. How can my body change temperature so easily.

There is a house on McDonald or is it MacDonald or Mcdonald (for the first 5 years living here each street corner sign had a different spelling) that reminds me of homes in Switzerland. This morning it particularly had me reminiscing of our visits there because of the smell of smoke from their fireplace.

There are a lot of cars on the road this morning.

The shampoo bottles have been removed from the Jones bathroom window after being vacant for a year. Hopefully our ward will be allowed to help renovate the home.

What a friendly new neighbor enjoying a game of catch with his dog that does not return the balls either just like Natasha.

Vote for signs really do affect my choice. Your sign saying vote for Jerry Brown for Governor reminded me that I was voting for Meg Whitman.

Wet grass produces wet shoes and wet feet. I wonder what Natasha thinks of wet feet.

I like the smell of anise.

Inspiration and confirmation that my lesson planned for in 2 weeks is the right direction and an interactive idea to use.

Missing my morning talk with Aimee.

Wondering how long Anthony and Jana have been married - is it 3 1/2 years? Today is Aimee and Nate's 4 month celebration. Has it really been 4 months?

How does Natasha know there is a puddle of water around the corner?

Walking each morning is so worth it. My days start out so much better each time.

This morning the blog was written most poetically, what was written tonight was the tidbits I could remember. This morning I HAD a most excellent blog post. OH WELL.

Countdown

In just under 2 weeks my mom will come visit for 3 weeks - we hope to spend some fun days together besides me just working all the time

In a month we will be heading to Utah for Thanksgiving - where we will see sweet Aimee and crazy Nate, wonderful Gene and Norine, and lots and lots of other amazing family

In two months we will be in Baltimore celebrating Christmas with Anthony, Jana and darling Zoe (who will be 1 years old by then)

Lots of wonderful things to look forward to - HOORAY!!!!!

Tomorrow will be a typical wonderful day :)

¡Hola!

¡Hola! ¿Cómo estás? Sí, estudio español. Es muy dificil para mí. Craig y yo desean de aprender español porque queremos para ir una misión.
Sé cómo saber la hora. Son las ocho y dieciocho de la noche.
Gusto música.
Amor mi familia muy mucho.
Deseao más tiempo leo.
Trabajo todos los dias.
¿Comprendes?
Adiós.

Tradition

Our family has been going to Lake Powell for years. We went almost yearly for a long time. But then we missed out for about 8 years and finally we were able to go back again this summer. What a joy it was. Thank you Darin and Diane for making it possible.

Anthony and Shane (approx. age 2)

Aimee ( 11 months)

Zoe (8 months)

We hope to keep the tradition alive with our new additions to our family; Jana, Zoe and Nate - plus any one else who joins them.

Lake Powell at it's best.

A Very Small Role

This really is not my story, but I am sharing it because I played a small role in the story.

Tony and Alejandra were married 3 years ago. Tony is a Marine and Alejandra is a Mexican citizen. Alejandra has 2 boys, Cesar (15) and Luis (11), they are Mexican citizens also. Alejandra and Cesar met with the US consulate in Mexico this past week to apply for a permanent visa to the US. Tony could not go because he is a US Marine, and the thought was there was probably nothing better that some people in Mexico would rather have than a US Marine prisoner. Two Sundays ago, the Fallbrook 4th Ward fasted and prayed that the visa would come through and that whoever was making the decision would decide it was best for this little family to be together in the United States. I literally prayed and fasted specifically the person would make that choice and this sweet family would be reunited soon. Today Alejandra announced that they will be receiving their visas and their family will be together again soon, probably in a few days. I am sure right now there are not happier people on this earth than the 4 of them. But what a blessing and gift to our ward to see such a beautiful answer to our request. You know me I cried when I heard the news.

Bathtime

I love Anthony, Jana and Zoe. I love that Anthony and Jana realize simple pleasures with Zoe bring me great joy and so they asked/allowed me to give Zoe a bath (in our sink nevertheless). Anything with Zoe brings me great joy..

My BABY is married

My baby girl (well actually she is almost 22) got married on June 26, 2010. It probably was the most beautiful but most stressful day I have ever lived. My family actually had to remind and convince me that I needed to eat at some point.

At some point I might actually post pictures but since I personally did not take any (too busy being stressed) I would have to link you to pictures. I am also waiting for Aimee to post her pictures first which she might be waiting for our studio (Ahrend Studios) to perfect the pictures before posting them. They are the most amazing pictures not needing much perfecting, but we will do a little. Mostly what is needed is making the San Diego Temple look more like a temple instead of jungle gym playground. Right now the Temple is covered in scaffolding (they had a bit of a leak) But aside from that it was beautiful.

You will all be amazed to know that I did not cry one bit during the sealing (granted I did start to cry in the shower that morning and while Aimee's hair was being done and on the drive to the temple and while sitting in the temple and on the drive after the temple) but I did not cry one bit during the sealing. I just sat there with the biggest possible smile on my face shining pure joy for this everlasting happy moment.

Aimee is married, she was a beautiful bride (one of the most beautiful brides ever) and so very happy. Any tiny bit of stress - moments of panic (the hair not doing what it was suppose to) - were all swept away as soon as she saw Nate. Nate calms her and makes her happy. That is why it is perfectly wonderful that she married him.

I love this new eternal family of Nate and Aimee Berrett.

Aquarium of the Pacific

Memorial Day found Craig and I celebrating in Long Beach, California. We decided to celebrate the life of the seas and enjoyed a few hours in "The Aquarium of the Pacific". We discovered it was pretty amazing and one of our favorite aquariums now, right next or maybe even above "The Monterey Bay Aquarium". If you are ever in Long Beach you should definitely check it out.

Sea Anemones

Sea Urchins

This fish will be forever know as "Nemo"

Craig being a fish

Little Jellyfish

BIG Jelly fish

They have discovery stations where you stamped/embossed your information brochure (have to admit this was one of my favorite parts and yes, I got every one)

Hanging from the ceiling is a life size blue whale and her baby

Selfer

You could "two" finger touch the sharks

Sea Dragon