I’ll be back before you have time to miss me, Lord willing.
In the meantime my Sunday Hymn and a few other posts will pop up but I will be away from my regular postings and I won’t be visiting blogs.
I’m just about done with the huge project of cleaning up my blog from 2007-2013. Here are some images from posts that disappeared from 2007.
Katie was in her friend Heidi’s wedding in May of 2007. This is Katie and me at that wedding. This wedding was in Washington State. Greg was working in California during this time and he and I were living in Camarillo.
Community volunteering project with our church in Thousand Oaks in May of 2007
Josh and Laura at Laura’s brother’s wedding in September of 2007 in Washington State.
Me with my kids at the same wedding. Greg was in California. Ha! I’m wearing the same dress as I wore for Heidi’s wedding earlier in the year, oops. 🙂 Come to find out that dress showed up in one more wedding in 2007 in California. Photos don’t lie or that was the case before AI.
This wedding was in October of 2007. That dress really made the rounds. Makes me chuckle.
Happy last day of September!
Uncle Joshie had a conversation with JJ that was too good not to document for the sake of my failing memory skills and for the joy it brought. Here is how it came over the family group text:
Josh: Fun JJ story from today. I was chatting with Daniel and JJ on the phone.Â
JJ: I learned about what the Bible says angels looks like and it’s actually pretty scary sounding.
Josh: I agree. Do you remember what every angel says when a person encounters them in the Bible?
JJ: yes, “Do not be afraid”.
Josh: That’s right, so it makes sense they’re probably pretty scary looking. It’s funny how cute and cuddly most cherubs look in paintings.
JJ: well, if a little cute cherub appeared out of nowhere, I think it would probably still be a little scary.Â
We all were sending back the laugh till we cry emojis. Love the thoughts our 7 year old grandson shares! Also pleased that Uncle Joshie makes the effort to have intelligent conversations with his nephews and niece.
On Sunday morning 12 of us gathered in Pasadena at a restaurant on E. Colorado Blvd. for brunch. The name of the restaurant is Old Town Caffe and don’t let looks deceive you, it was a fabulous establishment serving great food and specialty coffees. The service was top notch, too.
It was a fun and laid back morning and good for some recovery time after all the labor of putting on the Bridal Tea. Even though Vera’s car got locked in the wrong parking structure and she had to call attendants to let her out, all worked out in the end and we made it back home for a little rest time before we dropped off Katie at the airport for her trip home.
Later on Sunday evening…
…five of us gathered at Mario’s Mexican Restaurant for dinner. Lenny, Vera’s son-in-law, thought it would be fun to say it was Vera’s birthday. She was treated to a birthday balloon crown for this fictitious day.
Monday last before I flew home on Tuesday, I met my dear recently widowed friend at a restaurant in Tustin. We spent 3 solid hours at our table in conversation good for both our souls. We didn’t think to take a photo of the two of us.
My trip to California was filled with people time. No beach time even though I was staying in Huntington beach with my sister.
And now it’s time to enjoy Autumn!
Hour by Hour
Hour by hour we trust in JeÂsus,
Hour by hour for strength we pray;
Hour by hour the sands are dropÂping
From the glass of time away.
Refrain
We are goiÂng home where the pure and blest
In perÂfect peace with JeÂsus
Free from care shall rest;
Then let us go on with a hapÂpy, hapÂpy song,
Then let us go on with a hapÂpy, hapÂpy song;
O soon we’ll rest on yonÂder shore,
Rest forÂevÂerÂmore.
Hour by hour we hear a warnÂing
From the spirÂit-voice withÂin;
Hour by hour we meet the temptÂer,
Hour by hour we fall or win.
Refrain
Hour by hour we jourÂney onÂward,
Hour by hour we stem the tide;
Hour by hour we miss the dear ones,
Anchored on the othÂer side.
Refrain
Hour by hour the heart grows fainÂter,
Hour by hour the sunÂlight dies;
Hour by hour we near the porÂtals
Of our home beÂyond the skies.
Refrain
Words: Fanny Crosby, 1905.
Many times my kitchen creations come without a ordered list of ingredients and a numbered method. This zucchini hamburger soup is one of those throw together kitchen creations.
When someone’s garden bounty of zucchini and tomatoes is shared with you, try this soup.
4 cups fresh zucchini sautĂ©ed in 1 cup chopped onion till onion is translucent. 4 cups fresh chopped tomatoes salt and pepper to taste. A 32 oz box of beef broth and 16 oz can of chicken broth because that’s what I had in the cupboard. One garlic clove pressed. About 1-1/2 pounds of cooked hamburger because that’s what I had in the freezer. Bring to a boil and simmer for a while. Enjoy with a slice of fresh crusty bread like your daughter-in-laws sourdough.
This is a photo overload post with all the people who gathered and made this beautiful Bridal Tea event possible.
The bride to be, Delaney and her future Mother-in-law, Michelle, the hostess and visionary for the event.
Soon to be family on the groom’s side.
Laney and Avery, Jack’s only sibling.
Some of my tribe with Laney
Showered with family from Jack’s side of the family (AKA: my nieces and daughters)
Jack’s Maternal Grandmother and Great Auntie’s
Me with my two older sisters
Delaney and our Laura
Our Laura with Jack’s Auntie Meem
Our sister Vera’s ‘girls’ and our Laura
Cousins through thick and thin!
Michelle’s very special friend ‘tribe’ and ladies that have been in Jack’s life for many years!
One of the bride’s sisters and some of her bridal party.
Friends from our Russian Baptist Church days
My sisters and our sister-in-law Kelly and friend Svetlana
Hooray! Jack showed up at the very end of the event just in time to load up all the presents and to take them to their future apartment.
Some of us got a sneak peek to how the apartment is shaping up!
It was a full and glorious Saturday with more fun planned for Sunday!
When someone puts so much thought and energy in making an event so special it needs to be documented. I choose to document it here on my blog. I was blown away at the vision our niece had for showering her soon to be daughter-in-law and for the tribe of helpers who came along side her to make it all come to life. As guests we were treated to a very special time at Delaney’s Bridal Tea. Our niece’s ‘tribe’ were there before the event and well into the night when the event was over cleaning up and washing tea cups and tea pots. What a wonderful community!
The shower was held in Ryan and Michelle’s yard in Newhall. Michelle is our sister Kathy’s oldest daughter. The groom, Jack, is Ryan and Michelle’s son.
Jack’s grandmother (my sister Kathy) and Jack’s auntie (my niece Melissa) gathered flowers at the L.A. Flower Mart the day before the event. They brought the flowers to Michelle’s the day before the event and many hands arranged the bouquets in the tea pots.
Kathy baked the meat filled piroshky and they were delicious and transported those of us with Russian heritage back to our Mother’s kitchens.
The father of the groom was the scone chef!
Cousins of Michelle’s came early and assembled the tea sandwiches.
Another cousin made Gluten Free tea goodies for those who are gluten intolerant.
A dear friend made these melt in your mouth meringue kisses!
Michelle’s ‘tribe’ helped from before the shower began through and to the end with all the details that help create an celebration to remember.
Lemon curd and Clotted cream were added to each table for the scones.
Our daughter-in-love, Laura, flew in early to be a support and helper for Michelle.
Another lovely detail were the shower favors that were on each guests place setting.
It was a love filled event from beginning to end.
My Bridal Tea II post will feature all the guests and the ‘tribe’ that made it all come together.
It’s time for the first Autumn Hodgepodge of 2026. Thank you, Joyce!
1. Fall arrives this week in the northern hemisphere. Does it look/feel like fall where you live?What’s something you love to do this time of year that makes you feel its officially fall?Â
*If you’re answering today from the southern hemisphere feel free to sub spring for the word fall.Â
The corn maze is a Fall event we love to do. The Marcus Cider Fest is another event in our area that definitely screams Fall!
2. What’s a small daily task or chore that always seems to fall through the cracks when your schedule gets busy?
Planning and making meals.
3. What’s something you’re falling for lately?Â
Scones with clotted cream and lemon curd. They were served at the Bridal tea I attended on Saturday and it is confirmed that I’m a fan!
4. Pumpkin is a popular flavor this time of year. Are you a fan? What’s your favorite pumpkin flavored food or beverage? Â
Pumpkin flavor is okay but I’m not crazy for the flavor especially in drinks. I can enjoy pumpkin in cookies.
5.What’s something you wish would never change? Explain.Â
The love our family has for each other. Our dear Pop/Dzeda would say to his family members, “Love each other, stay together”
6. Insert your own random thought here.Â
I was in Southern California until yesterday getting home in the late afternoon/evening. I did not visit blogs while I was away. Our family was taking our dear old pop’s advice. We had a lot of together moments!
I’m still in Southern California and it has been such a rich time with more to experience on this Monday and my last full day here. I have so much to share and hundreds of photos to go through. As per usual there is joy and sorrow that goes hand in hand in our community of believers. But for now the joy…
We gathered to celebrate the bride of our great nephew. Their wedding will be in October. What a special time we enjoyed with all these beautiful people!!
Our niece and her soon to be Daughter-in-law!
I will hopefully catch up with all of you soon.
