Author Archives: Ellen

Window Views ~ Heritage Square

These windows are from one of the historic buildings at Heritage Square in Los Angeles, California.

The barn was built in 1899 on the grounds of what is now Pasadena’s Huntington Memorial Hospital for Dr. Osborne, a member of the hospital’s staff. Originally used to stable horses and store a carriage, the building subsequently converted into a dwelling and garage. Its architectural style is Queen Anne Cottage and Gothic influences. it has three gables and a distinctive pitched roof.

To see more windows visit the Window Views Blog.

Outdoor Wednesday ~ My Yard June 30th

For the next several weeks I’m in the state of Washington so my Outdoor Wednesday Posts will be from the Western Washington area.

Susan at A Southern DayDreamer is our kind hostess for this weekly event. Click over to her blog to see Outdoor Posts from around the world.

I took a walk around the yard today to see what might be blooming. My hydrangeas are just getting some color.

I was happy to see my Lavender survived the dry weather the Seattle area has been experiencing seeing how my tenants (two of my adult children) don’t consider watering part of their routine upkeep of the house.

The wild rose bush is flourishing and we have a very few pears growing on the Pear tree and a good amount of blueberries plumping up.

I’m still getting my bearings here in the Northwest. I’m not up to my usual bloggy speed. We are replacing my old double oven this week and I’m scrambling to get things in order for our July 4th Barbecue. Hope all is well in your neck of the woods and if you are in the United States enjoy the 4th!

Jeff & Heather ~ June 27, 2009

On our road-trip to Seattle we stopped in Clovis for Jeff and Heather’s wedding. Jeff is my cousin Jim’s youngest son. It was a wonderful ceremony and reception. I appreciated how relaxed and unpretentious the whole event was. The couples youth and college pastor performed the ceremony and it made it very personal as he had many great experiences with the couple as they’ve grown and matured. We laughed  a lot, even during the ceremony. The recessional was to the Indiana Jones theme…

The colors the bride chose were vibrant summer colors. The reception hall was a gymnasium but the elaborate ceiling feature with the flowing fabric and string lights softened the room beautifully. Thank goodness for air conditioning because it was 102 degrees in Clovis during the wedding.

That’s a lot of yards of fabric! The centerpieces were individual mini cakes. Each table had a different flavor layered cake. Fun idea. After Jeff and Heather cut their cake and had a bite we all were able to serve ourselves at our individual tables.

My cousins with their spouses and kids. One of Jim and Jeanie’s sons isn’t in this photo.

The Father and Mother of the groom. My cousins and sister Kathy. The bottom left photo is of Jeanie, her sister Kathy, (who is Kathy B. from Count it All Joy) and me. The last photo is of my long time friends.

My parents. My cousin Katrina and her daughter Kristen. My long time friend Heidi and Ken. In the last photo we managed to get a shot of the Ben who was missing in the other family photo with my parents, the bride and groom and my sister Kathy.

Fun times. You should have seen the dance moves the groom and his brother Ben have…quite impressive! They were really cutting the rug! Congratulations Jeff and Heather! May God bless you richly and protect your marriage!

And in the world of the mundane… my time at the computer is limited these days. Today Dear and I are off to the hairdresser and then we have to buy a replacement oven and get it installed. I hope to get some free time soon to visit…

Mosaic Blue Monday ~ Red,White & Blue!

I’m joining Sally’s Blue Monday a little late this week. Visit her to see more blue. I suspect you’ll see a lot of 4th of July blue this week.

And on a personal note. We arrived to our home in the Seattle area at about 10:15 last night. As usual it will take me a couple days to get my brain back. It’s hard sometimes switching from my Southern California Brain to my Washington State Brain. The trip took us 15 hours but listening to The Prisoner of Azkaban made the hours go by quicker. The book on cd was 11 hours long. I’ll be uploading photos from the wedding and other random shots soon.

Hope all is well with everyone…

The Soul Cheering Promise ~ Hymn

The Soul Cheering Promise
(words by Fanny Crosby)

We know not the trials before us,
But Jesus takes thought for them all,
And trusting the aid of His counsel,
We never, no, never can fall;
We know not the trials before us,
Or what on the morrow may be,
But sweet is the soul cheering promise,
“My grace is sufficient for thee.”

Refrain

Then cleave to the Savior, cleave to Him,
Whatever the conflict may be,
Remember the soul cheering promise,
“My grace is sufficient for thee.”

We know not the trials before us,
But why; should we tremble or fear?
The arm of the Lord will protect us,
The ark of His mercy is near;
We know not the trials before us,
Or what our temptations may be,
But stronger than death is the promise,
“My grace is sufficient for thee.”

Refrain

We know not the trials before us,
The sorrows and cares we shall meet,
But O there’s a refuge in Jesus,
Though surges may break at our feet;
How blessèd that refuge forever
Where safe from the storm we shall be,
The password to life is the promise,
“My grace is sufficient for thee.”

Refrain

II Corinthians 12:9 ~ But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.

I’m on the road somewhere between Clovis, California and Seattle Washington today so I’m doing a re-post of this hymn. We should arrive in Seattle sometime tonight…

Roadtrip!

We’re hitting the road today to Seattle. On the way we are stopping overnight in Clovis for Jeff and Heather’s wedding. Jeff is my cousin Jim’s youngest son. Jim’s wife Jeanie was my best friend in college at Cal State L.A. I introduced her to my cousin and they got married the same year Dear and I were married. At the wedding we’ll get to see family and friends. I’m looking forward to seeing Jeanie’s sister Kathy B. who has become a wonderful bloggy friend of mine. My parents and sister Kathy will also be at the wedding. We’ll hit the road bright and early on Sunday morning and drive straight through to Seattle.

If you don’t see me around the blogisphere for a few days you’ll know why…

Friday’s Fave Five ~ Summer!

Looking back over the first week of summer 2009 here are my top 5!

On Saturday Dear and I explored Malibu Lagoon State Park and saw some great sights including the historical Adamson House.

After walking and enjoying the sea air we had breakfast at the Marmalade Cafe in Malibu. Dear and I enjoy eating breakfast out together.

Oops more food. On Sunday we barbecued a tri-tip roast and got 3 full meals from it. The first night we made sandwiches with the meat and a roasted Poblano chile. On Tuesday I made these quesadillas with caramelized onion and whole green chilies that I cut up along with pinto beans. I like to get the whole pinto beans and mash them myself. We have a great Mexican market here in town that makes their own Guacamole and salsa. I can’t buy avocados and make the guacamole myself for as cheap as I buy the freshly made at this store.

I always love seeing this plant here in Southern California from the Agave Family. It’s called Our Lord’s Candle Yucca whipplei. Beginning in April and continuing through July, Our Lord’s Candle blooms abundantly in Chaparral and Oak Woodland in elevations up to 2500 feet. Willow and I saw this beautiful example of one on our Thursday walk in her neighborhood.

Now my absolute favorite thing about this week is looking forward to our road trip to Seattle beginning on Saturday. On Saturday we will stop 5 hours up the road at a wedding of my cousin’s son enjoying all the fun and then on Sunday morning we’ll drive the rest of the way to Seattle. I’m looking forward to seeing all our kids and getting the deck all set for summer festivities. I’ll be in the Seattle area for 6 whole weeks…whoohoo!

For more favorites please visit Susanne at Living to tell the story.

ABC’s of the Word ~ Transform

Philippians 3:20-21 (NIV)

20 But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.

It’s always good to remember where our citizenship really lies and look with hope to being united in Heaven.

For more ABC’s of the Word please visit Pam at Grey Like Snuffie.

 

Tablescape Thursday ~ A Bar Setting…

Most of my stuff comes from Thrift stores, Marshalls, TjMaxx, or Target Clearance. I very rarely pay full price for anything. The pink jewel napkin rings are shower curtain hooks.

And here’s a variation on the black and white polka dot theme.

Susan at Between Naps on the Porch is the creator of this weekly event. Thank you Susan! Click on over to see fun, simple, elegant, over the top, classic, fresh, thrifty, designer tables set for your enjoyment!

Window Views ~ Adamson House, Malibu

My Window Views this week are all from the Historic Adamson House in Malibu, California.

 The home which is right on the beach in Malibu just north of the Malibu Pier which the original family who owned the home had built.

This is a view from one side of the home.

To see more Window Views visit the Window Views Blog. A big thank you to Mary for coming up with this weekly event.