Category Archives: California

A Flag Ceremony Hodgepodge

The story around some of my flag photos dates back to 2011.

A group of veterans and young people in Orange, California respecting the flag and folding it after a flag ceremony.

Another Wednesday, another Hodgepodge. Thank you, Joyce!

1. What does patriotism mean to you? 

It means honoring and obeying the laws of my country and doing whatever is in my power to insure the freedoms our founding fathers established. I love singing the National Anthem at sporting events. A little flag waving is good, too. Displaying the flag on holidays and other key times during the year.

2. September-October-November…your favorite fall month? Tell us why. If you live in the southern hemisphere use these months but sub spring for the word fall. 

I’m cheating and naming something that is special to me for each of these months.

September ~ it always seems like the fresh start back to routine activities that make me feel grounded and we get to celebrate Greg’s birthday in this month.

October ~ where Fall colors shine the best and we enjoy the annual corn maze.

November ~ the Thankful month. gathering with family on Thanksgiving.

3. A song you love with the word thanks (or some form of that word)  in the title or lyrics?

I’m sharing one of many songs that make me say thank you, Jesus!

My hymn of Praise shall always be forever Jesus! In Jesus I have sooo many reasons to say Thank You!

4. November is National Peanut Butter Month. Are you a fan? What’s the last peanut butter bite you had? Fill in the blank: peanut butter and _____________________ . 

Oh, and you can’t say jelly. 

It is peanut butter and honey for me. I had a piece of toast with peanut butter and honey for breakfast on Monday.

5. This week’s gratitude question-What event from this past year are you most grateful for? 

The year started out with an epic surprise visit from Josh and Laura. We were having our local kids over for a birthday dinner on a Saturday. Dan and Jamie have birthdays 1 day apart and Josh has a birthday 3 days after Dan. Dan and Jamie arrived and 5 minutes later Josh and Laura came in the house with shouts of surprise!! It was such an epic surprise and so much fun to be able to celebrate all our January family birthdays together! I’m so grateful to God for the love he extends through our family.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Speaking of patriotism I’m copying a post here from 2011. This is from the Orange Circle Flag Ceremony, a weekly event, in Orange, California.

Before they lowered the flag and folded it properly Mark Wayland acknowledged 5 veterans in the audience that had served in World War II. One of the veterans was celebrating his 90th birthday and his family brought cupcakes for everyone at the ceremony. We got to sing Happy Birthday to him. This vet with Mark in the photo above, served in WWII, Korea, and the Vietnam War. He comes to the ceremony every week. It was great to meet him.

Mark also acknowledged a young bride in the audience who’s Marine husband was serving in Afghanistan right then…our Katie. He made her cry but the tears were good tears and then when the big burly Vietnam Vets came over to give her a hug with tears in their eyes we knew they understood and we cried some more. It was great to hear these Harley riders tell her they would be praying for her and Andrew.

Dear’s brother Terry and wife Christina with one of their 3 daughters with Katie and me. Christina got to know Mark while working with the Orange County School Board. She invited Katie and me to attend this ceremony.

I got the following information from an Orange County Register article written by David Whiting although my sister-in-law who knows Mark from working with him at the Orange County School board also filled me in about Mark and his giving heart, a Purple Heart retired Marine.

“Mark Wayland, Marine Vietnam vet, retired firefighter and Orange school board member, looks like a biker with his denim vest and bushy mustache. And he is. So are many of the men in the Circle.

Most are members of the Patriot Guard Riders. In particular, they ride to remember fallen military brothers and sisters and to ensure things go smoothly at military funerals.

With his black Harley Electra Glide decorated with Marine logos parked just 50 yards away, Wayland explains tonight’s mission.

Every Wednesday night, Wayland, his buddies, their wives, friends and supporters gather in the Orange Circle. They come to lower the flag at 6 p.m. and honor, as Wayland puts it, “those who are in harm’s way.”

What an honor to be able to meet these folks and to honor them and others who have sacrificed so much for all of us. Thank you Mark for all you do and may your sacrifices return to you tenfold.

ht: Orange County Register, David Whiting.

The Patriot Guard Riders honored our brother-in-law at his burial on Veterans Day in 2015.

Thanks for the time you took to visit this very long and wordy Hodgepodge. I’m grateful for all who stop by here.

Weekend Into Autumn

Autumn is beginning and so are some Autumn hues on our property. Fall is a favorite of mine. Do you tend to say Autumn or Fall when talking about this glorious season?

Our weekend started with an early trip to Spokane to pick up Greg’s new eye glasses with his new correction that is appreciated. On the road to Spokane we pass this bill board in Clayton.

They change up the message about twice a year and I always keep an eye out for it.

On Sunday after our church service we watched the Memorial for Charlie Kirk. We appreciated several of the speakers. Erika Kirk, his widow, was an inspiration to listen to. It was a beautiful service with the Gospel of Jesus Christ shared more than once. Many shared it well. The music was beautiful and worshipful. It must have been amazing to sing with 70,000+ voices together.

Our Westside family sent photos of their experiences in California and Scotland on the weekend!

Josh and Laura were in Southern California. Our Laura and my nieces and grandniece along with my sister Kathy enjoyed a Sound of Music sing along at the Hollywood Bowl! That was epic and fun for all. They were celebrating birthdays, especially Avery’s Sixteenth!

Further birthday celebrations were enjoyed with my other sister, Vera, with nephews and grand nephew and our son, Josh.

And then all the way across the Pond in Scotland, Katie and Andrew enjoyed dinner at the same restaurant Josh, Laura, Greg and I enjoyed a year ago in Stonehaven, Scotland.

It brought back so many good memories.

Today they will be hiking to Dunnottar Castle. We’ll be waiting to hear how they survived the climb there and back again.

It’s time to pull out my Autumn/Fall swag. How was your weekend?

‘Jesus Revolution’

 

I mentioned ‘Jesus Revolution’ in a post a while back. Living in Southern California in the early 70’s there was no way to miss the buzz of what was going on and how the movement started amongst ‘hippies’ and others. I was not a hippy but I was a young believer (I wore bell-bottoms) and the noise attracted me. I wanted to see what it was all about.

Jesus was NOT a hippie. He was NOT a rebel. He obeyed His Father and did all that His Father asked Him to do, even dying on a cross.

Being born again comes with responsibility and at the point of your repentance and regeneration you are justified, yes, but you are also sanctified and continue to be sanctified. You know Jesus is Lord and you are His follower. I didn’t grow in this movement. I enjoyed some of the experience but I couldn’t stay there and I didn’t stay there. I had to find solid teaching (meat) for my journey.

I am not denying that some come to a saving faith during these movements but for continued growth and stability solid Biblical teaching is necessary. You don’t want to be in a constant ‘tossing about by every wind of doctrine’.

It’s not about just who you are it’s about what Jesus did for you and how He can change you to become more like Him.

God can and will save you but He won’t leave you as you are.

From Alistair Begg, Truth for Life (March 10, 2023):

Whatever your preferred terminology, this much is always true: the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ isn’t simply a free pass that excuses us to do as we please. No, the gospel calls us and empowers us to do what pleases the Lord. The key is that the gospel always turns us back to Jesus. As you look to Christ for your righteousness, He will enable you to “lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely” and strengthen you to run the unique race God has set out for you (Hebrews 12:1-2). So today, be sure not to trust in your righteous living to earn you salvation or blessing from the Lord. But equally, be sure not to make the mistake of allowing your salvation to tempt you to be half-hearted in your pursuit of righteous living. You have been made righteous; now go and live righteously.

(I wrote this post in 2023 and never published it so I’m publishing it now)

John MacArthur 1939-2025

This morning at 10:30 Pacific Time we will be live streaming the Memorial Service for Pastor John MacArthur. He was our first Pastor after Greg and I were married.

The Youtube I shared above is of a song that MacArthur wrote.

You can live stream the service if interested at the Grace Community Church Website.

The Program can be seen here, too.

The Los Angeles Police Department will do the Flag Presentation. A bagpiper will perform Amazing Grace.

It will be a God honoring and Jesus exalting memorial with many participating in the service, Alistair Begg, John Piper, Sinclair Ferguson, the Getty’s, Joni and others. Tune in for a encouraging time.

 

Food and Friends Hodgepodge

Sticky Toffee Pudding at Tom Morris Bar and Grill in St. Andrews, Scotland.

It’s the middle of the week and time for Wednesday Hodgepodge thanks to Joyce From This Side of the Pond!

1. What’s worth standing in line for? 

I’m going with Greg’s answer here. :0)

A Restroom!

2. Tell us about a favorite food related memory. 

We have many food related favorites and it is hard to choose just one but here goes.

In 2006 we along with two other couples (our doctor and his wife and our pastor and his wife) took a trip to Great Britain together. This was dubbed a ‘walking tour’. One of our over the top favorite and delicious eating experiences was at Conwy Bistro in Conwy, Wales. I had the most delicious shoulder of Welsh lamb and my mouth still waters when I think about it. We were also treated by the owners/chef with special treats while we dined. A remarkable food experience.

On this same self guided tour we decided to try Sticky Toffee Pudding at every food establishment we visited and to rate them against each other. This one above that we had in a Pub in York was a favorite.

3. What are some things you find particularly peaceful or calming? 

Quiet mornings with nothing pressing on the agenda watching the wildlife on our property.

4. Is there something you do now that gets you just as excited as it did when you were a child? 

Going on a trip. Now it’s the planning of a trip that gets me excited.

5. To what degree are you in touch with friends from grade school?

I am not in touch with any of my grade school friends.

high school?

There are a group of friends from high school that I’ve been in contact with, especially during the short years we lived in Camarillo (2006-2008). We had several mini reunions. I attended our 50th high school reunion in Montebello in 2018. We still exchange Christmas cards with two of my high school friends.

college if you attended college? 

My best friend from Cal-State LA married my cousin. (She’s on the left in the photo) We’ve had a lot of contact the past fifty plus years.  During my college years my friendship with Heidi developed not from school but from our Russian Baptist Church in L.A. (She’s on the right) We continue our friendship and cherish each other even though we live far apart.

I’ve also kept in contact with my first college roommate from the University of Redlands.

Having friends that are ‘forever friends’, ‘through thick and thin friends’ or ‘a friend that sticks closer than a brother’ are a treasure. We have a few of those kinds of friends we’ve made since college, too.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Speaking of Sticky Toffee Pudding…

From The Turf in Oxford, England.

From Dublin, Ireland, we ordered the pudding to go promising to return the plates and utensils.

We’ve enjoyed versions of it here in the USA, too.

SeaJack #6 141

This Sticky Toffee Pudding was enjoyed on the Sunset Terrace at The Grove in Asheville, North Carolina.

SeaJack #6 142

We made homemade Sticky Toffee Pudding for a British Pub Sunday Roast at our home. You can find the recipe here.

Pub Night 034

Sticky Toffee 017

Pub Night 045

 

Tea ~ Fullerton

Welcome to Tea Time 2025. These posts will be about Tea Rooms we’ve been to, Teas we’ve given for friends and family, Church Tea events, and High Tea in restaurants from 2008 to the present. Tea in the U.S.A., Tea in England and Tea in Canada. Many of the Tea Rooms are no longer in business, which is sad.

This post was from October 17th of 2009. That was sixteen years ago!

Southern California is having a weather event and we are HOT HOT HOT. Back in April of 2009 my family planned a nice afternoon at the Rose Tree Cottage in Pasadena for my mother’s 85th birthday. It was a disappointing day for my mom because she fell on an uneven sidewalk when she arrived and had to spend the afternoon and evening at the hospital instead of having tea.

My mother giving us some words of wisdom at her birthday tea in 2007.

We decided it was high time to get together for tea again and thought we’d have some nice Fall weather for our get together. Well it’s Fall but we are having some summer weather. This time my mom, all my sisters, a SIL, nieces, and little grand niece are gathering in Fullerton. We’re praying for an accident free day!

Half the ladies in my family met for tea yesterday in Fullerton, California. We had the Senior member of our family, our 85 year old mom and the youngest member of our family, our 1 month old Grand Niece/Great Granddaughter in attendance.

The venue was the Spring Tea Garden in Fullerton, California. We were treated well during our time there.

Avery was born September 17th

This venue is still open for events.

That was 16 years ago which means this Fall our Grandniece Avery will be turning 16!

Baby Shower Tea

Welcome to Tea Time 2025. These posts will be about Tea Rooms we’ve been to, Teas we’ve given for friends and family, Church Tea events, and High Tea in restaurants from 2008 to the present. Tea in the U.S.A., Tea in England and Tea in Canada. Many of the Tea Rooms are no longer in business, which is sad.

This Baby Shower Tea for Michelle was posted on August 26th 2009.

For Tablescape Thursday this week I’m sharing my photos from a shower we had for my niece Michelle this past Sunday. Her and Ryan’s baby girl is due in September. We worked around a pink and brown tea theme.

 

Our Guest of Honor Michelle. This will be Ryan and Michelle’s 2nd. They have a boy already who is looking forward to meeting his little sister…

The Shower Organizers, Flower Arrangers, Sandwich Makers, and Decorators.

3 generations, my niece Michelle, my mom, and my sister Kathy.

My mom with all her daughters. She has 4 sons, too!

The granddaughters with my mom. 4 granddaughters are missing in this photo including my daughter and DIL.

My niece Michelle flanked by all her Aunties on her mom’s side of the family.

Choo Choo Train Hodgepodge

Our second born, Dan, enjoying his Choo Choo Train engine at his 3rd birthday celebration.

It’s time my friend for another Hodgepodge thanks to Joyce From this Side of the Pond.

1. What do birthdays look like in your house? How are they celebrated? Any special traditions?

We always tried to have a special celebration for each of our children on their birthdays. Their first birthday was an extended family and friend event with lots of adults and kids. As the years progressed birthdays morphed. After having the inspiration to have a Choo Choo train cake for Dan’s 3rd birthday, it became a special tradition for him.

The photo above is from his 5th birthday celebration.

From Dan’s 19th birthday celebration.

When Dan met Jamie and before they were married, she made him a Choo Choo Train cake for one of his birthdays. This next cake was her idea, too, at his 40th birthday celebration in Arizona.

Dan’s 40th birthday Pokeman choo choo train cake.

What about birthdays growing up? 

Birthdays were celebrated growing up but they were not the over the top brand of today. Simple cake and ice cream. Sometimes there was a gift and sometimes there was not a gift. One unique thing my parents did for my older sisters and me was to buy us a special birthstone ring for our 16th birthday.

2. Someone is sending you a dozen roses…what color are you hoping for?

I enjoy roses with subtle color, not the bold reds or yellows. You don’t have to send me roses but do bring a bouquet from your garden, please.

 Are you someone who gets accused of seeing the world through rose colored glasses? Is your accuser correct? Elaborate. 

I would say that I lean toward black and white, not rose colored. I’m more of a realist and less of a poet. Saying that, I do choose joy and am filled with hope for a future in heaven that far exceeds anything on this earth. I will be upbeat and have a smile on my face in many circumstances of life.

3. June 4th is National Cheese Day…will you celebrate? What’s something (besides a burger) you make in the summer months that calls for cheese? 

There is nothing specific that calls for cheese but we’ll add cheese to egg scrambles, burritos, tacos, and some salads.

Summer reminds me of Bible Camp and Bible Camp reminds me of the classic grilled cheese sandwiches with tomato soup!

4. ’tis the season…any weddings on your June calendar?

No June weddings on our calendar.

What’s the first word that comes to mind when I say marriage? 

It was a jumble of words because of our current climate where the marriage covenant has been so mistreated and undermined and attacked. It’s not a surprise since marriage was ordained by God and the model is His model. The original is the standard, a man and a woman, leaving mother and father, becoming one in marriage. I believe in the Word of God, the Bible, and what it has to say about marriage.

Mark 10:6-9

But from the beginning of creation, God made them male and female. Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate.

This is a great month to celebrate and affirm marriage as God intended. Marriage reflects Christ and His Bride, the church.

Ephesians 5:31-33 ~Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. This mystery is profound, and I am saying it refers to Christ and the church. However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.

5. What are you most looking forward to this June? 

Having our epic garage sale behind us. The dates for this sale keep shifting but we hope to get it accomplished by July!

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

The above photo is from a Happy Birthday meal on the Westside for Greg in 2024 just before we flew to Scotland for more celebrations.

From September of 2024 through April of 2025, we celebrated all 10 of our ‘family’ birthdays.

We sing, we blow out candles, we eat cake or pie, we gift, and most of all we love and affirm one another on birthdays and other days, too.

“The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance.”

Tea ~ Mad Hatters Tea Shower

Welcome to Tea Time 2025. These posts will be about Tea Rooms we’ve been to, Teas we’ve given for friends and family, Church Tea events, and High Tea in restaurants from 2008 to the present. Tea in the U.S.A., Tea in England and Tea in Canada. Many of the Tea Rooms are no longer in business, which is sad.

In April of 2008 my sisters and mom were invited to a Mad Hatter Tea Party Bridal Shower. This will be the original post from April 27, 2008.

On Saturday I drove 90 miles from Camarillo to Newport Beach to attend a shower for our future niece, Jessica, who is marrying my brother Steve’s son, Timothy. Timothy’s lovely mother is my SIL Kelly.

Oh, the destination and the setting and the beautiful ladies that we got to spend the afternoon with made the 180 mile round-trip so worth it.

The table was set perfectly for our Mad Hatter Tea. We gave thanks to the Lord for this wonderful occasion and began the festivities.

 

Jessica with her friends and most of these ladies will be her bridesmaids. Our hostess, Michelle, to the left of Jessica

Michelle, the maid of honor,  was our hostess and the setting was in her parents gated community in Newport Beach. I can’t even begin to guess what the HOA fees are in this wonderful setting. Did I just say that out loud?

Ellen b. in a hat, you won’t see that everyday.

It was a Mad Hatter Tea which meant we were all required to wear hats. My SIL Letty and me.  Jessica, the Guest of Honor. Jessica opening her Samovar from my mother and a tablecloth that my mother made when she was 12 years old (that would have been in Tehran, Iran) The last photo is of the daughters and daughter in laws with my mom. Letty, Vera, My Mom, Kathy, Ellen b, and Kelly.

Three of my lovely nieces, Melissa, Debbee and Michelle.

After we had our Tea/Lunch we walked over to the Rose Garden in the Community.

My hat won me a prize along with the great hat on the right that the mother of the hostess wore! I won a wonderful lavender scented candle.

We are having a very hot weekend in Southern California. See that 100 degrees for the outside temperature next to my odometer. That registered when I was driving home and reached the San Fernando Valley. Hot, hot, hot for Spring around here! (Looks like I need to dust off my dash!)

Made it home in good time praising our God for the blessing of family and friends to enjoy life with on this earth.

“May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.”
~2 Thessalonians 2: 16,17

Tea ~ Tranquility Thousand Oaks

Welcome to Tea Time 2025. These posts will be about Tea Rooms we’ve been to, Teas we’ve given for friends and family, Church Tea events, and High Tea in restaurants from 2008 to the present. Tea in the U.S.A., Tea in England and Tea in Canada. Many of the Tea Rooms are no longer in business, which is sad.

Greg and I were living in Camarillo, California from 2006-2010. Willow and I met through blogging when we figured out that we both lived in Camarillo. We met for coffee and then became walking buddies. This post is from April 18, 2008.

Oh what a delightful haven we found for Tea in Thousand Oaks. Willow and I had reservations for a mini tea on Wednesday Afternoon. We arrived at Tranquility Tea Room which is in an office space on the 2nd floor of a building set back off of Thousand Oaks Blvd. When we opened the door we were delighted with what we saw.

Lots of China, Antique furniture, Lace, hats, fresh flowers, and tea accessories.

We chose our table and settled in for a lovely time.

Willow decided it was OK if I took a photo of her at our table.

We enjoyed looking at so many pretty things and then our food started arriving.

Aprils menu included Blueberries ‘n Cream Scones, Orange laced Mini Swirled Scones with their homemade lemon curd and Tranquility cream. Then there was a choice of Gourmet Tea Sandwiches. I chose the Cucumber a la Provencale and Caramel Apple Brie with Pecans. Willow chose the Caramel Apple Brie and the Chicken-Almond Salad. For dessert I chose the Lemon cheesecake triangle and Willow chose the Strawberry Tart. It was all very fresh and tasty! The touch of fresh flowers that adorned the food and plates added such a visual treat. We found out that Candra’s mother does the flowers for her. Oh who’s Candra?

We met Sue (who graciously served us) and Candra (on the right). Candra owns and operates the Tea Room. We had a nice long conversation about Tea rooms and ministry. Here’s something I copied from her website about her and the Tea Room.

Tranquility Baking and Tea Room
Seven years ago, Candra Coogan began a baking business with a desire to help a local charity. She began delivering cheesecakes dressed in Victorian attire and donated 10% of her sales. Her business grew into a successful catering and baking business specializing in tea parties, and in December she took the next step, opening Tranquility Tea Room on Thousand Oaks Boulevard.

Tranquility Baking Company was created in order to help support a special recovery program for homeless Moms, The Lighthouse Women and Children’s Mission located in Oxnard, California.

What a wonderful ministry. They have a vision to move this tea room into a Victorian house in the Ventura/Oxnard area. That would be such an ideal setting. Thank you Sue and Candra for your wonderful hospitality and your heart for service to the community.

We highly recommend the Tranquility Tea Room to anyone who loves Tea in a comfortable, beautiful setting, with expertly created delicious delicacies. Can you tell I was impressed!

“Come, let us have some tea and continue to talk about happy things.”
Chaim Potok

As with many of the tea rooms we’ve visited in the past this one is also closed permanently.