InSPIREd Sunday

crystal-cove-090Community Church Congregational United Church of Christ in Corona Del Mar, California. That’s quite a mouthful for a name. Lots of C’s for sure.

crystal-cove-089On January 21st while I was in California my sister and I spent the morning at Crystal Cove and on our way home I spotted this church on a side street off of PCH (Pacific Coast Hwy) and my sister humored me and turned down the street so I could take some photos.

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We took full advantage of the sunny days in between the rain storms that Southern California experienced while I was there.

Linking up to InSPIREd Sunday with Beth and Sally. It’s been a few months since I’ve linked up.

We are still planning what we will be doing for Super Bowl Sunday and if anyone will be joining us. Maybe some New England Clam Chowder and a Georgia Peach Cobbler if I go with a game theme to represent each team. It will definitely be a fly by the seat of our pants kind of day! What are you planning?

Reflective Five on Friday

Last Friday after I picked up my sister Vera from the airport we headed to Chihuly Garden and Glass in the shadow of the Space Needle in Seattle, Washington.

chihuly-065Here is the Space Needle in the background of a Chihuly Glass art piece in the outdoor garden. Now I’ll leave it to you to spot the reflections of the Space Needle in Chihuly’s glass balls that are in that garden.

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I shared some photos of the Chihuly Glass Museum earlier this week here.

Thank you to Amy at Love Made My Home and to Susanne for Friday’s Fave Five for hosting these Friday parties.

After I took my sister to the airport on Monday for her to flight back home we’ve been getting our winter pruning done at this old house. The Pear tree is done and the apple tree is half done. I finally trimmed the lavender way back the way I was told to do and my hydrangeas are trimmed, too. A local garden store is having a Hellebore event this Saturday with a discount on them and I’m thinking of adding another variety to my current plant. We have a quiet weekend except for the Super Bowl game on Sunday.

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Our church has a great Super Bowl themed Sunday with 2 pastors going head to head in a sermon battle. Don’t know yet if we’ll have guests here to watch the game yet. Hope you all have a great Friday and weekend ahead!

My Friday thankfuls #1 thankful for sister time. #2 thankful for talented artists. #3 thankful for accomplishing yearly chores. #4 thankful for quiet weekends. #5 thankful for my church family.

Thursday a Fortnight ago…

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…I stepped out on my own in Huntington Beach, California, for a walk along the shore and out to the end of the pier.

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I enjoy California beaches in the winter.

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The day I was walking on the pier was Josh’s birthday. He and Laura were still in California and opted to visit Disneyland on this day with their cousins. My two sister’s who I was staying with were both at work. My walk on the beach alone was good for me.

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The storms that were rolling through Southern California made for some dramatic waves.

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Before I headed home on the following Tuesday my sister Vera and I had a walk on a beach together south of this one and I’ll share about that later.

Fast forward to today…daughter and I were able to shop at the Navy Exchange. Our son-in-law is a non-active Marine so he and our daughter can shop at the exchange with proper I.D. I’m allowed in as a guest. One of the advantages of shopping at the Exchange is that you do not have any added tax. The price you see posted is the final price. After our shopping we had lunch together and she dropped me off home. I then headed to our local Goodwill and was happy to find these French Onion Soup bowls. Wednesday is Senior discount day so there is an 20% discount. I bought all 4 for just over $9.00. Lion’s head soup bowls.

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I’m looking forward to making my French Onion soup again in these lovelies.

The Best of January Hodgepodge

1. Can you believe it’s the end of January? What was the best day of January 2017 for you, and why?

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January had so many good days. Days in California by the Pacific Ocean, a family wedding, a baby shower for our sweet little granddaughter arriving in the Spring, time with my dear old Pop and sisters. Three birthdays in our immediate family. Three birthdays in our extended family. My time in California ended with a memorial service where I was able to spend time with several old friends from friendships that began in my youth and in the 70’s. January was filled to the brim with good relational events so it is very hard to choose one day in particular.

2. What sounds make up the background noise in your life?

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Interesting question. I have the choice as to what the background noises are in my life if I turn those noises on like the stereo or the T.V. If those noises aren’t on at this old house the noises that we hear are street noises predominately cars and trucks traveling on a busy street nearby or crows. We have a murder of crows around this old house every day.  I’m happy to say that mostly I allow good affirming noises to settle in my brain and not the negative.

3. I read on the Power of Positivity website a list of ten things to drop from your life right now. They are-

anger outbursts, people who put you down, regret, negative self talk, being a people pleaser, the notion you need to be perfect, the past (but keep the lessons learned!), gossip and judgment, comparing yourself to others, and the word hate (focus on what you love instead). Which thing on the list do you most need to drop? Are you trying or will you try?

I will ask for help from God to continue to drop gossip and judgement and I will focus on what I love and keep this next verse from the Bible in my memory bank.

Philippians 4:8 (NASB)

Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.

4. What is sacred to you?

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The life I have because of what Jesus did for me on the cross is the most sacred thing.

5. January is National Oatmeal month. Are you a fan, and if so how do you like it?

I really enjoy Oatmeal cooked in water with some salt and then topped with raisins, walnuts, brown sugar and milk.

6. What feelings does twilight stir up in you?

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The feelings that twilight stir up in me are rest, refreshment and relaxation.

7. Something you’re looking forward to next month?

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Looking forward to heading east across the Cascade Mountain range and beyond to attend our kids open house and baby shower. We will have the chance to paint the nursery and meet and enjoy Dan and Jamie’s friends and family in their new home.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

I hope February is a brighter and more positive month on social media. I am weary of all the angry noise.

Linking up with Joyce From This Side of the Pond for Wednesday Hodgepodge.

February is starting very chilly here in the Seattle area. Our thermometer outside is below 20 degrees. I’m headed to the Navy Exchange with our daughter this morning. Hope your February is starting well.

D is for Dale Chihuly

chihuly-041“I want People to be overwhelmed with light and color in a way they have never experienced.”~ Dale Chihuly

chihuly-040Chihuly Garden and Glass is located in the shadow of the Space Needle at the Seattle Center. On Friday the 27th of January I picked up my sister Vera from the airport and we headed straight to the Seattle Center to enjoy the art of Dale Chihuly. This was something my sister wanted to see.

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chihuly-037The Glasshouse, a 40-foot tall glass and steel structure, was inspired by Chihuly’s appreciation for conservatories and includes a 100-foot long sculpture.

chihuly-029There are several rooms with themes and Chandeliers was one of them.

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Ikebana and Float Boat. Dale Chihuly has always loved the water. As a child in Tacoma, Washington, he would beach-comb to find Japanese fishing floats.

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The Mille Fiori from the Italian for a “thousand flowers,” this unique series is comprised of a variety of works.

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The Persian Ceiling, an immersive experience in color and shape.

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The Sealife room.

chihuly-009Linking up to ABC Wednesday for D is for Dale Chihuly. Thanks to Mrs. Nesbitt and the great team of ABC’ers.

Chihuly Garden and Glass

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While we were enjoying the art of Dale Chihuly my Dear was home smoking a couple Pork Shoulders for our Carnitas Street Taco dinner on Friday night. We invited our Western Washington kids over to enjoy the meal and to visit with their Aunt Vera. We added guacamole, pico de gallo, beans and other goodies to our meal. D is also for a delicious dinner and for Dear who is a great chef!

Keep the Old ~ Monday Mosaics

16265595_10212122633486947_7943960224829511106_nMake new friends but keep the old, one is silver the other gold. A week ago Monday I was able to attend the memorial service for my long time friend Heidi’s mother in Tustin, California. We had a message in Russian and a message in English. Heidi’s son, son-in-law, and brother gave eulogies and remembrances of their grandmother and mother. My brother-in-law led us in singing familiar hymns and the singing was robust with organ accompaniment.

2017-01-24-miscThe service was held at the same church that Ken and Heidi were married in back in 1978. I was her matron of honor. Heidi and I have been the best of friends since 1969. We spent countless hours in each others homes and around each of our sets of  parents and siblings. Heidi lived in Dear and my home during her engagement to Ken.

2017-01-24-misc1The photo on the top of the mosaic is of me, George (Heidi’s brother), and Heidi. The lower photos are of Dear’s brother and sister-in-law and friends of ours from our Christian Rock band years.

misc-so-cal-1-17-034Me and two of my sisters with our dear old Pop. Our extended family and Heidi’s family attended the same Russian Baptist church growing up.

misc-so-cal-1-17-032Two of my sisters with a cousin and cousins by marriage.

2017-01-24-misc2My cousin Jim with my pop, Jim’s uncle. Can you see some resemblance? Jim’s father was one of my father’s older brothers. Me and my bestie from college days, Jeanie, who married my cousin Jim.

arroyo-dr3Heidi and I had many adventures together from 1969 and on. We traveled the East Coast of the U.S. in 1970 and traveled to England with our rock band more than once. Our kids were born in alternate years, our Josh in 1979, their Nikki in 1980, our Dan in 1981 and their Nathan in 1982.  We added one more with Katie in 1985.

ventura11Our kids enjoyed their times together when they were little. We moved to Washington State in 1988 and then our visits were few and far between and the times we get together now are for events like weddings, baby showers, or funerals.

mohai70After the memorial service two of my sisters and I spent late afternoon and early evening with Ken and Heidi in their home with their kids and grandsons. So many good memories shared. It was so encouraging to see the relational dynamic within their growing family and get to know Nikki’s and Nathan’s spouses better. We loved those kids as little ones and really enjoy them now as adults. I wish I would have thought to take a photo during our time. Our hearts are with you as you miss the presence of your mother, grandmother and Gigi here on earth.

Linking up to Mosaic Monday with Maggie at Normandy Life.

Send the Light ~ Hymn

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Send the Light

There’s a call comes ringing over the restless wave,
“Send the light! Send the light!”
There are souls to rescue there are souls to save,
Send the light! Send the light!

Refrain

Send the light, the blessèd Gospel light;
Let it shine from shore to shore!
Send the light, the blessèd Gospel light;
Let it shine forevermore!

We have heard the Macedonian call today,
“Send the light! Send the light!”
And a golden offering at the cross we lay,
Send the light! Send the light!

Refrain

Let us pray that grace may everywhere abound,
“Send the light! Send the light!”
And a Christlike spirit everywhere be found,
Send the light! Send the light!

Refrain

Let us not grow weary in the work of love,
“Send the light! Send the light!”
Let us gather jewels for a crown above,
Send the light! Send the light!

Refrain

Words by Chas. H. Gabriel

Mother Theresa on Abortion~ My Five

Friday January 27th  is the Right to Life March 2017 in Washington D.C. The theme is The Power of One. I’m one blogger who wants to bring attention to the march. I’m sharing this quote from Mother Theresa and four more thoughts.

  1. “But I feel that the greatest destroyer of peace today is abortion, because it is a war against the child – a direct killing of the innocent child – murder by the mother herself. And if we accept that a mother can kill even her own child, how can we tell other people not to kill one another? How do we persuade a woman not to have an abortion? As always, we must persuade her with love, and we remind ourselves that love means to be willing to give until it hurts. Jesus gave even his life to love us. So the mother who is thinking of abortion, should be helped to love – that is, to give until it hurts her plans, or her free time, to respect the life of her child. The father of that child, whoever he is, must also give until it hurts. By abortion, the mother does not learn to love, but kills even her own child to solve her problems. And by abortion, the father is told that he does not have to take any responsibility at all for the child he has brought into the world. That father is likely to put other women into the same trouble. So abortion just leads to more abortion. Any country that accepts abortion is not teaching the people to love, but to use any violence to get what they want. That is why the greatest destroyer of love and peace is abortion. ”
    ~ Mother Theresa

2. Today as a woman I cannot stay silent on this issue. I agree wholeheartedly with Mother Theresa! My choice is to speak up now and stop sticking my head in the sand on this issue.

3. I have heard from dear women who were lied to about the need to abort their babies and have suffered deeply because of it.

4. This act is not a good choice for women. For many it’s a hard choice, very hard, but it’s not a good choice. It will not bring peace to the situation. It will haunt you forever. Give your dear baby up for adoption over abortion. This choice will go well for you.

5. Dear one, If you have already aborted a baby in your past please know that God loves you and offers forgiveness and peace to you, too. This peace comes through what Jesus did for us on the cross. He died for all our failings and poor judgement and offers peace with God through forgiveness of our sins. Choose this life with God through his dear son Jesus Christ and enjoy his peace and love and joy.

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So thankful that these and many more were not aborted but were allowed to be born and thrive albeit with struggles and challenges along the way.

Linking up for Five on Friday with Amy at Love Made My Home and Friday’s Fave Five with Susanne at Living to Tell the Story.

The Getty

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When Dear and I arrived in Southern California and drove north to Oxnard from the Long Beach airport I took this photo of the Getty museum on the hill close to the Wilshire area of West Los Angeles. Little did I know I would enjoy the museum with our oldest kids, my sister, sister in law and grand niece.

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On Tuesday night Josh and Laura asked if I wanted to go along with them to the Getty on Wednesday. My sister Vera had taken the day off so it worked out for all four of us to travel north from Orange County together.

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My sister in law, Kelly, nannies her granddaughter Ellie and they joined us at the museum.

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As one of my facebook friends said, Josh and Laura make the Getty look good.

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Ellie really took to her cousin once removed.

getty-026I really enjoyed this painting so I took some close-ups of the bottom and top of the painting.

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This painting will be familiar to many. Irises by Vincent van Gogh.

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Josh and Ellie enjoying more masterpieces.

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One of a few Monet’s at the museum.

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getty-006Supreme carving skills in this portrait were amazing.

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There is so much to enjoy at The Getty so I would encourage multiple trips. Here are links to my other trips to The Getty.

Outdoor

Ruby at the Museum

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We enjoyed a meal at a cafe on the grounds with so many great choices. Entrance to the museum is free and you only have to pay to park.  J. Paul Getty (1892-1976), was an art collector and businessman who used his fortune to create an institution dedicated to the diffusion of cultural knowledge.