Tag Archives: Travel

Friday’s Fave Five! It’s all about Pismo…

 

All my favorites this week are from Dear and my getaway to Pismo Beach from Sunday to Monday. Very short time filled with lots of wonderful sights, sounds, and food!

1. We got to see the Monarch Butterfly Grove with thousands of butterflies in residence. What an exciting experience it was. It’s been a goal of mine to visit one of these groves in California. I’m so glad we did. I’ll be posting all about them on Tuesday.

2. Beautiful beaches and beach walks and pier walks were another favorite.

3. We took a side trip to Arroyo Grande and did some fun antique shopping. Boy we only went to two antique shops but they were big and filled from corner to corner with so much interesting stuff. We came away with just one purchase. Such self control!

4. Food glorious food! I love food. I love to find unique spots with wonderful food. I like to fellowship over food. I like to cook good food. So there’s the insight into why I’m always trying to take off some extra pounds!! We ate well those 2 days! Wait, was I just talking about self control, “pride goeth before the fall”!?? The clam chowder pictured was oh so chunky and rich and good! Pismo Beach is known for their clams. We ate a wonderful meal with an ocean view. I had lamb shank with risotto, brussel sprouts, and a double chocolate martini for dessert. Dear had a Rib-eye steak, salad, and potatoes. Needless to say, I did not step on the scale when we got back!

5. The last of my favorites was having our own personal hot tub on the private deck where we sat and enjoyed watching the star filled sky while listening to the waves crashing on shore! Glorious! We even started singing “In the stars His handiwork I see, on the wind He speaks with majesty, though He ruleth over land and sea, what is that to me…”  Are any of you old enough to remember that one??

I have a post with lots of photos from the Pismo Beach area here.

To see more Favorites or to join in the fun visit Susanne at Living to Tell the Story!

ABC Wednesday ~ X is for…

X is for Χριστός

 

Chi Rho (☧) are the first two letters in the Greek spelling of the word Christ ( Greek : “Χριστός” ), and so have come to be used for a number of Christian-related usages.

The Chi Rho is one of the earliest cruciform symbols used by Christians. It is formed by superimposing the first two letters of the word “Christ” in Greek, chi = ch and rho = r. Although not technically a cross, the Chi Rho invokes the crucifixion of Jesus as well as symbolizing his status as the Christ. There is early evidence of the Chi Rho symbol on Christian Rings of the third century (200’s). There is also importantly Constantine’s use of it on the labarum, the imperial standard, in the early 4th century. Lactantius, a 4th century Christian apologist, reports that on the eve of the Battle of the Milvian Bridge in 312, Constantine had a vision of God in which he was commanded to mark his men’s shields with the Chi Rho symbol. After Constantine’s success at the Milvian bridge, the Chi Rho became the official imperial insignia. Archaeologists have uncovered evidence demonstrating that the Chi Rho was emblazoned on the helmet and shield of Constantine as well as those of all of his soldiers. Coins and medallions minted during Constantine’s reign also bore the Chi Rho. By the year 350, the Chi Rho began to be used on Christian sarcophagi and frescoes.

I took these photos of these murals inside the historic Grace Cathedral in San Francisco, California. The Cathedral was amazing and I have a full post about it with more photos of the inside and outside here and here. If you ever get the chance to visit San Francisco make sure and put this Cathedral on your must see list!

 

When walking in the Pacific Heights neighborhood in San Francisco I spotted the symbol again above this door. This building probably use to be connected with a church but it appears to have been converted to a home now. Here’s another view of this amazing building.

For more ABC Wednesday visit the ABC Blog  hosted by Mrs. Nesbitt!

Photobucket is holding all my photos from 2007 to 2015 hostage and has replaced them all with ugly black and grey boxes asking for a ransom to have them re-published. Such a frustrating bother as I go through each post to delete the ugly boxes.

Ruby Tuesday ~ Finale for 2008

The Last Ruby Tuesday for 2008!

I took this in Solvang, California in the Fall of 2007.

For more Ruby Tuesday visit our hostess Mary at Work of the Poet!

Photobucket is holding all my photos from 2007 to 2015 hostage and has replaced them all with ugly black and grey boxes asking for a ransom to have them re-published. Such a frustrating bother as I go through each post to delete the ugly boxes.

It’s Time to Celebrate!

Dear picked up Josh, Laura, Dan and Katie from the airport at 10:30 last night. All six of us are in the condo getting ready to head to Huntington Beach for our family celebration of Jesus’ birth!

 

Hoping all your celebrations are filled with joy. I’ll be back in a couple of days posting from Seattle!

Good News #2 ~ Lana made it on a flight out of Seattle this morning into Long Beach! Yippee! 5 down 1 to go…

 

San Francisco ~ Haas-Lilienthal Victorian House

ABC Wednesday ~ V is for Victorian

As featured on A&E’s America’s Castles’ “Castles by the Bay,” this exuberant Queen Anne-style Victorian was built in 1886. It is the only intact private home of the period that is open regularly as a museum, complete with authentic furniture and artifacts. The House has elaborate wooden gables, a circular corner tower and luxuriant ornamentation. Volunteer docents lead tours through the House and explain the Victorian architecture of the exterior. A display of photographs in the downstairs supper-room describes the history of the home and the family that lived here until 1972.

The Haas-Lilienthal Family
From Victorian Sampler by Randolph Delahanty.
William Haas was born April 24, 1849, in the village of Reckendorf, Bavaria, to a family of modest means with many children…In 1865, sixteen-year-old William and an older brother, Abraham, sailed for New York City…He arrived in San Francisco on October 9, 1868, and joined the grocery firm of Leopold Loupe and Kalman Haas. His first recorded address, in Langley’s San Francisco Directory of 1869, was the Nucleus Hotel, on Third and Market. Please come take a tour to learn more about how William Haas built his life (and his home) in San Francisco.

William Haas entrusted Bavarian architect Peter R. Schmidt and contractors McCann & Biddell to build his home in 1886.

The house withstood the 1906 Earthquake with only slight damage. However, the home was threatened by the devastating fire, which followed the earthquake and destroyed about 40% of San Francisco. The Haas family watched the fire from the roof of their house, but was soon forced to evacuate by city authorities. So the family, along with most other San Francisco residents, went to the nearest public park, Lafayette Park, to camp out during the emergency. Later, they temporarily moved to a large house in Oakland while the City was reconstructed.

My husband was at a conference in San Francisco December 5th -9th. I met him there on saturday the 6th of December to celebrate our 34th wedding anniversary. On Sunday we went on a walking tour of some of the Victorian Homes in Pacific Heights. When we got to this home a lovely volunteer with the Foundation, Kaleene, told us about the Christmas Open House that was that very afternoon. Dear had to go to a meeting but I came back to the house for the event. While there I was given a mini-tour of the home. Here are some interior photos of this historic landmark.

 

Wine and food was served during the Open House.

Being Russian I was happy to see this great Samovar…

For more ABC Wednesday Posts visit the ABC Wednesday Blog. Thanks to Denise for hosting this meme.

Photobucket is holding all my photos from 2007 to 2015 hostage and has replaced them all with ugly black and grey boxes asking for a ransom to have them re-published. Such a frustrating bother as I go through each post to delete the ugly boxes.

Blue Monday ~ Seattle to San Francisco

Welcome to Blue Monday hosted by Smiling Sally. My photos this week are from the Seattle area and from San Francisco.

 

Over Thanksgiving we made at trip to Ste Michelle Winery and enjoyed their fabulous Peacock tree and Tree Topper and wreath. Then we went outside and met their inspiration, this wonderful peacock!

 

From Seattle I flew to San Francisco to meet up with Dear who was attending the American Society of Hematology conference and here is some blue from this very interesting city.

 

Hope you enjoyed my Blue this week. Enjoy your Monday and new week!

Visit Sally at Smiling Sally to see more Blue Monday Posts.

Photobucket is holding all my photos from 2007 to 2015 hostage and has replaced them all with ugly black and grey boxes asking for a ransom to have them re-published. Such a frustrating bother as I go through each post to delete the ugly boxes.

Fridays Fave 5 ~ San Francisco Style…

The lovely Susanne at Living to Tell the Story hosts Fridays Fave Five where we recap our favorites from the past week.

 

I met Dear in San Francisco on Saturday to celebrate our 34th wedding anniversary so here are my Faves from the time we spent there and a couple from home.

1. Celebrating our Anniversary with a walk around the city and dinner at Scoma’s Italian Fish Restaurant in Fisherman’s Wharf and our lunches at Johnny Foley’s Irish Pub.

2. Walking into some old churches with the most amazing interiors and stained glass windows.

3. The 4 story Christmas Tree at Nieman Marcus in San Francisco and all the other wonderful Christmas displays in the city.

4. Coming home and seeing the Tumbleweed tumbling around the neighborhood!

 

5. Finding treasures at my favorite thrift stores in both Washington and Camarillo. These sweet Brambly Hedge Tea cups, 1 for each season, were found at Goodwill in Washington. Only the Autumn one has the saucer so I’ll have to be on the lookout for the other saucers. :0)

For more Fave Fives visit Susanne at Living to Tell the Story.

Photobucket is holding all my photos from 2007 to 2015 hostage and has replaced them all with ugly black and grey boxes asking for a ransom to have them re-published. Such a frustrating bother.

Pink Saturday ~ Pink & Black Tablescape

This is a little preview of my Pink and Black Tablescape that I put together while home in Washington State. I’m travelling from Washington to San Francisco today to meet up with my husband who is attending a conference there. Today happens to be our 34th Wedding Anniversary and we will be celebrating later at a restaurant in San Francisco. On Tuesday we will both fly back to our Southern California home. I hope to get around later this weekend to see all your pretty pink. Have a wonderful Pink Saturday everyone!

Visit our wonderful hostess for Pink Saturday, Beverly at How Sweet the Sound to see more PINK!

Last Full Day in Washington!

Praise God from Whom all Blessings flow I accomplished everything on my list today. The early morning skies were beautiful with the sun shining and puffy clouds filling the sky. I got to the post office and dropped off all the Christmas cards so they are on their way.  I bought myself some new walking tennies at the Brook’s outlet because my daily walks with Willow have put the miles on my old pair. My house is in a Christmas mood. I even was able to do a little cleaning up in a couple planters outside. And last but not least I baked some Loaded Chocolate Chip cookies for my kids and we’re having dinner together shortly. Tomorrow I’ll hopefully be posting something from San Francisco…

Ho, Ho, Ho!

My time in Washington is winding down. Yesterday was a full day. I got my roots taken care of by my favorite hairdresser in the Seattle area. I wrote the Christmas letter, addressed the Christmas cards, and now all I have to do is stuff the letter in each one and we’re good to go. I took out the decorations that are going to go up this year and they are all in place. A scaled down Christmas for us. On Saturday morning I fly to meet Dear in San Francisco. We are going to celebrate our anniversery dinner at Scoma’s on Fisherman’s Wharf. We’ll take the trolley from the hotel. Most of my time in San Francisco I’ll be exploring on my own as Dear is busy with a conference there. I’ll let you know what I see next week. Enjoy your day everyone…