San Francisco Pt. 2

One of my favorite places is San Francisco!  I never thought I would say that.  For a long time, I didn't even want to be in the state of California.  Now I look out my window and everyday, I see San Francisco and I’m so happy!

San Francisco has a distinctive skyline.  It has great places to go and wonderful things to see.  We’ve taken our bikes over and toured the city – that’s such a great way to see the sights!

 One Sunday, we took the bikes on the Ferry and then rode up and down the Embarcadero, stopping for coffee and sight seeing and just really enjoying the sunshine!

One time we took the bikes on BART and rode up to the grassy area past Fisherman’s Wharf to watch the Blue Angels fly.  Spectacular.

San Francisco is certainly one of my favorite places!

J

Practice for Tomorrow

If you don't start out the day with a smile, it's not too late to start practicing for tomorrow.

-- Author Unknown

J

I like living...

I like living. I have sometimes been wildly, despairingly, acutely miserable, racked with sorrow, but through it all I still know quite certainly that just to be alive is a grand thing.

-- Agatha Christie

J

Global Warming

There’s a lot of controversy over what causes global warming.  I tend not to enter the controversial arena – especially when it has to do with the weather!

I am doing a “block-of-the-month” quilt right now.  It features snow ladies and quilts.

The next block in the series came in the mail today and it solves the problem about global warming:

“Quilting causes global warming!”

No controversy there – bring them on, cuddle them up and stay warm!

J

Today

Each morning when I open my eyes I say to myself: I, not events, have the power to make me happy or unhappy today. I can choose which it shall be. Yesterday is dead, tomorrow hasn't arrived yet. I have just one day, today, and I'm going to be happy in it. 

-- Groucho Marx

J

Hyacinth

This afternoon, I had the opportunity to go to my local Trader Joe’s.  It’s a fabulous place full of great food, fun, snacks and people who are wonderful.

I decided to take a good long look at their plants and flowers today, something I don’t usually take the time to do.  Not only was it a beautiful display, but it smelled delightful.

I searched and searched for the source of the beautiful fragrance….and I found it in a hyacinth.  They were available in many colors and they all smelled like spring.

I chose a pink one for my kitchen window – the breeze catches the fragrance and transmits it all around my kitchen.  It’s lovely!

Hyacinths make me think of spring.  It’s been so nice here lately, we may actually see daffodils this week out in the yard, but the hyacinth brought spring to my home early!

J

Dinner and a Movie

It’s been a busy day.  We got a lot of things done around the house today, including having a repair man come and fix our clothes dryer.  The heating element was broken and it ran and ran and never dried a thing.

When everyone got home from work and school and sightseeing, we served up homemade enchiladas and gathered around the TV and watched a movie together. 

It’s not something we do very often, but once and awhile, it’s a good family activity.  Tonight, we all enjoyed “chillin” with dinner and movie.

Having the family together for a fun family night, including one lovely and enchanting guest from London, makes me smile!

J

Manner of Traveling

Happiness is not a station you arrive at, but a manner of traveling.

-- Margaret B. Runbeck

J

Weather

This afternoon I was listening to the news while driving home after shopping at a local craft store.  The opening line was, “It is winter….another cold front is sweeping across the east coast.”

I looked out my window to blue skies and sunshine then down to my outside temperature gauge – a balmy 64°.  I’m sorry east coast; I’m sorry football teams who had to play in below freezing temperatures! 

I don’t want to spoil the secret, but it is gorgeous in the Bay Area this week – and last week and they are saying, next week too.  I barbecued last night – I spent some time today reading on the deck with a perfectly clear view of San Francisco.  It is really nice here right now.

We have a friend visiting from London and she’s soaking up the sunshine and blue skies for all she’s worth – to take home to the rainy, dreary, cold weather at home.

The wonderful weather and the chance to wish summer here soon has me smiling today!

J

Misfortune

All misfortune is but a stepping stone to fortune.

-- Henry David Thoreau

J

Expertise

Today we were dealing with some pretty difficult things.  This world is full of difficult things.  And sometimes, it seems like the whole world is against us.  We don’t feel like anyone really has our best interests in mind and that they are only out for themselves.  It’s a very helpless feeling – and it’s hard to know what to do about it.

Thankfully, we have someone in our family who is an expert (I don’t think he would say that about himself) but he is.  He understands things about contracts and expectations and lots of things that most of us just can’t fully grasp. 

Expertise in any field is something to be very thankful for.  When you need help baking a cake or deciding which appetizer to go with – it’s really helpful if you have an expert cook to call on for advice.  If you have to alter a garment or you’re having trouble matching colors for a quilt, it’s so nice when you have an expert seamstress to help you out.  In legal matters or construction or accounting or insurance – experts – especially if they are related to us are priceless.

Expertise doesn’t have to mean that they are the best in the world.  It just means that they have enhanced understanding and they know what they are looking for and how to find it.  Usually, they are quite humble about their skills too – that makes them easy to call on for help.

Today, our expert saved the day, stopped the tears and brought hope and peace to a very helpless situation.  That is definitely something to smile about!

J

Chance

Today I had to go to the copy store to make copies.  I had to make a lot of copies, so I was standing looking out the window and waiting for the machine to finish.  I noticed a lady getting out of her car in the parking lot – she was nicely dressed and wearing red pants – she captured my attention.

She ended up coming into the copy store to make some copies too – she wanted to use the machine I was using since it was the one she was used to using.  The alternate machine wasn’t working today, so she said she was happy to wait for me to finish.

While my copy job was finishing, she noticed that I was copying quilt patterns and asked what I was all about.  I noticed immediately that she had a German accent – not overly strong, but obvious.  We talked for a bit about sewing and cooking, especially when we were young and we didn’t think it was very important to learn and how we ended up with jobs that required both cooking and sewing in our lives.

We talked about the many jobs we both had held and the people we had met and how interesting life was.  As I finished up and she began her job, we wished each other a happy and productive day and we gave each other something special …….a smile!

J

Thanksgiving Memory

A few years ago we went to my sister-in-law’s home for Thanksgiving.  It was a lot of fun being with family and spending time together.

They have a tradition in their neighborhood of a family football game on Thanksgiving morning.  It was cold, but we all bundled up and went out to the field.

There were several families gathering in the field.  Teams were formed and the fun began.  We had several young guys on our team who were playing the quarterback position, but they didn’t know any of us visitors, so every play seemed to flop.

Towards the end of the game, I said, “Hey, why don’t I throw the ball and you guys can catch it and run in for a touch down?”  They looked at me like I was crazy!  But they shrugged and tossed the ball to me.

The memory is still very rich in my mind and I smile every time I think of it.  We got set and they hiked the ball to me and I threw it right to one of the young guys and he ran in for a touch down.  The ball spiraled perfectly!  It was like a dream!

The next play we tried to throw it again, but our opponents knew what we had, so we had to run with it.  I think they called it a tie, which was fine with me.  I think all family games like that should end in a tie.

There was something special about being out there with all those kids and adults playing and having a good time together – it’s a very happy memory!

J

Laughter

With the fearful strain that is on me night and day, if I did not laugh I should die.
-- Abraham Lincoln

J

Peet’s

Often, and yet not often enough, we go to Berkeley, California for coffee.  Not just any coffee – Peet’s coffee.  We go to the Peet’s on Domingo.  It’s an old-fashioned store with a bar and five stools on one side and a short bar and two stools on the other.

The shop is right across from the Claremont Hotel and Tennis Club.  This was quite a place back in the day, and it still is very impressive.  We like to get seats at the tall bar and watch the tennis players across the street while we drink our coffee and read the paper.

The other great thing about this store is that the tall bar is in a huge window – you can see the tennis players, the people walking back and forth.  It’s a great meeting place – there are usually bicycle teams who all meet there for coffee and snacks before heading out for their ride.  There are families and businessmen and women gathered around the newspaper boxes and recycling bins eating their pastries and drinking their coffee and laughing and talking. 

Peet’s in Berkeley is a destination for me – an event…..and it always makes me smile!

J

Morning Buns

No, I’m not talking about exercise!

I’m talking about those wonderful little pastries that you can buy at bake shops and coffee shops.  I like to make my own little pastries – whenever possible.

Here’s an easy recipe to make some for yourself – they are pretty quick and delicious!

Morning Buns

1 box puff pastry

Filling:

            1/2 cup white sugar

            1/2 cup brown sugar

            Zest of 1 medium orange

            2 tablespoons ground cinnamon

            Pinch of salt

            1 egg – beaten

            Extra white sugar for coating muffin cups and for rolling finished buns

Roll out puff pastry – brush with egg – sprinkle with filling.  Bake in greased muffin cups for 20 min. at 375º.   Cool 5 minutes and roll in sugar.

J

Mirth

Mirth is God's medicine. Everybody ought to bathe in it.
-- Henry Ward Beecher

Good News

Some days are just filled with good news.  A friend had back surgery yesterday, she came through just fine and it looks like the problem was easier to fix than they first thought, so her prognosis for mobility is better – yippee!!

Another friend of a friend was in a serious accident while snowboarding and was severely injured.  He’s doing better and posted a thank you on YouTube to all those who have sent messages and prayers for him.

Good news is an exciting thing.  We all want good news every day and sometimes it seems like the good news stories are few and far between.

That reminds me of a card someone sent me a long time ago – she told me that it had been raining at her house and that the sun came out.  She looked everywhere for the rainbow, but couldn’t find it.  She encouraged me to stay strong while enduring hard times and waiting for good news by explaining to me that even though she couldn’t see the rainbow, it was there. 

If you are waiting for good news, if you’re hoping for it and you haven’t heard any in a long time, remember the rainbow – it’s there even if you can’t see it.

That simple truth makes me smile.

J

Shower or Bath

This morning it started raining….it was a really nice, soft rain.  There were two doves sitting on the rail of the deck.  They were all puffed up and fluffed out and taking advantage of the water falling on top of them.

There were other little birds flitting around and eating and enjoying the morning, but these two really had work to do.  They were really cleaning, fluffing, pecking, fluffing again.  Soon another one saw what those two were doing and joined the “shower room” on the rail.  He started the same process.  It was a pretty funny sight!

I know some people really prefer a shower over a bath.  What I learned this morning is that some birds do too! 

J

Favorite Places – Part II

Maui is one of my favorite places.  I enjoy the natural beauty of Hawaii – the trees, the foliage and especially the water.  When we went last year, the water was warmer than the air.  There was a big storm blowing in and everything was flying – including towels, water toys and deck chairs!  But the water was incredibly warm – we stayed in a long time with the wind blowing over us, thankfully the wind was crazy, but the water was pretty calm.

We really relaxed last time we were there – we enjoyed a really nice condo with a kitchen and ate most of our meals on our deck.  We read and played in the water and also went whale watching – which was a blast.  The whales were close enough to touch.  Mostly mamas and babies – which was really something to see!

Maui….you make me smile!

J

Laugh

A laugh is a smile that bursts.
-- Mary H. Waldrip

A Young Friend

Today I have been smiling because of a young friend.  This friend really has some insight.  Insight is so refreshing – especially when you don’t see it coming.

I recently found a journal I wrote when I was in my 20-somethings.  It was an eye-opener.  I’ve heard it before, “What would you tell your younger self?”  It’s a great question for talk show hosts and the answers prove to be very interesting.

I had filled that journal with the things that were going on in my life at the time – the good, the bad, and the ugly.  There were also some scriptures, comforting and encouraging me to continue onward.  There were some questions too – questions that didn’t have answers at the time.

Twenty years can do a lot for your outlook.  I found myself smiling because I’ve grown up a lot.  I also found that some of the things that were bothering me then, are things that still bother me now.  That made me smile too because at least now I can see them as things to change.  The things that I struggle with are things – they aren’t me – and I have the ability to change the way I think about them.

I’m glad I found that journal.  I’m glad I have the older, wiser eyes to read it.  I’m excited about the next twenty years and all that they will bring.

What would I tell my younger self? 

1)  Don’t sweat the small stuff.

2)  It is all small stuff – except for the lessons learned.

3)  Keep smiling.

J

Favorite Places - Part I

This is Port Angeles, Washington - one of my favorite places.  This is the view from my mother-in-law's condo - spectacular views of the water and busy port.  

These were taken at Hurricane Ridge in the Olympic National Forest - another spectacular view and gorgeous weather!  Warm enough for ice cream even though there was snow on the ground.

This was a great place to grab a bite to eat, no, I don't own it!

We spent one afternoon at  "The Place"

Port Angeles.....you make me smile!!!

J

The Heart

It takes a lot of work from the face to let out a smile, but just think what good smiling can bring to the most important muscle of the body... the heart.
-- Author Unknown

J

Hot Cocoa & Homemade Bread

I know I've been writing a lot about homemade bread lately, there are just so many good things to say about it.

Baking bread is one of those wonderful science projects that smells wonderful and tastes wonderful!  It’s pretty cool to see the flour and liquid and yeast work together and rise. 

The guys in my life love the smell of homemade bread.  The aroma really does fill the house and sometimes outside the house too.  They love it toasted with butter, or in sandwiches – it’s just good no matter how you slice it.  

One of my favorite treats is a slice of homemade bread toasted with butter joined with a cup of hot cocoa.  This is a memory too; it takes me back to when I was a small child.  Back then, (yes, I am dating myself), toast and hot cocoa were considered medicinal by most mothers, grandmothers and aunts.  I’m with them.

Hot cocoa and homemade bread toast makes me smile!

J

Surprise!

There is something really sweet about surprises.  Especially surprises that involve people who live far away showing up on your doorstep.  I’ve been thinking about those kind of surprises in my life and smiling a lot today.

Once when I got home from school, a family who we had known in Washington was sitting on our front porch – we had a great time visiting with them.  Then another time, a different family was sitting on our front lawn when we came home that was a lot of fun too.

There were times when we snuck my older brother home to surprise my mom – she was really surprised and really happy!  Once, I helped my future sister-in-law sneak into my brother’s room and surprise him.  She was supposed to be in southern California and he was in Oregon.

The thoughts about surprises started today because Jeremy’s dear friend, Ida, surprised him by showing up in Denver – well actually she hasn’t arrived yet, but she wrote him a letter that said, “Come pick me up at the airport!”  Talk about sweet!

Sweet surprises….if that doesn’t make you smile…..

J

A Good Day

Today was a good day – no particular reason – just a really nice day.  The sun was shining and the sky was blue.  I know I have a lot of weeds to pull after all the rain and many of my flowers are looking like spring….it’s a little early for spring.

I didn’t have anything particular to smile about today – just a lot of little things.  I did some mending, not my favorite thing to do, but it’s nice when it’s completed.  I made a baby blanket, that’s always fun when you think about the baby who will be cuddled up in it one day soon. 

I did a few little jobs and chores, a little sewing, some reading and emailing.  It has been just a really nice, no-big-deal, happy, sunny kind of day.  That’s something to smile about!

J

Apple Butter & Homemade Bread

Not long ago, my daughter visited my dad in Oregon and then came to visit us.  She brought me a jar of his homemade apple butter.  There is so much to say about good apple butter….but I digress.

When I was a kid, we lived in a housing development that had a swimming pool.  My younger brother and I would go every day.  Our mom would go too, she would read her book and watch us swim and play, those are some pretty sweet memories.

I have been baking homemade bread recently.  It tastes so good and it’s so much less expensive than buying it.  It’s my mom’s recipe.  She would bake it at least once a week when I was growing up – probably more often than I remember.

Now to tie up all those pieces into my memory and smile for today:  When we got back from the pool on those hot, summer afternoons, our snack – because we were really hungry – was a slice of Mom’s homemade bread with butter and apple butter on it.

So, because my dad sent that jar of apple butter and since I have homemade bread in the house – I can eat a memory!  It takes me right back to when I got home from the pool as a kid, and it makes me smile!

J

Jeremy at the Aquarium

This picture made me smile today - Jer and Jen and Jonah spent some time at the Denver Aquarium today....

J

Think Outside the Box

We had the opportunity to play Apples to Apples Junior with three of our grandsons last evening.  Apples to Apples is a great game, it gives you a glimpse into the personalities and thinking of each person who is playing. 

When it’s your turn, you put down a green apple card that has a descriptive word on it like:  cool, disgusting, happy, pleasant, etc.  Then all the other players put down their red apple cards that have nouns on them like:  Mary Poppins, candy, pickles, tooth fairy, etc.  You learn about words, associations and personalities.  You have to really think about the personality of the person you are playing to – someone may really think that pickles are happy.

Well, during one turn, our youngest grandson put down his red apple card to play to his Papa.  He wanted to make sure that his card was chosen – he came all the way around the table and put his hands over his Papa’s head and said, “Papa, think outside the box!”

We all laughed, it’s probably good advice for all of us at one time or another.  I’m not sure whose card Papa picked, but that comment is still making us smile!

J

Serious/Amusing

"In my belief, you cannot deal with the most serious things in the world unless you also understand the most amusing."

--  Sir Winston Leonard Spenser Churchill J