What a perfect day today has been, very warm but not hot, and it's not even over yet!!!! I washed the kitchen floor and vacuumed the carpets, whew, that's done for a while now. Even pulled out the fridge and cleaned under there, that was a chore that is best behind me now. It's a big fridge to pull out and clean behind, specially in a small space. It needed doing too. So now it's clean behind there, I even swept the dust off the coils where it accumulates.
Our painter Jim came by, the one who painted the inside of our home last year, and he's going to come by at the beginning of next week and do some touch ups. The paint on the edge of the kitchen countertop is getting chipped, it takes a real beating as that's where we prepare our food etc, and the paint is soft I guess, and gets chipped somewhat easily. Nice that he volunteered to do that for us. It is perhaps latex paint I can't remember.
A man in our park, Ted came by today and Lary started him playing his Native American flute for the first time, they sat outside in the warmth that is today, and they started to tootle, then later today Ted came by again and said what a good day it had been, so that is very nice to hear. He is on dialysis, and it is lovely that he might find something to entertain himself, that he truly enjoys. The flute must have drawn him already, as he bought it when he was somewhere else, likely listening to flute music played at a concert or other event.
We have been invited by Annie to go over there to her house tonight and have a flutie potluck dinner, so that should be a lot of fun. We'll pick Chip up on the way, we are taking a lasagna, we'll cook it here and wrap it up to try and keep it warm. Then I hope we will play our flutes, and make wonderful music together.
Some of Annie's friends Rick and Linda from Oakhurst will be there, and no doubt other members of our Coachella Valley flute circle, and perhaps the new flute players Barbara and Marty from our flute class will attend, we have to wait and see.
It has been way into the 70s today, cloudless blue skies, though the clouds are lightly covering over the bright blue sky as I write this at 3:30 or so this afternoon.
Last year at this time I think we were celebrating New Year's up at our clubhouse right here in our park, they are having ribs, yum yum, this year, but we are doing something a bit different this year. Our only reservation is driving on New Yera's Eve night. I think that Chip wants to leave before midnight, that will suit us just fine too.
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Friday, December 30, 2011
No dinner buffet for Lary's birthday
When we arrived at Agua Caliente to have Lary's birthday buffet dinner we were out of luck, we were surprised and quite disappointed to find out that the buffet closes both Tues and Weds, so we had to go to the Steakhouse, ouch, so that was way more expensive than we thought, though delicious for sure.
The next day the 28th we did some retail therapy. I bought a new jazz CD reduced price, Eric Clapton and Wynton Marsalis, then we ate late lunch at Manhattan in the Desert, did a few more chores and came home.
The 29th we went down to Yuma, AZ, a trip of 3 hours one way, to visit our friends Nadia and Walter from home, then we 4 went down to San Luis Rio Colorado in Mexico, another very busy Mexican border town where you park at the US border and cross over into Mexico, but it was hard to find a nice place to eat and maybe even have a margarita, so we ended up kind of wandering about aimlessly, then ate at a sandwich kind of place, and crossed back out again.
Not much to recommend that town to us although everybody we met was very friendly and helpful too, but it seems that a huge bunch of day workers in the agricultural sector live there in Mexico and cross over on foot daily to work in the fields in the US, in the famous Imperial Valley that has all the winter sunshine, so grows many of the veggie crops for the rest of the country, and likely even for export.
That area is totally flat, and there are miles and miles of cultivated fields irrigated by canals. You see the swarms of picker working in the fields, and they even have machines where the workers stand alongside an outside conveyor belt type of machine right in the fields, and do all the packaging of the veggies right there, and then load the produce on to the trucks for shipping.
Folks at home, don't forget to wash all your veggies well, very well, before you use, cook and eat them.
The next day the 28th we did some retail therapy. I bought a new jazz CD reduced price, Eric Clapton and Wynton Marsalis, then we ate late lunch at Manhattan in the Desert, did a few more chores and came home.
The 29th we went down to Yuma, AZ, a trip of 3 hours one way, to visit our friends Nadia and Walter from home, then we 4 went down to San Luis Rio Colorado in Mexico, another very busy Mexican border town where you park at the US border and cross over into Mexico, but it was hard to find a nice place to eat and maybe even have a margarita, so we ended up kind of wandering about aimlessly, then ate at a sandwich kind of place, and crossed back out again.
Not much to recommend that town to us although everybody we met was very friendly and helpful too, but it seems that a huge bunch of day workers in the agricultural sector live there in Mexico and cross over on foot daily to work in the fields in the US, in the famous Imperial Valley that has all the winter sunshine, so grows many of the veggie crops for the rest of the country, and likely even for export.
That area is totally flat, and there are miles and miles of cultivated fields irrigated by canals. You see the swarms of picker working in the fields, and they even have machines where the workers stand alongside an outside conveyor belt type of machine right in the fields, and do all the packaging of the veggies right there, and then load the produce on to the trucks for shipping.
Folks at home, don't forget to wash all your veggies well, very well, before you use, cook and eat them.
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Christmas Eve at St Anthony's Episcopal Church
Dec 24th the storm had blown itself out, and the day was just picture perfect, about 75 degrees, so that we had a chance to sit out in the warm sun in front of our trailer. What a treat that was indeed. There was no wind at all.
There is a desert church not that far from us, called St Anthony's Episcopal church where we attended Christmas Eve service last year and really enjoyed it, so this year we returned there, service at 7 PM, but this time we took a big plate of chocolate chip cookies as a contribution to the snack that they serve after the service. We met Wendy and Dave, their daughter Bronwen, and her daughter and son, Sydney and Cameron, there too.
Cameron was asked by the minister if he would carry baby Jesus up to the creche at the front of the church, and put him in it, at the beginning of the service, so he did that. Wendy kept him company, as he wasn't completely sure about going with new people he didn't know, it was so sweet to see. A lot of the congregation are very elderly, what a breath of fresh air to have some young people there at the service.
It was mostly carols, and readings, with a very good soprano singer too. And there was communion. Afterwards Wendy and Dave didn't stay for the food, but we did. It was mostly finger food, but it's a very nice gesture by the congregation to feed folks who they don't really know or see very often, at least in our case. There weren't many in attendance that night. ?They all greet and shake hands with each other during the service, which we aren't used to in our churches.
Christmas Day we opened our presents, the new Pendleton jacket is a big hit and very attractive, Lary bought 2 pairs of black jeans and slacks to go with it. And I called Sue, Jen and Hannah, and Lary called his mum and Barb, his sister. Lary gave me a buffalo horn flute, see below.
It would have been warm enough to swim Christmas day around noon, but we didn't, we were invited to Wendy and Dave's for dinner with their family at 4 PM, so off we went. We visited our friend Chip on the way, and had a Christmas toast with a bottle of champagne at his house, which was very neat of him to offer us. It was great to touch bases with him, especially when we don't have flute lessons right now during the holidays. I showed him my new bison horn flute that Lary had got me, it is lovely, and very unusual. I am so thrilled to have it. It is a shiny pointy black horn, very curved, with 5 holes in it.
You play it by lifting all 5 fingers off the holes, one at a time, unlike our Native American flutes where the ring finger or 4th hole up from the bottom stays covered always, to make the pentatonic scale. The bison flute scared Chip's dog Lucy. Must be the deep sound, the key that Lary got me is D.
We had a delicious turkey dinner that Wendy had made, and got to know Bronwen's family a bit more, Sydney is 12 and a very good competitive swimmer like her Mom used to be, and Cameron is 8, a bit shy but a mad keen player of games, so we had fun playing some of the new games and toys that they got for Christmas. We had taken some of our flutes to show Sydney and Cameron, but they didn't seem very interested in them.
We left around 8:30 or so, Wendy sent us home with some lovely presents, and more for Lary's birthday on the 27th. My favourite present was a wee art picture that Wendy got me, it is painted on sandstone, and is from Oatman, Arizona. They got it when we 4 went to Laughlin, Nevada and then over into Oatman, AZ last year on our bus trip with the Catalina travel club.
We had forgotten how much energy young kids have, and especially at Christmas time, with all that rich food, candy and new and exciting toys etc.
It seems amazing that young kids nowadays have electronic toys worth so much money, Cameron had 2 electronic gadgets, he had bought them both with his own money, but each one was worth about $200. I didn't even know what one was, though I think the other was an I Pod. We aren't up on the latest things that kids now consider essential. And of course they have cut their teeth on computers and the like, unlike our generation who had to learn them later in our lives.
After dinner there was a long Skype conversation to the family back in Nelson, so that is how they manage to keep in touch with each other. And Sydney can text her friend in Nelson using her I Pod I believe. The kids' Dad Roger stayed home in Nelson, both for work, and I believe that a family member is quite ill.
Wendy and Dave had very pretty Christmas decorations up in their house, it looked very festive, and there was a brocade cranberry colored tablecloth and napkins on the table, very pretty.
The 26th sped by, it was warm once again so we could sit outside the front of the trailer and read our books, what luxury at this time of year.
They don't have Boxing Day like we do in Canada, but there were mega sales, and the traffic jams to prove it, too. Lots of people travelling at this time of year here too. We didn't do the sales, having a very small trailer is a good idea for me, as it curbs my shopping habits. Nowhere to put more stuff!!!!!!!
Today the 27th was Lary's birthday, he walked out in the desert early this morning, I exercised in the clubhouse with the ladies here, then he opened presents, I had found 3 nice Columbia shirts for him at Stein Mart which is kind of a discounter and hooray, they fit.
He also got a fiendish crossword book, Mensa level, and a Git R done ball cap. But Lary pointed out what I hadn't noticed on the front of the cap, you seem to be staring down the barrel of a gun pointed at you!!!!!! Hmmmmmm.
We have been munching on Wendy's yummy candy and really enjoying it, especially the tiger butter, and also there is Ghirardelli peppermint Bark with dark chocolate, it is ever so good.
Today being Tuesday we had soup at the clubhouse, turkey vegetable and also pea soup, with fresh Costco bread, yum yum, and tonight we are off to Agua Caliente Casino for Lary's birthday dinner.
Today we got a Christmas card from my friend Joan, in Barcelona, he was so thrilled to let me know that we met 32 years ago, (can't be, but it is!!!!) when I lived in a big group apartment with a bunch of Catalan speaking school teachers.
And we got another Christmas card from my friend Lesley who we don't see very much any more, as she lives on the mainland and we on Vancouver Island, but the card itself is one that her Mum painted, a Christmas cowboy scene, so sweet and touching.
I am just thrilled to have it as Lesley's Mum Becky just passed away this year, well in to her nineties. She was a wonderful artist, and a very lovely person. She spent her last thirty years or so in Kelowna, her birth city, I believe. Lary and I used to visit her up there, but we hadn't seen her recently either.
The warm weather is holding for the moment, and looks as if we'll continue having temps in the 70s for New Year's too. Whoo hoo.
There is a desert church not that far from us, called St Anthony's Episcopal church where we attended Christmas Eve service last year and really enjoyed it, so this year we returned there, service at 7 PM, but this time we took a big plate of chocolate chip cookies as a contribution to the snack that they serve after the service. We met Wendy and Dave, their daughter Bronwen, and her daughter and son, Sydney and Cameron, there too.
Cameron was asked by the minister if he would carry baby Jesus up to the creche at the front of the church, and put him in it, at the beginning of the service, so he did that. Wendy kept him company, as he wasn't completely sure about going with new people he didn't know, it was so sweet to see. A lot of the congregation are very elderly, what a breath of fresh air to have some young people there at the service.
It was mostly carols, and readings, with a very good soprano singer too. And there was communion. Afterwards Wendy and Dave didn't stay for the food, but we did. It was mostly finger food, but it's a very nice gesture by the congregation to feed folks who they don't really know or see very often, at least in our case. There weren't many in attendance that night. ?They all greet and shake hands with each other during the service, which we aren't used to in our churches.
Christmas Day we opened our presents, the new Pendleton jacket is a big hit and very attractive, Lary bought 2 pairs of black jeans and slacks to go with it. And I called Sue, Jen and Hannah, and Lary called his mum and Barb, his sister. Lary gave me a buffalo horn flute, see below.
It would have been warm enough to swim Christmas day around noon, but we didn't, we were invited to Wendy and Dave's for dinner with their family at 4 PM, so off we went. We visited our friend Chip on the way, and had a Christmas toast with a bottle of champagne at his house, which was very neat of him to offer us. It was great to touch bases with him, especially when we don't have flute lessons right now during the holidays. I showed him my new bison horn flute that Lary had got me, it is lovely, and very unusual. I am so thrilled to have it. It is a shiny pointy black horn, very curved, with 5 holes in it.
You play it by lifting all 5 fingers off the holes, one at a time, unlike our Native American flutes where the ring finger or 4th hole up from the bottom stays covered always, to make the pentatonic scale. The bison flute scared Chip's dog Lucy. Must be the deep sound, the key that Lary got me is D.
We had a delicious turkey dinner that Wendy had made, and got to know Bronwen's family a bit more, Sydney is 12 and a very good competitive swimmer like her Mom used to be, and Cameron is 8, a bit shy but a mad keen player of games, so we had fun playing some of the new games and toys that they got for Christmas. We had taken some of our flutes to show Sydney and Cameron, but they didn't seem very interested in them.
We left around 8:30 or so, Wendy sent us home with some lovely presents, and more for Lary's birthday on the 27th. My favourite present was a wee art picture that Wendy got me, it is painted on sandstone, and is from Oatman, Arizona. They got it when we 4 went to Laughlin, Nevada and then over into Oatman, AZ last year on our bus trip with the Catalina travel club.
We had forgotten how much energy young kids have, and especially at Christmas time, with all that rich food, candy and new and exciting toys etc.
It seems amazing that young kids nowadays have electronic toys worth so much money, Cameron had 2 electronic gadgets, he had bought them both with his own money, but each one was worth about $200. I didn't even know what one was, though I think the other was an I Pod. We aren't up on the latest things that kids now consider essential. And of course they have cut their teeth on computers and the like, unlike our generation who had to learn them later in our lives.
After dinner there was a long Skype conversation to the family back in Nelson, so that is how they manage to keep in touch with each other. And Sydney can text her friend in Nelson using her I Pod I believe. The kids' Dad Roger stayed home in Nelson, both for work, and I believe that a family member is quite ill.
Wendy and Dave had very pretty Christmas decorations up in their house, it looked very festive, and there was a brocade cranberry colored tablecloth and napkins on the table, very pretty.
The 26th sped by, it was warm once again so we could sit outside the front of the trailer and read our books, what luxury at this time of year.
They don't have Boxing Day like we do in Canada, but there were mega sales, and the traffic jams to prove it, too. Lots of people travelling at this time of year here too. We didn't do the sales, having a very small trailer is a good idea for me, as it curbs my shopping habits. Nowhere to put more stuff!!!!!!!
Today the 27th was Lary's birthday, he walked out in the desert early this morning, I exercised in the clubhouse with the ladies here, then he opened presents, I had found 3 nice Columbia shirts for him at Stein Mart which is kind of a discounter and hooray, they fit.
He also got a fiendish crossword book, Mensa level, and a Git R done ball cap. But Lary pointed out what I hadn't noticed on the front of the cap, you seem to be staring down the barrel of a gun pointed at you!!!!!! Hmmmmmm.
We have been munching on Wendy's yummy candy and really enjoying it, especially the tiger butter, and also there is Ghirardelli peppermint Bark with dark chocolate, it is ever so good.
Today being Tuesday we had soup at the clubhouse, turkey vegetable and also pea soup, with fresh Costco bread, yum yum, and tonight we are off to Agua Caliente Casino for Lary's birthday dinner.
Today we got a Christmas card from my friend Joan, in Barcelona, he was so thrilled to let me know that we met 32 years ago, (can't be, but it is!!!!) when I lived in a big group apartment with a bunch of Catalan speaking school teachers.
And we got another Christmas card from my friend Lesley who we don't see very much any more, as she lives on the mainland and we on Vancouver Island, but the card itself is one that her Mum painted, a Christmas cowboy scene, so sweet and touching.
I am just thrilled to have it as Lesley's Mum Becky just passed away this year, well in to her nineties. She was a wonderful artist, and a very lovely person. She spent her last thirty years or so in Kelowna, her birth city, I believe. Lary and I used to visit her up there, but we hadn't seen her recently either.
The warm weather is holding for the moment, and looks as if we'll continue having temps in the 70s for New Year's too. Whoo hoo.
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Unexpected trip to Laughlin, Nevada
Lary had admired an attractive wool jacket that our friend Chip was wearing, it was made by Pendleton, wool, with a kind of indian style pattern on the front. Black in color, black sleeves, and pattern across the chest and back. So I thought it would be a great Christmas present for him.
I checked the Pendleton website, and there was a 2X one available which I ordered on line, but at the end of the order it kind of went awry, so I picked up the phone and called the order desk. The man who answered said that they were all out, and had no idea when they would be made again. Hmmm.
So then Lary and I remembered the Pendleton outlet store in Laughlin Nevada about 3 and a half hours from us here. He called them, and they put aside both a 2X and a 3X for us to come and get the following day.
Bright and early on Wednesday we headed off east toward Laughlin, it was sunny with no wind, so a perfect day for driving there. Arrived about 11:30, found the jacket at the store, and the 3X fit beautifully, so we bought it, and did a bit more retail therapy until we had to leave about 1:30 to come back home. It is a small gambling town on the border of Nevada and Arizona, but we had to bypass those pleasures for another day.
Got back home and Lary headed off alone into Palm Springs, there was an Opera tribute to Mario Lanza whose music I don't enjoy, so I stayed home and he attended it and enjoyed it a lot. I hadn't realized that Mario Lanza died at age 38. I watched a nice TV Christmas special called A Home for the Holidays, hosted by Martina McBride about adoption of children, and what a need there still is for families to adopt children of all ages here in the U.S. It was very moving and had lovely Christmas music on it, so both of us enjoyed our evening entertainment.
Today is Thursday, so that's coffee and donuts at the clubhouse at 9 AM, together with a short business meeting. They have just installed new countertops in the clubhouse kitchen area, as well as 2 commercial ovens, and kind of redesigned the whole kitchen/storage areas, so that is great.
Kitchen countertop would have looked lovely in our park model, just the right colours.
A winter storm has arrived here bringing no rain but fierce winds. Desert winter. Lucky it didn't blow when we were doing all that driving yesterday.
I checked the Pendleton website, and there was a 2X one available which I ordered on line, but at the end of the order it kind of went awry, so I picked up the phone and called the order desk. The man who answered said that they were all out, and had no idea when they would be made again. Hmmm.
So then Lary and I remembered the Pendleton outlet store in Laughlin Nevada about 3 and a half hours from us here. He called them, and they put aside both a 2X and a 3X for us to come and get the following day.
Bright and early on Wednesday we headed off east toward Laughlin, it was sunny with no wind, so a perfect day for driving there. Arrived about 11:30, found the jacket at the store, and the 3X fit beautifully, so we bought it, and did a bit more retail therapy until we had to leave about 1:30 to come back home. It is a small gambling town on the border of Nevada and Arizona, but we had to bypass those pleasures for another day.
Got back home and Lary headed off alone into Palm Springs, there was an Opera tribute to Mario Lanza whose music I don't enjoy, so I stayed home and he attended it and enjoyed it a lot. I hadn't realized that Mario Lanza died at age 38. I watched a nice TV Christmas special called A Home for the Holidays, hosted by Martina McBride about adoption of children, and what a need there still is for families to adopt children of all ages here in the U.S. It was very moving and had lovely Christmas music on it, so both of us enjoyed our evening entertainment.
Today is Thursday, so that's coffee and donuts at the clubhouse at 9 AM, together with a short business meeting. They have just installed new countertops in the clubhouse kitchen area, as well as 2 commercial ovens, and kind of redesigned the whole kitchen/storage areas, so that is great.
Kitchen countertop would have looked lovely in our park model, just the right colours.
A winter storm has arrived here bringing no rain but fierce winds. Desert winter. Lucky it didn't blow when we were doing all that driving yesterday.
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Happy birthday Di December 19th
I had a lovely birthday day. Lary gave me a pretty card, a digital metronome, and a music stand so I can read music, as I am currently playing Christmas carols, which I need the notes for. The best part was it was bright and sunny, and I went to exercise, and walked 3 miles with the ladies in the clubhouse. We use a DVD made by Leslie Sansone, I just found one at Walmart. Lary serenaded the desert when he walked outside our park for his exercise this morning.
Then we had a treat breakfast of pancakes and bacon, (doesn't take much to please us) and went off to meet Annie and Chip at Burgers and Beer in Rancho Mirage near Chip's house. Yum yum, we ladies ate cobb salad, the men (flutie brothers) ate burgers, and we had a lazy time chatting with each other til about 3 PM.
Lary and I did a bit of retail damage, and then at about 7:30 we returned to Miracle Springs hotel and spa for a delicious dinner, New York steak for Lary and steak and scampi for me. Good service, grand prices, and a nice atmosphere.
We discovered from the waiter Neil that the Capri restaurant had been lower down in Desert Hot Springs, and it just moved in September into Miracle Springs Hotel. It is very nice, and quite quiet on a Monday night, though there appeared to be some folks staying at the hotel. It has 8 pools and a lovely spa, so guess it is a nice destination for some people. Some rooms have pool views, other rooms have mountain views.
Today Tuesday we went over to get one of Lary's Phonac hearing aids repaired, it needed to be sent back to the factory for repairs, so now he's only one eared for a time. The technician was very nice, originally from Holland, now here for 16 years, and married to an American that he met while traveling.
We had a late lunch at a Mexican place, it was good and filling too.
Lazy afternoon, we have been searching for a Pendleton jacket for Lary, the factory is all sold out, but we located one over in Laughlin, Nevada, so they are holding it til we arrive tomorrow. It's about 3 hours from here.
Tomorrow Wednesday Lary is going to a Mario Lanza tribute concert in the evening, but I am not going as I don't enjoy his voice at all for some reason. Hope we get back from Laughlin in time, the show is at 7 PM in Palm Springs at the Annenberg Theatre.
Then we had a treat breakfast of pancakes and bacon, (doesn't take much to please us) and went off to meet Annie and Chip at Burgers and Beer in Rancho Mirage near Chip's house. Yum yum, we ladies ate cobb salad, the men (flutie brothers) ate burgers, and we had a lazy time chatting with each other til about 3 PM.
Lary and I did a bit of retail damage, and then at about 7:30 we returned to Miracle Springs hotel and spa for a delicious dinner, New York steak for Lary and steak and scampi for me. Good service, grand prices, and a nice atmosphere.
We discovered from the waiter Neil that the Capri restaurant had been lower down in Desert Hot Springs, and it just moved in September into Miracle Springs Hotel. It is very nice, and quite quiet on a Monday night, though there appeared to be some folks staying at the hotel. It has 8 pools and a lovely spa, so guess it is a nice destination for some people. Some rooms have pool views, other rooms have mountain views.
Today Tuesday we went over to get one of Lary's Phonac hearing aids repaired, it needed to be sent back to the factory for repairs, so now he's only one eared for a time. The technician was very nice, originally from Holland, now here for 16 years, and married to an American that he met while traveling.
We had a late lunch at a Mexican place, it was good and filling too.
Lazy afternoon, we have been searching for a Pendleton jacket for Lary, the factory is all sold out, but we located one over in Laughlin, Nevada, so they are holding it til we arrive tomorrow. It's about 3 hours from here.
Tomorrow Wednesday Lary is going to a Mario Lanza tribute concert in the evening, but I am not going as I don't enjoy his voice at all for some reason. Hope we get back from Laughlin in time, the show is at 7 PM in Palm Springs at the Annenberg Theatre.
Sunday, December 18, 2011
Lazy Sunday here in DHS
Woke up this morning and Wendy and Dave came over for a very quick cup of coffee and to drop off a birthday present for me as they are heading off to San Diego with their daughter and grandkids for a couple of nights.
Their daughter and her family had missed their flight last night, due to icy fog, so they overnighted in Spokane I think it was, then flew down today, arriving at noon.
Wendy and Dave gave me a lovely bone china strawberry mug, a matching coaster for it, and a small tray that also matches. Then they gave me a bookmark that Wendy had made, and a lovely soft turquoise blue shawl. Wendy had made the sweet birthday card too.
And a box of Wendy's homemade candy. Well the candy disappeared rapidly, it was just delicious, my personal favourite was the peanut butter tasting slice, but there were 2 kinds of whaite chocolate bark, and a chocolate covered thin bar.
It rained a little today, but feels a bit warmer, perhaps due to the rain, so we kind of stayed put in the house, I Di played Christmas carols on my flutes, and Lary read.
Then we put up a small string of lights around our stairs again, the last string broke just as I finished duct taping it in place. Grrrrr.
Had leftovers for dinner and now Lary is watching the final episode of Survivor. I am organizing a cupboard.
Their daughter and her family had missed their flight last night, due to icy fog, so they overnighted in Spokane I think it was, then flew down today, arriving at noon.
Wendy and Dave gave me a lovely bone china strawberry mug, a matching coaster for it, and a small tray that also matches. Then they gave me a bookmark that Wendy had made, and a lovely soft turquoise blue shawl. Wendy had made the sweet birthday card too.
And a box of Wendy's homemade candy. Well the candy disappeared rapidly, it was just delicious, my personal favourite was the peanut butter tasting slice, but there were 2 kinds of whaite chocolate bark, and a chocolate covered thin bar.
It rained a little today, but feels a bit warmer, perhaps due to the rain, so we kind of stayed put in the house, I Di played Christmas carols on my flutes, and Lary read.
Then we put up a small string of lights around our stairs again, the last string broke just as I finished duct taping it in place. Grrrrr.
Had leftovers for dinner and now Lary is watching the final episode of Survivor. I am organizing a cupboard.
Dinner and Dance at the clubhouse
Lary and I did a bit of shopping today, Westfield Mall was totally bezerk, as was the parking lot. Then we attended a very pleasant dance up at our clubhouse this evening. The band was Remember When, a man and woman from Idyllwild who play guitar and a keyboard and both sang. It was such fun. They played very well and it was such fun because nearly everybody there was up dancing to nearly every number that they played.
Dinner was roast chicken, yum yum, and some kind of delicious Texas potatoes which I think have sour cream in them, plus carrots and peas. Dessert was ice cream and brownies, and it was yummy. Lary and I helped serve the dessert, and clean up after dinner, wash and dry the dishes etc. Gather up the butter etc. from the tables.
The band played until 10 o'clock, and we stayed right til the end. I am gradually getting to know the people in the park and it is making a big difference to me.
Dinner was roast chicken, yum yum, and some kind of delicious Texas potatoes which I think have sour cream in them, plus carrots and peas. Dessert was ice cream and brownies, and it was yummy. Lary and I helped serve the dessert, and clean up after dinner, wash and dry the dishes etc. Gather up the butter etc. from the tables.
The band played until 10 o'clock, and we stayed right til the end. I am gradually getting to know the people in the park and it is making a big difference to me.
Friday, December 16, 2011
Putting up the lights today-at least trying to.....
I Di was putting up lights around our tiny entrance steps today, and just as I finished taping them all in place with tons of duct tape I broke the string, broke the wire that is, and half the flippin' string went out. Oh drat it anyhow, back to the drawing boards. Grrrrrr.
We have Santa Ana winds happening, that is wind coming from the interior of the country, from the desert, not from the ocean or west, it is interesting to see all the huge windmills turned in the opposite direction from what we are accustomed to.
Christmas shopping mostly done, and largely delivered, so that's great. Now we can relax and have fun.
We asked Annie and Chip to join us for lunch on Monday December 19th, should be nice. Annie is heading off to her daughter's place for a short while over Xmas.
We have Santa Ana winds happening, that is wind coming from the interior of the country, from the desert, not from the ocean or west, it is interesting to see all the huge windmills turned in the opposite direction from what we are accustomed to.
Christmas shopping mostly done, and largely delivered, so that's great. Now we can relax and have fun.
We asked Annie and Chip to join us for lunch on Monday December 19th, should be nice. Annie is heading off to her daughter's place for a short while over Xmas.
Flute playing today at the Santa Rosa San Jacinto monument
Today was such a nice day, despite storm warnings it was sunny and mostly bright. We all met up at the monument, 5 of us students, and Annie our teacher. The park is high up above Palm Desert and has a kind of serene desert magic about it.
We played our flutes outside, I had a new flute of a different type than my usual, it is a key of C Anasazi flute, so it can play both minor and major scales, and has the most lovely deep sound. It was made by Stephen DeRuby, who lives right near where we were for the Yosemite Flute Festival in September, in Oakhurst, CA.
It's cedar, as it has a beautiful smell too, and a very long slim body. He made it specially for me, a leftie, the lower holes curve off to the left side so they are easier to reach. He has a special mouthpiece on them making them easier to blow. To get a minor scale you play 2 notes together as one, and to get a major scale you play 2 other notes together as one. It's very fascinating.
Annie had her amp and mike, we had taken chocolate peppermint bark to munch on, and we were mostly dressed in bright Christmas red and black, so we all looked very festive. The 2 new students who have only been playing for 4 months are doing incredibly well.
We exchanged Christmas cards and wee gifties, it was fun. We had compliments on our playing too from folks visiting the monument, and there was a group of painters painting the desert scenery outdoors. Also they have several bird feeders nearby, that are very busy with bird activity, and a busy hummingbird feeder,so it contributes to the overall feeling of enchantment.
Annie also brought me my new decorative stepping stone that I had made in her workshop one morning, it turned out very nicely too. It felt great to create something pretty.
A storm was forecast but seems to have mostly passed us by, we got a few drops of rain and some very black clouds passed over us, the winds are coming from the east and the desert, which is different from those that come from the west and the ocean.
When it rains we try to tuck the golf cart under our aluminum awning at home, as the seats get very wet otherwise.
Earlier this week on Monday there was a board meeting which all owners attend here in our park, it is interesting to hear the business discussion about running the park, and the members' suggestions.
Tuesday we went over to Chip's around noon, he fed us and Annie chicken noodle soup, and we played our flutes a bit, and showed him how the amp and mini mike works that hooks right up to your flute itself. It was a happy afternoon.
Wednesday I, Di went out with Wendy and another friend from Victoria, Yvette, to the Jackalope Ranch for lunch. Both Yvette and I have December birthdays. Yvette showed us around Sun City where she rents a room in a house from a lady, it is a very impressive development with tons and tons of amenities, it has about 5000 houses, and a beautiful golf course and clubhouse, with many many organized activities and clubs. Lary and I were there last winter for a symphony concert. Yvette golfs, and is making jewellry, among her other activities. She is renting a room from a lady, she showed us the house before we went to lunch.
It was warm enough to sit out on the deck in the gardens at Jackalope Ranch, so we had a nice visit together, and a delicious lunch, then we shopped a bit before I dropped Yvette off at her place, and Wendy and I had a cuppa tea at her house. It looks so pretty decorated for Christmas, and it is very pretty looking out on the golf course from inside their house. Dave can golf right there. They overlook the second tee on a 9 hole course. Wendy and Dave's daughter and 2 children are arriving soon for 2 weeks.
That brings me to this morning, we had coffee and doughnuts up at the clubhouse, and had a short business meeting. When you attend them, you hear what's going on around our park, both business and social events. Our clubhouse is being renovated, new commercial ovens installed, and new countertops installed in the kitchen area. A utility room has been redone, and improved. Very positive.
We played our flutes outside, I had a new flute of a different type than my usual, it is a key of C Anasazi flute, so it can play both minor and major scales, and has the most lovely deep sound. It was made by Stephen DeRuby, who lives right near where we were for the Yosemite Flute Festival in September, in Oakhurst, CA.
It's cedar, as it has a beautiful smell too, and a very long slim body. He made it specially for me, a leftie, the lower holes curve off to the left side so they are easier to reach. He has a special mouthpiece on them making them easier to blow. To get a minor scale you play 2 notes together as one, and to get a major scale you play 2 other notes together as one. It's very fascinating.
Annie had her amp and mike, we had taken chocolate peppermint bark to munch on, and we were mostly dressed in bright Christmas red and black, so we all looked very festive. The 2 new students who have only been playing for 4 months are doing incredibly well.
We exchanged Christmas cards and wee gifties, it was fun. We had compliments on our playing too from folks visiting the monument, and there was a group of painters painting the desert scenery outdoors. Also they have several bird feeders nearby, that are very busy with bird activity, and a busy hummingbird feeder,so it contributes to the overall feeling of enchantment.
Annie also brought me my new decorative stepping stone that I had made in her workshop one morning, it turned out very nicely too. It felt great to create something pretty.
A storm was forecast but seems to have mostly passed us by, we got a few drops of rain and some very black clouds passed over us, the winds are coming from the east and the desert, which is different from those that come from the west and the ocean.
When it rains we try to tuck the golf cart under our aluminum awning at home, as the seats get very wet otherwise.
Earlier this week on Monday there was a board meeting which all owners attend here in our park, it is interesting to hear the business discussion about running the park, and the members' suggestions.
Tuesday we went over to Chip's around noon, he fed us and Annie chicken noodle soup, and we played our flutes a bit, and showed him how the amp and mini mike works that hooks right up to your flute itself. It was a happy afternoon.
Wednesday I, Di went out with Wendy and another friend from Victoria, Yvette, to the Jackalope Ranch for lunch. Both Yvette and I have December birthdays. Yvette showed us around Sun City where she rents a room in a house from a lady, it is a very impressive development with tons and tons of amenities, it has about 5000 houses, and a beautiful golf course and clubhouse, with many many organized activities and clubs. Lary and I were there last winter for a symphony concert. Yvette golfs, and is making jewellry, among her other activities. She is renting a room from a lady, she showed us the house before we went to lunch.
It was warm enough to sit out on the deck in the gardens at Jackalope Ranch, so we had a nice visit together, and a delicious lunch, then we shopped a bit before I dropped Yvette off at her place, and Wendy and I had a cuppa tea at her house. It looks so pretty decorated for Christmas, and it is very pretty looking out on the golf course from inside their house. Dave can golf right there. They overlook the second tee on a 9 hole course. Wendy and Dave's daughter and 2 children are arriving soon for 2 weeks.
That brings me to this morning, we had coffee and doughnuts up at the clubhouse, and had a short business meeting. When you attend them, you hear what's going on around our park, both business and social events. Our clubhouse is being renovated, new commercial ovens installed, and new countertops installed in the kitchen area. A utility room has been redone, and improved. Very positive.
Monday, December 12, 2011
Rainy and chilly today
Whew we felt right at home today as it poured with rain this afternoon. We attended a board meeting today, the board runs our park and it is interesting to attend the meetings.
The main front gates have been closed so far this season, needing a clicker to open, which means that the park doesn't appear to be very friendly, and also people with units to sell have no way of showing them to prospective buyers. And when you have trades people come, they have to phone you at the gate to be let in, a bit of a cumbersome process. There was quite a bit of discussion about that.
I Di have volunteered to be on the next entertainment committee, so I was introduced at the meeting, along with other folks wanting to do the same. Should be interesting and I thought that would be a good way of giving back, and also getting to know more folks, and see how the park is run.
After the meeting we went to Desert Hot Springs for a few errands, and to post some Christmas presents, then came home and stayed in while it rained. Higher up in the mountains snow is forecast and chains are required up high in places near Idyllwild. Rain here can be more dangerous than home, the soil doesn't absorb the water as quickly as at home, and the puddles can be very dangerous.
More showers for Tuesday, then another storm rolling in after that. Hmmmmm.
Last night we watched a program about the Christmas decorations in progress in the White House this year, it was very interesting.
Got 2 Christmas cards today, a red letter day for us both getting news from home. We already had 2 so that's 4. Whoopee.
We have 3 big red bows on our white vinyl fence, and a couple big red bows on the front of our park model trailer. It looks somewhat festive, and tomorrow I want to put up some lights, too around our front stairs. Not much space/place inside for many decorations.
I have wrapped our Xmas presents for friends already. There was a religious march near here today related to Our Lady of Guadalupe, about 4000 marchers in the desert towns. Interesting tradition, reminded me of my time in Spain.
That's it for today.
The main front gates have been closed so far this season, needing a clicker to open, which means that the park doesn't appear to be very friendly, and also people with units to sell have no way of showing them to prospective buyers. And when you have trades people come, they have to phone you at the gate to be let in, a bit of a cumbersome process. There was quite a bit of discussion about that.
I Di have volunteered to be on the next entertainment committee, so I was introduced at the meeting, along with other folks wanting to do the same. Should be interesting and I thought that would be a good way of giving back, and also getting to know more folks, and see how the park is run.
After the meeting we went to Desert Hot Springs for a few errands, and to post some Christmas presents, then came home and stayed in while it rained. Higher up in the mountains snow is forecast and chains are required up high in places near Idyllwild. Rain here can be more dangerous than home, the soil doesn't absorb the water as quickly as at home, and the puddles can be very dangerous.
More showers for Tuesday, then another storm rolling in after that. Hmmmmm.
Last night we watched a program about the Christmas decorations in progress in the White House this year, it was very interesting.
Got 2 Christmas cards today, a red letter day for us both getting news from home. We already had 2 so that's 4. Whoopee.
We have 3 big red bows on our white vinyl fence, and a couple big red bows on the front of our park model trailer. It looks somewhat festive, and tomorrow I want to put up some lights, too around our front stairs. Not much space/place inside for many decorations.
I have wrapped our Xmas presents for friends already. There was a religious march near here today related to Our Lady of Guadalupe, about 4000 marchers in the desert towns. Interesting tradition, reminded me of my time in Spain.
That's it for today.
Sunday, December 11, 2011
How did we arrive at December 11th so fast?
Whoops, was sure more than a little lax in posting. Sorry to all who have been checking our site in vain for news.
Dec 7th Annie and I Di did a workshop making a decorative stepping stone, out of a kind of concrete that you pour into a mold and then decorate. Annie had made lots of them so she knew how to organize it very well. We designed the face of the stone first on a piece of white paper with the shape of the mold drawn on it.
Both of us did different scenes, I had no idea at first but loved some nice sea shells that she had, so made a beach scene, using some shells, and beach glass for the grass, water and waves, and added 2 curving palm trees, with the leaves made out of pretty beach glass, and white fluffy clouds in the sky. Like a lot of art projects you do, it seems that sometimes the image almost pops out unplanned, and that was kind of what occurred this time.
Then we mixed up the goopy cement mix in a bucket with water, and poured that into the mold, and transferred our picture bits and pieces over into the cement, which set up pretty quickly.
I should add that the stones aren't used for stepping on, but more for decoration perhaps on a fence, or in a special place in the garden somewhere. Annie has some lovely stepping stones already made at her house, she made a scene kind of like a garden with a flower today, and it incorporated bits of jewellry as well as glass.
She also has one that includes part of a lovely bone china coffee cup. I have seen some stones that incorporate shards of broken china that are very pretty. A most satisfactory morning's activity for both of us.
That evening we went to the last Marine Corps Band concert for this area as the band is being disbanded, and the members heading off to join other bands. It was good although the drumming was very loud and at times drowned out other instruments.
Wendy and Dave joined us, it was free, you just were asked to bring an unwrapped toy for a child, or a donation of food for the food bank. They collect a lot at these concerts, there were about 3000 people there, in the convention centre of Palm Springs. Lovely Christmas music, nice singers, too.
Thursday was a regular weekly coffee morning meeting at our park, they discuss the business of the park as it's member run and driven, which is very interesting to be involved in. No flute lesson this week, we are down to twice monthly, but 3 hours or so each lesson, and we are now 5 flute players, a very interesting mix.
Friday the Gromlings and Mel and Ruth Savage asked us to join them for dinner out, we went up the hill in Desert Hot Springs to the second spa, not sure of the name, just found the business card, it's Capri Italian restaurant in Miracle Springs Resort and Spa. We had the most perfectly cooked steaks, and enjoyed super company making new friends from our park. Came back and watched Gold Rush on the Discovery Channel, one of our park residents, Chris D is in it, they are looking for gold in either the Yukon or Alaska, I can't remember which, but it was interesting.
Saturday morning we went over to Caliente Springs, across the street from our park, they were having a crafts sale, so we mooched about. Our neighbour here in the park makes lovely jewellry, so we visited with her. We also found a park model listed for sale on their board, so we poked around that house but couldn't see in. Nice location though, the park is much bigger than ours, with RV areas in it as well.
In the evening we went to a ham and scalloped dinner at the clubhouse, and then stayed for the dance. The DJ wasn't good, he thought he could sing, but not so much!!!!! He would have done better just playing music CDs. We left before the dance was finished, as did many others. Oh dear. Dinner was yummy, and we volunteered to serve dessert and cleanup afterward.
Today Sunday we went to the College of the Desert weekend market, it is enormous, tons of booths selling all sorts of merchandise, on the grounds of a huge college in Palm Desert. Got some more Christmas things, and bumped into Wendy and Dave and had lunch together. We were in shorts and shirts.
Our weather is changing once more, it was in the higher 60s today- but in the shade it was darned chilly, all the merchants were wearing coats, they set up very early as the market starts at 7 AM til 2 PM each weekend day. And they stand under their canopies, it's not that warm at the moment. We are in for rain on the valley floor and snow on the local mountains, so that is winter showing her strength once again.
As I have said before the desert needs to renew itself once more in the circle of life.
Came home tonight and wrapped the presents I have bought, and watched how the White House was decorated for Christmas this year under the Obamas reign.
Dec 7th Annie and I Di did a workshop making a decorative stepping stone, out of a kind of concrete that you pour into a mold and then decorate. Annie had made lots of them so she knew how to organize it very well. We designed the face of the stone first on a piece of white paper with the shape of the mold drawn on it.
Both of us did different scenes, I had no idea at first but loved some nice sea shells that she had, so made a beach scene, using some shells, and beach glass for the grass, water and waves, and added 2 curving palm trees, with the leaves made out of pretty beach glass, and white fluffy clouds in the sky. Like a lot of art projects you do, it seems that sometimes the image almost pops out unplanned, and that was kind of what occurred this time.
Then we mixed up the goopy cement mix in a bucket with water, and poured that into the mold, and transferred our picture bits and pieces over into the cement, which set up pretty quickly.
I should add that the stones aren't used for stepping on, but more for decoration perhaps on a fence, or in a special place in the garden somewhere. Annie has some lovely stepping stones already made at her house, she made a scene kind of like a garden with a flower today, and it incorporated bits of jewellry as well as glass.
She also has one that includes part of a lovely bone china coffee cup. I have seen some stones that incorporate shards of broken china that are very pretty. A most satisfactory morning's activity for both of us.
That evening we went to the last Marine Corps Band concert for this area as the band is being disbanded, and the members heading off to join other bands. It was good although the drumming was very loud and at times drowned out other instruments.
Wendy and Dave joined us, it was free, you just were asked to bring an unwrapped toy for a child, or a donation of food for the food bank. They collect a lot at these concerts, there were about 3000 people there, in the convention centre of Palm Springs. Lovely Christmas music, nice singers, too.
Thursday was a regular weekly coffee morning meeting at our park, they discuss the business of the park as it's member run and driven, which is very interesting to be involved in. No flute lesson this week, we are down to twice monthly, but 3 hours or so each lesson, and we are now 5 flute players, a very interesting mix.
Friday the Gromlings and Mel and Ruth Savage asked us to join them for dinner out, we went up the hill in Desert Hot Springs to the second spa, not sure of the name, just found the business card, it's Capri Italian restaurant in Miracle Springs Resort and Spa. We had the most perfectly cooked steaks, and enjoyed super company making new friends from our park. Came back and watched Gold Rush on the Discovery Channel, one of our park residents, Chris D is in it, they are looking for gold in either the Yukon or Alaska, I can't remember which, but it was interesting.
Saturday morning we went over to Caliente Springs, across the street from our park, they were having a crafts sale, so we mooched about. Our neighbour here in the park makes lovely jewellry, so we visited with her. We also found a park model listed for sale on their board, so we poked around that house but couldn't see in. Nice location though, the park is much bigger than ours, with RV areas in it as well.
In the evening we went to a ham and scalloped dinner at the clubhouse, and then stayed for the dance. The DJ wasn't good, he thought he could sing, but not so much!!!!! He would have done better just playing music CDs. We left before the dance was finished, as did many others. Oh dear. Dinner was yummy, and we volunteered to serve dessert and cleanup afterward.
Today Sunday we went to the College of the Desert weekend market, it is enormous, tons of booths selling all sorts of merchandise, on the grounds of a huge college in Palm Desert. Got some more Christmas things, and bumped into Wendy and Dave and had lunch together. We were in shorts and shirts.
Our weather is changing once more, it was in the higher 60s today- but in the shade it was darned chilly, all the merchants were wearing coats, they set up very early as the market starts at 7 AM til 2 PM each weekend day. And they stand under their canopies, it's not that warm at the moment. We are in for rain on the valley floor and snow on the local mountains, so that is winter showing her strength once again.
As I have said before the desert needs to renew itself once more in the circle of life.
Came home tonight and wrapped the presents I have bought, and watched how the White House was decorated for Christmas this year under the Obamas reign.
Monday, December 5, 2011
Whoops, we are a little behind
Hello there, we have been doing a lot since we last posted. Sorry about that.
We started our flute classes once again with Annie, twice a month, Thursdays, for 3 hours. Now we are 5 students, so that is a different dynamic, but good.
Friday night we returned to the flute circle, Coachella Valley Flute circle is the name, and we had about 2.5 hours of wonderful fluting and didge playing. Some new folks and some from before, in all a terrific dynamic though Chip wasn't there. Boo hoo. Al H took one of Lary's internet purchased flutes and built a new bridge for it, plus a metal base plate under that, so now it plays.
At our flute class I felt left out kind of as neither of us had an Anasazi type flute, some of the students have them made by Stephen De Ruby, so I ordered one, it is going to be weird as now we can play both major and minor scales, but their sound is so incredible I wanted to try it. They have thumb holes at the bottom of the flute, so that is an added complication. It is being made for me as I play left handed, so it might arrive before Christmas, the delivery service is pretty incredible down here.
Got my hair cut today after the most incredible candy making workshop that Chip gave at his home. He made 3 kinds of candy confections, and are they ever good. We each had a goodie bag of candy to take home at the end of the class.
We started our flute classes once again with Annie, twice a month, Thursdays, for 3 hours. Now we are 5 students, so that is a different dynamic, but good.
Friday night we returned to the flute circle, Coachella Valley Flute circle is the name, and we had about 2.5 hours of wonderful fluting and didge playing. Some new folks and some from before, in all a terrific dynamic though Chip wasn't there. Boo hoo. Al H took one of Lary's internet purchased flutes and built a new bridge for it, plus a metal base plate under that, so now it plays.
At our flute class I felt left out kind of as neither of us had an Anasazi type flute, some of the students have them made by Stephen De Ruby, so I ordered one, it is going to be weird as now we can play both major and minor scales, but their sound is so incredible I wanted to try it. They have thumb holes at the bottom of the flute, so that is an added complication. It is being made for me as I play left handed, so it might arrive before Christmas, the delivery service is pretty incredible down here.
Got my hair cut today after the most incredible candy making workshop that Chip gave at his home. He made 3 kinds of candy confections, and are they ever good. We each had a goodie bag of candy to take home at the end of the class.
Sunday, December 4, 2011
New Blog address for our followers
Hello there, we have moved to a new blogger address.
It is the same address we had but you just put 2 at the end of
the name of our blog, before the blogspot.com and you should find us there now.
Please visit us there.
Hugs, D & L
It is the same address we had but you just put 2 at the end of
the name of our blog, before the blogspot.com and you should find us there now.
Please visit us there.
Hugs, D & L
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