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.
Sunday, December 18, 2011
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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