Through The Woods And To The Beach

This past Tuesday, we packed an overnight bag and the dogs hopped into the car and off we went to the beach.

Our halfway stop gave the dogs a chance to go for a  walk and then hang-out as we enjoyed some Sonic Burgers which we had never eaten in the past. It is like an old fashioned drive-in hamburger stop with a car hop on roller blades if you want to order from your car. You can eat in your car or at picnic tables. And, of course, you can eat indoors.  We were able to tie the dogs next to our picnic table. The food was good and it was fun for all.

 

Santa Cruz Mountain Highway

Santa Cruz Beach with Boardwalk and Amusement Park in the background.

We walked to the end of the wharf to check out a favorite restaurant of mine,  from many years past,  that serves the very best Clam Chowder. The wind was really blowing and it was quite cold! And, does he look happy? He tells me he is!
  

We decided to start collecting some ornaments to decorate our Christmas tree this coming Christmas, so it will be personalized as our tree.  Well, it was just eight days ago when we were in the grocery store line waiting to check out when I turned to look at the man in my life and he said to me "I am as happy as a clam". I didn't give it much thought other than the fact that I really liked what he said,  until I was in a shop in Santa Cruz looking for an ornament. And, much to my surprise, hanging on the ornament rack in front of my face was this darling ornament. I could hardly believe it. I bought it and returned to my man who was waiting outside with our dogs. I don't think I was in the store more than five minutes and we had our ornament.

In the evening we had dinner reservations for 7:30 PM at the Crow's Nest on The Santa Cruz Yacht Harbor. We had a window seat and the view of the lighthouse and many types of  boats was spectacular. 

We enjoyed steamed clams and I ordered the Hawaiian Opaka Paka with macadamia nuts in a soy ginger sauce. I topped it off with blueberry key lime pie. I had a happy tummy!

It looks like we liked the steamed clams.

The next day we enjoyed the sights of Capitola and had coffee and Cinnamon Crumb Cake at Mr Toots Coffee House.

This is some of the fun that was going on at the beach.

And, then there was this "eye catcher" of a vehicle in the parking lot.

 

We had a wonderful time.

We are continuing with our counseling and day by day our love for one another is being renewed - and getting stronger!

Have a great day and hug the ones you love!

Maybe, It Is Time

To Pop In And Say Hello. I just can't seem to stay away from my blog and all of your blogs for very long. I am doing quite well and enjoying some time away on mini trips to places here and there with the man in my life.

Last weeek, we drove "up the hill" on Highway 4 to Lake Alpine in Stanislaus National Forest. It is a small, scenic reservoir located in a timbered setting at an elevation of 7350 feet. It covers 180 acres at a depth of 40 feet.

And then we continued on for eight more miles to  Mosquito Lake which is at an elevation of 7,882 feet.  We enjoyed the beauty of the lakes and marveled at seeing snow on the ground at this time of year.

The thunderhead clouds were beautiful and everywhere, but we did not get the thunder storms. And, that suited us just fine.

 

The lake was higher than I have ever seen it. With the late in the season rains and snow, the lakes are filled with water this year.

Yes, that is some of the snow still on the ground at an elevation of 7350 feet.  

We stopped for a restful picnic near the edge of Lake Alpine. Unfortuneately, the mosquitos were very very pesky and swarming around us and it felt like they were biting us.  But, much to our amazment neither one of us had any mosquito bites (not a single one) when we got home. 

This photo shows quite a lot of snow on the rocks around Mosquito Lake. 

It was a very good day.

Wishing you a Fabulous Day.

Taking A Break

Needless to say, my life has been in quite a lot of turmoil as of late. I think it is best for me to take a little break from regular blogging. New challenges have been put before me that need all of my attention. The man in my life has asked for my forgiveness and requested that I attend couple-counseling to resolve the serious issues we experienced recently. He scheduled an appointment with someone we agreed upon and we have been attending. 

I am strong in my belief that actions are more important then words! God is giving me strength day by day and I am healing in body and spirit, but it is slow. I carry no expectations and I am living in the moment as much as possible. TRUST is a huge word for me at this time ! ! ! 

On a lighter note. I think the next image pretty well depicts how empty I have been feeling. I am working on filling my self with everything that makes me the person that I have been and the person I want to be.  

I guess that really was not on a lighter note - but the image really spoke to me when I saw it. Can you tell, I am just "plain ol' tired".

Thank you for all the support and love from blogging friends. 

 

I hope all of you are having Happy Wonderful Summer Days.

Happy 4th Of July Weekend

If my life had a time slot for me to do some patchwork, applique and quilting, I could see this design used for a beautiful quilt. Actually, any size, even a wall hanging for different patriotic seasons of the year. But, at this time, I guess my red, white and blue flowers in the garden will have to be my patriotic quilt.

Words For Thought from 1923

For many years, I have enjoyed the writings of Kahlil Gabran pronounced (Ha-lil) ( Joo-bran) who lived from 1883 to 1931. He was a Lebanese born poet, philosopher and artist. I first became acquainted with his writings when I somehow had the opportunity to read his 1923 writing On Children when my own children were growing up.

In THE PROPHET, he writes - - - - - - -

On  Love

When love beckons to you, follow him,

Though his ways are hard and steep.

And when his wings enfold you yield to him,

Though the sword hidden among his pinions may wound you.

And when he speaks to you believe in him,

Though his voice may shatter your dreams

as the north wind lays waste the garden.



For even as love crowns you so shall he crucify you. Even as he is for your growth so is he for your pruning.

Even as he ascends to your height and caresses your tenderest branches that quiver in the sun,

So shall he descend to your roots and shake them in their clinging to the earth.



Like sheaves of corn he gathers you unto himself.

He threshes you to make you naked.

He sifts you to free you from your husks.

He grinds you to whiteness.

He kneads you until you are pliant;

And then he assigns you to his sacred fire, that you may become sacred bread for God's sacred feast.



All these things shall love do unto you that you may know the secrets of your heart, and in that knowledge become a fragment of Life's heart.



But if in your fear you would seek only love's peace and love's pleasure,

Then it is better for you that you cover your nakedness and pass out of love's threshing-floor,

Into the seasonless world where you shall laugh, but not all of your laughter, and weep, but not all of your tears.

Love gives naught but itself and takes naught but from itself.

Love possesses not nor would it be possessed;

For love is sufficient unto love.



When you love you should not say, "God is in my heart," but rather, "I am in the heart of God."

And think not you can direct the course of love, for love, if it finds you worthy, directs your course.



Love has no other desire but to fulfill itself.

But if you love and must needs have desires, let these be your desires:

To melt and be like a running brook that sings its melody to the night.

To know the pain of too much tenderness.

To be wounded by your own understanding of love;

And to bleed willingly and joyfully.

To wake at dawn with a winged heart and give thanks for another day of loving;

To rest at the noon hour and meditate love's ecstasy;

To return home at eventide with gratitude;

And then to sleep with a prayer for the beloved in your heart and a song of praise upon your lips.On Love

Forgive Me Flowers

Lessons

Smile

Today has been a very difficult day. But, I tried to smile. I went to church services and felt overwhelmed with my situation and the profound saddness of love lost. A dear friend came to my aid as I had to leave abruptly before the end. 

God given strength will carry me through. But, the journey will be long. Please, pray for me!

Blessings to all of you on this Beautiful Summer Sunday.

My Dog Lily - You Are Special

JUST MY DOG

She is my other eyes that can see above the clouds;

my other ears that hear above the winds.

She is the part of me that can reach out into the sea.

She has told me a thousand times over that I am her reason for being;

by the way she rests against my leg;

by the way she thumps her tail at my smallest smile;

by the way she shows her hurt when I leave without her.

She probably worries when she is not along to care for me.

When I am wrong, she is delighted to forgive.

When I am angry, she clowns to make me smile.

When I am happy, she is joy unbounded.

When I am a fool, she ignores it.

When I succeed, she brags.

Without her, I am only another woman.

With her, I am all-powerful.

She is loyalty itself.

She has taught me the meaning of devotion.

With her, I know a secret comfort and a private peace.

She has brought me understanding where before I was ignorant.

Her head on my knee can heal my human hurts.

Her presence by my side is protection against my fears of dark and unknown things.

She has promised to wait for me...whenever...wherever--in case I need her.

And I expect I will--as I always have.

She is just my dog.

 

by Gene Hill

    (modifidied by me to feminine gender)

I love you Lily! 

I hope all of you have a Special Day - and hug the ones you love!

The Comfort Of Flowers

Look at what was left at my gate for me at this difficult time by a blogging friend who has moved to this area! Thank you friend for your generous heart. Your kindness brought tears to my eyes. 

And, look how nice it looks with a piece of art I created following my visit to England ten years ago. The "tear" in the art was for the saddness of leaving such a wonderful country and the wonderful people that I came to know during the three months that I lived there. Click to enlarge photos, if you wish.

My current tears of saddness will be replaced with smiles as I countinue on with a very grateful heart for the blessings in my life. 

Friends are blessings!

Wishing you a Fabulous Day filled with smiles.

Time To Get Back In The Garden

Remember this on May 11?  The new lattice was put in place to support the Sweet Autumn Clematis that I love so much in the fall..

And, look at it now!

    

It is hanging over the fence to the other side and needs some "tender loving care" to guide its fragile tendrils onto and across the fence to give a nice backdrop to the flowering White Garden. If I had been home during this rapid growth period, I would have trained it to each side of the lattice. But, maybe next year I can do that after the flowering season and the trim back in the very early springtime.

The garden is looking very shabby due to my almost three week absence. I am confident that I will be able to get it back into tidy order by slowly working on it as my physical body permits. I certainly know that it will be good for my spirit and well being. I really love my garden!

And, look at the Tipsy Pots. They are overflowing with their glorious color and smiling faces.

I am feeling quite a bit better today. I have had the opportunity to talk with some good friends and feel their love. Finally, I will be leaving the house today and picking up my mail from the post office and shopping for some nutritious food at the grocery store. I am looking forward to returning to some normalcy in my life.

I am considering returning to my Charity Knitting Group at church tomorrow which I have not had time to be active in since the first of the year when I started a "new relationship".  That activity will put me "face to face" with many people who rejoiced with me and him in what seemed like a beautiful new chapter in my life. I wish him well and God's blessings.

I hope you have a Wonderful Day and celebrate this wonderful summer-time.

  

Why I Started A Blog

While I was away on the trip to Germany, my blog had its One Year Anniversary on June 5.  A few months earlier than June 5 of last year, I started  enjoying the new experience of following blogs that interested me, specifically about homemaking and all aspects associated with a home oriented life style, like cooking, baking, creating from thrifting, sewing, crafting, knitting, crocheting, interior design, gardening, entertaining and so on. Then one day I was reading a blog that had posted photos and experiences about the little mountain town that I live in. And, I thought, yes, I can do that, too.  So, I set out to teach myself how to have my own blog. It was a very tedious task since I personally do not know anyone that has a blog. So, my new adventure involved many long hours on the computer with Blogger and Googling many questions.

The main driving force behind the tenaciousness that it took was the strong desire to blog for one year and then make a book of my blog entries for my only grandchild - a seventeen year old granddaughter, who is now a High School graduate, eighteen years of age and on her way to college. I have never had the joy of being around or seeing my granddaughter very much during her life and I thought the blog EVERYDAYDELIGHT would some day give her a picture of who her grandma really was. So, I have tried to make an entry on the blog as many days as I could throughout the year. 

I have blogged 239 days during the first year. I say first, because I have found myself enjoying the blogging experience and I will probably continue to blog.

It has been so much fun following other blogs, leaving comments and receiving emails and comments. I have even  acquired a non-English speaking friend in Czech Republic who does not have a blog but reads mine and exchanges photos and experiences through email and postal service. She amazes me with her ability to read and write English. I have come to learn that many European people are similar in that way. Reportedly, they do not have the opportunity to practice their verbal English skills.

It has saddened me that I was not able to visit her during my trip. I was so close-by but circumstances which were out of my control prevented me from traveling a short distance by train to see her. Since my return, she has sent the nicest email with the following photo expressing her desire to have met me and the opportunity to have coffee together along with some of her homemade cake. How sweet is that?

At this difficult time in my life, I truly appreciate such kindness.

Wishing you a Fabulous day and many blessings to appreciate. It does not take much to find the blessings in life. We just have to open our eyes!

Soft Yummy New Yarn

 

Who goes away and doesn't look for some new yarn to bring home?  Not me. Sure I could order it on the Internet or buy in a local shop. But, it is so much more fun to bring it home from a foreign country. I have four balls of four different colors to make scarfs with each one having a different stitch pattern. I started the orange one on the plane with the drop stitch that I had in my head from making so many in the ribbon yarn that I currently have been obsessed with. I bought very little while away other than gifts for some friends. The yarn came from the large department store Karstadt in Munich, Germany.

Look at these pretty necklaces which I bought for friends at the same store.  I hope they like them!

I am still feeling "beyond tired" and don't know how long it will take for me to feel healthy again. But, day by day, I know their will be improvement. Remember, I live with "my glass half full". 

My precious dog, Lily is home with me now and she means the world to me. I am hoping to give her a bath and make her all pretty again with her beautiful clean red/brown and white colored hair. She had a great time while I was away. Thank you friend! It was great comfort to know she was with a very loving friend that would actually love to keep her forever!  But, she is mine! I love her so much and really appreciate her unconditional love. And, she asks so little of me!

Wishing all of you a very Pleasant day and a Happy First Day of Summer.

Home Again - Home Again - Jiggity Jig

Nine hotels - Eighteen days - Three countries (Germany, Switzerland and Austria).

Traveling is NOT for "the faint of heart" even in the best of times.

I am safely at home and you will hear from me when I am rested and able to "find my center"!

I think this journey will be similar to childbirth. I eventually will forget the agony and thereafter I will focus on and remember the beautiful experience of foreign travel and all the education that comes with it.  Maybe the saying "Nothing ventured - nothing gained" is applicable at this time.

Perhaps, at a later time when I regain my sense of humor, I will write about "50 Ways To Know A New Relationship".  You know - kinda like, but not exactly, because I was not a mistress, the song "50 Ways to Leave Your Lover" by Paul Simon written in 1975.


On that cheery note. Bye for now. I am going to take another warm jacuzzi bath and nourish my body and soul and give thanks for the ability/strength to leave a very unhealthy and toxic relationship. "Love Isn't Supposed To Hurt."

Happy Father's Day to all the Fathers!

Up - Up - And Away

On a Domestic flight to Texas and then an International flight to Frankfurt, Germany.

I am so very thankful for the first class travel that will enable me to be more comfortable with 160 degree reclining seats to aid my back during the long flights. I am so happy about my travels to Germany and especially as a companion to My Special Man. I feel like I am a little hover-craft with my feet a little off the ground with excitement ! ! ! It truly feels unreal !

Only had a few hours sleep last night, so this photo looks oh, so good to me.

Take care all of you bloggers. I'll be back soon.

Tell Me It Ain't So

It's ANTS !  We have had so much rain this year and I am being challenged by these tiny little creatures that are starting to drive me crazy, really crazy. Do you see how clean my floor is under my refrigerator? I keep it that way. And look at all the naughty little ants.  When this all started it was with the dog food in Lily's food dish. So, I started leaving it for her only a short time and taking it up. Well, the other night I accidentally kicked her dish and the food went flying. I cleaned (again) everything up. Really good, right?  Not so, the next morning-Saturday-the ants were out in full force. I did not realize that some of the food went under the refrigerator. So, I have been in full cleanup mode for days trying to get ahead of those nasty little things. They even went into my pantry. Look out, anything that is black and teeny gets squashed around here, and I mean it !!!!!!

The last few days have been extremely stressful getting everything ready for international travel. And I will not  bore you with all of the things that have been done before departure time.

I will try to blog while I am away. Time will Tell!!!

I hope you had a lovely day.