BREAKFAST OF CHAMPIONS.... DISNEY STYLE!

I can hardly believe it has been over a week already since we were at Disneyland! I (and my kids) have spent the days since returning home sick in bed nearly every day. I am just so glad we were not all sick when we were there.

Anyway, I do not have much of an appetite these days, but that certainly was not the case the previous week!

Take a look at what I had one morning for breakfast at the Storyteller's Cafe in the Grand Californian Hotel's restaurant:

Is that great, or what?! It's pretty much the way I remember breakfast when we went to Disney World and stayed at Disney's Wilderness Lodge. Great food and great fun! It's so exciting to me to now live co close that we can just drive up there for breakfast any time we want!

This is one of the restaurants where the characters come by while you are dining and they sign autographs and do their silly little tricks and skits. Chip & Dale have always been among our favorites. Not sure where Dale was at the time???

We had SO much fun and the food was so good, I talked my husband into going back for dinner that night. I know he was super tired and would have been happy just ordering room service (a couple of the kids did just that). But he knew how much fun it was for me so agreed. One of our sons came along, too and we also had our daughter come join us there after she got out of work as well.

A few shots of the hotel lobby. Very similar to Wilderness Lodge. It's beautiful! We did not stay there (only because we could not bring the dog), but I have a feeling I may be booking a room in the not too distant future. It would be a great little overnight or weekend get-away! I just LOVE this hotel!

Despite having temps in the mid to upper 70's all week, they always seemed to have fires in the fireplace. It's so pretty and totally adds to the feel of the hotel's architectural style which was based on the arts and crafts movement of the early 1900's.

Some more views of Storyteller's Cafe; this time at night.

Don't you love the lights?

Casual enough for kids, but formal enough to feel "special". Mike and I had dinner here a few years ago on our anniversary and I have not stopped craving the 4-cheese ravioli since! It is stuffed with spinach and asparagus and is absolutely the best ravioli I have ever had. I was so excited about it I totally forgot to take a pic, lol!

As we left the front of the hotel, this is what it looked like outside. It was beautiful and somewhat cold (I'll bet it must have been in the 50's) and I was glad I had brought a warm jacket and gloves. But it was a nice little walk we took over to our daughter's car so she didn't have to walk alone- and she could drive us over to our hotel :-)

I know it may sound silly, but even though we have lived close to here for over 12 years now, things like just looking up and seeing this street sign still thrill me. I am sure it's no big deal to most people around here. But after growing up in a little state in New England where I always complained there was "nothin' to do" and no excitement, or inclement weather that would keep me indoors, I am still thrilled about the mere fact that there is so much fun stuff to do here- especially Disney related! It used to be just a dream for me to go to a Disney park, and we hoped to be able to save up enough money to take a trip there once every 5-10 years (if we were lucky!). Now we can pretty much go any time we want. I just hope I never lose appreciation for this. But somehow I think the "Disney Magic" has left it's mark on me enough that I won't. I seriously can not imagine it being anything but the "Happiest Place On Earth" for me.

I'll probably have more pics to share later. I am off to bed again in hopes of getting rid of this illness altogether! Thanks for stopping by; I'd love a comment and to hear any Disney stories you might share as well! :-)

Emergency Vacation to The Happiest Place On Earth

Just popping in here real quickly to let you know where I have been.

I had to take a rather sudden "mini vacation", and what better place to go than to "The happiest place on earth": Disneyland!

The weather this week has been absolutely amazing! Every day has been very sunny and warm- mid 70's for the most part (low 80's today). We could not have timed it better as far as the weather- or the crowds go!

I am home now and have a lot on my plate that I must take care of, but I didn't want you to think I was abandoning my blog ;-) I will try to post again soon with more details of my little emergency trip and why I had to take it. Oh my gosh- did I have FUN!

I am super anxious to get back into my studio, as it has been ages (or at least seems it!) since I have had a chance to let the creative juices flow. Hopefully I'll have something new to share with you soon.

Hope you are having a great week!

And The Winner Is...

Happy Saturday! Today is the day I said I would pick my blog candy winner. Well, I didn't actually do the picking; "Random Thing Picker" did! ;-)

And here is what happened after I put in all the eligible names:

Result:

Pam

Now, the funny thing is, right before I hit "Pick one!" I actually said to myself "Now watch it pick Pam", lol! Because not too long ago, I won PAM'S blog candy, lol! Actually, it was a blog hop challenge (so fun!), seen HERE. Be sure to check her blog out; it's wonderful and definitely among my faves. Pam is really fun, as you will see as you read her posts.

So I guess it's true: "What goes around comes around", huh?

Anyway, I am getting such a kick out of this! Pam, I only hope you enjoy the package I am sending you half as much as I have enjoyed the wonderful box of goodies you sent my way! :-)

I have lots to share with you all over the next couple if weeks. Lots going on, and many new crafting projects I am working on. Also, I found a darling little vintage tea cup and saucer which I purchased specifically with the idea of my next blog candy, and especially with my "vintage loving" readers in mind. But that's all I am going to tell you for now. You will have to keep a look out for more details to come :-)

I hope you are having a wonderful weekend. I would love for you to leave a comment and if only just to say "hi". As always, thanks for stopping by!

Happy New Year Blog Candy Giveaway

Time For ANOTHER Blog Candy Giveaway!!

After the fun of doing my recent giveaway and receiving such nice feedback, I can't help but want to do another!

Both winners of my last giveaways sent me the sweetest emails.

From Rebecca, winner of the vintage themed prize:

"Your package arrived today and it was like unwrapping a treasure trove! I love the color of the bell/salt shaker- it's like Tiffany blue! I absolutely loved the New Year's victorian postcard- I think I will scan it and use it on my blog tomorrow. I have a pair of summer sandals that are perfect for adorning with the clip back earrings. And of course I just love that little Sizzix die cut!

Thank you! So very much!"

And from Bonnie, the winner of the craft themed prize:

"My goodies arrived today and wow! There's more stuff in there than what looked like on your blog! I'm in love with that lace ribbon. It sure did brighten my day as I was getting really depressed today between my head, Ken and going back to work."

So, being the beginning of the New Year, I thought it would be a great way to start 2011!

Here are the things I have to give away this time:

Since Valentine's Day is not too far off ( well- it really isn't you know!), I thought I'd theme it around that holiday and offer things for you paper crafters to use for Valentine's Day cards, candy packaging and scrapbook pages.

I am a huge fan of Sizzix, and if you've been reading my blog for the past few months you know I have hit the last couple of Sizzix warehouse sales pretty hard, lol. I purposely bought extra goodies with Blog Candy for my blog readers in mind.

And I love using doilies both on cards and on scrapbook pages any time of year, but when could be better than at Valentine's? These ribbons should be great too, don't you think? It''s hard to tell from the pic, but the one on the far left is a deep red velvet- so elegant. The spool next to it is a sheer white ribbon with a satiny center with red hearts on it. The ribbon on the wide spool is sheer with gold hearts. And the ones in the little box on the right are really pretty, too: the top one is sheer with hearts on it, the middle one is pink velvet, and the bottom one is glittery rick rack.

And how can you have a bunch of stuff to make cards without stamps? I thought this set would be more versatile than one just for Valentine's, but the row of hearts should certainly suffice for the occasion :-)

I am including two different shapes of red eyelets and a roll of red mesh for embellishing.

Of course I just can't help adding at least something vintage-y. So, I have chosen a pretty little red and white vintage hankie that has pretty flowers and scrolls that resemble hearts on it.

Now for the details on how to enter:

All you have to do is leave a comment telling me what, if any, New Year's resolution you have made for this year!

And, for bonus entries:

If you are a follower and mention that in your comment, you will get an additional entry.

If you have a blog and put my blinkie on your sidebar, you'll get another entry.

If you mention this give away on your blog and put up a link, you'll get yet another entry.

One condition remains with this give away, as was with my last: you must be a resident of the U.S. or Canada (I am sorry but at this time the cost of postage to other countries is just too costly). Actually I am adding Canada, as I know I have many Canadian followers and I am willing to splurge the extra amount, as it is not as high as other international countries. I thank you all for your understanding of these conditions.

I will pick the winner using "Random Thing Picker" again and announce the winner next Saturday, January 8th.

As always, I thank you so much for visiting my blog.

I hope you have a very happy and healthy new year!

CHOC and Disney Celebrate It’s a Small World

Okay it's almost the New Year, so I guess I had better hurry up and get a few more Christmas-y things up here before they are considered "old". There is just so much great stuff to share this time of year!

Among the things that touched my heart the most this holiday season, are some of the wonderful ways CHOC Hospital (and many wonderful people and business who help them) brought cheer to so many people!

As many of you know, my son has been a patient at CHOC for the last year and a half, but thankfully the treatments he receives are through out-patient services. We are so blessed by such a wonderful team of doctors and therapists and many staff members. I am so impressed by the care and treatment both the patients and their families are given.

We are there at the hospital at least once a week, and often get to see bits and pieces of some of the wonderful reasons why CHOC is so special.

Above is the tree in the front lobby.

And check these out! All of these Disney gingerbread houses were made by patients! All made out of real gingerbread and other edible ingredients. I couldn't stay looking too long, as the smell was just too good, lol!

We had a hard time deciding which house was our favorite!

I love all the Mickey shaped cookies with the kids' names on them, and the beautiful cards they made (yes, of course I really loved the cards!!!) :-)

Isn't the chimney and Goofy's hat on this one adorable? All of the houses were just awesome!

I am a huge CHOC fan, not only for the amazing care and treatment given at this wonderful hospital, but for all the fabulous ways they help children and their families, and all the joy they bring to the lives of sick and hurting kids. The extent to which they- along with so many generous sponsors- go to bring smiles on kids' faces continually amazes me!

I hope you'll take a few minutes to watch this video of the "Small World" Christmas celebration at Disneyland. I am sure you will agree with me, it's wonderful!

CHOC and Disney Celebrate It’s a Small World

How great was that?!

Oh, and I don't want to forget to tell you about another very special treat: the Orange County Fire Department sent Santa up in a hook and ladder truck to visit the kids through the windows of the hospital!

He also went inside to visit many children, as well. But can you imagine the joy that these visits brought to those kids? Seriously, being sick and in the hospital is never fun. But when it's during the holidays it's even harder. How great that these visits are made possible.

Thanks for stopping by today. However you celebrate tonight, I hope you have a safe, happy start to the new year!

Let's make 2011 a great year! :-)

Southern California Snow

Since moving to California, I am often asked "Don't you miss the snow?"

Having been born and raised in New England, people out here are sometimes surprised by my quick answer of "No way!" or "Are you kidding me?!" or when I just laugh.

You see, I never liked the snow. As a matter of fact, I hated it!

I recall when I was a child, Mom would dress us up in our snow suits, put on our hats, earmuffs, scarves, mittens and boots and send us out to "have fun". Fun? Was she serious? Nothing could be less fun to me than having to go out in that! OMG how I hated it!

I would obey her and reluctantly head out the door, following my brother and sister. They would play, and I would "try". Maybe I'd make a snow angel or two, but that's as far as I could go. I usually just stood where the wind would be least likely to blow on me, and wish I were somewhere else. Somewhere warm and dry. As soon as I thought I had been out long enough for her to allow me back inside , I'd beg my Mom (often while crying) to enter the house again, where I would be safe from the cold, wet, miserable conditions outside.

As I grew older, it only got worse for me. It became practically unbearable. Uuggh... driving in that stuff! Oh, I remember the days of having to clear the cars off, prying the car doors open- even having keys break off in the locks. And shivering like crazy as the car warmed up (if it would even start!).

I haven't even mentioned about clothing... how you have to bundle up, and how you need extra socks and ultra warm weather resistant boots all the time and how often you could slip and fall. Because, it's not just snow.... sometimes it's ice. Or maybe slush. Yep, fun times.

I swear, if I didn't have children who either had to be taken to school or doctor's appointments or to other necessary places, I think I'd have just stayed inside practically every day from about November through April. I hate cold weather, and despise the snow!

So, living here has been a wonderful change for me and one I am even more grateful for as I watch t.v. and see "reality" across much of the Country, particularly back East. But that's not to say I don't see snow where I live now. I do. Yes, Southern California gets snow! And I love it. I can see it as I drive my kids to school, or go shopping, or anywhere else I don't hesitate to venture out to in the Winter anymore. Right up on the mountains :-)

I will say, this has been an unusually "cold" and rainy Winter for us so far. But typically I can see the snow as I am wearing capris, a t-shirt and sandals. This Winter, however, I have been wearing blue jeans, sweaters and boots more often than usual. But I see many here who are not quite "acclimated" yet, wearing shorts and tank tops while I am in the "winter clothing" I just mentioned.

The picture above was taken from the car, after my son and I went up to Children's Hospital for one of his appointments earlier this week. When I saw this view, I handed him my camera and asked if he could try to get some shots from out the window.

It was a little challenging for him, since we were traveling so fast, but he did get a few good pics from the freeway.

I love seeing the snow, and the palm trees and all the "green" around.

Here there's not much green, but that's because this is by an area of lots and lots of crops. It won't be long before they start picking strawberries!

Here you can see snow, some crops and some green. I feel like it's the best of both worlds!

For those of you who love the snow, I wish you much of it. I know many people who like to skate, ski and do other recreational things in it. I was never one of them. But who knows? Maybe some day I will want to go up to a cabin in the snow and take a trip down a Wintery Memory Lane. Or maybe even take my kids to go sledding or snowboarding. And if I decide to, I need only drive for about an hour or two. Then, if I change my mind once I get there, in one hour I could be back at the ocean where it will be warm enough to go surfboarding!

So, wherever you are this Winter, I hope you enjoy it. But after this post, maybe some of my friends here will understand that I really do mean it- No! I do NOT miss the snow. We have enough of it right here :-)

Christmas Eve

Yes, today is the day after Christmas. But how can I not share with you the beautiful Christmas Eve experience I had at our church two nights ago?

I am sorry that amidst all the hustle and bustle of the season, that I did not have a chance to post these photographs the other night, but here they are now.

I wish all of you could have been with me attending such an incredible service. The church looked so lovely, all decorated for Christmas.

This is a shot looking at The Crystal Cathedral, with the fabulous spire in front, and the "Tower Of Hope" building with the big cross on it behind.

A closer view of the spire.

This was taken right from my seat inside the cathedral. The poinsettia tree next to the beautiful big cross and all the other poinsettia plants were absolutely gorgeous!

When our friends joined us, I moved down a bit. We were in the 3rd row pretty much right in front of the pulpit.

And here you can see the fabulous organ. Oh, how I wish you could have heard the music that night!

This is a picture of one of the side balconies. Don't you love how they hang the wreaths?

The choir. They are wonderful!

And the orchestra. Fabulous!

The children's choir did a marvelous job (as always!).

Here is our founding pastor's daughter, Sheila. She did a great job reading the story of the birth of Jesus.

Dr. Robert H. Schuller

His message was fantastic! Both my husband and I felt as if Dr. Schuller's message of a new beginning was meant just for us, and it was exactly what we needed to hear that night. We were very moved by it, and have been reflecting on it ever since. Such a blessing.

Daniel Rodriguez (a.k.a. "The Singing Cop"). Have you ever heard him perform live? He comes to our church often, and every time blows everyone away! He is absolutely amazing! He sang Oh Holy Night. Incredible!

This is a shot taken after the service as we headed down to the Memorial Gardens cemetery to visit my brother.

I thought it was going to be harder to go down there, exactly one year to the day he passed. But the overwhelming feeling I had was that he was at peace. Along with the fact that I know without a doubt that we did the absolute right thing having him laid to rest at such a beautiful spot. It's perfect, and he would have been blown away. He loved Southern California and he loved the ocean, which not only isn't far from here, but he is actually facing it. He also loved palm trees, and there are many here.

Another shot from the Memorial Gardens. How beautiful is this? It is not dark, dreary or cold, as most other cemeteries I have been to can feel. You can hear the church bells and carillon from here. And the birds singing. It is peaceful, yet "alive" and filled with hope, as you look at the fabulous cathedral, the cross on the tower, feel the breeze lightly blowing and look at the beautiful blue sky.

What a fabulous place. And a beautiful Christmas Eve. We are so very blessed.

Thank you Lord, for loving us enough to send us Your Son. For giving us hope, and life everlasting!