Coeur D'Alene

When my sister and I went to visit Mom a few weeks ago

for Mother's Day, we took a day trip with my aunt & cousin

to a cute lake town called Couer D' Alene, Idaho which is

about 30 minutes from my mom's hometown Spokane, Washington.

We strolled thru the gorgeous town - looking in shops and enjoying

each others company.  The weather was especially beautiful that day.

After lunch we took a boat cruise on the lake.  90 minutes of relaxation

and absolutely stunning scenery.  The blue water and the tall pine trees.

And lots of laughter, of course!

All in all - a wonderful day reconnecting with a cousin that I hadn't

seen in probably 20 plus years.  

Now I see why my mom loves it so much!

I wouldn't mind staying awhile in that house.  Alot of these houses you

can only get to by boat, I noticed that they have electric pully systems

(like conveyor belts ) to bring supplies up to the houses with.  

Pretty cool! 

Where ever you are this week, I hope you are enjoying some

gorgeous spring weather with loads of sunshine!

Happy days, my friends!

xxoo

love.these.quotes....

 

Rest in Peace, you phenomenal woman!

xxoo

Blue Skies at Hearst Castle

Three months ago my mom, sister and I met in Cambria - a cute coastal town

on the Central Coast of California for a girls getaway (something we've been doing

for a few years now.)  It was the half way distance from our homes

We had a great time with lots of laughter and making fun of each other.  

Haha...  I truly look forward to these

times.  2013 was a crazy difficult year for both myself and my sister and this weekend

away was so needed!  On one of the days we took a tour of Hearst Castle.  Truthfully,

it had never been anything that was even on my to do list, but once there I was so glad

I went.  William Randolph Hearst was a fascinating man. I am currently reading a book

about his life titled The Chief and loving it.  Times were so different back then.  I didn't

take too many photos of the inside of the house, but it was extremely opulent.  

The stories that the tour guide told us were what I enjoyed most of all.  

This was the dining room and as the guide told us - he would invite people from all

walks of life - but especially the Hollywood crowd as he had a live in mistress, Marion

Davies.  There are 3 guest houses on the property for the guests to stay in.  None of

them have kitchens as he wanted everyone to eat together (the kitchen in the Castle

was huge!) and as the days went by, he always rotated the seating chart at the table - 

so that everyone would meet someone new every night. (The original social networking!)

  The newest arrival always sat by his side.   Drinks were served at around 7: 30 

and that is when he would arrive to great his guests.  

During the day he encouraged his guests to enjoy all sorts of outdoor

activities including horseback riding and swimming in his magnificent pool,

while he was working up in his office on his many business ventures.

What I loved most were the outdoor areas - the landscaping was breathtaking - beautiful

flowers, fruit trees galore, water fountains and a gorgeous view of the ocean.  The day

we were there was such a windy day and the bus ride up the winding narrow road

was a little bit frightening to me.  And to learn that originally it took days to get up that

road on horseback.  The Castle was formally named La Cuesta Encantada -

The Enchanted Hill but usually it was just called " The Ranch".

(And some ranch it is!)

The houses you will see in the photos below are all of the guest houses.  

Love these trees - I wish I could have picked a few lemons!

How gorgeous is this view?

Yes another guest house

Who wouldn't love to take a dip in this pool?

A beautiful fountain below another guest house.

And this indoor pool is stunning!

For more fascinating facts, stories and photos about this magnificent place

check out their website: Hearst Castle and if you're ever in the area by all

means check it out.  If you're driving on the Highway near their property you will

see quite a few zebras roaming - as they used to have a zoo on the property and still

have quite a few different animals.  Such an amazing place and story!

(Sorry Mom and Sis for taking so long to post these photos)

Have a beautiful week, friends!

xxoo

Hello Monday...

 

" A Sunday well spent brings a week of content "

In my quest to "move" more this year, yesterday I drove over to Santa Monica

and took a nice long walk on Ocean Ave. which is right above the beach.  Nothing

clears my mind more than a nice long walk and the fresh sea air.  I wandered around

took a few photos, walked thru the 3rd Street Promenade (which is an outdoor mall)

listening to all the fabulous street musicians and people watching. 

I stopped for a coffee and had a chat with a really nice

 lady visiting from Seattle, then I continued on my walk.

Afterwards, I headed over to the Brentwood Country Mart for lunch that included

a double scoop waffle cone filled with salted caramel and coffee ice cream.  It was

delicious and within minutes the place filled up with others waiting for ice cream.

We've had a pretty warm January which is kind of crazy but pretty nice too,

so as to enjoy the outdoors more.

Happy Monday, friends!

xxoo

cambria here we come!

Tomorrow I am heading up to the central 

coast for a weekend with my mom

and sister for our annual mom/daughters getaway.

It's about a 3 hour drive for myself and my sister 

and is a very nice halfway point to meet up.

It's also not too far from my fave stopping place

San Luis Obispo - I wonder if they will be 

game to head there for a fave dessert of mine?  :)

Looking forward to just hanging out with them.  Lots of 

laughing and fun with be had, that is for sure!

We are staying at a cool little lodge that my sister has stayed at

before and really enjoyed.  I can't wait to explore the area

with two of my fave people!

Cheers to the weekend, friends!

xxoo

(photos via google.com)

my word for the year....

Truthfully, I wasn't really planning on having a word for the year, but this morning

it just came to me, or more like hit me like a ton of bricks.  It's a simple word that

has a few different meanings - which totally resonates with me.  2013 was a year of

a whole lot of emotions - happy, extreme sadness, major grief, depression and a feeling

of being stuck and not being able to move - emotionally and physically.....So this year

I present to you my word:

MOVE

as in: "get your rear off the couch and move it girl"

and also 

as in:  "last year was tough, but you are still

here alive and well and you need to honor that.

Get moving with your life - bad things will

always happen and that is just called life..."

New Years Eve found me spending most of the earlier part of the day

in the ER.  I had been having some chest pressure for a week or so on

and off, mainly at night - so I figured it was anxiety - but then there is always

that nagging WHAT IF it's more than that...I'm definitely not one to run to the 

doctor so when I do, just know that I'm concerned.  After a ton of tests and 

and an extensive nuclear stress test - I found out that my ticker is doing just fine.

Actually it's pretty excellent, which makes me take a look at the rest of my life.

I love to walk and I normally walk alot but I have a pretty sedentary job except 

when the boss (my guy) calls me....I always joke that I need a spring on my chair,

as just when I sit down I get called into his office again....haha....The past few months

with Roccos surgery and death - I didn't do much of anything.  

Then there were the holidays

alot of socializing, eating and yes, sitting around.  I always feel so good when I walk and

it definitely lifts my spirits and eases my worries   

  So yes my word this year is MOVE

I want to honor myself and my health and be the best that I can be,

and that means taking care of myself better.  

I have a co worker who walks for 3 hours after

work, well you definitely won't find me doing that, 

but I am going to dedicate myself to walking

at lunch and a bit in the evening on my treadmilll.  

I'm letting you know to hold myself accountable.

Last but not least,

It's good luck when a bird poops on your head, right?

that's what I've always heard anyways.  Yesterday,

as I was taking a pretty long walk, at the very beginning

of it a bit of bird poop hit the top of my head.  It made me

laugh and I choose to take it as a good sign for this year!

CHEERS TO A WONDERFUL YEAR FOR US ALL...

SMILE, BE KIND AND MOST OF ALL

GET MOVING!!  :)

xxoo

Happy New Year!!

Cheers to a wonderful year filled with great health, 

fabulous company, lots of love, laughter and wishes coming true!

xxoo