"I do not understand the mystery of grace -- only that it meets us where we are and does not leave us where it found us." — Anne Lamott
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
A Day at Glen Ivy Hot Springs and Spa
Our cousins spa day happened yesterday here.
It was a perfect, hot summer morning when I arrived. Parking was a breeze at the opening hour 8:30 a.m. I walked the grounds and found a perfectly located lounge chair by the lap pool.
While I waited for my cousins to arrive I swam. My advice get there early.
Many lounging spots throughout the grounds.
Lots of daily activities, tours of the botanical gardens, water aerobics classes etc. are posted in the schedules. Make sure you get a map of the area too.
Plenty of private lockers, towels, spinners to wring out wet bathing suits in the dressing areas.
Indoor and outdoor Roman baths
Fun area to coat yourself in red clay.
It was a perfect, hot summer morning when I arrived. Parking was a breeze at the opening hour 8:30 a.m. I walked the grounds and found a perfectly located lounge chair by the lap pool.
While I waited for my cousins to arrive I swam. My advice get there early.
I had the pool all to myself! hee hee
Many lounging spots throughout the grounds.
Lots of daily activities, tours of the botanical gardens, water aerobics classes etc. are posted in the schedules. Make sure you get a map of the area too.Plenty of private lockers, towels, spinners to wring out wet bathing suits in the dressing areas.
Indoor and outdoor Roman baths
Fun area to coat yourself in red clay.
Great salads are just a few of the many choices at Cafe Sole. Wine as well as cocktails can be ordered and delivered pool side if you desire.
Private cabana areas can be reserved.
There are about 17 pools to choose from. Plenty of nice lounge chairs and tables with umbrellas.
Glen Ivy Hot Springs Spa is an 11-acre oasis in the desert outskirts of Corona, California about an hour drive (57 miles) south-east of Los Angeles. The luxurious grounds have grown up around a natural mineral hot spring that gives the resort its name. You can fill a whole day at Glen Ivy Spa without ever booking a treatment. There are plenty of ways to pass the time between the many pools, Roman baths, the red clay mud bath aka "Club Mud", mineral baths, sauna, steam room and relaxing in the tropically landscaped gardens or taking a fitness class - all included for the price of admission, which ranges between $40-50.00* (includes parking, lockers and use of most of the above named facilities.) Unique spa treatments are available as a-la-carte add-ons. (Make appts. in advance). * In 2011 they are celebrating their 150th anniversary with the gift of a free admission on your birthday.
http://www.glenivy.com/
*one or more photo credits Elena Omelchenko
Glen Ivy Hot Springs Spa is an 11-acre oasis in the desert outskirts of Corona, California about an hour drive (57 miles) south-east of Los Angeles. The luxurious grounds have grown up around a natural mineral hot spring that gives the resort its name. You can fill a whole day at Glen Ivy Spa without ever booking a treatment. There are plenty of ways to pass the time between the many pools, Roman baths, the red clay mud bath aka "Club Mud", mineral baths, sauna, steam room and relaxing in the tropically landscaped gardens or taking a fitness class - all included for the price of admission, which ranges between $40-50.00* (includes parking, lockers and use of most of the above named facilities.) Unique spa treatments are available as a-la-carte add-ons. (Make appts. in advance). * In 2011 they are celebrating their 150th anniversary with the gift of a free admission on your birthday.
Hours: Warm Season (May 1-Oct. 8:30 am - 6 pm, Cool Season 9:30 am - 5 pm
Note: Reservations are not required for admission, just for individual treatments.
Glen Ivy Hot Springs Spa
25000 Glen Ivy Road
Corona, CA 92883
http://www.glenivy.com/
*one or more photo credits Elena Omelchenko
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Tim's Graduation Celebration
On Sunday June 26th, family and friends gathered to celebrate my nephew Tim's college graduation. It was a wonderful time for us to come together to say:
The house was decorated with signs of cheer...
Everyone was ready to party, especially our graduate: TIM
You are now one of the Cal Poly Pomona ALUMNI!
WOO HOO!!!!
The tables looked so nice in the backyard.
In the kitchen your mom led the helpers in a whirlwind frenzy of amazing food preparation.
Behind the scenes your mom Barb has been working so hard to make this a grand party.
Great job Barb!
Nick was the resident bartender, well lets just say if you step behind the bar the job is yours
Good thing too because the cousins are a demanding group!
What's your pleasure ladies?
Here's Tim's proud dad Randy with Tim's uncle Mike.
The food was pretty amazing.
Tons' of appetizers like guacamole, crab mousse, vege trays with dips, sandwiches, little fried spring rolls with sweet and sour dipping sauces, shrimp cocktails and more...
trays of sushi too.
Hot dogs with all the trimmings were available...
A big pot of chili ready to feed the crowd.
Then there were big trays of glass noodle chow mein,
Hawaiian style chicken wings,
Fried chicken Katsu
Here are some of the endless sides: macaroni and cheese, potato salad, broccoli chopped salad, chinese chicken salad, corn and rice (gotta have our rice).
Lots of good old fashioned family time...cousins Miyoshi and Tim
Aunties Nancy and Ann
Miyo wants to go for a swim but says, "I'm not going in alone!"
Lots of friends gathering poolside.
The Mango Cake was delicious!
Party went into the night and people started to gather for a big group photo of Tim and his friends.
Everyone say "Congrats to Tim!"
Guess the night wouldn't be complete without throwing the guest of honor in the pool
This started a chain reaction and one by one they all went a swimming!
The house was decorated with signs of cheer...
Everyone was ready to party, especially our graduate: TIM
You are now one of the Cal Poly Pomona ALUMNI!
WOO HOO!!!!The tables looked so nice in the backyard.
In the kitchen your mom led the helpers in a whirlwind frenzy of amazing food preparation.
Behind the scenes your mom Barb has been working so hard to make this a grand party.
Great job Barb!
Nick was the resident bartender, well lets just say if you step behind the bar the job is yours
Good thing too because the cousins are a demanding group!
What's your pleasure ladies?
Here's Tim's proud dad Randy with Tim's uncle Mike.
The food was pretty amazing.
Tons' of appetizers like guacamole, crab mousse, vege trays with dips, sandwiches, little fried spring rolls with sweet and sour dipping sauces, shrimp cocktails and more...
trays of sushi too.
Hot dogs with all the trimmings were available...
A big pot of chili ready to feed the crowd.
Then there were big trays of glass noodle chow mein,
Hawaiian style chicken wings,
Fried chicken Katsu
Here are some of the endless sides: macaroni and cheese, potato salad, broccoli chopped salad, chinese chicken salad, corn and rice (gotta have our rice).
Lots of good old fashioned family time...cousins Miyoshi and Tim
Aunties Nancy and Ann
Miyo wants to go for a swim but says, "I'm not going in alone!"
Lots of friends gathering poolside.
The Mango Cake was delicious!Party went into the night and people started to gather for a big group photo of Tim and his friends.
Everyone say "Congrats to Tim!"
Guess the night wouldn't be complete without throwing the guest of honor in the pool
This started a chain reaction and one by one they all went a swimming!
It was a great night and a wonderful celebration for my nephew Tim!
Congratulations on your graduation. The future holds so many bright and wonderful adventures ahead. Here's to many more successes in life!
Monday, June 27, 2011
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Yay for SUMMER!
"Lazy days...
beautiful nights...
tanned skin...
water fights...
cute boys...
awesome friends...
school's out..
SUMMER'S IN!
Flip Flops...
belly Tops...
lemonade in the shade...
late Nights...
water fights...
ice Cream...
sweet Dreams...
party Time...
looking fine...
sleeping in...
sneaking out...
That’s what Summers all About!!!!
Friday, June 24, 2011
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Dry Vouvray and June Strawberries
"She ran an experienced eye - rarely taken in - over everything in the room,
and lunched in solitary bliss,
with a smile
for the dry Vouvray and for the June strawberries,
served, with their stalks, on a plate of Rubelles enamel as green as a tree-frog after rain."-Colette
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Celebrating Dani's Graduation
We made a quick trip to Las Vegas last weekend to celebrate my niece Dani's graduation from
high school. It was great to be with her and all the family for one of life's milestones.
Dani graduated with highest honors.
Here she is with her proud parents.
high school. It was great to be with her and all the family for one of life's milestones.
Dani graduated with highest honors.
Here she is with her proud parents.Cheers to all that life has to offer in your college years!
We had so much fun spending the weekend celebrating.
As would be expected there was alot of eating going on throughout the weekend.
The desert air was hot in the 90's. Perfect weather to lounge poolside.
I like this picture of the two brothers together.
It was a nice reunion with family members flying in to town from Minnesota.
Plenty of time for catching up, lots of stories to be told and of course hearty laughs to share.
Here's Dani's Uncle Mike and Uncle Dan
Dani's aunt Carol, aunt Pam and wonderful mom Linda
A nice daughter-mom moment...
Such a nice relaxing time on the patio with everyone.
Dani will be attending Pitzer College (one of the 5 Claremont Colleges in California).
Dani, your Uncle Mike and I are so very proud of all that you have accomplished in high school. We know the four years ahead in college will fly by. Enjoy your time at Pitzer!
We had so much fun spending the weekend celebrating.
As would be expected there was alot of eating going on throughout the weekend.
The desert air was hot in the 90's. Perfect weather to lounge poolside.
I like this picture of the two brothers together.
It was a nice reunion with family members flying in to town from Minnesota.
Plenty of time for catching up, lots of stories to be told and of course hearty laughs to share.
Here's Dani's Uncle Mike and Uncle Dan
Dani's aunt Carol, aunt Pam and wonderful mom Linda
A nice daughter-mom moment...
Such a nice relaxing time on the patio with everyone.
Dani will be attending Pitzer College (one of the 5 Claremont Colleges in California).
Dani, your Uncle Mike and I are so very proud of all that you have accomplished in high school. We know the four years ahead in college will fly by. Enjoy your time at Pitzer! Congratulations and all the best thorughout your college life! Love you!