Happy Birthday Mike

We spent a wonderful day at the Huntington Gardens celebrating Mike's birthday today. We strolled the gardens with our friends Mary and David.  

 

 

The weather was beautiful. The cactus gardens and the Chinese Gardens were especially vibrant. 

 

 

 

Lunch was at an old fashioned diner. 

 

Mike requested "chicken pot pies" for his birthday lunch.

 

 

 When we were leaving we noticed they were selling fresh baked whole Rhubarb pies and that is his absolute favorite pie. Of course we bought one. We spent the rest of the afternoon going over plans for our trip to Japan. Mary and David are part of our big family group making the trip in November. There will be 13 of us traveling together.   This is a first trip to Japan for us. We sang Happy Birthday to Mike and ate the rhubarb pie.

 

Make a wish!

 We ended the day at home opening presents and answering many phone calls from our family. Tomorrow the celebration continues.

Happy 3rd Birthday Rocco

 Today my grandson Rocco turns 3 years old.  He's a happy little boy.  May he grow up to carry that spirit of joy in his heart forever. 

" Happy 3rd Birthday Rocco"

 Gramma loves you.

 

Not Just About A Book Club Reads "Cry of the Kalahari

 

Not Just About A Book club met today to discuss our chosen book: "Cry of the Kalahari" which is a 1984 autobiography of two American Zoologists Delia and Mark Owens. It looks back on the seven years they spent as wildlife researchers in Botswana's Kalahari Desert. The story documents the difficult environments, extreme weather conditions and the multitude of challenges they faced while pursuing their field work research and observations of lions, brown hyenas and jackals. 

Our hostesses Sharon and Maria created a fun Safari themed celebration with beautiful tablescapes, fun decor and creative food and beverages.

 

 

 

 

Safari hats for everyone!

 
The safari theme continued with clever beverage and food displays

"The Watering Hole"

 "Lion's Roar" dip and vege mane

(Notice the blue tag on the ear of the lion. In the story the lions were tagged in this manner.)

"Zebra Zap" popcorn,  "Twigs" pretzels, "The Herd" Animal crackers

"Jungle Juice"

"Snake Sandwich"

 "Mealy Bread" Cornbread

"Safari potato Salad"

We enjoyed looking at photographs taken on a Botswana safari by one of our club members Judy.

 

A delicious safari cake for our birthday gals Jo and Jeanette.

 

Another great adventure in reading!

 

Thank you so much Sharon and Maria! 

It was a wonderful afternoon Safari adventure!

 

 

The Mariachi Music Brings Back Memories

The other day I saw a video of a mariachi band made up of all Japanese musicians who have dedicated their musical careers to mariachi music and performance. *  I can relate wholeheartedly to their love of Mariachi music. Growing up in East Los Angeles close to Mariachi square this sound was happy music. I also grew up listening to other Mexican singers and groups like Los Panchos. My family comes from Texas and people would laugh because I’d say I clean house to Mexican music. It makes me happy and reminds me of my grandma who spoke Japanese,English and Spanish. She had to learn when she settled in Texas where few people spoke Japanese. She used to sing Cielito Lindo when she’d cook. 

 

*"Well, about twenty years ago, Osamu Hosegawa traveled to Mexico and learned how to sing rancheras–a style of Mexican song. He loved the music and went back to Japan to start a band. The rest is history." 

 

Some Good News

 

 

I try to begin each day with a long morning walk. It helps me set my course, my thoughts and my intentions. I begin with counting my blessings. Being grateful for whatever we have is important. This week we waited for some health related lab reports and then we got good news. It was something that was worrying and now that worry is gone. But it is not lost on me that life situations can turn on a dime. Therefore this morning I walked with such gratitude and I looked for beautiful plumerias. I took in their sweet fragrance. Wishing each of you a wonderful day filled with gratitude. TGIF.