A Splendid Torch

"Life is no brief candle to me.  It is a sort
of splendid torch which I have got a hold of for the moment, and I want to make it burn as brightly as possible before handing it on
to future generations."  George Bernard Shaw

Fruits of Divine Spirits

"The fruits of the divine spirit which are yielded in the lives of spirit-born and God-knowing mortals are: loving service, unselfish devotion, courageous loyalty, sincere fairness, enlightened honesty, undying hope, confiding trust, merciful ministry, unfailing goodness, forgiving tolerance, and enduring peace."
Quote from The Urantia Book
Art by Victor Tkachenko

Exploring Crystal Cove

 My friends Mitra and Marion and I,  the "tre stagioni" had a field trip to Crystal Cove State Beach. This is what Wikipedia says about the history of this wonderful beach: "Crystal Cove State Park is a State Park of  California, United States, encompassing 3.2 miles  of Pacific coastline, and the Crystal Cove Historic District of beach houses.    The park is located in Newport Beach.  Crystal Cove is a stretch of coastal cliffs and a beachfront cove situated between the Pacific Coast Highway and the Pacific Ocean just north of Laguna Beach.' 

 One of the fun traditions at the restaurant in the Crystal Cove Historic District has its historical roots dating back to the 1940s. “Cove-ite’s”, Crystal Cove residents, led by Doc Shearer, who also was the leader of Los Angeles’s Shriners’ Top Hat Band, would salute the raising of Doc's Martini flag as Doc Shearer played reveille on his trumpet. That historic moment is re-created every day at 5:00 PM and 7:00 PM, by the Beachcomber Restaurant to signal the official start of cocktail hour and the serving of Martini’s.

 Crystal Cove has long been a source of inspiration for plein air painters, a type of landscape painting that originated in France. Early plein air painters documented Orange County’s coastline, and Crystal Cove, in particular, with their paintings. In homage to the movement, one of the cottages at Crystal Cove is called “Painter’s Cottage.” The area continues to attract landscape painters.

 

Touring the museum featuring photographs of the history of Crystal Cove

 On to lunch at the Beachcomber Cafe right on the sand with a perfect ocean view...

 Lobster sandwich

 Crab Cake sandwich

 Happy Birthday celebration for Marion

 Some fun walks on the beach. This is Fall weather in Southern California

Leaving the beach we cross over the highway and down Pacific Coast to Crystal Cove Shops.  Time to stroll and see the beautiful stores.

 Our destination "Javier's" for margaritas at our favorite spot in Crystal Cove.

 Best Cadillac margaritas

 After this we shopped til we dropped and then we drove home on PCH

and experience the most beautiful sunset over the Pacific Ocean.

 What a wonderful day out with my friends Marion and Mitra. The Tre Stagioni does it again!!!

Life Shifts

"From thoughts, to feelings
 to behaviors, your entire life shifts
away from problems when you find
your purpose by giving joy away." -Dr. Wayne Dyer

A Friend Is Like A Good Bra

 Hard to findSupportive
Comfortable
Always lifts you up
Makes you look better 
Always...
Close to your heart!

 

A Little Blessing

Sofia with her Papa Daniele. 

This picture was taken by Sofia's Zio (Uncle) Marino during the Thanksgiving holidays.

When I commented that it's clear that Sofia loves her daddy Marino wrote this:
"Oh, yes she does! I think she is in love with everything. I mean, if she is in love with her crazy uncle she can be in love with everything else: she is in love with dogs, trees, candles, books, socks, stars, people, animals; she is in love with the snow and the sun. She's pure love."

Tender Hearts at Christmas Time

“Our hearts grow tender with childhood memories and love of kindred, and we are better throughout the year for having, in spirit, become a child again at Christmas-time.” 
― Laura Ingalls Wilder