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Sunday, December 21, 2008
Saturday, December 20, 2008
A Christmas Tea With Friends
Today I invited the ladies from work for a Christmas tea at my place. I had so much fun preparing everything, decorating and setting the table. On the menu were scones, cucumber sandwiches, sun dried tomato pesto chicken mini pitas, prosciutto & asparagus sandwiches, checkerboard cookies, pumpkin bread and mini chocolate cups filled with lemon cloud. Mmmmm! We enjoyed a great time of friendship and fellowship. 
Today I invited the ladies from work for a Christmas tea at my place. I had so much fun preparing everything, decorating and setting the table. On the menu were scones, cucumber sandwiches, sun dried tomato pesto chicken mini pitas, prosciutto & asparagus sandwiches, checkerboard cookies, pumpkin bread and mini chocolate cups filled with lemon cloud. Mmmmm! We enjoyed a great time of friendship and fellowship. Emily sent me these beautiful little placecard holders for Christmas. They were perfect for the occasion. Emily you are the best! Remember when we bought this teacup together on my last trip to Texas? Love you and miss you so much. It's nice to take time during all the busyness of the Christmas season to relax and enjoy the wonderful people God brings into your life. Click here to see more pics: Merry Christmas ladies!
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Cookies, ants, rain & snow, what a combination!Yesterday we had our annual cookie exchange with some of the ladies at work. I made Italian Chocolate Spice Cookies. It was a relaxing lunch amidst the busyness of the season. We enjoyed chatting together and looking out the window at the relentless rain. When I got home that night I was in for a surprise. With all the rain (several inches since Monday) millions of ants decided they like the warm and dry inside of my house much better than the cold, wet outdoors! Grace and Jon had dropped by to help set up my Christmas tree so they assisted in the extermination. Ahhhh! I think I got them all but it wasn't easy. On a more cheery note, this morning we were surrounded on all sides by white snowy mountains (a rare sight here in Southern CA!). Snow levels were down to 2000 ft and the air was a crisp 40 degrees when I left for work. Brrrrr! Finally it feels like winter =) This was the view from my dining room window this morning:
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
A strange but fun Tuesday...
It was around 7:30 this morning as I was getting in the car to go to work that I got a phone call from one of my co-workers. She told me that a transformer blew up causing a major power outage in our office building. There was no estimated time for it being fixed but they were anticipating it would take at least 4 or 5 hours. Wow... and right in the middle of finals week! When I arrived at work the building was dark. Not only had it affected the electricity but also this is the main building with all the network, servers, main frame computers etc. This meant although there was power in other places on campus but the university was completely off line. 
So with no end in sight we were told we could take off and check back at 11:30. So I took advantage of the beautiful day outside to go with my friend Amy to buy my Christmas tree. I was a sunny bright day and after all the rain yesterday all the surrounding mountain were covered with snow! This was Amy's first time to go to a Christmas tree lot. How do you get your tree in Michigan, Amy?? I guess you actually go cut it down? Who knew! ;) We picked out a beautiful tree, loaded it up in the back of my truck and took it home. We got back to the office just in time for our office Christmas party. 
We had a wonderful "feast" with all the delicious dishes everyone brought. Abby came with baby Kate! I haven't seen her since she was a tiny little preemie in the hospital. She is doing well and weighs almost 8 lbs now. It was a blessing to share this time with the office family! Power was restored around 1:30 pm with the help of some generators that were brought in. Our work email is still down but hopefully everything will get back to normal soon! Check out all the pictures of today's adventure by clicking here.
It was around 7:30 this morning as I was getting in the car to go to work that I got a phone call from one of my co-workers. She told me that a transformer blew up causing a major power outage in our office building. There was no estimated time for it being fixed but they were anticipating it would take at least 4 or 5 hours. Wow... and right in the middle of finals week! When I arrived at work the building was dark. Not only had it affected the electricity but also this is the main building with all the network, servers, main frame computers etc. This meant although there was power in other places on campus but the university was completely off line. 
So with no end in sight we were told we could take off and check back at 11:30. So I took advantage of the beautiful day outside to go with my friend Amy to buy my Christmas tree. I was a sunny bright day and after all the rain yesterday all the surrounding mountain were covered with snow! This was Amy's first time to go to a Christmas tree lot. How do you get your tree in Michigan, Amy?? I guess you actually go cut it down? Who knew! ;) We picked out a beautiful tree, loaded it up in the back of my truck and took it home. We got back to the office just in time for our office Christmas party. 
We had a wonderful "feast" with all the delicious dishes everyone brought. Abby came with baby Kate! I haven't seen her since she was a tiny little preemie in the hospital. She is doing well and weighs almost 8 lbs now. It was a blessing to share this time with the office family! Power was restored around 1:30 pm with the help of some generators that were brought in. Our work email is still down but hopefully everything will get back to normal soon! Check out all the pictures of today's adventure by clicking here.Sunday, December 14, 2008
"Christmas time is here..." and a fun busy time it has been. Last Thursday I attended the BBW Christmas tea with some of the ladies from work. They had a local dance troupe come in and perform some Christmas songs. Friday after work I was on the road to Yuma for the weekend. Alyssa, Josh and my friend Frank were all performing in the Ballet Yuma's Nutcracker. Saturday morning I helped Donna with costumes and dress rehearsal. It's incredible how much preparation, organization and hard work goes into putting on a show. Later that evening I was able to watch and enjoy the wonderful show. You all did wonderful and are so talented! See lots of pictures of the weekend by clicking here! I spent a couple of great evenings around the fireplace with family eating and talking until very late. Sunday morning Frank and I went to church together. Pastor Sam had a thought provoking message about angels. After church I got back on the road for the long drive back home. After a quick lunch stop in El Centro to see the kids and enjoy an In-n-Out burger, I made it back in time to go to my church's Christmas celebration "Come Let Us Adore Him". It was an inspiring night of lessons and carols and new songs. I am so amazed by the wonderful talent of all of them!
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Saturday, December 06, 2008
Birthdays and Christmas Parties...
It's been a busy weekend so far. Yesterday our office went out for lunch to Carinos to celebrate Terri's birthday. We always have a good time together. Today my Grace Group from church got together for our Christmas party at the Rolle's. Everyone brought a different dish which made for a delicious dinner. After opening our gifts we brought to exchange (the bronzed dolphine made a reappearance!) we all joined in together and sang some carols. I am blessed to have such wonderful friends in my life! 
It's been a busy weekend so far. Yesterday our office went out for lunch to Carinos to celebrate Terri's birthday. We always have a good time together. Today my Grace Group from church got together for our Christmas party at the Rolle's. Everyone brought a different dish which made for a delicious dinner. After opening our gifts we brought to exchange (the bronzed dolphine made a reappearance!) we all joined in together and sang some carols. I am blessed to have such wonderful friends in my life! 
Speaking of wonderful friends, my dearest and best friend Emily's birthday is tomorrow... Happy Birthday!! I love and miss you!
Wednesday, December 03, 2008
The holiday season has begun!
Today especially I can say that "it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas" as Biola held a Christmas lunch for all it's employees. The food was really tasty, especially the risotto and the veggies. The theme this year celebrated Biola's 50 years in the neighbourhood of La Mirada. President Corey did his best Mr. Rogers impersonation and the carolers entertained us with their songs. I am so glad to be able to work here and have great friends to work with too!
Monday, December 01, 2008
A Happy ThanksgivingOn Wednesday afternoon with my pies baked and safely stored in the cooler Grace, Jon and I loaded up my truck and drove down to Imperial. We caught a little rain along the way but otherwise it was a nice drive down only hitting some bad traffic on I8 as we were leaving San Diego. It is so wonderful to be able to get together for this special day! I think this was the first time in 18 or 20 years that we were all having Thanksgiving together. What a blessing! Also joining us for dinner were Frank, Jon's parents, Greg's mom, Monica's friends from Georgia. 
The grand total was 24 =) From ham & turkey, to the green beans and mash potatoes we all had a delicious meal. After dinner we took a nice walk around the neighbourhood to a little park. The kids (and kids at heart) had a fun time playing together at the play ground. Later we all played some card games and dominoes and had round two of pie and ice cream. _of_GroupPics_004.jpg)
Friday morning the Martins and Lozanos took off for San Diego for the day and Grace, Jon and I headed on to Yuma for the weekend. We had a lot of fun hanging out, eating, playing pool and enjoying each others company. After the kiddos were in bed the adults played some Poker. (My first time!) So there I am trying to remember what all the hands are and all the rules and some how I ended up winning every ones chips in the end! I don't know if the boys liked that too well ;) 
Saturday morning I went with Greg and Donna to watch Alyssa do a small performance of her part in the Nutcracker. She is dancing the part of Clara which she did beautifully. I am looking forward to seeing the whole thing in a few weeks when I return. Sunday was the first day of advent. The pastor spoke on the meaning and importance of keeping the perspective and meaning of the season in our hearts as we get ready to celebrate Christmas. When I woke up Sunday morning there was a song going around in my mind... "T'is so sweet to trust in Jesus". I think this has been one of the best Thanksgivings I have had. I am so thankful to the Lord for my family and friends who give me so much happiness and love. Click here to see all the pictures!
The grand total was 24 =) From ham & turkey, to the green beans and mash potatoes we all had a delicious meal. After dinner we took a nice walk around the neighbourhood to a little park. The kids (and kids at heart) had a fun time playing together at the play ground. Later we all played some card games and dominoes and had round two of pie and ice cream. Friday morning the Martins and Lozanos took off for San Diego for the day and Grace, Jon and I headed on to Yuma for the weekend. We had a lot of fun hanging out, eating, playing pool and enjoying each others company. After the kiddos were in bed the adults played some Poker. (My first time!) So there I am trying to remember what all the hands are and all the rules and some how I ended up winning every ones chips in the end! I don't know if the boys liked that too well ;) 
Saturday morning I went with Greg and Donna to watch Alyssa do a small performance of her part in the Nutcracker. She is dancing the part of Clara which she did beautifully. I am looking forward to seeing the whole thing in a few weeks when I return. Sunday was the first day of advent. The pastor spoke on the meaning and importance of keeping the perspective and meaning of the season in our hearts as we get ready to celebrate Christmas. When I woke up Sunday morning there was a song going around in my mind... "T'is so sweet to trust in Jesus". I think this has been one of the best Thanksgivings I have had. I am so thankful to the Lord for my family and friends who give me so much happiness and love. Click here to see all the pictures!
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