Office Dress Up Day

6:00 AM Alarm goes off... hit snooze three times

6:45 AM Standing in front of my closet contemplating what in the world can I wear for "Office Dress Up Day". I find my snow pants way in the back of the closet and decide to go for it.

7:00 AM Turn on TV to check weather forcast... it's going to be 86 degrees! No time to come up with another outfit so I just decide to grin and bear it or should I say grin and sweat it!


I think the ski ensemble coordinated well with Reggie Strar, our resident polar bear =)

A few other colleagues joined in the fun.

Prayer of Release

"I know the one in whom I trust, and I am sure that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until the day of his return. 2 Timothy 1:12 NLT
Heavenly Father, I release to You the burdens that I have been carrying, burdens that You never intended for me to carry. I cast all my cares upon You—all my worries, all my fears. You have told me not be anxious about anything, but rather to bring everything to You in prayer with thankfulness.
Father, calm my restless spirit, quiet my anxious heart, still my troubling thoughts with the assurance that You are in control. I let go of my grip upon the things I have been hanging onto, with opened hands I come to You. I release to Your will all that I am trying to manipulate; I release to Your authority all that I am trying to control; I release to Your timing all that I have been striving to make happen.
I thank You for Your promise to sustain me, preserve me, and guard all that I have entrusted to Your keeping. Protect my heart and mind with Your peace, the peace that passes all understanding. Father, may Your will be done in my life, in Your time, and in Your way."
--Roy Lessin (Meet Me in the Meadow)

A busy October!

I think this October has been one of the busiest months yet. With birthdays, family get togethers, friends, work and preparing for my trip it has been non stop (but wonderful too!). Mom spent a week with me up here in LA. I had gotten tickets for the stage show The Phantom of the Opera for Thursday night. So we got all dressed up and went to the Pantages with some friends from work. This was my first show and it was amazing. It brought back lots of memories from my college days when it first debuted and I had the soundtrack on a cassette tape that I used to play and play until I had most of the songs memorized. I love the beautiful yet tragic story and of course it always makes me cry to hear the moving heartfelt lyrics of the songs. I am very glad we got to go as this is the farewell tour before they retire it.

That Saturday most of my family met up at Oak Glen to celebrate my brother's birthday. I planned a whole day of apple picking, cider pressing, candle making, knife throwing, archery and lots of good eating! The location of all this wonderful fun was Riley's Farm. I think from what I could gather that there are actually two Riley's who have adjoining farms and we ended up first at one and then at the other quite by accident. I've been reading a novel about Juliet and of course it made me envision a feud much like the Montagues and the Capulets. Well, I'm sure it's not quite that dramatic! We all had a wonderful time together and I think the kids enjoyed themselves quite a bit. To finish off the celebration we gathered at The Publick House and had some wonderful colonial style food and a most delicious apple pie baked right there in their bakery. Can't wait to do this again next year! Anyone have any good apple butter recipes? That evening the Myers came for a short weekend visit and of course we had a great time sharing some delicious wine & cheese. Time spent with family and friends is priceless! This week I have been catching up on sewing the purse organizers I'll be selling at the boutique. Yay, I'm almost done! I also got a chance to babysit the two little Clark's so their mommy and daddy could have a much deserved date night. Kate and I enjoyed our evening together making purple playdough bracelets and reading her cute little books. Savannah was already down for the night so she just slept the whole time.

This week it looks like I'll be making and decorating a cake for my dear friend Terri's 25th anniversary and so the fun continues!

Happy Birthday!

Today is the 235th birthday of the U.S. Navy. Thanks to all of you who have served and are currently serving our country! I am so grateful for your commitment. So I'm sending a "shout out" to my favorite Navy family (Kim and I were roommates in college). Many thanks for your sacrifice and service!

Happy Anniversary!

Eight years ago today I was putting the finishing touches on a beautiful cake designed by my amazing sister and we were getting ready to transport it carefully to the wedding location in Dana Point.

It was a lovely day and one of the most beautiful weddings I've been to. Happy 8th Anniversary to two of my favorite people in the world!

Wishing you many more years together! Twenty more days 'til we go explore Spain and France together!

Comfort Food & Rainy Days

There are things that just seemed to be made to go together...

Comfort food and cold rainy days are one of those delicious pairings. Today was one of those cold, rainy days. As a matter of fact it was 53 degrees colder than last Monday. I know that sounds strange but it feels even stranger!

How comforting does homemade skillet cornbread and chili sound? That's just what I made for dinner tonight. I found the recipe on The Pioneer Woman and it turned out amazing! It was easy and delicious!

A Great Day at MCAS Miramar

I just spend an amazing day at the MCAS Miramar Airshow yesterday. This has become an annual tradition for me and I love every minute of it! I got there right at 8 AM when the gates opened. So while I was waiting for the rest of the family to arrive I walked around to see some of the static displays and booths. At the face painting booth Staff Sgt Tatum did a great job painting the Soldier's Angels emblem on my arm. Feels great to be surrounded by the few, the proud...

The kids arrived just in time to watch the simulated ground and air attack with all the big explosions. It's always thrilling to watch and it makes you proud of our troops and all the hard work they do to keep us safe everyday here and around the world. From the Golden Knights, to the amazing Harriers to the wonderful Blue Angels... it was a beautiful day and a great show!The guys at the face painting booth geared us up and got us ready to pose... (although not everyone could hold their game face!)
Can't wait until next year!