Small Town Life In Big L.A.

Pasadena Fashion Show

Yesterday we took our store REVELATION TOPS to The Women's City Club of Pasadena where we were invited to do a fashion show. For my friends back east, Pasadena is the home of the annual Rose Parade each New Year's Day.

We were invited by the Pasadena Women's Connection, a wonderful group that meets monthly for lunch, fun, and inspirational speakers.

We enjoyed meeting the ladies at our table!...Is that Carole doing a photo bomb?

Lovely luncheon!

This brave group volunteered to be our models for the day. Thanks to each one who visited our store for fittings.

It was fun to share about this year's trends like tunics with uneven hems and rhinestone leggings.

And then there's Margaret, an actress who stole the show!

She cracked us all up! Oh what FUN we had! This was followed by an amazing testimony from speaker and magazine editor Laura Coronado. What a meaningful time!

 

Central Coast Getaway

This beautiful suite awaited us at the end of our car trip to California's central coast.

The Apple Farm Inn is a favorite destination for us. Even the hallways are decorated with finds from their popular gift shop.

A quick stroll down the spiral staircase where hot apple cider and fresh cookies await.

I always enjoy the bakery displays at the inn.

The landscaping is impeccable too. Nap anyone?

Cambria, with it's fun shops and cafes, is just a 30 minute drive north.

Spectacular flowers adorn shop windows.

A trip to Cambria is not complete without a bowl of Robin's amazing Salmon Bisque.

Moonstone Beach is right there waiting to be explored.

The ocean air is cool and crisp, even in Summer months.

Dale likes to climb way out on the rocks to photograph sea life.

Meanwhile I took a few good shots of my own. It is breathtakingly beautiful here.

 

This is the road to Paso Robles, the central coast wine country.

I don't think I've ever seen it this green. Amazing!!!

Mountains covered in bright green in all directions as far as the eye can see.

The Madonna Inn is always an anticipated stop for us. This is the mountain top pool with touches of their signature color PINK. A restful and inspiring getaway for sure, and only 3 hours from L.A.!

Birthday Brunch at Saddle Peak Lodge

What do you do when your birthday falls between Christmas & New Years in the midst of an unusually hectic season? For us it was to take a drive through Malibu Canyon to one of our favorite restaurants, SADDLE PEAK LODGE.

Just being seated in this high ceiling-ed log cabin of a room, strewn with lights, and under a canopy of mounted deer, brings the relaxation that comes with the feeling that you are "away". Also adding to the ambiance is the gracious and expert service by well trained waiters such as David...knowledgeable, with a heartfelt passion for food and presentation, helpful and attentive yet discreet, with the manners to know not to interrupt a conversation. SO appreciated these days!

Adding to the relaxing elegance is the table decor with fresh flowers and hurricane candles.

Being a pastry nut I was overjoyed at the "goodies basket", so much so that we had eaten half of them before I remembered to snap a pic! Everything in the basket is freshly made that morning on the premises. Ours included a warm, iced cinnamon roll, amazing cheddar apple scone, pear tart, and fresh muffin. Just divine!

My grilled salmon was perfectly prepared and served on a bed of butternut squash puree along with a mini pitcher of lemon buerre blanc sauce, in the French manner.

Dale enjoyed his favorite, eggs hollandaise.

Now about the bacon. This item right here, the apple-wood smoked bacon, a $5 side order, was worth the price of admission. Honestly this was the best bacon either one of us has ever had. IN OUR LIVES. I almost considered making it my Facebook profile pic.

One of the many things we love about this restaurant are the rooms upstairs. Over the years we have dined in all of them. This is the view from the 2nd level. Just look out those windows!

We have also enjoyed this little romantic table on the 3rd level.

After your meal a walk around the grounds beckons.

Fresh air, along with canyon views, abound.

Take the path over the creek...

which will lead you to a view of the saddle peak mountains.

Back inside, at the bottom of the stairs, you will find a bushel of perfect apples in case you would like to grab one for the road.

Ahhh, Saddle Peak Lodge what a wonderful destination you are! Happy 30th Anniversary to you!

 

Lunch & Boutique at The Sportsman's Lodge

Surrounded by film studios, the Sportsmen's Lodge, on Ventura Blvd. in Studio City has quite a past. In years gone by it was a famous hangout for the old Hollywood crowd. Clark Gable, Bette Davis, John Wayne, Humphrey Bogart, Lauren Bacall, Spencer Tracy, and Katherine Hepburn, just to name a few.

 Today it is a hotel with meeting rooms, dining options, and a popular film location used by shows like CSI. This day, we had the pleasure of bringing our wares from Mountain Rose GIFTS and Revelation TOPS to the Republican Women's Club and being treated to a delicious lunch.

 The spacious room was ready for guests when we arrived.

 Is that a serene view or what?

 We had fun setting up our traveling boutique!

 Here's a closer look.

 Our new Christmas TOPS and light up Christmas pictures were the hit of the day.

 It was nice being ladies who lunch. 

 The Salmon with Dill sauce was perfection on a plate!

 So was the Bread Pudding in a pool of Custard with Pecans.

I had to snap this shot of Carole wearing our new BOOT TOPPERS, the "must have" item for Fall/Winter!

" From the fruit of his mouth a man is satisfied with good, and the work of a man's hand comes back to him" Proverbs 12:14

What a pleasant time this work day held. So good to see friends, be welcomed so graciously, and share time with women of like mind.

It's L.A. County FAIR Time!

It's a scorching hot day, which in L.A. County Fair territory means warm winds, blue skies, and giant white clouds. This all makes for a picturesque entrance to funland.


Heading for the blue & white tents. We're GOING IN!


This is the first thing you'll see upon entering. Emphasis on the words fried and bacon.


Why walk when you can hover high above the crowds in the Sky Tram.


We are way up high!!!


Check out the miniature village (bottom right) and grandstand where concerts and horse racing are held.


Love the G-I-A-N-T Ferris Wheels!


ICE!!! It's like seeing a mirage in the desert!


For all you trekkies...


JUICY'S is well known and always draws a crowd.


Back on the tram, the mountain views are artwork unto themselves.


There are large air conditioned pavillions for shopping.


First stop: black pepper beef jerky.


We watched the entire waterless cooking demo.


Ahhh! A tropical rain forest.


There's something about the fair that makes you want to get fried food. The smells are tantalizing indeed.


Night time is magical with all of the rides and attractions lit up. Thankful for another memorable time at the L.A. County Fair.

Shopping in L.A.

We're goin' in!!! What a treat it is to have Downtown L.A. so close. This week we enjoyed a joint buying trip for Mountain Rose Gifts and Revelation Tops.


The giant chair is the trademark for the L.A. Gift Mart.


My hubby has a great eye and loves to shop. Whimsical collectables always bring a smile.

This lunch from one of our favorite showrooms was a healthy and welcome treat.


Darn! Now I really want to sit there.


Shopping Christmas high atop the California Market Center.


Yes! Don't mind if we do!


Ahhhh!

We are happy to report the distressed trend in home decor continues. This famous downtown building seems to fit right in.


Finally! A chair I can sit in and it matches my top too!


This sums up our trip! Thanks for reading!

The Joys of Family Camp

Every Summer, around the 4th of July, our church group hosts Family Camp at our beautiful retreat, CAMP MARANATHA, high in the mountains of Idyllwild, California.

I'm writing about it so those who have never had the experience can get a glimpse of what it's like. The drive up the mountain is spectacular. You keep going up, and up, and up. The higher you go the more breathtaking the views. Upon reaching the camp ground you will enjoy the heavenly scent that comes from giant pines baking in the sun so breathe deep.

Family Camp is all about the family of believers from our nearby churches coming together to worship the Lord, and enjoy each others company while dining and having Summer fun. There are people of all ages from babies through great grandparents and a nice mix of families and singles.

Each morning and evening there is praise & worship and Bible based preaching and teaching. It's a perfect time to get away from all the hustle and bustle of your routine and let the Lord speak to you.

If you have children it is a good place for them to learn what it's like to be a part of the family of God as they watch you interact with others. For those that don't have kids you get to see the pure joy of family camp through their eyes.

Oh and did I mention FUN? Imagine pool days with all of your friends, crafting with the girls in the craft shed, evening ice cream socials, bingo night with the whole fam, and giant campfires. This is the stuff memories are made of and that keeps folks coming back for years to relive their childhood dreams and share them with their kids.

There is something for everyone at Family Camp. I promise you will come away changed and thankful for the experience.

 

 

Tall Ships and Bird Party At Ventura Harbor

It was a perfect day to head West and check out the Tall Ships in Ventura Harbor.


It was their "day off" so the sails were down and the ropes were being tarred.


This artist from England had been there since early morning painting.


I wonder what the destiny for this artwork will be. In the meantime we were appreciating the tile work here.


Then it was onto a sunset dinner.


Enjoyed Greek coffee on a chilly night.


We didn't realize our dinner came with free entertainment in the form of hundreds of birds at feeding time. Watch this short video and you'll see what I mean. It was awesome to observe.

 

The Joys Of A Visit To The Apple Farm Inn

The Apple Farm is a fabulous destination in San Luis Obispo, a special town on the central coast. The gift shop and restaurant are all lit up and beautiful at night.


What a beautiful staircase leading to our room. In the lobby you will find complimentary hot apple cider and steaming cocoa.


The whole inn and property is decorated for Christmas. Even our door was inviting.


Being gift store owners we are THRILLED to visit an inn that's decorated like a gift shop.


The first thing we like to do once we are settled is to walk the halls and check out all the beautiful displays.


We enjoy waking up here and having breakfast in the restauant's gazebo. There is also a bakery with homemade cinnamon rolls.


The old millhouse on the premises serves homemade ice cream and popcorn. The Apple Farm is such a comforting place to escape to for a few days. It's very close to all of the Paso Robles vineyards, the shopping town of Cambria, and several special beach towns. What a blessing!

The L.A. County Fair Is WONDERFUL This Year!

A welcome sight! We're going in!


Can't beat this!!!


A cheery momento.


Keeping cool with neck wraps that stay wet.


Tri-color Ravioli with Champagne Fennel Sauce. Not bad for Fair food!


Let's go SHOPPING!!!


Ahhhhh!


It's so festive as night falls.


Beautiful views all around from the Sky Tram. The end of a great day at the fair!