Sunday, March 7, 2010

Cross this off my "Bucket List"

I have always wanted to stay t the Ahwahnee Hotel in Yosemite. It's been a dream. It's so expensive....I wondered if I would ever do it. Well, I did! My son works at that Awahnee and has been there for more than a year. I've been bugging him to get me in and he did!!

There was snow on the ground on the way in.


This the view from inside the car.

This is the lookout point. If you look in the background....way back there...you can see El Capitan and Half Dome.


This is a quick pic of Bridalveil Falls from inside the car.


One of my favorites, El Capitan. Pictures never show you how big this really is. You can be right in front of it and it would hurt your neck to look up to the top. And, if there are climbers on it, you would need binoculars to see them. It's amazing!


This is Yosemite Falls. There are better views from the other side of the valley.


We're here!! I have been to the Ahwahnee many times. I've just never stayed in a room there. When we are on our family vacation, hubby and I love to go to the Ahwahnee for breakfast. We also go sit in the Great Room to use the internet. So, we are very familiar with the place. Now, we are going to be actual "guests". Woo Hoo!


This is the Great Room. So much history! Presidents, movie stars and even the Queen have stayed here. Wow. This room is so cool to just sit in. You will see lots of people on thier laptops.


My sweet son. He had this treat made special for us! Isn't that terrific?


Pretty AND yummy. This deserves a closer look.


Here I am next to a warm fire. (a real one) Keeping this fire going is just one of my
son's duties as Lobby Porter at the Ahwahnee.


Here we are at breakfast in the dining room. This room is spectacular! And, the food is top notch!


Here is a bigger view of the dining room. Isn't it cool?


Are you sitting down? This is the room that we stayed in. While this was a 'dream come true', I have to tell you, I was expecting something else. This room is $450 a night, after taxes it will go over $500. I guess I was expecting more luxury. If I had paid the actual amount for this room....I would have been pretty bummed.




More of the room.


The bathroom is cute....but is it $500 cute?


Before we go, I want to send postcards to our granddaughters.


This is the tent cabin we stayed in last summer on vacation. I'm really starting to look forward to this year.


A really pretty view on our way out.


I think this may be one of the most photographed places on the planet. It's so pretty. This is Yosemite Falls. You can the the "Upper" and the "Lower" falls from here. There are always photographers at this spot.


Brrr. It's chilly up here. It feels like it's raining a little, but that is really the mist from the falls.


Turns out that all my favorite parts of the Ahwahnee Hotel are free. I love eating in the dining room and you don't have to be a guest to do that. I love sitting in the Great Room. I love just walking around the place. And now, I won't be wondering what it's like to stay there anymore.

Thank you son, for making one of my dreams come true!! You rock!!!


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Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Procrastination

I am really good at putting things off. I think of Scarlett, "I won't think about that today...I'll think about that tomorrow". Yep. That's me. I bought this magazine last spring and I fell in love with the crocheted throw on the cover. Isn't it pretty?


I liked it so much, I bought all the yarn to make it. I gave it a try and (admittedly) I could not seem to figure it out. So it all went back in the box and put away for "another day".


I'm ready for Spring and I'm ready to tackle this project. I really want to see it on my sofa!!


I have a pretty good start (I have to make 32 of these), and I enjoy making them while I watch tv.

I have decided that not all of the projects I have abandoned are worth doing. I give myself permission to let go of the projects I have lost interest in and don't want to finish. I'm not going to finish a project just for 'finishing' sake. So there. This pretty little throw is something I truly do want to finish. I'll keep you posted.

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Monday, March 1, 2010

You can Win this giveaway!!

Alaina at "Live Creating Yourself" is giving away this beautiful bedspread. You need to hurry as the drawing is tomorrow. Isn't it pretty? I wish you well in the drawing, but I must tell you that this will look sooooo fabulous on my bed!


Good Luck!


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I'm a CONFUSED girl!!

Oopsie! I somehow got my wires crossed and put the opposite names with the necklaces in the post below. It's all fixed now. My apologies to Betzie and Julie. I invite you to visit both of their blogs and see all the wonderful things that these two ladies create!!

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Sunday, February 28, 2010

I'm a lucky girl!

I'm lucky in lots of ways....I got to go on the Magic Carpet ride with the One World One Heart gang and I saw sooooo many fabulous blogs...it was incredible! And, I was honored to be the recipient of these incredible giveaways.

This one came from
Betzie at Time Enough.


This ribbon is lovely!


And, the box is a treasure in itself!


Inside was a pretty little bag with something sparkly....


This necklace is truly a work of art! It's stunning! Thank you Julie.


The very same day I received yet another package in the mail, this one from
Julie at Julie Miller. What sweet surprise is this?


Inside this pretty package was a very charming necklace.


It is filled with teeny tiny seashells.

I just adore it!! Wearing it is like having a little piece of the sea shore with me.

Thank you Julie and Betzie! I am truly grateful!


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Wednesday, February 17, 2010

OWOH Winners

What a wonderful Magic Carpet ride. I found so many fabulous blogs to explore and follow. I am so excited to announce my winners. I have already notified them and their scarves are one the way!!

Stephanie dragonflydegignstudios

Becky Writings on rose petals

Sherri artfilledinspirations

Catieann catieanscorner

Mindy

I hope that the winners will enjoy their swirly scarves.

None of this would have been possible without Lisa of A Whimsical Bohemian, she is the creator of the One World One Heart event and she is so awesome. I don't know how she was able to pull it all together, but she did. I'm in awe!!



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Saturday, February 13, 2010

Granddaughter Days

Our Granddaughters came for a visit this past week. Pookie got all ready! I always say that I don't know who they are more excited to see...us or Pookie!! He managed to get these bows out before they got here. The groomer thought they would stay in for a few days. Huh!


I can not show up empty handed. We stopped on the way and bought these stuffed animals. I put them in the seat belts and when the girls went to get in the car, they got a surprise!


We have several "rituals". One of them is TEA. They love to go to tea. We get all dressed up and have a wonderful time.





When they get here, I let them use my camera and take pictures the whole trip. It's pretty interesting to see what they photograph! Then the last day, I help them make memory books with a colored paper cover and plain paper inside bound with ribbons. Then we bring markers, scissors, glue and stickers on the ride to take them home. I let them choose a certain number of the pics that they each took and get them printed. The ride home goes so fast for them as they work to finish their books. Then just before I hand them over, they show their books to me (I love to video tape this!). This year's highlights were: Aunties Birthday party, going to tea and watching Avatar. We also painted tote bags. I think both of them have more pictures of our dogs and cats in their books than anything else!!

I was so tired that I was ready for the trip to be over and get back to my quiet life. Then...just as soon as they drove off (we meet halfway), I felt sad and was missing them!! Boo Hoo. Until next time.


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