Oh, My!  This Ship Is Dwarfed By The Glacier.

Going to the Drive-In with Huell Howser

Huell Howser was the Eminent Explorer of California.  He discovered and unveiled to us the majesty of California’s Gold - those places where we could see God’s beauty in nature, where we could visit and be transported to historical people and events.  All of his discoveries were presented to his audience with a delightful boyish-like enthusiasm that was absolutely authentic.  I know because I met him. A few years ago, my family and I piled into our RV and headed out to the http://www.missiontiki.com/#/now/ where Huell Howser was hosting an Elvis Presley movie night on the big outdoor screen.  My daughter in-law had brought a delectable homemade dessert for us to share.  Since the dessert was of monumental size, there was some leftover.  So, she, my daughter and I walked over to the snack shack where Mr. Howser was greeting guests. We arrived at just the right moment - he was by himself!  My daughter-in-law offered him a piece of dessert.  Without hesitation and with his sparkling smile and folksy manner, this ex-Marine reached out with his uber buff biceps (have you noticed them as he speaks to his guests on tv?!!), took the plate of dessert and without hesitation or any questions, gobbled it up!  He thanked us and, in turn, we thanked him for hosting the event. As we walked off, we couldn’t help but giggle at what had taken place. Oh, my gosh, Huell Howser! I will miss you!  Be at peace.

I had three Dennis the Menace dolls when I was little.  His creator, Hank Ketchum, was a fan and admirer of the work of Chuck Jones.  This fabulous mixed media work will be available at the Red Dot auction on Saturday, May 11, from 6 - 9 p.m. at the Chuck Jones Center for Creativity.  Here's more information on how to purchase tickets: http://chuckjonescenter.org/red_dot_auction_tickets

Guilt-Free Halloween-and-Beyond Chocolate

Wow!  I can now eat chocolate without feeling guilty.  And, I can actually add nutrients to my body while enjoying this out-of-this-world pleasure. Here’s how: My GrandGirls and I made “Coco-a-Goji Truffles”!  No, they’re not the mushroom kind of truffles.  These are yummy chocolate truffles made with raw cacao powder. Here are pictures of the GrandGirls in the process of creating the truffles:

The 11-year old worked those truffles even with her arm in a cast!!

The finished product!! We had a great time together!  I had the opportunity to share with the Girls the knowledge of eating healthy chocolate treats that taste just as good, if not better, as processed chocolate treats with loads of chemicals. Thank you to http://www.momsincharge.org/ for the truffle recipe.

I wish you and your family a safe and healthy Halloween!!

I definitely want to explore this path!

Medieval alleys of Bussana Vecchia in Liguria, Italy (by fede0253).

I love my enchanting birthday gift painted by #carolynhimes with Annie Sloan #chalkpaint #morethanpaint from #peinturestudios

"You are worried about seeing him spend his early years in doing nothing. What! Is it nothing to be happy? Nothing to skip, play, and run around all day long? Never in his life will he be so busy again." ~Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Emile, 1762

250 likes!

Love my "Family is Forever" bracelet. Nice addition to my #jewelry box. #socphotofeb

I took this picture in my 8-year old GrandAngel's classroom.  Tomorrow, May 7, is Teacher Appreciation Day.  What will you do to thank a teacher?

#teacher #teacherappreciationday #thankateacher

Supporting the Arts

Art surrounds us in many forms:  dance, music, sculpture, paintings, etc. Art nurtures a child's intellectual and educational development. MOVING heARTS Foundation Is an art-based organization that aims to build relationships through the visual and performing arts for those in need. My GrandGirls and I attended their recent Very First Interactive Gala Fundraiser. The evening was filled with students and instructors in musical theater and dancing performances as well as live painting demonstrations.  The event was sponsored by http://www.momentumdancecenter.com/  owned by Cathy Lozano; and http://www.thedrawingboard.info/ owned by Jamie Kough.  Cathy's philosophy is to "help raise human beings and the artist in each of us is a big part of that." Jamie stated "I am just so profoundly motivated to bring the arts to those who aren't experiencing or participating in them due to financial constraints or health concerns." Cheers to Cathy and Jamie for their support of the arts!

Cathy

Jamie