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The kids are working very hard, yes they are paying for the big jobs, like flooring, painting and tile-work, but are doing a lot of the work themselves.

How cool is this wall! Mandy is great at finding the perfect touches. So we went to help with the kids and the house.

Joel did pool duty.

I did hard physical labor. There was a lot of wall paper left over from that beautiful wall. Unfortunately the previous owner had put down contact paper in the kitchen. Once you remove that (and that was really the hard part of the job, you need to put new paper down, because the stickiness left can really only be removed by sanding…. There are a lot of drawers shelves and cabinets, it didn’t look right to only replace what had paper – so yeah I got very busy. Also notice the floor, it is some new kind of vinyl that really looks like wood. Since dogs and kids will be welcome, this is a great choice.

Mandy has found some amazing things while thrifting, here they are hanging a mirror.

The rug and furniture are new, well, not the brass table, she found that and three smaller ones while thrifting. As she says: Old people move to the desert with their wonderful real mid-century furniture

, then they die and the consignment stores are full of treasure.

This mirror isn’t mid-century, but is the correct size, the green and gold colors work very well.

I know, you can only see part of other mirror here, this is real mid-century and it is marvelous. She also found this incredible green bamboo vase. She picked up some dried floral arrangements, at first she just plopped them in. Meh. I took them apart and combined two of them, to make something more pleasing. I couldn’t find tape, so I used bandaids to tape the stems together, I hope it holds…

Here is the other arrangement is a $6 thrift store vase. It is on one of the smaller of those octagon tables.

To complete the 50s vibe they bought a record player, one that also uses blue tooth. But one needs records. I had to buy this one! I grew up on this, Elk is very familiar with these songs from all of our road trips as a kid. Mandy was a little horrified by the songs, oh well, 1965 was very very different from today when it comes to political correctness. Mostly we got swing, big band, different greatest hits from the 50s-70s.

Yeah, I took a picture, didn’t buy this, am I the only one getting a Nazi vibe?

Another one I didn’t get.

It is hot in the desert in the summer, like really hot, I came home with a cold, from all the work and the changes from hot to cold with the AC. Nope, it’s not covid, its a cold (which actually is what Covid is). I’ll survive.

Leah

Together with one of our sons and his wife, we have purchased a house in the Palm Desert area. We put up the money, they are putting up massive amounts of sweat equity – to turn the place into an Airbnb. They have had a lot of success in Big Bear and want to expand. More on that venture in another post.

So we went there this past weekend, to see the progress, to help with work and to get the boys out of the way so they can work.

It is really hot there, it was only 106 degrees when we were there, it is more like 116 today. Perfect to spend the money and go up the tramway, 6000 feet up to Idylwild where it is much cooler.

We were greeted by this mountain goat at the Tramway station. How perfect is that! A mountain goat in Hebrew is Eyal, just like my grandson, although he wasn’t with us.

The tramway is a funicular, the engines at the bottom pull down one car and that in turn causes the other car to go up. 2.5 miles is the distance, which is pretty long for any funicular. As we went up, at about the halfway point, we saw the other car coming down.

The cars are circular and the floor rotates, so we made two full circles on our journey. Which is why some windows were open, others weren’t. I took this picture of rocks through the glass. The rock formations are amazing.

We went over five of these towers and the car swayed every time. Especially between the longest stretch of cable. We saw a guy come down on top of one of the cars, they are constantly doing maintenance work. You will notice clouds, clouds mean humidity, so the desert wasn’t really dry heat, it was humid, There were flash rainstorms and floods the day before, and even a little rain down in the desert.

Here is a good loo at the car. There are no seats, you stand, and are reminded to always move your hands to the left if you are holding the railing, because, the floor rotates.

Looking down at Palm Springs as we rise higher.

The bottom station is at about 2000 ft. So, 2.5 miles and over 6000 ft of elevation gain. It was considerably cooler up here. It started at 60 degrees and was in the high 60s as we headed down. A completely different climate.

Family pictures.

I was a little cold! We walked around a lot, so I warmed up.

More interesting rock formations, this time among pine and redwood trees. That is a water tower up at the top. There is a road that comes here, not everything was brought up by tram, but it is a long drive from the desert floor.

Some conservation guys breaking up rocks, really, with those large mallets they were breaking rocks. It looked like they were building some kind of rock structure.

Many trees fall onto other trees.

Others fell across the path, and they had to remove a large section, which we walked through.

Back on the bottom, a water fall, its not called Palm Springs for nothing. There is plenty of fresh water.

The old tram cars, nope, not circular, not rotating.

This is a little hard to see, I only got the picture from the car, to the back of the sign. The sign is right next to the beautiful Midcentury Visitor center. It is a play on Hollywoodland. It says Indian Land, but with the same curve the letters have in Hollywood. I’m fine with this, but it is cultural appropriation. The Indians appropriating from white developers. Why is cultural appropriation a one way street? When white people enjoy something from another future – they are stealing, but it doesn’t work the other way? I miss the days when we were simply enjoying each others culture. Anyway, by the time we got down it was 100 degrees and there was no way we were stopping to see this from the front.

Leah

Cana Lilly, one of our late summer bloomers.

Sunflowers, this one got a little distorted, yet still pretty.

A major close up, these flowers are very tiny.

No takers for these apples. I have to say they were at the end of a cut-de-sac, so maybe no one saw them. You do have to admire the old time basket they are in.

On the same block, a big bear that died. The mom came out of the house as I was taking a picture, I reassured her that I’m not a stalker, but that I love images of unusual things. She told me that they had won the bear at a Carnival and it was the cheapest thing around, she mended it until it became more Frankenstien than bear.

My granddaughter is Shira!!! I had to send her a picture

, someone named their driveway for her! Well, probably for their own Shira.

Then for my grandson, some of these water release valves are being painted. This one is CupHead a game or cartoon that my grandson likes very much.

Thrilled to see this in my neighborhood. I couldn’t agree more. I’m praying that we get rid of this dictator, who has given himself dictatorial powers with the pandemic and has no reason to relinquish them. I’m praying that this time the cheating doesn’t work and we teach him a lesson. CA has become a garbage state and we need to save it.

Benches, just because. this one has a nice lemon tree next to it as well as a lending library. So I guess you can borrow a book, sit and read, while the old song, Lemon Tree becomes an ear-worm in your head.

I like the tiles on this one.

I wonder how comfortable these are. Yup, I aimed my camera into someones yard. Very much a low water yard, very nicely done, Gives me ideas for my own front yard.

Leah

Trying out new areas to me in the neighborhood. And yes, I see different styles of houses.

Probably the oldest, a Spanish style home, very large, which leads me to think this was built before the neighborhood was divided into small lots. This area used to have hunting lodges for people who lived over the hill in the city.

That is the length of the lot, I think it’s more than two lot lengths.

The stucco, the Spanish tile, it is most certainly older than anything else around.

Mid Century, I’m still not a fan, but I also realize that these will disappear soon and become mcMansions.

I find the side of this house extremely boring, yup, mid-century.

It does look better from this angle. So that block wall is the garage. Honestly, I prefer the garages that are built into the mcMansions.

I know, I’ve shown this crazy painted farm house before. I love the bright colors.

English cottage style. So much better than the mid-century.

Look how inviting this side gate is. Not mad that they have left it open.

Then I came across this old Apartment building. I can’t tell you if it is Asian Style. Most of it is hidden by large trees But if the address numbers are any indication, then it is.

The exploring never ends. My daughter in law tells me that I have an eye for things that most people never see. She is right, I am very observant. Especially when I walk around with my camera.

Leah

I had a party, one of my conservative get togethers. Where people from a variety of backgrounds get to socialize and share their opinions without a lefty thought police coming after us. There were Jews, Gays, Artists, College professor, a partner in a top notch law firm, blue collar workers… enjoying a beautiful evening in the garden with TACOS.

The only picture I took was of Leo, Elba and their daughter who did an amazing job catering the event. Anyone in the LA area who wants a great taco bar at a great price. go to Taco El Botanas, Leo, Elba and their daughter were great. One of the best things aside from the tacos was shaved ice! Well, really the best thing was that I didn’t do much work at all.

One of the guests is the woman who designed the wall paper that started my dining room redo. She loved the room, and how well her wall paper works here. So that was fun, showing off the designer in the room.

Henry brought his one of his gorgeous floral arrangements. Yes, he was aware of the new color scheme. Yes, that is a Babylon Bee mug, I’m a huge fan of theirs. Although it is my husband Joel who drinks from this mug.

So now, it’s playing with my macro lens and some close ups of these flowers.

These purple flowers were easy to capture.

The echinacea, a little harder, in a few days, when the flowers die, I will see if I can root this guy in a pot.

love these sprays of flowers

The artistic image that is so close you can’t really see the flowers.

I’m blessed to have good friends, to be able to throw a fun party and to receive such beautiful flowers

Leah

There was a real life craft fair in Pasadena this past weekend! Put on by Jackalope. I have enjoyed their shows in the past and did so this time as well.

Look! Canopies up in the park.

People walking around, enjoying themselves. And shopping, yes people were shopping.

Here is a vendor with her unique little skirt. I say unique, simply because I’m seeing a theme here, with a decorative band and pockets. There were a number of booths selling clothes. Since I sew myself, I passed.

There were plenty of ceramic artists, and yes, I did like their work, but I ended up buying other things. I like how bright and colorful this is.

As was this booth. There were plenty of people selling soaps and body lotions. Well, I get my soaps from my friend in Connecticut, she raises goats and uses their milk for her soap. As I age, my skin in getting sensitive, I swear by her soap. It makes a difference. Goatboy Soaps, highly recommend. I buy a lot of bars at once.

I think these were called dots. either floor mats for babies, or simply as cuddly blankets.

I tried not to take too many pictures, they vendors don’t like it, although they were fine with Jackalope putting up their booth pictures online – since that is how you advertise a show.

So what did I buy?? This gorgeous necklace from Amy Rivka of Arivka. Go take a look at her website. A gemologist who uses fine gold fill wire to crochet the bezels around these stones. The top stone is an American Tourmoline from Arizona and the giraffe turquoise is from The Bishop area of CA. We yakked away, she does beautiful work and her workmanship is exquisite. So that was first purchase.

I should have taken a picture of her booth! anyway, follow the link.

I bought a handmade steel knife, made from old steel tools. The handle is from a Napa valley oak wine barrel. very nice, only issue is it’s steel, I have to clean it right away. But it is sharp and handmade. The man who made was off wandering, his wife makes really interesting link Jewelry from metal links.

So yes, a very successful craft fair.

Then On Sunday I had some women over for a cross-stitching get-together. This is why I’m still on FB, I no longer post on my own wall, haven’t done so in years. I do join groups, and I joined the Southern CA stitchers. I put out the word that I’d like to get together and I have a lovely home to do so. There are 7 of us on the list, two couldn’t make it, but 5 of us had a wonderful afternoon. We are planning our next meeting at a restaurant. No I didn’t take pictures of us stitching.

One woman, Kendra, brought some magazines and patterns, so I’m now building a pattern library.

Or not, I am very capable of getting rid of these if I don’t want them. Right now they are sitting around. No I don’t make ornaments, but who knows what can be done with small patterns.

And now LA county is going hard-core again, masks inside, the craziness never stops. I just hope this causes a few more people to vote to recall Newsom. Sure you can say it’s the LA county health dept, but our dictator governor who is passing all kinds of laws unrelated to health, could step in and say no. But he didn’t. And there is no science behind this. Of course there is no science behind any of the lockdowns.

Leah

By the time I’m writing this, we are home. The joy hasn’t faded.

The sky was that blue as was the sea. The grandkids are adorable.

The whole family is amazing.

We were supposed to sail, it started raining so hard!

Here is a better view, the rain was a better bird deterrent than the hawks…

The sun came out quickly and yes, we did go sailing.

Club Med puts up these #s’. Lucky for us someone was there and took all of our pictures.

Slightly closer.

You get the idea.

During the night I think the teenagers came out and had fun and switched out the numbers. It was probably back to it’s official order the next day;

Westley enjoying a very chocolate dessert. The food was excellent, a lot of fresh food. veggies, fruits, fish and meat. As well as freshly baked breads and rolls. I must say, I am glad to get home to my own cooking. Vacation food is lovely, I thoroughly enjoyed it, as did the kids.

Here we are, Mercado 28, no, I didn’t buy this lady, just fun to take a picture with her.

Vacations are so necessary, it truly recharged the batteries.

Leah

I didn’t bring my nice camera and I have no regrets. Basically I was taking snapshots, not in depth photography.

There was local fauna – the iguanas were all over the place.

Enjoying the sun in the morning and shade mid day. My son and DIL saw a crocodile in the lagoon. It was at night, no, they didn’t get a picture.

A dead crab on the rocks. Oh, we did go to Xcaret, I didn’t bring my phone, so no pictures. Had an amazing time in the underground river. They now have a very nice aquarium as well as a shark show. It was fun seeing other people pay to pet a shark, something you’d never see in the states. But no pictures, just memories.

Two ladies showed up daily with their Harris Hawks, to scare off the bird. While they were there the birds fled – to return as soon as they left. One of the hawks had a mishap with the ceiling fan. He learned very quickly to avoid that!

Cam found this fan coral in the water at the beach. When it broke off it took some of the regular coral with it. He didn’t break this, we were not on the reef.

Artistic view of resort through the coral. We later saw many other pieces of fan coral, but not as impressive as this. Left it there, someone else may have taken it, I wasn’t going to bring it home.

The shoreline is very rocky. They have worked hard to scrape the rocks and put down sand, but here on the spit, it is natural.

A blow hole bubbling up.

More of the same blowhole.

It was so humid!! Not used to that humidity! but it does make for very green lush surroundings.

These flowers would last maybe two days, new ones were always growing.

Flowers of the tropics.

Leah

Yup, I was offline for a week, actually flew to Mexico on vacation with one son and his family.

Airports are packed again, service isn’t great, its’ like they are doing us a favor. Oh well, customer service has been on the decline everywhere. But the flight went without a hitch.

Yes, we all wore our masks. The crew really enjoyed telling people to adjust their masks. They won’t give up this control anytime soon, even though the hepa filters on airplanes are doing an amazing job.

Arriving in Cancun

, my son immediately turned his long pants into shorts. I got rid of those type of pants years ago. He still have a pair.

As soon as we got to Club Med, Westley started making friends.

The view the next morning. A little slice of paradise.

Westley going up the trapeze.

Ready to go!

… and he’s off. He didn’t do this daily, but did get better by weeks end. Cam did it twice, but I didn’t get the picture.

He enjoyed the trampoline.

Two very happy boys. Club Med really does an amazing job for families. We have been to Ixtapa and now Cancun. Very fun times.

Leah

Working away, I am doing a one thread project. Each day I work with one thread, when it runs out, I move on, until the next day. Although, we are going on vacation, and I think I’ll be bringing this project with me.

I found this pattern online, it was free, not that it matter, I like it enough to have bought it.

Using a lilac colored linen and some over dyed thread.

I’m only using one (well, two, cuz its’ double) thread a day. I am not taking a picture a day, that would be beyond boring.

This is where I am after a week and a half.

Been doing a lot of work on Tom Foolery, the advantage here is that because it is such a haphazard sampler, mistakes simply don’t matter.

I think this was the halfway point. I am doing this one over two on Weeks Dye works 36 linen. This linen is very soft, I’m not crazy about it. As in, now I won’t buy it again. I’m finding that 36 is that in between size, so I do one over two or two over two? Here I’m doing one over two, and its’ fine. funny thing, Adams right leg ended up two over two, and I actually took it out. It really didn’t look good.

62%, I am also playing around somewhat with the colors. Honestly, I think this little girl was given a box full of leftover thread, so when she ran out of one green, she’s pick up another, same is true with the pinks.

Am I loving this? No, I think I like things more regulated. Maybe that is why I loved the Quaker Sampler. I’m glad I’m making this, but as I look for more antique reproduction Sampler, I go with a more regimented one.

Big excitement this week. Our immediate next door is a rental house. The owner takes care of absolutely nothing. So these huge trees have never been trimmed. A large branch fell and ripped out the whole electric power to the house across the street. The firemen showed up right away. They are literally cutting the live wire.

Then DWP showed up quickly as well. Nice that we do get city services here. Lately it’s been feeling like all the money goes to anyone but the tax payers.

The cut live wires! Yikes

Cherry picker going up to replace the wire there is the house it is going to across the street. Unfortunately, these people are also renters with a bad landlord. Its been five days and everyday an electrician is there, the whole power structure of the home was damaged.

Next, going on vacation.

Leah