Treasure Trove of Memories

Say it isn't so! I went and mentioned that you'd seen the last of Anniversary posts.... oops! - I had left out a special day Hubby & I set aside to roam our local haunts of years past (and present too). This was a surprise that I did for him.


A journey up & down our beautiful peninsula, taking in sights and places that had special meaning to us.

First stop (no, it didn't surprise Hubby) was at the church in the woods where we married.

 Recreated the bride roll here in this photo... haaaaa    ->

 

 

 

Moved our way north to San Francisco. That one-of-a-kind city, not too far from our home, holds many memories. I spent a lot of time in SF and was happy to share it with Hubby.                            

 

 

Golden Gate Park is where we landed.

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We have paddled, walked and photographed most sections of Stow Lake. It is one of our fave places.

 

 

 

We attempted to lunch at Swan's Oyster Bar. The dang place was packed. A line outside it's door that people said they'd waited in for an hour and some change. Love the place - but, we had places to go!

 

 

 

China Beach. A Golden Gate Bridge view - so spectacular, so up-close and personal! Never tire of this sight! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A champagne toast at The Cliff House

 

 

 

 

 

Most of the itinerary packed day was all an attempt to surprise Hubby and make the final destination a dinner spot that we've loved for decades, and is one that he never tires of speaking about.              

 

 

 

Here's the welcoming door knocker ~

 

 

 

 

 

A tented ceiling and fabric-lined walls... welcome to the casbah....

 

sorry for the blurry photo... so dark inside..

 

 

 

 

 

El Mansour - a fine Moroccan dining event....

 

 

 

A six course meal, taken leisurely, as entertainment swirls around you

 

 

 

 

 

Hubby was surely pleased ~

 

 

 

 

 

A San Francisco treat!! 

Fourth (and not last) In a Series on Celebrating 25 Years...

I left off from the tale of Anniversary mega-celebrations with a photo of a monstrous building {click} and will continue {if you are inclined to read more) from this photo that you've already
seen ~

I was presented with an unpurchaseable statement of love. Hubby had, for months, been compiling memories, thoughts and scribble-drawings of highlights during our years together - some married years and some before that. That is the final page of the booklet in his hands. On his bucket list two items were checked off - marrying me, and staying so for 25 years. The third item on the list was for us to check-off that very evening. We were staying overnight at the Ritz Carlton Half Moon Bay!!

Every square foot of this resort oozes luxury. The surprise was beyond comprehension, as this is very unlike us to stay in spendy places! No detail was left out. The room was littered with rose petals. The bed had towels shaped into swan hearts. We were greeted with "Happy Anniversary" wishes.

25 in petals

I laughed til I cried, and I cried - til I laughed. My chuckling at the drawings in the booklet had both of us gasping. A memorable place to sit and read this gift - ensconced in a dramatically large Adirondack chair, on a sunlit afternoon on the Ritz patio overlooking the grand Pacific. Perfection!

We had a private patio, and our own fire pit. We opted to stay on the patio all through the evening - who could waste a moment of that view? Dinner was a picnic here, with champagne to toast US!
The sky was blue... and as much a surprise as the gift, as Half Moon Bay is notoriously foggy! Sunset was meant just for our celebration!

A quick 24 hours we had, but you can't very well leave the beach without a walk in the morning!

Time for us to head home and for me to get up to the hill.. on the property with the goats, 'cause it was nearly the big day for Goat Hill Fair. Lots of work to be done. I've been busy as a bee...

Believe it, or not, the Anniversary stories are yet to be complete!! there's more to come.....

Third in A Series of The 25th Celebrate-athon !

Steep Ravine still fresh in our minds... and still aching on our backs (problem with new air mattress while camping).. little over a week after our first Anniversary celebration - the REAL wedding date came. Twenty-Five years after May 14, 1988 ~

We played- who has the best surprise anniversary plan? It is my opinion that Hubby won that game! He outdid himself! I was surprised in every way!

An itinerary was given me a week in advance. He knows me well - I had to be sure of what clothing to pack! Hubby has been writing in a makeshift journal - giving me daily stick-figure drawings and funny thoughts, quips and anecdotes. And  always a message of love. In the volley back and forth of love notes, we each offered clues to how we'd be celebrating. Not one of those could match the true thoughtfulness of his surprise plan.

Let me begin with the first timeline clue.... Hubby writes to me: "Light breakfast at home, leave the house by ten o'clock, and be in Half Moon Bay for lobster rolls at lunch!"  No problem - Dollface, you had me at lobster!!  :-)

remember... I mentioned glorious food and champagne for days...

Booklet next read:  "walk on the beach".... so, we strolled hand-in-hand along the sand...
How is it that poem, or rhyme goes??... too late to figure it out....  Anyway, we marked off the 2nd clue from the itinerary booklet.....

Next time I'll give you the BIG HURRAH!! Biggest, kindest, most out-of-character gift, EVER!!
Here's a clue though:

Here's What You Need to Know.. (about the last post)

Cliffhanger?... is that what I went and did when I typed out JUST JOEY, two weeks ago and then didn't return to the scene of the crime until tonight? Really sorry ! Here's the story behind that May 13th poem story.  (click may13 to read story)

On May 14th Hubby & I reached a lifetime milestone and began a month long celebration of our 25th wedding anniversary. To appropriately mark our day.. well, there just wasn't a gift that felt right. Hubby isn't much for material things. His wedding ring has sat in my jewelry box for most of the 25 years, so jewelry is on the never-buy list! Both he & I had surprises and trips planned, reserved and ordered. The one gift I could give would be something from the heart - thus, I wrote that poetry-like Just Joey item.

Next question, please...   "Excuse me, what was the idea behind Just Joey?"... oh, yes - that...

To my mind, something that we've considered to be the cornerstone of our life and happiness is this cottage home we live in. The move here, to this family-built house, happened just at the start of our married life. I regard this as my sanctuary. I feel safe and protected under this roof. The garden I've planted, and attempt to maintain, is of utmost importance to me. Hubby is enamored of all the serenity and pleasure that comes from these four walls, also.  Upon the lucky find of a perfectly perfumed and luscious yellow-peach rose - named: JUST JOEY, I knew she suited the 25th anniversary gift to a tee.

I painted burlap fabric silver (silver anniversary) and swathed the rose bush in a silvery bundle. White tulle for a bow, and propped her in our vintage wheelbarrow. Set out in front of our house just in time for Hubby to drive-up from work.

The 25 year Rosa is now planted and placed in the backyard garden. With love, nurturing and a home that provides shelter... may JUST JOEY grow & thrive for the next twenty five years, and more!

******

If I get the chance to play catch-up on blog posting...  do I have Anniversary stories to tell!

A Rose by any Other Name ~ Of Love & Anniversaries...

                           JUST JOEY

Of love and commitment ~
I've surely found a true one


The days past of travel and adventure ~
memories sweet and stowed away forever


Home! with boundaries that lie beyond four walls ~
into gardens lovingly nurtured and settled deep
in the hearts of we two


Marriage a quarter century long ~
spanning years from childhood to golden;
friendship to forever yours


Who might claim my hand ?
Work diligently to forge a life of ease & comfort ?
Stay true - to this girl ?
This girl - who saw a boy and wanted for nothing less...

'Tis  JUST JOEY...

Joey, mine !


Happy 25 years!!

Want for What Was

This day's twist hit me by surprise. Hubby's usual outlook was skewed and he was unusually open, raw and sometimes tearful. The want for WHAT ONCE WAS - that is the emotion that saddened our sunny morning. Eighteen months ago he was struck with an unforeseen illness. Life is mostly normal now, but the looking back is hard not to do. We don't and shouldn't live constantly in that state as it will get us nowhere. The ramifications - difficulties in walking - are progressively being challenged as Hubby and his therapist continue searching for a regimen to aid his left side.

Walking. How often here in my "journal" have I spoken of that simple verb?  To walk ~ for me it's a task-exercise-pleasure-life line-necessity ! Walking once a simple, ordinary, automatic action and now for Hubby it is anything but simple. My heart breaks when he struggles. He marches on however!


On the anniversary, eighteen months ago of this turn of events in our life, we finished with the tears - we dressed, made plans with friends and we went for A WALK !!

Beautiful spot for a walk, huh? ^

Hubby on the downhill...  :-)

No fanfare. We never mentioned to others the mark that highlighted this date on our calendar and our hearts. There'd be no raising of glasses, as it would make our mindful state tangible - more of a reality than we would like. Almost as if this thing had a HOLD of a spot in our life. I for one cannot give it more space than it already has!

Afternoon picnicking and wine tasting made laughter the star of the day!

Should I still be holding that stemmed glass in my hand - I would like to nod my head your way, dear man, give you a smile and toast to you - my HUBBY!!  Sentiments so wistful for what was, but greater than those; wishes for the days ahead that the strength you've kept all the while, will hold you upright , sturdy and forward thinking. Hopeful still and always!


That light? .....                                             ->

The proverbial end of the tunnel - it's the good place we find ourselves at the close of each day !  Because we've found that the tunnel isn't all bad - it's just ... well, we've got more tunnels on our road than some.  I'd much rather travel the tunnel with you the rest of our days, than the alternative!

Love Notes and Hearts

During the "winter of cleaning" that has been going on in the cottage 'oer here, I've come across some fun mementos. They've got lots to do with love and heartfelt feelings and the showing of emotions.

Valentine's Day. Hearts and notes of love suit this day well....



Stuck back in a closet and refound - this vintage silk covered heart pin cushion.  The kind of odd object that I adore finding at an estate sale...  ->

This pink vintage candy box ^ was filled with cards, good wishes and notes of love. My family - Hubby, parents, brothers and sisters stuffed this box with goodness of the non-chocolate type for my 50th Birthday. The sweetness inside oozed with emotion.... 100 times more potent than a confection indulgence.

special notes from Hubby & my brother

Two vintage hearts -

A thoughtful note from my niece sent to me upon the eve of her college graduation. So happy that I printed it and stashed it away. Only to be found, and now coveted... never to be misplaced again.

On another night I will sit and share the delight I feel for some recent love notes....
They are ridiculously silly, quirky and one-of-a-kind!! All from my Valentine.

** read more about love, love of home, and love of garden at My Romantic Home!

About a Donkey

Burros, donkeys, asses of all sorts...


National Election Day today...

Democratic donkey is one image for the day...
By the way, what's it got to do with the Democratic Party? Looked it up... don't remember what I read!... 


In not remembering - guess that can make me somewhat of a donkey. Surely, not an elephant like the Repubs! Remembering is something that elephants do.

Yesterday, and well continuing.... I might consider Hubby to be a bit of a donkey! STUBBORN AS A DARN MULE!!  Damn...

what? who you calling a mule?  :-)

 

Then, I was followed by a gang of donkeys while on a walk. Yes, you heard that right.. a GANG! In the foothills.. yes, I was on their turf! But I was there legally, just cruising through. There was no need for accosting me. Well, other than the fact the gang thought I was carrying. Yep, carrying! Some good stuff - as in food!! I was walking while holding a large branch from a fir tree. I presume the gang thought it was oaty-type stuff. Six of 'em were on my tail, trotting quickly along with me. I thought they just may start shooting nipping at me. We became buds though. At least once I was behind the fence!! hhhaa

see all of them... totally scary, huh?

Thus ends the days tails tales of donkeys...



Hope I didn't make too much of an A ** out of myself ~


                                  

I've linked up this donkey-drama to another blog: Flower Patch Farmgirl. Shannan asked about our day. What was special? What was the salsa on your burrito?, she said. So, I'm sharing the cheddar cheese (cuz this was one cheesy post) on my BURRO!! see it all by clicking on Flower Patch Farmgirl.

Nothing Could Be Finer - Than To Be In...

Very near to the first day of Spring, just a day past that ol' fuddy-dud of Winter hitting the road... I was born. Lucky me! I do love this time of year. Not just because of my Birthday. Yet, when you get a day like this for celebrating.... then you're very grateful! Come see how I spent my day ~


Went out to a farm to take some photographs for the Goat Hill blog. Good country vibe, cloudy skied day, and twisty hill roads to travel with my Hubby.

many dusty, oldy finds strewn about the barn ~

Then the wind changed direction.. as did we ~

Off over the hills to the west.  Choice of the Birthday person as to what was next. I chose BEACH!! For a bite of lunch and a walk. As we patio-picnicked {aka - outdoor dining at a restaurant} at Santa Cruz Harbor, something off in the kelp held every ones attention ~

and were we ever entertained...  I think the little otter knew it..

We strolled, only ever so slowly, as Hubby isn't doing fast these days...

Sea spray, gulls! An end of the levee lighthouse shone its beacon of light. For ME! On my day!
{sure felt like that anyway}.. if it wasn't shining on me, I needed it to be. Always nice to know there's light at the end of a tunnel ~

I was happy to go home and work. Yep, even that was joyful! Work in the garden with a chicken, and you're bound to be happy!

There was even room left in the day for dinner out after removing soil from my fingertips and sprucing up a tad. 'Twas a grand Spring day! Nothin' could be finer...

{not sure I can tie-in Dean-o singing Carolina! Luv him tho, so here it is!}