Aubrey and Garrett at the beach

We left the Casa and went down the hill to the beach and pier we saw from the Casa gardens. Aubrey and Garrett were having fun playing in the sand, on the swings and Aubrey buried her legs-all by herself. Then her toes were 'born'...

We left our blanket on the beach and walked all the way to the end of the pier, watched the fisherman, got a candy treat and chased the pigeons. Here they are, running ahead, chasing the birds. How refreshing is that to us busy adults!

Made it back home with rocks and other items collected from the beach for a 'craft' project Aubrey had remembered seeing on TV. Here she is, creating her master piece. Collecting the items among the washed-up seaweed took up the last hour of beach time.
It is such a treat to just play for the day with the grandchildren!

Grandchildren for a day

Mark and Nicole planned an anniversary celebration outing. I was the lucky grandma to play with Aubrey and Garrett while their parents spent time together.

Garrett was zooming around the deck on the big wheel, riding through the leaves Aubrey was sweeping into a pile. She finally blocked his path with patio chairs. Then we convinced him to help sweep leaves too...

I had some plants to drop off at the Casa so they helped me unload my truck and then had a ball running around. Can you find them in this photo?

The Monarch caterpillars are all over the Milkweed. We counted 6 fat caterpillars on this bush. They were surprised at each one they discovered.

Casa Imagination Celebration

Today was an event at the Casa that featured art. The Imagination Celebration. Well known artist in town had booths around the Casa and many children's activities offered families a fun afternoon. I had the table in the butterfly garden. What fun. Families painted butterflies and I talked to everyone about the plants and butterfly cycle...My voice is hoarse tonight.

Continuous crowd of families at the painting table in the butterfly garden.

Even Dad painted his master piece with Mom and daughters.

You have to look close. I placed this trellis next to the butterfly garden and the monarch caterpillars came! Check out the chrysalis hanging from this trellis. It is a great place to show children-and adults the butterfly process-out in nature :)

This photo is taken from the butterfly garden looking in towards the courtyard. The cactus are a sharp contrast to the butterfly plants.
I have about 23+ more photos I'd like to share but...hopefully you get the idea :)

Casa on Thursday

Maybe you won't appreciate the beauty as much as I do but just want to share the spring gardens at the Casa. The impact on the visitors is impressive as many have not been there for over a year. I have even gleaned volunteers because they want to be a part of it. Cool...
These photos are in the front of the Casa...no ocean view yet.

The roses at the edge of the parking lot are just beautiful with fragrant, plate size blooms. I bring bouquets in the office for staff :) They are jealous-would rather be outside.

This is the entrance to the office. See the green 'balls'. That is Euphorbia blooming. It is a show stopper.

These pots at the entrance were donated. Seemed oversized in the beginning. I planted them and now they seem to cozy in the front 'keyhole' entrance of the Casa.

This planting at the left side of the entrance is popping right now! Bear's Breech on the left and Pride of Maderia on the right.

Mom's feel the pain too

When my children and grandchildren suffer, I feel it too. Do you know what I mean?

This has been a traumatic week for Randy and I am glad I could be with him and Staci and stay in their home to help with Siena from Monday -Wednesday during these stressful days.

Randy had a 'conditioning hike' up Mt. Whitney with a very experienced Scout leaders group on Monday. The most horrible thing happened when Kent Ashcraft (Google him and Mt. Whitney), fell to his death from ice that gave way while sitting to retrieve his camera... Randy stayed by his side for 3 hours while the others went for help. A most traumatic life event that most of us have never experienced. My heart aches.

Then, the next day Staci had Dr. appointments (I had planned to be there to watch Siena anyway). She was hospitalized for observations of possible early labor symptoms (she is 6 mos along). That was really worrisome, now, a couple days later all has settled down a bit and she is doing OK with required resting, no long walks etc. We all want baby girl 'Firecracker' to wait till the Fourth of July before gracing us with her presence.

As a Mom, I wish I could make it all better. With grandchildren, a kiss and band aid usually will make it better. I wish the tough life experiences of our children could all be handled by a kiss and band aid. I want to be the sticky part of the band aid for them. I'll stick with them in the tough times and promise it won't hurt to pull the band aid off...

Siena visits while parents are away

Randy and Staci took an opportunity to visit Canada. Both families shared the Siena watch. She spent a couple nights with me but during the day was preparation for the Garden Club's annual GardenFest.

Siena helped me load my truck with plants I had propagated.

We arrived at the community center to unload the truck. Wagons and club friends helped us.

Siena went on to the Fox grandparents and I went back to the GardenFest.
I really liked this antique bath tub. I remember taking a bath in one like this when I was about 5. I said I would buy it from the GardenFest flea market if no one else wanted it. Well, my friend, Nancy bought it! I had to give her a bad time about it...I did deliver it to her home in my truck. So if she gets tired of it, I get first dibs :)

Funky Container

This weekend is the annual GardenFest put on by the Garden Club. As you all know I am very involved, mostly behind the scenes lately, with the club. We have a Funky container contest. I love to enter it. Today, I had a day without commitments, at home, yeah!!! I started looking for a container to plant for my Funky contribution. I scanned my potting area, scoured through stuff in the garage, rummaged through my kitchen cabinets then came upon the recycle bin. I must admit that Diet Pepsi is a close rival to the Diet 7up in the recycle bin. The 7 up caught my eye and I started roaming my garden and 80 some plants I have propagated for the plant sale. Here is what I eventually ended up with. Last year an artist actually painted my floral exhibit. Wonder if they will think this is clever enough to paint this year. What do you think?

Book Ends

It is really a special occasion for the parents of any family with adult children to all be in one place at the same time.
Saturday, before Easter, they were all at our home as we celebrated birthdays of 9 family members. We had a Gould crowd of 24 attending and catching up with each other.
This photo is of Mike and I as 'book ends'.

And another photo of our children, their spouses and children. We are so proud!
Mark, Nicole, Michelyn, Derek, Staci and Randy. In the wagon, Garrett, Aubrey and Siena.

Easter time with family

Someone caught this photo of me and Siena.

Aubrey, the team leader of the grandchildren, is creating wonderful play in the tent on our deck. Garrett, are you hiding?

I am giving the three little ones a ride in the wagon. The wagon Randy had as a child...
Mike and Randy are chatting and watching the action.

Herbs, mystery plant and David

I took this photo about 5pm today after work at the Casa. It is the herb garden with rosemary trailing down the wall and herbs filling in nicely in the garden. We pick the lettuce for our lunch.

Another evening photo of the left side of the entrance. The yellow flower is from a plant called "Cup of Gold". The other plant with purple spikes just starting is called 'Pride of Madera'. Everyone asks the name of a plant that happens to be blooming.

I stole a bit of time to work in my own garden Sunday evening. Had a flat of plants sitting along this brick row for a month...waiting for me to plant them. I picked up the flat of plants and this one (behind the terra cotta pot piece) was 'planted' in the ground! I think it is the fuchsia I bought??? Maybe not? It is growing really well so maybe it is a weed that would be a fuchsia look-a-like? But I do remember buying a little 4 inch pot with a fuchsia...hummmmm. Didn't want to disturbe it, even tho it is in the walkway. Will keep you posted.

Photo of my brother, David, you've read an occasional blog spot on him. Saturday I spent the day settling him into his new 'digs'. He sustained a head injury, among many other injuries 24 years ago and after his recovery, lived with Mom. After an extensive hip repair operation in early December, he has been in Skilled nursing facilities. Saturday we moved him to an assisted living facility in Fallbrook. He has recovered well enough to be able to now learn to live independently in a safe, secure environment. It is a major adjustment, especially for Mom as she has been his care giver ever since his accident. He is just 5 minutes from Mom and she can visit and will fill in the gaps of his care. 'The Shack' is a sign he made and hung above his 'Shack' many years ago. It is so appropriate as he now has his own 'shack' again.

Life is really busy for me! Looking forward to some Launa time some day.