MY birthday party

My birthday was on Thursday and that is the day I work at the Casa. Had no special plans as Mike was working in San Diego and we celebrated the night before.

My friend, Lisa, who has volunteered at the Casa for 1 1/2 years decided to throw me a surprise party. She cleared it with staff and sent emails to garden club members inviting them to stop by.

I was walking around with my clipboard making my to do list for the day.. and taken by surprise as they led me to the ocean bluff and a table with the little cake (photo) ...then informed me that others may be stopping by.

My friends just kept coming in...I couldn't believe it! A wonderful celebration for a not so big (63) birthday.

Even my special friend, Sheila, made it. We are celebrating and cherishing our time together as she battles that horrible cancer.

The next surprise of the morning!
The Casa Board of Directors happened to be in a meeting. The meeting broke up during the party and the entire board came out to congratulate me on the Gardener of the Year award. I thought they were coming out because the birthday thing was going on.
Then they announced they were establishing a 'Launa Gould Garden Fund' for the Casa! I was surprised again and couldn't even comprehend the extent of this at the moment.
Here are a couple of the board members, Bill Carson and Dave Peters. The board is in love with the gardens and so appreciative. I recently received a $1050 donation from a local group of gals that wanted their $ to go towards the gardens. This is so exciting and I am overwhelmed with the recognition and the legacy of having my work so appreciated by the Casa.
What a birthday to remember!

Mike's birthday surprise

OK 60...been there, done that!

Well, I decided to surprise Mike for his 60th. Planned it for the July 4th weekend-a week before the actual date. We were expecting Nicole, Randy and their families for the 4th. I secretly invited extended family and some garden club friends to show up at 3pm for the surprise.

Randy lured Mike off to the park with Siena for an hour and we scrambled to decorate and set the stage. Yes, he was surprised!

Nephew, Tanner, helped BBQ burgers and sausages for the celebration.

Opening cards and gifts is especially enjoyed when all of the grandchildren are there to help!

Aubrey 6, Garrett 4, Siena 3 and Tegan 1.

June #7 Casa beauty

Here are some June photos of the gardens at the Casa. Sunflowers and hollyhocks show off. We planted them by seed.

The artichoke blossoms and Matilija (fried-egg) Poppies enjoy the ocean view.

A dramatic succulent blossom makes the yucca look like it is blooming. Note the June Gloom. I love the cooler weather for working out in the gardens but we are still wearing sweat shirts.

The butterfly garden is beautiful and ready for butterflies. Just waiting for some sunshine.

June #6 Desert

A road trip to take my Mom to a church camp in the desert...where I grew up. Here is a photo of the desolate desert outside of Palmdale. Our home(still there) is at the foot of the butte, just below the hour-glass sand. I climbed that butte many times. That was my playground. The huge chicken houses are no longer there. We had 12,000 hens and spent our days gathering eggs, grading, packing them, shoveling chicken manure etc. Like my mom said. It is OK for a short visit but that is enough.

June #5 T Party

Our youngest grand baby, Tegan, turned one on June 19. Randy and Staci gave her a fun "T" party with lots of family attending. There was T shirt making and TuTu's.
Here she is with Siena watching her dive into the 'T" cake.

The party was in the park.

Randy making her laugh. It's fun to be one!

June FUN # 4

The San Clemente Garden Club held its end of year installation on our deck.
We celebrated our accomplishments and the new additions to the board.

June FUN #3

Tegan is heading for the edge. Thank goodness for glass!

Grandchildren enjoying my 'children's garden'.

They are so cute in their PJ's wanting to go outside in the morning with the stuffed animals. They all slept in a 'tent' under the dining room table in sleeping bags the night before. Quite the adventure for all of us!

June FUN #2

Aubrey and Garrett spent the weekend with us. It was so much fun watching them in the garden and on the deck, creating activities with their elaborate imaginations.

Celebrating success!

Grandma hugs

Grandpa hugs and tickles in P J's

June FUN #1

Siena watering my plants. That coral colored geranium is a beautiful ball! and the 'stepable' geranium below is a beauty too. Not to mention the little one watering it.

All four grandchildren in one photo is rare! Siena 3, Garrett 4, Tegan 1 and Aubrey 6. I try hard to photo them all together. They are the cutest children (OK I am grandma) and they have fun playing together.

And here they are on my hammock with a Fox cousin, Carley, in the pink stripes.