Day trip for Randy and family

Randy had business appointments in the San Diego area and on a whim, he brought Staci and little ones to spend the afternoon with us. It was so cool that we were actually home! Love that we are only one minute off the freeway on the way to San Diego.

Tegan is just toddling along. Busy moving stuffed animals from one place to the other on the deck.

Siena has been asking for stories from her mom and dad about when they were little. Randy had shared the story of Punk. A pillow. Well, we still have that pillow and Siena asked for it. It was so cute. Punk is quite worn but she loved sleeping with Punk.

Tegan, the fearless adventurer, is having fun with the well worn big wheel. She makes it go backwards and smiling all the way.

Cabin Fun in Big Bear

Randy brought Siena and Tegan to the cabin and we joined them. What a fun weekend with Tegan, just confidentially walking and Siena Ms. curious and looking for her own space. I have a ton of photos but here are a couple.

Vacation with Wayne and Amy

We did a road trip to San Luis Obispo to meet up with our long time friends who live in Baltimore. They were doing a West Coast road trip starting in the San Francisco area visiting their daughter and sights down the coast. We met 25 years ago when they were neighbors in our La Mirada, CA condo. We connected in SLO for a bit of wine tasting and exploring the area. Amy and I are checking out the beautiful grapes in clusters with colors from green to purple on the same stem.

This is our favorite winery. We have visited Castoro a few times during the past 20 years. They moved from the original home, up the hill to a beautiful facility that accommodates major events. Mike, me, Amy and Wayne pose with my 10 sec. timer :)

Wayne and Amy traveled further south and spent the last two days of their trip in San Clemente. A tour of the Casa was on top of their list. Here they are, checking out the beautiful ocean and the native garden.

Then we put them to work, shucking corn on the deck. They shared a 'google recipe' to BBQ them. And the corn was yummy! It was great to catch up with our East Coast/wanna be back on the West Coast, friends.

San Clemente Ocean Fest

My favorite summer activity in San Clemente is the Ocean Fest with the sand castle competition. It is so fun to go early to watch them creating - then see the finished product. This Surf Camp entry had the blue wave, whale, bubbles coming out of the sand and water squirting from the sand! Quite the accomplishment.

I loved the detail in this entry. Only half of it shows in the photo. All entries won some recognition...well deserved!

The crowds on the beach in the area of the sand sculptures.

A view of the Ocean Fest from the Casa.

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.