Solvang

The only way to describe our weekend is "aaaahhhhh...."

We arrived in Solvang around 1:30 on Friday afternoon. We wandered around in a few of the shops, including the Solvang Shoe Store, where I tried on some cute shoes!



We met Jim and Nancy Austin for dinner. Jim retired last year from the company Les works for. This was Jim's 20th year to ride the Solvang Century. They have stayed at the Petersen for many years and we enjoyed catching up with them.

This is "our" room - room 338.


Our room overlooks this fountain. With our window open, you can hear it, adding a very relaxing touch.



Les was up bright and early Saturday morning for the Solvang Century bike ride. He met Jim at 6:30 and off they went!

I went back to sleep after he left and didn't wake up until 8:00! That is sleeping in for me. I met Nancy around 11:00 and we drove over to Los Olivos to check out a couple shops there. We wandered through a metal sculpture garden checking out these characters and their friends!


Les sent frequent text updates on his progress and we enjoyed a relaxing dinner at the Petersen on Saturday night. After sleeping in on Sunday morning, we enjoyed a sunny morning, bought some cheese, crackers, and 3 brands of blueberry jam at the Vinhus!





And we made reservations for next year!

A Little March Getaway

For the past several years, Les and I have taken the second weekend in March to escape to Solvang, California. This lovely little town is filled with shops, restaurants, and bakeries year round, but on the second weekend in March, it is also home to thousands of cyclists! This is the annual Solvang Century & Half Century. Yes, Les is one of those cyclists - he opts for the full Century (100 mile) ride, while I enjoy the town.


It was about 4 years ago that we stumbled upon what we consider the jewel of Solvang - The Inn at Petersen Village. We weren't originally going to stay in Solvang - hotels are sold out months in advance of the ride weekend. So Les found a place in Lompoc, close enough that he could get to the ride. To make a long story short - that place was a dump and we checked out after one night! Saturday morning found us exhausted from lack of sleep and Les opting out of the ride because it was pouring rain, and it started hailing mid-morning! Because of the weather, other riders had also canceled, so hotels were sporting "Vacancy" signs that had not been on the previous night.


Our weary feet led us to the Petersen, and what a welcome we received. The lady behind the desk found an available room, and instead of making us wait until the normal 3:00 p.m. check-in, she sent housekeeping to clean it immediately! Within 30 minutes we were checked in and taking a nap!

The Petersen is one of the most peaceful inns we have ever stayed in. The staff is friendly and professional. Breakfast and dinner are both included in the cost of the room and the food is delicious. Les and I always come home from this weekend refreshed and feeling like we've been gone much longer than two days. Just typing this is making me relax!

I'm sure I'll have pictures to post when we get home.

Comfort

“Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

This verse really spoke to me the other day. I have experienced the God of all comfort many times in my life and I want to be a comforter with His comfort. In my own feeble way, I can't give much comfort, but His comfort makes the difference. I've said it before, but one of the most comforting phrases I've ever heard is not "everything is going to be alright," or "God has a plan", but "I am praying for you." Those words bring comfort.

Advice from a Giraffe

Stand tall.

Reach for new heights.


Don't be afraid to stick your neck out.


Preserve wild places.


Eat fresh greens.


Be head and shoulders above the rest.


Keep your chin up!

A Touch of Tennessee

Les has lived in California for almost 22 years, but when we planted flowers a few years ago, these are some he chose:

15 Mile Run on 17 Mile Drive

Since Kim and Rodney's wedding wasn't until 12:30 on Saturday, Les and I both decided Saturday morning would be a great time for some exercise along the beautiful Pacific Ocean. Les took his bike and I took my running gear. After a reconnaissance mission Friday afternoon (where we spotted several deer), I thought running on the fabulous 17 Mile Drive would be a treat. Our hotel was practically on 17 Mile Drive, about one mile away from the Pacific Grove entrance to the famous road.

I was not disappointed!!! I left our hotel room around 6:15 Saturday morning and couldn't have asked for a more beautiful day. The road was very quiet. A few cars. A few walkers. A few runners. And LOTS of cyclists! They were out in force! I saw one pack of about 30. They zoomed past me at an amazing pace, it felt like a car was going by!


I took the road from the Pacific Grove Gate (at the top of the map), running on the pedestrian path as often as possible, and ran to Cypress Point Lookout (#14 on the map). This put me at about 7 1/2 miles, so I decided that was a good place to turn around. It was at about mile 11 that I saw my favorite cyclist - Les! He was just heading out on what turned out to be a 50 mile ride. We chatted for a few minutes, hammed it up for the camera, and went our separate ways.

I don't know if I can describe just how wonderful this run was. It was breathtaking! It was the perfect mix - a cool ocean breeze with a warm rising sun. I don't think I've ever had a more enjoyable run! And it was an awesome reminder of just how great God is! I made several stops along the way - ran on a boardwalk, ran down stairs to the beach, stopped to listen to the seal lions bark - basically enjoying the beautiful day God gave me!

Leather and Lace

This weekend Les and I traveled to Monterey for wedding of my sister, Kim, to Rodney. The setting was Lover's Point Park in Pacific Grove and the day was beautiful! If you've been to Monterey, you know that the weather can be foggy and windy, but it was neither of those on Saturday. There was a clear blue sky with absolutely no wind. We're all either wearing sunglasses or we're squinting in all the pictures because it was so sunny! Poor us, having to endure such a horrible California winter day!

I enjoyed seeing my immediate family, Dad with his girlfriend, Barbara, my brother, Rick with his wife, Diana, my nieces, Krysten and Lauren, with honorary niece, Allison, and my cousin, Melanie with her son Mikey! Almost a family reunion!

Rodney is a Harley enthusiast and several of their friends came from Fresno on their Harleys. So while Kim and Rodney were dressed in the wedding finery, their friends were dressed in their Harley leather! It made for an interesting combination of Leather and Lace.

Congratulations, Mr. and Mrs. Rodney Spenhoff! I love you both and pray God's best for your life together.

Don't Forget

The time change is THIS weekend!! And while we lose an hour of sleep, the lighter evenings make it worth it to me. Don't be late for Sunday school tomorrow!!!

Friday Foodie

Sigh... Another week without a new recipe! Things have been just a little crazy around here and they are getting ready to be super crazy! We have 2 weddings to attend this month (one out of town and one out of state) and we are starting a three week revival next week. So, don't look for any new recipes this month!

I could cook during revival, but to make Les' life a little easier I ride the Metrolink train to Burbank on church nights during the week. That means Les can drive from work to Burbank (about 30 minutes) instead of driving home (30 minutes) and then to Burbank (another 30 minutes!). We'll be eating out 3 nights a week, much more than I like, but it allows Les a few minutes to unwind before church starts.

So why won't I cook the other nights? Oh, I probably will. Just nothing new or experimental. I'll stick to standbys like spaghetti or enchiladas. Things that can stay in the refrigerator a couple of days without spoiling.

With all this eating out, I will have to be very careful what I order. My favorite site for checking out restaurants and their nutritional values is Dottie's Weight Loss Zone. Dottie is a Weight Watchers member who has calculated the points for many items from over 500 restaurant menus. Even if you're not a Weight Watcher, most of the items list calories, fat, fiber, protein, and carbs, so it is very helpful. It can be quite an eye opener when you see that your favorite salad is 1500 calories!!

I'll be keeping my eye out for new recipes and plan to get back on it in April.

Happy Birthday, Rod!

Rod would have turned 46 today. I've written a lot about his determination and inner strength, but today I want to celebrate his ability to laugh and sing.

Proverbs 17:22 says: "A merry heart doeth good like a medicine." Rod was well acquainted medicine, but he was also acquainted with laughter. He had a very serious side to him, but his sense of humor was off the charts. His mind was extremely quick. I can remember so many times conversations turning into musicals. It seemed he had a song for everything. Often it would be just one line to a song, but his timing would have us in stitches!

I have quite a few of Rod's songs, but they are on tapes that are more than 15 years old, so the recordings are not great. But just think, someday we'll get to sing around the throne together! Here is a little sample for those of you who knew him.

Music Playlist at MixPod.com

I'm also reposting the slideshow I made a few months ago.

Happy March!

This year is just flying! March 4th already! I thought I'd share a few "Irish" thoughts on friendship...

May the roof above us never fall in.
And may the friends gathered below it never fall out.

There are good ships, and there are wood ships,
The ships that sail the sea.
But the best ships are friendships,
And may they always be.

May your home always be too small to hold all your friends.

In His Arms

Lord,
how glad we are
that we don't hold You,
but that You hold us.

- from "God is No Stranger"

We sang the old song "Leaning on the Everlasting Arms" during Morning Worship on Sunday. Les leaned over and said, "That song has new meaning today, doesn't it?" He read my mind! We had just sung verse 3:

What have I to dread, what have I to fear,
Leaning on the everlasting Arms
I have blessed peace with my Lord so near,
Leaning on the everlasting Arms!

I didn't capture the face of the baby in the picture above. But look at those hands holding her - she was probably asleep, safe in daddy's arms.

It's so good to be held in His arms. Arms that are everlasting!

Babies, Babies, Babies!

Delores & Leslie, Breanna & Jayden, Sarah & Elle

Last Saturday our church hosted a triple baby shower! Jayden was born on December 28th, Leslie was born on December 29th, and Elle was born on December 30th! How's that for church growth?! Jayden is definitely the "man" of the bunch, quickly outgrowing newborn clothing, while the two little ladies are trying to catch up. Leslie's mom, Delores, and Elle's mom, Sarah, are both new to our church family and it was fun making them welcome in this way. And of course Breanna is a special part of our church and has been for a couple of years since she married David and moved from Arroyo Grande.

There we dozens of oohs, aahs, and how cutes, as each mommy opened their gifts. Soft newborns and the clothes we wrapped them in are just adorable!

And then there was Alicia... our gift coordinator! She was so funny, helping the moms get their gifts open. Sometimes taking the gift before they were finished looking at it. Leesh, we're going to miss you - have fun in the Philippines but please come back!!

Speaking of babies, we had a Spanish Campana (revival) this weekend with Bro. Nix and two ladies received the gift of the Holy Ghost!!! One on Saturday night and one on Sunday night! God is moving in the land!