4th of July Waterworks?

We usually stay home on the 4th of July as our dog Bella goes CRAZY when she hears fireworks. She is a lab/pit bull mix but is a total sweetheart. The poor thing gets so anxious and scared that she whimpers from the loud sounds. We usually put her in our bedroom and turn the TV on real loud so that the sound from the TV drowns out the noise from the fireworks.

This year my husband's cousin was kind enough to invite us {and Bella} over to their house for a BBQ. The host/hostess have a tradition of having a water balloon toss on the 4th of July. So, we all lined up and tossed water balloons back and forth until we had the last surviving team.





hmmm...I don't think Bernadette won!



Some of the boys also played a game of baseball with a whiffle bat and ball.

A Few Projects and Duran Duran!

I have so many photos to upload from the past few summer camping trips that I am procrastinating and am instead going to post a few photos of a few gifts I made recently. ;)

I sent this to my sister since I figured she'd enjoy this rare photo of her actually willing to pose and smile. {I am sure it has everything to do with her niece and nephews surrounding her!} This picture was taken in a very large downed and hollow redwood tree at Memorial Park near Pescadero, CA.



I also made this mini-book for my dear friend Jennifer who flew out from the East Coast to visit me for 4 days. I knew I wanted to make an album for her but when I saw these extra large playing cards at the gift shop at Alcatraz Island during our tour I knew it was fate for me to buy them. LOL










In 3 days we managed to:

score a free upgrade to a suite at the Fairmont with an incredible view of the Bay
shop at Union Square
ride a cable car
have a drink inside of the Tonga room & dance to "Hungry Like the Wolf" on the dance floor :)
take the Alcatraz Island tour
visit Ghiradelli Square
visit Pier 39 {and most importantly the sea lions!}
shop on the Haight/Ashbury
see Golden Gate Park
drive on the Pacific Coast Highway and the Marin Headlands
tour Muir Woods
and lay in the sand at Stinson Beach

I was exhausted by the time Jennifer left but was so sad to see her go.

Oh - on a side note, I saw Duran Duran at the Fillmore in SF last week. They played a great set to a sell-out crowd. I will readily admit it was my 9th Duran Duran concert since they reunited back in 2004. So, yes, that would mean I am a full-fledged Duranie!

I managed to win a meet and greet with the band after the show although only 2 of the 4 band members showed. Here are my photos with Simon Le Bon and John Taylor {excuse the latter with the deer-in-the-headlights look!}





A photo of me and my friend Lisa after finding out we both won the meet and greet.

Is that you, cousin?

I have been meaning to write about a timely family reunion up in Sonora late last month. With the passing of my maternal grandmother last month, this Wentworth reunion was something I didn't want to miss.

This reunion was special because (1.) this family gathering was a perfect way to celebrate my grandmother's life even though this reunion was planned well before my grandmother's passing. And (2.) I haven't seen many of my cousins on my mother's side for close to 10 years. In some cases, almost 30 years!

I was most excited to see my cousin Pammy (yeah, a childhood name that I still have to call her! - Sorry, Pam!) because we used to "hang out" together at grandma and grandpa's house in Redwood City when we were about 10 or so. She's been living in Kentucky and Missouri now for as long as I can remember so when I heard that she flew out for the reunion with her son, I was anxious to see her again. This day also happened to be her actual birthday so here she is with her birthday hat and cupcake:



and a pic with her son:



Pam and me!




Believe it or not, we actually roasted a pig. My dad couldn't help himself but to be the man in charge.



Uncle Bob and my parents




Cousin Steve and his special chef's hat


Mom and two of her brothers Bob (on the left) and Frank.



"the boys"



Darren at Pinecrest Lake. We spent the day there while the men roasted the pig!





Mom and my Aunt Becky





It was so great to see uncles and cousins and their wives and husbands and children. The Wentworth family definitely multiplies like rabbits I tell you!

"The great gift of family life is to be intimately acquainted with people you might never even introduce yourself to, had life not done it for you. "
- Kendall Hailey

Glimmer Mist and a Holiday

Happy 4th of July to all! May you all enjoy a fun and safe holiday.

I stumbled upon Celine's blog this morning and found this:



*Glimmer Mist is the same great product with a fabulous NEW Look!*

I love how the new bottles show off their fabulous colors. Looks like there will be no doubt about what colors I'm bringing home with the clear bottles! Yay!

Be sure to check out the Tattered Angels website if you've never used glimmer mist on your layouts. They are addicting and fun to use!

A Heavenly Reunion

2 days ago my last surviving grandparent, Mrs. Alice Wentworth, passed away. She was 98 years old. Although I knew this day was coming it was still a shock to hear the news. I could have sworn she was going to live to see her 100th birthday but God must have had other plans.

What comforts me is that I have many childhood memories to comfort me. I remember spending the weekend at my grandparent's house with my sister and going shopping and playing in their incredible backyard for hours. I could swear it was the biggest backyard I have ever seen to this day. I also remember my grandmother teaching me how to play double solitaire - which we would of course play for hours.

I am thankful that Darren was also able to see his great-grandmother twice in his 7 years. They hit it off immediately - despite the age difference. Here they are back in 2004 or so when she and my uncle were out for a visit from Kentucky.





My grandmother had bad knees but still managed to chase Darren around the kitchen for the sheer fun of it. She was paying for it later with aches and pains but I am sure that if she could have turned back time she would have done it again anyhow.

Here's my sister Jan with Grandma at Thanksgiving several years ago.



I know for a fact that she is up in heaven dancing with my grandfather. Rest in peace, Grandma. And have a dance with Grandpa for me. I miss you both.

Alice Steers Wentworth

February 1, 1911 - June 15, 2009

Just Call Me Tour Guide

My good friend Jennifer flew out from the east coast on Wednesday to pay me a visit and to see the sights of the Bay Area since she has never visited Northern California before.

We drove into San Francisco on Thursday afternoon and headed straight to the Haight/Ashbury district. We did lots of shopping (I can't believe I bought a purple purse but I just HAD to have it!) and ate at Cha Cha Cha. Plantains, new potatoes and sangrias galore! I love that place.

Next up: the Fairmont Hotel! I can't believe the deal I found through Travelocity. When we arrived the lovely gentleman checking us in gave us a free upgrade up to the 17th floor with a corner room with full views of the City. This was our view:







Needless to say that when the bellman left after dropping off our bags Jennifer and I jumped up and down like kids in a candy store.

We walked down to Union Square and shopped some more and took the cable car back up to the hotel. The next morning we took did the obligatory tour of Alcatraz Island since Jennifer is a big history buff. I hadn't been in over 10 years so it was like seeing it for the first time all over again.
Here's the view of the City from the boat trip over to Alcatraz:







Next up was Pier 39. I couldn't pull Jennifer away from the sea lions for the life of me. She wanted to take one home. I have to admit that they were pretty entertaining to watch while they fight over their territory and push the smaller sea lions back into the water.





Our last stop was Ghiradelli Square for more sightseeing. There was the cutest little tea shop there and we actually managed not to eat at the ice cream shop. We did indulge in a free sample of chocolate however!

On Jennifer's last day we drove to Stinson Beach so she could see the views from the Pacific Coast Highway. Here are some shots from the Stinson Lookout:











We let Darren blow off some steam from the long drive and hung out at the beach for a bit. Is this a happy kid or what?



Again, we were blessed with a beautiful clear day. Our last stop was Muir Woods.







Did I mention how I love the smell of redwood trees and fresh air? It's such a happy place for me. The highlight of our walk had to have been seeing a mother deer and her 2 fawn resting in the woods not 7 feet from where we were standing.



I was sad to see my friend leave yesterday but man, am I beat! I haven't walked so much since spending 3 days in Disneyland!

Until we see each other again, my friend!



Side note #1 - Darren's last day of first grade was on Thursday. Here's a photo of him and his teacher:



Side note #2 - Sorry I haven't posted my fabric album with Donna Downey. It's not finished yet and that's a WHOLE other story! ;)