I Really Do Know It's October!

I know it is the beginning of October but in Southern California we have been
having some very warm weather after what has been a very cool summer. 
It's really not so unusual for our area that we are warm at this time of year.

I have been away for a few days and when I returned home today the lovely warm
weather was emphasized by these beautiful new rose blooms to welcome me.

I was going to do a post on more antiques but the weather has me experiencing
a bit of spring fever, so I will post the antiques at another time.  Please enjoy a few
more blooms from my garden this morning.

As you can see, the warm weather has made it nearly impossible for me to accept
that it is October and I should be getting ready for fall!


Debbie of  Love Of The Sea has asked a few of us to answer the following questions.
I don’t ordinarily do this kind of thing but Debbie is so lovely so I thought I would
go ahead and play along with everyone.  Here goes...

• Do you consider yourself a city girl or country girl?
Well, I think I am a country girl at heart. I love living near a city and I do tend to
make use of everything a city has to offer...cultural offerings such as museums,
galleries, all kinds of concert, etc.  Also, I love trying new restaurants and things like
that. But, if I had to choose between living in a big city and living in the country on a
daily basis, I would say I am more of a country girl at heart...but I want to have a
city not too far away.  Oh, and I would like an ocean not too far away too!

• Besides where you live, where is the one other place you would like to live? Why?
I grew up on the East Coast and when I first moved to Southern  California
I lived in Santa Barbara. I loved it. I think it is one of the most beautiful
places. I also love New England and its charm. If I had to choose somewhere
outside of this country it would be Paris or some place in Provence.

• What is your favorite thing to do on a Saturday night?
Hmmm. That depends on the kind of week I’ve had. If it has been extraordinarily
busy I would probably choose to stay home and relax. If it has been a normal
week then I would definitely want to gather with friends for a nice meal and wine.

• What is the one habit that you really want to break but know you never will?
I wish I could simplify more. I keep trying but I do love to be surrounded by
pretty things and I appreciate their beauty. So it would be difficult for me to live
a life as a true minimalist(I so wish I could). I also love the fun of the hunt...I love
antiquing and thrifting.

• If you could spend the day with one famous person, who would it be and why?
That’s a very difficult question for me because with my work I am surrounded by
well known people on a daily basis. There are many who are very interesting and
are great fun. However, I guess if I had to pick one well known person to
spend the day with it would be Neil Simon, the playwright. I have had the pleasure
of spending lots of time with Neil and we have had wonderful conversations.

• What is your favorite pastime or hobby?
Antiquing, photography, reading, designing, catching up with my wonderful friends,
trying new restaurants, traveling...and the list goes on!

• If you could choose any place in the world to go to - all expenses paid - where
would it be?
I love to travel so I would go to France, Italy, Tahiti, Scandinavia...and the list
goes on!

Now, my instructions were that after I answer the above questions I should pass
them on to other people. But instead of that I think I would prefer that when you
leave a comment,  maybe if you want, you can tell me a little something about
yourself.  Oh yes, if you are a minimalist...do you give lessons!?!

Hope you are having a lovely weekend.

It's Lilac Time

A few days ago a friend and I visited Descanso Gardens. We decided to go at this time
because the lilacs are in full bloom and we just can’t resist them.  Walking into the lilac
garden transports you to another world. The scent is heavenly and the varieties many.
I am always amazed at the different shades of the lilacs. From a deep purple to
lavender to white and every shade in between.

The gardens were started in 1937 when Mr. Boddy, who was the publisher of the
Los Angeles Daily News, bought the property. His 22 room mansion is also open to
the public and provides an interesting history. He named the property Rancho Del Descanso
which means “Ranch of Rest”. One visit and it’s clear that “Ranch of Rest” is the perfect
name.

We actually started our visit walking through the many various varieties of flowers and
then went to the rose gardens. They were just beginning to bloom but there were
enough roses open and flowering that one’s imagination could picture the arbors covered
with their glorious blooms. This only means that we will have to make another visit to
the rose gardens in a few weeks when the roses are in full glory.  I guess my roses at home
are ahead of schedule!

We walked on through the oak tree forest, past the little waterfall and ponds populated by
Koi and ducks. And past the bird observation which was built in conjunction with the
Audubon Society. We will visit that on our next trip.

We hiked up through the camellias (like a forest)until we reached the Boddy House.
Outside of this mansion is a wedding arbor where ceremonies are performed on a regular
basis. It is surrounded with lovely flowers and tall trees. You can almost imagine a beautiful
bride and groom exchanging their vows.

We went through the Boddy mansion and slowly made our way toward the
Japanese Garden.

Approaching the Japanese Garden and Full Moon Tea House is a stream with Koi
swimming and a very picturesque Shinto Bridge surrounded by plants and flowers
native to Japan. It is a beautiful and popular sight.  There is a sand garden and a rock
garden as well as Japanese sculptures.

By now our main destination was within reach...we headed toward the beautiful lilacs
and took our time to absorb and enjoy their beauty...well, how could you not take
your time?  They are exquisite and the scent is intoxicating.

Several movies were filmed here including Memoirs of a Geisha, Legally Blonde,
America’s Sweetheart and many more, as well as tv commercials. The day we visited,
the garden was celebrating Earth day. The children came dressed as little flower ballerinas.
There is also an Enchanted Railroad train that one can ride through different parts of the
gardens. Children especially love this.

It was a beautiful and peaceful day.  The Earth must have been pleased.