~REMEMBER.."THE MISSION INN" con't~

I am easily sidetracked lately and I did not keep my promise to post a few more photo's of our lovely historical Mission Inn in downtown Riverside California,  which is not far from our home.
Some of the photo's  may have been posted before..but here is a reminder..
Please click on the photo's to get a wonderful view.

This is one of my favorite views of the Inn..  It surely shows the age.

There are many historical facts about  this Inn..and if you want to know more..you may look it up on the computer.  This would be a lovely place to visit if ever you come to our little town.

 I've  posted this before..but..you KNOW how I love red!!

See our mountains in the background.  This time of year they are often white with snow.

I think I told you that my children gave my second Husband, Frank and I, a weekend here.  You know I lost him to cancer.

And did I tell you my  grandparents were married here?   Indeed they were.

Another of their pretty rooms.  They spent a LOT of money refurbishing the Inn some years back.
I believe it is probably an ongoing thing to keep this lovely place in tip top condition.

I KNOW I posted this scene before also..and told you about the moving figures in the tower clock.

I've loved eating lunch here and when it's cool out, there are heaters and if it's hot..big umbrella's.

I do love this place...it is a place that is not far from our home.  I have come here with a couple of my blogger friends when they have visited.  There is a lot to see.

This is the President's room...and yes, I have sat in a cozy corner and had cocktails and interesting conversation with a gentleman.  It's a memorable place.

Just a few photo's to with the delicious lunches and brunches  they serve.  I don't have a picture of their Sunday brunches..but they are AMAZING..and the amount of food to choose from will make you crazy just trying to decide.

Of course there is always a  menu to choose from and formal dinners in the evening.

Oh..and besure and bring your wallet!!  uh huh...:)

I can vouch for this!!

and this!!

:) Yes, and this!!

Are you kidding??  OF course I can!!

Yes and this too.  

Do you remember the photo's I posted of my blogger friends and I in front of this famous cupcake shop?  Yes..and they won the cupcake war on TV!!

These photo's are from my dear friend Mary.  Thank you Mary R.  :)

Love,
Mona

~JUST A PARTY ANIMAL..

Just kidding!

I not only love babies..but I love baby showers..

One was given for my granddaughter, Rachel, so..yep..going to share a few pictures with you.

Okay?

:)

There were scones and clotted cream.

Yummy finger sandwiches of all kinds...over on the top side you can see the drink station.
Ice tea, cucumber water..etc. etc.

one of the tables of goodies..
(part of the table is missing!)

The candy table with little bags and ribbons for the guests to take home a bag of candy..

Another luncheon table..

And there were several more tables set up with tea sets.  Each with a different kind of tea.

The problem was,  I forgot my camera..and one of the guests sent these photo's to my daughter in law who could not be there and she sent these to me.  

Otherwise there would have been NONE!

Zero!

I was so disappointed that I didn't bring my camera..

Ah well...another day in the life of me.  :)

In short..it was lovely.  On the other side of the table were two of the most beautiful cakes..also a pound cake with two types of cream..I only remember one was lemon.  

All of what you see was made by my family.  Most was baked by my daughter Mary.  She and my granddaughter's best friend, gave the shower.
I wish I had more pictures..

  I'm just so disgustedly proud!

Hugs,

Mona

~DON'T BLINK..OR YOU'LL MISS IT~

Miss what, you say? 

(don't listen to me, I'm babbling!)

Valentines is just a week away..ALREADY!

Dining room table...

I'm hanging on for dear life..but the world is turning faster and faster...

The breakfast bar..

I am not the only one that is feeling like that I hope..like I'm going to fly off into space..

Then again...could be.

Oh..and I've become a "shopaholic" and didn't know it.  Yep. T'is true!

The hutch top.

Great grandchild..(baby girl) is due in March and I've been in a shopping frenzy!

Tomorrow is the shower..  This is #9..and I'm as excited as when the first was born. 

Coffee table in living room.

It's been fun..I guess you know by now I LOVE babies to pieces!!

So...today I didn't post any of the grands or greats..but, yeah, I talked about one of them.

Sorry.  :)

You forgive me...don't you?

Love and hugs..

Mona

~SILVER THREADS...

 If you look on the sidebar..this little seven year old was just past toddling stage..she is the one holding the necklace and studying it in my daughter, Mary's,  powder room.  Her Auntie Natalia, who is her mother's sister, was getting married to her daddy's first cousin.  Yep..two first cousins married sisters.  Can you follow that?

:)

Emily is changing..

yes...changing so fast.  I hope I get to see her as a grown woman..but it's unlikely.

My great grandmother never got to see me past this age.  I remember it well, that last time I saw my great grandmother. I was just five.

Columbian and Irish are a great mix, aren't they? :)

Thanks so much for stopping by, what a great feeling to know I wasn't forgotten.

I need to take pictures I know.  I mean, I cannot keep showing you the grandchildren and greats..but I admit it would give me lots to post about and bore everyone to tears!

I just don't want to drift to far again..I'm hanging on.

...that silver thread..

I had a dream once.  I dreamed that I drifted up into the sky..I could feel the breeze..see for great distances..and I kept drifting higher and higher,  I wanted to keep going farther and farther but 

I was teathered to the earth by a silver thread..and it kept me from drifting away...and then I remembered. 

... my babies, and my beloved and my friends..and I allowed myself to slowly float back to earth.  I was needed.   It kept me from cutting that silver thread.

Love.

Maybe it was to see my great grandchildren...maybe?

Love,

Mona

:)

~THANK YOU, GOD, "

THIS IS WRENNA DAWN..IN ALASKA

She is an amazing young woman.  

She recently traveled to Alaska by way of the Alcon Highway..she traveled with her friend, Jason.  She worked as a guide which is what she is trained to do.

I could not be prouder ... 

 ...of her sweetness

(Wren and Jason.  Alaska.)

 her waunderlust..

 her love of friends, family...and me!  Yes, ME!  

I admire her love of nature...her respect for it.

her determination..

her ability to conquer...I salute her independence.

When she graduated from high school she and with her father went on foot across the United States..met all sorts of local folks..got to know her country..it's grass roots, which is what she wanted. They went on foot with occassional rides.  Again, I was in a tizzy!! 

She was in the Oregon news. 

....next... 

She went to Costa Rica ...alone this time ..a couple of years ago..when she was just nineteen or so and this time I literally lost sleep and sometimes cried when I didn't hear from her for awhile...

She knew no one.  She was on an adventure...and went into the wilderness..alone.  Met people..and made dear friends everywhere she went.  

She is my granddaughter and next to the youngest of the fourteen.  Her brother is the youngest.  

She is the one who says she will take care of me when I get old..  :)

I don't know anyone who knows Wren that doesn't love her and admire her.

And..listen to this... :) The last time I saw her she said "Grandma, can I one day have your Halloween collection?"   Not sure why that touched me so much, but it did.  I will make certain she gets it.

  

All fourteen of my now grown grandchildren are making me so proud.  

Why did I post about her?  Who knows?  It's just that sometimes my heart is so full of love for all of them..and tonight I just wanted you to know a bit about Wrenna.

She is coming to visit me in March....ask me if I am excited...go ahead..ask...:)

I have so much to be grateful for that I cannot even begin to count my blessings..

Did I tell you she is off to Spain soon?  The land of her great, great grandfather, Pacifico, Franko Castillo.  I should tell her.....

No Valentine decor...maybe next time? 

My love to all,

Mona

P.S.  Sometimes life sort of takes over and I drifted from my blog..no, not to some other media outlet like facebook or one of those..just...drifted.