Little Things...

...Thursday

The Storrier-Stearns garden is a sweet little 2-acre hidden oasis in Pasadena that I discovered through Group-on. Between my work/summer schedule and it's select open days, it seemed timing wasn't on my side until last week. 

I learned that during the 19th Century, Americans had a fascination with Japanese culture. The garden was built for the wealthy couple, Charles & Ellamae Storrier-Stearns by craftsman and landscape designer, Kinzuchi Fuji. The land was actually flat but Mr. Fuji began the construction of the tranquil multi-level garden that it is today after a year of planning. It took 7 years to build. 

The original tea house burned down in the early 80's but was rebuilt by another accomplished landscape architect, Dr. Takeo Uesugi using Mr Fuji's original plans he took with him to an interment camp where he spent the duration of the war. The garden has several alcoves with seating so the visitor can enjoy quiet reflection and contemplation. 

The highlight of the day was attending a tea ceremony where I learned the fascinating history of tea houses by a sweet docent, Yumi, dressed in a traditional kimono.

Not part of the gardens, but across the street was a little park that I wandered through before my drive home. I came upon a Wish Tree which later found out was inspired in part from an art series by Yoko Ono where a wish is written and tied to a tree. 

I found it to be a beautiful and moving sentiment and didn't dare read the hopes of others.

Summer is quickly coming to an end for me with only a few more weeks to play, discover and just be...but what a summer it's been!

I'm sharing over at Tamar's today.

Happy (summer) Snapping!

xo

Kelly

Little Things...

...Thursday

7.6.17

Hello July and hello to you!

I probably don't have to tell you how fast this summer is zipping' by. 

My-Oh-My! 

It struck me this morning how my best-laid-plans to be here, in this space over the break, haven't gone the way I first envisioned. I've learned though, to go with the flow~and I'm never far away really. Things actually started way back at the end of May when I flew up to North Dakota to visit my oldest son, Justin, who's stationed at Minot.
My big girl camera, Matilda, has been in overdrive ever since.

Justin was stationed in Korea for several years and we just needed some face time...REAL face time.

It was a hoot and quite a different experience. 

It's a different world than either of us were expecting as were out and about exploring.

Gol Stave Church-a replica of the original that was built in Gol, Hallingdal, Norway

The original was built in 1157-1216

Soon after, the Mr and I took a quick cruise to Havana, Cuba.

The view from a hilltop overlooking the bay of Havana

Cuba has been on my bucket list way before I even knew what a bucket list was...I was like 7. I remember very hush hush conversations between my parents about Cuba. I'm sure they weren't pleasant conversations. It was the 70's & we didn't have the news sources we do today.

Cristo de La Habana on top of the hill overlooking the bay of Havana
is 66 ft. tall and made of Carrara marble brought from Italy.

Their music is electric.

Years before my dad got Alzheimers, he use to tell me that when he was on his death bed, he'd tell me how close we were to a full scale nuclear war. But that's not a secret anymore.  I just never imagined that as an American I'd ever be able to visit.

So imagine my excitement when restrictions were eased and U.S. citizens could actually go.

 (Thank you President Obama!)

Cuba has been demystified and I hope to go back. Going on a cruise is great to get feet your wet, but I  wanna get soaked in the culture. 

*YES*

It's totally true about the cars there 

(big puffy heart)

We no sooner got home, and 3 days later, the Mr. and I were off to Kauai.

Waimea Canyon...

...known as the Grand Canyon of the Pacific.

3,000 feet deep with AMAZING views and great hiking

Spouting Horn in Poipu
waves are forced under a lava shelf and the forced through an opening 

Wailua Falls
This waterfall was featured on the opening credits of Fantasy Island.

Roosters are EVERYWHERE after Hurricane INIKI hit the Island in '92. It destroyed chicken coops and released domesticated hens and as well as roosters that were bread for fighting. 

Other happenings...

*This is my last year of work! YUP...I'm retiring at the end of the 2017-18 school year. I can't even say that without grinning from ear to ear & a butterfly or two in my stomach!

*The Mr. only has about 2 1/2 years until he's done, so we're planning our retirement and getting ready to look at our forever house that's NOT in CA. We just got in touch with a there local realtor who'll be showing us homes. I've been on Zillow every-single-day. Stay tuned!

*Austin leaves for Navy boot Camp Feb. 2, so this 4th of July was extra special and a little bitter sweet because it will be the last time all the cousins will be together for a long time. I'm savoring every Mom moment I can.
*If you follow me on IG, you'll know I've been participating in a summer "index card a day" art project. The host gives out weekly prompts and it's up to you to interpret them and create. It's less daunting working on a 3x5 card then a BIG OLE blank sheet of paper. It's been A LOT of fun for me carving out time to just play.

Phew...
Crazy I tell ya!
I bet this is what retirement is like!

What's the summer like for you?
Please share.

Happy (vacation) shooting!
xo
Kelly

I'm sharing over at Tamar's today.

Hello...

...February

2.2.17

Oh my, February has big shoes to fill! January was chalked full of goodness. Some I've shared publicly, some I'll be sharing soon, and one event I've had to let go quietly. Sometimes you just have to let your heart heal in private. What I will share about this certain event is I flew to Florida last Thursday to sign escrow papers on my parents home. It belongs to a new family now and I hope they will make many happy memories...enough to fill a lifetime.
I flew home Saturday.
I'm coming to terms that my mom was a very private person. Certain things more than others definitely had special meaning to her. This tea cup and saucer is part of a set that she displayed in her kitchen long after I'd grown up and moved away. Surely some pieces would not have survived packing up a household every couple of years with the Navy. My best guess is that the set belonged to my dad's grandmother. I'm hoping a few family members can help with this.

Dainty. Fragile. Beautiful.
Mom

Do you have a treasured heirloom passed down to you? Please share,
I'd love to hear about it.

Happy (keepsake) snapping
xo
Kelly

Sharing over at here today...



Little Things Thursday

Little Things...

...Thursday

9.1.16

Hello September!

There's a burst of joy, like confetti, that happens inside my brain and trickles down to the tips of my toes when I see September roll around. I know that cooler weather will eventually reveal itself with crisp mornings. There will be warm days but by dusk, the doors and windows will burst open and the evening's fresh air will be allowed to seep into every corner of the house.

Everyone has a favorite season or two...and if we had milder summers, well, she would win hands down. But for me, I adore everything autumn has to offer. It truly energizes my soul with her colors, aromas and flavors that I've waited all year to savor. I know the time to slow down and embrace the inevitable shorter days are soon to follow. This is a time of renewal for me.

And let's not forget that extra hour of sleep is on the horizon! 

I plucked the first two pomegranates off our tree this morning. We haven't had much luck with other fruit trees over the years. We've seen our lemon, peach and plum trees just wither to barren, unproductive woody plants that really hold no other purpose than root support for the tiered  landscape. But our Pom tree is another story. She thrives in the oppressive heat and bears the most delicious, buxom fruit. The jeweled seeds are perfectly tart and juicy~and right now all over my counter and walls as I split them open for todays photos!

Comfort foods like stews and chilis replace salads and Bar-B-Q's. Spices and baked goods will waft through the air. The transition from sandals and shorts to scarves and boots are much anticipated. 

It really is the little things.

How do you welcome the cooler weather?  I hope you'll share.

Happy (almost fall) snapping!

xo

Kelly

Sharing over at

Tamar's

today 

Little Things...

...Thursday

7.28.16

I have a mental prop list for my still life photography.

  I've turned to Etsy a few times only because we just don't have a lot of antique stores in our area for what's on that list...and lets face it, half all the fun is in the hunt.  

Because I never settle, I eventually find my prize.

As was the case this past weekend.

The 4th Sunday of every month, 50-100 venders gather at a local college parking lot to sell their wares at the Topanga Vintage Faire. I go about every other month hoping to check a few things of my list. This past Sunday I decided to go but I needed to get out there when they opened as it was going to be in the triple digits & that happens REALLY quick.

Getting there early paid off and I got to scratch antique coffee grinder from my list!

It's German made from about 1940. I always ask the dealer if they know the story behind the item they sell. This one didn't come with a story but that's ok because it's kinda fun creating one. Judging from the condition, it was well used. 

It's nice having a barista son that can bring home fresh espresso beans.

I love the dovetail joints.

Do you have a mental prop list and/or collect anything? 

Please share, I'd love to hear about it.

Happy (collection) snapping!

xo

Kelly

Little Things...

...Thursday

7.20.16

It was a whirlwind weekend with my daughter, Jamie and my grandson, Erik.

Erik is a little bundle of energy and just a kick in the pants to be around. 

Being a grandma is nothing short of pure joy. I never wanted to be the traveling Grandma, but here I am...in the role I didn't want to be in.  I think grandparents are an intricate part of children's upbringing and growing up in the military, I was never around my grandparents until we were state side and on summer breaks. Needless to say, visits were few and far between. 

I cling to every moment spent with these two.

I took them to the Huntington so Erik could explore the children's garden.

Little man could have played here at the blue door all day!

I wish I had Erik's energy. I'd be unstoppable! 

Erik sorta loved my spaghetti and meatballs...and Papa's smoked salmon! 

We discovered a bonsai garden on the grounds.

On another note, is anyone else having issues with e-blogger? My photos are uploading blurred and dulled and I can see them on my desk top clear as a bell. Just curious. 

Anyway, hope you are having a great week.

Happy Snapping!
xo

Linking up with 
Kim

Little Things...

...Thrusday

7.14.16

Everyday is Saturday... 

...or so it seems when I'm on summer vacation. I've been taking full advantage of my time off. Reading, swimming, getting together with friends, napping when needed, and taking day-cations...

...as a promise to myself.

Last week, I had the pleasure of discovering the Huntington Library with Vicki, Austin's girlfriend's mom. Knowing how long I could spend in this place, and Vicki not a photographer, I enjoyed the day with her but went back the next day. 

There are 120 acres of Botanical Gardens to explore not to mention a Subtropical and Jungle Garden to roam through. So many luscious paths to discover and benches everywhere to just sit and take in the surroundings. You're literally transformed to foreign and exotic locations with every step.

Every turn, every path led to something...

The arbor area leading to the Shakespeare Garden.

Roaming through the Jungle Garden seemed surreal living in So. Cal. So many interesting trees and plants not native here.

I never realized a cactus garden could be so lush. 

I fell in love with these Old Man of the Andes cacti. 

The Huntington also boasts one of the largest research libraries in the country. There is an extensive collection of rare books and art. I never even made it the Children's Garden-but I'm going to leave that to explore with Erik.

 Have you made any surprised discoveries someplace not far from where you live?

Do tell I'd love to hear.

Sharing over at

Kim's 

today.