Los Angeles sunset from Romaine Street

Devin and I spent quite a bit of time trying to get the perfect picture of the sunset view from their apartment. Of course this pix doesn't even come close to capturing the scene as it really appears from Devin and Dylan's balcony. It is a breathtaking nightscape that I always make a point to admire while I am visiting. This year's Yuletide was the best ever! We enjoyed family activities, shopping, dining, and some of LA's  fun spots like Madame Tussauds and LA Live. 

Since Devin blogged about each day, I will keep mine brief, but we were so sad the visit and holiday had to end, but we are already making plans for the Hendershott Reunion in June 2012!

Sweeping view

The view

The Kaufman Center of Performing Arts

For my 60th birthday, my daughter took me to the new Kaufman Center to see the 39th annual presentation of "The Nutcracker." I am embarrassed to say it was my first experience at the ballet. Perhaps that is why I enjoyed it so much. Nutcracker is a simple holiday story but the costuming and the ballet is very much "the real deal." I have heard that there isn't a bad seat in the center and while I can't really say, we did have excellent seats in the third tier. 

I had a wonderful afternoon as we arrived early enough for some shopping and browsing at the Webster House, very nearby, and time for a frosted sugar cookie and hot tea before the performance. 

Thank you to my wonderful daughter and friend for a fabulous birthday outing!

Royal aka "Houdini"

Royal had very delicate surgery at the Kansas State Veterinary Hospital in November, which demanded a lengthy recovery and special care to keep him from becoming "excited." Thus, the "Cone of Shame" which we all became much too familiar with in the following weeks. Royal was supposed to wear the cone night and day for 14 days. Sounds easy, right? Not if your dog is an escape artist like Royal. 

Our problems began when we left Royal the first day back to work from the Thanksgiving break. We rushed home to find that Royal had shed his cone and licked himself into a bloody frenzy on our bed. I immediately called the vet and had to take him in and have the stitches checked. Turns out, the most damage was to our bedding. Royal's punishment...another week in the cone!

So began our battle of wills! Royal vs. Glen, Rhonda and the Cone. 

In our quest to win the battle of wills, we talked to our vet, learned many ways of securing the cone on our dog so he couldn't escape and finally came up with a great plan after other foiled attempts, gaining Royal more "cone time."

 Dr. Wegele suggested we leave Royal in his harness which fits over his head and under his armpits, thread his collar through the cone and affix the harness to the collar. Worked great for two days! Day three I arrive home to a naked doggy and the cone, collar and harness just as you see it in the picture. 

And the winner is...Royal!!

Seussical

Friend Marilyn invited me to Theater in the Park on Tuesday night to see one of her former students perform in the musical. I have been a couple of other times, and on this particular evening the conditions were absolutely perfect for a mash-up of Dr. Seuss characters based on the Horton Hears a Who story. Marilyn borrowed short seats and we ate yummy popcorn as hundreds of small people waved glo-stick rings all around us! It was magical!!

Rhonda's Garden

Hearty Hibiscus, easily the size of a saucer!

Lambs Ear and Lantana

First year for this combo, I love how it turned out!

Butterfly Bush, Black-eyed Susan's and some other stuff!

Trader Joes Comes to Kansas!

Flowers of Colorado

Not my composition, but I snapped this picture because even if I had planted this pot, it would only look like this for a few weeks here in the Kansas heat. Flowers in Colorado are always much more brilliantly hued, surreal even! I can't help myself!

Poppies!

Downtown Breckinridge

Calming Columbines

Peaceful dining in Breckinridge

Our first evening in Breckinridge was spent dining at this sidewalk cafe. While the food was good it was the mountain landscape that stole the show...absolutely perfect!

My 28 Day Challenge

After visiting with my family in LA and realizing that I need to be in better shape to keep up with the five young ones, I have challenged myself to do better than the daily walk. Currently, the plan is to take this 28 day yoga challenge and add crunches and push-ups. Very simple plan, don't need anything but a mat for the yoga, crunches and push-ups and walking shoes for the walk. Today I completed the first day of yoga, walked Royal, and did 90 crunches and 60 push-ups. For breakfast I had a fruit smoothie, lunch was a grilled chicken salad and dinner was mango and hummus with whole grain crackers and wine, everything homemade and organic except the wine, hummus and crackers. I'm on my way, wish me the best!!

Side trip!

LA Day 5

Easily the saddest part of my trips to see family in Los Angeles, the last day! Dylan got up early to take Adrienne to the airport for her flight home. Devin and I left later for his office in the Hollywood Entertainment District before meeting Dylan and Brandon for lunch. Devin got several work related things done while I watched the Casey Anthony verdict read on live television. (Casey was acquitted, which is so wrong and does not bring justice for Caylee!) Adrienne arrived back in KC just as we sat down to enjoy the traditional "In-N-Out" meal. I ordered mine "animal-style" which means they cook mustard into the burger and serve it with grilled onions. Its a big deal for me to eat here because only a few states have this chain, California, Nevada and now Texas. It is the ONLY hamburger place that gives me that very distinctive feeling of burgers from the "walk-up" stands of my childhood in The Valley. After Devin and Dylan left to go back to work, Brandon took me to the Lliad Bookstore on Vineland Ave where we each found something incredibly serendipitous to purchase. Next, Brandon surprised me by telling me that Hanson Dam, a childhood destination, was only 5 miles from there. We drove out to the dam and drove around it until we found good signage to take a picture with and then proceeded to try to find our old apartment. We found a school that I thought Ronnie may have attended MacClay Middle School on Pierce St. but I am not convinced we found our old neighborhood. But no matter, I still had a wonderful time and was so happy he took extra time for this little adventure, it made my day less sad when we pulled up to the curb at Burbank Airport and I had to leave LA and my family.  No matter how sad I feel when I have to leave, I know that I had a wonderful time while I was there and that I have incredibly wonderful kids and their partners who open their homes graciously and make us feel so welcome. Thank you Angela, Brandon, Devin and Dylan for everything you do to insure we have a happy, fun, comfortable vacation!  We miss you!!!

Adrienne and Brandon at "Off Vine" in Hollywood

LA Day 4 July the 4th

Day four began with a brunch feast prepared by Chef Devin Tait; Breakfast Burrito that was so scrumptious! Angela and Brandon came over and we made our plans for the day. Turns out, we got to go to Northridge and visit Dylan's mom, Robbie. She lives in a very nice home with her roommate, Bernadine and five poodles who love to get wet! This is the only picture I took at Robbie's so I am really sad that I have no others to post because we had a good time in the pool! Dinner reservations were made at "Off Vine" a charming little bungalow that was the former home of a Hollywood Starlet who died in a plane crash. Her mother was so distraught she committed suicide in the home and her ghost roams the premises making sure guests are well fed. Brandon and Angela left us at the front step and we had to say our goodbyes to her, which is always so sad. We returned to Devin and Dylan's and Robbie spent the night, too. Everyone went to bed pretty early as we all had something to do first thing in the morning. :(

Yummy Stuffed Avacado Salad by Chef Devin Tait

Y

LA Day 3

Sunday was spent in Malibu at the beach. Adrienne's friend, Amanda, knew of a nice beach area on BroadBeach and Bunny Lane. It was so much fun even if we were stuck in traffic for two hours. We arrived on the beach at the perfect time for the "gingers" in the group with our beach gear and picnic lunch. It was perfect weather and we were joined by Amanda's father, John and her friend, Jessica. Driving home went much faster and we ended our evening at D & D's enjoying a wonderful Stuffed Avacado prepared by chef Devin Tait. We tried to keep pace and end the evening with a movie, "Scott Pilgrim Vs. the World" but Adrienne and I had to finish it in the morning. It was such a unique movie, too, so I'm really glad we got to see it!

Devin and Dylan at Venice Beach

LA Day 2

Saturday morning Brandon prepared a tasty breakfast of coffee and bagels. After a leisurely meal we decided to go on a short hike at Griffith Park. Everyone but Devin, Dylan and I had plans to attend the Hall and Oats concert at the Hollywood Bowl, so we returned to the apartment to get ready for the evenings activities. Those not going to the concert were invited to a holiday cookout at Sarah's house near Venice beach. Sarah is Devin's co-worker, she is a very sweet person and I was so glad I got to see her again. After the meal, the three of us walked to Venice Beach then back to Sarah's for more food and drink. I also enjoyed meeting Devin's boss, Kerry, her husband, Mike and daughter, Mackenzie. (I hope I have all the names correct)! 

I thought it was a perfect day topped off with an overnight guest at D & D's, Miss Princessa, Vicktor's dog. She is a miniature Chihuahua with a big personality. Wish I had a picture of her!

LA Day 1

July 1
Arrived at Bob Hope Airport in Burbank around 4:45. Brandon picked me up and we spent Friday night at he and Angela's place in Atwater Village. We had yummy pizza and sat on the patio enjoying each others company. A friend of Devin and Brandons came from Malibu, Hoagie, and while some of us visited with him, others went to the hot tub.

I love Flowers!

This is one passion I share with my mother. Little did I know as I stood by watching her gaze at the small patch of flowers that she planted every year, that one day I would step up to take her place! At the time, I certainly didn't get it, how could a few plants struggling through a beastly hot Kansas sun give one so much pleasure? Now that the big 6-0 is knocking on the door, I completely get it!

Sleepytown

Sleepytown is number seven on Devin Tait's "Its Never the Way You Imagine It". I rarely make it through a listen to this tune without tearing up! The roots to this song run very deeply through our family with its dreamy, reminiscent lyrics. To me, it represents people and places that have come before, dreams and desires yet unfulfilled, and a time and place that may never be ours again. The song is simple and direct so I would like to see a remake of it with more simple, honest instrumentals because to me it is sacred, not rough and rambunctious. 

Ventriloquist

Oh my! Just when you think I can't have another favorite song from Devin Tait's "Its Never the Way You Imagine It" I waited far too long to pay homage to Ventriloquist! I get the biggest kick out of this song and I usually end up repeating its play several times before I'm satisfied. Its such a catchy tune but the instrumentals blow me away, so juxtaposed with the lyrics! Touche, Devin, this one keeps me singing even in my sleep!

Bridge to Nowhere

Cheesie pic, I know, but I have been meaning to blog about Devin Tait's sixth song from his new album for the longest time! It is an especially favorite song to me because it is a duet with a very special person in our family, Angela. Her voice is a perfect accompaniment to Devin's and I love the way they blend together. I also understand the frustrations Devin must feel that prompted him to write and perform this song, "brick by brick we lay it down, no expense is spared, but I won't reach you and you won't reach me, its a bridge to nowhere!"

 I enjoy the instrumentals on this song as well, probably because the guitar, mix and additional production is by Brandon Glen.

All rolled up this is an great song, easy to sing-a-long to and fun to listen to!

Underwater Breathing

Underwater Breathing is the tenth song on Devin Tait's It's Never the Way You Imagine It and is easily the most beautiful...if the lyrics don't touch you the piano and Devin's vocals will! This song is bound to be a hit with fans and will hopefully gain attention with a wide audience! I need say nothing more about this song, it speaks for itself!

TAPE!

Tape is the fourth song on Devin Tait's It's Never the Way You Imagine It. It totally cracks me up and I think I can't go a single day without hearing it. This song is 100% amusement!  One cannot listen to Tape without appreciating Devin's sense of humor, especially when George W's reign of terror has not even begun to be erased from our countries economy and sensibilities. Whenever I hear it I imagine thousands of people in a flash mob dancing and celebrating the end of his presidency. Wouldn't that be fun!!!

Strange Season

Song twelve from Devin Tait's It's Never the Way You Imagine It, is called Strange Season. I chose it next for no particular reason other than I have probably listened to it five dozen times on my IPod. It is immediately hypnotic and mysterious, so please forgive the image, I really couldn't find anything better to visually represent the song on this blog. I won't try to imagine where Devin reached inside his mind to pull inspiration from for this song, I probably don't want to know, but the inspiration worked magically!! I am drawn to this song like a bee to nectar. It is perfectly produced musically and compositionally. I can't ever imagine anyone other than Devin Tait singing it, and how do I know this? Because for some reason it is one of the very few songs in my life that I actually don't want to sing along to, I just want to hear Devin sing it, every. single. time. Strange, huh?

The dish!

Rosemary and balsamic marinated porterhouse steak, baked potatoes with mushroom ragu and roasted asparagus!  

38 years!

Wonderfully happy after 38 years together.

Glen said we couldn't have had a better dinner if we went out anywhere in the City!

Chef Adrienne cooks our Anniversary Dinner

Does this qualify as a poem?

April 14, Poem in your pocket day

It was the most fun day! These are 8th graders reading their original poetry on the courtyard outside my library.  

Little Bee dessert!

Joellen was our lovely hostess for April bookclub. She is a very clever gal and if she can't get her husband to make it, she will find someone who can. So she hired the husband/wife baking team North Corner Cupcakes, 913-226-6264 (northcornercupcakes.com) to bake these little yummies! They were so cute but we gobbled them all down before I could get a pic of them on the cupcake holder. This was the only one leftover so I snapped it before it flew away!

The Book Club

Second Monday of every month
This month our selection was Little Bee by Chris Cleave. This is the poignant story of a rural Nigerian teenager transported by fate to London only to be trapped by the immigration system. Its a very quick read worthy of your interest.