Forest Lawn Cemetery

Having lived in Glendale for almost 2 years we decided to visit Forest Lawn Cemetery. It's not as weird as it sounds. The grounds are extensive. They have a museum. And famous people are buried here. This was last Saturday, after the craft fair so it was still HOT. We stopped in the shade of this church to admire the stonework. Then we toured the museum where they had an exhibit on Goya. It was interesting and air conditioned. The gift shop was nothing to get excited about---they had a ton of stuff in braille. Apparently they get a lot of blind traffic at the museum.

We decided to explore. We came across this statue of The Christos standing over a waterfall fountain. It was in a very peaceful garden. Across the courtyard was a locked garden. Famous people? We don't know because they won't tell you where they are buried. We did manage to get into a locked garden that wasn't locked, but no one famous was inside that one.

They also have a replica of The David. He was having some work done so we couldn't get very close. Someday I'll see the original in Italy. It was still amazing to see.

You would think that a mausoleum would be cold. It wasn't. It was warm and stuffy. Most of it was roped off. We discovered later that Clark Gable is buried there. Didn't see him. We wanted to see the labyrinth they had listed on the map, so we kept walking. It was basically a maze drawn on the ground in bricks. No hedges or walls. More disappointment.

Very hot and tired we trudged back to the car. Along the way we passed many a headstone. After all over 250,000 people are buried here.  Donald was kind enough to let us rest with him in the shade of his tree.

A few Moody's we might be related to.  For almost 3 hours we explored. I'm sure we'll go back someday. And we'll take water. And some snacks. And take more photos. After all Jimmy Stewart is buried here and not locked away. Humphrey Bogart is buried here---might be locked up. We also plan to visit Forest Lawn Hollywood hills.

The city of Glendale as viewed from Forest Lawn.

Renegade Craft Fair

I wanted to attend last year, but something came up. I don't remember what exactly. So I was excited to see what it was all about. I dragged D.D. with me.

We got there soon after it opened, and WOW so many people were already there! And they came prepared to shop. We saw so many amazing artists. If money grew on trees we would have done more shopping ourselves. We did discover some fantastic bracelets by doubledipped that we just couldn't pass up. (His shop is a little empty at the moment). But they are almost the best bracelets ever. Okay, they're more of a cuff, but we couldn't pass them up. He recycles book spines and turns them into cuffs with a snap. Brilliant! We took our time deciding---color and title.

It was definitely a warm day! Packed in the aisles with people body to body was quite sweaty. We stepped out to a small hill to catch some breeze and admire the clear day. We don't get many clear days in LA. 

And we couldn't leave without visiting the portable photo booth. They had props and everything! You can hire Magnolia Photo Booth Co. for your next party, reunion or wedding. So much fun!

We had a good time and took notes. Maybe we'll be vendors next time! There was only 2 vendors selling handbags. We'll have to see.

Christmas in July

Want a fun way to beat the heat? Stay indoors, crank up the A/C (or the biggest fan you can find), and do some online shopping on etsy.com. So many creative artists are offering incredible savings---discounts, free shipping, buy 1 get 1, etc. You can type in "CHRISTMASINJULY" to the search box on the main page to find all participating sellers.

50% off both of these featured bags!

Sylvia-Louise Handbags is getting in on the action too. One-of-a-kind handbags 25-50% off! Shop our Sale Section for amazing discounts. New items will be added throughout the sale. Our sale runs through the end of the month. Get a jump on your Christmas shopping and maybe get a little something for yourself! 

What's in yours?

A weekend away and my bag is full! I wanted to show you everything I carried with me. 

It isn't always this heavy, but almost.

My laptop.

My latest crochet project---a baby afghan---and the bag I keep it in.

My bulging wallet, glasses and sunglasses.

Notepad, pens, gum, mints and 3 mentos.

A measuring tape, hair clip, a ring, and an assortment of chapsticks---including my favorite Burt's Bees Honey.

CD's for the road trip and CD's to upload on my computer.

My coin purse where I keep extra safety pins & reusable shopping bag.

Lotion and my makeup pouch with tissues, headache medicine, hand sanitizer, mirror, more chapstick, hair ties & bobby pins.

I always have a book handy, usually a Jane Austin. 

Currently it's Sense and Sensibility.

My leather card holder and a stack of business cards.

A beanie. 

You never know when you're going to have a bad hair day.

A flashlight & multi-purpose tool in case of emergencies.

Secretly, I might be a boy scout.

And of course, my camera.

So, what do you keep in your handbag?

Etsy Front Page Feature

So excited to find our Tour of California Messenger on the front page of Etsy! And of course, the theme was THE TOUR DE FRANCE!

Thanks to beezus417 for curating the treasury!

More things cycling

Some years ago my brother got his first road bike. This past week he acquired a few more two-wheeled pedal-turners. His new fixed gear bike is a beauty. She's matte black and very sleek.

While visiting San Diego last holiday weekend we decided to load up and go for a spin. We finally have enough bikes for those who choose to to ride. We are DEFINITELY not professionals, but we enjoyed our leisurely ride around Coronado. (I forgot to take any shots of us actually riding---I'll have to borrow some from my sister.)

After a great little ride of course we needed some refreshment. El Zarape called to us and we responded. It had been longer than I care to remember, but the potato rolled tacos were EXCELLENT! Usually a drowned vegetable quesadilla in green salsa is my menu choice.

A perfect morning.

J'Adore Le Tour de France

It's July. And that means that it is The Tour de France. The Tour is a bigger event than the Super Bowl, the World Series, and probably the Olympics for our family. (And we follow all of those too.) We watch every stage for 3 weeks. If it is a good stage we'll watch it twice. When cable doesn't carry tv coverage, I will get up at 5 am, or 4 am, or 3 am (if it's an important mountain stage) to watch streaming coverage on the internet. We watch the recaps on the rest days. We play the fantasy cycling challenge. I won from our league last year. We follow other bike races too, but this is the grand daddy of them all. Some day I'll attend The Tour de France in person.

Two of my favorites: Lance Armstrong and Thor Hushovd

Cycling has a way of getting into your blood. The sport is absolutely fascinating! There are so many components and intricacies. It's a team sport with individual pursuits. Or and individual sport with team support. There are competitions within the competition. Sprinters, climbers, contenders for the general classification---I LOVE it! I especially love me a good sprint. (So sad that Tom Boonen isn't in The Tour this year.) And I admire the professional bike rider above any other professional athlete. Does any other sport require the dedication to workout 2-6 hours a day sun & heat, rain or snow & cold? Sometimes riding hundreds of miles? Or how about dragging their bodies over mountain peaks in the Alps or Pyrenees? These men have metabolisms resembling a hummingbird, and when racing a 3 week stage race will consume 7,000-9,000 calories a day and still look almost gauntly. They have amazing resilience, strength and dedication.

I am glad to see the popularity and understanding about the sport of cycling gaining in popularity in the USA. Yes, it gets a bad rap with doping scandals, but the sport and a majority of the riders are cleaner than any other professional sport and have better controls in place. That's all I'm going to say about that.

So I'm wearing my yellow LIVESTRONG bracelet and following every bit of cycling coverage I can get until July 25 when the race concludes on the Champs Elysees.