Bloom of the Month (March 2007)

I am a tad bit late in getting this one out but I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to share it with you. This is my favorite bloom for March out here in this region of California. It is called a Claifornia Red Bud and it is gorgeous. The pictures hardly do it justice you almost have to see it to believe it. The blooms are tiny but vibrant fuchsia colored flowers that closely resemble a small orchid. I am taken aback by it every year. Nadia and I are privileged enough to enjoy this beautiful bloom on our daily neighborhood walks. Sadly the bloom time is small and in only a few short weeks it is covered in leaves. I was fortunate enough to catch it this year for your viewing pleasure. Enjoy!!!

Happy Easter!

"Here comes Peter Cottontail, Hoppin' down the bunny trail, Hippity, hoppity, Easter's on its way."


This year we celebrated Easter at our house. We had an Easter Egg Hunt, played croquet, horseshoes, and yahtzee all while enjoying Pete's famous Pina Coladas. We enjoyed a fabulous dinner contributed by all. The food was amazing, the company and conversation was engaging and the memories will last a lifetime.


If you would like to see more pics from our Easter please click this link.

First Comes Love, Then Comes Marriage . . .

I just couldn't resist posting this one up here. This is Nadia's very bestest friend Kai. They are just two freakin cute!!! We all agree they look like an old married couple already!

Once Upon A Mattress

"Toto, I've got a feeling we're not in Kansas anymore!"

Oh, wait that was last years play. This year our talented little niece Hannah was cast into the role of chamber maid for this years school play "Once upon a Mattress." This is play is based off the story of "The Princess and the Pea." This year’s catch phrase was "I Love Fred," spoken by none other than the Prince himself. Fred? You may ask . . . why is the Prince in love with someone named "Fred"? That is Princess Fred to you, and she is also known as Winifred.


This play was full of fun, laughter, great songs, and amazing performances. My personal favorite was the cute little chambermaid first one on the right. My, was she talented! You could hear her every line and she was also the most animated. She was standing out from the rest of them and there were 21 all together. Her Name? You ask. Oh, I think it was Hannah something or other. Man was she great. Okay, I may be just a little bias since this little star just so happens to be my niece.

Great job Hannah! We can't wait to see what you do next year!

April San Diego Events Calendar

April 2007

Butterflies & Orchids Festival Escondito
Thru April 15. Wild Animal Park. Hundreds of exotic orchids are in full bloom in Narobi Village while butterflies of every shape, size, and color flutter throughout the hidden jungle, a walk-through neo-tropical aviary. Care demonstrations each weekend.
www.sandiegozoo.org/calendar/wap_butterflies_orchids.html">www.sandiegozoo.org/calendar/wap_butterflies_orchids.html

Oceanside’s Citywide Easter Egg Hunt
April 7th – Buddy Todd Park – Annual Easter egg hunt for the children of Oceanside. Three age divisions consisting of 3-5; 6-8; and 9-11year olds. Enjoy a fun-filled morning with the City of Oceanside. 760-435-5540

Padres Season Opens 4/6
http://www.padres.com

Woofstock – A Festival for Dogs & People
4-14-07 – A fun festival in Balboa Park open to the public and well-behaved dogs on a leash. Activities include the Peace, Love, and Walk N Roll Fun Dog Walk through Balboa Park (registration fee), canine agility and fly ball courses, costume contests, childrens fun zone, great food, live music and much more. All proceeds from this event will benefit the Southwest Regional Center for Canine Companions for Independence. 800-572-BARK

Gaslamp Quarter Easter Bonnet Parade & Hat Contest
4-15-07 – Come and stroll the Petco Park area in your Easter bonnet. Hat-making shop for adults & children at 11am. Easter Egg hunt, activities and entertainment to follow. 619-233-5008

Del Mar National Horse Show
4/19-5/06 – For more than 60 years the Del Mar National horse Show has been one of the most respected, distinguished and popular equestrian events in Southern CA. Consisting of three disciplines – Western, Dressage, and Hunter/Jumper, a great spectator event. 858-792-4288

Chicano Park Day
4/21/07 – Traditional Aztec and folklorico dancing, musicians, food, crafts booths, lo-rider car show. A free event. 10am-5pm, location: Chicano Park, Crosby & Logan avenues. 619-563-4661

Adams Avenue Roots Festival
4/21 – 4/22 Vintage blues, folk, jazz, country, and international music on 6 stages. Saturday: 10am-9pm, Sunday: 10am – 6pm. Outdoor setting: 34th & 35th Sts. At Adams Park. 619-282-7329

Encinitas Garden Festival and Tour
4/21 The event kicks off at the Olivianhain Town Hall in the heart of Olivianhain, where tour participants pick up maps and board double-decker buses to be shuttles through the tour neighborhood. Music and art round out the event.
www.encinitasgardenfestival.org

Oceanside Days of Art
4/21-4/22 The Oceanside Days of Art is a free two day outdoor arts festival held in downtown Oceanside along Pier View Way. This family friendly event is anticipated to include over 100 visual artists booths, 300 musicians, dancers and performers along with local food vendors. Free 760-4333632

Port of San Diego Day at the Docks
4/22/07 – The West Coast’s largest public celebration of Sports fishing! The festival, which signals the official start of Southern CA’s spring saltwater fishing season includes exhibitors, a children’s activity area, entertainment stages featuring music for all ages, art galleries, the Children’s Earth Parade and much more. 10am-5pm. Free 858-272-7370

San Diego Art Walk Little Italy
4/28-4/29 Don’t miss this free visual and performing art celebration set in the charming, historic neighborhood of Little Italy close to downtown San Diego. Over 350 emerging and established artists will showcase a variety of media including painting, sculpture, poetry, drama, video and design. Performance artists, music and Little Italy restaurants and shops will add flavor to this vibrant and popular event. 619-615-1090

Encinitas Street Fair
4/28-4/29 Encinitas Street Fair will take place from 9am to 5pm on Highway 101 between D and J Streets in Encinitas. Over 400 arts and craft vendors, non-profit and commercial vendors will be on hand. Three live stages will entertain visitors. There will be fun for the kids as well, face painting and rides. The 101 Artists’ Colony will also be present, displaying Arts Alive Banners, and offering live music. 760-943-1950

This wonderful newsletter was brought to you by Sigmund Penn.

Tea Time

It was a wonderful afternoon sharing tea, snacks, and girl talk with my wonderful sister-in-law, Rey. The plan was to treat her for her birthday to high tea at the Aviara Resort. Unfortunately Rey ended up coming down with something and we were unable to attend. So what do you do in the unlucky event of a cancellation? Move the tea party to her house of course.


It was perfect. We didn’t have to worry about being too loud or reserved and we could relax in the comforts of her warm home. We enjoyed a wide array of fine teas, delectable scones, and scrumptious petite tea sandwiches. For desert we made our very own strawberry shortcakes and drank champagne (well our impromptu version of it was actually white wine but it was still amazing). Nadia was in heaven piling on the homemade whipped cream as tall as she could stand. We played dress up with hats, scarves, feather boas, jewelry, and even a princess dress for Nadia. Cody festively joined in sporting, at first, a purple bandana and then really got into the scene with a lovely feather boa. We all sang “Happy Birthday” and Nadia added in a little “Cha, cha, cha” during the pauses.


It was a wonderful and relaxing way to celebrate another glorious year with a fabulous woman. Although it wasn’t planned this way I’m kinda glad she got sick. This was so much more fun than any stuffy old resort anyhow. If you would like to see more pictures from this day please visit this shutterfly link.

The Japanese Trio

Last week we had not one or two but, three girls staying with us. We usually host older students around 19 or 20 years old but this time our girls were only 13 and so cute. Two of the girls, Megumi and Aki, were from Shizuoka. Our third girl, Kayo, was from a province next to Shizuoka named Aichi. Both regions are widely known for their production of Green tea and their close proximity to Mt. Fuji.

We had a great time with the girls. They started off the week quiet and timid but by the end of the week they really came out of their shells. They each had a one on one accordion lesson with Pete, enjoyed an Electric Slide dance lesson from Jenn, and kicked our butts playing Uno.


It's funny, when we get our college students the school always takes them to the mall for a day of shopping. Our older students spend an obscene amount of money on various designer clothing, high end jewelry and hand bags, and brand name shoes. Our younger students have the same opportunity to go shopping at our extravagant California malls. They opt to skip all the fashion hoop-la and head straight for the candy. Mind you See's Canday, does technically count in California as designer grade candy. Typical pre-teens, too cute though! We will miss these girls a lot and hope to have the opportunity to see them again in the future.

Megumi


Aki


Kayo



Pete