Blogging A to Z…. C is for….

C is for Calan and Claire

I guess that I should add California to my C list since I’ve lived here since I was 11 years old. There are many things I love about California…. and a few things that I don’t.  I don’t like the traffic or the politics of this state but I do love the beautiful weather we have almost all year round and the scenery. I love the fact that within an hour’s drive I can be in the mountains, at the beach or in the desert.  I like California…. but I love Calan and Claire who are my two favorite C’s.

Calan came into our lives this time 4 years ago. In fact it is his birthday. It was a joyous day for our whole family. Erin and Patrick wanted a baby so badly. An earlier adoption had fallen through at the last minute, after Erin had quit her teaching job and had the nursery all ready. It broke their hearts…. then 9 months later little Cal was born. Through the miracle of adoption, Erin and Patrick became parents.

John and I just happened to be in Utah the morning he was born. We were so excited to go to the hospital and meet our little grandson and thank his birth mom for her loving sacrifice. It was a blessed day.

I can hardly believe that our wee one is turning 4 tomorrow. Not a day goes by that we don’t thank God that this darling boy is a part of our family.

Claire is my other favorite C

Claire is my only granddaughter that lives in California.

She is a joy to my heart.

She loves to cook with me and have tea parties.

She even talked me into making a fondant iced cake. I thought it was way too much work but we had a great time doing it together.

Even though it did not turn out perfect… we thought it was pretty and the family enjoyed having it for dinner. We felt quite proud of our  first time efforts.

Some day you might get to know Claire though her music. I wish I knew how to put a video on my blog because you would not believe her beautiful voice. It was obvious by age 3 that she had an amazing voice and loved singing. By 5 she was taking classical voice lessons. As you can see from the ribbon on her dress, she wins first place and every competitions she has ever been in.

She got paid for  singing the first time when she was 8 and she sang the Star Spangled Banner at the opening ceremonies of the Little League season.

Since that time she had numerous singing opportunities… some for pay and some for fun.

In December she auditioned against hundreds of older girls for a part in an upcoming L.A. Opera production. She just turned 11. We couldn’t believe it when she beat them all and got a principal part. If you could hear her singing opera in German you would not believe she is still a child. All the experts that hear her says she has the most amazing voice for a child her age that they have ever heard.

Recently she went with Austin to Disneyland for his birthday. She said to her mom…..” They say Disneyland is the happiest place on earth…. but they are wrong.  Singing on stage  is the happiest place on earth.” That’s my Claire.

Can you see why Cal and Claire are my two favorite C’s in the world.

What is your favorite C?

 

Blogging A to Z … A is for Austin

My friend Carol who lives in Buttercup land is doing some fun blogging this month called the Blogging A to Z challenge.  Each day she will feature something different. (Hop over to her blog and take a look)

She invited us to try it…. so I think I will. I may not get through the whole alphabet but I will give it my best.  This is a big deal for me since I normally only blog once a week. Why don’t you join me in this challenge???  Just leave me a comment and I will come visit you and list your blog for others to see.

So here I go…….. A is for Austin

One of the blessings of our retiring from teaching in 2007 was we got to babysit our 2 year old Austin while his mommy went to work.

It wasn’t long before he had completely captured our hearts and taken over our days with  all sorts of backyard adventures…. and…

 

quiet inside times.

There were many fun trips to Knott’s Berry Farm. (We bought season tickets and he talked us into taking him there almost every week.)

Our outings almost always included a ride on the train and lunch of good, healthy fun food like this one.

 

We attended story time and craft time at the public library every Monday morning.

We watched “Cars” and “Thomas the Train” together at least a 1,000  a million times.

And then before we knew it….

He started growing into a big boy. One minute he was dragging his blankie around the house and rocking with me….. and I no more than turned around and he was 5 and ready for school.  How did those 3 precious years we had him to ourselves several days a week go by so quickly????

I was afraid that he might forget about our special years together when he went off to school and didn’t stay with us anymore…… and…. maybe he has forgotten a lot of it…. but… we have a special bond with our Austin. He just turned 8 and he still loves to come over and stay with us.  Just last week he called on Sat. morn and ask if he could come over and spend the day and night with us. Of course we said yes.

He loves to play Uno and Wii.

He still loves his outdoor adventures with Grampy….

…He texts me all the time…. even when we are in the same room.

Last night I made the mistake of joking with him and telling him I was going to sneak him away from his home and bring him home with me after dinner.  He thought I was serious and cried when we left without him. I felt badly… I thought he knew I was teasing about kidnapping him. He has such a tender heart. 

Austin makes my heart smile.  Austin is my favorite letter A in the whole world.

What is your letter A?

Join me in this A to Z challenge… I can’t wait to read yours. 

Hugs, Lura

Wed. Wisdom Giveaway contest

They say "It is better late than never."

I hope that applies to 100th post give-aways because this is my 112th post and I am just now getting around to the "give-away".

As I was driving yesterday I noticed the display in my car told me it was 102 F. outside.

102 F.!!! Honestly....doesn't Mother Nature know it is April!!

April in CA should be in the 70s....not 102!!...it is way too hot!!
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However a few days ago we left Utah in a snow storm.

The temp was in the 30s which is too cold for April.

Since then several of my blog friends have mentioned having April snow.
...

I wish that I could send all of you that are having

late winters 20 degrees of our heat.

Since I can't do that, I would like to send you $20 in gift cards.

Hopefully that will brighten and warm your day a little....

(or if you are in a warm area you can spend the cards in the air conditioned stores and cool off.)

I went to Barnes and Noble while I was in Utah.
I also got a wonderful hot chocolate and pastry at Starbucks.
I thought that you might like to do the same so I got a $10 gift certificate at both places.
I will send both of them to one of you.
To enter leave me comments before next Wednesday.
I will select the winner next Wed. April 29th from those who left me comments during the week.
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However, since it is "Wednesday Wisdom" day, here is a way to get extra chances to win.
I am going to combine my give-away with a quiz.
(This was my cute hubby's idea)
Answer this quiz and get an extra chance to win.
If you answer correctly you get 2 extra chances to win.
...
Pictured below are several different kinds of citrus fruits that grow in our orchard.
Name them all starting with the big one in the middle and moving clockwise around the circle and ending with the little ones on top of the big one.

Here is a hint....each fruit is different and there is not a Naval or Valentia orange pictured.

However there are 3 kinds of grapefruit.
Go ahead...give it a try and get extra chances to win.
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Thanks to all of you that read my blog.
I truly appreciate all of you.
Blogging has broadened my world and brought me many new friends.
I hope you enjoy this give-away.
Remember...
Comments left today and Sunday = 1 chance each comment
Taking the citrus quiz= 1 extra chance
Getting the right answers=2 extra chances
Good Luck
Hugs, Lura

My Wonderful Wednesday Surprise

(John took this picture of me talking to Marie. ...no makeup, in my nighty and all)

I had a wonderful surprise this morning.

Marie called me....I actually got to hear her sweet voice and have a lovely visit.

It made my day...umm...no....it made my week!

I slept in a bit later than usual today since my Austin alarm wasn't here to wake me up early. (He usually goes off about 6:00 a.m. no matter what time I put him to bed.) I woke up, read my scriptures as usual and took my time getting up. After getting up I went in to my favorite chair, got out my lap top and settled down, still in my nighty, to say good morning to some of my blog friends..... Yes I have to check in with my blog friends before getting dressed or fixing breakfast.... I know.... I'm addicted to you !

I went to my google reader and started by logging on to Marie to see what message she had for me today and what's cookin' at Oak Cottage. Before her post even came up, my phone rang..... I answered it and heard a sweet voice with a darling Canadian/English accent say...

"Hello Lura, this is Marie"

Marie???

It was my dear blogger friend, Marie calling from England.

I was speechless... I was so surprised.... What a wonderful way to start my day.

We had a lovely long visit. It was wonderful to be chatting in real life with this sweet friend that I have come to love so much through her blog and the comments that she makes on mine. I even got to say hello to her sweetheart, Todd. It was just great.

Thank you so much for calling dear Marie. It means so much to me.

After we hung up I got to thinking about how much blogging has enriched my life. I started blogging just to keep in touch with my sweet family. I was totally surprised and pleased that I met so many new blog friends that mean so much to me. I have come to really care about you. I feel like you are extended family. While I may never have the pleasure of meeting or talking to most of you like I have Marie and Holly, I consider you friends. I appreciate the way you have given me supportive comments on both my sad and happy posts. If you are the regular few that read and comment on my posts I thank you.....

I appreciate you.....I love hearing from you.

I could name all of your names but you know who you are.... It is all of you that take the time to comment on my posts..... everyone of you.

So thanks again Marie and thanks to all of my blog friends.

Blogging has broadened my world. What blogging has done for you?

Meet some new folks...Bloggers and Vampires

I want to introduce you to some new vampires. I know that many of you are in love with Edward..... but come on ladies....he is already taken by Bella. Besides there is always room for other handsome, "warm hearted" vampires.... wait....Vampires don't have hearts do they???... at least not ones that beat..... well anyway, you know what I mean. If you get to know these new Vampires you will be glad that you did..... but.... before I introduce you to my "undead" friends, I'd like you to meet some of my new blog buddies.

I have some new blogs to introduce you to..... these are friends of mine.... neat bloggers...some are new bloggers..... some had blogs but I just found them. Drop by their blogs, say "hi" and encourage them by giving them some blog love. Tell them I sent you.

Come on....

You can take out just a minute to say "hello"

You will be glad that you did.

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http://shebasmommy.blogspot.com/ Chelsea of Sheba's mommy

Chelsea studies sign language and works at the deaf school. She loves animals and has practically adopted my German Shepard, Heidi. She is a really sweet gal and I'm sure you'll enjoy meeting her.

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http://grandmajournal.blogspot.com/ Kris of Grandma's Journal

Kris has been a friend of mine for over 20 years. Her sweet spirit and love of life shows in her blog. You will find it uplifting.

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http://jananddarien.blogspot.com/ Jan of The short track

Kris introduced me to Jan. Jan calls her blog "The short track" because she is dying....but even though she only has a short time to live she is filling her life with service. She takes care of her darling little great niece, Darien. Her journey will touch your heart.

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http://cougarnana.blogspot.com/ Nancy of Just a Little Blog

Nancy is an old friend of mine that moved away from CA several years ago. I just found out she was blogging. I am happy to get get in touch with her again.... you will find her fun to know.

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O.K. Have you already clicked on their blogs? No???? You want to meet the vampires first.... well, o.k. but be sure to say "Hi" to them after you meet my dark friends listed below..

Amanda Ashley's Night Series

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Let me give you a little back ground first.... I know you are anxious to meet the vamps...but just give me a minute......

Mandy is my visiting teacher. For those of you who don't know, being a visiting teacher is a calling that all of us ladies have in the Mormon church. We each get a list of ladies that we visit once or more a month. We take them a spiritual message and check to see if they need any help or service rendered that month. Since no leadership position is paid in our congregation and our Bishop and other leaders must work to support themselves, it is impossible for them to contact every member every month.... so we have visiting teachers representing our Relief Society (the ladies organization ) and home teachers who are men representing the priesthood that contact each of us every month.

That is how I met Mandy. I had noticed a pretty lady in the congregation but didn't know her until she became my visiting teacher.

As she visited me from month to month we got to know each other. She asked me about my job and I told her all about my teaching experiences in both my high school and college classes. She seemed impressed with my accomplishments. I was flattered. She told me that she was a stay at home grandmom. I thought... that's nice.

Time went by.... one day she mentioned that she could only visit me a short while because she had to get home and work on a book she was writing.... again I thought.... how nice.... she was writing a book.

Oh, I said, you like to write?

Oh, yes she answered.

What are you writing I said, thinking I would give her encouragement.

Romance novels she said.

How fun..... are you going to try to get it published?

I already sold it she said.

I was excited...... You sold it!!! How great!!! When will it be published?

Uhh, I think it will come out next July... after the other two.

Other two????

You've written 2 other books????

Yes, so far this year.

So far this year!!! How many books have you written???

Umm, I think this is number 54.....

That is how I learned Mandy was the New York best selling author who writes under the name Amanda Ashley for her vampire series and Madeline Baker for her western series. (Did I feel dumb or what!!!)

Her books are shorter than Stephanie Meyers' Twilight books. Mandy's are usually around 365 pages. They are published in paperback and cost around $6.99. I like them because her stories move quickly without a lot of filler. Her vampires, like Edward, are handsome, sexy, have amazing powers and are not killers. However her vamps are not hard and cold like Edward. They are very likable.

Why don't you meet them? If you like the Twilight books I am pretty sure you will like Mandy's vampires as well as Edward or better. Try them out.

Night's Kiss is the first of the 3 Night series books.
Night's Touch is number 2. Ever wonder how vampires could raise an adopted daughter? Read this book and you will find out.
Night's Master is the last in this series. It will be out in Oct. Mandy gave me an advanced copy and I'm about half way through it. It has vampires and werewolves coexisting in a small town.... of course a human girl is in the middle.

She has many other Vampire books out. I've read several. They are entertaining.
I also like her western romance novels.
If you would like to read more about Mandy you can use either of these web sites.
http://vampirewriter.blogspot.com/
http://amandaashley.com/work6.htm
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I've got to stop blogging and go read another chapter.

Happy reading.... and go visit my new blog friends.

Have a good day.