Lily House #2

Lily House has gained a few needed items and one permanent resident.

 A gorgeous white scrolled bed arrived and a handmade black and white quilt.

 Just as he was trying out the new quilt and testing the comfy coziness of the mattress, Gatsby heard someone coming up the stairs.  He thought it might be yet another potential roommate and he was right.

 The worst roommate possible...Cruella De Ville. Luckily once she took a look at the kitchen appliances she left in a hurry, much too primitive for her.

Snow and Ariel stopped by again just to check in on Gatsby. He is pretty sure they will not be moving into Lily House anytime soon, seeing as how they both live in fabulous castles.

Disney at Night

Here is a quick little photo tour of the lights in Disneyland and Disney California Adventure. The most terrifying Ferris Wheel EVER! I will never go on it again.Years ago I made the mistake of climbing in one of the cages that spins, ugh. I will never be the same.

Christmas Tree covered in LED lights.

That glowing blue arch down there is the loop on California Screamin'.

This entrance makes me feel like I am entering Pleasure Island. Although the other side is a bit disappointing, there is just not enough going on over there, yet.

Wouldn't it be amazing if the real Golden Gate bridge was decorated for Christmas?
Main St. U.S.A ...


This photo does not do this tree justice. It was fantastic, the branches were covered in LED lights. I have decided I really like LED Christmas lights when they are outside.

A flower lamp at the Alice in Wonderland ride. Alice has all the cool stuff.
It's a Small World knocked my socks off. Wow. A shot from the train.The Mad Hatter's Tea Party is even more fun at night.
Sleeping Beauty's Castle ... beautiful, magical.

From China to Turkey Disneystyle

I am happy to be home. Our quick trip to Disneyland was extended do to another huge snowstorm which made the drive home impossible for our car. We came home yesterday to 3 more feet of snow. Lucky for us my parents have recently moved to the desert and we were able to visit with them. It was very nice to see them all settled into their new home.

We had a wonderful time at Disneyland and California Adventure, how could we not? It did rain a bit while we were there but it wasn't too cold for us mountain goats. It was really just misting and we thought it added to the holiday atmosphere.

It was a little strange being surrounded by Christmas decorations in a Tropical climate. I took 128 photos on our trip, most of which I won't be showing you because they really aren't very good. I'll spare you, but here are some photos of things you might not expect to see at Disneyland.

Asian motifs and vintage ads-

I have a thing for advertisements.Advertising is really just another form of art. The history behind the ads is what intrigues me. It says a lot about what attracts us and ads on brick walls... even better.Art Deco- Oh be still my heart. I adore Art Deco style and the Tower of Terror is a dreamy example.

These next two shots seem like Gothic examples to me, not sure.

Would you expect to see a Reindeer at Disneyland? I didn't.

Do you remember hearing about the 40 pound Turkey that President Obama pardoned on Thanksgiving this year? Well here he is at the Happiest Place on Earth, although I don't believe that is his Happiest Place. Better than the White House table though!

I'll be back with more photos from our trip later.I better get to work. I am way behind on some of my handmade Christmas gifts and I need to get some packages shipped off and unpack my suitcase.

Have a great day.

Walt's Birthday

If Walt Disney were still alive today he would be 108 years old. So today I will be celebrating Walt's legacy by watching a couple Disney movies and packing for my trip to *~Disneyland~* next week! Yipee! What to watch? I am thinking Lady and the Tramp and Peter Pan, two of my favorites.

One of the many great things about my childhood was the amount of times I was lucky enough to go to Disneyland. My Mother grew up nearby and she has been visiting the park since it opened. I wish I could go back in time and walk through the Carousel of Progress with her.It opened at Disneyland in 1973, so I was alive but too small to remember. Here is a photo of my cousin, me and my little brother in the Mad Hatters Tea Cups. My hair is unbelievably horrible I think. Ugh. Like it was cut with a Flobee! Remember those?

My sons childhood has also been graced with several trips to the happiest place on earth. Here is a shot of the two of us in front of It's a Small World. I love this photo makes me want to go squeeze my son, which he would Not appreciate at 17. I still love all the attractions... well... I am not fond of Winnie the Pooh's ride or Tarzan's Tree house but as an adult I notice all the details that make the magic. For instance, the photo below is a tiny little nook in New Orleans Square, it is a bit off the well beaten path... well not really, as I took this photo there were crowds of people funneling through behind me I am sure. I could just move in there. So much work has been put into every little thing. It is easy to get caught up with the cost, crowds, and the lines at Disneyland but if you can take the time to stop and really look at the fine details, it is so worth every penny. At least it is to me.
Here is another shot from New Orleans Square. I recently read this quote, which explains it all.

Memory of Walt by Dick Nunis, Theme Park Executive:

"We were redoing the Storybook Land attraction and trying to cut its budget. One of the art directors said, 'Walt, we can just use regular glass rather than stained glass.' Walt said something profound, 'Look, the thing that's going to make Disneyland unique and different is the detail. If we lose the detail, we lost it all."

Well said Walt. Oh I can't wait to ride on Storybook Land, I have to ride it twice, once in the daylight so I can see all the tiny little landscaping and once after dark in order to see all the houses and street lamps lit up. I am grateful Walt stuck to using stained glass.

When I went to Disneyland in October of 2005 I had the privilege of experiencing The Haunted Mansion all done up in "Nightmare Before Christmas" style. I loved it, but not as much as the ride in its normal state. I guess it will be like that again this time but I am going to get to see all of DLand dressed up for Christmas for the first time. I have heard Sleeping Beauty's castle is amazing and It's a Small World is all decked out in holiday cheer. I wonder what other changes they have made?
Two of my favorite things combined, Disneyland and Christmas. Better get busy. I think I'll start with Peter Pan, it has Pirates, Mermaids and Fairies!

Happy Birthday Walt Disney and Thanks for all the fun.

5 years old

Today I want to write a little post about my super talented blue eyed nephew, Jesse.

He is 5 years old today, a very important year indeed.
The brave boy started school this month and it only took him a couple days to get the hang of it. He is on his way to great things.

This picture below is my favorite, so sweet.

Jesse is a music lover and the ultimate fan of Spiderman.
I am so proud of you, Jesse!

I just know you'll have a wonderful time at Disneyland... after all it is the Happiest Place on Earth. I wish I could be there, it is my favorite place to be. Make sure you ride the Peter Pan ride for me... and if you're brave enough you gotta go on Pirates of the Carribean... Yo Ho, Yo Ho a Pirates life for me.

Happy Birthday Jesse!!!!

Look both ways, deer!

Kevin and I were on our way to a chimney sweeping job when I saw a beautiful deer. I love deer, they are just so sweet and innocent, I will always think of Bambi when I see one. I am a Disney girl. I never get tired of seeing them, who would? Although I AM tired of seeing them on peoples walls as decoration...

I digress...

The many yellow deer crossing signs warned me in advance to have my camera out. When I spotted her I yelled out something like"Look a Deer"
and Kevin pulled over, that's my man.

Then something happened I had never witnessed before. This gorgeous creature looked both ways!

Really!

She looked left

and then right

and then she crossed the road, completely calm and methodical. She went so cautiously that I was able to capture the whole thing. Amazing.

That reminds me of a couple other deer moments we had while visiting Yosemite National Park last August, which is so close we should go much more often than we do.

Under a bush right next to a outdoor restaurant patio bustling with tourists lay this beautiful Buck. Impressive huh?

His antlers were covered in a mossy velvet. So Lovely. I could have watched him all afternoon.

Then in the parking lot we came across this little family. They are actually called Mule Deer, due to those lovely large ears.

Aren't they pretty? I was so close to them and I had this crazy desire to reach out and pet that furry head or slide my hand over that velvety antler, but then I saw myself in the news as one of those people who messes with the wildlife and ends up getting gored.

Oh Boy!...Never touch the wildlife. and remember...

Slow Down and always Look Both Ways!