FuN things come in 3’s

I’ve been very busy lately, what with Christmas being right around the corner, but if you were to ask me what I’ve been up to…well, I can’t rightly say. Isn’t that terrible?? I know…it is. But I can tell you that 3 fun things happened last weekend.

I turned 50 for one, so Yes! I am now a 1/2 century old.
To celebrate my 50th I thought it would be fun to visit a few sights that were much older then me and since I’ve always wanted to ride the Funicular in down town LA and visit the Biltmore Hotel that was where hubby and I went to celebrate.

This lovely little train/trolley is the shortest railway in the world and was built in 1901 where it was used to shuttle the Victorians from their homes on Bunker Hill to the business district below. I’ve always imagined it filled with ladies in Bustle gowns and men wearing bowler hats. It’s a short 298 ft. ride up the hill for the price of a quarter.

At the top of the Funicular we stopped at Starbuck’s for a refreshing frosty Peppermint Frappuccino…yum! 

This is a view of the fountain in Pershing square taken from the top floor of the Biltmore. I had to lean wwwwaaaayyyyy out over the railing to get this picture and felt ever so dizzy when I pulled myself back. Interesting, now that I look at the picture there’s not a person in the square. It was a quiet day in LA,

And this is a view of the roof lines directly across the street. There's so much beautiful stone work to see up there that it’s a shame you can’t see it well from below. I’m a wee bit crazy about architecture, in case you didn’t know “-).

 

Anywho, we hung out at the Biltmore for quite a while, walking up and down halls and exploring every corner. Here I am in the Ladies Room. I loved how the lights reflected in the mirror and formed an arc.

If you’ve never been to the Biltmore I highly recommend it…even if it is just to look around. There are amazing light fixtures every where. These are located in the atrium room, where many movies have been filmed. One of my favorites is a Bollywood version on Pride and Prejudice, titled, “Bride and Prejudice.”

Hubby and I plopped ourselves in two comfy chairs and watched as people moved about in the main lobby. As I sat there, I thought to myself, “I could easily get used to this.” Everything was so beautiful!
Somewhere in my memory I remember telling my mother that I was born into the wrong family. I had this crazy notion that the stork who flew me was instructed to set me down at the Vanderbilt’s, but accidently dropped me and I rolled into my mother’s yard instead. Of course, she was delighted to have such a sweet child to care for. Yep! Wrong family indeed, but then the Lord had other plans for me…you know I’m just kidding right?

Well, I must get out of here for now and begin my Christmas baking, but I’ll be back later with more on the Biltmore.
If I don’t see you before then I hope you all have a
VeRy MeRrY CHRISTmas!!!
xoxo Cori

Water Color Kittens

 

Hello! It’s been a while, hasn’t it? I keep trying to find my blogging rhythm and every time I think I’ve found it, just like that, it slips away. I’m hoping 2012 will be better… when it comes to me and posting.

Can you believe that Christmas is just one week away? Me neither and I think it’s safe to say that I’m not exactly ready, but then I never am.
So where have I been lately, you ask? Well, I’ve been trudging through another semester of school. I say “trudging” because that’s the only way to describe what it’s been like. Even up to the last day with finals, my computer crashed 20 times. Oi Vey! Thankfully I’m done…until next semester.

For Thanksgiving hubby and I decided to drive up North and spend the Holiday with one of my Aunts and cousins. We had a wonderful time enjoying the cold weather, slow pace, and the beautiful stars shining in the night sky. Living in Southern Cal a girl can easily forget that there are so many constellations overhead. I can’t tell you the last time I saw the Milky Way, but there it was, shining ever so brightly, illuminating the sky.

Since my Aunt’s house was filled to overflowing, hubby and I, along with our pups, spent our nights beyond the orchard in the motorhome. Many times throughout the night I woke and lay there gazing up at the stars. I think the stars remind me of how small I am and How Big my Lord and Savior is. After all, He is the One who flung the stars out into the universe.

The following morning we went into town to explore the local antiques shops. This is where I ran across these adorable water color kittens. Tucked beneath a pile of books was this half tattered children’s book with 3/4 of its pages missing. But the illustrations where so delicate and the colors exquisite. My pictures can’t possibly do them justice.

As long as I can remember I have adored children’s books and this little one captivated my heart, so home with me it went. When we returned home I became curious about the markings and set off on a little fact finding mission.
What did I discover about my little tattered book…
It was published about 1893 by a well known author named Ernest Nister from Nuremburg, Germany.

He created many books having movable parts as well as pictures that dissolved into other pictures. And after my search I also discovered that many of the beautiful Victorian illustrations that I love so much were used in his publications.
Sweet little water color kittens

 

that's how it's done :-)

Hello! I'm showing my niece how to upload images so please ignore this post ;-)