WHERE DOES TIME GO?

First, I hope that everyone had a wonderful Easter.  I am hoping that everyone is experiencing some beautiful Spring weather.

As we get olden things take longer to accomplish than when we were young, so therefore "Where Does Time Go?  I make lists and then check them off as I complete them.  When I looked back through my camera I realized that I haven't posted since the first of February.  So here goes some of my fun travels (not far) baby shower and my garden.....

This was a day venture to Huntington Beach and Long Beach with a dear friend.

We got hungry smelling the wonderful ocean air and wanted some Mexican Food.  The El Torito in Long Beach.

Here I am holding up the wall as I was starving LOL

We were seated right away and did not want the buffet, just some munchies........

Street Taco's, we shared and this plate full of nacho's

After lunch we headed over to the Marina at Long Beach into Sunset Beach and back out to Pacific Coast Highway.  It was a stunning day and so many people at the beaches.  I could not get over  how
built up it had become.

All these beautiful condo's upstairs with a spectacular view of the ocean - oh to live there WOW

This Hyatt Regency is located on the corner of Pacific Coast Highway and Beach Blvd.  It has a spa and all the other amenities you could possibility wish for.

 It was getting close to dusk and here comes my humming birds wanting their dinner before bedtime.  They come at day light wanting food as they have been sleeping for so many hours.  It is something to see all those hummers flying around wanting their breakfast and dinner.  Of course they fly in and out all day eating.

Not a very good picture as it was getting late.  This was before day light savings time.  I have about 20+ each morning and night.  I had to go out and purchase another feeder as there were so many.
I make about 12 cups of nectar per day.  It is slowing down since a lot of flowers are in bloom.

This is a handmade quilt that I made for Janie - sorry it is not a very good picture.  Of course I forgot to take a picture after I finished it.  It has ballerina's dancing.  I also crocheted a throw for Sophia in pink.

We had some great Mexican food, but it was sure HOT..  Janie got a lot of nice gifts for Sophia.  Baby is due April 9th.

The dew on my nasturtiums and they are so pretty this year.  I am sure the rain had a lot to do with it.  They are everywhere. in yellow, orange and a variegated yellow and white.  Many years ago I planted 6 here and there in the backyard and now they are all over and some have made it into the front yard thanks to the birds.

Here are some more of my nasturtiums with my Lavender Marguerite bush, rose bush which is full of buds.

All most all of my iris have turned back to purple.  I had some different colored ones and this is the first time that this has happened.  Anyone know why?

More nasturtiums and my Rosemary Bush  I always have fresh rosemary for cooking.

My yellow orchid in bloom - first one this spring.

Chicago Peace Rose, it is in the front yard and is a climber cover my arch leading up to the front.

Look who is peaking under the gate wanting to come out front so I can chase him all over the park LOL

This is my newest iris and the color is stunning kinda of a rust color - this picture does not do it justice.

My iris bed just starting to bloom

The Easter Bunnies setting on the bench with their eggs,  Peter looks like he is very tired.  They need to be put away for another year

My Santa Barbara Daisy's in a pot by the front steps.  They really spread very nicely and look great in a arrangement.

Excuse the hose didn't realize it was there.  This is Waldo my Border Collie and he loves to photo bomb my pictures.

This is one of my most favorite roses.  Don't know the name of it as I purchased it at the 99 cent store.  It never disappoints me.

This is how I feel after a busy day of chores..

My flowers are so pretty this year and have bloomed early due to the hot weather we have been having.  I understand that next week it will be in the 90's again.  At least it cools off at night.

I hope you have enjoyed seeing my garden.  It's not the way I want it but at my age it's hard to get out there and kneel and do what  I want. I have new gardeners and they are doing a wonderful job.  It will take time for them to know how I like things.

Have a wonderful weekend.

Please stop by and leave a comment as Waldo and Lili like to hear all about them.

Mary

CHINESE NEW YEAR PARTY

Welcome to Tour America's New Year's Party

Tour America Employees

Chinese New Year party - let me tell you what a amazing evening I had at this terrific party.  I had so much fun - the 7 course meal was out of this world - entertainment was unbelievable.

I was invited to this party by Tour America.  This was one of my biggest accounts when I was Director of Sales at the hotel.  I get invited every year by the owner, Gloria Lam.  This lady is a very gracious woman and her employees truly love her.

The banquet room was beautifully set with tables of 10 guests with gold chair covers.  There was a very large lazy susan in the center of the table to hold the food.  We were given a saki shot for good luck in 2016, which is one of their customs.  We toasted and then came in two very large dragons.  We were each given a red envelope with money in it to feed the dragon, again for good luck.  The dragons went around the tables gathering their red envelops in their mouths. They danced around and played like they were fighting.

Gloria opening the Saki with her employees.

Dragons dancing around the room looking for red envelops

One of the guests feeding a red envelope to the dragon

A very large salad was placed on each table and we had to toss it high to bring more good luck.  The salad had fresh salmon along with lettuce, etc.  Yum yum  Then the food started coming, one dish at a time.  I cannot begin to tell you what marvelous food we had.  Honey Walnut Shrimp, platters of Crab, Shrimp and Lobsters.  A dish of Scallops with vegetables,  Sweet and Sour Fish, Peking Duck with a small bread & plum sauce.  Rice with Shrimp and Vegetables, a Beef dish that was so good.  Shark Fin Soup and Mango pudding.  This took over two hours to eat along with the entertainment they provided.  Wine, hot tea and Saki flowed freely.  They had this big barrel of Saki from Japan with gold flakes in it - again good luck.

Good luck salad

Here I am with one of the employees from Tour America

Each person was then given their own Red Envelope with a new one Dollar Bill in it, again for good luck.  Numerous door prizes where given away.

Then they had a Sumo Wrestling contest.  You would put on a suit and it would inflate making you look just  like a Sumo wrestler.  I laughed so hard at all the contestants trying to stay on their feet.

Sumo Wrestlers having some fun.

Each year they pick a theme and this year they were all dressed up like Chinese Cartoon Characters.  Pokieman, Kiki and the Delivery Man, etc.  they were priceless and they encouraged the customers to dress up also.  So we voted on the best - so much fun.......  Some of costume's were really good and a lot of thought went into making them,  of course a lot were rentals.

Chibi

Doing a dance routine that they put together and they were GREAT

Gloria has as much fun as her employees were.  Such gracious people.

I feel so honored to be invited every year, even though I am retired.  Gloria said to me -" I expect to see you here every year."

Kiki and the Delivery Man  That is Kik's  husband and I didn't know him all dressed up, such a good sport

A wonderful evening was had by all.

I hope you have enjoyed this post on a Chinese New Year's Party. I really had a terrific time. So much good luck was passed around.  I look forward to this wonderful party every year.

If you have the good fortune to be invited to A Chinese New Year's Party, please go, you will not be disappointed.

Thanks so much for stopping by and leaving a comment.  Waldo, Lili and I like to read them all together.

Mary

Dwellings ~ Amaze Me Monday

      The Dedicated House ~ Make it Pretty Monday        

    Between Naps On The Porch ~ Metamorphosis Monday

A Stroll Thru Life ~ Inspire Me Tuesday

Confessions of a Plate Addict ~ The Scoop

Coastal Charm ~ Nifty Thrifty Tuesday

Savvy Southern Style ~ Wow Us Wednesday

Ivy and Elephants ~ What's It Wednesday

No Minimalist Here ~ Open House Party Thursdays

Between Naps on the Porch - Tablescape Thursday

Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson ~ Share Your Cup Thursday

My Turn for Us ~ Freedom Fridays Blog Hop

Common Ground ~ Be Inspired Friday

The Thrifty Groove ~ Thrifty Things Friday