Sunday, August 10, 2008

Our Day

We went to outdoor Mass on the mountain. As we turned into the drive that leads to this little chapel, I remembered that five years ago, on the evening of our 15th anniversary, we had our marriage blessed by the Church in this very place. It is so refreshing to attend Mass in the woods. It is peaceful in every way: sight, sound and Sacrament.
I love watching the sunlight play among the leaves in the canopy of trees when I'm there. The shade makes it cool even in the summer.
We stopped at a little creekside deli for smoothies. A creek in summertime in California is a rare treat!
Hmmmm... which is the orange and which is the peach? We couldn't tell, even after tasting!

Russ loved the food at Molly Brennan's Irish pub.

Isn't this town lovely?

Later, we stopped for coffee. The artistic chairs at our little table were beautiful, hand-carved by someone local. They seemed to belong in a church.

Here's the entrance to the beautiful Mediterranean inspired winery on the lake.

And here's the courtyard. The lake is in the background.

Lovely flowers spilled out of containers everywhere!

This is the entrance if arriving by boat.

It's a treat to walk to the end of this pier to catch the breezes from the lake.

A small sliver of a big, beautiful lake.

We walked through the garden. I fell behind, poking around taking pictures!

I love doorways. They intrigue me! I just had to take this photo.

I consented to having my photo taken.

Good-bye, winery. Until next time!

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

Thank you my sweet Esther for sharing your day with us. You should be a photographer. Absolutely beautiful!

Love you,
JDSissy

Unknown said...

An artistic eye, an engaging writer, a sensitive and beautiful spirit. It is easy to appreciate the simple things in life when seen through your eyes.
!Dios tre bendiga!
B

Anonymous said...

Beautiful photos (I totally agree with both previous commenters!)...that anyone lives among palm trees never ceases to astound and amaze me!

Cell Belle said...

Esther....can't believe its been 5 years since the marriage blessing. I remember when it happened and you had come over to SAC to have me help you make arrangements for the songs you had written and the one you were going to sing and play for Russ. So glad you two had an invigorating day.

Cell Belle said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Lavinia said...

Oh my goodness, this is so very lovely! What stunningly scenic vistas you enjoyed on your excursion......

The fountain, the lake, the chairs, the landscape, its all so beautiful, thank you so much for taking me along....

Absolutely beautiful summer scenery.

MuseSwings said...

Esther, stop by my blog - I have an award for you.

Cynthia

Sara at Come Away With Me said...

Hello Esther....what a special treat you have given us, taking us on your outing to the lake and that charming little town. I really enjoyed the photo tour! You took some wonderful photos.

You have beautiful green eyes, I'm glad you consented to having your photo taken. You and Russ are a good-looking couple, and I also want to congratulate you on your 20 years of marriage.

We have similar anniversary dates...24 for me&CT on the 18th.

Anonymous said...

I went to that Mass! How did I not see you! Darn!

Anonymous said...

I can't believe it's been 20 years since you and Russ married! I'm glad you were able to enjoy this outting together...what an absolutely lovely day.

Love,
J

chimakuni said...

Congratulations Esther and Russ! Thank you Sweet Esther for the lovely photos and the dialogue.

May you and Russ enjoy many more wedding anniversaries together!

Yolanda said...

It looks like you had a wonderful time.

Laurie A. said...

absolutely gorgeous, esther!

Esther said...

Thank you all for your good wishes and kind comments! I appreciate your sharing the day with us. I wish we could all go to the winery together sometime. Wouldn't that be fun?!

Mibsy, sometimes I don't appreciate the palms as anything special because they're not native. But my husband reminds me they wouldn't survive in most places... so they're here thanks to our Mediterranean climate.

Celeste, thanks for the reminder about the 15th anniversary song! It doesn't seem that long ago, does it?

Lavinia, thanks for your appreciation of the things we saw. It's nice to see them through another's eyes!

Cynthia, an award! How kind! I will pop over soon to see it.

Sara, you & CT have by now celebrated your 24th - I hope you had a wonderful time, and congratulations! Your comments are kind and sweet - thank you. (Since you are a wonderful photographer, your compliment is especially flattering!)