Day 153: Merry Christmas!

Meet one of my treasures.

Less than 3 inches high, he is priceless. To me.

  A best friend, Karen,  gave him to me fifty plus years ago.

He always came out to decorate the holiday season.

For the past ten years he has been featured, year-round.

You know, there are some things that are too good

to save for a certain day, or season.

Just saying.

Day 152: Christmas Eve ... already?

Are you ready? I am almost ready.

Erin took  me for a pedicure early this morning.

(So I'll look good, if I remove my UGGS tomorrow morning) 

We do Christmas at 8:30 tomorrow morning.

This is carry-over from when the boys were younger

and 8:30 was as long as we could hold them off.

Now two are teenagers and one almost ...

so they have finally learned the joy on sleeping in.

Anyway, I asked Erin to take me to the

Harley Davidson store for a Bassel gift search.

I have never liked motorcycles.

But I must me mellowing in my later years, because 

when I see Erin hugging Bassel as they ride ...
I get it.

So I enter this huge store ...

with

all

kinds of

"H-D"

stuff.

Baby stuff, ladies stuff, technical stuff and more ...

I liked the graphics ...

and the gift wrapping was great!

Always something new, my first Christmas Eve

in a Harley Davidson store!

Don't tell Bassel.

Day 151: Tamatebako

I am so lucky.

I have the best friends.

Emi and Eric, two of my favorite people on the planet,
took me to Tamatebako in Torrance.

Tamatebako means treasure box, and it is.
Hidden away, known by lovers of great Japanese food.

Eric ordered steak steaming on an iron platter.
Emi had Hokke fish, that I forgot to shoot.

And I had a feast!

Soup, 

Pickles, Potato Salad, Oh my ...

And Katsu cutlet, perfect!

And look at Emi's car that got us there!
Thank you Emi and Eric.
Life is good!

Meri Kurisumasu

Day 150: Lost another friend ...

Words aren't coming easy today.

Kobe is healthy now, in heaven.

His family is heartbroken.

They number eight now, instead of nine.

"He is your friend, your partner, your defender,
your dog. You are his life, his love, his leader.
He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last
beat of his heart. 

"Dogs' lives are too short. Their only fault, really."

-Agnes Sligh Turnbull

"If there are no dogs in Heaven,
then when I die I want to go
where they went."

Will Rogers, 1897-1935

Day 149: A stop at the Post Office ...

   

I live in a small town, within a very busy Orange County.

This is El Camino Real, in old town Tustin.

And at the corner of Main and El Camino Real is ...

Mrs. B's Consignments Etc.

And inside is a branch Post Office.

Tustin has a regular post office, but it doesn't have ...

Tiffany!

I took the poinsettias to Tiffany today 

since when I was in yesterday she was swamped  

with packages, weighing, stamping ...

but always with that smile!

One of Tustin's hidden gems ... Tiffany!

Day 148: Poor Kobe!

Grand-dog Kobe is in the doggie hospital!

This is Kobe five years ago when he joined the family.

Cute little guy. 

And he grew. Really large for a boxer.

A perfect dog. Smart, strong, gentle.

Kobe is #3 Grand-dog, after Roxie and Bella (Shih-tsu's) ...

And then they added Laker ...

Kobe is a saint! He raised this really active pup.

Laker is always with him. 

Maybe closer than Kobe would like.

So Laker has been moping around, missing Kobe.

Kobe will be home before Christmas.

Day 147: On a lighter note ...

Have you heard of the Bowers?

A museum founded in 1936 in Santa Ana

with the mission to celebrate the cultures 

of the world through their arts.

Rated in the top 5% of all U.S. museums.

it offers a myriad of great exhibitions.

Last week Marsha and I took in the opening day of CUT!
This included a lecture by Holly Poe Durbin.

                               


Followed by the touring the exhibition of actual movie 
costumes on loan from Cosprop Ltd., renowned British firm.

Showcasing glamour, luxury and artistry.

The authentic fabrics and workmanship were superb.

Sumptuous fabrics, lavish lace ...

and intricate embroiderey dazzled the eye.

43 costumes were shown from 30 actors in 25 films.

All breathtaking in their authenticity of cinematic costume.

With 70 + shots, it was difficult to pick what to post.