The Redwoods at Filoli

 Today Samantha & I ventured to Filoli House & Gardens.

 I've been looking forward to this being a major part of our Spring. Turns out it was only part 1 - we will be going back again to enjoy the flowers at least a few times this season. So I will blog about them later.

So for today, we got there around noon and were directed to the parking lot farthest from the gardens, but closest to the Redwood trails. That as ok with me. I LOVE the woods/the trees/the trails! It was another treat for the 4 senses! We didn't taste anything on the trail, but we gazed at the different greens and sun shining through; we heard several birds, the trees and fresh dirt smelled wonderful, and my hands just had to reach down and touch the soil. I admit, I seriously told Samantha that this was so great I almost wanted to cry.

They have an area in the woods with seasonal activities and a country store.

The trolls from last fall are gone, but there is a new, even bigger one, that will be there to stay - at least for a while. 

His arms are holding a set of stairs that you can climb to a great lookout. 

His very long hair is pretty impressive, made of tree branches.

This is the opening on the side where you go in to access the stairs. 

After the trees we headed to the house and gardens. 

We paused for a sit in this "backyard" lawn area of the house that were full of chairs like these. I like how you can see the woods, where we had just been, in the background.

I am looking forward to blogging about the gardens after another visit or two!

March in Golden Gate Park

 One Saturday Reggie & I woke up early and headed off to the Botanical Garden in GGP (free admission before 9, woo hoo!). We've been there before, but it is so huge, we wanted to walk a different direction. This time we literally decided to stop and smell, and appreciate the flowers.

We also checked out the Children's Kitchen Garden and were very disappointed. It looked pretty overgrown and broken down, and like it hadn't been touched in years. But, I still found it inspiring. I would love to have a garden where the grandkids could run wild and get dirty and plant things. They kind of do in our little backyard though, and then there's the nature that is around us. 

This made me appreciate even more the children's playground area at my work. They have a huge sandbox and keep a big jug filled with water, where kids can turn on the spout to fill their buckets to make the sand wet. Wet sand is the best for playing, digging, molding and pretending in. You know it's been a good end of my day when I come home covered with sand.

The trails at the SSF Botanical Garden were beautiful too. I know we haven't walked them all, so I hope to go back again and again and again.

Last of all we noticed so many crazy, giant succulent plants

 

What's going on?

 I've been posting about a lot of things that are keeping me feeling positive and joyful. Sometimes, though, the trials of life, particularly in our country and world right now are confusing and overwhelming. Sometimes I just put this song on so I can yell with Dolly Parton "What's going on?!"  She is one of the most optimistic people I know of. But I guess everyone needs to express their worried side too, which then seems to lead to determination to keep going and doing your best.

Pastel Sunrise

How can it be, that after all these years, the sky continues to surprise me? I don't think I've ever seen it in such pastel colors until today's sunrise. It certainly helped me to get going. 

 

Special People in the Easter Story

I am currently, thoroughly enjoying a series of articles, from our church's magazine "The Liahona" called "They Knew The Savior", running from February through April. Each is about a person who knew the Savior during his mortal ministry and was, for better or worse, part of the Easter story. Most I've heard of, some I hadn't, but these articles having given insights and details about them that have touched my heart. Each article includes a beautiful drawing, which I have posted below ( I don't know why it's showing up in different fonts, but hopefully it is readable).

Simon of Cyrene, who carried the cross - 
This one intrigued me the most.
According to the article he was just a bystander - in fact, not even standing by, but just
passing through when Jesus was made to carry his cross to Golgotha. Towards the last bit
the Savior was so exhausted that Cyrene was pulled out of the crowd by one of the soldiers to carry the cross for him. I had never focused on that one little detail, but can you imagine how much this must have affected this man's life? Just as a regular human being, having to do this must have physically, mentally and emotionally taken it's toll - and yet brought the Savior into his life.

John is the only one of the 12 Apostles recorded to have witnessed the Crucifixion. It was John whom the Savior assigned to care for His mother after His departure. John’s discipleship began before he met Jesus, as he was a follower of John the Baptist. He wrote the last of the 4 gospels, including much that is not in the other 3. Love is an especially recurring theme in the writings of John.

Mary Magdalene, the first to see the Risen Lord.

Caiaphas the High Priest
and leader of The Sanhedrin.

Thomas
The article helps us look past his label of "Doubting" and understand him better,

Nicodemus. 
He has always been intriguing to me. The article says that, though it is unclear how much of a follower and believer Nicodemus was, 
"as modern followers of Christ, we can gain insights from Nicodemus’s actions as we seek Jesus Christ this Easter season". 

Peter, the Apostle
I tend to remember Peter's shortcomings the most, especially because, just for a very scary moment,
he denied the Savior, which he instantly and bitterly regretted. The article reminds me what a man
of faith, dedication and devotion he was. The Savior instantly and truly forgave him, of course, and Peter became the chief apostle to preside over and expand Christ's church. He eventually gave his life to this cause.

Pontius Pilate

Joseph of Arimathea

When Jesus Christ was crucified, Joseph “went in boldly unto Pilate, and craved the body of Jesus” (Mark 15:43). After so many others abandoned the Lord in His hour of despair, what led Joseph to stay and take part in such a pivotal stage of the Savior’s sacrifice?

Disciples on the Road to Emmaus: "On Sunday, the afternoon of the Resurrection, two disciples were walking the eight miles (13 km) from Jerusalem to Emmaus. It had been an emotional day. As they walked, a stranger eased into their conversation. It was Jesus."  The rest of the article is a fulfilling read.

Officially . . . .

 Spring! (Tomorrow, that is. I am ready!)

Our Anniversary Weekend

 Friday - Surprise visit from Reggie on my lunch break, with yellow roses in hand.

            - Dinner at the Beach Chalet. We got a seat right by the window as I had hoped, and we were able to watch the sunset while eating a fabulous meal.

Saturday - Play in Sacramento: Winnie the Pooh, with our favorite cast members. It was a lot of fun.

              - We got to hang out with the Dobbins and Pinedas as they came up too. The oldest 3 spent a few hours working at the Girls Camp Fundraiser at the church, filling their orders for homemade chicken pot pie, which we ate Saturday night. It was great! We also got to know the newest member of the Dobbins family, their dog named Leo. And I loved relaxing in their backyard, which I think is a children's paradise.

We drove home Sunday afternoon while listening to . . . . . you guessed it - my Dolly Parton playlist. Here is one of many songs she sings about Jesus, and the second one I am dedicated to the love of my life, as we start our 40th year of marriage!