Jen's Yellow Journal

Our Annual Camping Trip

July was an interesting and oh so bittersweet month.  The first thing that we did was rent a satellite phone in case my sweet grandson was ready to arrive while Elliot and I were up in the mountains (no cell service).  Then we cleaned the camping gear, shopped, packed, and drove up. 

 

Sadly, by Day 2 of our trip, my sciatic nerve twinge became a full-blown attack on my hip and right leg.  I have never felt pain or numbness like this.  I ended up in the ER, and wound up on my back for four weeks!  I’m feeling much better thank goodness.  Wow. 

 

Elliot had a blast since he got to hang with seven or eight of his lifelong friends who are part of the big group we go with each year, so I’m really happy about that!  And our beautiful baby boy came the day after we got back!  More on this soon!!!

 

Here are a few pics.

 

 

 

 

My First Sunflowers of the Year!

My all-time favorite flower, the sunflower, has arrived (last month actually - I'm just a little late writing this)!  My first bloom, which is in my favorite color, is 11 inches in diameter!  OMG!  The second is 8 ¾.

 

 

Silver Bella Bliss!

My beautiful sister, who is an amazing artist, Kathy, and I are going to Silver Bella for an encore round.  Our first year was 2007, and we had so much fun!  It is still in Omaha, NE, but this time it’s at a different hotel in the quaint village area that we did not get to see enough of last time, so we are extra excited about that part!  Also this year, I am trying “swaps” for my first time, and I’ve bravely signed up for not one, but three!  By the SB weekend in the fall, I should be properly warmed up for all of the glittery fun and crafting excitement/enlightenment!  I cannot wait!  But the magic has already begun!  I actually won a random drawing, and a lovely and talented Bella named Sheila, who was generous enough to sponsor the winner’s prize, sent me the below glorious package of goodies which was oh so prettily wrapped…and presented tucked into the most amazing vintage glove! 

 

 

How did I get so lucky?  Thank you so much Sheila!  I can’t wait to meet you in November! 

 

Now I have to get busy on winter banner making, paper doll making, and embroidery for my swaps! 

 

An amazing store, Paper-Source, has a tagline, “Do something creative every day.”  I am going to try hard to live by this – not an easy task for a single working mom, but a worthwhile endeavor for sure!

L.A. Zoo and Olvera Street

A couple of weeks ago we went to the Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens and then later to Olvera Street – “Olvera Street is the birthplace of the City of Los Angeles, otherwise known as El Pueblo Historic Monument.”

I have always loved the zoo and have always enjoyed photographing the animals and plants.  We are zoo regulars, but this was our first trip since Elliot got his first camera (for his birthday), so we both had fun taking a bunch of shots.  The primates were entertaining as usual – especially the chimps and the orangutans. 

 

Years ago I took multiple shots of an orangutan that was literally posing for me.  He first picked up a branch, placed it in his teeth and grinned at me for the shot.  When he heard the click of my camera, he repositioned the branch and struck a new pose for me and waited.  As soon as he heard the click, he moved away and got a different type of prop (a stick, I believe); then he returned and posed for me again.  He must have posed, including different facial expressions, five or six times with each of his movements triggered only by the sound of my shutter.  It is one of my favorite zoo memories.  Another favorite was the time that my mom came with Elliot and me (when Elliot was little), and we watched a hippo emerge up the ramp of his pool, and then go potty – straight into the wide open mouth of his pen-mate who was lined up single file behind him.  The sound of Elliot’s laughter is unforgettable.  We all laughed our heads off.  It really was a hysterical sight to see!

A few zoo shots.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A few shots from Olvera Street - love these colors!

 

 

 

 

I loved these purses when I was a girl!

Birthday Pics

Scooter's Jungle where we went with 21 of his high school friends

 

 

Home BBQ

 

 

 

Pride & Joy

I am 46 and my two sons are my pride and joy.  My oldest son is 26, and as if he weren’t enough of a treasure all by himself, he and his lovely Becky are bringing me a grandson in July!  I am so excited!!!  A couple of weeks ago we celebrated my youngest son’s 16^th birthday.   Oh the teenage years.  I had forgotten!!  The wonderful thing about having a teenager is that one literally gets to watch a child turn into an adult.  His intelligence, humor, and growing sense of self are a constant source of enlightenment for me.  May both of my beautiful sons always have the peace and love that they both so deserve. 

 

These shots are from Mother's Day at my mom's house.

 

 

My First Post

My first post!  I am thrilled to be starting this new adventure, and have no expectation of where it will lead.  I am inspired by many things, but above all it is my love of family, friends, and nature that keeps my eyes wide open with wonder and curiosity.  In future posts, I will elaborate on specific and current inspirations. 

I have lived in Los Angeles County my entire life and know that I am blessed to live in this beautiful city with such wonderfully diverse culture and awesome weather.  I know that we are so lucky that we can drive an hour in any direction and end up somewhere breathtaking or, at the very least, uniquely interesting - mountains, desert, big city, and my all-time favorite -- the amazingly beautiful ocean.