It's All Good!

The trip to Pasadena was an amazing respite from the extreme heat we've been dealt in AZ.

heading out of T-Town on Thursday morning

Balmy 70's-low 80's with the notorious "June Gloom" hanging on for early July.

Santa Monica

For those unfamiliar with this term,  June Gloom is the pea soupy overcast mornings that Californians experience, which generally disappear by lunch time.

Our hotel was on the famous....

But we never did see that Little Old Lady from Pasadena! (who's the terror of Colorado Blvd.)

We arrived early afternoon and decided to find the scene of the crime....The Rose Bowl!

pretty deserted looking....but just wait till Sunday!!

 Strolled along the main drag and stopped for some dinner....

Fun stores to window shop....

Had to pay homage to our Schotzie's employer...

However, we wanted to see where this spectacular parade begins, so we traced the route over to Orange Grove Boulevard and to the Tournament of Rose mansion.

Ron noticed that there were numbered parking spaces along both sides of the street, which we assume are for the float line-up.  The parades precedes the Rose Bowl every year and follows Orange Grove Boulevard, down Colorado Boulevard to Sierra Madre.  The parade lasts approximately 2.5 hours.

Friday was glorious and we spent the day at the beach in Santa Monica.  Hey ~ this Long Island girl can't be within 75 miles of an ocean without spending some time there!

We both got a little too much sun on Friday, so Saturday we decided to spend some time at the pier in Santa Monica.  Fun stuff!

the Carousel house

shades of Grete

magnificent carousel

After seeing the movie "Big," who can resist Zoltar?

certainly not my sweetie!

Loving the Ferris Wheel, we went for a spin....

Ron, with the fishing pier in the background

We played tourist the rest of the day and saw the local color of Venice Beach

drove to Long Beach where we were able to gaze upon the Queen Mary....

We ended our day with dinner at sweet, local restaurant, Plate 38 ~ highly recommend it!

The girls, who were staying with Milena down in Newport Beach that week, met us at the hotel on Sunday morning.  We had breakfast and then headed over to the FLEA MARKET!!!
My Disneyland!!!

Milena, answering a customer's inquiry

 Our dear friend, Milena, has been selling at the Flea for 2 years.  She spent the first year commuting every month from her home in Phoenix.  Milena is a professional photographer, but her new found passion of restoring/refurbishing/renewing furniture and home decor soon created a second career for her.  The time had come to move to CA.  It's difficult to see in this photo, but she has doubled her space since she began two years ago.

The exciting news is  One Kings Lane contacted Milena.  Soon you'll be able to shop with her from the comfort of your home.  We couldn't  be happier for this sweet young woman!

I've got lots of pix of the treasures I found, but I will hold them until next time.

I know what you've been waiting for....so without further adieu, it's time to announce the winners of the  100th Follower Giveaway.

Mr. Random Generator ~ the winner of the tiny bird box, please!  #24 KATHIA!  Congratulations!
Please email me your mailing address so I can send off the tiny bird box to you.

Mr. Random Generator ~ the winner of the Dollie, please!  #10 FRAN!  Congratulations!  Fran, please email me your mailing address so i can send off the Dollie to you.

Well, dear friends, we're numbering more than 100 fantastic followers and I couldn't be more thrilled.  I love you all and look forward to another giveaway ~ my #100 post isn't too far off!
Have a blessed week and I'll see you next Monday with lots to share!!
xoxo
Karen