Mision San Carlos Borromeo de Carmelo #3

This has to be one of the most beautiful, well-kept missions on the mission trail.  St. Anne's Church organized a pilgrimage of 150 people who traveled by bus from Porterville to visit the Carmel mission.

Although I had visited the mission previously, I did not take the tour of the gardens and surrounding areas.

 Blessed Junipero Serra seems to have a statue at nearly all the missions but he is actually buried here at Mission San Carlos Borromeo de Carmelo.  His grave is located inside the church just in front of the altar.

 My two boys took the journey as well and enjoyed serving mass with Fr. Scott inside the mission shortly after our arrival.  This was a once in a lifetime opportunity and I am delighted they had the opportunity to serve.

Inside the sacristy after mass.  This time will pass too quickly so it is a little bittersweet but I love this time as well.

Mlnarik Family Reunion July 2014

Trapped!

When you are bored and waiting for people to arrive, you can always smoosh your face against the glass then have your mom download to her phone so it looks like you are trapped in her cell phone!

Waterfall Scarf

Finally, after buying the yarn a while back with the intentions of making this scarf.  Then I ordered the beads online sight unseen.  Then it took me forever to find a "big eye" needle so I could string the beads onto the yarn.  You are looking at nearly 500 little tiny .06mm beads on that yarn.

 The bead part is a bit tedious but I really, really love the end result so I think it it completely worth it.

The finished scarf will be sparkly and beaded and just wonderful to wear.  Now for some cool weather to enjoy.

Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa

Our first glimpse of Mission San Luis Obispo was at night.   I was glad to get these shots as there was a concert the next day and it was really crowded.

 The traditional photo by the bears.

 The boys were glad to spend some time with Christin touring the mission museum.

One of our goals over the next couple of years is to visit each of the 21 California Missions.  This is #2 so far so we have quite a ways to go.

San Luis Obispo Farmer's Market

Fantastic display of fresh veggies at the Farmer's Market

 along with plenty of sweet treats.

Both boys were anxious to try to raspberries and blackberries so of course we did.  It was THE place to be on Thursday evening in SLO.

Mission San Miguel Arcangel

Aunt Cori came out for a visit and a family reunion.  Our first stop was to see the Santoros and a visit to the Mission San Miguel Arcangel in San Miguel, California.  

Posing in front of the Fr. Junipero Serra statue

 Aunt Cori surrounded by two of her favorite little men.

Andrew learning what foods were brought to California by the missionaries.

Roller Derby or Maybe Not?

 Fourth time roller skating and the boys are getting the hang of it.  They can make their way around the rink without hanging on to the walls.  Finally!

St. Anne's School 3rd Annual Golf Tournament

 St. Anne's School had some amazing opportunities to win some big, big prizes.  This boat was up for grabs to anyone who made a hole-in-one on Hole 16 at River Island Golf Course on the day of the event.

 It really was a beautiful boat complete with an excellent sound system.  The prize included a head to toe golf outfit plus a $500 shopping spree.

One of my neighbors, Mr. Bill Fusco, wore a matching shirt so he was ready to win the boat.  However, no luck.  We didn't have any hole-in-ones that day but the Golf Tournament raised a bunch of money for St. Anne's School.

Insect Lore Bugseum

I have wanted to take this trip for the longest time but hesitated as I just didn't know what to expect.  I'm not much of a bug person but I was very interested in seeing where the butterflies were sent from so off we went.  The drive only took us about an hour from our house.  We had planned to meet Grandpa and Grandma there but they had a little trouble finding the place so we explored outside first.You cannot help but notice the HUGE ovesized bugs decorating the front of the Insect Lore building.  The boys were suddenly willing to have photos taken while we waited for Grandpa and Grandma to arrive.

 Ralphie took us on a tour of the bus museum taking several of the various "bugs" out for the children to gently touch while he explained about their habitats, diets and  behaviours.  Amazingly enough, the boys were willing to touch nearly everything starting with this millipede.  I even held it and it really tickles as the hundreds of teeny, tiny feet move across your hand.

 Ralphie explained quite a lot about the various bugs and held their attention the entire time.  I was suitably impressed with his ability to capture the interest of the quite young as well as the adults in the group.

 These little beetles have a very hard shell.

Good-bye Insect Lore Bugseum, hope to see you again sometime.  I hear there is are plane and train exhibits nearby so that's on the list for next time.

California Gold

 Early yesterday morning, I went out and picked apricots from our neighbor's tree (yes, I had permission).  When I looked up inside the tree this is what I saw, perfectly beautiful luscious apricots waiting for me to pick them so I did.

 Five buckets yesterday and five buckets today.  They are so fabulous just to eat but there were so many that I decided to try my hand at canning them as I know they just won't last.

Total of fifteen quarts canned and I wasn't even through four buckets!  Tomorrow is jam making day so hopefully I'll have some more lovely photos of jam to share.