We ate lunch at Todd English Bonfire at the airport. Split the steak tips. And then we got coffee flavored gelato!
The flight was great. The take off was a little bumpy. I said a little prayer and it smoothed out for the rest of the flight.
The airline provided free tv and movies! We were in 7th heaven (well...close enough). We watched "Girls" and "Globe Trekker: Holland", "Curb Your Enthusiasm". Then he wanted to read the news online (zzzzzzz) and I got to watch "Brave" by Disney:Pixar, which I had been wanting to see. Fun!
By the time we landed, got our luggage, got to the rental car, I was ready to go to the hotel. But Todd wanted to forge ahead and go to church in Pasadena. It started at 8:00 (fortunately) and we were only 20 min. late....but afterwards, of course, I was glad we went.
Found an inexpensive fast food Mexican place (in California? I know you're surprised...) King Taco, just a couple of blocks from our hotel. A couple of soft tacos and a Horchata (A drink Todd introduced to me a couple of years ago). Here's the recipe:
Ingredients
Settled in for the night. Wiped out. Fell asleep immediately!
Thursday, September 20th, 2012:
Woke up to the sun's beautiful colors reflecting off the mountains.
Here's a photo to share the beauty:
Thursday, September 20th, 2012
We walked a bit downtown Pasadena, lots of neat shops and restaurants. We had driven past a bakery last night, called Flour and Tea. We walked there for brunch. Had a sausage and cheese in a big roll and almond tea. Tastey.
While we were out, we walked to the Pasadena Reading Room. Classic and richly designed.
A Bible History exhibit was on display for the 100th Anniversary of the King James Bible. The librarian gave us a book with the information.
I had mapped out several Reading Rooms to visit and Todd went with me. Went to the Jointly Maintained downtown, 3rd church L.A. Reading Room and 9th Church L.A. Reading Room.
Then we looked up 1st and 2nd church Los Angeles in an old Journal.
Drove to pick up his parents at their hotel in Pasadena. Great to see them.
Then we all rode over to Todd's Aunt Barbara and Uncle Andy's house for dinner. She made a wonderful dinner! Chick pea and vegetable stew, kale with nuts, golden beets. Tastey and healthy. It was like a gourmet dinner.
We all sat around and visited. I got to visit with Barbara and hear what she has been reading.
Memorable day.
While we were out, we walked to the Pasadena Reading Room. Classic and richly designed.
A Bible History exhibit was on display for the 100th Anniversary of the King James Bible. The librarian gave us a book with the information.
I had mapped out several Reading Rooms to visit and Todd went with me. Went to the Jointly Maintained downtown, 3rd church L.A. Reading Room and 9th Church L.A. Reading Room.
Then we looked up 1st and 2nd church Los Angeles in an old Journal.
Drove to pick up his parents at their hotel in Pasadena. Great to see them.
Then we all rode over to Todd's Aunt Barbara and Uncle Andy's house for dinner. She made a wonderful dinner! Chick pea and vegetable stew, kale with nuts, golden beets. Tastey and healthy. It was like a gourmet dinner.
Memorable day.
Friday, September 21st
2012:
We picked up his parents
and drove to see the Getty Museum. First we drove to Todd and my hotel in
Culver City (Four Points Sheraton) (we switched hotels to be closer for his
class) to drop off our car.
Then we drove to the
museum. But when we got there, the parking was full so we couldn't
stay.
We decided to find a place for lunch. We
went to Zabie's, the restaurant in Santa Monica where Todd and I usually have lunch
during his class.
Then we decided to go to
the Armond Hammer Art Museum. We saw the Gustav Moreau exhibit (wonderful
drawings) and then the permanent exhibit, which was impressive with Van Goghs,
Monet, and several Rembrandts.
We drove to our hotel
and said our goodbyes. It was special to get to spend the day together.
Todd and I walked across the
street to the mall that had been remodeled.
Had dinner. I got two
spring rolls and vietnemese coffee for $5.00! We liked the food court because
they weren't all chained restaurants. They were gourmet style and a great variety.
Went back to our room
and watched the latest episode of Parenthood.
Saturday, September
22nd, 2012
Had breakfast in the
hotel and then I dropped him off at this class at the Santa Monica
airport.
I drove the side roads
(and not the freeway; side roads are more scenic) and went to Broadview's
Annual Meeting (the CS care facility for L.A.). It was beautiful: landscaping and
setting, which had a rose garden.
The event was outside under a tent. The Director spoke, then the President of the Board and then
several nurses spoke about healings they'd seen. Then they had a lecturer:
Tom McElroy "How you can change the world". It was probably one of
the best lectures I've heard. It was conversational, but he stuck to his points
and he explained what practitioner, Journal, etc. meant (not assuming everyone
in the audience was a Christian Scientist).
Then they served lunch!
And it was free! They served finger sandwiches, chips, cookies and lemonade and
tea. There was an "ice cream parlor" where you could make your own ice cream sundae. Yum! It was so elegant and done so
well- balloons over the water fountain, a keyboard player playing in the
background. It was a special event. It was such a delightful
day. So grateful I got to experience it.
Then I drove to 13th
Reading Room of Los Angeles. I had to get on the freeway to save time (which I
don't care to drive on the freeway). It's a nice Reading Room, great location.
Then I drove back to Santa
Monica (took side roads). I was so glad I had headed back when I did because I was
just in time to pick up Todd from class.
Drove to the Hilton
Doubletree in Culver City.
A wave of being tired
swept over me and I felt wiped out. Took a nap.
Todd went down to the
hotel restaurant and he brought up pizza for us to eat! That was such a nice
surprise. We ate the pizza and watched "Arrested Development" (one of
my new favorite shows).
Vie est bonne! (Life is
good).
Sunday, September 23rd,
2012
Dropped Todd off at his
class then went to the Santa Monica Church. They've recently built a new
church, three years ago. The reading room is at the front of
the church. The outcome is attractive and modern. It's nice how it unfolded for
them and the fruition. It's so nice to see such demonstration.
Drove back to pick Todd
up for class and we had lunch. Went to Zabies (our usual) on Ocean Blvd.
Went to lay out by the
pool. Very relaxing. I think the driving and traffic is getting to me. And
wherever you go, you have to think about parking-where to park and what the
cost will be.
Picked up Todd and went
back to the hotel. We just talked and I think he needed to wind down from his
class.
Went to downtown Culver
City to eat for dinner. Found a great Sushi place -
K-Zo. It was excellent and great service. I had the cucumber salad with eel and two pieces of eel. Todd had monk fish, scallop dish, halibut and kapache (hammerjack).
Monday, September 24th, 2012
Took our time at the hotel this morning. Todd read from his "toy" (aka-I-pad) and I went on an adventure looking for a good bakery. Stumbled across a French cafe! Cafe Laurent (Culver City) (I'm good at stumbling). It was perfect. And free parking (hard to come by). Ate a chocolate croissant and a decaf. ice coffee. Had a nice visit with the owner, who was from Greece.
We drove along the coast, through Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach and Redondo Beach. Beautiful. Dark blue sky, palm trees dotting the beach, calm water as far as you can see. Tranquil and serene.
Then we drove through residential areas. I love the west coast architecture.
Then Todd had the idea of riding the subway to the end of the line. We ended up in E. Los Angeles. It was a great way to see the city (and not drive in the traffic!).
We had to get the car back by 7:00. We made it to the hotel-Four Points Sheraton, which is by the airport.
We had a good meal in the hotel restaurant. We shared a cobb salad and some bratwurst.
Turned in early because we have a 6:00 a.m. flight! (didn't know there were 6:00 a.m. fights...) Until next time!
K-Zo. It was excellent and great service. I had the cucumber salad with eel and two pieces of eel. Todd had monk fish, scallop dish, halibut and kapache (hammerjack).
Monday, September 24th, 2012
Took our time at the hotel this morning. Todd read from his "toy" (aka-I-pad) and I went on an adventure looking for a good bakery. Stumbled across a French cafe! Cafe Laurent (Culver City) (I'm good at stumbling). It was perfect. And free parking (hard to come by). Ate a chocolate croissant and a decaf. ice coffee. Had a nice visit with the owner, who was from Greece.
We drove along the coast, through Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach and Redondo Beach. Beautiful. Dark blue sky, palm trees dotting the beach, calm water as far as you can see. Tranquil and serene.
Then Todd had the idea of riding the subway to the end of the line. We ended up in E. Los Angeles. It was a great way to see the city (and not drive in the traffic!).
We had to get the car back by 7:00. We made it to the hotel-Four Points Sheraton, which is by the airport.
We had a good meal in the hotel restaurant. We shared a cobb salad and some bratwurst.
Turned in early because we have a 6:00 a.m. flight! (didn't know there were 6:00 a.m. fights...) Until next time!
