On the Lake with Bob & Jenny

When planning our day together, Jenny suggested a boat ride. "Oh man, YES, please!" is always our response.


We sped off east just to get away from other boaters and bob about on the lake.


We played a rousing round of Yahtzee.
And we dined in the glorious sunshine, catching up and just delighting in a true Tahoe Day.
“Not every lake dreams to be an ocean.
Blessed are the ones who are happy with whom they are.”
-Mehmet Murat ildan

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Crossword Cards c. 1935

Karen gifted me a belated bag o' birthday fun. Oh man, it was so worth the wait. One of the most unique gifts was a card game called Crossword by Russell.

Eighty-eight years ago, the Russell Manufacturing Co. created this 48 card spelling game, best described as a 'free-form' Scrabble. Alfred Mosher Butts, Scrabble's mastermind, created his classic crossword puzzle, two years prior (it was called Lexiko at that time).
Cards are dealt, and each player spells words, attaching them to any existing words in "crossword" fashion. The first player to get rid of all their cards wins the round, and the other players add the value of their remaining cards to their score. Game ends when someone reaches 100 points, and LOW SCORE is the victor.
This set came complete with the rules of play. I especially liked #11: "Crossword letter game is enjoying wide popularity. It will fascinate you and incidentally improve your spelling and vocabulary." I happen to love its compactness. I now have a new traveling game as long as I can find someone to play with me! FUN.

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First Tahoe Lawn Concert...

Nothing says "Summer in Lake Tahoe" quite like a Concert on the Lawn at Valhalla with a group of friends.

When I mentioned this event to our neighbors, they were all in!
What's not to love? Fantastic tunes were provided by the Jesse Brewster Trio.

The setting was provided by the Heller family (circa 1924).
The stunning view was provided by Mother Nature with a great deal of assistance by the Lake itself.
And the company was created by our wise decision to move into our little cabin, in our little neighborhood, 11 years ago. Let the unforgettable Summer memories continue!

I just had to share this quote, from the book, Less is More, "The frequency with which you see your friends is no indicator of the quality of your friendships. So often the people you see the most can be the people whose company you care for the least.

No matter how long it has been, when you are with your true friends, time will fly; you will pick up where you left off and it will always feel like you just spoke yesterday."

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My Wheel of Fortune Connections

One of the biggest news articles today is the fact that Pat Sajak has announced that he is retiring from Wheel of Fortune after 40 years of hosting.

Mr. Sajak, 76, has presided over the game show, which features contestants guessing letters to try to fill out words and phrases to win money and prizes, since 1981. He took over duties from Chuck Woolery, who was the show's first host when it debuted in 1975. Pat Sajak holds the Guinness World Record for having the “longest career as a game show host for the same show.” So cool.
While I was never on Wheel, I did stalk the famous game show host, while on Rodeo Dr. He was kind enough to pose for a photo.
After Mr. Woolery left Wheel of Fortune he eventually became the host of Scrabble. Scrabble aired on NBC from 1984 to 1990. I was a contestant in 1987. No, I didn't win big but I had a blast and I am now way less than six degrees of separation from these two entertaining game show hosts. Fun memories!

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A Return to Tahoe...

We have returned to our Happy Place after a seven month absence and yesterday's 10 hour road trip.



Upon arriving, we had to assess the snow damage. It was surprisingly minor, thankfully. We were lucky to have Casey come by, armed with a chainsaw, to breakdown the large branches found in the yard.
Today, Karen arrived with our collected mail and a desire to play! Breakfast at one of our favorite spots, Bert's, was followed by crafting and Scrabble. It was truly a wonderful start to our long awaited return.

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43 Years of Annie & Me...

Annie is the friend who has been in my life the longest. We met at orientation for Cal State Fullerton in August of 1980.

In 2020, she moved to South Carolina and we haven't had a chance to see one another until today. She flew to California for several special events, one of which was lunch with me.
It was a delightful day of reminiscing and making plans for next time. Oh, and for recreating a 40+ year old photo.
My memory had both of us standing in front of the Denise St. sign in Orange.
And I was totally correct on remembering this classic. Matching outfits and me trying to be Annie's size. I thought I was so hysterical. Oh, and look at that 80's hair!
Steve joined us for coffee and then wandered off on his own to let us lunch, just us two girlfriends.
Dining al fresco was just perfect at Haven Craft Kitchen.
My lunch was the Avocado Toast: soft boiled egg | avocado mousse | queso fresco | pickled watermelon radish | cilantro. Yes, delicious.
Back to the memories! Annie worked at Disneyland through college and we went together quite often. We are both wearing my Dad's Bermuda shorts.
Man, do photos evoke memories. Our date will have to tide me over until next we meet (mostly in South Carolina). I can't wait!
"It does seem so pleasant to talk
with an old acquaintance that knows what you know.
I see so many of these new folks nowadays,
that seem to have neither past nor future.
Conversation’s got to have some root in the past, or else
you’ve got to explain every remark you make,
an’ it wears a person out."
– Sarah Orne Jewett
"No distance of place or lapse of time
can lessen the friendship
of those who are thoroughly persuaded
of each other’s worth."
– Robert Southey

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Lynne's LongHorn Birthday

To commemorate Lynne's birthday, we met her and Scott at the newest restaurant in town, a first for all of us.

We came to do what their promotional material promised, "Experience steaks done right at your Temecula LongHorn Steakhouse. You will experience expertly grilled steak uniquely seasoned in our secret signature spice blend, ice-cold beer and beverages, freshly baked honey wheat bread, hand-chopped salads, seasonal sides, and signature desserts."
I am not a steak kind of gal but there was enough variety on the menu to make everyone happy.
It was an evening of delicious food (priced as you would expect from a nice dining establishment these days), fantastic food service (ask for Darlene if you go), and attentive management. After our meal was gleefully consumed, the manager came to our table and asked us how it all went and she seemed genuinely eager for our satisfaction. Eight thumbs up!

This was Steve's plate o' yum!
"to be remembered on one's birthday is a thrill —
to know others are saying with cakes, cards, and good wishes
thanks for being born into our lives!"
~Terri Guillemets

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Le Coffee Shop in Temecula...

I judge each bakery I visit by its Almond Croissant (until today, the winner was  Woops! in Coeur d'Alene).

Suzanne joined me for "Authentic French cuisine served by Chef Charlotte & her husband Yoann from Provence, France."
With a varied menu which includes quiches, omelets, sandwiches, salads, soups, and various other specialties, we will be returning frequently!

But for today, I am thoroughly delighted with my first visit to this quaint bistro. L'expérience était merveilleuse!

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A New Library Nearby...

We have been wanting to visit Temecula Valley's newest library, located just 13 minutes away, so when an errand took us to Winchester, we knew it was our chance to explore this literary gem.

The new, as of 2021, 25,000 square-foot French Valley Library — now the second largest in the county, after Temecula’s — has an aviation theme befitting the nearby French Valley Airport. It includes amenities such as private study rooms, a community meeting room for events, spaces for teens and youths, and a story time room for children. Its collection has over 52,000 materials.
Interesting to me was during that year, a building team completed three new libraries in Riverside County which were built simultaneously in just 20 months, under a $46 million public-private partnership contract that included a nonprofit specializing in funding (click here if you want to know more about this cool process).

Also interesting to me was the history of the area, showcased on informative signs throughout. Since the late 1800s, French Valley was home to French grain farmers and sheepherders. After the Franco-Prussian War and the Alsace becoming German, many French-speaking residents fled to America. The train network eventually reached Temecula and Murrieta, but not the area inhabited by the French. The first use of the name "French Valley" occurred in 1913 in a California Conservation Commission report.



Something that will be a part of our winter television viewing was found here. Since Steve and I will be returning to Europe next spring, I'm very excited by Grand Tours. The one for France through the Ages, for example, promises,  "In this 24-segment travelogue, you’ll encounter landmarks of French heritage, such as: 35,000-year-old cave paintings; medieval castles; the palace and gardens of Versailles; the locations where the French Revolution unfolded; and the cultural landscape of contemporary France, as seen in the French passion for art, cinema, soccer, fine food, and daring modernist architecture." I so love knowing more about a destination before getting there. Tres bien!
"Every good book is a flight path to extraordinary
and undiscovered destinations.
Come, let your imagination soar!"
-Supervisor Chuck Washington

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