Wedding Workers

Melanie had three weddings on Saturday, as October has become a popular wedding month where we live. We helped her by setting up one of them, just the three of us!

This one didn't involve a complicated arch, just nest pieces/arrangements that we could put on the floor for the ceremony, and move to the head table for the reception.

We also set up lots of bud vases on the dining tables, and Violet spread out greenery in between them. 
 

Two of the nest pieces are shown above, on the dessert table. Violet decorated the cake! My little artist did a fantastic job.

Here was the head table after the ceremony, while the couple was still away having photos taken.

The wedding was at the county's Arboretum in Arcadia, where peacocks and hens run wild, loudly. It was fun setting up with their help.

After the wedding, we went down the street, where we had a variety of Asian restaurants to choose from. We settled on Korean. Yum!

Tidbits

 Violet completed this painting for her AP art class. I love it.

And she completed this lacy artwork on her hand.

The sunset the other night was gorgeous, and we were out and about, so we went to Iron Horse Bridge- one of the best spots for a pretty sunset in town.

Violet's newest artistic pursuit is embroidery. She purchased various colors and a hoop, and started with these gingko biloba leaves on a black shirt.

I met up with a few ladies for dinner Friday night, while Stace played soccer. 

After, I took Violet to a local home that sets up a Western-themed Halloween attraction. It was so well-done! Photos are from the Signal, the local newspaper.

Also this week, I got bit by something outside of Ralphs, after I'd done my grocery shopping. I'd bought bananas, so perhaps it was some weird spider?

Thankfully, besides continued stinging, swelling, warmth and hardening of the skin, I didn't have any WORSE symptoms. After a couple of days, it calmed down and healed. I sure wish I'd looked quickly enough to see what had bitten me!

Sunday Things

 

I went with my friends to Pasadena on Sunday, to the Asian Pacific Art Museum. It was a small place, but we enjoyed the exhibits, and it was free!

I thought Violet would enjoy the exhibit on music, since she has been interested in old/ancient stringed instruments.

There were even camels to ride!

After the museum, we went out to Jen's favorite Thai restaurant. 

Meanwhile, Stace and Violet went to a music shop to look around and get new picks for the mandolin. 

They also watched our favorite history programs and were inspired to make a medieval apple and pear pie.

When I got home, we went out to the archery range, and then to the store for the ingredients.

Then, they started chopping!

Simple, as it would have been 500 years ago.

But beautiful...

...and delicious!

We watched Fantastic Mr. Fox while enjoying our pie.

Saturday Fun

Stace went into work Saturday morning, but got home in time to come with me and Violet to an Acton farm for a harvest time event. 

We bought some baked goods, got coffees, and picked a bouquet to take home.

The farm shop is so cute!

Even cuter was this trio of kittens, born to a feral mom on the farm.

Our handpicked bouquet brightened up the dining room nicely.

Later that afternoon, I had a lovely date with this handsome man, as we attended the wedding of his co-worker. Here, we were on the rooftop bar of the venue in Newhall.

Twice in one year to get spiffed up and celebrate love!

Stace is still quite proud of the gorgeous lining of his new suit. 

We had a lot of fun with a few of Stace's other coworkers as we enjoyed dinner, dessert and lots of dancing.

Week in Review

Melanie and Ellie came up on Saturday and Sunday to work on her brakes. She brought dinner both days, so that was nice. My parents came over on Saturday evening as well, as they had taken Ellie to a pumpkin patch.

On Saturday afternoon, Vi and I went to a craft fair at our church parking lot, and on Sunday, we went to an art festival in Newhall. 

Violet took part in one of the booths, drawing from one of the item prompts in front.

The art fest featured some amazing chalk art, along with booths from vendor artists, including our friend Qiana.

Stace and Mel were able to wrap up early enough Sunday to leave some daylight for Vi ad Stace to shoot arrows.

In the week, Stace continued working on getting a broken bolt out of the caliper bracket, and eventually had success. Then, finishing the brake job was simple.

Cora had to have a TB test for her to get hired by the school district as a theatre technician. Stace went with her when she had her skin test examined, and he took this humorous photo. 

Also related to work, Cora went bowling with her Fright Fest coworkers after the close of Sunday's event. They were bowling at 2 a.m., with an arrangement with the bowling center. She had fun!

Fright Fest 2025!

 We returned to Fright Fest on Friday, with my Dad (and his good camera gear) and Colleen and Rigo. We came upon the spookiest siren!

The makeup artists are truly amazing, artists in every sense of the word. 

Cora was ON. It was fun to watch. See the video below. She's loving her crew and being a scare actor. The hours are long but she really is enjoying the experience.

Rigo said he was more creeped out by her persona, and the sounds she made, than he'd ever felt at Fright Fest! She makes a shrieking sound by inhaling; she swears it doesn't bother her throat. It sounds like the shrieking eels in Princess Bride, or the Ringwraiths from Lord of the Rings.

We watched her work for a while, and got these photos. Thanks to Colleen for this one - the black light was cool! - and to my Dad for the rest. She's wearing her contacts here.

We then went up to Mom's new scare zone, Thunderbolt Alley. Here, there are numerous characters you might find in a '50s movie - well, the dead zombie type of movie. 

Lorraine Lurane introduced us to her new friends, including this poor guy. He apparently was a star football player who had an unfortunate in-game head injury.

We also enjoyed the slider show again - Cora would love to be a part of this team next year. They really put on an impressive show. With my dad and his camera, we got VIP treatment and viewing! 

(Colleen took this photo.)

Dad got this photo prior to the show, of two of the chief sliders. Jinx the Fool, on the right, has been encouraging to Cora about learning to slide.

We took a break with a drink in the bar, and chatted. It was a great night with my Dad and friends!

Week in Review

 On Sunday evening, while Cora was at work, we went to the archery range again. This time, Stace let Violet drive once we got on the dirt road.

On our way home, we stopped at my Dad's house, where he fed us pizza and Stace helped him open a locked box.

On Wednesday, I picked up Ellie from her school and stayed with her for a bit, so her mom and dad could go to a museum. We had fun, and Ellie, being very outgoing, introduced me to everyone she knew. So cute!

Later that night, the three of us continued watching Tales from the Green Valley. It's the first in the series of BBC historical farming shows we've enjoyed over the last few years. This one has the presenters living farm life circa 1620.

When I got home, the cats were very interested to see what I had in the bag.

Speaking of very interested - I can't eat my oatmeal cake without Winston demanding I share it. He's so weird. I give him tiny bites so he can munch without putting his mouth on my breakfast.

Also this week, Violet and I took a sunset walk at Quigley, and spotted four deer, a big group of vultures on the ground in the field, and two great horned owls! I was very sad to not have one of our real cameras handy. In this photo, the owl is in the center, and at one point, two owls were together on this electric pole. I could see them so clearly, but the phone camera in such low light was rubbish.

Still, a very cool nature walk!

On Friday, Havana Savannah had a lunchtime deal where they sold their pizzas for $6.95 each. The line took forever - good thing Cora was home to pick up Violet before she went to work. But, they are good pizzas, especially at that price!