My first coffee shop visit in a year, beautiful gardens there

 I visited a coffee shop for the first time in a year, and picked a new shop run by volunteers, which is surrounded by gardens and located right along the Pacific Ocean. This was my first time here, and I think it will be my go to coffee shop. 

Note the large patio and the wisteria on the left side of the building. The coffee shop opened a year ago, during the pandemic. That is a hopeful act indeed.

The fountain on the patio. There are only four tables on the huge patio so people are widely spaced.

Above are two different sculptures of Joseph; his face in this sculpture is very kind and thoughtful.

This area is dedicated to Joseph as he holds a tiny baby. I understand from reading the plaques that families who lost a baby through miscarriage or abortion visit here for comfort.

I walked and walked and got my steps in, after I enjoyed a large latte at the coffee shop. This is a healthy and beautiful environment, and the outdoor patio offers an ocean breeze and no people squeezed together. I am glad I discovered this shop. I almost went to a national chain store downtown with a tiny patio. In these pandemic days I chose this coffee shop, staffed by volunteers. Anyone else have a favorite coffee shop?

This book is amusing, including the title "This Book Will Save Your Life"

 I am happy I discovered this book, it is a joy to read.

This Book Will Save Your Life by A.M. Homes

This is my favorite novel that I read thus far this year. The author is talented, the plot fun, fascinating and original, and she created a main character, Richard, I was cheering for. Richard lives alone in the Hollywood hills, and was pushed by wildly odd circumstances to leave his secluded carefully organized life: personal chef delivers food to him, he works from home managing investments while exercising on his treadmill. A sinkhole appears in front of his house, a horse appears and falls into the sinkhole and becomes terrified, his neighbor is a famous movie star who has his helicopter and stuntman rescue the horse. Did I mention Richard drives down the highway, chasing a car, believing a stranger is kidnapped and he attempts a rescue? Many more things happen to Richard as he becomes more of an integrated human. Donuts are in the novel. I found this novel very fun to read.

I had not heard of this author before, and reading the book I assumed the author was a man, I don't know why. I want to read more of her books and learned that her first book was published in 1989. This book to me shows flashes of genius. Have you read any of her books?

Pretty Flowers

 

Three views of my Pride of Madeira, a small bush when planted three years ago and now as tall as I am. Hummingbirds and bees like it as much as we do.

Note above the bit of flagstone patio and trellis I had installed in my front yard. A great place to sit and read, chat with people, and people watch. Bounce sits out there with us, of course.

My Santa Rosa plum tree's blossoms on March 10 of this year. 

My orange Four O'Clock vine from February of this year, it is vigorous and covers a lot of my back fence, one plant has grown to six feet tall and 15 feet wide. It keeps its leaves all year and always has some flowers.

Here is my trellis at night with solar powered lights, a Christmas gift from Lane.

"He hath made everything beautiful in its time." Ecclesiastes 3:11

Do you have pretties in your yard, balcony, patio or neighborhood?

Easter Blessings, A Flower Cross and a Bulldog

 

I love to see flower crosses in churches. Some years ago I was a member of a church that created one each year at Easter, and during the service we could all go up to the front of the church and add flowers. A symbol of hope and beauty.

Bull dogs make me smile. 

Years ago when I was in college (yes, many years ago) I visited Jerusalem at Easter and walked the Way of the Cross, it is amazing that you can walk in such an ancient city, and walk where Jesus walked, possibly your feet touching the same stones or road he walked upon. It is a deep religious experience.

Jesus is risen. The Victory is won. Sins are forgiven. Praise God for His Son. Jesus promises all who follow him that he is preparing a home for us in heaven.

"God's power was at work in Christ when God raised him from the dead and sat him at God's right side in the heavens." Ephesians 1:20

[Added on April 5: My adult sons and I attended church indoors for Easter. It was very joyful. Our church is now open for indoor services and the new young lead pastor, the praise/worship band, and the congregation were all energized to meet in person and worship together. What joy. Then my sons and I had an Easter feast at my house and we all pitched in with preparation. We had roast boneless leg of lamb cooked by me, Colt prepared coleslaw, Lane prepared baked asparagus wrapped in prosciuto, we also had baked yams and wild rice. I made a side dish of plain yogurt with lots of fresh mint from my garden. Delicious and a happy day. The guys each took home food for the next day and I have plenty left for today. I hope your day was joyful too].