A Visit to French General

When my husband and I were in Los Angeles in January,

we stopped at French General!

It was during the Road to California Quilt Show, which I didn't have the time to attend, 

so I was so grateful that the shop was open. 

As soon as you walk in the door, you feel like you are entering another beautiful, peaceful world.

So many treasures in every nook and cranny!

I loved this antique blue cabinet full of threads and would love to have it live with me!

Of course there are stunning quilts everywhere!

I could have admired this cabinet for hours!

The antique millenary flowers

and ribbons -  Oh My!

You have to look up as well, so that you don't miss a thing!

You know that I didn't come home empty handed...

I bought the pretty heart in hand charm and the amazing milagro filled heart, 

both brought back by Kaari from her travels to Mexico.

And thread winders and an antique button and glass bead bracelet.

And you can't leave French General without some French General fabric ;)

I hope that I will get a chance to visit again someday...

Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul 

and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment.

And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’

~Matthew 22:37-39

Blessings, Patti

Los Angeles this winter

As I mentioned in my last post, I spent time in Los Angeles in January and in February.

 I enjoyed the hotel that we stayed at in January so much that I returned to the same in February.

I liked this sweet vignette on the mantle of the outdoor fireplace.

A cool hotel in a great location and a short walk from our son's apartment.

Neat plants every where I looked 

and a lovely wall of flowers by the pool.

We took a great walk/hike at Runyon Canyon

Although it we weren't able to do the entire path and back.

Love the prickly pear cactus!

I spent time on both trips at the historic Farmers Market

So many great vendors

Of course, I love the healthy ones lol.

A few visits and I still have lots more that I  want to try.

On my second trip, I visited one of my favorite restaurants

Coco Curry Ichibanya for some yummy comfort food  -  Japanese Curry

(I recommend the Pork Cutlet)

This popular international chain can only be found in the

Los Angeles area and Honolulu, Hawaii within the United States.

This great view is what my son sees whenever he parks his car at school. 

I could get used to that ;)

The Bird of Paradise flowers always catch my eye.

And they obviously caught the eye of this little fellow.

Hopefully you can see him better here. 

Such lovely flowers in the dead of winter.

We also walked over to The Grove a few times to stroll and window shop.

Good bye Los Angeles, 

I hope to be back to visit soon, but not too soon...

 Hello sweet home Chicago!

I did visit one magical shop in Los Angeles that deserves a post of its own,

that will follow soon.

Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth

~1 John 3:18

Blessings, Patti

Another side of Los Angeles

On our final night we went on a haunted / true crimes walking tour of old downtown Los Angeles.

We met at a park where I was immediately enthralled by this stunning nativity in the park gazebo.

It was almost life size and oh so lovely.

We started at the Pico House which was the first three story building in Los Angeles.

I was surprised by the number of old buildings in the neighborhood.

I always think of Los Angeles as shiny and new.

We saw many buildings and heard many stories that were the basis of the tv show American Horror Story. I haven't seen it, but both my sons are fans.

I loved the curtain of lights on this street!

My favorite was this building.

It may look familiar - in the original Ghostbusters movie this was the "New York" building where the giant Stay Puff marshmallow man was...

In real life it is The Biltmore Hotel.

(and the last place Elizabeth Short was seen alive - the Black Dahlia murder.)

Our tour ended here and we decided that we needed to see the inside of this hotel.

As soon as you walk in the door, I was struck by the stunning ceiling. 

The entry is so grand and majestic!

We stopped in the lobby bar for their famous Black Dahlia drink.

Our bartender was a lovely older gentleman who regaled us with stories and told us his most recent regular is Johnny Depp. No star sightings while we were there.

The original Academy Awards shows were held in the grand ballroom here. 

It was fascinating to look at the old giant photographs on the walls and try to see which stars we could pick out. 

The hotel is so grand and enormous that it reminded all of us of the hotel in the movie "The Shining".

When we go back to Los Angeles, we would love to stay here for at least a night!

It was time for a final meal and to get some sleep before heading home...

We returned to a favorite restaurant in Santa Monica

Blue Plate Taco

and yes, I had the same meal for the second time that weekend - Lobster Tacos.

Yum! They were just as delicious the second time!

Thanks for letting me share.

I'll be back to stitching in my next post!

“You are my witnesses,” declares the Lord,

    “and my servant whom I have chosen,

so that you may know and trust me

    and understand that I am the One.

Before me no God was formed,

    nor will there be one after me.

~Isaiah 43:10

Blessings, Patti

More fun in the sun

It was so nice to walk along the beach and put our feet in the cold surf.

We were lucky to get four tickets to Jimmy Kimmel Live one night. 

Fun to see how things work behind the scenes.

We had to be Hollywood tourists and see Grauman's Chinese Theater.

And see the hand and footprints - old 

and new.

We took a studio tour at Sony Pictures one morning.

I really enjoyed seeing the old "Seinfeld" set,

And even looking in his fridge - it was empty.

The best part of the tour was going to the set of "The Goldbergs"

as the tour guide was explaining what we would see inside, the star of the show came out the door.

He smiled at the group, recognized our youngest son and came over to give him a hug.

They grew up together in our neighborhood. :) A great kid from such a kind family - so glad he is having success, but still grounded.

On the way back to Santa Monica, we stopped in a fish shack

for some super fresh fish

a fun atmosphere and a great view of the ocean.

That afternoon, I spent a bit of time relaxing by the pool and stitching while the guys biked down the beach.

It was fun to watch some skywriters at work, but I didn't get to see the full message.

We had a great time on our last might, but I'll post that next - then I'll return to stitching :)

Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
    I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
 When you pass through the waters,
    I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
    they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
    you will not be burned;
    the flames will not set you ablaze.

~Isaiah 43:1-2

Blessings, Patti