MEETING BAKERELLA

Today I got to meet fellow blogger Bakerella. She was at William Sonoma doing a book signing on her darling book called Cake Pops.

For those of you who have not yet heard about Cake Pops or Bakerella you can find her here.

There were a lot of people waiting to see her. The crowds got bigger and bigger as the time drew near to her time to come talk to us.

Then she finally came out and the crowd was thrilled. She is after all one of us blogger gals but, she has made it big.

She has been on Martha Stewart, has her own book out and is now traveling the country doing her book signing.

She is so nice. She seemed to be surprised at her new found fame. She said she was worried that no one would show up for her book signing. We thought that was funny because everyone there was excited she came to spend time with us.

She did a question and answer with us. Many people there have already made her Cake Pops and were looking for advice on how to make them as cute as she makes them.

She showed us the supplies she uses and gave little tips on how to make them come out picture perfect, like hers.

After she answered every one's questions we lined up and had her sign our books. She didn't rush anyone and treated everyone as if she was just talking to her friends.

Of course, I got her book. I can't wait to try them out. I'm going to try to make the Halloween ones. I'll be sure to post about how they came out.

EAST MEETS WEST

One of my favorite blogs I have been reading belongs to Pat at http://millefiorifavoriti.blogspot.com/ Pat lives in New York and writes about her great life there. Every time I read her blog I dream about going back to New York and one day getting to meet her in person.

Then I got an email from her saying she was going to be coming out here to CA with her husband. She was only going to be 2 hours away from me down in San Diego.

I was so excited! To top off the excitement she told me about another wonderful blogger Cori, from http://gingerbreadcrumbsandcompany.blogspot.com/ who happens to live very close to me, was going to be meeting up with us too. Cori used to live in San Diego and was going to be our tour guide!

Our first stop was to Old Town. The picture above is of Cori on the left and Pat on the right. It was pretty funny because none of us wanted our pictures taken. So when we did give in we would try to hide behind something.

Old Town was very pretty. There were several stores and places to eat.

Everything was so pretty and brightly colored. I felt almost like we were in Mexico.

The pottery was so cheerful and bright.

There was one wall that had so many pretty crosses hanging on it.

I would love to be able to set a table with these colors!

Even the halls in the court yard were festive with the paper cut outs hanging.

One shop had all these beautiful hanging hand made eggs. The man was even making one while we were there.

This is where we ate. This picture was taken when we first got there and it was not even open yet. The resturant is called Casa Del Rey. The Mexican food was great.

This water fountain is just outside the resturant.

We also got to go to Point Loma Light House. It was the first real light house I've ever seen.

At first I was taken back. It wasn't anything like I thought it was going to look like. But the more time we spent there the more I fell in love with it.

We even got to go inside and see how the light house keeper lived back in the late 1800's. It was very small but cozy.

We all agreed we wanted to stay up there as the views were beautiful, the cool breeze felt wonderful and the house was so sweet.

We were not able to go up to the tower though. It was closed off. This light house no longer is in use.

We also stopped at a small town called Heritage Park. The houses there were so pretty. Though most, if not all are now businesses. There is a B&B there.

Cori had been married here and got to stay in the B&B. Lucky girl!

This house was turned into a gift shop but it was closed. There was even a chain blocking the stairs off but I made Cori and Pat take the chain down and go up there anyway. The stairs were decorated so cute for fall I didn't want to miss out on their photo there.

There is even a little stone rabbit. We all took a picture of the stone rabbit in memory of the blog Stone Rabbit. My close up didn't come out so this photo will have to do.

This darling little tea house was there also. While we had already had lunch we still had to go check it out. They had a little gift shop so we browsed around.


No one was having tea there. I don't know why as it is so cute. Plus it was only $20. I would love to go back someday and actually eat there. Cori!! Did you hear that? Want to go with me?

I loved how they did this display. I've never seen anything like that before. Such a great idea.

Our last stop was to The Hotel Del Coronado. This was another first for me.

The lobby is all in dark woods. It's so rich looking.

The chandelier is huge and so beautiful. This photo doesn't do it justice at all.

We walked around in the shops.

They had such great things. Not your normal hotel gift shop.

But, I did not look at the prices because I'm sure the cost was way up there.

We did not buy anything here. Well, we did get a drink and we sat outside. The weather was great there. The view was lovely and the company could not have been better.

Sadly our time was up and we had to get Pat back to the hotel she was staying at so she could meet up with her husband for dinner.

We did take the longer path back to the car just to stretch the last few minutes out.

I had a blast. I got to meet two great women that I hope will remain life long friends.

Cori and I have said we were going to get together and I hope we really do.

I'm planning a trip to New York and I hope Pat will be willing to meet up and show me around, at least for a little while.

If you get a chance to meet either of these gals I hope you jump at the chance because you won't be sorry.

Hugs,
Joanne

WOW! WOW! WOW!

I just can not get over how wonderful the ladies out there in Blogland are! Yes, I know there are many lovely people in the world but not like the people in Blogland. They go above and beyond being just nice and kind.

They are WONDERFUL! They know just how to put a smile on your face, they are there for support, comfort, laughs and just to make others happy!

Right now I want to say an extra special Thank You to three lovely ladies who have gone above and beyond just to make me happy.

First there is Bonnie from http://calamityjanescottage.blogspot.com/

Look at what she sent me...

The most beautiful Fall apron. I've never seen anything like it.

Here is a close up of the material. Isn't it darling!

Thank you Bonnie! Thank you very much!

The next person I want to thank is Cathy at: http://cateslinens.blogspot.com/

Cathy had posted on her blog showing us some wonderful things of hers. I posted a remark that I loved her vintage tablecloth.

Well, being the wonderful person Cathy is she emailed me a few days later and told me she wanted to give that tablecloth to me! I couldn't believe it!

Take a look at it. Isn't it beautiful!

Here is a close up showing the pretty flowers.

Thank you Cathy! I'm still in shock at how kindhearted you are to send this. I love it and will treasure it forever.

The last person I wanted to say Thank you to today is my dear friend Debbie at http://myvintagedaydreams.blogspot.com/

For no reason at all she sent me these lovely things. Check them out!

Wow! Debbie is one who really listens to you when you talk. Not only does she listen but she remembers what you say and takes notes of it for later.

When we met and went shopping I told her I love ribbons and I have lots of them. But of course you can never have to much...can you?

So she found some pretty ribbons and picked them up just for me!

She also sent some pretty tissue paper and pearls. How beautiful!

She new I loved birds and chippy paint so she sent this too. How sweet is that! I have the bird in my office and everyday when I look at it I think of her.

Debbie you are such a sweetheart! I'm so happy we met and have become friends. Thank you so much for everything you do for me.

I hope you all will take a few minutes to visit the blogs of these wonderful ladies, if you don't already. I'm sure you will enjoy meeting them and reading their blogs as much as I have.

Big hugs,

Joanne

WHAT GENEROUS BLOGGERS

Now I know there are many wonderful people in this world but I have to say that some of nicest and kind hearted people I've ever met have been my blog friends.

Have you ever had one of those down days and then the mail comes and in the hands of the mailman is a package for you? For some reason a package just perks you right up.

Well that happened to me. Only the mailman had three packages! Wow!

I had no idea what they could be because I wasn't expecting anything.
The first one I opened up came from Susan at The Little Yellow House. You can find her blog here:
http://susan-thelittleyellowhouse.blogspot.com/

I could not believe how cute everything was. First there was a cute little package that holds tea. The material is so sweet. Then there was silver tongs for sugar. There is even a cute little heart shaped sugar in there. Plus, a pretty pink rose tea mug.

Thank you so much Susan! You are such a dear! I love everything. I'll be using everything real soon.
The next package I opened up came from Kim at Kim Hardt Originals and A Glittered Halloween. You can find her fun blogs here:
http://www.kimhardtoriginals.blogspot.com/

Kim sent me some lovely plates, platters and two big tassel tie backs.

How kind you are Kim! Thank you from the bottom of my heart! I adore all of them. I can't wait to use them.

Then the last box I opened came from Kelli at Vintage Vavoom. I won her giveaway! You can find Kelli's blog here:

http://vintagevavoom.blogspot.com/

I won there darling little vases. One says, Live. One says Love and the other one says Laugh. Great words to live by. Then a nice jar of pink sugar! Great for those cookies I'm going to make! Last but not least is a pretty pink diamond. Now that is perfect for my office!

Thanks Kelli. I never thought I would really win your great give away. Everything is perfect for me.

So thank you, thank you, thank you to all you wonderful blog friends. I have been really blessed to meet so many super women. You all made my day!

Hugs,

Joanne

BLOG FRIENDS ARE SUCH GREAT FRIENDS!!!

I have met so many wonderful new people out there in Blogland! I enjoy going to all your blogs and reading about your home, family, hobbies and places where you live.

I've been blessed enough to even speak to a few of you on the telephone. I've written and received emails from lots of you. Soon I'm even going to get to meet one of you in person (that's you Debbie, I can't wait!).

I've laughed with you and cried with you. I've learned so many great tips, ideas and stories from you.

You have become my friends!

I wanted to take a little bit of time today to say THANK YOU for all you do for me. You are all so wonderful.

A special thank you goes out to Sherry and Wes at Edie Marie's. For no reason at all, they sent me this darling little tea cup and saucer. It's so cute with little pink roses and pretty gold trim.

What a lovely surprise! You guys are so kind! You made my day. Thank you!

Please remember, when you are happy or sad, angry or glad, I'm here for YOU.

Don't forget that today is the last day to sign up for both my Christmas in July giveaway and the little Quickie giveaway. I'm going to draw the winners tonight so if you have not joined up yet and you want to, then hurry on over to the posts and do so.

The Christmas in July Giveaway has a link to the post you need to leave the mesage at, on the right side of my blog. Just click on the picture. The other giveaway is just below this post so go there for that one.

I wish you could all win! But, if you don't win this time don't worry because I like to have giveaways often. Come back and you are sure to find another giveaway going on soon.

Thank you all for being my friends!

Hugs,

Joanne