Thursday, June 10, 2010

Friday Fave Five

It does not happen often that I miss posting for Friday Fave Five. (Did you miss me?)  Last week, I was 'a little busy'. So I am combining two weeks' worth of fun into one to celebrate FFF.

1. During the week, MamaMia and The Princess arrived to help hostess a double shower for two of my nieces, a bridal shower and a baby shower! 


2. Immediately after we cleaned up from the shower, we hopped in our car and drove to San Diego to enjoy a week with our kids who live there.

3. We spent a day at the beach which is beautiful even in June Gloom.  We rode our bikes along San Diego Bay to Coronado Island.

Imperial Beach Pier from Silver Strand Beach with Tijuana, Mexico in the background

4. We took many slow and meandering walks with our new grandpuppy, Bailey.


5. One day while The Professor did a 30 mile bike ride, MamaMia and I attended a writing seminar.  We thoroughly enjoyed learning more about how to encourage kids to like writing and to do it well.  A second speaker discussed how to teach kids to think critically.  We came away from the seminar excited to share what we learned.

Five Faves barely touches on the highlights of these two weeks at Willow's Cottage!
How was your week?  Share it with us by posting your Fave Five and linkin to Susanne's blog Living To Tell The Story.

23 comments:

ellen b. said...

Those cakes at the shower look great! Glad you are enjoying/enjoyed San Diego...

Islandsparrow said...

I was away last week too. And will probably be away next week as we're heading to the States for a wedding. It seems to be the season!

Is June such a gloomy month in California? You should just come up to PEI - because it's glorious here. So green and fresh and pretty and full of blossoms. And how about I head down your way in March - when I am getting weary of that white stuff that just won't go away?? :)

Your bridal/baby shower goodies look yummy - but I don't think I should have cake for breakfast :)

The writing workshop sounds interesting. I did a lot of writing with my kids when I was a classroom teacher.

Glad you had a lovely visit with your kids.

Happy weekend Willow!

Unknown said...

I know I always say this, but I really do love your Friday Fives.

Tracy said...

Oh, yes, know all about the "a little busy"...LOL! There always seems a rush on before summer really starts, doesn't there?! A baby shower--what fun! And those cakes are so pretty! We've had rain here off & on this week--good for the garden, it's been dry a while. I've always wanted to take a writing workshop like that--with others. I've done correspondence course and online, but fun with interaction with others. Love your Friday posts, Willow... Happy Weekend! Oh, I'm celebrating my blogiversary this weekend with a little gift giveaway--stop by if you can. :o) ((HUGS))

Jerralea said...

I did miss you last week, Willow! I checked back several times to see if you had shown up. I always love to read about Willow's Week.

Walking the beaches sounds wonderful, and I would love to attend a seminar like the one you went to. I'm an adult bible teacher, but still want to learn all I can about writing.

Lisa notes... said...

What a fun shower! Two-in-one. San Diego is so beautiful. I visited there 2 years ago and fell in love with it. The writing seminar sounds intriguing and like something I would enjoy. Glad it was helpful to you.

Susanne said...

Congratulations to both of your neices.

The Bike riding trip sound wonderful. As does slow and meandering walks. Now if it would just get a touch warmer on a consistent basis around here.

Knitting Linguist said...

That seminar sounds wonderful! I'm always wishing I could think of more ways to encourage critical thinking, in both my students and my girls. And your week down here sounds like just the thing :)

Brenda said...

"The June gloom", lol, I've never heard it called that, but it does paint a picture of the situation.

Those cakes do look yummy!

Mr Puffy's Knitting Blog: said...

Lovely interludes in a busy week! I have a cousin who works as a concierge at the Hotel Coronado and has for about 10 years. I've never been, but my Mom tells me it's a lovely spot.

I discovered this a.m. in Whole Foods market that those red pods added to the flower tea is actually called Goji berries here in the US and they had them there sold in bulk. They apparently have a huge amount of anti-oxidants and are known for building up strength and you might try popping some into your herbal hot teas and see what you think!

TXDidi said...

You had a busy two weeks, Willow. What fun! Isn't it nice to get together with our children? And you got to spend time with your granddog, too. I'm getting a granddog tomorrow. Whee!

Barbara H. said...

Those cakes look so nice, and it is neat that they coordinated even though they celebrated different occasions.

Sounds like you had a lot of great experiences the past couple of weeks!

Cindy said...

Your excused now that you doubled up. I'm new to this Friday Fave Five and I'm excited to write for new friends.

Great idea to have both parties at the same time, oh and the cakes look lovely.

After about 2 weeks of rain we ventured out to the beach yesterday and spent the day beachcombing the Basin Head Beach is fantastic. Sounds like a lovely bike ride.

New Puppy! Makes me laugh my daughter Victoria was pulling away in the car and she said "oh, mom I got a puppy". I turned quick to see her grinning from ear to ear. This is the Thursday's child who was crowned Queen of Stray Animals. Your grandpuppy is so cute.

Laura@OutnumberedMom said...

A double shower sounds like SO much fun!! And the writing seminar sounds really interesting.

Happy weekend!

Sniffles and Smiles said...

WOW!!! That tablescape for the showers is gorgeous!!! And what a lovely time you've had...I'd love a little June gloom right now...sigh...such happy memories...And that writing seminar sounds fab!! Care to share any of the tips you picked up? Hope you have a wonderful weekend, dear Willow!! Sending much love, Janine XO

aspiritofsimplicity said...

Sounds like a wonderful week with family and friends. The best people to hang around with.

Unknown said...

I like your new puppy... seems like it may be a distant cousin to our Ebony (black lab/chow mix).

Thanks for your encouraging comment today!!

Blessings,
~H

Flower said...

Good week...I enjoyed each and everthing you shared! Especially the puppy and the cake!

Reflection Through The Seasons said...

What a busy time Willow.... such pretty cakes. Hope the weather brightened up for the wedding.

We have had a good run of warm sunny days here in Wales, I’ve even had to water the garden, and that’s a job I don’t often need to do!

Spring has been glorious... walking the lanes has been a such a delight with the fragrance of wild flowers drifting on the air.... and as you know, I’m doing a lot of walking nowadays with our boy Kenzo. Pleased to read that you have a new puppy in the family too. I love your expression ‘grand dog!

I was interested to read about the writing seminar... I’m sure readers of your blog would like to know more about it...... it would make an interesting post.

Happy Lord’s Day. Marion

Sharon Lynne said...

Sounds like a very busy time.
The food looks good!

A 30 mile bike ride? He must really enjoy biking! I do too, but I'm not sure if I could sit that long.

The writing seminar sounds interesting.

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

It is such a busy time of the year, isn't it Willow? The shower for new bride and baby sounds like fun, and so does beach walsk with the new grandpuppy.

The writing seminar sounds interesting! Maybe children should begin a blog as a way to encorage writing?

Brandon Connell | Make Money Blogging said...

Ya know.. this is the first time I came across this blog and I'm trying to figure out the nicknames before I can focus on what you said. :) Does MamaMia make pizza?

Thoughts on Life and Millinery. said...

Teaching kids how to think critically is so important! It is amazing how many college students can't manage that task.

Thanks for another peek at my home town. June gloom...right on schedule!