Weather at Bay

Weather kept at bay is more like it.....
We seem to be one step away of extreme weather alerts---so leaving Carmel by the Sea with it's morning fog clearing...

....we went to adorable Capitola where Gayle's was the best bakery/pastry find of the trip.

On to San Francisco for Pier 39 lunch

 with views of Alcatraz,

Golden Gate Bridge,  & Bay Bridge....

...and critters---seagulls and sea lions....

...before going to Lombard Street.

We ended up driving down the crookedest street in the world before heading up to Donner Pass where the snow caught us....but we caught sight of a brilliant blue stellar jay so it was perfect. Hope to get brother Buddy's pix of that allusive feathered friend to post later.

Pacific Coast Beauty

Brunch at Monarch Bay in Laguna Beach with Hoptown chums is a great beginning to our "journey" up the coast---

----from Highway 101 and Highway 1 to the 17 mile drive......

Lone cyprus overlooking the Pacific ocean on the Pebble Beech 17 mile loop.

Lunching at "The Bench" on the 18th green at Pebble Beach golf course.

Sunset over Pebble Beach---a BIG western "A-men" to a wonderful day!!

Route 66

How far does this "Mother Road" road go???? One thing for sure we've found a lot of tasty diners along the way. Funky and Fun. Our entire trip has been somewhat that way.

Oops, Dotsy's root beer float got in the picture at Joseph's Route 66 Diner in Santa Rosa NM

 The BEST homemade pies on Route 66 in Williams Arizona....coconut meringue...

 ...and pecan pie a la mode at the Pine Country Restaurant. 

Definitely BEST pecan pie I have ever had---

---and I'm a pecan pie aficionado.

Ever heard of Seligman, AZ. Lots of Harley riders have discovered it. 

Yummy coffee served with "out-dated" pastries.

Does this Route 66 restaurant entice you? I only had a drink but the food looked good.

Seeing God's Hand

God's Presence has certainly been in full view on this trip. Just looking out the window has been a visual feast---sometimes as if we're "tasting" in a foreign country. 

 God in the mountains. God in the canyons. God in the whirlwind. God in the sunset.

God in the clouds. God's Word reminding us of that truth.

Chuech of the Holy Cross built in the red rocks of Sedona, NM.

CANYONS---GRAND!!

Arizona arrival was a visual east.  Petrified Forest and Painted Desert were just a "taste" of all to come. Red Rock and Oak Creek Canyon in Sedona were our morning visual feast---the day was finished off with setting sun views of the Grand Canyon from Bright Angel Lodge.

Painted Desert

Petrified wood in the National Park

 Red Rocks viewed from our hotel at breakfast. A different, but equally impressive view was available right outside our window.

 Red Rock Canyon Sedona, AZ. After morning drive sleet started & soon turned to light snow!

 First Grand Canyon view from Bright Angel Lodge.

Same area---different view----every which way one turns, there's a view.

A Reminder: National Day of Prayer

Where I am it is still Thursday---clock didn't change even when I tried to reset it.
JoLynn reminded us on Monday at prayer time to be sure and find a place to "pray" on National Prayer Day.
But...
But....I forgot.
I meant to put it in my computer note reminders.
But....I forgot.
God did not forget.
Walking through Albuquerque's, "old town" I heard music in the town square. I went closer and saw people moving to music with hands raised and colored scarves and banners waving---then I heard the word Jesus in the song.
I still did not catch on.
But God......had me go closer to the gazebo for a photo opp.

What a reminder---a BIG sign. 1 Voice. 1 Day. May 7. National Day of Prayer.
I caught on!!!!
I went across the street to San Felipe, the oldest church in Albuquerque and found a pew.

What a day. What a reminder to pray!

Travel Mercies Abound

Praises for travel mercies---thanks to many who prayed as we stayed ahead of those destructive tornados in Oklahoma and pressed on to Texas....miles ahead of original destination.

A Welcoming Texas Sunset

Beauty Shop Blessings

Beauty shop benefits--

....A little trim, 

......a little color, for upcoming "Westward Ho" trip,

.........along with BIG prayers for daughter Molly's photo session, answered right then and there,

.............BIG prayers for travel mercies,

.................and a BIG dose of wisdom, with just a few words.

A coincidence is God choosing to remain anonymous.

Thanks Janeene and Teresa......beauty shop blessings, in every sense of the word.

A Flower House

Not just any flower house---Lucy's flower house!

Son Josh's "Tree Rings" blog entry said it well.

Check it out http://www.joshliles.com/joshdoesyoga/2015/5/3/tree-rings
It's a worthy read!

"Daddy, come play with me in my flower house."

Food for Thought Friday

Deciding to continue my "lagging" posting, Friday's posting is a day late. 

Some folks might wish I'd never posted it at all. Admittedly, truth is often a little hard to swallow. Especially truth that convicts.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT: GLUTTONY

What makes you think about gluttony? Continuing to eat Las Delicias chips until the basket is empty comes to my mind. Or eating popcorn before, after and even during my meal, if it's Racquet Club popcorn.

Is it easier to slap the gluttony "label" on others than on self?

Is gluttony always a food consumption problem?

Gluttony--(Insight from Relevant Magazine's, "The Socially Acceptable Sin.")
At its simplest, gluttony is the soul's addiction to excess.

All desires for "upsizing" stems from a lack of satisfaction. Not being satisfied with one's portion.---whether it's the dinner plate, the family home, the marriage bed, the athletic field, or one's bank account. 

Much to think about with my Taste and See devotional book from "Clarence,"
my Bible and a tea-filled cuppa from Maricel

The desire for more is not always bad---but it's often misdirected.

What about an appetite for spiritual feasting? For the divine? For a holy ravenousness? Can one actually taste the goodness of the word of God? (Hebrews 6:5)

To temper one's soul from propelling toward excess, turn to the One who is the source of satisfaction. Drink deeply of His endless love. The world can dull one's senses, therefore returning to the Source enables one to taste anew! 

Taste His Supreme grace.

Open His Word. See what God says about thirsting for the living water and tasting daily on His truths (Psalm 34:8).....such feasting is the best defense against gluttony in any area of one's life where "wanting more" keeps bubbling up. 
Relevant Magazine certainly provided "convicting" food for thought for this gal.