A stop at Forest Lawn

My parents bought these plots years ago.  Then my Pitchforth grandparents moved to Southern California from Salt Lake City and my parents gave them the plots. They are near the road and we always laughed that we could throw flowers out of the car window without even stopping.

Lifelong friends

Mimi and I are dear friends, Gwen (left) and my mom are dear friends and their mothers were dear friends.  It was fun to have lunch together today.

California = oranges

A day at Disneyland

John is 50!

Surprise party for Bishop Patton

Lunch at one of my favorite restaurants

Morgan and I had lunch at Philippe's.  There was a parade downtown and the TRAFFIC was terrible but it was worth the frustration to eat at one of my very favorite places in the whole wide world!  Their macaroni salad is The Best (I even got a little cup of it to go).  I have lots of memories of eating at Philippe's with my family.

Fabric shopping

A few weeks ago I emailed one of my favorite bloggers and asked if she wanted to meet up while I was in LA.  Today Morgan and I went fabric shopping in the garment district.  One of the stores sold fabric by the pound ($2.50)!  I found a few things (I couldn't live without).  It was really fun to get to know Morgan; she's more awesome than I thought she'd be.

Clubbing

We saw Brooke White (Jack&White) perform tonight at the Hotel Cafe in LA.  I guess I wasn't supposed to videotape.  Oops.

I want I want I want

This industrial mixer was in the corner of the kitchen at the Stake Center.  I want it!  I bet it hasn't been used in years.  I'm trying to figure out how I can adopt it...

Lunch

Birmingham High School

When I got to my high school I just drove through the parking lot, took a few photos and got out of there.

Mulholland Jr. High

I stumbled around Mulholland Jr. High this morning until a woman asked me what I was doing and told me I had to register.  I explained that I had gone to school there and just wanted to take photos.  She asked when I was leaving, I told her I was headed out and so I didn't have to register.  I had no idea walking down memory lane would be so complicated.

Gault Street Elementary School

On my third trip to my elementary school today I got in to wander around and take some photos (they made me meet the Principal).  I almost gave up but I really wanted to see it.  The Principal was very nice and showed me the photo albums they have with school pictures and they were fun to look through.

Van Nuys Stake Center

When this building was built (in the 50's) I believe it was the largest chapel in the church.  There were 2 chapels (one can seat 450 and the other 350), a FULL basketball court, two kitchens (one industrial), a stage, baseball field, and two huge parking lots.  It's since been remodeled but the chapels weren't changed much.  It was really nice to be able to go inside the building today (someone was there setting up for a wedding).

What's hot?

Our family frequented Western Bagel when we lived in Van Nuys.  It was near our chapel.  We always asked "What's hot?" and then we'd get the bagels that were the freshest.  I bought a dozen bagels this morning (which is really a baker's dozen) for $8.50.  Not a bad price for a good bagel.

LA Temple

I love the LA Temple.  Tonight I met my brother and sister-in-law there.  And I saw my old Laurel adviser.  And we met my nephew's mission president.  The LA Temple was dedicated in 1956 and when it was built it was the tallest building in the area.  It's a beautiful building...might be my favorite Temple.

This is the Place

I LOVE LA

Flying...

My first flight was from Boston to Memphis.  Imagine my surprise when the flight attendant announced the flight was to Jackson, Mississippi.  People gasped!  She was confused and immediately announced it was to Memphis.

The guy next to me on the Memphis flight held a barf bag the last 20 minutes of the flight.  He didn't have to use it (thank goodness).

California here I come
Right back where I started from
Where bowers of flowers
Bloom in the spring
Each morning, at dawning
Birdies sing and everything
A sun-kissed miss said, "Don't be late"
that's why I can hardly wait
Open up that golden Gate (or the gate at LAX)
California, here I come.

A new generation is redefining Mormon cuisine

Mormon cuisine?!?

Not Just for Sundays After Church

photo from the NYT

My kind of winter day

56 degrees

Busiest work day of the year

This hole punch was my best friend today on my busiest day of the year.

More from the party

Double Open House

It was a busy October for the Duke boys.  Wes and Lauryn were married in the LA Temple in early October and Taylor and Katrina were married in the Seattle Temple in late October.  Today Amy hosted an Open House for both couples.  There were lots of Arlington Ward "alumni" there.  It was wonderful celebration.

(Good) friends

Reading the Book of Mormon

I'm reading the Book of Mormon again. The twist this year is I'm trying to not wait until bedtime to read.  So far...pretty good.

Um, yum

I've got big plans for the cute cowboy fabric

In my condo

The table in the entryway.

Last night I was in the kitchen...

...wearing an apron and making black bean chili, bran muffin mix, and a chocolate cake.