Spent the weekend in Dallas with my dear friend Kris and
we found ourselves tip toeing through the most extraordinary array of tulips
we had ever laid our eyes upon.
They say everything’s bigger in Texas and that sentiment surely rang true here.
With the over 500,000 spring blooming bulbs
put into creating this breathtakingly elaborate display,
the efforts from all involved were obviously monumental.
If you ‘re in the neighborhood you must experience this visual feast at the
Fiesta de las Flores – now until April 11, 2010.
So many varieties and colors – who knew?
(Well, besides all you wonderful Dutch folks out there…)

We particularly liked the fuzzy ones…

Perfect weather with just the right amount of sunshine
making every blossom simply explode.
We definitely could have used additional adjectives though -
the frequently heard “Wow, that’s beautiful…just gorgeous…simply stunning…” was insufficient.
No English words really seemed to bring the experience justice –
Maybe one might be best off just reveling in the remarkability of it all,
remarks being superfluous.

So many gorgeous little faces…

DON”T YOU JUST LOVE THEM?
Their picture makes me as thrilled and happy to look at as when they all suddenly hoofed quite hurriedly over to say hello – it was a very moving welcome indeed!

Had an awe inspiring, and engaging experience at the L.A. Zoo the other day – a great time to go now that many of the kids are back to school, so it wasn’t crowded at all. But that is precisely why you MUST make plans to go soon – the animals need our support! Over 11oo animal friends from all around the world call this park home. There is very special care taken with each of them and they live in some pretty elaborate digs, so it is obviously very costly to run – the hippo alone eats 90 pounds of lettuce a day, can you believe it? Some very unique and rare species live there, and some of them have some extra special needs.

At only $12 for adults, $9 for seniors, $7 for kids 2-12 and free for the under two set, you receive a whole day of educative entertainment as you enjoy walking (or tramming) around the vast expanse of land that seems to be so lovingly cared for, and taking in all the gorgeous sites, scents and sounds of your favorites in the animal kingdom. It will give you the opportunity to tap into your inner Dr. Doolittle, as well as get some fabulous candids just like the ones above. All while assisting the zoo in maintaining their high standards so these animals can continue to thrive. (Another win/win!)

I wish we could have stayed longer to just be with them, watch and listen – this particular mission was for more of a human social visit and it was a fun way to spend time with one another – next time though maybe we will spend a bit more time visiting and taking pleasure in the fine company of the parks inhabitants. Just sit, observe, listen or talk with them- they seemed to enjoy the company.

So wake your kids up early Saturday and head on over to the L.A. Zoo for a fascinating fun-filled frolic filled with fur, fins and feathers!

South Coast Botanical Gardens – Blooms Everywhere -
Go take a stroll amongst the flowers- that’s how I enjoyed my 45th yesterday!

Image Courtesy of the Gallery

For an immediate vibrational shift, just step through the threshold of this spiritual sanctuary and be lovingly embraced by the strong yet gentle power of the crystals and gemstones within. Not to mention the very welcoming personal attention provided by the lovely owners of this establishment. My sons and I were greeted warmly and felt free to explore as long as we wished. We feasted on a myriad of colors and textures, thoroughly delighted and inspired. They provide a very informative card to go along with each of the stones they display, so you can better understand the individual properties of each, greatly assisting you in making your selections. An impressive gathering of exquisitely sculpted statues seem to guide you along your journey, and give you a sense of inner calm and balance. A variety of spiritual artwork graces the walls and contributes to the feeling of reverence that can’t help but move through you. We were even invited to enjoy a brief retreat in the beautiful meditation garden that they have created in the back of the store.

Our purpose for this particular visit was to find crystals that spoke to our soul, as Silvia was going to be leading us in some wire wrapping techniques that afternoon. We needed to find several stones each to play with and craft into jewelry to wear or adornments for our environment. There was so much to choose from and they all were so gorgeous, it was difficult to limit ourselves to just a few pieces each, but we made our choices, and we also made the decision that this was some place we really should visit on a regular basis. Quite a wonderous and transformative place indeed!

Sacred Stone Gallery
1832 South Elena Avenue
Redondo Beach, CA 90277

(310) 378-8866

sacredstonegallery.com

Weeds are overgrown – time to dig in the dirt again. Living in my head now for awhile, it’s time to reconnect with nature and get a bit more grounded, so the timing is right. Weeding is like doing dishes – very mundane, but also very therapeutic on several levels – wonderful moving meditation. There is something very comforting about doing rote activities for short spurts of time. Cleaning up in any regard helps you to also clean up your mind and spirit, not to mention the physical movement you receive – leaving you de-cluttered and in more suitable shape to engage in creative and fun adventures, besides just being more clear in your everyday life. So today, I will start with the garden. Not a large garden, but it will take a bit of time. Even bought some herb seeds to be contained in some old planters I found that had been forgotten for years. Nothing like fresh herbs to cook with, and you don’t even need a yard for that. Just get started. We can all reconnect with the earth even when we don’t seem to have a lot of earth around us. It just tends to give your spirit a broader expanse when you start digging.

» Photo courtesy of Deb Reynolds

A message from Claudia…

Hey Great Ones,

Summer is here and we want to be outdoors and enjoying the beautiful beach and weather.
A couple of weeks ago I went to Germany and Spain (Ibiza) on an amazing Yoga retreat in the mountains which gave me more inspiration to share the bliss of happiness with you.

Come join us doing yoga on the beach with the sounds of the waves and spectacular view of the ocean. Sometimes the dolphins are joining us. What a blessing to see them once in a while. We can greet the dolphins with our Dolphin pose!!! Yes, there is one!!! Smile!!!

Where: Torrance Beach at the end of the bike path (at the end of parking lot at Miramar Park in the City of Torrance), corner of Playa De La Paseo and Via Riviera (Esplanade Avenue turns into Playa De La Paseo), at the 3rd and last life guard tower (Sign TORR) near the ocean across from the main lifeguard tower/restroom.

When: Every Wednesday evening Sunset Yoga form 6:00 to 7:15 p.m. (ish),
and every Friday morning from 9:00 to 10:15 a.m. (ish) (except if raining)

Class Fees: Suggested Donation of $10.00 or more is gratefully appreciated.

• Bring a big blanket or sheet for the sand
• Water and sunscreen
• Dress comfortably (maybe a light sweatshirt if cold)
• Arrive 10 minutes early before class

Maybe we have some tea or coffee afterwards – your choice!

Namaste,

Claudia

For more information, call Claudia at (310) 370-3278, or (310) 698-9658 (cell)
Email: bliss-yoga@hotmail.com

Ten Things I Brought Back With Me From Paris

1. The reminder to keep connections to those you hold dear in your heart no matter how far or close they live.
2. Explore the world around you. Get to know what and who is in your own backyard.
3. Pay attention to your surroundings. Deeply experience things both beautiful and ordinary, hear glorious sounds, and participate in creative adventures daily.
4. Select small tastes are much more satisfying than opulent overindulgences.
5. Walking 2 to 5 miles daily makes you feel great, helps the environment and can most definitely even be done in LA.
6. It should never be considered a waste of time to sit under the trees and do nothing.
7. When you show politeness, respectfulness and appreciation, you find that a good share of people are more than willing to assist you when you are in need.
8. A rekindled desire to be able to converse in multiple languages.
9. The knowledge that the foundation for most things worth eating is Butter, Sugar and Eggs
10. The realization that the world would be a much happier place if more people walked around with long, thin sticks of bread under their arm.

Photograph Courtesy of Arlene Yakush

Take a journey…

Enjoy Silvia’s work up close and personal at the
Redondo Beach Art Group’s:

“Impressions of the Marsh”
Ongoing through Saturday, May 17, 2008 with
Artist’s Reception May 10, 2008 from 2:00pm to 4:00pm

(That’s this weekend!)

Go enjoy some time with nature and art – a combination that is sure to refresh and inspire at:

Madrona Marsh Preserve and Nature Center
3201 Plaza del Amo
Torrance, CA 90503
www.friendsofmadronamarsh.com

For information on future events of the Redondo Beach Art Group
check out their website at: www.redondobeachartgroup.org

and of course, to view more of Silvia’s amazing paintings and jewelry click here!

New necklaces just added – remember it’s
Mother’s Day this weekend!

Seeking respite from the pre-summer heat (around 97 degrees F) yesterday, we met with friends and traveled south to San Pedro to hang out on the lawn that surrounds the Korean Bell of Friendship. Sitting high on the hills and overlooking the broad expanse of the Pacific, we couldn’t have picked a better spot to receive some much needed mid-afternoon ocean breeze. Amidst the beautiful gardens that seemed to be filled with ladybugs, there were many kite flyers with their colorful dragons and fierce looking bugs. We even got to enjoy some music and view a wedding that was taking place right next to the bell. Sitting in the grass, watching the kids wrestle, having a nice conversation with my friend was a perfect completion to a wonderful but hot afternoon.

This elaborately embellished and massive bell and the gorgeous pagoda-like pavillion that houses it, was donated to the people of Los Angeles in 1976 from the people of the Republic of Korea to honor veterans of the Korean War, to commemorate the U.S. bicentennial, and as a memorial of lasting Friendship between our two countries. There are many things to be found in the detailed relief work at the base of the bell, and all the ornate structuring and painting work that went into this is just stunning as you can see by the picture above.

It is a very peaceful place to retreat to for a picnic, to visit with loved ones, or to just lay back on the grass and relax in the sun.

The Korean Bell of Friendship is located in Angels Gate Park (review on that to be coming soon) at:

Gaffey and 37th Street
San Pedro, CA 90731

Visit the San Pedro Chamber of Commerce for more information:

www.sanpedrochamber.com/champint/korenbel.htm