Magical Moments this Holiday Season, The Book Cellar, and An Important Mission
“Machel’s Ranch” The latest happenings Around Town and Inspirational stories featured in the Rancho Santa Fe News
The RAncho Santa Fe News, located in Rancho Santa Fe, California
If you could go back in time and be a child again would you? I have often heard others ponder their childhood with much warm hearted memories. What was it about being young that seems elusive to us as we find ourselves in a wide open field in the midst of our lives? Could it be that we understand time better or rather recognize with age as we gaze back and remember who we once were? During the holiday season my childhood memories always come back to me, like a flickering images from a movie reel.
I grew up on a farm near Springfield, Missouri.The winters were cold. The pond froze over and we would skate across it in our cowboy boots. Then we would watch our breath rise up to the white sky and blend in with the blanket of snow falling down on us below. The “Us” would be my brother, sister and me. We were pretty tight as kids. We built massive forts in the snow, played a tag game called chicken and fox over the icy pond. I never believed in Santa because we lived on a farm and I knew there was no way he could really fit inside a wood burning stove. We always watched “It was a Wonderful Life” and “Scrooge.” We had “Taffy Pulls!” Live moved slowly when I was young, and I didn’t know as a child that wishes and dreams can sometimes take you away from what you loved the most. So now each season, after the turkey has been served and as families are decorating their homes with mistletoe, I find myself remembering the young girl I was and early my beginnings. This holiday season, remember to look back, count your blessings and be thankful for each season. Sometimes we never know how magical our moments are until they are gone.
My childhood Christmas Memories of ice skating on a pond when we were young.
Around Town
CORRECTION: Well, my favorite book store in the whole wide world must hate me! Recently, I realized my serious gaffe after someone pointed out the name on my coffee cup, “Book Tales,” which most of you probably know is in Encinitas. That is a wonderful bookstore, too. However, my favorite bookstore that I try to frequent at least once a week exists just around the corner from the Rancho Santa Fe Library is “The Book Cellar.” Please forgive! My only excuse is I write late night into the early hours of the evening and sometimes mistakes can happen when you do this. So for the record, if you would like to read and buy books in Rancho Santa Fe, “The Book Cellar” is a gem of place. What I do, is always donate the books back, when my room starts to take on too many stacks against the wall or they start falling of my night stand. Make sure you stop in this holiday season for a book as a gift. They have fabulous prices. And, the quiet, still space between the rows of bookshelves just warms your soul.
During the first week of November, Dr. Michael and Lynne Skyhar stopped in at the Lemon Twist Gift & Produce Shop in Rancho Santa Fe. Lynne and Dr. Mike live in the area and were just so wonderful to meet right as dusk was setting across the valley behind the shop. We shared some quick conversation and they were kind enough to let me share this photo in my column that evening. I love meeting new people. Mike and Lynne were very gracious and kind. Thanks for stopping in at Lemon Twist and for reading the column Mike and Lynne. Happy Holidays!
On November 13th, I attended Esther Wong’s Charity fundraising party in Cielo with my best friend, Jill Sorge. The party was hosted by Esther, Taylor, Diane Wong and the Santa Fe Christian India Mission’s team. Part of the proceeds from this event will be included in a check they are presenting in person in India at the Grace Home Orphanage and school. My favorite part of this party was watching the video clip from their last year’s trip over to India last year. If you are interested in helping donate to this charity, here is a link with information: http://www.sfcs.net/about/Pages/why_sfcs.aspx. I have included a beautiful photo of Esther and Taylor Wong from that day.
On November 15th, Many beautiful blondes and brunettes from Rancho Santa Fe made it to Mission Valley to attend Bloomingdales Shopping
Meet the High Powered Real Estate Women in San Diego, shopping at Bloomingdales to help raise money for Rady Children's Hospital.
event, which benefited Rady Children’s Hospital here in San Diego. Look at this fabulous shot that I have included from this event! In the line up, we have Kim Smart—from Smart Interiors, Elaine Gallagher, Ally Wise, Candace Sears, and Jan Doyle-Wehlag. All of these lovely, smart women are business professionals, friends and most of all, they are shopping to benefit Rady Children’s Hospital. Well done. Make sure you shop this Christmas or donate extra items that you don’t need to charity in need.
On November 19th, It rained all day in Rancho Santa Fe. But that didn’t stop the Sassy Santa Event that my gal-pal Krista Lafferty organized with the Garden Club. When I stopped by that Saturday there was a massive food truck feeding the shoppers out front, a Santa listening to children’s wish lists, and a plethora of local businesses beating the Black Friday date by one week. Inside the Garden Club, felt festive and warm. I enjoyed strolling the isles and seeing all of the vendor’s merchandise. Here is a photo from that day, too. Congrats to Krista, The Rancho Santa Fe Rotary and to all of those that came out to support local businesses this holiday season. Please continue to “Shop Small” this season, too.
Rancho Santa Fe's Sassy Santa Event was a SMASHING Success for The Rancho Santa Fe Rotary. Meet the Three women that made it happen. But most of all, my gal-pal Krista Lafferty.
SAVE THE MISSION: I received an email from Renee, a Ranch resident that is alerting me to some important news and to the community as
Predating California as a state by 52 years, this historical Mission in Oceanside, California is facing closure. Please help SAVE THIS Historical LANDMARK in the United States.
The Old Mission San Luis Rey de Francia” in Oceanside is facing closure if enough money is not raised to save this landmark. Here is the link you must check out: http://www.sanluisrey.org/Seismic-retrofit/. Know as the “King of Missions,” is a famous Natural Historic Landmark her in Southern California. Founded in 1798, San Luis Rey’s Historic church predates California even as state by 52 years. Open 7 days a week to the public, take time and visit this landmark with your family, but more importantly donate if you can before we lose a valuable part of California history! Thank-you, Renee for alerting the community to this important information.
