The storms are gone leaving behind a blanket of snow on the mountain tops, crystal clear sky and winter warm 75 degrees. California at it's best. Snow covered mountains, sand and surf, fabulous shopping and a family extraordinaire. Within 2 hours you could be in Big Bear skiing, or half hour to the beach, walking on the sand and enjoying the cool breeze, the sound of the waves crashing on the shore and watching a spectacular sunset.

Just got back from the Brea Mall, only crazy people shop on Christmas Eve. I love it, the crowds, no parking and endless lines. Something about all the hustle and bustle that I find to be exhilarating.
KWVE is playing the most beautiful Christian Christmas music all day and tonight Christmas Eve services at Calvary, then our family tradition, Hungarian Chicken Paprikash with Lynne, Johnny and Scout. Johnny and I made Creme Brulee, two kinds, heavy cream for one and egg nog for the second one. He is becoming a really great chef. Tomorrow he is also bringing his "famous" mange salsa and chips. Can't beat that.

Today I feel sorry for anyone who isn't me!

Newport Balboa 102nd Boat Parade

O.C. at it's best!



Christmas in the pouring down rain, sailing on the Catalina Flier through Balboa Bay, looking at Christmas lights and enjoying the 102nd Annual Boat Parade. It was just one of those spectacular evenings, cold, rainy, on the water looking at Newport's best homes decorated for Christmas. No one in Balboa knows we are in the midst of a financial recession,they spared no expenses decorating.


Californian's are definitely weather wimps and so the pouring down rain kept a lot of people home, no crowds. Tonight was the last night of this seasons Boat Parade, ending in a huge fireworks show over the bay.

From small Duffy's decorated with lights to luxurious yachts covered in gorgeous Christmas scenes. There was Noah's Ark, a lavender colored castle, Santa, Snow Men, and even a boat full of college kids singing karaoke Christmas Carols.

"Santa Baby, I've been really good this year",--- I am a simple girl, I don't need a fancy yacht or a big mansion, but I wouldn't mind a little Duffy to cruse around the bay in, and maybe a home on the water front with a dock, and a cute little golf cart to drive around the Island in and the wardrobe to fit the life style. Thanks Santa.

Christmas Lights in OC

Everyone who owns a model T or a vintage car was out tonight cruising the streets of Brea to enjoy the beauty of homes decorated for the season. From little children being pulled along the path in their wagons decorated with bright colored lights, to a golf cart pulling a large wagon full of guest, even a dog with a leash of lights out for his evening walk. Brea was the night spot for our Saturday evening outing.

Hot chocolate for $1.00, decorated Christmas cookies for sale and free candy canes, you can't beat this for a fun night on a cold crisp preChristmas evening. My pick for the winner of the Burdetta award was the young boy playing Christmas Carols on his keyboard in front of his beautifully decorated home while collecting a bucket full of dollar bills as tips. The walkers were enjoying a sing along and the drivers rolled their windows down to enjoy music. Happy people having fun. If this doesn't get you in the Christmas spirit, you would have to be a Scrooge.

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

It's the most wonderful time of the year.



Maybe the malls were decorated with Christmas cheer before Halloween and the radio was playing Christmas Carols before Thanksgiving, but I am a bit of a traditionalist.
Nothing in my house goes up until after Thanksgiving.

December 1, today it is officially the Christmas season at the Honescko house. Just dug out my piano music for Christmas Carols (simplified) and Crystal Cooper's CD, "It's An Old Fashion Christmas." Haven't had outdoor lights for several years. Thanks Johnny.

Today Christmas Carols are softly playing, cranberry bread is baking in the oven filling the house with the aroma of Christmas and I am going to read a the Christmas story from the book of Luke every day this week.

Thanksgiving Day

America is the only country in the world to celebrate Thanksgiving Day. Today is a day to reflect on what God has done in our families, our lives and our country. No matter what our political views are or whether or not we are an active believers in God, we cannot deny today as apart of the very foundation of America. Our founding fathers set aside one day to give glory to God for His protection, His guidance and their prosperity. They began life in America dependent on God Almighty, acknowledging and trusting Him for their very survival. And that is where I want to live my life, depending on God, trusting and acknowledging His work in my life.

2 Chronicles 7:14 tells us, " If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and heal their land.

America wake up, we are not great, we serve a great God.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

The Day Before Thanks Giving

If we set aside one day of the year to say thanks to God for all the blessing in our lives, then why shouldn't we also have one day to wallow in our self pity? One day when we can truly feel sorry for ourselves and be sad, one day of "all about me". Yes that is what today is going to be for me. The day before Thanksgiving.

I even found a scripture to justify my self centered Pity Party. James 4:9, "Be afflicted, weep, mourn, wail, turn your laughter into mourning and your joy into gloom." Now how is that for misinterpreting scripture.

Poor Poor Pitiful Me! Thanksgiving without my boys and seven of the grand kids. Tomorrow I promise to be grateful.

How to Make Your Mother Cry

It was definitely a conspiracy. They were all in on it, from Texas to California, not one of them even gave a hint. Talked to Paul on the phone, nothing, FB, no hints, Lynne just made sure I was home and had no plans, nothing unusual. We went to Lynne's open house at her new school, fabulous new location, great teachers, awesome kids, God is really blessing her school. After the open house everyone in our family was coming over for homemade pizza, something they all love to make.

Never is everyone available, there is always a teen social event that takes precedence over grandmas house. They never do that. But not this time, every one was coming. Johnny came home with me from the open house to help get dinner ready, he never does that and Joe sat in the living room where he could look out the window, he never does that, and I was busy in the kitchen, I always do that.

Dinner almost ready, pizzas in the oven and home made cream puffs filled with lemon curd ready for dinner. No low cal stuff for us today.

In walked Joey ready for his pizza! He had to be in L.A. tomorrow for business so he came a day early to spend some time with his mommy. It doesn't get much better than that.

And that is what makes a mother cry, tears of surprise and joy.