I'm (not) ready for my close-up, Mr. Deville......

The Lily Belle at Disneyland

This was one of the highlights of our Disney trip; after all the times (probably over 20) that I've been to Disneyland, I'd never ridden the Lily Belle, nor really knew anyone could. I had seen the trains of course; it was Dorian's favorite pastime to ride past the "dinosaurs" over and over again. Before we boarded the train one morning, James pointed to the Lily Belle; which was attached to that particular train, and said; "I want to ride in that car! He asked the conductor how to go about getting a ride, and was told that we needed a reservation; and that the resevations fill up fast! So the first thing the next morning, we went to Main Street Station to make a resevation, and found that allthough it was only 9:30 all but three spots were taken!

I just did some research and learned more about the Lily Belle; as well as reading This article


Shortly after Disneyland opened, Walt told his wife Lillian that he would like to build a parlor car. It would be great to ride outside on the Santa Fe and Disneyland Railroad studying landscape, buildings, etc. Maybe have lunch on the train, discuss plans for future ideas of Disneyland. All of this came as a result of Walt's great enthusiasm for trains. Now the open car from the first passenger train has been converted into an elegant parlor car, or the President car, so named in honor of the first president of the Disneyland Railroad, who was Walt Disney.

A picture of the Lily Belle interior; taken some years ago and not by me!

Waiting in Main Street Station for the train

The last day we were at Disneyland was dreadfully hot; at least for our standards; and we were tired, but we still had a memorable day. We started the day with beignets and mocha's (thank goodness!) at the Mint Julep Bar; and then after we baked in the sun a bit and were really getting quite cranky; found our way to the Dole Pineapple bar; which I had somehow managed to avoid ever going to! Mmmmm; fresh pineapple juice in the heat was glorious! I fulfilled my life-long dream to have a drink with an umbrella by ordering a pineapple float, which was fresh pineapple juice and pineapple soft-serve ice cream! Just what the doctor ordered! And Elvis shared with me and cooled down his poor flushed cheeks! Since it was our fourth day and we were out of gas; we had a laid-back day involving riding the train around the park several times for a break for our poor feet; and shopping, which I learned was my favorite ride! We had bought each boy (except Elvis) a gift card to use at Disneyland; and James sister was soooo generous and did the same! So each boy had plenty of money to buy what they liked. Andrew was determined to buy a genuine leather fedora, like Indiana Jones; and found one at a store in Frontierland. At over $50; it is not something that he would have ever had the opportunity to buy otherwise; but after talking to him a bit and urging him to sleep on it to make sure it was what he really, really wanted; it was nice to see his excitement after he was able to wear it out of the store. Later the same night; a family we met from Australia complimented the hat; and it turned out the dad of the family purchased that very same hat! To Andrew; this convinced him of the value of it; because everyone (apparently) knows that Aussies are the authority on leather fedoras! I got a sparkly pink Minnie Mouse travel coffee mug, and two tops; I had to convince James to spend money on himself; but he got a Pirates of the Caribbean (the ride, not the movie) beer mug, an apron that makes him look like Mickey Mouse, and a wire whisk for his famous breakfasts. I also saw a darling Alice in Wonderland tea set; and bought a teacup and saucer for my best friend, who adores all things Alice; and has never been to Disneyland!

After being at Disneyland from 9 to 6; I was completely exhausted, and while I love Disney; I was ready to leave while I was still on two legs! The boys were fired up about getting their last kicks in, so after walking Elvis and I to the hotel to collapse in bed, my poor tired husby brought the other four boys back to Disneyland for a last hurrah. They went on more rides, and stayed to watch the fireworks; which was an excellent ending to the vacation of our dreams!

The title refers to the fact that I am only a few weeks away from my market debut; and feeling very much like a scared starlet! What if they don't like me? What if I flop? This is my first time selling my products face to face; and I really don't know what to expect. I met a lot of the vendors today, and they are a friendly, home-spun bunch!  I just hope I can fit in! One dear older lady who sells knit wares, came up to our table and introduced herself and gave us great advice for having a shared booth, and we met the face painter, a young woman just out of college; who does the market with her father.  Everyone was very welcoming, I just hope I don't disappoint! After the vendor meeting my best friend and I took a shopping spree to a craft store to buy displays and booth decor. We had lots of fun, and I think the booth will be great!

I found fabric for the sheer train on my mom's wedding dress, just waiting on the silk charmuese, and I will be sewing away!

I hope to have a relatively productive evening, since last night I put my hair in curlers, laid down "for a minute" and was dead to the world until morning!

Have a great Sunday!

Que Sera, Syrah....

Wow! I had such a great weekend! On Saturday; after doing my usual grocery store rounds and errands, I got to spend some time with my oldest friend. We've known each other since we were practically infants, and although distance and a difference in lifestyle have taken us apart over the years, she's one of those friends that you can not see or speak to for years, then resume your friendship as though you had just spoken the day before. She recently got married, so we've had fun rekindling our friendship by doing "wifely" and domestic things, like going to Costco together, or just lunch. When we were growing up, there was a little tiny, old drive-in restaurant in the town we lived in called "The Hungry Onion". I wish I had pictures, the old neon onion is still there, lit as brightly as ever. This place has been there since the fifties, and was a staple when we were kids in the eighties. I've enjoyed revisiting it over the years, and often take my boys in the summer, but my friend hadn't been there in at least fifteen years. So we packed up baby Elvis and went to the Hungry Onion. We had a great time, and Elvis even partook in the food (I know, bad Mama; but he wanted it sooo much!). We had a great, bad-for-you meal and then went back to her house for what was supposed to be a movie afternoon, but we ended up ignoring the movie and talking the whole time!

On Sunday, James and I had one of our rare "dates"; at a local winery. Ste. Chapelle. It's only about a 30 minute drive; through wonderful country scenery; including driving by the most wonderfully named road in existence: Chicken Dinner Road. That name conjures up a lovely Sunday family dinner, and is strangely poetic. At the restaurant we went to beforehand, they had some local info and I finally found out the secret to the prosaic name. In the 30's there was a woman who lived on the poorly maintained road who made a mean fried chicken dinner. After some town officials partook of her famous fried chicken; the road was fixed, and named after her best dish. So sweet! One of those local things you only find out about when you take the time to visit smaller towns. As always when James and I get a chance to go out together, we look at each other and remark that we forgot about being a couple, and are always pleased to find out that in addition to loving each other, we actually do like each other, and all the things we connected on when we were dating are still there; it's so easy to get caught up in the day-to-day trials and forget to be great friends as well as husband and wife. We don't get a chance to go out often, but when we do it always helps us have a greater appreciation for the other person, and helps get us through those times when the stresses of the day overwhelm us.

Now, in case you were wondering; I do know that the song Doris Day made famous is actually spelled "Que Sera, Sera", the silly name comes from a wine we tasted on Sunday that I absolutely fell in love with, called Syrah; named after a particular dark-skinned grape, which are the type shown in the picture. I don't normally love dry red wines, but this particular one was divine. It reminded me of those old York Peppermint Patty commercials, where one bite would transport you to a whole different place. When I sipped the Syrah; I could envision myself in a bubble bath, with no laundry! I love coffee and dark chocolate, and this wine hit on all the same notes. James made a joke about the song when we were served it, and I've had that silly song in my head ever since!

I've got a busy week ahead of me, including having my carpet cleaned, which is my favorite thing ever.

Happy Monday All!