Vintage Photo Friday

September 12, 1929.  Groundbreaking ceremonies for the construction of Sepulveda Boulevard.  The 4-lane precursor to the 405 opened in 1935 and was hailed in the L.A. Times as a "new and wondrous highway" over the mountains, vastly superior to the overcrowded Cahuenga Pass and Laurel Canyon.

 All photos posted by Scott Harris on the L.A. Times Photography Site

The 405 expansion project otherwise known as "Carmageddon 2" begins today with ramp closures starting at 7 p.m. and lane closures starting at 10 p.m. By midnight, the I-405 freeway will be completely closed between the I-10 and U.S. 101 until Monday at 6 a.m., cutting off the biggest North-South artery in the city for 53 hours.

February 29, 1960.  The northern portion of the construction zone of the 405 Freeway through the Santa Monica Mountains.  Published reports at the time highlighted the size of the project:  18 million cubic yards of earth were removed.

Carmageddon 1, last year wasn't so terrible.  Everyone stayed in their neighborhoods and only traveled when absolutely necessary during the weekend.  Hopefully, this weekend will be a repeat of last year....less air pollution and a very calm weekend.  Have a great one!

February 8, 1961.  Giant earth-mover rumbles down path of what will be the right-of-way of the San Diego Freeway (Interstate 405).  The Mulholland Drive bridge, opened in 1960, sits in background.  Sepulveda Boulevard runs through photo, but will be relocated.  Once built, I-405 will be 90 fee below the bridge.

License to Snap

We hardly saw ANY vanity license plates in Yucca Valley, Joshua Tree or 29 Palms last weekend.  The plates below were spotted in and around the "ME" people of Los Angeles!

Yom Kippur 2012

Mural @ Canter's Deli on Fairfax Ave., Los Angeles

Today's post is HERE.

Fine Dining in the High Desert

Pool and Restaurant @ The 29 Palms Inn

There's not a lot of fine dining establishments in the tri-city area of the high desert, Yucca Valley, Joshua Tree and Twentynine Palms.  Most of the dining choices consist of Mom 'n Pop greasy spoon-coffee shops, BBQ joints and lots of chain fast food places like McDonald's, Del Taco, Pizza Hut, etc.   There are a couple of exceptions though.  There's a newish place in Twentynine Palms called Bistro 29.  We haven't tried it yet, but it's on our list for our next trip.

Last Friday, after checking into the Fairfield Marriot Hotel in 29, we relaxed a bit and swam a few laps in the swimming pool.  

Bar @ the 29 Palms Inn

By around 7-ish we decided to amble over to the 29 Palms Inn restaurant for dinner. The Inn has their own vegetable garden.  They make their own soups and sourdough bread.  The food is prepared with care and finesse.  The portions are generous and the ambiance is comfortable and decidedly mid-20th century. The full bar is one of the most popular places in town.  We LOVE the 29 Palms Inn!

The Inn wasn't too busy on this warm Friday night.  Usually, you need a reservation, but it's a bit early in the season for crowds.  We each had fresh green salads with lots of extras.  Their house oil & vinegar dressing has a touch of sweetness to it and is yummy.  The sourdough bread was warm.  Hmmmmm.

Pork Tenderloin

Snapper

Larry ordered the Pork Tenderloin.  I ordered the Catch of the Day which was Snapper.  Both dinners were served with delicious veggies, fresh from the garden and a baked potato.  

There was a singer, entertaining just outside the dining room, at the pool.  It was a lazy, lovely and romantic dinner, enhanced by the warm desert breeze and the swaying palms outside.
Our chain hotel offers a complimentary breakfast bar.  This is perfect for us.  We can have a full breakfast or just toast, yogurt, coffee and juice.  Larry opted for his beloved Fruit Loops.  He NEVER has this type of sugary cereal at home.  We were on vacation!

Larry's cereal matches the upholstery!

 After a bit of shopping at the Sky Village Swap Meet and hitting a few more antique stores on Saturday, we were ready for lunch.  One of the best places for fresh, delicious food in Joshua Tree is the Crossroads Cafe.  The place is under new ownership.  The current crew has cleaned up the place, streamlined the ordering process, but has maintained the freshness of the food.  There are lots of healthy choices at Crossroads, making this a fave stopping place for the hikers in nearby Joshua Tree National Park.

 
Larry ordered his fave sandwich, BLTA, bacon, lettuce, tomato and avocado on wheat toast.  I ordered the soup of the day which was Beer/Cheese soup with a side of cornbread.  True, my lunch wasn't the healthiest choice, but it certainly was tasty.

BLTA on wheat and Beer/Cheese Soup w/cornbread

So, if you plan ahead when visiting the High Desert, you can avoid the fast food chains and partake of some delicious meals!

Thrift Shops of the High Desert

 Frankhoma Pottery

On Friday, Larry and I drove out to the High Desert for the weekend.  We arrived in Yucca Valley around 12:30 and immediately stopped at some of our favorite thrift shops and antique stores along Highway 62 in Yucca, Joshua Tree and 29 Palms.  We've found many wonderful items over the years out in the desert.  Our house is so packed with "treasures," that now, I usually only photograph the large items that I see.  Sometimes I break down and actually purchase something though.  This trip I bought an interesting beaded handbag and a few small pieces of vintage Corning Ware.  

My New/Old Beaded Purse

 Larry bought some books, vinyl records and a couple of more collectibles.

 

Thrift Shops are where old crocheted blankies go to die

Easter Island Statue....4-1/2 Feet Tall!

We contemplated buying this Danish-Like chair, but passed.

Crocheted Scrubbies

 It was a glorious weekend in the High Desert.  More adventures tomorrow.

Vintage Photo Friday

Yucca Boulevard, Yucca Valley, 1952

(click on photo to embiggen)

On of our favorite areas is the tri-city area of Yucca Valley, Joshua Tree and 29 Palms in California's high desert.  It's a bit cooler here than the Palm Springs area and waaaaay more funky and rural.  The desert vistas are amazing.

I borrowed this photo from the Los Angeles Public Library Photo Archives.  It is from their Herald Examiner collection.  The description reads, "Business signs (G&M Market, Callahan's, Hi-Desert Hardware, Union 76, Valley Rexall Drugs, Real Estate) advertise on this stretch of Yucca Boulevard.  A Joshua tree is in the foreground and mountains provide a backdrop to the town." Photo dated July 20, 1952 (which just happens to be my birthday)!

The season is gearing up in the tri-city area.  Check out The Sun Runner's Calendar for upcoming events.  Stay cool for the weekend everyone!

Fall Fashions

Barbie's "Ponytail" carrying case, Mattel 1961

I just joined this group on Ravelry called "Good Things Together."  The group description reads, "We are a great bunch of people who enjoy creating Good and Beautiful things Together, be it knitting, crochet, amigurumi, card making, sewing, photography, scrapbooking, stitchmarkers, boxes, potholders, origami, etc.  Let’s share our love for craft and make Good Things happen Together!"

Well, this week the group is having a fall fashion show for dolls, preferably Barbie, Bratz, etc.    Many of the members have even reinvented their dolls!  They've re-painted faces, changed wigs, modified bodies and more!  It's a real Frankenstein online get-together!  This sounded intriguing to me, since I've saved both of my Barbie dolls from my youth, along with her Ponytail carrying case, clothes and accessories.  My hoard is in fairly good shape too.

I whipped out my tiny crochet hook and some Koigu sock yarn, along with some #5 Perle crochet cotton and some old silk fabric and fashioned two outfits for the fall show!

Here is “Chilly Day.”  My 1961 Barbie is sporting a Koigu crocheted skirt (granite stitch), along with a cranberry long sleeve sweater (crocheted with DMC Perle Cotton #5). She has her store-bought rain boots on just in case!  

Later, Barbie decided to whip out her matching rain hood to protect her bubble hair-do from the blustery day! 

 

My vintage 1959 Barbie has decided to go shopping today in Chinatown for early holiday gifts. She’s wearing a full skirt sewn from the hem of a pants-leg from vintage Chinese pajamas. Her striped turtle-neck is store-bought, as are her shoes. To protect her from the chill, she decided to add her Chinese Red crocheted shawl made from DMC Perle Cotton #5. Barbie’s shawl has a pearl closure to match her original pearl earrings. Her red satchel is store-bought and should be able to hold all of the great gift items she purchases in Chinatown today!

After a busy day, both Barbies met back at home to check out their closet and what they might wear tomorrow for more adventures.

Okay, I think I'm done playing with dolls for awhile.  Time to get back to adult yarny items!

License to Snap

A few more vanity license plates snapped around town...

You can see my reflection in this spotless car!

Obviously, a music fan

Larry is definitely my bashert!

Mexico

Cousin Sasha, Ita and Larry at La Taqueria in Ensenada

On Friday Larry and I zoomed down to San Diego and met up with my cousin, Sasha at his downtown office. We picked up his girlfriend, Ita and started our trip to Baja California. In record time we were in downtown Ensenada at a little taqueria next to Hussong's eating the most delicious tacos!

Next stop, La Bufadora, which is a natural geyser at the ocean's edge. It was a rather cool sight.

La Bufadora, at restLa Bufadora, doin' it's thangShops near La Bufadora

Our destination was La Fonda resort, a bit north of the town of Ensenada. This is a cool, folk-art-like environment right on the beach. The restaurant and bar are both good, the rooms are funky but have all of the necessities. It's really about waking up in the morning and seeing the gorgeous beach and ocean right outside your window.

Our Rooms at La FondaView of La Fonda from the BeachView from Balcony at La Fonda
Breakfast at La Fonda

We spent the weekend, lazing around, drinking, eating and generally having a relaxing time! Thanks, Sasha and Ita for a wonderful weekend!

Lobster Dinner with Sasha and Ita

שנה טובה

A very simple, elegant table for the New Year

L'Shana Tovah. Happy New Year to all of my family and friends. Starting last night at sundown and continuing through night fall tonight is the Jewish holiday, Rosh Hashonah.
I like to have just a small celebration with my immediate family. Typically, I serve gefilte fish with horseradish, sliced apples and honey to start.

Gefilte Fish w/Red Horseradish; slice of Apple w/Honey

THEN, I cook up some of Aunt Luba's Lokshen Kugel, along with roast chicken and special candied carrots. The carrots are cut like little coins to symbolize wealth in the New Year. Many of the foods associated with Rosh Hashonah are sweet like the apples and honey to assure that you will also have sweetness in the year to come.

Lokshen Kugel, Candied Carrots, Roast Chicken

I think I've got all the bases covered in the food insurance department for a sweet, successful and happy New Year!

Fotografias Antiguos de Viernes

Translation: Vintage Photo Friday

Today, Larry and I driving to San Diego to meet up with my Cousin, Sasha and his g.f. We'll be driving down to Ensenada for the weekend. I haven't been to Ensenada in at least 30 years. When I was in college (San Diego State), we used to drive down to Baja California for the weekend frequently. The beaches are gorgeous.
I look forward to a sun-filled, beer-soaked lazy weekend! Adios!

Ten un buen fin de semana, mis amigos!

Finished Items

"Maria-Josita Shawlette" with Trim

In-between big sweater projects, afghan projects and a multitude of other unfinished knit and crochet projects lurking in tote-bags in my house, I managed to finish three smaller projects in the last few weeks.
I made this teal Seraphina shawlette for Mary Jo's birthday. The yarn was given to me by Mary Jo. It's Araucania Ranco Solid yarn in a fingering weight. It is a delight to work with. After crocheting this shawlette, I decided it needed a startling border color to set off the green. I chose some hot pink for the edge!

"Maria-Josita Shawlette" before adding startling border color

I'm hooked on the Ballband Washcloth. I love the brick design and texture. The one thing I do not like in the original pattern are the raggedy edges, especially after washing. I found this formula for tidy edges. I love it and will use this version of the pattern from now on.

Tidy Edges for Ballband Washcloth

"Bricked" Washcloth

I also finished a log cabin pattern washcloth. Making the log cabin pattern out of cotton is rather difficult. Picking up the cast off edges in stiff cotton is tough compared to using softer and more flexible yarn. This is the reason my cloth is slightly wonky. Oh well, it's colorful and will still work well as a spa cloth!
Both of the cloths were paired with some lilac soap as a gift for Beth's birthday.

"Rothko" Washcloth