Ecke Flower Show

Renate invited a few of us to join her Thursday, April 15th at the annual Ecke Flower show.  This is an event staged for flower growers and buyers all over the world at the greenhouses at Ecke Ranch in Encinitas. It's not open to the public but we got to attend because Edgar has worked for Ecke for over 30 years (he's a big muckity-muck there).  We got the grand tour from Edgar with introductions to all the new varieties they have created and lots of other information about the gorgeous plants.  Coincidentally, the 15th is Edgar's birthday.

All along the drive and up to the entrance of the greenhouses were these huge baskets of daisies.

A daisy close-up.

A display of hanging baskets.

A double begonia.  There are so many colors.  It's hard to imagine anything so beautiful.

The display of snap dragons.

The impatiens come in many neon-like colors. 

That's Marshall Weintraub, President of the Encinitas Chambe of Commerce, as we all sing "Happy Birthday" to Edgar.

Norma bought a cake for our little ceremony.

Lake San Marcos Fishing and Casting April Dance

We dressed up as cowboys and cowgirls for our Western Hoe-down Tuesday, April 13th.  Norma and I were slackers that night after our hard work on Saturday at Don's 75th Karoake deal.  These are the only pictures I took.

Harry, the President of the club, with Terri and Dennis.  Those are real pigtails.  Boy, was she hot in a mini skirt you can't see and cowboy boots!

John Wayne agreed to pose with a few of us.  That's George Bush at the left, a former resident of the Lake, with Ray, Verna, John, Eli, Gene, Jim and Dennis.  We had a great table thanks to the efforts of Nancy Broach and Evie Williams and a fun evening that included lots of line dancing and Texas Two Step.

Don's 75th Birthday

Just when you thought we couldn't possibly have more fun, Carol Alexander arranges a 75th birthday party for Don in the Kreis's garage. And of course Karoake is involved. There were 52 of us and it was a blast. Be sure not to miss the short video below.

The beautiful Happy Birthday Don banner right above the essential disclaimer "What Happens In The Garage Stays In The Garage"....you wish.

Our hostess, Carol, in a lovely overall ensemble accessorized with a jaunty red bandana. Joining her are Judy Widener and Dian Pedersen.

Don sports his bandana as a hippie headband.

What event at the Lake is anything without a ducking? This birthday duck mysteriously appeared on one of the card tables. No one seems to know who's responsible. I suspect Mary Kreis.

Don Kreutzberg surveys the lavish hors d'oeuvres table.

Pat Kreutzberg with Norma Beall, Sandy Rhatigan and Fran Geneau.

Linda Rich and John Andrew. Unfortunately, Katie was under the weather for this event.

That's me with Tom Strathairn and Harry Bubnack.

John Lee raises a toast to Brigitte, our very excellent bartender.

Looking ever so cute, Jeannine and Evie.

Mary and Red Coffman came over from the Chateau Lake San Marcos.

Jim and Nancy Broach had a great evening.

Blindfolded, Geri Sweat is pinning a Part On The Old Fart. This is a throw back to the pin-the-tail-on the donkey we used to play at birthday parties. That's a moustache she's sticking to his arm. Needless to say, she didn't win.

Eli and Fran share a special moment.

Wayne Widener is overwhelmed by the buffet table.

Terri Strathairn, Evie Williams, Mary Kreis and Lisa DeLucchi are performing "Tequila". As they were having far more fun entertaining the group, they forgot to yell "Tequilla" a few times. And it is the only lyric in the song.

Judy Widener dances with an oil can on her head. It was the elegant receptable for our table arrangements.

Some of the singers enjoying a tune.

Don't miss the short video. I'm saving all the really bad stuff (and there's plenty of it) for a longer DVD to be distributed to my friends, some of whom are musically talented and some are more challenged.

The Easter Bunny Came!!!

There is a mysterious party (at least one) who plays Easter Bunny in the neighborhood.  See our special gifts below.

This artsy bunny made of vines has a little pouch on his back which you can't see.  It was filled with a big Reese's Easter Egg.  Yum!

This crazy little guy wedged on our wrought iron gate just has to be from Tom and Tink...or maybe Dennis and Jeannine...or maybe Pat and Don Kreutzberg.  The possibilities are endless.

These were all nestled in the plants along our front walk.  Of course they are all filled with candy. Quite a bonanza.  I think all of this was the work of more than one rabbit.

And to top it all off, there was a real female duck walking around our back patio this morning.  I wish I'd gotten a photo but she was gone before I could get the camera.  Perhaps Pat Kreutzberg coaxed her there.

Cotillion Mardi Gras

One of the festivals we at Lake San Marcos love to experience is Mardi Gras. This party, held at the Country Club on March 24th, was as colorful and authentic as you can get.

The Committee who produced the affair: Ken and Norma Beall, Terri and Tom Strathairn, Dian and Art Pedersen and Carol and Don Alexander.

That's me with Darlene and Wally.

Evie and Gene Williams with Lisa Seiler and Sue Bubnack.

Lee Abel shares a table with Les Moore and Juanita Reep. Carol Alexander (masked) visits with them.

The tables and centerpieces were quite colorful and festive.

Jane Brown in splendid pink feathers attended with Les Loveday.

Jack Anstein came with Sylvia Sherwood wearing a very exotic mask.

"Chief Thunder Thud"

Peter and Judith Bitto in their beads and masks.

Norma and Terri were our check-in hostesses.

Three lovely ladies: Mary Kreis with Evie and Carol.

George Boase (who celebrated his 97th birthday at a recent party) with Shirley Johns. Don't miss the video of George and Shirley below.

Renate and Edgar Engert in matching Mardi Gras splendor.

Vern Peckham and Pat Jordan wearing vibrant masks.

Oscar and Virginia Zoebisch, also in coordinated Mardi Gras accessories.

I ordered our masks from New Orleans. They are nice but not nearly as elaborate as some, as you can see.

Dian and Art, who chaired this event. They did a magnificent job--even down to our jambalaya entree.

Tom and Tink who wore an elegant purple velvet coat that once belonged to her aunt.

For the last dance of the evening we requested music for a conga line.

Be sure not to miss the video of George (at 97) dancing with Shirley.