As always I enjoy all the work Disney’s Master Gardener’s put into keeping Disneyland and California Adventure parks full of colorful flower and foilage. With our weather being so cyclic it’s easy to see why spring has arrived early, especially at the parks. Such a delight to the senses!

Whenever I go to the parks I love to pay attention to the small things. Disney is all about attention to detail and if taken enough time I feel surrounded by just that, joy in all the little things that make the parks interesting every time I go. I’m also drawn to not only Disney merchandise that reminds me of loved ones, a small porcelain bird that I know my husband Jerry would love, a ceramic Captain for my good friend Bill Bell, maybe even a Mickey Fireman for Jeremy, Teresa Hord’s husband. For all my girlsfriends who have children, a silhouette framed and hanging in The Jolly Holiday Bakery Cafe, where there’s also a colorful stained glass window sporting a penquin waiter. Hi Steve Wilson and David Meyers! Sometimes overlooked doorways that say “Animation Department, Staff Entrance” are just waiting to be opened by one of their outstanding new Animators, Frank Pepito! And a small nod to my father, George, who when on a trip to Disneyland with our family once commented on all the wonderful, oranate ironwork all throughout the parks.

A lot of new changes are coming to both Disneyland Resort and California Adventure. During my visit today I noticed small flags above the entrance to Disneyland. Anyone have any information about these? It would be interesting to know the story behind them. The resurfacing and paint job of the Matterhorn is finally showing through the scaffold covering the outside of this large man made mountain. The Carthay Circle theater is looking quite beautiful as it rises above the outer walls of the construction area. Peaking out from behind the theater looms the Hollywood Tower Hotel. A refurbished building on the Hollywood Backlot stands tall with it’s disquinshed new colors, bearing the name of the Argyle Building. And another large screen printed cover hides the Blue Ribbon Bakery building over on Main Street in Disneyland. Definately lots of changes.

One of my favorite “extra’s” that Disney does during new construction in California Adventure, and maybe often ignored, are posters painted on the wooden walls that are put up to hide all the new creations going on in the park. Some posters proudly announcing a few of their well known rides such as Screamin’ or HTH with illustrations each with Disney’s unquie brand of enthusiasm. For me they practically jump off the wood and shout, stop and look at me. Talented artists took the time to create each and every one of these unique paintings. The posters also show illustrations of the many exciting changes undergoing construction and make me anxious to see them come to life. Such wonderful and exciting changes to look forward to.

Pluto quickly strolled off of Main Street in Disneyland leaving behind children and adults calling out his name for one last photo reminded me of one of the first photos we have of our son Matt near Cinderella’s Castle standing next to Pluto. Those photos have faded, though not the memories. I’ve never seen this character over in Bugs Land, his name is Heimlich from the Disney movie “A Bugs Life”. Seeing him munching on candy corn reminds me of a few of my friends who share my passion for sweets, right Beth and Maria Ah, the memories of eating too many Valentine hearts, or a melted box of See’s candy! haha! And who could live without the Little Green Men (also referred to as “LGMs”) in the movie Toy Story. I dare Kathleen Fuller to take a photo of her entire collection of these 3 eyed aliens and post it! Peaking out from the trees in A Bugs Land is a frazzled looking walking stick, “Slim”. He reminds me of how I feel and walk lately, well except for the slim part! haha! And can you just imagine a Disneyland without Tinkerbell. Shame. On. You. for even thinking about that. Nods to my sweet friend Pauline and daughter Valerie who both have given me many a beloved Tink Never last, never least, are 2 young girls wearing matching pink dresses walking hand in hand in the land of magic. Love you my sweet sis’s, Dee and Jill. In case other dear friends and family feel left out, never fear. I have a vast collection of Disneyland/California Adventure photos (another photo? said Jerry!) that reminds me of each and every one of you. Until next time……

I’m late posting photos, but as the saying goes, better late than never.

I had just gotten home after taking our houseguest Valerie to the airport (she went home to Illinois for the holidays) when I saw Jerry’s car in the driveway. I was so excited to see him home for lunch! I was sure he had come home to see me so I rushed in the front door to say “hi sweetie”. When he walked out of his study and I saw the look on his face I knew there was a different reason for him being home in the middle of the day. You know the rest of the story, another job lay off with the holidays right around the corner. This short story line leads up the photo of me with a very special person in my arms, baby Jack L. Hord. Carol’s daughter Teresa, husband Jeremy, and daugher Emily welcomed Jack into the world a few days after Thanksgiving this year. Jerry had gone back to work after telling me about the job lay off news, and I was on the phone with my girlfriend Pauline boo-hooing about it. I was in no mood to break away from my conversation with Pauline, despite Carol’s persistance. She called my cell several times, then the home phone. I finally gave in and took her call. She didn’t tell me that Teresa and Jack were with her, she didn’t know about Jerry’s recent job status. She just knew how much I loved her girls and T’s kids. I hung up with Pauline and waited for Carol to come over like she said she was going to do. When I answered the door I was so tickled. I also knew that I needed a baby’s love at that very moment to lift my heart. Thank you baby Jack, Teresa and Carol.

We started our festivities by having good friends Terry and Karen over to enjoy the Christmas vibe. Karen brought over hot chocolate and we enjoyed that while we opened our gifts.
It was Jerry’s year for all things Coke related. Maybe next year we’ll put up a small tree in his study to show off his Coke ornaments.It was the year of the fairy for me. I was blessed to receive Tink in many different forms this year and loved it. This was a Mary Cicely Barker calendar, another favorite artist of mine who illustrates exquisite fairies.

Terry’s gifts came in the form of Disney. Not too big of a surprise because that’s his mantra, his main thing, what makes his heart go thumpedy-thump. Karen and I went to an estate sale this last year that had a awesome amount of Disney items for sale. We found out as we were purchasing our items that the estate sale was due to a foreclosure which made it very sad. But in the end Terry got this shirt and a cool Disney blanket, so I was thankful for those gifts.

Next on our holiday festivities was spending Christmas eve with good friends the Bennets. Jill made everyone a wonderful mexican feast with delicious margarita’s, and Matt joined us for dinner that evening which was nice. In a festive mood Jill placed celebratory New Years eve crackers on each table setting which was a lot of fun.
Inside each cracker were crowns, a joke, and a prize. Each end of the cracker was tied up with twisty gold ball ties. Those ended up being the most entertaining, something akin to the box, not the contents. Patrick made “knuckle-cracking-beaters” out of his. Steve proudly shows off the paper crown. It seems to fit him just right, don’t you think? Jill bravely shows there is more than just 1 thing you can do with the New Years cracker ties thank you, while Matt tries not to notice that mom did not have her focus set right!

We had a nice treat this year with having both boys home for Christmas. Jason and his good friend Christina, better known as Chuck, made the long trek down from Arcata, Ca in his dependable blue Honda. Since it is about a 14 hour drive one way, they decided to stop over in San Fransico on their way down. It had been almost 2 years since we’d seen Jason last, so we were all very excited. Christmas morning was nice. We slept in a bit, and Matt drove down from Newport Beach to open gifts with us. Matt appreciated his gifts as did Jason, of course, yet the best part for Jerry and I was the fact that we had both the boys home for the holidays at the same time.
As part of our family tradition, we traveled down to San Diego for Christmas day dinner at Patty’s cousin’s house. Greg and Doreen make the best prime rib known to mankind and are the most gracious of hosts. Getting to see Greg’s parents, and Patty’s closest aunt Lou and uncle Jim who live a stone’s throw away, is another part of the wonderful tradition, as is seeing a whole host of other family members. It is time spent with great food and spirits, lots of wonderful stories around a long table, and best of all simply the best family a girl could ever wish for.

Before you dive into this blog you might wonder if these topiaries at Disney World and Disneyland Resort are real. I am not sure if the Peter Pan and Snow White topiaries shown here at Disney World in Florida are real, but I do know the others are as I’ve seen them up close. The only part that is not real on the topiaries in Disneyland Resort is the yellow main on the lion. That is made out of some synthetic fiber. I hope this bit of information is helpful.

My girlfriend Pauline took these topiary photos while on a trip to Disney World in Florida with her 2 children, David and Valerie, a place I someday hope to enjoy to the fullest. I am a huge fan of Tinkerbell, for those of you who don’t know me well. I love the fact that Peter Pan is getting some recognition in these topiaires, he’s really how Tinkerbell came to be know now isn’t it?

This topiary of Snow White and a few of her adorable dwarfs is just remarkable. I wonder why they can’t do this in Disneyland or California Adventure. Maybe because of Florida’s climate, where it is more humid. The California sun can sure beat down on our horticulture.

I’m not saying Disneyland doesn’t have some amazing topiaries, as shown here with their lion ornamental tree. I’ve looked at this lion up close and the mane is made out of some kind of synthetic fibers. This particular topiary is over by It’s A Small World, where they have the largest variety of topiaries in all of Disneyland and California Adventure displayed.

I love their swan featured also by It’s A Small World. The pink flowers are geraniums and are remind me of a peacocks feathers.

I’d like to introduce you to the newest members of the Tinkerbell family here at the Fuller household. They reside in the guest room, where this 19″ Tinkerbell doll joins 2 Chatty Cathy’s and a few other antique dolls, 1 of which was given to me by my good friend Beth. She knows how much I love dollies.

Hallmark came out this year with 2 Tinkerbell ornaments and since I collect them I had to get both. I love this one with the starburst as it is very different than the others I have.

This Tinkerbell sitting on her mushroom is similiar to one I have from a few years back. The detail on these is just amazing. So, there you have. 3 more Tinks. And I am sure more to come.