December 2011 Entries
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Nothing says the holidays like gingerbread houses. At La Costa Glen, residents recently enjoyed all the fun without the fuss of decorating delectable miniature cottages. Everything from gumdrops to Red Hots, licorice and icing were used to fashion the fairy-tale houses.
Decorating their confectionary classic are Skippy and Vic Freudenberger.
Betty Holst and Bixby Smith also joined in the sweet festivities.
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By Michele Chaffee
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For the month of December, Lakeside will display a most unique collection of "art quilts" crafted by the niece of resident Ann Torrey. The quilt artist, Ann Loveless, produces miniature fabric quilts that look just like paintings. They range in size from 4"x 6" to 13"x17". They
are exquisite in detail and must be seen to be believed and yes, they are all quilts!
Ann Loveless lives in Michigan and found her calling in the art of landscape quilting when she combined her love of textiles with her love of art. Most of her designs are inspired by...
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By Marion Goe
This year our La Costa Glen residents are in for another treat when they view the dollhouse that Joan Chitiea calls her "labor of love." She is indeed an artisan, with many years of experience in wood crafting, who volunteered to assemble the doll house that will become a fund raiser for our Camp Pendleton Marine families. She has acquired the help of John Morris, and Marcie and David Dana who have become part of this co-op effort.
Joan was intrigued when she realized the dollhouse was almost the image of the farmhouses that she admired and remembered as...
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By Orpha Cade
You haven't met a real live Santa Claus or a Saint Nicholas until you've met Vic Freudenberger. Vic, a former Marine, now 91, has enjoyed serving as both since 1958 or for more than 50 years, and he still hangs on to his terrific costumes. A pillow is a problem solved for this tall, lean man.
Over three generations, Vic has appeared as Santa for many groups of young children, among them Boys and Girls Clubs. As St. Nicholas, he enjoys giving foil (chocolate) coins to each child. One of his favorite experiences was visiting abused women and children...
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By Carole Eibelheuser
Jay Eibelheuser and his cross-country Christmas cactus.
Holly, ivy, mistletoe and the Christmas rose are popular. Ivy leaves symbolize eternity and resurrection—its leaf has been associated with the Egyptian God, Osiris, and the Greco- Roman God, Attis, (both of whom were reportedly resurrected from the dead.) Mistletoe is a Christmas plant whose origins date back to the Pagans. Druid priests used this plant in their winter celebrations.
One of my favorite gifts to send from a great catalog is the stunning amaryllis. The colors are not only cheerful, but amazing.
Plants and flowers bring joy when chosen in the spirit of...