Birthday Week for Janet Feb 17-23

Since my birthday was approaching, it was all about me over the week-end.   I drug Allan off to Sunnylands Center & Gardens (during Modernism Week).  Sunnylands is the estate of Walter & Leonore Annenberg, former Ambassador to Great Britain.  The Center was being showcased by John Berley (pictured here), the architect of the Center...replicating Mid-Century Modern Architecture.

They refer to Sunnylands as the Camp David of the West.. many Presidents have been entertained here.

 

Prior to Leonore's death in 2009, she began to build this spectacular 17,000 sq foot building that would provide space for retreats and meetings.

Here's the Center from the gardens.  Notice the "floating roof"...which the architect pointed out. 

 

Inside the Center are two support walls...covered in lava tiles.  Quite unique.

 

Nine-acres of gardens which include over 60 species of native and arid-adapted plants from North & South America, African and the Mediterranean

Just loved the gardens...show me cacti and I'm there.  I'm a desert girl now, you know.

 

And as you explored the gardens, we ended up in a labyrinth.  Of course, Allan, the engineer, liked this concept.

Had to make a reservation for the home tour...next trip.

 

That evening we celebrated my 66th Birthday (oh, I'm getting up there) at my favorite restaurant, The Lavender Bistro.

 

Then on my actual Birthday...there was a parade for me in downtown Indio.

(Actually it was the Riverside County Fair and International Date Festival Parade...but I decided it was all for ME!)  Off to the Fair in the afternoon to see all of the exhibits, races and concerts.

 

And more celebrating at Sally & Alan's, our neighbors, who had us all for dinner (2-21).

Met our new neighbors who bought the house beside us...Mitzie and Mike (who have a house at Donner Lake...small world).

 

We're blowin' out the candles...celebrating all of our birthdays (Karen, Janet & Alan in February); (Sally & Allan E.... in March) 

Our annual Birthday Dinner with Sally's Italian Creme Cake (which was to die for).

 

Friday (2-22) was a busy day...stopped by to water our garden at the Senior Center. 

Allan planted it the day before while I was at my Usher Training. 

Not only did they provide the tubs, hoses and dirt...but they also provided the plants.

Can't beat that!  Hopefully we'll get some veggies before we leave in May.

 

Then it was to downtown Indio for the Chalk Festival.

You know Indio is known for the 'City of Festivals'.

This was my favorite...see the shark...quite the artist here.

 

Birthday week ended with the "Neil Diamond" Tribute concert at Spotlight 29 Casino. 

You would have thought Neil was there.  Great music.