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Southern California Christmas

This past weekend I attended along with my husband a very sweet Christmas celebration.  We drank good wine and chatted with good friends.  It was as always a night here in southern CA where a light jacket was all that was needed.  One of the guest remarked how for him this weather didn't seem right for the Christmas season. This also had once been true for me a New Hampshire native. It took me many years to re-adjust my weather connection with the celebration of Christmas.  Our first experience in 1980 was 80 degrees on Christmas day!  Now after so many years and so many temp variations what the thermometer reads never matters.  What remains for me is that it will always be about the Christmas trees, decorations, and the lights.  I love how it all makes this time of year just so right and bright. 

Dear Jennie,

Today I promise you something new for you to watch me do. Each will take one hour. I will play at painting, study French, and read. The rest of the day will be filled with all the rest of my busy life. Bonne Nuit!

.

Vacation Home Yellow Kitchen Bliss

These are photos of our vacation home kitchen.  When we made the purchase of this home two months ago, I didn't notice the yellow color of this kitchen or the paint colors anywhere else in this house.  All I saw and felt was a wonderful space filled with natural light.  However I did notice the pot rack and a sweet place to show case special treasurers!

I'm looking forward to more time to hang out here with my family this coming Thanksgiving.

S

I haven't as yet found a color that I can claim as a signature color.  Yellow is a color that I've been to afraid to use in decorating however I love the way it makes me feel in this kitchen. I'm anxious to cook Thanksgiving dinner here this week.  Bliss!!!!

Gratitude

1. Coffee

2. Husband..He is a really good guy and he's smart also!

3. Family..I love them all so very deeply.

4. Vacation Home..A wish come true!

5. My dog Jennie..she is a good companion.

6. Health

7. Friends.

8. Books

9. Blogs

10. Holidays!

Happy Thanksgiving Blog World!  It's been about 3 years since I began this blog.  I love visiting blogs and visiting with so many creative bloggers.  My life has been enriched many times over by these visits.

16,000 Miles and it's Nice to be Home

Last week we were somewhere in Asia. Hong Kong, Japan at two different times, and Korea.  We took seven flights and in all traveled 16,000 miles.  I can honestly say that I've at last made a come back in the time of day.  At one point hours stopped to matter and only the fact that it was time to get a move on.  The reason for the trip was business, science business.  My husband is a scientist and he was an invited speaker at three meetings being held in the before mentioned countries.  My job was to hang out.  Something that I enjoy and seem to be getting very good at doing.  Each time, we entered a country and when asked the reason for my appearance in their country, I simply answered leisure.  Now that is not what I watched my husband doing.  It was nonstop work for him.  However he reassured me that never would he have undertaken so much work without me along.  What did I learn?  People every where want the same things, someone to love, a home, and friendship.  I also have a new respect for all the doctors and scientist that I met who really do care about doing something about cancer.  Maybe soon a cure will be found and the suffering of so many will end.  Hugs....

Seeds of Love

 Sometimes I wonder with all the sweet blankets I could buy, why do I spend so many hours making them.  I no longer remember how many I have made and given away.  I'd rather knit because I go off in the land of Knit and Create.  This time around it was the crochet hook that called my name.  These little flowers are very easy to make.  I found the pattern and thought I would give it a try. Here it is, resting like a queen in our vacation home. 

Family Visit

This is where my heart will stay.
Summer time with those I love in Cambria, CA!

 
 
 

Moving Day to the Central Coast of CA

 Friday this is what was parked in front of our home.  I mentioned in a previous blog how we had purchased a vacation home located in the Central Coast area of California.  Last Friday we sent up furniture from this 13 room house. Things are looking a little empty around here in 6 rooms.  What we have left will go into a smaller house closer to my husbands work.  It was hard to decide what should go.  I held in my head that this new home was all about cottage style.  Off went everything with an almost white slip cover, floral pink and white cover, pink floral or white for beds and some black accents not to forget my red desk!  We have a long way to go before it feels like home.  We are looking forward to enjoying many days with family in our storybook home.      Front yard and entrance to home

John, son John, Jennie and Ike returning after a very long walk down to the beach and back.  Jennie did not move for the rest of the day.  I stayed at the house waiting for a plumber.  Another story to tell soon.
Aren't these oaks pretty?  I need to find another home for the trash. 
This is a picture of the dining room leading to the front door. 

Thought I should share another corner of this house with you. This is the master bedroom.
Pretty in cottage style yellow.  

My Little House in the Woods

These past few weeks have been filled with over the top joy along with oh my god what have we done now thoughts.  This is a photo of our vacation home that became ours this month.  It's been empty of furniture for a few weeks and I'm anxious to fill it up with cottage style.  It was advertised as a storybook home and is for me the house of my dreams.  We have purchased several homes in the past however none has ever touched my heart like this one.  It reminds me of the storybook homes of Carmel, CA.

Isn't this garden interesting?  The central coast of CA is an area that has many water restrictions.  This garden is perfect for me.  I'll keep the many window boxes filled with herbs, lettuces, and flowers.

Becoming a For Sale Home

Today at 1 PM, our family had the most hysterical moment.  Everything and almost anything was in the air to happen.  Daniel asleep in his bed from a long evening of fun was in his bed.  Husband, John, with beer in hand was happily working at his computer.  Myself, about to pour a nice glass of white wine, heard the doorbell ring.  Dog, Jennie, our forever best greeter runs to front door.  Now any family putting their home up for sale would expect this kind of inconvenience.  However not mine.  I'm told from husband," They won't come."  From son, "Wake me if you get a call". As for myself, I'm in a frenzy with dust rag in hand with thoughts of, ' Yes, they will come." John, husband, hides beer.  Myself hides wine.  Next I run to open front door to find realtor lady and homebuyers.  Small talk of so sorry and off we go with sleepy son and dog.  Everybody expounding about how awful this moment is to their lives. I, myself wondering and yes knowing that these buyers were and never will be into cottage style.  Maybe something only covered in gold glitter.  So this is our Sunday.  Maybe next time someone who can love this home will come. This is a photo of the back of our home.  Our homes mayor, Jennie, hates to not greet all visitors.

The Girls in Cambria

I often wonder why they had to grow up because I miss them so much.  I live in CA, Christina in MN and Kathleen in OR.  We talk often and text however it can't compare to hanging out together. I love everything about them and am so proud of the both of my daughters.   Christina is hard at work raising four children and doing the art fair circuit in her community .  This picture was taken at our favorite spot to summer vacation near the central coast of CA.Cambria, CA