Christmas in California

We drove down to Santa Barbara on Christmas Eve day to pick up Kristen, who flew in from Denver to join us for Christmas!  We enjoyed a nice late lunch at Brophy Brothers seafood restaurant which is located in the harbor and since we were sitting out on the deck with a view of the water, I had time to check out all the beautiful boats. 

We exchanged our gifts on Christmas Eve, as we planned to drive to San Francisco on Christmas Day.

We drove up to San Francisco on a rainy Christmas Day and enjoyed hanging out with the family at Denise and Tim's new house.

 Tom, Helena, Tim and Grant

 Kristen, Helena with Ginger, and Denise

After spending the night, we headed for home, after checking out the Golden Gate Bridge.

Weather

Yes, we've had "weather".  It's been raining off and on (mostly on) for a week - so far the total rainfall (collected in our garden) has been 5.40 inches.  Not bad.  The Salinas River, which normally is just sand and bushes is running bank to bank with muddy water!  And the little dry creek behind our house actually has some water running in it!

Casey, who loves to spend her days outside prowling and sleeping in the sun, has not been pleased with becoming a "house-cat".

The storm passed over Monday afternoon and we were lucky enough to be able to view the lunar eclipse.  My photos aren't very good - don't have a powerful enough zoom, but here's a little sequence.

And this is my favorite....couldn't hold the camera steady, but I like the results nevertheless.



Little orange mushroom like plants have sprung up all over the entryway into Spanish Lakes.

This afternoon the sun was shining while it was raining

and we had a lovely sunset.

Next storm is due in a couple of days - just in time for Christmas! 

Hope you're enjoying this beautiful season!

Foggy Morning Walk

I walked over to the small lake this morning. It was very foggy, but I was hoping to find some wildlife or capture the sunrise. I'm sure the sun rose, but the fog did an excellent job of hiding it. As for wildlife, I noticed signs of deer and coyote and saw mallards and coots on the lake. Since I couldn't see very far, I concentrated on things close to me.  Come join me - you won't even get your feet wet!

Each moment of the year has it's own beauty.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

I'm Back

Did you miss me?  We've been changing our internet provider, phone service, television, etc. and have been "off-line" for over a week.  I must say I've really missed being able to check emails, catch up on blogs, surf the 'net, etc. 

In the meantime, Thanksgiving came and went.  We celebrated by driving over to Cambria and having a Thanksgiving brunch at Cambria Pines Lodge. 

Here are a few random photos from the last couple of weeks.

Thanksgiving portrait

 Moonstone Beach in Cambria on Thanksgiving Day



 A beautiful sunrise

 The full moon

 An early morning visitor snacking on our icy bushes

Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving.  

Fall Colors

California is not noted for its fall color, but if you go looking, you can find some lovely autumn colors.

Looking for that pot of gold!

Is somebody trying to tell us something?

El Tecolote



We were able to meet with Phoebe, Tom's sister, who lives in Silver City New Mexico on our way home from our Colorado roadtrip.  We met her in Socorro, New Mexico for lunch on our way from Santa Fe.  She is a potter, and has worked in clay for many years.  Recently she decided to complete her college degree, which was cut short many years ago by marriage and raising a family, and is currently enrolled at Western New Mexico University in Silver City with a double major of pottery and Spanish.  She has created a series of "spirit animals" in the tradition of Indian Kachina dolls, which are quite unique.  She made this owl especially for us and we were delighted to give it a ride home to California!

A Raft of Otters

Did you know that a bunch of otters are called a "raft"?  Neither did I.

But these guys were sure enjoying a sunny day in Morro Bay!

Happy Halloween