Texture Tuesday & The Creative Exchange

It is heaven to see blooming flowers this time of the year.  At home the garden has been put to bed for it's long winter's rest, but here in Southern California the flowers don't realize it is almost December, they don't know that there is snow and freezing temps in other parts.  So bloom on sweet flowers, bloom on.....

I used Kim Klassen's new texture, Poetic on many of these flowers in various ways. 

Can you believe that Iris's are still blooming??

And ofcourse, limes....

Felt the need to add a couple of local cactus.  Definitely something we do NOT have growing back home in the summertime or anytime.

Stop on over at Ashley's Creative Exchange and Kim Klassen's Texture Tuesday to see some realy beauties. 

Until next time....
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Scavenger Hunt Sunday the Nov 27th Edition

As I said in my previous post, I have taken at least a million pics since I have been here, maybe 2 million.  Decided I definitely needed to participate in Scavenger Hunt Sunday....one of my fav challenges each week.  Checked the list and decided amongst the million plus pics I could certainly find what I needed for this week's challenge. 

WAITING.....

 Taken earlier in the week...couple waiting for the sun to set at Laguna Beach....

FOLIAGE....

 Believe it or not, California does have trees that change color and drop their leaves, especially here in Orange County....


CANDID....

Walking along Venice Beach this little boy was having fun time in the sun.  There were very few people on the beach, so he pretty much had his own private beach....


KNIFE FORK SPOON

Yummies served on Thanksgiving....


RULE OF THIRDS....

Scene from San Juan Capistrano mission.....

Hope everyone has a wonderful Sunday and had a great Thanksgiving.  Thanks to all that leave such sweet comments, I will visit you later, enjoying my time with Lane & Nelly.  

Be sure and visit Ashley's blog for more fun pics of Scavenger Sunday.....


Until next time.....

Hello from California

I have taken soooo many pics since I have been here I just felt the need to post and to let you know that California is still here.  The Big One seems to be holding off, but my son thinks I should feel a little earthquake while I am here, to get the whole experience of living in southern California.  I do not necessarily share that desire, I am perfectly happy going thru life without experiencing any earthquake regardless of the size.  The weather has been quite nice, today being the nicest so far....80's, sunny, slight breeze, no humidity, pretty perfect and I think it is supposed to be like this for the next few days.   Today Lane and I decided to be like tourists and do touristy (spelling??) things.  We drove to Venice Beach and spent time walking around, gawking at some of the people that make Venice Beach unique.  I got a kick out of all the "Medical" services offered along Oceanfront Dr. from "medical marijuana" to Botox on the Beach.  There were plenty of shops that will decorate your body with tatoos and all the t-shirts and sunglasses that you could possibly want.

 This guy rolls around on these homemade roller-skates and plays the guitar.  Quite entertaining.  I think he wears all of the clothes that he owns. 

 This guy is just strange, he does no entertaining, just walks around wearing the silly hat and glasses carrying the sign.   Lane hasn't been to Venice Beach in probably 8 years and these guys were here then. 

I thought this man looks like he came straight out of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang...

Saturday mornings at the beach means skateboarding.  There was all kinds of competitions going on, little kids, older kids, adults all having fun.  I could hardly skateboard when I was a kid, let alone ride up and down ramps, flipping my body in very strange angles.  I wasn't into pain, so I stayed away from sports that could definitely cause pain. 

I was so fascinated by these little shore birds, they flew onto the beach all in a big group and landed together like the Blue Angles, all in sync.  I think they are a breed of a Sandpiper.  You can see how tiny they are next to the sea-gull. 

As we walked further down the beach there was a group of surfers...the waves were not that big, but they still managed to find a few and ride them into shore.  I can't imagine how cold that water must have been, just thinking about even putting my little toe in the water makes me shiver.  Don't tell me those wet suits keep you totally warm & dry.  Again, I am passing on this sport as well. 

Lane has talked about In-N-Out Burger forever and how they have the best burgers, well I had to eat there and judge for myself.  It was pretty darn good.  Tasted very home-made, just like I would make at home on the grill.  I would definitely go back for another one and back again, and again.  After burgers we headed south to Laguna Beach, but when we were headed into Laguna the traffic was AWFUL.  We decided to go to the Mission at San Juan Capistrano.  I am sure you have heard of this....where the swallows come back every year on March 19th, right around St. Joseph's Day? 

I had to come all the way to California to get a shot of a hummingbird.  This little one was hanging around the rose garden inside the mission grounds causing quite a stir.  Every photographer in the place had their lenses pointed right on him.  I hope everyone got a good pic. 

And ofcourse the "Bird of Paradise" what a beautiful flower, so exotic. 

This tree had these super-duper red and yellow fruits hanging from it's branches.  They looked kinda fuzzy, have not a clue as to what is is. 

Sunset last night at Dana Point.  California has wonderful sunsets over the ocean, a sight that I never see at home.  It is pure delight watching the sun set here. 

One week from today is the wedding.  Hip Hip Hooray !!!!

"The place you are in needs you today."  ~  Katherine Logan

Until next time......

California Here I Come!!

I am sitting in the family room, laptop open, writing my last post before I leave for California in the morning.  Dancing with the Stars final is just starting and Ricki Lake is dancing her little heart out.  Oh boy has she lost the weight, she looks great.  That's what I need to do, go on "Dancing with the Stars", but unfortunately I am not any kind of a star, so gotta come up with something else, darn.  Oh well, that's why they make stretch everything anymore. 

I am so excited to be going to California because it means something so wonderful is about to happen....our son is getting married Dec. 3rd.  Lane is 44 years old, never been married, (close a couple of times) and this Mom had pretty much given up that her son would find that someone special.  But Mom was wrong, serendipity stepped in, love happened, and marriage for Lane & Nelly soon will be a reality.  And, yes, I am definitely taking all my camera gear with me.  I planned on taking a lot of photos at our grandson's wedding and got so caught up in the moment that I didn't take hardly any pics.  I hope I don't do the same with Lane.  But if I do that's OK.  

Wow, just watched Rob Kardashian and Cheryl Burke dance their free style...it was REALLY good.  Who would have guessed that Rob would be in the finals, but I have to give the guy credit, he's worked hard and improved tremendously.  Oh they just scored a perfect 30.  It is really up in the air as to who is going to win, they are all doing well.  Oh, J R just scored a perfect 30....!!  I am not sure when or how I am going to watch the finals.  Hate to walk in tomorrow and tell Lane & Nelly that I have to watch TV.  We will figure it out.  I can miss it.....sob!  Who do you want to win??

Oh, fyi....I don't have the exact figure as to how much was made on the raffle, but there were 5 raffle prizes that were all donated and we made well over $1,000.  All going to needy families in our immediate area.  And the Tea was a huge success.  It was wonderful to see so many I haven't seen in a long time.  Lots and lots of hugs.

This may be my last post for awhile, I plan on being pretty darn busy once I get to California.   But I will have many pictures to post eventually.  Hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving, don't eat too much, oh heck, yeah go ahead and eat as much as you want. That's what Thanksgiving is all about, eating and being thankful for all we have.

"You know you're in love when you can't fall asleep because reality is finally better than your dreams.”

   ~  Dr. Suess

Until next time......

Bounce Back #2

Project #2 is an Advent Wreath.  Same exercise as yesterday.....coffee, dress, comfy shoes, instrumental music and then I begin.  I would say it's about time I did this since tomorrow is the Advent Tea.  I am definitely the kind that does best under pressure.  When I know I am capable I give myself the chance to succeed by totally losing that fear of failure, there definitely was not time for failure for this project.  I think  I have mentioned that I am not a planner, I am a doer, altho a little planning had to go into the wreath.  I had to purchase the wreath, some purple/lavender Christmas "balls", candles and everthing else, believe it or not, I had on hand at home.  I have a basement filled with "stuff".....good stuff, but still stuff.  I could open my own Rubber Stamp store with the amount of stamps I have, along with scrapbook papers, do-dads, glues, glitters, etc etc etc.  Oh there I go again, getting off the subject.  Anyway, I started the process by wiring on an advent wreath frame to the pine wreath, then the guazey ribbon, next the balls were wired on, and finally the little clumps of greens, floral sprigs and glittered twigs were taped together and wired on.   Since there is 1 pink "ball" (which I already had in my stash), I added a small spray of pink roses, again, in my stash.  Told ya I had lots in that basement of mine.  I didn't glue one thing, everything is wired on, wired to stay.  I use that covered wire in a couple different strengths, one thinner than the other.  But oh my fingers are stiff and sore after 2 days of projects.  I am feelin' a little arthritis (oh that age thing again) in my fingers.  Thank goodness I didn't decide to do a 2nd Christmas tree, which I originally thought  I would.  One of these days I am going to decorate a pink and green tree, seriously, what great colors.    Another time.  I sure had fun the last 2 days, it felt so good to be "creating" again.  Here are a few pics of the wreath.  I am pleased with the results......

Again, would you buy a raffle ticket to win this??  It really is quite lovely and can be used again and again each Advent Season just by replacing the candles.  I sound like a sales-person, don't I??  We really do want to raise a goodly amount of money since it is going for those in need.  So keep your fingers crossed that the ladies will be generous tomorrow and buy lots of raffle tickets at the Tea. 

"Whether you think you can or you think you can't - you are right."  ~  Henry Ford

Until next time......

Bouncing Back with a Project

Yesterday I was whining because I had no purpose, no balance, no normal, yes I was whining, don't tell me I wasn't.  From time to time we all suffer reverses, yesterday was mine.  Well, today I decided to snap out of it, bounce back and do something about that purpose thing.  Our church has an ADVENT TEA each year at this time, yes, I know it is not Advent Season yet, but it's close, think of it as in preparation for Advent.  Anyway, this year I am participating in the presentation of the Tea.  What I mean by presentation is,1) I gathered together several of my photos to be shown on a large screen during an inspirational reading.  This is a first for me, and I must admit I am a little nervous about it.  2) I just decorated a fun Christmas Tree to be raffled off at the Tea, and 3) I am in the process of creating an Advent Wreath, also to be auctioned off. 

After a trip to Hobby Lobby, Michael's and a 2nd trip to Hobby Lobby I was ready to begin the decorating.  So after coffee (ofcourse) and getting dressed, I just can't start production until clothes are on my body and a comfy pair of shoes on my feet. Only then am I ready to begin.  I needed music, so on went the cable TV, tuned to the "Instrumental" station and I was off and running.  Was actually hoping to find some Christmas music but don't think they start that until after Thanksgiving, which is a good thing.  I purchased a pre-lit (is there anything better than a pre-lit tree???) 4 ft tree.  Took it out of the box, fingers crossed as I plugged it in to make sure all the twinkling lights were twinkling, success!!  Next, put the thing together, finally had to look at the directions, but again success.  Then the fun began.  I wired everything on so nothing, nothing will fall off.  Whoever wins this tree will just have to put a bag over it to store until next year.  Oh how sweet it is.  I am patting myself on the back, in case you can't see me, because I think it really turned out great.  So here we go....the building of a Christmas Tree.

Did ya notice the burlap ribbon??  Decorating with burlap is a big thing this year.  Found it at a garden center, not at Hobby Lobby or Michaels.  It is a little pricey but I loved the added look it gave.  So, would you buy a raffle ticket to win this??  I kinda hate to give it away, I think it is darn cute.  But what the heck would I do with another Christmas Tree???

"Our greatest glory is not in never failing but in rising every time we fall."  ~  Confucius

Until next time.....