Christmas Back Home 2010

Sometimes you really can go back home.  We were fortunate to spend Christmas at my Mom's in the same house I grew up in, in Southern CA.  What a treat to be with my side of the family.
From having Raclette at my sister & bro in laws home on Christmas eve to brunch at mom's on Christmas Day.  I know a good time was had by all.
'Here are some of the pictures to share with you.

Christmas Morning Sunrise

Pepper Tree Frosty in Vista

 Pepper Tree sits next to a donut shop we went to while everything was still quiet.

Carols being Sung & Fire Glowing in the ..... TV!!!

And here's the mit!  and my handsome hubby ;)

Loving the Presents

Great Slippers!

Very Clever Kitty

Our Son in Law

Good thing it came with a sheath!

Love the Hats!

Our beautiful Mom

Enough pictures already!

What a great gift all around!

Wilson Creek Almond Champagne with Brunch

 It was wonderful, thanks for the memories!

A Walk Around Mom's Backyard

We had the privilege of welcoming home our daughter and son in law from a tour of duty that had them living over seas for 4 years.  We are finally all back together in the same time zone.  They are in the process of relocating and reconnecting with family and friends.

I took a quick trip around my mom's backyard, while everyone was busy with other things.  Must shoot something!!  Here is a quick trip around the yard.   And yes.....I am thrilled they are back.

 The pictures below(done with an HDR process) are of the Century Plant, it has grown so big over the years.

Reflections of the Points

Gallery Display at Budget Cafe

 

Just a heads up to anyone that is local and interested, I have some of my "photographic art" up at Budget Cafe in San Luis Obispo.  Rhonda, the owner. likes to encourage us, the local artists, to share our work with her customers.  So if you are in town, she is open for breakfast and lunch.  Come on by!

3121 S Higuera St # J, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401-6900 (805) 543-5024 ‎

Thirty Days of Thanksgiving - Day 30

Farewell to Autumn

Big sigh.....November is over.  I consider this a transition month.  It turned from fall to winter, yes, even here on the Central Coast of CA, our daughter & son in law are in their journey back to the states after 4 years overseas with him in the Navy, life seems to transition at the same time, from warm long days, to the cold short ones.  As with everything, there truly is a season.  I have missed the last two days of blogging my blessings...not that there has not been any, the days just seem to run short.  As the year comes to an end, my life gets a bit fuller in a number of ways.  And I think that I really need to continue this throughout the year to keep me focused on what is truly important and not myself.  So this is the last for this month, but even when I am not counting it publicly, I will stop and remind myself of that which I am very thankful for.  Here goes...

Today I am thankful for...
1)    making it through this day, this month, to be here
2)  the beauty that is literally around me, I just have to look
3)  those that continue to accept me, just as I am
4)  being able to hang & display my work at a local cafe
5)  a creative outlet

Now my friends...and you??  Please let me know, I would really like to hear.
Cat

Thirty Days of Thanksgiving - Day 27

Saturday....
I am thankful today for:
1) seeing the last of the maple leaves turn brilliant reds & oranges
2)  a new washer and dryer to replace the 19 yr old ones
3)  more rain

Thirty Days of Thanksgiving - Day 26

California Coast on any Icy Morning

Friday and Day 26.....missed it...but was thankful for a warm house on a very cold morning

Thirty Days of Thanksgiving - Day 25

Thursday and the day is done....So my thankfulness for today goes this way...
1)  for all the food, friends and family...all good and appreciated
2)  help in the cleanup and the return to normal
3)  crisp air and a beautiful day
4)  a quiet evening
5)  the many things I take for granted every day....such as:
     -hot water to wash dishes
     -my appliances work
     -family...my husband, my son...our daughter and son in law, and everyone else in my large   circle
     -internet service that connects me to many new friends and keeps me in contact with loved ones very far away

This has really been a lesson in searching and reminding me that I have so many things to be thankful for.

Your turn...

Thirty Days of Thanksgiving - Day 24

And So It Begins....

Wednesday, day before Thanksgiving Day...and today I have been thankful for:

1)  1/2 day work, but with people I really like, really!
2)  the Starbucks crew around the corner, my favorite baristi e gli amici
3)  new chocolate brown converse tennies
4)  people who know their products and helped me choose wisely
5)  family

And so it continues....to you...

Thirty Days of Thanksgiving - Day 23

Tuesday, day 23 and counting...my blessings

1)  for a workout room with good equipment at home
2)  time taken to use it
3)  a cut & color and someone I can trust to make me feel great
4)  nearby stores to run to whenever I need something
5)  a warm home on a cold, rainy day
6)  dinner prepped when I walked in the door

7 more days to go.....

Thirty Days of Thanksgiving - Day 22

Remains of Harvest

Monday......today....thankful for

1)  remote controls, to turn down the volume......
2)  choices
3)  seeing the incredible dunes and pacific ocean

that's it for today.....and you my friend?

Thirty Days of Thanksgiving - Day 21

Remainder of the Bounty

Sunday and Day 21
As the holidays approach, the time changes and so do things to be done.  It is a strange time of year with anticipation of many things.  As in the autumn of the season, so it is with life at this time of year.

So I reflect for today on those things I am thankful for...
1)  rain replenishing the earth and the green that is replacing the brown
2)  the nip in the air and the fire in the fireplace
3)  anticipation of our children returning home from afar
4)  a coming week of unknowns
5)  a weekend that has come and gone

So, a new week ahead, I am thankful for many things, just need to remember to look around...

Thirty Days of Thanksgiving - Day 20

Alone and Still Standing

Ongoing reminders of things I am thankful for:

1)  time to walk through the vineyards and see their wonder of change
2)  taking lunch to my hubby while he worked at out yard (shop)
3)  wrapping a shoebox for "Operation Christmas Child"
4)  a wonderful rain storm that cleared the air
5)  one more day to be thankful for

Now it is your turn......

Thirty Days of Thanksgiving - Day 19

Persimmon Flower

My thanks today are for:

1)  a short commute to work
2)  faithful employees
3)  continued trickle of work
4)  getting to see my son almost every day
5)  it's date night

Thirty Days of Thanksgiving - Day 18

Add caption

I missed day 18, not that I wasn't present, but took care of business.  But when I intended to do my entry for the day, I tried to print off a picture and became so frustrated that I shut everything down and forgot my original intent.  This is happening way too often lately.

There were things to be thankful for, so I will finish this on that note.

1)  for a productive day at my desk (at work)  ;)
2)  an afternoon soy cappucino
3)  a fun loving chat with my daughter, laughing over the internet
4)  coming home
5)  having challenges that keep me learning

that's it for now, better late than never

Day 17, on time of Thirty Days of Thanks

Agrigento Memories

Agrigento 

Today, Wednesday the 17th!! of November...

I am thankful for:

1)  the memories of visiting our daughter and son in law in Sicilia
2)  the aroma of fresh roasted almonds from the oven
3)  hugs & smiles
4)  family
5)  continued education in this thing we call LIFE

Another day, another chance to get it right!

Days 16 (oops) behind again! of Thirty Days of Thanksgiving

Cat Giving Me the Eye

 I missed yesterday's post.....Day 16, of November...
I was thankful for:
1)  a busy productive day
2)  a bed to fall into
3)  a home to go to

Day 15!! of Thirty Days of Thanks

It's a Blue Bird Day

I find it hard to believe that I have hit the mid way point in the month.  It has been a bit of a challenge to blog every day.  Not that I don't have many things to be thankful for, but I am finding that I have to give it more thought than I realized.  It seems very easy to slip into the mundane every day life and not see what is right in front of us that is unique and special.
There are so many things going on with those around me, I find it difficult to focus on just one thing.  I am rambling.  So on with today's list of thanks.

1)  another day, you never know, so I am thankful for today and all it held.
2)  resources and people that help you understand when things get muddled
3)  a husband who is very easy to please with dinner and offers to help


that's it for today...hope your day was well with you...peace

Day 14 of Thanks

Shades of Black & White

Today, Sunday, I am thankful for:

1)  sleeping in later than usual
2)  fresh coffee to wake up with
3)  dancing with my hubby in the driveway
4)  riding with the wind in my face
5)  time to create and prepare for a display

so today...I am just thankful for today....

Day 13 of 30 Days of Thanksgiving

Scattered Rainbow on the Ground

Today...Saturday...Sabbath...sabato...I am thankful for:

1)  going to an early breakfast with my hubby
2)  enough supplies to matte and frame for an upcoming hanging (of pictures)
3)  it being warm enough to have the windows open and fresh air coming in
4)  being able to shop online with my daughter many miles away, if we can't do it in person we    find a way  ;)
5)  the day is young, more thankfulness around the corner...

Day 12 of 30 Days of Thanks

My Breath of Peace, originally uploaded by Thru Catz Eyes.

Today I am thankful for.....

1) that it is Friday
2) a clean home (a reminder that I have a home to clean)
3) that the beach is nearby and beckoning
4) I will have a couple more slow days to recoup from my cold
5) my hardworking husband and all he does to support us

Day 11 of Thirty Days of Thanksgiving

 

Today...today..I am thankful for:

1)  where I live, near the coast and in the USA

2)  for all the Vets that have & still do serve(d) our country

3)  unexpected visits

4) for friends that last a lifetime

5)  Calvin & Hobbes

Day 10 of Thirty Days of Thanks

Col. R. A. Campbell USMC

Today I am thankful for:

1)  Sharing in honoring the Birthday of the US Marines and being a proud daughter of a Colonel
2)  Sharing this with many around FB....
3)  Another day
4)  work to tend to
5)  a hubby who maintains my car

That's it for today....enjoy, live & love

Day 9 of Thirty Days of Thanks

Fall In The Vineyard

Day 9, here we go...Today I am thankful for:

1)  Crockpots that cook dinner while I work
2)  Long conversations with my precious daughter
3)  change of seasons, yes, even here on the Central Coast of CA
4)  time to learn new processes and loving every minute (well, almost every minute)
5)  black & white cats

Would love to hear yours...

Day 8 of Thirty Days of Thanksgiving

My Heart Full of Sun

Today I am thankful for:

1)  encouragement from trusted family and friends
2)  ceiling fans at night  ;)
3)  God's reminder that I am a daughter of the King
4)  renewed life, spiritually & physically
5)  clear morning skies & watching the sunrise

Now it is your turn friend....

Day 7 of Thirty Days of Thanksgving

Today I am Thankful For:

1)   warm Chicken Noodle Soup

2)   another down day guilt free

3)   for yesterday's memories and tomorrow's yet to be
4)   for colors in nature
5)   that my cold is on it's way out

Simple for today, and you?