Miss Me???

It has been quite some time since I last posted. Let me tell you, it has been a crazy couple of weeks. I did a really fun family photo shoot (which I can't wait to post on my Facebook page). I had unexpected company for five days. I was editing and then reediting pics that got mysteriously deleted. I had to work on my usual day off in order to go on a glorious camping trip. We had different company another weekend and went on a family Disneyland trip. And probably a couple of other things that I can't even remember. Unfortunately, the blog had to go on the back burner. But I missed it, how about you? Did you even notice I was gone???

So, about that camping trip...well, let me regale you with some of our fun times we had.

First, we set up camp under the beautiful big trees. Well, Shaun and Cheryl did. We just came a little later and enjoyed.

Chateau Yen under the Oaks

Cheryl and Shaun rented a boat and we went fishing on the lake.

Alex drove.

Captain Alex

Riley hid.

Stow Away

Zach enjoyed.

First Mate

We headed to our favorite fishing spot and, then, we caught. Billy had the first catch of the day.

One Wide-Mouthed Bass

How about them catfish?

Here Kitty, Kitty, Kitty.

We caught a couple more and then...

Billy caught a stick

and we decided to call it a day and we headed home.

With the Wind Whipping Through our Hair

And leaving churning waters in our wake.

A Little White Water Action

There were some bright boats on the dock.

Like Floating Crayons

We cleaned...well, Shaun did. Cheryl and Shaun each caught a catfish and Billy caught a perch along with his wide-mouthed bass.

Hello There

Billy tried his hand at ventriloquism.

"Don't Eat Me!"

Then thanked his dummy

Kiss-a-me

We cooked. Sauteed, grilled with veggies and fried....mm-mmmm!!

Three Different Ways

We ate. That was some good eatin'!

We made Fishy, all Gone!

We did arts and crafts.

Rock Painting

Check out that New York Strip Steak

The bluebirds were quite bold. As were the mice or whatever creature it was that ate through our pantry while we were gone fishing...oops!

Pretty Bird!

We went into town and went to Mortensen's Bakery for some goodies.

Pistachio, Marzipan and Chocolaty goodness

I always find something interesting to shoot in Solvang.

Cool Flower

We ventured into the vineyards

Patchwork Hills

Wouldn't you love to look out from your picket fence and see this?

A Garden with a View

Did a little wine tasting at our favorite winery, Kalyra.

Our Newest Wine Thieves

Okay, maybe a lot of wine tasting.

Two-Fisted Drinker

What a great weekend! I didn't even post my artsy fartsy nature pics. Maybe that will be next week's blog. We'll see what Billy has to say about it.

This is him trying to look tough

Sorry, not buying it.

Pigs and Flamingos

A long time ago I had a thing for pigs. Everybody has collected something at one time or another. I collected pigs. Figurines, wood carvings, salt and pepper shakers, cups, plates - you name it. I had some blown glass ones and even some fuzzy slippers. I'm over it now, but I did save a few that have special meaning to me.

I used to have a set of wooden pig lawn ornaments. Nothing special, but I liked them and they sat proudly in my front yard until one fateful Saturday morning. As per usual, I went outside to pick up the paper and walk the perimeter just to see what was going on in my yard. As soon as I stepped out the front door, I noticed something bright pink that caught my eye. There, in the place of my beloved black and white spotted swine, were three hot pink tacky plastic flamingos.

My first reaction was instantaneous laughter. Who would do this wacky kind of thing? I assumed that one of our dear friends, Mariano, was playing a practical joke on us. He lived kind of far away, but it HAD to be him. This was just his style. He must have been in the neighborhood, just passing through and thought of this great prank. We all laughed and said it was an ingenious stunt. All the while he denied doing it. He was very convincing, but he kept laughing while he was promising that it wasn't him. So, I really thought that he had done it.

For a very long time I thought that one day my three little pigs would just magically reappear in the yard as mysteriously as they had disappeared, and complete the awesome joke. That would have been classic. But, alas, it was not to be. Mariano even bought me a couple of different wooden outdoor pigs to replace the originals (which was very sweet), but they just weren't the same.

So, in honor of my long lost little piggies, I am blogging about yard art.

Pig Replacements??

This kind of reminds me of my pigs

Mooooooooooo

Some yard art is functional.

Twin Swan Planters

Most are just for show.

Ooga Booga Masks

Hey, I know this guy!

This isn't actually art, but it was kind of artsy and it was in somebody's yard. Does that count?

Chicken Wire Spiral

Pretty Bird

 Sometimes there is big art in people's yard

My Friend's Cow

Horsies

Oh, the Wells Fargo wagon is a comin' down the Street....

Some yard art is meant to bring a certain calm

Ganeesha

 

This frog bids you peace

Serenity

 This is what my daughter use to collect.

Squirrel Love

Whoooooo?

Or you could go whimsical

Bright Windmill

Sometimes it's really art!

Tropical Paradise

And sometimes, you can't really explain what possesses some people to put things in their yards. I dare someone to replace this guy with a flamingo.

Interesting....

And sometimes it speaks of love.

Heart Art

While I miss my little oinkers, they probably wouldn't be there any more any ways.

A Little Splash of Water

Just when I think the rainy season is over and dry heat is upon us, we get a little unexpected shower to brighten my day. Makes me so happy. I usually don't pay attention to the weather report, so it's always a pleasant surprise. I just went to wearing sandals in the last week or two and I already have a wicked tan line. A little Spring rain is just what the doctor ordered.

A little bit of water can be so refreshing. It can come in many ways. Bubbling fountains, slow moving streams, rushing waterfalls, light mists, fresh morning dew, a peaceful ocean. The list goes on and on. Shall we explore???

A little splash from a fountain at the Gardens of the World

Dancing Water

Some Napa Valley sights

Playing in the Water at Peju Winery

The Pond at Chateau Sovereign

Artesa Winery

A little fountain fun

at Trefethen Winery

Reeds in a Pool

Santa Rosa Island

Ocean Spray

Bubbling Fountain

Patterns of Water

Garden Fountain

One cold morning I noticed a little ice on the ground at one of my pools, so I picked them up and made art.

Artsy Fartsy

Looks like a Glacier

Frozen Shards

Rain Soaked Toys

Ripples

After a Big Rain

Morning Rain

Hiking in Wild Wood.

Zach thought this was exotic looking.

A Churning Waterfall

Hiking Up Stream

A Mossy Stream (also exotic)

An Ocean Inlet

Sailing on the Ocean Blue

But there's nothing like...

A Cool Sip of Water on a Hot Day