Week 51

Acknowledging the good that you already have in your life is the foundation for all abundance. 

~ Eckhart Tolle

This week I got in a few walks in between the rain. We celebrated Christmas Eve with the 4T's, had our favorite neighbors over for cocktails, and watched the Golden State Warriors beat the Memphis Grizzlies on Christmas Day. 

It was a little too quiet but also nice.

Happy Solstice, Happy Winter, Merry Christmas, and Happy Holidays. 

A Great Egret that let me get this close and didn't fly away.

Always look up. My favorite kind of sky.

This Egret again, the next day. He flew away this time.

. 

Christmas morning and all my snow...beings.

Our little Christmas tree for our little house.

Christmas Eve at the 4T's.

She insisted the whole family get in her new tent. 

Family Lego session before dessert which was Dr. CynCyn's famous Mixed Berry Crisp.

Inspired by my Christmas cards, I played around on my iPad.

Week 50

"If you suddenly and unexpectedly feel joy, don't hesitate. Give in to it."
~ Mary Oliver

It was kind of quiet this week. 

The 4T's were recovering from the 'Rona. 

The weather has been pretty and ccccold. 

And we celebrated my old man's birthday by going out for Sushi, twice. Yum!

This is one of my favorite trees in our neighborhood. 

It's a perfectly groomed Chinese Elm and it's huge.

I guess it's been a while since I walked past this house. 

Or maybe I just never noticed the two heart-shaped shrubs.

Sushi dinner for Hubs - the birthday boy. 

He's officially, OFFICIALLY a senior citizen. How in the world did that happen?!

The top of the Veranda Christmas tree. It's a tall one.

The big pond. Odd that the fountain isn't on in the middle of a weekday,

but it's okay with me, I love reflections. 

Cattails. I hear some parts are edible. 

My phone lock screen cycles through the photos on my phone and 

I get a hit of joy every time I pick it up.  I keep taking screenshots

 - of these photos - that are on my phone. SMH. So, I made a collage.

Karl the Fog is back!

We haven't had a foggy day since last winter. 

Week 49

"Joy is the oxygen for doing hard things."
~ Kay Bowler, No Cure for Being Human

Back to our regularly scheduled programming, for a minute. The week started off normal and then COVID happened. All is well it's just messing up schedules. So, I've been taking more walks lately and capturing the end of autumn around here. It's definitely helping with my sanity this time of year.

Waiting for brother to get out of school.

This adorable tiny human slays me. 

Strollering up and down the street. 

This was his idea and was then scared we were about to crash the whole time. 

We didn't.

I love these flowers that bloom out of these Echeveria's

 

Out walking and shooting leaves before the storm.

Maple tree branches 

The sun came out after the rain and gave me pretty drops on leaves.

Playing with stamp brushes and the clipping mask in Procreate.

I actually gasped when I came across this one.

I am still deciding which one I like more. 

Week 48

"And the songbirds keep singing

Like they know the score

And I love you, I love you, I love you

Like never before."

~ Fleetwood Mac

Rest in peace Christine McVie.

Autumn here is putting on a show with rain, wind, and colorful leaves, everywhere. I love it!

The sunsets and sunrises have been on fire. This is the most wonderful time of year - for all the colors and skyscapes.  

Our street after a little rain and wind.

This is a morning walk, mid-autumn.

This flaming canopy is my favorite.

This trestle again, from a different angle -with a train on it!

Sing it with me - "The sky... is burnin" 

Adult beverages before a company holiday party. 

Got to hang out with this cute couple at the party.

This courtyard reminded me of Spain.

So pretty. They have some really good coffee in the lobby just to the left of the staircase.

The morning after. After the rain and the party.

Week 47

"People don't take trips,
trips take people."

~ John Steinbeck

We took a road trip to Chino Valley to spend Thanksgiving with Mom. The drive down was great and took us only 10.5 hours. The last half of the drive back home was not great. 

Thanksgiving was wonderful. Good food + fun people for the win. Thank you, Pat and Jerry!

Mom is doing well, slowly getting her energy back after what she's been through the last few years. I'm so thankful she has an excellent community of friends surrounding her with love.

Watching the world wake up as we cruise down Interstate 5.

Pit stop in boring Boron.

Miss Goofy being quiet for a second.

Making homemade cranberry sauce at Mom's

Monument Valley sand painting by my Grandfather.

Sneaking a photo of my Mom.

Sunburst.

Exploring a few gift shops on Route 66

Got some decent coffee from this one.

Mojave National Preserve, waaay out there.

Stopped for breakfast here. I had French toast, of course.

Week 46

 "Absence makes the heart grow fonder,
but it sure makes the rest of you lonely,"

~ Charles M. Schulz

The Diaz Family departed at the "butt-crack" of dawn Wednesday. It's so quiet and I already miss them and all their spirit. Unfortunately, I didn't get a lot of photos this week as I was busy enjoying the moments before they had to leave.

Having a snack while waiting for bother to get out of school.

Our last meal together before they fly back home. 

These kids had so much fun together. 

Our new photographer. Yay!!

Thursday sunrise.

Feasting American Finches.

I couldn't decide which photo I liked best.

The movie quote that keeps coming to mind here is...

"Negative, Ghost Rider, the pattern is full."