The Monarch Butterfly

While visiting Madison in Santa Barbara we went to a Monarch Butterfly Habitat. It was one of the most beautiful creations of God that I have ever seen. I truly feel blessed to have been able to go there and experience such beauty.



This is the entrance to the Monarch Butterfly Habitat. Beautiful!



The butterflies were all over the trees. Amazing!



These are two butterflies mating.



This is a close up shot of the tree with all of the butterflies. We were there late in the season.
In January there are many more to see. Some have already migrated.

A FEW FUN TABLE IDEAS

Well I haven't blogged in a while so I thought would start with something fun to get back into the swing of things. Over the holidays I've been trying to make my table settings as creative as possible. Most of the pictures I'm attaching are taken from my iphone so I'm sorry if they are not as good of quality as using my Canon. But you will still be able to enjoy them nonetheless.

THANKSGIVING DINNER

PRE CHRISTMAS DINNER

CHRISTMAS EVE DINNER

TIM'S BIRTHDAY DINNER

ON MY BUCKET LIST

OK, SO I DON'T REALLY HAVE A REAL BUCKET LIST PER SAY BUT IF I DID THIS WOULD DEFINITELY BE ON IT! WE GOT THE CHANCE TO GO WITH SOME FRIENDS TO A LOVELY HOME THAT HAD VINYARDS AND WE WERE ABLE TO HELP PICK THE GRAPES AND STOMP THEM FOR NEXT YEARS WINE THEY WILL BE MAKING. IT WAS A LOT OF FUN AND I AM SO HAPPY THAT I WAS ABLE TO CHECK THIS OFF OF MY LIST!!



The grapes. Beautiful.




My hubby - helping cut the grapes.



Now it's my turn!


The grapes are going in the bucket.



Mother & Daughter - Precious!



Climbing in the bucket. Whoa! I almost slipped.



Stomping!


Yes, I'm having fun!


Still Stomping!


Ok, I'm done now! But that was GREAT!!

CATALINA ISLAND

We took a trip to Catalina this summer right after my son left for the Navy. We planned it for that weekend to try and keep our minds off the fact that he left. Of course, that didn't work BUT we had a wonderful time, it was so relaxing and I wanted to share some of the beauty here.

Enjoy!!



This is in the Newport Harbor. We were sitting at the top of the Catalina Flyer (boat) before we left to take the 1 1/2 hour journey over to Catalina. The weather was pretty cloudy and cold that morning.



This is when we were approaching Catalina. Beautiful scenery! Weather was still a little chilly.
We were getting nervous.



We found a spot to sit in the sand and relax. Right beside us was a wedding. Of course I couldn't resist taking pictures. It was so fun watching them. And of course the weather was beautiful by then.


This was our front view from the spot we were sitting. Wedding was to the right of us.



This is the former Wrigley Mansion.



Another view from our spot. Our little friend.



The famous CASINO!


We had a couple of cocktails at the Avalon Grille. Very nice restaurant and even nicer bartender.



A shot of the pier before we had to head back on the boat to go home. It was absolutely a great way to just get away for a day and relax. We left at about 8 a.m.and we were home by 5 p.m. PERFECT!!

OH HOW I LOVE THEE SO!!

I wanted to share some pictures of our house that we've been working so hard on for months and months. It's finally all coming together and I love it here. I hope you love it too!!

THESE ARE A FEW OF THE BEFORE PICS...


THE LIVING ROOM AREA


KITCHEN


PANTRY



MASTER BATHROOM



BACKYARD



BACKYARD



BACKYARD

NOW FOR THE FUN PART!! THE AFTER PICS....



LIVING ROOM


DINING ROOM



KITCHEN


PANTRY - I PAINTED THE INSIDE OF THE PANTRY AND TRIED TO ADD A FEW FUN TOUCHES SO THAT IT'S NOT SO PANTRY-ISH


BEDROOM

YES, IT'S VERY GREEN (JUST ONE WALL) BUT I THINK IT WORKS


AGAIN, I PAINTED JUST ONE WALL GREEN IN THE MASTER BATHROOM - IT ALL CAME TOGETHER



IT WAS HARD TO GET A GOOD PHOTO OF THIS ROOM BUT JUST FOR FUN I PUT A CHANDELIER IN THE LAUNDRY ROOM AND PAINTED THE WALLS A SILVERY PURPLE - WHY NOT?



OUR OUTDOOR LIVING ROOM


OUR FAVORITE PLACE OF ALL