Pumpkin Cottage

Pumpkin Cottage
sit and visit a spell

Tuesday, May 31, 2016

Susan Branch in Morro Bay...

Oh what a weekend, the beautiful
central coast and Susan Branch.
Author and human being
extraordinaire.

When my favorite author comes any
where near town...the get along gang is there.
We left at 2:00 am and it was well worth it.

After an engaging girlfriend chat,
Susan, answered all of
our inquiring questions.

Then it was book signing time, I was wearing
my Bernie 2016 button, so when
Susan looked up she said, "Hi, Bernie."

I said, "Oh, I wish I were."
Then we were both laughing.
















 


























The girlfriends in attendance kept
asking  how I got my husband to
join me.  It's simple girls, marry
your best friend.  Marry a man
who shares your interests.
Then fill him with so much
love of himself.

Saturday, May 28, 2016

From Seeds....

A seed hidden in the heart
of an apple is an orchard
invisible.
                   
                Welsh Proverb






Wednesday, May 25, 2016

Collecting Heart Rocks



















Jacob says. This is the best heart shaped rock
I have ever found.

                                                                Esther 4:14

Tuesday, May 24, 2016

Spring Planting
























You can bury a lot of your
problems digging in the dirt.
                Author Unknown

Monday, May 23, 2016

Slab City and Tasty Treats


Hide not your talents.  They for use were
made. What's a sundial in the shade?
                         
                                   Benjamin Franklin







































Just down the road from Salvation Mountain
is Slab City,
























Where community members park their
trailers, forever.

East Jesus...


































































Buckshot Deli & Diner















The tastiest carne asada fries.



Sunday, May 22, 2016

Visiting Salvation Mountain

After surgery last October, I made Mr. Lee promise
we would explore bucket list venues close to home
and prepare for Christmas all year long.  The
Get Along has been doing just that....


Uncle Joe and I often shared our fears
of ending up homeless.  Through no fault of
our own just not having the mental or physical
capacity to care for ourselves.

Fear is a liar.
Fear is a liar.
Fear is a liar.



















Check Salvation Mountain off the bucket list. I'm convinced,
we will never ever be homeless. There may be no running water,
electricity, indoor plumbing, or refuse pick up, but there will be shelter.
And other creatives.










































































More tomorrow.  If something is ailing you,
go listen to some 70s
music. You will feel better.

Friday, May 6, 2016

The Blog Community

It all started in 1987, the year I became a mom for the first time.
A lonely isolated time, I was away from home without the
support of family and friends.  True I had a beautiful, healthy,
happy precious baby which is the greatest thing.  Still, I yearned for
a bosom pal to share the adventure.

Country Roads Antiques, Orange, CA















Our little family lived in a bedroom community,
where people spend the night, but
work elsewhere each week day.
My husband, at the time, commuted a long
distance, and otherwise, constantly traveled for work.
He was home on weekends and that was a
blessing but the rest of the time our gang of
three was alone.

My partner is all girlie things. 















It was the three of us at home: a baby
boy; an  American Cocker, named Redd
Button Lucille; and me. Totally unsupervised.

My heart was starved to female companionship.
There were the occasional jaunts to antique fairs,
there was the monthly American Country Living magazine,
and eventually, there was, Susan Branch.
There was I Love Lucy, the reruns I have
been watching since the age of 4, and never grew tired.
There were movies, Anne of Green Gables,
is still a favorite, and books to keep me company.

Eventually, I returned to work outside the home
and make a few friends. I am blessed to still hold some dear.

Meat and more meat - Jacob's favorite















Flash forward to 2007, my  fourth child
and only girl is born.  Instead of feeling isolated,
this time, I found a community of women in bloggyland.
Women who had similar interests.  Homemakers,
artists, crafters, women who thrifted and enjoyed
vintage things. Women who gardened, read books,
cooked, watched BBC, enjoyed old movies, and
journaled in their Bibles.

It was like falling through the rabbit hole to
a wonderland.  Alicia Paulson was the very first blog
I followed. She speaks to my homemaker heart.

Susan Branch inspires.  I have each of her books,
she values girlfriends, homemaking, family and
kitties.

After the birth of my last child, my coworkers
feared I would not return to work.
Honestly, if I could have been creative enough to
develop another means of income...

























I would have stayed home with these two.









Wednesday, May 4, 2016

Canter's Yummy Yum

























After MOCA, the get along headed
to Canter's, since 1931 a hot spot
restaurant, deli, and bakery.

Our boy is a huge Pastrami fan so
it made perfect sense.































Super yummy, very attentive staff,
and definitely plans for a future visit.

Next visit will include
the Petersen Automotive Museum 
and the Craft and Folk Art Museum.