Pumpkin Cottage

Pumpkin Cottage
sit and visit a spell

Monday, June 27, 2016

Pumpkin Cottage DIY

When there is no wind,
row.

Portuguese Proverb


Three legged stool
make over. A live affair with
spray paint and any furniture with
legs.




























Sunday, June 26, 2016

Yo quiero mas Junk

 Topanga Vintage Market



































































































The perfect size market, food trucks, something for every taste,
super cute and friendly
vendors.


Sunday, June 12, 2016

Happy Birthday to the First Child

Poverty is always experienced in the soul
before it is felt in the pocketbook.

                    Sarah Ban Breathnach
                    Simple Abundance 

Children are our legacy. My life
is rich because I've been forever
blessed to share it with
extraordinary individuals.

My legacy was planted 29 years ago
with the birth of my first child.


















Me, VoVo, and Mark
on the train to Grand Canyon. 
There's something special in every
stage of development.
An extraordinary gift of adult children.

Tuesday, June 7, 2016

PRAISE in Action










My 2016 One Little Word with Ali Edwards is Praise.

My goal is to complain less and praise more. Praise God, my husband, my children, family, friends and coworkers. PRAISE my circumstances. PRAISE my afflictions. Get out of the desert.

Off to work I go.


Monday, June 6, 2016

Old Town Orcutt Garden Center

Any garden is good for my soul.
The Old Town Orcutt Garden Center
is full of ideas to bring peace to your
soul.












A rub-a-dub, sand box in a tub. Clever.














Never tire of owls.























 Oh, I love all pines.














































A repurposed chiminea.























A succulent fryer.  Clever so clever.























Photo opportunity. 



Sunday, June 5, 2016

Roadtrip Itinerary...Each Trip Must Haves

All good roadtrips, at least, for the Get Along
start with a plan.  Always leave early.  Our
kids are accustomed to getting up early.
They sleep most of the first leg of the trip,
at least until they are hungry or need a restroom.

San Luis Obispo
















Bring a cooler with water and some snacks.
Mr. Lee likes to bring a few treats: Monster,
Diet Coke and  sunflower seeds. Every
roadtrip includes a Slim Jim for me.  I
can hear you, gross but it's an occasional
treat and a 30 plus year tradition. One small
bag of Funyuns.  Don't judge me.

Old Town Orcutt Garden Center
























The things we Google:
A place to stay-pool availability.
The best breakfast in each area.
Specialty foods available,
eat where the locals eat.
Bookstores used and new.
Record/music stores.
Thrift stores, check out their hours.
Garden centers.
Hardware stores.
Fabric and yarn.

Deja Vu Antiques at the Loading Dock, Old Town Orcutt
























A place to stay, because we travel with a family,
and our budget is modest
we stick to the name brands.  Holiday Inn,
Fairfield, Comfort Suites, Best Western,
the occasional Hilton (treat).
Join their loyalty clubs and use your AAA card.
It is a must to stay some where it is safe and clean.

Deja Vu Antiques at the Loading Dock
























When the kids were little, we stayed in motels primarily.
We didn't want to traipse through a hotel
lobby or floors with all the baby paraphernalia.
It was easier to simply pull up to the door of our room.
It's not a consideration now because everyone helps carry.

Solvang 


Saturday, June 4, 2016

Get Breakfast in Old Orcutt, Calfornia

Old Town Orcutt, seriously make time for
a visit to this charming town and have
breakfast at Kay's Country Kitchen.
























Yep that is Mr. Lee's thumb.












And that is bliss on my face. Family, food, and
a long weekend. Mercy, so so much gratitude.



Jacob studying, he studies everything.

Food Food Food. Jacob couldn't wait
for the photo... Eggs Benedict.















Honestly, I am not a huge meat eater,
but this tri-tip, Santa Maria style, was
the best I've tasted it was like butter.















Ideas.
























See that window frame?  Feeling
a DIY project coming on, oh yeah.
The Get Along will be back.
More on Orcutt, tomorrow.

Friday, June 3, 2016

Treasure Hunting in the Central Coast

I want MY CHILDREN
to have all the things I couldn't afford
then I want to move in with them.
  
                             Phyllis Diller

During the Memorial Day weekend, we
were mindful of all who gave the ultimate
sacrifice. With a son serving in the Army,
it is never too far from our minds, all the
families who sacrifice so much for peace
at home.  For their service and sacrifice
we are ever grateful.

California is blessed to have the historical 
missions .

Mission San Luis Obispo Tolosa regular Mass
may be attended here.















The SLO Mission Courtyard, houses
the Santa Maria-type barbecues. This type of bbq may be found
through the central coast region of California, in church courtyards,
restaurants,  and even outside supermarkets.
















The hydrangeas (or hortencias like my mother called them)
are a deep pink from lime in the soil. Where the hortencias
I am accustomed to are the blue flowers so common in the
Azores.  The blue hortencias  require aluminum-sulfate in the soil.
























This mission's grounds are compact but well maintained.















Glorious Spanish tile roof.

























The local hardware store carried these
miniature Santa Maria bbqs.