I have always wanted to do a New England fall foliage tour. Although I have seen the local trees turn (they still have not and it is mid October) and I have seen beautiful foliage in Colorado, but I have not taken a bona fid tour in New England. I do recall a small tour of the area when I visited my friend in New Hampshire. It was lovely.

Sadly I am not doing well enough to travel so I tend to take tours via YouTube. The wonderful thing about the brain is I kinda blur the lines and think I have done the tour in person. It is kinda cheating but I will take what I can.

I found this YouTube channel of a man and his father taking a tour. We traveled the back roads and saw fall foliage. First they went to Sleepy Hollow for a visit.

They visited the Norman Rockwell Museum, which was interesting to say the least. I grew up with those paintings. Glad to know a lot of the original artwork is located there.

I was glad they stopped at the Vermont Country Store. I have been always wanted to see it. They had world famous apple cider donuts which they both claimed were dry. LOL. They saw covered bridges and lakes and miles of orange, gold and red trees. They went to president Calvin Coolidge’s house and town. So beautiful and the houses are so historic. Plus the Plymouth Cheese Company founded by Coolidge family.

A tour is not complete with visiting Ben and Jerry’s ice cream factory. They were not able to get in, but saw the cemetery of dead flavors. LOL

This video of a three day trip did not disappoint. The only thing missing was to visit that The Stitchery store in Massachusetts. But somehow I figure these two men would not want to visit that store.

Thanks for checking out my blog.

Every year in July/August the Earth passes through debris — bits of ice and rock — left behind by Comet Swift-Tuttle, which last passed close to Earth in 1992.  Because it is so consistent each year it is easy to remember to catch its wonderful meteors shooting across the sky. From July 14-August 24 with a peak of August 11-12th you can catch the show.

The best time to look for meteors is in the pre-dawn hours. The peak viewing days are typically your best shot to see the sky speckled with bright meteors. To see the meteors, look up and to the north. Those in southern latitudes can look toward the northeast to see more meteors. If you are lucky enough to live in an area of little light at night you can see up to 100 meteors an hour.

Sadly I could not catch any this year as I live in an area with a lot of light. It is best to go drive out somewhere in the country or desert to avoid the harsh lights.

My Father worked at Jet Propulsion Laboratory and was very aware of celestial events. He would bring me pictures of nebulas and interesting stars taken by NASA. One year we drove to the desert to spend the night looking up at the stars. I laid down on a cot and looked up all night. I had never had such a clear view of the sky. I remember asking my dad what that cloudy structure in the sky was. He looked at me like I was a dullard and said The Milky Way. He probably never realized I had never seen it before. I listened to coyotes howl while falling asleep under the stars. Being with my Dad I felt safe. Not sure if he got a good night sleep but it was a nice memory. I would like to do that again.

When I look at the sky, I always remember the quote from Carl Sagan which they used in the movie Contact. When asked about the possibility about other life out there, he said “The universe is a pretty big place. If it’s just us, seems like an awful waste of space.”

Carl also use to say there were billions and billions of stars out there. So it cracks me up with the classic Far Side cartoon about Carl when he was just a child. A child’s point of view is so small. As Earthlings, I think our point of view is very small also.

I for one, believe that there is life out there but may be something we could not recognize. People I know have seen unusual flying objects in the sky that are not “normal”. But so far no one admits to seeing other beings. Maybe they are amongst us. Who knows.

Thanks for checking out my blog.

Nothing says Summer more than the beach. The beach and more importantly, the classic scenic view with a lighthouse which is paramount to the vision of summer. When I visited my friend in New Hampshire I had the pleasure of seeing a lighthouse. Somewhere in my pile of non digital photos is that picture I took while standing on the beach. However with the magic of the internet I found a similar picture.

Did you know August 7th is National Lighthouse Day.

Here are some facts about lighthouses:

There are 779 standing lighthouses in the United States.

Michigan boasts the most lighthouses of any US State.

Lighthouses have different color patterns to help the mariner identify them during the day.

Lighthouses height range from 50 to 200 feet tall

The light from a lighthouse can typically be seen 20 miles away

The height of a lighthouse takes into account the curvature of the earth, so the higher light above MHW (mean high water), the further away it can be seen at sea. But the light should not be so high up that local sailors will not see it. This is why you will frequently get shorter lighthouses on the top of cliffs and taller lighthouses built nearer the water surface.

These days, lighthouses are run by machines and remote monitoring. The automatic sensors decide if there is extra moisture in the air, and if so turn on the fog signals. Radio signals are used to communicate with the ships. But some lighthouses are still manned by people.

Lighthouses are great tourist attractions. I can vouch for that. When I know there is a lighthouse nearby, I want to see it.

Lake Havasu’s 400 miles of stunning shoreline hosts an impressive collection of 28 scaled-down lighthouse replicas. All are actual functioning navigational aids. 

Many books and movies feature lighthouses. The below are a few movies. What an interesting backdrop to a movie. Lighthouses have such history and let’s be honest they can be a bit spooky.

The Lighthouse (1998)
Pete’s Dragon
The Vanishing
The Fog
Lighthouse
To the Lighthouse

Some of my favorite lighthouses:

A classic striped lighthouse.

A lighthouse at dusk sitting on rocks.

Split Rock Lighthouse, Silver Bay Minnesota

St. Helena Island Lighthouse, St. Helena Island, Michigan

West Quoddy Head Lighthouse, Lubec, Maine

Yaquina Head Lighthouse, Newport, Oregon

Tourlitis Lighthouse, Greece

So many unusual and beautiful lighthouses that have saved countless lives. Thank you for checking out my blog and the mini lesson on lighthouses.

Last night in bed, I glanced out the window and saw a beautiful moon. Not quite a full moon but a bright, large moon, glowing low in the sky.

I normally cannot see the moon from my bedroom window except certain times a year.

Every once in a while I see a moon that appears incredibly large, all orange and aglow. It always leaves me in awe on the wonder of it all.

There is such magic at night. The night critters strolling around looking for their evening meal, the occasional night bird or Owl letting us know they are watching. Looking up in the sky to see the wonderful stars.

I often think of my father when looking at the sky. My Father worked at JPL and often brought to me pictures of the night sky from NASA. Once when I was about 16 years old we went out to the desert in Lancaster to watch the Perseid meteor shower on an August night Lying on a cot looking up at the sky seeing meteors shooting across the sky, trying hard not to miss the occasional streak of light. I recall asking my Father what that cloudy, misty smear was in the sky, He looked at me like I was a dope telling me it was the Milky Way. Hard to believe that I had never seen the Milky Way before. Living in the city, where dark rarely takes over, I had never actually seen our Galaxy before.

What a delight.

I used to know some of the constellations but not any more. I do still search for the Big Dipper when I am out in the dark. It does provide comfort that it is still there. In a world that rapidly changes seeing this constant star in the sky is calming. Yup, it is still there.

THE MOON by Robert Louis Stevenson

The moon has a face like the clock in the hall;
She shines on thieves on the garden wall,
On streets and fields and harbour quays,
And birdies asleep in the forks of the trees.

The squalling cat and the squeaking mouse,
The howling dog by the door of the house,
The bat that lies in bed at noon,
All love to be out by the light of the moon.

But all of the things that belong to the day
Cuddle to sleep to be out of her way;
And flowers and children close their eyes
Till up in the morning the sun shall arise

Perhaps tonight I will see my old friend the moon again.

Sleep tight everyone.

It seems this year Winter has been dragging its feet. Here we are mid April and we still have random rain storms and cold spells. Today was a nice, warmish day, but I am not convinced that Spring is here.

I do see some of the trees in the neighborhood are starting to bloom, so maybe it is being shy. Let’s bring on Spring by posting some beautiful Spring pictures.

I like to think of Spring as green gardens with blooming flowers. Sitting outside reading a book and wearing a feminine flouncy dress with a light cardigan on a picnic quilt, maybe a puppy or kitty playing in the grass. All things new and fresh. The scent of flowers filling the air.

Somehow Spring does make me want to sip some delicious Spring tea blends, dainty cups on lace doilies. Of course there would be baskets filled with warm muffins or scones next to crystal glasses and china plates. I long to have a set of mismatched plates and tea cups for such an occasion. Makes me want to pull out my Mothers vintage snack sets which were so popular in the 40’s-60’s. I do not recall the pattern I have as it has been a few years but this looks familiar. I think I have a few different sets.

My puppies are not blog/instagram stars and so I post this random cute puppy. I did find a photo of Penny enjoying the spring grass.

Just a little words of Spring to bring in the season.

Thanks for viewing my blog. Happy Spring.

For part of my Autumn/Halloween Bucket List I wanted to show my front porch decorated for Halloween. I am not that good at making movies and should have turned my camera landscape, but whatever. Maybe next time. Lol

Nothing like a little scary ambience to set the scene.

Thanks for checking out my blog.

Every season I switch out my garden flags in the front yard. I have a small collection of flags that I have purchased over the years. I usually get one or two new ones from Joanne’s Fabrics, but I was either too late or they did not have them this year for Halloween. I pulled out two fabric flags from my collection and hung them before decorating the front porch.

Although I cannot decorate like I used to, the flags give a nice touch showing that someone cares.

Thank you for visiting my blog.

It seems to take forever for Autumn to show up in Southern California. Here it is in December and I noticed the neighbors trees had finally turned golden.

When I drive to work I drive down a street that has beautiful trees that turn golden and red with a touch of light green. And for a brief moment I have Autumn. I love the feeling. I tell myself I simply must move somewhere that actually has autumn. And an Autumn that happens in November and not December.

Autumn here only lasts for a few weeks before the trees are bare, and winter is here. On this particular day all the trees had turned golden. I marveled on the drive home how pretty all the trees where. When I parked my car, I looked up and noticed the glory of the golden leaves I just had to capture it, if only to remember Autumn for more than a week.

I watched this video on making little dog scarfs.  I was excited to see something for a small dog.  Most patterns out there were for large dogs, and this pattern was great for Penny and Olive, but she also gave instructions on how to make it larger just on case.

 

For the written instructions, she also put it out on her blog.

https://poshpoochdesignsdogclothes.blogspot.com/2010/11/12-collars-of-christmas-8-button-dog.html

 

I found some cute yarn at Michael’s Craft Store in Pantene color palettes which intrigued me.   It was enough yarn to make several but I figured the pooched only needed one.

It was quick and easy to make.

 

I got some props to make it look more autumn.   Since I live in Southern California there is rarely any Autumn scenes naturally.  Work with what you have.

 

Penny was up first and she has no patience for Mom’s silliness.  Fortunately Penny does follow commands and actually sat there when I told her to.

I know my dog, and I read in her eyes “What did I do wrong Mom”

Nothing Baby….. you are a good girl.

Thanks Mom!  Here is a little tongue action for your camera.

I wish I could be over there, by the grass and look for squirrels.

Not so fast little one.   Must wear the pumpkin hat now.

Ummmm Mom, I dont think this is cool.  My friends will laugh at me.

Penny, you don’t have friends….you bark at every dog you meet.

Mom…..PLLLLLEEEEEEAAAAAAASSSSSSSSSSSSSSSEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

OK baby, I will let you go……  So where is Olive.

When ever I tell Olive to “stay” she thinks she is in trouble.   She has to look at the sky and avoid eye contact.

La-dee-da….. I don’t see you…..

Olive look at me…..please Olive baby……

You are almost there Olive…. you are not in trouble.

 

Show us your pretty face and new fancy collar.

Thank you Miss Olive…. you are free to go.

Yesterday was my annual pool party.   I use to do the annual Christmas party but it was getting so hard for everyone’s schedule.  There were too many activities to do both on my schedule and my family members to pull of the Christmas party in December.

My brother in law was always kidding me, but seriously inviting himself over to swim in my pool.   So I started this tradition.  Dogs and all.

My theme this year was Nautical or more ocean themed, Tropical and Patriotic.  LOL

I had bought new chair cushions that were a blue and green coral because the other cushions were getting a bit flat and out of shape.  Hence the ocean theme,  Since my outdoor tableware was a tropical pattern and it was the 4th of July weekend my theme automatically became the Naut/Trop/Pat theme.

To start with Eli (my brothers dog) had to wear his new patriotic bandana.  Little does this dog know that he is going to be exhausted by the end of the evening.  Eli has a fear of the water and thinks it is his personal responsibility to try to save everyone out of the pool.   Get ready Eli, it will be a crazy day.

Penny can smell the ribs cooking and is really looking forward to a bone or two.  But she is being very patient.

Penny is a sweet natured Terrier Mix that has a bad habit of nipping at people when the other dog gets excited.   More about the other dog later.

Penny’s DNA is a complete surprise to me.

She is a terrier mix, but I guess she is more of a Chihuahua/Australian Shepherd mix.  Her fur, when long, does look like a Australian Shepherd, and maybe her legs do look like a Chi’s, but I thought she would have more terrier in there.

Oh well, I digress.

The other pooch at the party is the “Head of Security”, my Maltese Olive.  She barks her head off at any potential stranger. Which can be very annoying.  This in turn gets the other dogs worked up.   Penny then nips, Eli growls.  All this because a little white fluff ball says “This is NOT a DRILL, I repeat, This is NOT a DRILL”  Barkity barkity bark bark BARK BBBBAAAARRRRRKKKKKKKKK.

Do not be fooled by her cute dirty little face.   She means all business.

Here she is with her Uncle Doug who is trying to get her to behave.  LOL, good luck Doug.

Crazy, fat bellied, dirty face Maltese.   God I love you!

The night before the party I made some cute Ocean themed framed pictures of my appetizers and drink menus.

I think they are real cute.  I designed the background using Photoshop Elements and used mostly Lorie Davidson images.  I don’t remember the font name but it looked like a Pirate font to me.

We put cut flowers into mason jars and added some American Flags.

So how do you add a patriotic theme to a tropical dinnerware set?   Just add some star stirrers.  LOL.   Yup it creates the theme just right.

Please note the appetizer plates match the fabric of the chairs.   I just loved this octopus I found at Joann Fabrics.  He really made the ocean theme complete.

Appetizers made and put out.  Please notice the dog nose on the lower left corner of the picture.  Eli must check everything out.  Especially if he can smell it.

Wide shot view.  Notice the large movie screen.  I bought that at Amazon and it is amazing.  It is portable and can easily be put up in 30 minutes or less.  Depending if the helper will let you read the instructions.

You can get it from Amazon HERE.

Guests have arrived, my sister kicking back with a Sangria.  You can kinda see the cushions that match the plates.

My grand niece Kenzie playing in the pool with Eli.  Eli loved the shooting water.  He was completely drenched by the time the day was over.

Here is a video of Eli playing with Kenzie as she shoots water in the air.

Eli trying to save Kenzie.  This poor dog ran around the pool all day long trying to save us.  He did manage to save a few pool toys.

My beautiful niece took a selfie at the party!

By this time I stopped taking pictures as I was in the pool, eating, talking and enjoying myself.

By nightfall we watched “My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2” on the big screen.   We had popcorn and theatre boxed candy.

When it was over it was around 11pm, so everyone went home, tired and happy.

Until next year!!