In memory of Chuck

We still have a few orchids that Mark's dad had at their long-time home in El Cerrito, CA.  The blooms are beautiful and last a long time when cut.  Here are the latest blooms from the yellow one ...

Carlsbad Flower Fields

In our 30+ years of living in San Diego, we had yet to make a trip to the Flower Fields ... today was the day!  It was truly beautiful and all the fields were Tecolote Ranunculus.  We bought several packages of bulbs to plant as they were so gorgeous.  Enjoy the pictures!

Lake Poway

The guys and I went to Lake Poway yesterday for a picnic and a walk around the lake.  The weather was perfect and it was so peaceful and beautiful.

New family

I'm so excited to have a new bird family outside my window.  They are busy fluffing up the nest and each day I check for eggs.  I was able to capture a picture although the red chest isn't as vibrant as in real life.

Spring has arrived!

I LoVe spring ... flowers blooming, birds chirping, and seeds growing.  Today as we did some yardwork, I couldn't help but take some pictures of the pansies as the color is so beautiful.  Best news of all ... I have a bird family remodeling the nest in my plant so I'll have babies to watch grow and share pictures of.

And my orchid is blooming again ...

Spring is near

While many of my friends and family are busy shoveling snow, we are enjoying a very warm, Spring-like week.  Nothing beats waking up to the sound of birds chirping and sun shining.  I have seeds planted in preparation for a move to the garden and trees are in bloom.  Love it!

Snow day

Kelleigh and Ryan had not seen snow in person so we took a drive toward Big Bear as snow much snow has fallen.  Apparently most of San Diego had the same idea!  Traffic was quite bad so we took an opportunity and stopped at a turn-out where there was fresh snow and made our own fun.  The kids had a great time building a snowman, enjoying a snowball fight, and - best of all - sliding down the steep hill back to the car!  Was a fun day!

We found a carrot piece at the foot of the hill ...
then Ryan found a hat laying by a tree!

New table runner

I have been looking for a long time for a table runner for the dining room and finally found one that is perfect!  I have a framed quote centered around a bird's nest on the huntboard so the theme was perfect as well as the color to match the rug.  And ... it's perfect given my love of birds ...

Enjoying nature

My favorite place to take walks is on a nearby nature path with a creek.  Watching the ducks, birds, and just seeing the beauty of nature is so peaceful.  Late afternoon brought us a hail storm but once it cleared, we decided to take a walk to see the creek full from the rain.  While the ducks had taken shelter, the scenes were beautiful.  (Click on "Keep reading" at the bottom to see all the pictures.)

Our little hailstorm ...

A very full creek ...

Beautiful sunrise

A cute visitor

I forgot to post this cute roadrunner that was walking behind our fence the other day.  We used to see them quite often but the last couple of years it's only occasionally that we do.  (The picture isn't very sharp as he kept moving!  Can you see him between the trees?)

Squirrels and acorns

When I saw this candy dish in the Pier 1 flyer I knew it would be the perfect thing for my collection of pinecones and acorns.  How could I resist?!  (It would take a LOT of candy to fill this dish as it's quite deep!)

Finally a flower

We've waited over a year for this barrel cactus to bloom and we finally have one flower.  So much for having a whole circle of them!

Owl cuteness

I need to find some wood and make these!

September 1st

An empty nest

Our first family is all grown up and off on their own now.  Here are the last few days in their nest ..

Baby update

Growing!

First babies of the Spring

And then there were four ,,,

Mommy has added more to her family!'