Where I Live Part 2

Fall is definitely in the air.  The temperature has dropped and morning dew has made an appearance.  There was even snow spotted on the higher peaks.

Both of these photos are taken as you are leaving Los Alamos. 

Chamisa is in full bloom.  I just love the vibrant yellow.

Looking towards the mountains outside of Santa Fe, NM.  That's the Santa Fe Ski Basin runs.

Yep, this is me.  I'm at Rancho de Chimayo having lunch with my dad and his girlfriend.  This restaurant is real close to the El Santuario de Chimayo, which I wrote about on my first "Where I Live" post.  Notice the hay in the adobe walls?  The red things at the top of the photo are chili ristras.  I have better photos for another time.

 

 

Do you see what I see?  Could it be?  At least it's a crossing sign and not a REAL alien!!

Cupcake Wars - Really?!?

During my vacation my friend and I wandered around Manhattan Beach.  I spotted this great photo op - take a look: did you ever watch that show "Pimp My Ride"? Well, this bicycle kind of reminded me of that show.

Love the leis and coconut head!

Then we turn around to see this.  Dreams we didn't even know we had were answered.

I've heard of the show Cupcake Wars on the Food Network but have never watched it.  We HAD to go inside to see what this is all about.  The name of the store is Cupcakes Couture of Manhattan Beach.  

This photo doesn't do the cupcakes justice.  I had the one that looks like it has a blue wave.  Coconut flavoring (didn't realize I was keeping a theme until just now).

That bicycle is better than a neon sign.  Definitely a great marketing device.  Both of us enjoyed our little bite of heaven!

How Fun Is This?

Have I mentioned that I love painting clothes pins?  I get such a giddy feeling over something so simple!  I love experimenting with the colors; some of the color combinations really pop and some just fall flat.  Which are your favorite?  

It's pretty simple and would be a great project to do with the kids.  I paint the clothes pins in the primary color twice so that it really gets saturated. 


Next I make the larger spots using the eraser tip of a pencil.  They come out slightly different depending on the angle of the pencil and how much paint is on the eraser.  To make the smaller circle I sharpen the pencil   down a bit and then break the lead tip off.  Again, it depends on the amount of paint and the angle that determines the dots.

I love giving these as little gifts.  I attach magnets to some so they can hold a photo or card onto the refrigerator.

I hope you enjoy these as much as I do. 

A Week Away

Hi everyone.  I was on vacation - taking a cruise along the California coast.  It was absolutely wonderful.  Stops in Santa Barbara, San Diego, San Francisco and then Ensenada, Mexico.  Below are a few of the photos that I took.   I hope you enjoy just a sneak of what I've been up to.  We flew into Los Angeles and had an afternoon to waste away before the cruise started.

The adventure starts!

We took a trolley to Manhattan Beach.  What a fun afternoon.  

Burger and fries for lunch at Brewco Manhattan Beach.

A cool little restaurant/pub.

Check out my burger and sweet potato fries.  Yum!!

This is a photo of the ceiling.

 The pier.  A little bit overcast but still beautiful.

 Our tour guide.

Hitting the waves.

I found a very special place in Manhattan Beach.  Does anyone like cupcakes?!?  Stay tuned for my next post.