California Trip Part 2

Can you take some more California pics?  Well, I can. Here's some pics from LA and points north on our cruise up Hwy 1.  I'll explain as I go...

Below, a couple of pics of the La Brea Tar Pits in LA.  In these ponds of yuck, there is oil and crud bubbling up STILL, and big goopy globs of asphalt rise to the surface.  Bleh...

Now we go inside to the Page Museum there at the location to view some of the fossils that have been extracted from the tar pits.  They were absolutely amazing.  I didn't know if I was going to like this exhibit, but Tony wanted to go see it, and I wound up really enjoying it!  This first one is a giant ground sloth and believe me, it was giant. 

Above is a huge ancient bison.

Below is a saber-toothed cat attacking the giant sloth...

Then we took a spin down Rodeo Drive...  

Finally, we get to the coast of California.  It was just spectacular...  My first look at the Pacific Ocean.  There were folks there relaxing for the Labor Day weekend.  We sat on the beach for a while before continuing on our journey.  Being seaside is just intoxicating for me.  There's something about water, particularly an ocean that just mesmerizes me.  We soaked up some sunshine and decided to go on down the coast to wherever our next destination might be.  We were vagabonds on this trip and just drove wherever our whims decided.  Such a fun way to travel!

Next up the coast we made a swing through Santa Barbara to see the mission there... It was getting late in the afternoon and they were about to close.  You know, it was actually chilly there!  You can't imagine how good it felt after leaving our 100+ temps behind in Texas!!!!

Before we left we ran across this fellow - Friar Antonio.  I decided that he could come with me on my trip...

Tune back next time for the next leg of our trip!  Thanks for looking!

California Trip Part 1

Thought I might share a few photos of our California trip that my husband and I took together last week. We flew into LA, rented a car, and toured all around up the Pacific Coast Hwy 1, and had a fabulous time together!  I know now why people love living in California - it's beautiful, the weather was practically perfect, not too hot, and there's SO much to see and do!

First thing we did was drive down to San Juan Capistrano. I've been wanting to see that mission forever!  I love old Mexican missions and the architecture.  So Tony indulged me and I took so many pictures there I have LOTS of painting material!  Let me show you just a few:

Below is a photo of the new sanctuary that was built a while back.  Part of the old mission was damaged (I believe in an earthquake) and the new building was built later.  It's beautiful inside and out!

The only thing I bought myself (besides food) was a nice coffee table cookbook from Mission San Juan Capistrano that was put together by the local ladies organization there.  I'll have to show you a  picture of it. It's got lots of paintings of Capistrano in it - it's the most painted and photographed mission of all the California missions from what I understand.  I'm anxious to try some of the recipes in it, too!

Our trip was so much fun - it was a great time to get away as the kids (in California) were back in school and there were no crowds anywhere we went.  I'll be back tomorrow and show you some of the La Brea Tar Pits and fossils in LA!  I know you can't wait!

Remembering 9-11

Remembering the tragic events of September 11.  May we always cherish the memory of those who were lost on that fateful day,and support and uphold the families who lost loved ones.  May we never let the importance and relevance of 911 lose its intensity.  Long may our flag wave o'er this land of the free and the brave.  And long may we treasure our country and the countless blessings that we have in this most wonderful of countries in the whole wide world.  Never let us become complacent.  May God continue to bless America.  And may He raise up God-fearing, Christian leaders to direct our nation to its once- glorious state.  Hold your families close and keep your eyes lifted up unto the hills from whence our strength comes.  May you all have a blessed and reverent Sunday.

Praying for RAIN

Please join us here in Texas and other parched areas of the South as we pray for much-needed rain.  Thousands of acres of land and over 400 homes were burned in East Texas over the holiday weekend. A young mother and her toddler were killed in their home.  They were found with the mother's body covering her baby to protect her.  We have been having high winds from the last tropical storm to make the fire situation worse.  This is the worst dry situation I have ever seen in my life.  We need rain.  Animals are dying, ponds & lakes are dry or drying up, our water is being restricted.  It's bad.  People are losing their livestock - there is no feed to be had.  And now the fire situation is getting out of hand.  All your prayers are so appreciated...  The Lord knows what we need and He will send it in due time. Thanks..

Commentary by a Friend

http://doublenickelfarm.blogspot.com/2011/08/i-wonder_27.html

You simply MUST hop over and read this post by Jennifer.  It came from 2009, I believe, but she reposted it. It's simple, to the point, and highly thought-provoking.  I stand and applaud her.  She put very eloquently what I think and feel every single day.  Tell her I sent you... Thanks!