The 12 Days of Christmas Company- Part 1

   On the first day of Christmas an airplane brought to us…. Wayne and Marilyn Lepak from the cold land of Wisconsin….. On the second day of Christmas an automobile brought to us…. Jason and Sarah (Lepak) Sanderson through rain and snow with three adorable boys in tow from Chelan,Washington. And an airplane brought to us Cammy Lepak from the far eastern coastal state of South Carolina. On the third day of Christmas an airplane brought to us our younger son Tristan from the prairies of Kansas. And finally on Christmas an airplane brought to us Brooke Satterfield (special friend of Tristan) from that oddly named city of Oconomowoc in Wisconsin. So the days of fun, feasting, exploring, games and just wonderful conversations began! So much catching up to do and so much to show them about our new state and our life here.

We took Wayne and Marilyn over the foothills via the Ortega Highway to Laguna beach. Snow capped mountains in the distance.

Lake Elsinore look out

Lunch on the ocean in Laguna Beach at The Beach House. Wayne and Marilyn

The view from our table.

Of course we ate supper on our patio. That is what patio heaters are for! Jason and Owen

Tristan and Wade with Grandma Marilyn.

Sarah and Jason

Grandpa Wayne taking on all 3 boys.

Of course we took them to La Jolla.

Then to Torrey Pines to picnic on the beach.

The adults lounged while the crazy kids chased seagulls and played in the waves.

Sweet owen

Doing the hokey pokey with Grandma. Please note the difference in attire… Marilyn had 2 coats on. It was 60 degrees!

Jason, Tristan and Wade

Cammy and Tristan's "octopus"

Hiking after lunch- little Owen did great even though the steps were almost taller than him!

The Lepak/Sanderson clan

The tour guides

Serious Wade

A family that reads together stays together!

This my dear is why we own so many sheets….

     Dave often wonders why we have so many linens. I did sort through them and get rid of some really old sheets before the move. Now I know why I kept so many- and these are the ones that aren't already on the beds awaiting our soon to arrive guests. In addition to the sheets I had to purchase some "frost blankets" at the local garden center. The citrus look quite cozy all wrapped in their blankets.
   Yes, my cold weather friends in other locales, this is Southern California in the winter! It may be sunny most days and you are picturing me frolicking on the beach and admiring the surfers….. Well let me tell you when that sun goes down the temperature plummets rapidly and we had a significant frost last night and one predicted tonight with a low of 29. I learn so much from goggle- because of the low humidity here the air cools and warms more rapidly which explains the huge temperature variation between day and night. Well, I have done my best with the materials I had on hand and the rest of the plants will just have to take their chances!

5 "ghost" citrus all in a row

New look for our patio plantings

The perfected sock monkey latte cozy.

Surely you expect a sunset picture by now in nearly every post?

Bought these for Dave because he thinks "sea" salt is ridiculous. He says salt is salt! But these caramels do sound classy…. and they are very tasty. I feel so sophisticated eating them!

    The "monkey factory"- sock monkeys in all stages of development. Please note the middle monkey is a MUG cozy. Oh yes, I am getting quite creative! But monkey production will be slowing down since we have many exciting guests coming. They arrive on Thurs, Fri, Sat, and Tuesday form all corners of the USA: Wisconsin, Washington, Kansas, and S. Carolina. Have a wonderful holiday and enjoy the special people in your life :)

Rainy Day

       It is a rainy day which is really great for a few reasons…. I am getting some indoor projects done and also it is free water! The downside of living in this climate is that indoor projects don't appeal when you can be outside. Dave is back from his work travels and is on overwhelm. So we played a few games of "Word on the Street" while we both procrastinated. I am preparing for the home invasion of lots of very welcome guests starting next week :) Yesterday I measured, mixed, rolled, cut, baked and frosted 5 different kinds of cookies. Now the crockpot is smelling mighty good with some meat for the freezer- carnitas yum! It is also smelling like a brewery- maybe I shouldn't have dumped the whole bottle of beer in? Should be good- if not Dave and I will eat it and I will start over!
     Last week our friends Keith and Jane shared their special guest with us. We had supper and a great visit with Alan A. who has been preaching the gospel in Mexico for 30 years or so. He was in Illinois when Dave was a youngster.

Alan and Dave

Our hosts

Happy Dave at Dave's Beach in Carlsbad flying his plane.

It was his first solo flight off the ocean cliffs. He did awesome.  Landed it smoothly 3 times out of 4…. we won't discuss that landing. No damage to the plane only to Dave…. (minor damage)

Winter houses to get in the winter mood.

All you can eat pomegranates compliments of our Fallbrook friends with the 4 adorable blonde children.

Sock Monkey coffee cozies. Seems to be a "hot" item so I am selling a few after some persistent inquires!  At least I have a good reason to sit and crochet all evening. All for now- the cupboards are calling to be organized, the garage is also whimpering… I sure hope Dave is done with that call for work so we can procrastinate together!

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Special guests

  We had extra special guests this week for a few nights. Pam and Andrea stayed with us for a few nights. We appreciate all that they have left behind to live a life devoted to preaching the gospel story. Their lives are wonderful evidence of a work within.

This palm is right outside my kitchen window and I do believe it has flourished in my care. It must like that special palm fertilizer.

 Kind of fun that the things that were blooming when we moved in 9 months ago are blooming anew.

I was so sure that this was a lime tree…. well my limes turned into tangerines!

Just some winter yard pictures!

On the right side of this photo are purple flowered plants called ice plants. I planted them soon after we moved in because it was just bare dirt and weeds. Now we have a very beautiful ground cover.

Planting some carnations in December? How amazing!

New succulent garden that I couldn't resist.

Yes we have fall color and yes we have leaves to rake!

My friend Julie told me that it is necessary to decorate for the season to remind yourself what season it is!

Can you name all these local fruits? The mango is from Ecuador.

Thanksgiving Trip- Part 2

Thanksgiving Day. My sister graciously agreed to host for the day if we travelled the 2500 miles or so… A fabulous day of feasting, family and fun. Our 2 families were all there- our brothers were in Florida and our parents are gone. How time changes life.