Life On The Central Coast

"If The Only Prayer You Say In Your Entire Life Is - 'Thank You' - That Is Enough" Thanksgiving is only a week away. People all around the United States will be celebrating with a bountiful table filled with roast turkey or a vegetarian substitute with all the trimmings. We in America are really blessed when it comes to food. Most of us have never experienced starvation or empty cupboards. When I was little, I did hear stories of that from my Mom though who lived through the Depression as a young girl. There is a really sweet woman over on YouTube, Clara , who features Depression Cooking along with stories of what it was like to live during that time. Check her out! But for my entire life, my cupboards, refrigerator, pantry shelves and freezer have been full. Sometimes too full. We not only have food, a substance to fill our hungry stomachs, but we can have what we want to eat, when we want to eat it, pretty much fresh the entire year round! Fancy restaurants take ...

"If The Only Prayer You Say In Your Entire Life Is - 'Thank You' - That Is Enough" Meister Eckhart 1260-1328 Christian Writer and Theologian You may have noticed... I've skipped just a few days. Well, really more than just a few. But I have a good reason..... A brand new Grand-daughter has made her way into our lives! Meet Audrey Elizabeth! Born: November 11, 2010 Weight: 7 lbs. She is such a little GIRL!! The spittin' image of her older brother, Anthony, just more pink... and girlie.... and feminine. I think I've been walking around in a cloud of happiness for the last week as I did for all my grandsons. And I'm SO THANKFUL for them all!! Here's a shout out to all the other Grandparents out there!! Don't we have alot to be Thankful for?? I'd love it if you share a link to pictures of YOUR grandkids on YOUR blog!

"If The Only Prayer You Say In Your Entire Life Is - 'Thank You' - That Is Enough" Meister Eckhart 1260-1328 Christian Writer and Theologian Technology. Think how many things have been created or upgraded in just the last 25 years. It's absolutely amazing! In the 1990's, we got our first cell phone. Compared to the cell phones of today... IT WAS HUGE! And it pretty much installed in the car, for use in the car not out running around like we do today. We had cassette tape players and DVD players that have almost been replaced by something 1/3 of the size that can hold even MORE information, music, books, etc. Computers have gone from taking up an entire ROOM to desktop versions, laptops and not the notebook size. All I can say is... it's really exciting. I can't wait to see where technology is going next. As my husband and I age, we think it's pretty important to "keep up", technologically speaking. And affordable, these items are not all...

"If The Only Prayer You Say In Your Entire Life Is - 'Thank You' - That Is Enough" Meister Eckhart 1260-1328 Christian Writer and Theologian This morning when I wet to pick up my Sunday paper outside, it was all wet from the coastal fog. So quiet, just the birds making noise. Everything was covered in little diamond drops. It was magical. I sat out front in my rocking chair and it was so peaceful. I don't know how other people do it. I have to have some moments of total silence to think. Too many days can go by with noise, hustle bustle, things to be done, appointments, duties and errands. Before you know it, the time right after waking up in the morning and the time right before bed are the only times in the day left to myself. Mornings like today help remind me how Thankful I am for QUIET SOLITUDE . And that I need to make more time to rest, meditate and give thanks.

"If The Only Prayer You Say In Your Entire Life Is - 'Thank You' - That Is Enough" Meister Eckhart 1260-1328 Christian Writer and Theologian It is said that when you find the perfect work, it isn't work at all. Some people know what they want to "be" from the time they are children. Others decide somewhere along the way. Some jobs require years and years of formal education and some less. Some find a need a fill it creating entire business empires from simple ideas. When I was young and thinking what I'd like to do for the rest of my life, it was simple... I wanted to be a mom. I wanted to stay home with my kids and teach them, attend PTA meetings, volunteer at their schools, cook, sew and be a supportive partner for my husband. When I was in High School, I took all the Home Ec classes offered, babysat for friends of my parents and also took secretarial courses "just in case" plan A didn't work out. AND... I was lucky enough to have a ...

"If The Only Prayer You Say In Your Entire Life Is - 'Thank You' - That Is Enough" Meister Eckhart 1260-1328 Christian Writer and Theologian Yesterday I went for a walk on the Beach. The sun was shining, the breeze was cool and it made me feel so relaxed. We take in information about the world around us everyday, without even thinking much about it, through our senses. Today I am Thankful to be able to S ee, Hear, Taste, Feel and Smell all that is around me! Since this is Thanksgiving month, just imagine that feast without senses. The table is set in finery, flowers, a fruit bowl, candles. We gather around with family and friends, laughing and talking, exchanging a hug or handshake, "feeling the love". Then we sit down and in comes the food.... the turkey, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, green beans, stuffing... all the tantalizing smells of what we are about to eat. Ummmm, and the taste! Then the blessing comes, heartfelt, quiet... we listen and are fille...

"If The Only Prayer You Say In Your Entire Life Is - 'Thank You' - That Is Enough" Meister Eckhart 1260-1328 Christian Writer and Theologian Today, I am Thankful for my HOME . Everyday I consider myself one of the lucky ones. Since I've been married, I've lived in apartments, duplexes and rental homes. By far, home ownership is THE BEST! Back in 1995, we started looking for our current home. Each of us made a request that we put on a larger list. The kids each wanted their own bedroom. My youngest daughter had to have a tree out front to climb. For my husband it was a garage (and economical price tag!) and for me it was a large backyard and a peak of the ocean. We must have looked at 10 places... all either too small or too expensive. Then, after having another offer fall through, our Realtor showed us this house that was JUST put on the market, as is, a foreclosure. We made an offer THAT DAY... my Valentine's gift of 1995! It was accepted and we moved in...

"If The Only Prayer You Say In Your Entire Life Is - 'Thank You' - That Is Enough" Meister Eckhart 1260-1328 Christian Writer and Theologian Election Day! Bet you can guess what I'm Thankful for today... that's right, to live in a "Free" Country and have the ability to vote. Did you know, that in California, women have only had the right to vote for 99 years? That's right. Next year will be the 100 year anniversary. I'm a registered voter and try to vote in every election. Now that I vote by absentee ballot, it is easier then ever to make my vote count. You know, the things that I vote for do not always win, and those I vote for are not always the winners either, but it is still better than living where there is no choice. At least I get to sit down and read through the voting material and make an educated choice for the person, party, measures that I think would be of a benefit to our nation. So I'm thankful for the ability to vote, for...

"If The Only Prayer You Say In Your Entire Life Is - 'Thank You' - That Is Enough" Meister Eckhart 1260-1328 Christian Writer and Theologian November is the PERFECT month to have Thankfulness as a focus. The seasons are changing and as always, the holidays are piling one on top of another, hardly allowing us to stop for anything much less giving thanks. Every day this month, I'm going to share with you, those things in my life that I am thankful for. Today, I am Thankful for my Life ; My parents, upbringing, my teachers, religious education, childhood friends, all those who touched my life as a small child and helped make me who I am today. I always tell my children that if you look back, you are pretty much the same person you were as a child only older and maybe a bit less innocent. That cutie in the stroller was me. Yes, I had on my teether as a crown... a princess even then! And I'm with my older sister, Lana. She is almost 5 years older than me. Lucky me,...

Happy Halloween "My Pretties." Hope your day is filled with fun, laughter and loads of sweets! Stay tuned.... Putting the final touches on my closet!! I KNOW! Mike finished work on the "skeleton" part and it looks FABULOUS! I'm running out to Marshalls and Ross today to see if I can "flesh out" the insides with some organizers and hangers. Then everything that has been lying around for the last month will have one last sorting of "do I really need this" and then placing back in. It's funny when you ask yourself that how much you can part with. No more "3 sizes of clothes" stuffed in there... if it doesn't fit today, it's outta there!! I'm even going through things I was keeping as sporting equipment to make certain I only keep what I plan to continue doing. No more excess just space, space, SPACE. I'm loving the feeling of emptiness and openness. It's freeing!

(If you click on the picture, you can read what I've written better)

One of the things on my New Years resolution list was taking djembe lessons. About 2 years ago I bought my drum and seldom played it even though it beckoned daily. When the year began I was trying to weed through the things in my life I wanted to do and begin clearing out those things that no longer interested me. There was that drum. So I got on the phone, called Drum School 101, and had Steve Smith set me up with weekly 1/2 hour lessons. It was one of the best things I ever did. My instructor, Wyatt Lund, is patient, challenging and thoroughly educated in everything drum. I have learned so much and had such fun. I tease my husband telling him I get to take off my wedding ring for a 1/2 hour every week, sit in a very small room with another man and "beat it"..... the drum that is. When I'm done with the lesson, I have a BIG smile on my face! It's my plan to evaluate at the end of the year and see if it's still something I want to continue. I'm sure it w...

Everyday I feel so thankful I have good eyesight. Now that I'm aging a bit, I can tell my eyes are changing too, but so far, no real need for glasses. Throughout my day, I see things, things I want to record for others to see. I love to take pictures of the everyday as well as the special events and things in my life. So when my good friend, Janine told me I should enter some of my pictures in the New Times 14th Annual Photo Contest, I figured, WHY NOT?? For me, you don't have to win a contest to prove you have talent. Hey, I'm a hit and miss kind of gal... PROBABLY ALOT LIKE YOU!! That makes me an ordinary person trying my best to make the extraordinary. Lucky for me, I have the opportunity to share my pictures with this blog and my strictly photography blog, Capturing Light & Life. I also share on Flickr and have actually had requests for some of my photos to be put in their groups. So my good friends, here are the pictures I chose to put into the contest along w...

Yesterday, I shared on Facebook that I was making Brownie Swirl Cheesecake and found several people who wanted a piece so today, I'm going to share the recipe and the pictures with you. It's not hard to make and the results are to DIE for!! Recipe: 1 Pkg. (8oz.) Brownie Mix (make according to the package directions for chewy fudge brownies) 2 8 oz. packages cream cheese, softened 1/2 C. Sugar 1 Tsp. Vanilla Extract 2 Eggs 1 C. melted milk chocolate chips Whipped cream and miniature chocolate kisses, optional Step 1: Prepare brownie mix according to package directions. Mine called for an egg, 1/2 c. water and 1/3 c. Vegetable oil. Oh, and we CAN'T forget that package of fudge included in the box. Remember, its whatever brownie mix you choose to use. Mix according to box directions, mine said, "stir about 40 times". It ends up looking pretty put together, I was surprised! And here it is in the 9" Springform pan after cooking for 15 min. at 350 degrees. (The...