Quarentine Lawn Decor

Found this walking around our San Diego neighborhood last month...

Things that make a gardener go hmmm.....

That is a tomato plant.

That's right...that's a tomato plant growing on a sign out of what looks like pure concrete on the side of the road!  There were actually little green tomatoes starting to grow on it.   Just one of many "we're not in Texas anymore" moments I've had since coming back to California.

After how much I've struggled to keep plants alive stuff like this blows my mind.  

4th of July Sky

I don't often take pictures of fireworks...photos don't often really capture their beauty.  But the smoke around the fireworks this 4th was mesmerizing, and I had to try.  I caught these...

And the rocket's red glare

the bombs bursting in air...


Sky Watch Friday

Primrose Surprise

I was so surprised and happy to see these beauties in our local park.   Mexican Evening Primrose, a little taste of the best part of Texas Spring, right here in California!

San Diego Seals

So, this Christmas I had planned to take our kids on a day trip to the mountains to play in the snow....but there was no snow in nearby mountains, so we did some things closer to home in stead.

My favorite was visiting the Seals at Children's Pool right here in San Diego (no pool...it's just a beach that's called that where seals come when they are pupping).

Here's some pics we got while we were down there....

Yes, yes that is a football next to that seal...

And here's a video of all the cute stuff we caught the seals doing...
(with commentary by my three boys)

These seals are Pacific Harbor Seals.   They are just one of the many seals and sea lions that can be found in California (as a kid when I was living on the boat I remember the sea lions always used to hang out on the bouys) .  

So, someone I know argued with me over whether these were sea lions or seals. Well, if you've ever wondered  how to tell seals from sea-lions, there's a good guide here:  How to Tell Sea Lions from Seals.

So, my oldest son also took this pic of a seagull.  He hasn't been in California long enough for sea-gulls to be no big deal.  Though it came out nice.

(Taken by my eldest)


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I'm Back in California!

So, I'm back in California now....and not just for a Vacation!  This summer we packed up and moved to San Diego, my hubby's hometown, thanks to a new job. 

I can not tell you how good it feels to be back.   When my husband, who came earlier than us, picked us up at the airport and we got in the car and drove through the city with all the palm trees, stucco buildings, murals, HILLS, marinas, etc....I just wanted to scream for joy.  I was HOME!

Don't get me wrong...I had grown to love where I lived, and I still dearly miss so many of the people there.  So many people who had become like family.  But the place itself, the geography, weather, etc.....it's never felt like home the way California does.

I'm even sleeping better.    The whole time I've been in Texas I've struggled with insomnia (and in summer, when I can go to bed when I want, a creeping sleep schedule).   I haven't had that trouble since I came back.

So, anyways, I'll be writing more soon about how I'm seeing California now after being away so long, and fun outings we've been doing, etc....but I just wanted to let you all know I'm back.

Go to Museums and Gardens for Free!

Want to visit a museum for free?  There's lots of California and Texas museums and gardens offering free admission in May!

• Admission is free  the Mayborn Children's Museum in Waco, TX on May 1, 2011.  (I really recommend this one...you can spend the whole day there and not see everything there is to see!  The pictures above are from there.)
  
  
• Free Museum Day lists days you can visit museums for free.  Currently their list includes museums in these California Cities:  Los Angelos, San Diego, and San Francisco.
  
  
• Today is the last day to enter for a 4 pack of Tickets to Sea Life Aquarium in Carlsbad, CA (plus get a $50 Froots gift card).  Only 8 people have entered this!
  
  
• Get free admission to local gardens May 6. They have gardens from all over the country.

Texas Summer?

What great weather we're having!  When it's not raining (which I don't mind a bit...waters my garden nicely) it's just gorgeous outside.  My husband heard a sports newscaster commenting on TV about that:

I wanted them to get a taste of real Texas football in July.  And it's 80 outside!  And they're STILL complaining because they're from San Diego and that's 10 degrees higher than 70!
-Some Texas Sports Newscaster

I guess San Diego was playing one of our teams (yes, I don't know which one...that's how much into football I am).  And no, that's not an exact quote because it wasn't me that was watching it.  If you know who said that and on what channel, please let me know, cause I think it's hilarious.  Seriously, my husband's from San Diego, and he has a joke that when the weather hits 60 degrees it's 10 below (10 below 70 that is!).  Funny to hear that thought echoed on the news!