OUR WORLD TUESDAY {4.12.16}

pics taken 4.12.16 - JPE's Garden

in OUR WORLD TUESDAY...

I would have to say... it's all about...

BLOOMING. COLOR. FLOWERS. WEATHER.

we have loads of flowers, in a variety of colors.

the weather? different story!

scattered showers scheduled for today?

oh, that's NOT part of our day on this TUESDAY!!

Isn't this just the P.E.R.F.E.C.T. rose?

the smell is so fragrant!

took this pictures in the direct SUN! 

not the best conditions...

so, blame that on the WEATHER!

posting with OUR WORLD on TUESDAY!

gotta get back to my sewing!

GOOD. RANDOM. FUN. V41

You've probably noticed (or maybe you haven't) that I had taken

a BREAK from blogging. It's NOT terribly unusual for bloggers to step away from posting... it can be exhausting, plus it takes TIME to create posts. When two of my favorite Swedish bloggers, Benita from Chez Larsson, & TinaJo who posted At Home, disappeared, I was disappointed initially... only to learn they had continued to post on Instagram. Gardening, her rascals (two sons) and a new dog are keeping TinaJo busy, but occasional posts can be seen @tinajo73. And Benita's beautiful, simple living style can be found @BenitaLarsson. 

During my blog break, JPE & I traveled, visited family and spruced-up our patio. As you may have read, I've retired from a career in education. Since May 20th (my official retirement date), I've created a bridal bouquet (seen HERE) for my youngest daughter's wedding, read 11 books, purchased enough craft supplies to start a business (kidding, sort of), and slept (or puttered around, A LOT).

Since February, I've visited blogs, but have not felt like writing.

A couple of days ago, I realized I've missed blogging!!!!

So, here I am... hopefully posting on a regular basis, and journaling this new chapter of my life, RETIREMENT.

The best way to get back into blogging is to participate in a photo challenge.

Tamar @ Randomosity continues to host her Monday challenge, GOOD. RANDOM. FUN. So, I'm BACK!!!

We're (JPE, my mom & I) headed to Washington DC, to visit SLE & MB. Hoping to take a short trip to some of the Civil War sites and see the FALL COLORS. 

Due to the California drought, we've replaced most of our flowers with beautiful succulents... don't you LOVE the fuzz growing on this vibrant green plant. 

I mentioned my obsession with craft supplies. Well, I've also added several new books to my library... Valerie McKeehan authored The Complete Book of Chalk Lettering. It's amazing how lettering skills return with a bit of practice... 

So, come back again, SOON!

HARVEST-TIME...

Do you ever really "see" a painting

that grabs your HEART?

I had arrived for a meeting 20 minutes early, so I sat in the lobby and began checking emails. Listening to the sounds of the receptionists answering phones, talking with clients, my eyes glazed over... when I focused my attention again, I was looking at this painting. 

I've seen this painting many times, but really had not stopped to appreciate the significance of its placement in this location.

This agency serves our lowest income residents... and many of the families have small children. I realized what a significant impact this painting could have on these families & children. The paint COLORS grab your attention! what a positive view of farmworkers collecting produce... the produce we are fortunate to purchase in our local Farmer's Markets!

I LOVE living in an area that supports the agricultural industry!

{painting in the lobby at CAP-SLO (Community Action Partnerships-San Luis Obispo); cropped in PicMonkey}

10 on 10 ~ SEPTEMBER 2014

"dripping wet"

morning fog {7:55am}

drive to work
{along Hwy 101, just past Avila Beach, CA}

sheep are still grazing {work}

S.U.N.S.H.I.N.E.
{taken only 30 minutes after the previous picture}!

Lunch BBQ ~ Nancy "flipping the burgers"

yummy "BBQ" roasted corn from Farmer's Market

drove through Pismo Beach
{way home from work}

see the "fog bank" on the horizon?

AMAZING!!

 fog doesn't obstruct the ocean view at the end of the day!
{BUT! fog IS on the horizon}

Clam Festival is coming!

chowder tasting & music! 

{one of the concrete "clams" that advertise coming events}

pet store? t-shirt shop? restaurant?

guess again...

it's the Tiger Rose Tattoo shop in Pismo Beach 

"enjoying the sun"

coleus in the front planter
{home... sweet... home}

posting at "10 on 10"

hosted by Rebekah @ A Bit of Sunshine

{10 photos taken on the 10th day of the month}

GOOD. RANDOM. FUN {WEEK 36}

 from a mix (a gift from Lydia, Tasha & Jack)

currently sitting on our outdoor fountain!

made some pillowcases for our bed!

"washed out" photo
{the border fabric was selected by JPE}!

posting with Tamar at

RANDOM-OSITY!!!

GOOD. RANDOM. FUN. {WEEK 35}

GOOD... completed more work in the front planter!

succulents in ceramic pots.

river rock detail. 

FEELS GREAT

getting back to blogging!

hadn't planned on such a long

B-R-E-A-K!

RANDOM... have you seen this movie?

it's charming! a must-see!!

FUN... been doing a bit of sewing...

 reading... seeing a few movies... 

posting with 

Tamar at RANDOM-OSITY

see you tomorrow!

{to: Susan & Mom! THANKS for giving me

a P-U-S-H to start blogging again}

GOOD RANDOM FUN {WEEK 28}

we had a "smattering" of raindrops, too!

looking through my "stash" of spray paints! 

ta! da!

some patio changes! ZERO money spent!

posting with Tamar @ RANDOMOSITY

10 ON 10 - JULY 2014

giving something new a try!

hope you'll come back again!

posting ten photos taken on the tenth day of the month

hosted by: Rebekah @ A Bit of Sunshine

8:12am ~ July 10th

Central Coast - California

oh soooo Y.U.M.M.Y.

need to move a.little!

sun has been playing peek-a-boo

with the coastal fog

like the Energizer bunny, these berries "are still going strong"

a mid-afternoon treat

after my massage, I walked by to check in with her "baby"

a pre-dinner cuppa tea!

bringing some color into the house!

the end of an amazingly, restful day!

WEDNESDAY WANDERINGS...

a bit of "COLOR" on a foggy day {JPE's roses ~ 7.9.14}

yesterday's DR visit confirmed my speculation(s)

my healing is "on track"

she'll see me in another 4 weeks

traveling would be uncomfortable, SO

WHAT I SEE

more rest is a hidden gift of time

to read, take photos, craft, sew

Did you SEE the yellow rose?

GOOD. RANDOM. FUN {WEEK 23}

 DON'T FORGET to check in with Tamar...

"garden art"

looking forward to bike riding after I heal from surgery!

CELEBRATE....

using my favorite app, Waterlogue, to share a picture of JPE's beautiful roses!

my MOTHER'S DAY gift from JPE - NEW garden clogs...

my old clogs were pretty disgusting!

my new ones are so pretty, I told JPE I didn't think I wanted to wear them into the garden...

Hope everyone is enjoying their Mother's Day!