Mmmm ~ Try This!

Pumpkin Butter

Ingredients:

* 1 can (15 oz.) Libby's 100 percent Pure Pumpkin
* 2/3 cup packed brown sugar
* 1/4 cup honey
* 1 tablespoon lemon juice
* 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
* 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves

Directions:
COMBINE pumpkin, sugar, honey, lemon juice, cinnamon and cloves in medium heavy-duty saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat; reduce heat to low. Cook, stirring frequently, for 20 to 25 minutes or until thickened.
Serve with biscuits, breads and corn muffins. Store in airtight container in refrigerator for up to 2 months.

Recipe makes 2 cups.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I made this last year and everyone loved it!
enjoy
:)

Two Of My Favorite Stores!

When I am in Pacific Grove, I make a point to visit my favorite stores. I am sharing two of them with you today . The one below is called Diamonds & Rust which is owned by two very interesting ladies. They travel to Italy once a year and go to old churches buying different unique artifacts. I have been told that the churches are selling things which have accumulated over the years in order to raise money trying to refurbish and restore the churches to new-like conditions. Diamonds & Rust does not just consist of church artifacts. It also has accessories for the home and garden. Every time I visit, the ladies tell me something I didn't know, and I always find new treasures that are calling out my name.

Diamonds & Rust

Boxwoods is below ~

Welcome To BOXWOODS

Offering European furnishings and accessories for the home and garden, hand selected plants and unique gifts.


The gate that you enter to get to BOXWOODS


An old gazebo that has been turned into a charming store.


A little peak inside


Sweetness in a basket

Sun Rising Walks

I have to tell you... I was quite spoiled taking my daily walk along the ocean. I have to admit, it has been a little hard coming home and walking through the neighborhoods in my little town of Hughson again. My walks included watching the sun rise while listening to the ocean waves come in. The sun gave the sky beautiful hues of color that reflected off of the water. It was like walking inside of a rainbow. I was enjoying myself so much, it was over before I knew it. I really could have walked for miles and miles.

I know it's not quite the same as being there.... but, I was thinking of you all and wanted to share this with you!



After my walk, Charlie and I would come here for breakfast. It is called the Trailside Cafe and Coffee House. I would have creamy oatmeal with brown sugar and raisins, with a big cup of coffee. This place buzzed all morning with customers. It sits on the trail that looks over the ocean. It was beautiful!

Harbor Seals

The beach below is part of the Hopkins State Marine Reserve and is a frequent haul-out for resident harbor seals (Phoca vitulina). Births take place during April and May. Newborn pups weigh about 20 lbs. and nurse for 15 to 40 days before they are weaned. Males start breeding at 5 years and weigh up to 200 lbs. Females breed at 3 to 4 years and weigh about 150 lbs. Harbor seals feed primarily at night on fishes, cephalopods, and crustaceans. Average dive time is 5 to 8 minutes, but can be as long as 35 minutes. They can dive as deep as 1,500 feet.

For further information visit http://hopkins.stanford.edu/seals

click it twice?!

(this is my first blog video)

They are sooo cute!

It's in the Little Things

Why not learn to enjoy the little things ~

there are so many of them.

;)

taking some time

i need some time to
collect my thoughts
get ready for
the weeks ahead
before the holiday tornado
gets here.
i have a couple of birthdays
and anniversary's coming as
well as a couple
of day trips.
my husband needs some much
needed rest
and relaxation also.
we will be taking
four days off from
the regular daily
hustle and bustle.
lots of holding hands,
taking walks and naps
together. listening to
the waves roll in.
we really enjoy
our time together.
this man makes me laugh.
i am hoping
to get some pictures,
do a little shopping,
and breath deeply. hopefully
we will come back feeling
refreshed and more centered.
may peace be
with you.

;)

To Bring to an Agreement

We cannot direct the wind but we can adjust the sails.

~Author Unknown


Photo ~ A tile in an old table sitting in my moms backyard

thinking i have it covered

I've got dreams in hidden places and extra smiles for when I'm blue.

~Author Unknown

Making the Most of Your Moments

Taking the
scenic route.

Improve your spare

moments and they will

become the brightest

gems in your life.

RALPH WALDO EMMERSON

Today

Look at everything
as though
you were seeing it
either for the first or last time.

~Betty Smith

*click photo to enlarge, there is a busy bee

;)

A Corner of My World

If you have been reading my blog, you might have noticed that I love this time year. I look forward to turning on my accent lights. It's a little darker in the house, so you can see the glow of my night lights (that are on 24/7) placed through out my entire home as well. I light my candles, and look forward to making a hearty soup with a crusty loaf of french bread for dinner. It's time to get out those books that you have been wanting to read.

As much as I look forward to this time of year, my friend who deals with Lupus does not. The weather makes her battle with this disease even harder. Lupus, also known as systemic lupus erythematousus, or SLE, is a chronic disease of the immune system. Instead of serving its normal protective function, the immune system forms antibodies and cells that attack healthy tissues and organs.

With Lupus, there are a lot of restrictions you have to live with. You are no longer allowed exposure to the sun, and are sheltered from doing anything too tiring. It's so unpredictable, it makes it very hard to plan anything. Our friendship has had to lean on the spontaneous side of doing things. Although my friend is constantly faced with the ups and downs of living with lupus, she maintains a positive attitude. She has been an inspiration to me. I don't take the simple acts of living my life, such as; my daily walks out in the sun for granted. We had something planned for this week, we didn't know what... just anything! We miss each other, and don't like a lot of time to get in between our visits. That is important to us. I opened my e-mail late last night to see that she had sent me a quick message telling me she had to go to the hospital very early in the morning for a shot. I was told that her lupus was flaring up, as the condition often does if a person is tired and stressed. With lupus, my friend has good days and bad. We try to concentrate on the good ones and keep positive in knowing that there will be more on the way. My girl-friend has said on occasion that, "I have lupus, lupus does not have me." Her strength and wisdom amazes me. As much as I love this time of year, I try to keep in mind that it is a very hard time of year for my friend. My feelings are kept sensitive in knowing that.


What Is It?

*Lupus is an autoimmune disease that can affect various parts of the body, including the skin, joints, heart, lungs, blood, kidneys and brain. There currently is no cure.

*For most people, lupus is a mild disease affecting only a few organs. For others, it may cause serious and even life-threatening problems. Although epidemiological data on lupus is limited, studies suggest that more that 16,000 Americans develop lupus each year.

*Between 1.5 million and 2 million Americans have a form of lupus, but the actual number may be higher. More than 90 percent of people with lupus are women.

~ Lupus Foundation of America Inc.