Travelling the world in California: Dublin in March

In celebration of Saint Patrick's Day we chose to go to Dublin... California!

The rolling green hills

We found an old cemetery and discovered that Dublin, California was settled by Irishmen! Although close to the busy bay area, it was actually quiet, serene and garden-like. 

Looking for an Irish Pub for a bit o' lunch, we discovered the only Irish Pub in Dublin was a bar and would not allow young Bradley admittance.  So, we went a wee bit out of Dublin to the small township of Modesto to a favorite Irish Pub....

P. Wexford's Pub!

We had Shepherd's Pie, Harp and Guiness beers.

(Mr. Bradley enjoyed chicken strips and a Shirley Temple)

On the Pub wall, we found a shillelagh stick displayed. Trina's great uncle Carl McNally was a chaplain in the Army who used to smack soldiers with this stick when they used bad language. 

...ahh, those Irishmen!

Of course we had a wonderful time with our favorite little redheaded grandson.

Travelling the World in California

First Stop Denmark

aka: Solvang, California

Kevin and I decided that we were going to see the World without leaving California. Our first adventure was to the Danish town of Solvang near Santa Barbara. It was a sunny January day, and as you will see here, the storks were enjoying the lovely sunshine.

We had to visit the iconic Little Mermaid statue in the middle of town not as she actually sits in the harbor of Copenhagen, Denmark. 

No boat required!

Breakfast was a serving of the famous Danish Ebelskivers (spelling varies). We also enjoyed other Danish fare such as Frickadeller and Jager Schnitzel at the Solvang Brewery.

And below is the view from our hotel room. Looks like a little Danish village, don't ya think?

So, there ya go. Next stop China... aka Chinatown, San Francisco!

spring's soon arrival

 Was my last post really at the end of summer?

I was thinking of adding fall leaves and mini-pumpkins to my shelf....now a blue hyacinth  has taken their place!

I love the stirring in the garden and in my heart as spring draws near.  Time to freshen my cozy, but slightly stuffy home.  Time to open the windows and let sweet breezes in!

  

Summer is slowing slipping into Autumn....

          but I will enjoy my shells for a couple weeks more! 

 Above a shelf made by my dad, is an old print of Mary and Jesus.  I found this treasure at the Alameda Flea Market!  It was the end of the day, and as a vendor was packing up, I saw it.  The frame had large chips out of it, but i loved it anyway!  And it was only ten dollars!

     When I brought it home, I just dabbed on two shades of gold paint....and voila!   The chips hardly show!

      To complete the shelf grouping, I added some shells, a well-worn, old family Bible and a lamb.

     I wonder what I will place on the shelf as the days turn golden?

Fun with Words!

As I have mentioned in an earlier blog, we live in a late 1940's ranch-style home....but I really want to live in a cottage.

So....we named our home "Grace Cottage" and know what? After 26 years of calling it a cottage.....it is a Cottage!

The above photo is our front porch....I call it the Veranda!

Just sounds lovelier than front  porch!

This is our back patio which is called the Terrace!  Ah, the power of a word!  Kevin and I feel quite elegant having a Terrace and Veranda!  We usually get confused which is which, even after all these years!

Now we have a new project...part of our front lawn has died under a big cork oak tree.  Wanting to add a french touch to our Cottage, I informed Kevin we needed to cover this area with gravel, add a bistro set and some potted ferns.  I've never been to France, but I have seen French homes with gravel.....Anyway, I suddenly thought - what are we going to call this new area?  Surely not the front gravel area!  After some hard thinking....we will be having a French Courtyard!

Oh the silliness!  Photos of the new French Courtyard with be coming soon!
   

Summer

This is a little art project I did a few summers ago which was inspired by an article in Sommerset magazine.  My  theme of "Pearl of Great Price"  came from one of Jesus' parables.  I love unpacking it from the Summer box each year!

Hope you're enjoying your summer.  Ours has been filled with lots of relaxing days....puttering in the garden, hopping in and out of our little pool, enjoying our grandbabies and a new kitten!


A belated Happy Fourth of July!  We are still have all of our little flags up....inside and out!

Dinners on the table!

Summer and patty pan squash, tomato and lemon cucumber from here!

Green beans from here!  Plus red onions from here which were harvested earlier .

A few eggs from here!

and we have dinner! 

 (except for the 

avocado and cheese, all my dinner ingredients came from our backyard! Love it!  Maybe I should get a milking goat and an 

avocado tree!)