Pretend City Childrens Museum...

Heather and David are great about taking their kids on child-friendly outings. Pretend City offers opportunities for the kids to "work" at a number of grown-up jobs. Looks like Jonathan, Sophia and Joshua had a ball there!

Gifts from last week's rains...

We've mentioned Fairview Park before - last year we visited a part of it when we took the whole family on the miniature train ride. But, that's just a very small part of it. Across the street there is a pic-nic area that is manicured, and beyond, there are acres and acres of land that the city is in the process of returning to a completely native state - removing non-indigenous plants and seeding native wildflowers, grasses and plants. Many years ago, Margaret walked in that park regularly. It was back in those days, after a rainy winter, that she first discovered the vernal pond. Non-existent most of the year (and probably year-round for the many years we've been in a drought cycle), the vernal pond is a huge depression in the park that fills with water during the winter/spring rains, and becomes a temporary home to plant and animal life.

It is back in its glory this year. These pictures include the pond, plus some of the year-round wild-life of the park, early wild-flowers, and a shot across the park to the snow-capped local mountains.

Belle wouldn't fit...

Three of Margarets four favorite "people".

Stable storm photos...

One of the trainers at the barn where Belle is stabled sent these pictures taken there on Tuesday. The wind blew a tree on a barn - the horse inside the stall was miraculously unhurt. The flooded covered ring means that over four hundred horses can now only be ridden in one other covered arena about half the size of this one. Conditions are so bad there that Margaret's trainer friends have asked the customers to please stay home for the time being. It will be a couple of weeks at least before any of the other rings will be usable, and that's assuming that we have no more rain.

A cozy fire to cheer us on a dreary day...

We both love a fire in the fireplace. But, Sassy doesn't, panicking at every pop or crack. So, for a very long time we had a multi-level candelabra and votive holders in the fireplace. It was nice enough, but it didn't take the chill out of the air on a cold, damp day! Over the holidays we started talking about getting a gas-log. With a week of storms staring at us, we decided the time to get some "cozy" in our living room was now. Larry got it all set-up this afternoon and we are thrilled.

Rainy Days and Mondays...

It did occur to Margaret over the weekend that it had been a long time since the gutter over the balcony had been cleaned out. Worth consideration with the worst storm(s) of the season predicted through the week ahead... She just didn't verbalize the thought! As the first wave of high winds and heavy rains pounded us this afternoon, we noticed that the track for the slider out to the patio was filling with water - FAST. He looked a little like a drowned rat when he came in, but Larry did get the worst of the debris out before we had soggy carpet in our bedroom.

Spectacular New Year Sunsets...

...which we would love to take credit for, but cannot. These are more photos from our friend who lives near the beach in south county. We love sharing!