A Fabulous Day

Red roses

Please forgive the whining in yesterday’s post. If you happened to read it, you know that we had just learned our cleaning lady was no longer going to be cleaning houses. After talking it over, we have decided not to replace her, which means we need a schedule. Yesterday I told you my number one rule, which is even more important now that Rachelle has retired.

Rule  number one is Never Leave a Room Untidy.  In other words, everything in its place. Today I added rule number two.  Do a walk through the house when you first get up, quickly tidying if necessary.  I really do believe there are elves that sneak around the house at night, dirtying dishes and moving items around. There always seems to be something to pick up in the morning. Please don’t think I’m fanatical, because I’m not.  Honestly, I just enjoy a tidy home. I feel so much more relaxed.

Today I followed my number one rule and it worked beautifully. I accomplished so much, including time in the garden where I found these gorgeous blossoms on our Don Juan climbing rose. I also potted more marigolds. It really was a fabulous day. I realize that most households do not have someone come in and help with cleaning. Truthfully I felt guilty at times. I used to clean the house and work outside of the home, so I am certainly able to do it again. Maybe this isn’t the place to talk about this, but I hope that what I do may help others looking for a way to keep their houses clean, tidy and organized. I hope we might learn together. Tomorrow, Rule Three.

A Simple Plan For A Clean Home

kitchen

This is a post I didn’t expect to be writing tonight. For several years we’ve  had a wonderful woman come in every other week to clean our house. She does a fabulous job, and even though I thought it an extravagance when she first started coming, soon after I never wanted to lose her. Today, we found out that she has decided to no longer clean houses. Continue reading

A Change in The Weather

Teddy 2

Today I finished the polka dot curly scarf  I have been knitting. This little friend was the only one I could find to model my project. It has been so hot the past few weeks, that wearing a scarf is the last thing anyone wants to do.

Today was different though, and we woke to a cool, cloudy morning.  It was a wonderful change and I went out to the yard to transplant marigolds. It felt so good to be outside in the cool air.

After breakfast we went for a scooter ride to Newport Beach. I think the cloudy morning had discouraged beach goers and traffic was very light as we traveled along Pacific Coast Highway. We stopped for lunch at the Crystal Cove shopping center and it too was amazingly quiet. The sudden change of weather is very welcome, and long overdue. Once home, I got to work and finished the scarf. red scarf 2

Right now I am looking forward to fall, but I have a feeling, in just a few weeks I will be looking for summer weather again.

Taking Time to Really Look

sunset

This semester I’m taking a class in beginning digital photography. One of the homework assignments was to photograph a sunset. The first two evenings, I got so busy, I forgot to go outside and look. On the 3rd day, I actually set an alarm to remind myself  to head out into the backyard with my camera, at the appropriate time. Looking over our back wall, I realized  that I had never really looked at a sunset. It was lovely and I got a few good shots, but not as colorful as I had hoped. The next evening my husband and I climbed a near by trail just before the sun went down and were rewarded with a beautiufl view of a breathtaking sunset. The class assignment had turned into a very enjoyable experience that included a lovely walk with Martin.

water ripples

The second assignment was to take an action shot. I chose the ocean water moving over rocks at Dana Point Harbor.  Again, something I had never really taken the time to observe closely.

When I registered for the class, my motive was to learn to take better photographs.  What I didn’t realize, was just how many beautiful subjects there are to photograph, when we slow down enough to look around and really see. I hope to improve my skills, but even if I don’t, I have learned a valuable life lesson. I find myself constantly looking for the perfect subject for my next photo, and this alone has taught me to appreciate the beauty that is all around us. Perhaps after reading this, you may find yourself taking a little more time to notice the beauty which I’m sure surrounds you too.

An Afternoon Spent in a Charming Artist Studio

gallery

Yesterday afternoon we attended a delightful reception at a new, up-and-coming artist studio, Co-Z Artist Studio, located in Lake Forest, California and owned by artist Francine Zorehkey. Artist and teacher Donna Hanna-Chase had invited me to the event, held to introduce instructors and to high-light their work. Continue reading