*** Creatures From California ***

Another story from our California trip
We went searching for sea creatures along the ocean.

We were walking amongst the rocks looking for sea creatures one beautiful day. A tad distance away watching us were a pair of young calf's.
The one to the left could have cared less we were there it's partner just kept giving us the stink eye. I believe  we made a lot of noise laughing, trying not to fall on our bums walking among the slippery rocks.

This was in Fort Bragg, in one of their many parks.

We went starfish hunting.

Living in the Midwest we have all kinds of fun creatures.

But nothing compared to these beauties.

We were so blessed to see the wonderful colors.

I was awe struck at the creatures and colors beneath the sea.

Dark purple, he looks like a hand, don't you think?

Bright Orange, his or her body  has a spiderweb look.

Red , was at such a angle attached to a rock that if we tried any harder to take a picture we would have fell on our butts.

Brown beauty, what can a person say about this sweet thing?


Hope you have a great weekend.
Pop on over and see some of the goodies we have
put up on Etsy.
Cheers,
Shel :)

*** Blankets For Etsy ***

I have two stores at Etsy one you see the items on the right of the blog.

Another called 1outanabout. 

It is primarily all blankets. 

I have over 100 of  different kinds of blankets. All vintage.

Here are a few I am putting up this week.

Sweet cotton blend purple white blanket.
How cute for a little girls room?

All wool Beauty

Wool Wisconsin Badger Rose Bowl Blanket

Lovely afghan
Always amazes me that people get rid of these beauties. 

Cool retro 50's - 60's blanket for your retro cool bedroom!
Love the color combo.

Front and back

This is lovely and hardly any wear to it.
It is from Faribo one of my all time fave blanket makers.
This one is from the 50's-60's.
Love the colors.

Another Faribo.
How sweet for fall.
And those soon football games we love to go to.
So why not go in style with a bright warm blanket right?

Nice old ad about Faribo.

If you have time pop on over to Etsy and see these beauties and many more that are up.

Have a great day.
We actually got a little rain...woo woo.
Not enough but we take what we can get and be happy!

Cheers,
Shel

*** Is it Dry By You? ***

We have not had rain since the 1st week of June
This is our back yard looking over our field.
Where over 1200 of our Christmas trees have past away.
I know that sounds so ridiculousness but oh my word it feels like a death after all the hard work we put into it. 

I say just add a match and all the grass and the barn would go up in flames.

The corn is gone...they generally are as tall as the trees next to them.
So many of the farmers are just turning it into silage. Which means the
cows will not be fed what they need over the next year.
So sad and the stories go on an on.

My perennial garden is toast! It has never looked like this.
I am so sad. 

My herbs and veggies are shot.
They have been in my garden for over 2 months I have watered and watered
to no avail..they look so sad. :(

My lovely hosta's  along my walk look horrid. And the leaves are turning  brown.

We have had over 100 degrees last few days. Not to much of a relief  in sight.
I don't know what I want more cooler temps or rain? I would say I want both equally.


Stay cool my friends!
Cheers,
Shel

*** Have You Ever Touched the Sun? ***

Do you do this?

I love to take pictures like these. 

You can do it to, with a willing partner.
My son is such a  trooper...
My secret model.
That is what I say, but I feed him, that is the least he can do is hold the sun up for me.

Can you feel the heat?

I laid down on our hard rock dirt to take this picture through the corn.
Have I mention we need rain?
Well I guess the rain dance I did the other day didn't work.
I may have turned in the wrong direction.
That could mess up any rain dance.

Hope you had a great weekend!
Cheers,
*** Shel ***

*** Point Reyes Beach's***

We have been experiencing hot weather here in the mid-west lately.
So I decided to look back at our vacation in Callie and try imagine the cool we felt out there.
We wore pants a lot and our jackets were with us at all times.
Here now we are living in shorts and air conditioning. 

We took the 1 up along the coast one day. You know the band Train sings about Hwy 1 on one of their albums. So for me I was trilled to know we actually took the 1.
We hit I believe around 4 or 5 different beaches.
See the little town on the right of the picture?  It was built right into the cliff.
The scenery was breath breathtakingly beautiful.
I hope if you live out there you  do not take it for granted. I know I would suck up every moment I could looking at its beauty.

Everywhere we looked was awesome.
Scary looking down but awe inspiring at the same time.
It is a photographers paradise.
I took 2 cameras with me and tons of lenses along with extra batteries.
Every night I would recharge the batteries so I was never with out.

Our son was telling us that the state parks were free to visit.
We pay a fee to enjoy our state parks here. And the fees keep going up every year. But we do a lot  of hiking so it is worth it to us. We do not have the same type if scenery here but we love our parks regardless.

I long to be there again soon!

Have a great weekend and stay cool if you are experiencing the heat like we are.

Cheers,
Shel

*** My Office***

I was going to write about my guitars today.

And then I started to take pics and decided to change my whole thought process.

A prerogative  for women in my opinion. 

(At least that is what I tell myself) *GRIN*

I wanted to share my office once I got done but decided to show you it as is.

This chair was just added. It actually is a twin bed if you  pull it out. Great for those long nights writing.
The cart next to it was an old medical cart that opens and closes. I love it.
Being a writer I like to keep my secrets hidden in it.

My beloved Baby Taylor is above my head when I sit there. It is the perfect size guitar for the room. Great sound for a small treasure. I found out from a friend in the music industry that Zac Brown plays his on tour and considers it one of his Faves...great minds think a like.. LOL
I have, I believe,  a total of  5 guitars all over my home.
I will be taking many pictures of them and share with you  my likes and dislikes on each one.

Corner of my office, my TV and stereo system. 

The black and white photo is a aerial picture of the farm from the 1960's, when my parents had 1st  purchased it.
It is so sweet to walk in everyday an remember those times.

My monkey collection graces my eyes everyday.
How can I not smile when I look at those cutie patooties?

Another view.
I collect old drum sticks and feathers that I find on my walks.
I put them in my stoneware pot.
See the #'s 5-3? It is my favorite numbers.
5 for my whole family
3 for my 3 boys.

This is in back of my desk...kinda yucky but I know where everything is.
That is all that matters.

Looking in from the door. The desk was my grandmothers and I love it to bits!

Well this was kinda a quick look, had not planned to do this but now you have seen my inner secret spot.

Hope your week is going great!
Cheers,
Shel

*** Our Outdoor Kitchen ***

A few years ago we made this sweet outdoor kitchen.
I love to say we like I did this. Actually I did quite a few things.
I drew the plan. Hubs redrew it.
I added the stone along the way. Hubs helped.
I wanted the cement counter top. Hubs did it.
I wanted the pergola effect. Hubs did it.
I bought the flowers. Hubs carried them.
I wanted a sink and fridge and storage. Hubs did it.
Yep he's a keeper. (At least today)

Our kitchen started off with the two tables we bought.
Everything came after that.

My sleigh that has a home at different times of the year.

Back of the kitchen

I just liked this picture after a rain shower every thing looks so clean.

Hubs bought this for our wedding anniversary last year.
He knows me so well, I would rather have a huge umbrella than diamonds.

One early morning.

Hope you like our little project.
We are having a party in a few weeks and It comes in so handy when we have a lot of guests.
Hope you have a great week!
Cheers,
Shel