Temecula and Joshua Tree National Park

Well, on our last day in California we did a lot of driving...and I mean miles of driving. In between the miles we made a couple of stops. First, we went to Temecula on Katy and Andrew's advise. It is California's unknown wine country and absolutely gorgeous--even in the dead of winter. My hubby found a few wines that he just loved so for his birthday I'm shipping home some cases. Don't worry, he never reads my blog! If you're in town please come by and enjoy them with us!


After Temecula we went north to Joshua Tree National Park and just loved it despite the bitter cold winds. It is truly a gorgeous area even though the tree itself is, well, ugly. But you won't find it anywhere else! The best viewpoint is from Key's View and we highly recommend it!

Topanga Canyon on Sunday:

We found an RP church in L.A. proper on Sunday morning and had just enough time to get there! After church on Sunday we took a drive through the city and found some lovely little spots. One was Topenga Canyon Road which leads to the Pacific Coast Highway between Santa Monica and Malibu. The photos below are of L.A. from one of the viewpoints off the canyon road. Above you'll see the Santa Monica beach and some of the sights we saw there.

Breaking the Habit...

First, watch this video (or at least listen to the song).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sWZWZP0KrnE

Second, realize that I'm nothing but a John Fountain copy-cat (see the link to his blog on the right and down a bit).

Third, listen to the song, again. Isn't it amazing the way musicians put into poetic lyrics the garbage we all have in our lives? Can you remember the moment you realized that it was past time to "break the habit?" Now, don't get me wrong, I'm not waxing poetic or even getting to philosophical. And I know exactly what is worth fighting for, but I remember when the fight was so dreadful that it had to stop. I remember that moment when screaming did not work and it was so obvious.

Fourth, I love this song.

My Sick Girl and her Papa

My three children

My three children, originally uploaded by boonzfam.

Too Good to be True

Too Good to be True, originally uploaded by boonzfam.

Enough said!

Mama Warholized

Mama Warholized, originally uploaded by boonzfam.

Chickadee

Chickadee, originally uploaded by boonzfam.

New Year's Mosaic

New Year's Mosaic, originally uploaded by boonzfam.

Just trying this out!

Thank you, Michelle!

Shell,

This is to officially thank you for your help and encouragement in starting this blog in the first place! And teaching me to do the mosaics is so much fun and cool looking! With your superb photograhing skills and clever banter, my blog is child's play compared to yours, but even child's play is fun! :) Thank you!