Need a little sunshine

In Colorado, winter is tenaciously holding onto us.  It's not unlike other Springs here---there are days near 70 degrees F and there are still nights in the teens and twenties.  There are still mornings of frost and even snow.  Typically, March is the snowiest month and so far, that has NOT been true for us.  It's been a rather dry winter and that is NOT good for my sleeping bulbs. 

I'm not ignoring the sad and frightening news across the globe; my heart just aches for all of the people suffering in so many ways right now AND in so many places.  However, I want to send light and positive energy out there.  In yoga class this week, we dedicated our practice to all the people who are suffering, sick, and grieving.  We need more positive energy on this planet. 

On Tuesday night of this past week, I tossed and turned.  My unconscious, I'm sure, was dealing with all the sights and sounds that the media has put out there for us to absorb.  I got out of bed and started baking and then the warmth of the kitchen began to warm my soul.  I made a LOT of goodies but didn't have particular recipients for my treats.  I was having lunch with my daughter on Thursday....so I put everything into the refrigerator and then frosted the cupcakes a light shade of green.  Dark chocolate cupcakes were decorated with creme de menthe whipped frosting with a hint of the Irish green....I got them all wrapped up in two packages and took a couple of dozen with me to her office where I met her.  It turns out that everyone there wore green for St. Patrick's Day and the cupcakes were a 'hit.'  I think some smiles were created that day and I didn't even have to see their faces, but my soul was made happy by the words from my daughter after they ate them....'They loved 'em mom!' 

Next, I dropped off a couple of dozen at a friend's salon and she passed them out to other girls and guys who work there and a few customers snatched one as well to have with the complimentary coffee and tea they serve there.  More happy faces and I was starting to feel better.  I didn't solve any world problems and I didn't end the suffering across the globe.  I didn't have a solution for the potential meltdown of nuclear reactors, but the notion of an act of kindness creates and spreads more kindness worked, and I had a wonderful night's sleep as well on Thursday. 

Thank you to ALL of the bloggers and bakers jewelry makers and seamstresses and etsy creative people out there who continue to send out positive energy to all of us in need of it.  It ALL does good things.  It ALL helps.  It is Goodness in the simplicity of creativity.  My next post will be a collection of lovely homes I've collected....a homes tour via a virtual vacation via my blog.  I hope you'll enjoy it.  I'm sending out love to each and every one of you---may we all be messengers of love and hope and peace.
Love,
The Real Girl

Feverish, Frantic, and Frenzied

I am feverish and freezing.  I have a cold.  I'm sure I acquired it on the airplane on our wonderful trip. It is not welcome right now; it is slowing me down and exhausting my spirit to tear apart my closets and find goodies and not so goodies.  The not so goodies will be donated and I did a good deal of our bedroom closet yesterday, but quite frankly, I'm out of spirit and steam at the moment.

I've fixed myself some tea but with it, I ate cookies and with that, I feel guilty.  These feelings always come when I am not well---like a heap of jello-o I am right now.  How can I feel tired and without energy when I haven't done anything?  I'm telling you this so that I am accountable for my actions...not a pleasant posting, I'm afraid, but quite real.  And I am, in fact, THE REAL GIRL, right?

Well, while I'm here I'm going to tell you about our drive to Estes on Sunday---you must be asking yourself, "Why do you keep going up there?"  Well, it is because we are trying to figure out what to do with the rest of our lives and I'm feeling stuck.  Afraid to move forward and change the course of life.....will I see my girls often enough?  Will I be available to my mom if she takes ill or needs me and she lives so far away in AZ?  Will we be successful at our business?  Will we?  Won't we?  Why should we?  We go round and round.  When we go up there, we are inspired by the grandeur of the landscape.  We love the wildness of it and yet its close proximity to necessities.  We love the mountains and the trees and the lakes and the rivers.....but we also love the home we're in right now.  Why rock the boat?

So, I'm tossing my questions to the Universe for today and I'll concentrate on getting well.  It is only with a full spirit that I can make such big decisions anyway.  Take a look through my camera lens of what we saw on Sunday--pardon many of the pictures taken through the car window.  I was beginning to get a sore throat on Sunday and didn't want to go out into the cold air much.  What tough decisions have you made in your life and how did they turn out?  I'd love some inspiration....thank you for letting me rant. 
and, if you want a little smile, go to see MozartsGirl's blog....and learn how Rachel prepared for the Oscars that never came to be; you will LOVE it!!  Rachel's OSCARS night 

big horn sheep came across road to Estes & blocked traffic; they eat the salt that is put on road

not afraid of cars at all!

all sizes

they just came down from the hillside to get the road salt

the Big Thompson river that runs along the road on the way up there

a deer in a neighborhood

this elk came right across the street and it looked as if he was going to attend the public chicken dinner!
(on the sign if you click on picture to enlarge)

herd of elk right in downtown area- look closely & u can see 'stupid' tourists getting WAY too close and snapping pictures---elk are pretty docile when it's not mating season but they ARE wild animals

a really healthy looking deer that has been tagged

clouds started to come in as it was around 4 PM

                                                      So, I'm off to take some vitamins, drink more tea....I've inspired myself to go get busy.  Now that I've proclaimed to all of you how much I NEED to be doing.....you'll want a progress report so I'll go do a little.....Thank you all....what a GREAT group of friends to know...all of you!!  And Rachel....thank you for making me laugh today!!

Our Anniversary Get-a-Way

Last Friday night, we packed up and headed to the airport.  It was a complete surprise to my darling because it was my gift to him to whisk him away during our anniversary week.  Saturday was the 'official day,' so rather than spending it traveling, we were able to sleep in and leisurely enjoy our day.  I packed the suitcases so he truly had no idea where he was going.  He later told me he thought we were going to Seattle.  Of course, he found out at the ticket agent when they took our bags and said, 'Two to Santa Ana?" 

a bit of antique research....better to call it that when shopping with a guy

We did so many things in those 4 days!! Of course, the weather is always a big 'if,' and it was 10 degrees cooler than normal in Southern CA, but lovely just the same!  This antique shop is one of my absolute favorites in Old Town Orange.  My daughters and I went there a couple of times and now it's on the list of 'must do' every time we go!

caught him when he wasn't looking!

As you can see, things are GREEN in CA!

A part of my research always includes bakeries.....and there were several new ones to visit.  We went inside A perfect Circle Cupcakery, featured on the Cupcake Wars and a brand new one to the mix:  Casey's Cupcakery in Laguna Beach, which is also featured on the cupcake wars.  I'm telling you though, I'm not up for spending 3-4 dollars on a cupcake.

Birds of Paradise were everywhere....almost like Hawaii!

We were on the 10th floor and this was our view from the room.  Not too many people, however, took advantage of the pool.  Highs hovered around 60 degrees F.

A morning sunrise

 On Sunday, I had planned a train ride to Santa Barbara.  I had never been on an Amtrak train before.  Susan Branch should get 'free bonus miles' for all of her talk about trains!  It definitely added to my desire to give it a try!  It was so much fun!!  The Santa Ana station is gorgeous!!  It has a mission styling would beautiful pavers and gorgeous flowers!!

All aboard!!  Here I am....the plane departed Santa Ana @ 7:57 AM....I'm ready to go!

So many flowers are in full bloom!! Their deep rich colors are intoxicating

And, at Roger's Gardens, vegetables were ready for the planting!

Here's the train track @ the Santa Ana station....gorgeous snow-capped mountains that morning!

Inside the train

Passing OXNARD...I got a kick out of the elevation, living in CO, that's a speed bump!

This is how close the train was to the ocean at some points!  Maybe that's why they call it....The Surfliner!

A cupcake store in Santa Barbara....a bit on the gawdy side

One of my favorites: ranunculus

Pacific Coast Highway on the way to Laguna Beach....
Yes Sherry....so close!!

Casey's Cupcakes in Laguna Beach

going across the ferry in Newport Beach

We ate at a fabulous Indian restaurant in Santa Barabara; however, the place must have had new ownership....it was not as good as I had remembered.  We also ate at True Food Kitchen, Cafe' R&D, and brought home smoked fish from The Crab Cooker.
Today......there are no birds of paradise anywhere.....

But there's a GREAT BIG 'ol Woodpecker on my feeding dish and it's snowing like crazy!


It's good to be home!!