Keeping Up Appearances

Oh My Gosh.

I have fallen off the map lately.

My apologies to my bloggy friends for my absence. I'm still here.
So let's see....where was I???

San Clemente longboard surfers circa 1940's

Not too long ago I decided to channel my inner Hyacinth Bucket and take my poor hapless Richard, I mean, JON on a day trip up the coast to a nearby Stately Home.

I got all dressed up in my favorite Anthropologie polka dots, assumed my bossiest persona, forced the dog and the husband into the car and set off up the coast to Casa Romantica in San Clemente, California.

the main hall

Well, it turns out that Casa Romantica is not so much a stately home as a lovely old, rather large stucco house that was built in the 1920's.

My camera battery died not long after we arrived but I still managed a few shots.

The tile work blew my mind.

So here I present to you: TILE.

The view of the Pacific from the main house was indeed Romantica.

This is a painting on tile of the Grumpy Old Matriarch of the Casa.

Or perhaps this is the Queen Grump?

In my defense, I was trying to look coy. But I've discovered that as I age, what used to be a sexy sultry look now translates as "Get Off My Lawn!"

cliché Instagram toe photo of street tile depicting Casa Romantica

So, Kids, where have your feet been lately??

Three Years

Today I am celebrating Three Years cancer Free!!!

YIPEEEEEE!!!!!!

I'm off to do a little jig and drink some champagne!

source

Lately I've been busy tumblin' along with my tumblin' tumblr.

If you'd like to see the vintage dreaminess that is floating around in my empty little head simply click on the tumblr+ button off to the right.

Or Better Yet click on my humble tumblr archive just below the tumblr+ button to see The Whole Shebang.

 

 

 

Taxidermy

As many times as we have hiked the Trails around here

we have never seen anything scarier than a Big Cactus.

So sometimes it's a good idea to check in with the local nature center to find what is actually lurking in the bushes.

Nice Kitty!

Run! RUN!!!

Taxidermy is Sad and Creepy yet so Interesting. How often can you come face to face with a Mountain Lion, then calmly sit down to enjoy your picnic lunch?

I have spent more time than I care to admit wandering around Natural History Museums peering into the glassy eyes of Stuffed Animals.  

source

What are Your Views on Taxidermy?

Dog Day

Some days just seem to take on a theme.

My Dog Pancake

The other day I took my dog for a walk in the park.

Then I went shopping with my friend Lori who seems unusually interested in dog bowls even though she doesn't own a dog. Hmmmm....

Then I took the advice of this Post Card and followed the Dog to the Antique Store where I was confronted by Dogs at every turn.

This was a Dog Day!

Hot Dog