Go Green with Orange Tree Ornaments

I hope each of you are having a great holiday feasting on delicious homecooked delectables and old-fashioned dishes. We had a spectacular dinner with our family here in the warm wonderland of Florida. No wonder Mickey Mouse lives down south here...No state income tax. Sales tax is 7 percent.

The Christmas trees here are naturally decorated with orange ornaments. Real edible oranges and also yellow grapefruits. We had some of the best tangerines that I have ever tasted. So large and sweet at a farmer's market along the roadside.




We did have a "white Christmas" in one respect. We wore white clothing so that we could still call it white.

Check back again as I've been able to get a good many pictures of tropical gardens here in Florida. Yes! I have even found a few rose gardens with little lizards darting around. A frog sits not too far away from me. I have not seen any alligators during my stay, (yet!) but I am keeping my eyes open and not swimming in any of the many lakes around here. Keeping to the pool.

Sewing Christmas Paper Clothes for Real Dolls

It's Christmas Eve and we are here in Florida with family and loving the warm weather. Here is a great idea for some holiday clothing. If you are going to a party or family affair there is a pretty good chance that no one will be wearing the same dress. The green Christmas ribbon wound around the top and all of the extra unused Christmas wrap pieces make the skirt! So artsy. This we spotted near Orlando....and since it's 82 degrees outside this would be appropriate here.

San Diego Recycled Art Sculpture

Here is one great way to recycle items into art. On their own they would just be a collection of surfboards, boats, canoes, kayaks, a jet ski... but together here it is a masterpiece held out like a propeller in front of the art college. Very unique.

Westie Dog Super Cover Model

Who can resist this catalog? Remember we were talking about westie dogs selling more
issues of magazines? I was in Sears buying a Land's End coat and these were on the counter. I need to get an agent for our westie....or just start sending pictures of Sir Salty to magazines???

Sears executives you are a genius group for this cover shot!

Our doggy boy doesn't have all of his "hard coat" in on his face and head, but soon he will look just like this.

La Jolla California Sea Lions, Pelicans and Plants

La Jolla is a favorite spot for many. It's home to these sea lions, pelicans and reefs. They each claim different "rocks." The pelicans yawn and their beak opens over their head like they have a pink bag on it...then it quickly snaps shut again. They are amusing.

These are probably the only bodies on the beach without sunscreen. They get too warm and they lazily roll off of the rock and swim around til they're refreshed and back out on the rock to sunbathe again. They don't seem to have many worries.

On the other side of the wall is this little nook where two people had it to themselves.

I walked right over this plant and thought it looks like parsley. After I stepped on it's leaves I knew it was parsley. Such a great scent. See how dry it is where they aren't any sprinklers.

Large agaves are everywhere. This one is on the street where it gets a bit of irrigation.

This agave was on the beach. See the little baby agaves coming up. These folks are hardy.

Back up on the roads above the beach and it's a lush wonderland. This home was filled with travelers palms.

Up above these beaches are the many stores, restaurants and museums which attract visitors and locals alike.

More Gardening in San Diego

Sidewalk gardens around Starbucks makes you forget you are in the city.



A little Italian flavor and so beautiful. Hillside gardening is an art. The repetition of trees...so formal. I am eyeing our hillside a bit differently now.

I love how these were shaped. Soon these will reach all the way across. Patience is a gardener's friend. All my son could see is the boat for sale in the yard. Sorry it will not fit in our suitcase or above our seat on the airplane.

This courtyard garden is at the Balboa Park Visitors Center. At 27 degrees here at home this picture looks like a bit of heaven.

Watering. Us gardeners are always watering and daydreaming.

Policing the gardens and park at Balboa Park are these officers on horseback. They have large stables at the park where a number of horses are kept. These same horses also cover the historic Gas Lamp district. Gorgeous horses.

Best Dog For Marketing Perfume--Westie (West Highland White Terrier)

Who can pass by these westies without stopping and reading the sign? This one I just walked into at the store...and the pink and blue bows? Our Sir Salty looks exactly like the one on the right. He has a longer winter coat now... and is curly and, in fact, curled up right now on the club chair. What a life.

We have been sick here at our house. It seems to be the domino effect running through our family and then running back through again just when we get to feeling better. I think we are over it all now. We must eat more fresh vegetables and fruit, less meat, more rest .... something like that.

Then there is Sir Salty who is going nonstop all day...falls over around 1opm to start over around 5am. He has only been to the vet once this past year for his well check up and goes again tomorrow for another "well" check up. So maybe the idea is to run, run, run...for better health? I have just purchased jogging shoes.