Sweet Domestic Bliss

Check these babies out -

 

Craigslist and salvaged from the yard (thank you Tyler and Candace).  Brings the grand total to $65! 

What's really ridiculous is we've lived here for over 2 months and we only just got these last week. I've had very gracious parents who have let me bum laundry off them for the last year and half, but it's feels like way more than a chore when you have to dedicate two days a week to get it all done.

I feel like I have a whole new life...

Pismo Monarchs

A couple of weeks ago, we headed up the coast to check out the monarch butterfly sanctuary in Pismo Beach.  In a small grove of eucalyptus trees, a few thousand butterflies stop every winter on their migration route.  We took a ton of pictures, but not too many turned out.  Apparently, by observing the few dozen other photographers there, you need a two foot lens to get the job done...

 

After butterfly gazing we went down the beach to play around a bit.  Of course, we took lots of pictures of our favorite subject

And, for when you're bored on the drive home -

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year everyone!  I can't believe it's already the 9th.  Makes me feel like such well wishes are a bit too belated.  But, hey, I didn't resolve to solve my procrastination problems this year.  Maybe later...

Anyway, I did make my standard resolutions - read more, write more, exercise more.  But I'm also trying to focus a little more on service this year.  I'm not sure how this is going to play out yet, but if there's something I can do for you - let me know.

On New Year's day, we enjoyed two very different sides of life.  My very dear friend, Hank, was visiting and arranged for a dinner at an amazing restaurant, Inn of the Seventh Ray.  After driving way down Topanga Canyon, we arrived at the most beautiful restaurant setting I've ever been to.  We dined on the patio, surrounded by trees lit with twinkle lights, fountains amid flowers, and the trickling of the creek only a stone's throw away.  The food was incredible - diver's scallops, chicken sous vide, salmon with chorizo, and blueberry cake with ginger ice cream.  If you're looking for a memorable evening, I highly recommend it.  The atmosphere was so relaxed and elegant, it made for a wonderful evening catching up with old friends.

Now for the other side - Josh, Corban and I spent the morning in a bit more, shall we say, "rustic" setting.  Okay, honestly, more "redneck."  We went out to Ojai to shoot Josh's rifle.  We were going to meet up with some of the fam to fish, but we were, ahem, misguided. (Josh went to the wrong place).  But we had a good time anyway.

Note:  This gun was NOT loaded.  We really aren't as stupid as we look.