Home on the Range....

"sara oakley"

Like my goggles and earmuffs?? lol

Tim and Sara

No deer or antelope roaming here.. in fact.. nothing much roams these parts 'cept people using this area for target shooting!
We decided to release our aggressions today..and went out shooting for a couple of hours.
Targets included , but not limited to: boxes, old jugs, paper bulls eye targets, bottles, old computer screens,and even old christmas decorations!

We shot a 308, a 223 and a 22...and not sure how many rounds we went thru.. but it was fun :)
After our fun in the sun...we had Spa pedicure appointments at 3 pm :) ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
I think I am all relaxed and ready to hit the road BRIGHT and EARLY tomorrow to head into Hollywood for Sara's graduation from the Kitchen Academy at 9 am! (Too bad we have to leave by 5:30 or so to make sure we get there in time!! waaaaaaaaa)
Im hoping to close my eyes on the drive in tomorrow morning and remember just how good my spa pedicure/massage felt :)

Black with white polkies.. how cute is that????

I am alllllllmost ready to head to Portland Tuesday :)

....on eBay...

I've listed two auctions!!!

WHOOHOOOO!!! will wonders ever cease???

hehehehehehe

a time for gathering...

ahhh...

what a great weekend it was!

the kids were all home yesterday so that we could celebrate tim's birthday (22nd) and mine(25th)...

it was so nice to have them all gathered in the family room..sprawled out on couches..watching the football games.. gathered around the dinner table feasting on chicken, steak and shrimp kabobs..

it was so nice having them all gathered around the kitchen island for cake :)

ahhh.. yes..

life is good :)

There's always time for cupcakes!

yummm..

had a sweet-tooth craving today..so busted out the box of duncan hines and mixed me up some cupcakes! lol

The box supposedly makes 24 cupcakes.. but geez..after licking spoonfuls of the stuff...i only ended up with 17 :)

(yep..my one BIG vice.. cake batter.. cookie dough or even pie crust dough. = YUM!)

New Winter Graphics Set

Hi All!
Well.. I managed to sit down last nite and make up a new Winter graphics set. This set is done ina sort of that "martha stewart" blue and brown palette..very yummy..
This is for your ebay auctions of wherever you'd like to use it..
Set comes with:

*A customized banner.. with your name and slogan..
*3 coordinating backgrounds
*3 Buttons (shipping, payment and email)
*1 Divider with your text ..or use the text I have already (walking in a winter wonderland)
* Template coding and complete instructions

Make your christmas or winter Items POP! with this set.. it welcomes people..makes them wanna sit..sip cocoa and SHOP! :)
hehehe
Email if Interested..

$20

****
Other Great news...
Our forecast!!!!
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Cool and cloudy weather is expected in the Temecula Valley and the region today, as an early season Pacific storm enters the area. The main impact of the storm should be Friday through Saturday morning, when showers are likely. Rain showers could be mixed with thunderstorms, and about a half of an inch of rainfall is currently predicted. The cold unstable air may lead to a tornado or two later Friday; hail is possible, especially in the mountains; and locally heavy rain may lead to some flooding. Snow levels in the local mountains should get as low as 6,000 feet Friday night. Clearer and warmer weather is expected early next week.

Home at last....

...after a 10 hr drive.. (about 4hrs of it spent just crawling thru LA!!).. we are home. Home from one of the most beautiful spots in the US! ahhhh...

I told Tim in my next lifetime..I am coming back as a Park Ranger for Yosemite!!! I could sooooo easily spend the rest of my days there..the scenery amazing..the views spectacular..the air clean and fresh.. its like heaven on earth!

We are already planning our next trip there in May for our anniversary. By then the waterfalls will be gushing..the Merced River will be raging..and snow will still remain... a delight to the senses! :)

We saw lots and lots of mule deer, squirrels, noisy jays, dragonflies and butterflies...a couple of coyotes.. and we were even graced by the presence of Bears!! Momma bears with their cubs.. one family strolled thru the wooded area next to our site..and Tim quickly jumped up to take some pictures.. and managed to get a couple. Being in the darker wooded area..they didn't turn out that great.. but its amazing to see them!

At nite..we heard shouts thru-out the campsite loops.."BEAR!! Get Away Bear! " Campers shouting and carrying on..even chasing them out of the campsites! There is so much bear activity now because they are foraging for all of the food they can before they hunker down for the winter.

Because we had a dry winter.. the bears are starting to run out of food..and are getting brave and going into campsites...scaring off campers..and stealing food! So all food must be kept in bear lockers.. and all trash securely placed in the bear proof dumpsters.

We hiked and biked..and climbed and explored...and my poor body felt the effects of all of this exercise the next morning! lol my poor butt cheeks and legs were so sore! lol But what a good kind of sore.. the kind of sore that lets you know just how active and just how much fun you had the day before :) I like that kind of sore :)

Tippy is loving his harness and being able to sit outside with us! The jays kept him busy.. he preferred sitting at the top of our chairs.. and kept careful watch for those pesky birds! They would come and sit on the branch nearest him..just to pester him! He was so cute! But one day..just as it was starting to get dark.... I noticed a coyote on the other side of the road...from our campsite..watching him! Crouching in pines..he sat there watching us! Needless to say, Tippy and Honey were quickly put inside the camper!

I miss it so already.. but am thankful for the photos i took.. and will look at them til May comes 'round!



Other news..
~~~~~~

the Pfatt Marketplace is up for September!! Please stop by to see our new artists..and to do lots of shopping!! :)
Remember..its all USA (and canada!) made.. by hand..and by excellent artists!! Start your holiday shopping now..and help support our US and Canadian Artists!!
~~~~~~

Now for pics...
It started out with us enjoying some Chi Chi's.. (a yummy drink recommended by Christy and Greg! YUM .. pineapple juice.. coconut rum..ice..coconut milk..SLURP..they go down sooooo easy!!)

The Mighty Yosemite Valley

Yosemite Falls.. not flowing right now :( but still a beautiful site..

And a view looking towards Glacier Point

The Valley Floor


The Momma bear that visited...

The little boy who sat patiently waiting for his folks to finish taking pictures...


Branches and leaves showing beautiful form and quilted the sky from the afternoon sun...

A gathering of Bucks.. i think there were about 6-8 bucks all gathered..even a few does and a fawn were in the group..all grazing together. Mating season will start soon..and so the mingling starts lol


Tim and I escaped the few people wandering around..and ventured off to find a secluded part of the river to have our lunch at.. but..it didn't take long for the ducks to find us and want some of our food lol

Our Secret Spot along the Merced

no words needed for this picture..

Exploring up the river..


A beautiful stone bridge that crosses over the river. Its said that in 1997 they had a flood here..and the water rose 5 feet above this bridge!

Stopped for a shot here. this across from the Chapel..

The jay that kept teasing Tippy!

Tippy..



A beautiful tombstone in the cemetary there...


A Yellow field of dreams...

Yep..I think a nice log cabin plunked right there in the middle of the field would work for me ;)

Yosemite Sam I Am!

us in Yosemite 2005

We are off !! The RV is packed..Tippy and Honey had their baths..and we are ready to Roll on outta here!!

Heading to Yosemite...

I highly doubt we'll have cell coverage up there..which means.. NO COMMUNICATION with the OUTSIDE WORLD!!! YEEEEHAWWW :)
See ya next week!!!!!

..... a teaser....

ahhhh... september's pfatt marketplace is quickly approaching... and so are some new goodies...

::::rubbing my hands together:::::

here's a sneak peek of one of my offerings

:::: evil laugh ::::

~~~

Need protecting?

my angel banner above is my plant-protector that lives out on my patio... i love her face...she's so sweet.

I have her 'guarding' my poor lil orange tree that the pesky squirrels just won't leave alone! This spring.. there were beautiful, yummy blossoms.. and then.. tons of little green oranges appeared! I was so excited! Til one morning.. I noticed that alllllll the little green 'balls' of sweetness..were GONE!!!!!! They ATE EM ALL OFF!! :(

so.. now this sweet cherub watches over my orange tree...and im hoping that next spring.. I'll have TWICE the amount of sweet juicy oranges growing there :)

awwwww.... how nice :)

Ya know..there are so many special peeps out there...so many nice folks..and im just lovin' being a part of this whole blog scene :)


I've been awarded a "Nice" award by friends Elaine and Kitty :) Thank you ladies.. YOU are so nice :)
I've personally met these two gals..and let me tell ya.. Elaine is so sweet and softspoken..and creates incredible art! I wish I could have spent the day with her playing with clay! Please check out her wonderful blog..and her website...to see what beautiful pieces her hands brings to life!

And my dear, sweet Kitty.. she's so tall! heheheeh She is just adorable.. she's very welcoming and makes you feel like you've known her forever! Her laugh is infectious..and she's so generous and loving! Her paintings are amazing and just draw you in! She's always there to share a giggle with..and to lend a shoulder. She's a rock! Visit her blog to see pictures of her awesome paintings and new fall creations!! I can't wait to meet up in Pleasanton again to do some shopping with you girl!! :)

I guess now, I am suppose to forward this "Nice" award to 6 friends.. but that will be a hard task..as I think they are ALL Nice and deserving of this award!

So my 6 dearies I nominate to receive this award would be:

CCsWhimsies - Christy Meyers - she's always there to listen to my woes, my fears, my joys.. she keeps me strong..

The Smiling Goat - Kim Bour - she's always there to make me laugh til i pee my pants and she helps me to grow balls when needed..

Zinnia's Treasures - Cristina Galliher - she's always there for special hugs and support..a kind word and encouragement..

Kathy's Prims - Kathy Hunka - she always has my back..and always there to supply us with yummy cheeses from Ohio :)

Iva's Creations - Iva Wilcox - i love this girl to pieces..she's an amazing rock and so full of love..and a smile that lights up the room! xoxox

StandingOnTheEdge - Shirly Standifird - she's an amazing scrapper..a super mom to her two boys..and if not for her, I'd never would have found the bestest kitty in the world! :)

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

sam