A WONDERFUL VACATION...

While palm trees overlook the beautiful city of San Diego...

...the snowman was on guard at home, keeping the Cottage safe.

In actuality, there wasn't much work for him to do as California is in a bad drought situation.  We have had a little drizzle in the past couple of days but it is a far cry from what we need and what a lot of you are experiencing right now.

We had a wonderful vacation but I must say that it is good to be home.  A month is a long time to be away and yet, on the other hand, it is not long enough, if that even makes sense.  

We met a lot of people who are "camping" full time.  They have sold their homes and retired from their jobs, and are on the road whenever they want.  It does sound amazing when you first hear about it but in the final analysis, I don't think I would be a good candidate for that life style.  I love my Cottage too much.

The weather was accommodating...

...most of the time...

...and waking up to this view every morning was always spectacular.

Do you think "The Raven" was trying to tell us something?

It didn't start out very well, however. 

 We got a later start than we had hoped for, so we set up camp a couple of hours from home on the first night.

While the Captain was hooking up to the water supply, I started fixing a fast bite to eat.  I heard a funny noise and when I reached the bathroom, I was, literally, walking on water..Something had malfunctioned on the toilet and it was overflowing. 

(I want to make it perfectly clear...it was clean water!)

From then on, we had to be very careful when we flushed.  After reaching San Diego, we called a repairman and he installed a new toilet.

I thought I'd spare you the sight of a toilet, even though it is shiny and new.

Of course, we are no strangers to trouble when taking to the open road...

...two years ago, the hose at the gas station got stuck in the gas tank of our old motor home and the fire department had to be called out for that one...

...and, then, there was that time that Buddy had a close encounter with a skunk.

Anyway...as I was saying...we had a great vacation.

We did a lot of walking...

...we rode the trolley most days...

...did a fair amount of shopping...

...and a lot amount of shopping...

...and Buddy even did some shopping...

...spent most Saturday mornings at the Farmer's Market...

...made a few trips that took us under this sign...

...where the Captain spent some time back in 1958...

...and Buddy learned to use his new ramp to get up and down the stairs of the motor home. The Captain's back says thank you!

What more can I say...

...a gourmet chef at my disposal...

...incredible sunsets...

...a serenade outside my window every morning...

...and a handsome boy always waiting at the door.

What more could a girl want?

Oh, yeah, and don't forget my special Valentines gift...the new toilet!

There is much more to tell and will share next time but for now it is good to be back in touch again and hope that you all are enjoying a Happy New Year so far.

...Judy...

Starting off 2014 with these wonderful parties:

Feathered Nest Fridays at French Country Cottage

Simple and Sweet Fridays at Rooted In Thyme

Saturday Show Off at The Rosegarden in Malevik

Oh, The Places I've Been at The Tablescaper

Seasonal Sundays at The Tablescaper

MERRY CHRISTMAS...

On this first day of winter and throughout the holiday season...

...may you enjoy health, happiness, warmth and home...and make unforgettable memories with your family and friends.

We will be leaving right after our Christmas celebration for San Diego and will return in February.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

AND

HAPPY NEW YEAR...

...from all of us at Gold Country Cottage.

THE ALPHABET'S CHRISTMAS TREE...

The Alphabet a meeting held

As Christmas time drew near,

And voted each a gift to bring

To please the children dear.

"They try so hard," the letters said,

"To learn us by our names;

We'll give them presents, everyone,

Of candy, balls, and games."

So Christmas eve they one and all

Came, bringing in high glee

Their presents large and presents small

To hand upon the tree.

A brought an apple, round and red,

And B, a bouncing ball;

While C a bag of candy gave-

Enough to feed them all.

D carried in his arms a doll

With shining, golden hair,

And E, a cotton elephant

Came bringing with great care.

F had a fan from far Japan,

And G a funny game;

H boldly rode a hobby-horse,

A racer of great fame.

I held an inkstand in his hand,

"A useful thing," he said;

J waved on high a jumping-jack,

All painted black and red.

K thought a kite the proper thing;

A lamb L held aloft;

M's present was a little muff

Of fur so warm and soft!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

   

Let's take a brief interlude here to bring you up close and personal with one of our cast of characters.

Remember the beautiful doll that D carried in his arms?  She looks pretty good for being over 100 years old, don't you think?

She once belonged to my Dad's sister and she has weathered many a storm over these past 100 years, and like all of us who are growing older, she tried to play up her best attributes and make allowances for the flaws that she feels are beginning to show.

How she accomplishes this is, not with creams or any type of new age potions, but, simply, by wearing a bonnet, because you see...

...in 1989, while living in the bay area, we endured a 7.6 earthquake.  There was a lot of damage from falling objects in our home.  In the dining room there was a plate rail encircling the room with many antique dishes that we had collected over the years.  When the earthquake hit, this beautiful doll, who had survived, I'm sure, many a turmoil up to that point, was sitting in her buggy, the one she still sits in today, under that plate rail.

As the dishes came down, one by one, some landed on her head and split it open.  I was able to salvage some larger pieces and glued them back, but she is destined to go through the rest of her life wearing a bonnet.

Now, back to the Alphabet's Christmas Tree...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

N proudly bore a Noah's Ark,

Filled up with creatures queer;

O felt that yellow oranges

Would bring the best of cheer.

"A purse," said P "will look so well

Up there on the tree",

Q bought a quilt for dolly's crib-

A thoughtful Q was he.

R gave a pretty ruby ring

With sparkling deep-red glow;

S dragged along a brand-new sled

To coast upon the snow.

Loudly upon a trumpet blew

The valiant letter T;

U held a strange umbrella up,

Unfurled for all to see.

A dainty vase V's gift appeared,

Of crystal glass so clear;

"A whip," said lively W,

"Is handy to have near."

But X's present was so large

He sent it by express,

And what was in it no one knew,

Although they tried to guess.

Y had a gaily painted yacht

With every part complete;

Z bore a zither, "which" he said,

"Would furnish music sweet."

How merrily the children dance

Around the tree next day;

While safe within the primer all

The little letters lay!

Diantha W. Horne

St. Nicholas, January 1906

I apologize to whomever remembers some of these repeated pictures from last year. Some pictures are new and I came across this little children's poem in an old book. I hope you all enjoy it.

...Judy...

Thank you, Sandi, at Rose Chintz Cottage for featuring my little white truck on your post from last week. I am honored to be among the beautiful features that you chose.

I am sharing this little bit of Christmas with the following parties:

Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style

What's It Wednesday at Ivy and Elephants

Home and Garden Thursday at A Delightsome Life

Feathered Nest Friday at French Country Cottage

Sweet and Simple Fridays at Rooted In Thyme

Show and Tell Fridays at My Romantic Home