June 29, 2010. Oakland, California. At the Oakland Temple.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Monday, June 28, 2010
Exploring California: Visiting Hearst Castle
I am decidedly adding a new chapter to my blog. In addition to capturing brief snapshots of every day life, I would like to document my travels. I have a love for travel coupled with a passion for architecture. This can make for some scenic trips as well as beautiful photography. Also, for anyone traveling my way, it may prove some helpful travel tips.
The first week of June, 2010 Dave and I took a trip down the California coast to visit Hearst Castle. We left San Jose in the early afternoon on Wednesday intending to arrive at the San Simeon Campground before dark. From San Jose, we followed the Historic El Camino Real (also known as Highway 101) until we reached California Highway 46. Points of interest along the way were Gilroy (famous for its fields of garlic), Pinnacles National Monument (impending trip), and Mission San Miguel (pictures saved for a future post).
View Larger Map
Driving west along Highway 46 was a fortunate stroke of serendipity as we cut through miles of sprawling vineyards, refined wineries, and gorgeous mountain vistas that fell off into the Pacific Ocean with the setting sun.
We chose to pitch our tent at the Washburn Area of the San Simeon Campground, and enjoyed an easy hike Thursday morning along these trails.
We had advance-purchase tickets for the Experience Tour at Hearst Castle; which proved an eclectic experience. Personally, I didn't care much for the castle itself.
Just so cozy, and inviting...
Home Sweet Home...anyone?
The first week of June, 2010 Dave and I took a trip down the California coast to visit Hearst Castle. We left San Jose in the early afternoon on Wednesday intending to arrive at the San Simeon Campground before dark. From San Jose, we followed the Historic El Camino Real (also known as Highway 101) until we reached California Highway 46. Points of interest along the way were Gilroy (famous for its fields of garlic), Pinnacles National Monument (impending trip), and Mission San Miguel (pictures saved for a future post).
View Larger Map
Driving west along Highway 46 was a fortunate stroke of serendipity as we cut through miles of sprawling vineyards, refined wineries, and gorgeous mountain vistas that fell off into the Pacific Ocean with the setting sun.
We chose to pitch our tent at the Washburn Area of the San Simeon Campground, and enjoyed an easy hike Thursday morning along these trails.
We had advance-purchase tickets for the Experience Tour at Hearst Castle; which proved an eclectic experience. Personally, I didn't care much for the castle itself.
Just so cozy, and inviting...
Home Sweet Home...anyone?
The gardens and vistas, however, were phenomenal.
I was also captured by the hundreds of minute architectural details.
The Greco-Roman Neptune Pool
And my personal favorite...the indoor Roman Pool; decorated from floor to ceiling with 1" square mosaic tiles. Absolutely breathtaking. And yes, I took all of these pictures myself.
We drove back to San Jose Thursday afternoon along California's scenic Highway 1.
I have never seen the water so blue as it was this first week in June.
Some attractions we passed along the way include: Los Padres National Forest, Soda Springs Trails, Treebones Resort, Elephant Seals, Plaskett Creek Campground, Sand Dollar Beach, Kirk Creek Campground, Big Sur, and of course Carmel & Monterey.
Snapshot #26: Sunday Night Dishes
June 28, 2010. San Jose, California. Since Dave finished school for the semester and is no longer putting in 12-16 hour study days, he has graciously volunteered to do more around the house. Our typical negotiation is that when I cook he does the dishes; this system--while not yet perfect--works well for us. Recently I gave him charge over Sunday dinners, leaving clean-up duty to myself. I confess there are weeks when I leave the clean-up until Monday morning.
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Snapshot #25: Balancing the Budget
June 26, 2010. San Jose, California. Today Dave and I are balancing the budget...in between World Cup Soccer games.
Friday, June 25, 2010
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Snapshot #23: Secondhand Lions
June 24, 2010. San Jose, California. Last night Dave had a networking social with Cisco, so I took the night off and watched this enchanting movie.
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Recipe Diaries: Snapshot #22: Peanut Butter Kiss Cookies
June 23, 2010. San Jose, California. Home-made gifts can be some of the best kind.
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Monday, June 21, 2010
Snapshot #20 : Hand-Painted Cards
June 21, 2010. San Jose, California. My newest hobby; one of the creative advantages of a spending freeze.
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Exploring California: Snapshot #19: Alum Rock Trail
June 19, 2010. San Jose, California. Today Dave and I walked for 2-1/2 hours along the Alum Rock Trails that go to and all around Alum Rock Park. Dave was disappointed we didn't see a mountain lion.
Friday, June 18, 2010
Snapshot #17 : "Letters"
June, 2010. San Jose, California. Thoroughly enjoying Marjorie Pay Hinckley's "Letters".
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Snapshot #16: Beached Seal
June 16, 2010. Santa Cruz, California. Last night Dave and I drove to Santa Cruz for a walk along the beach at sunset...we didn't find the sun setting over the Pacific Ocean (turns out the Santa Cruz boardwalk is a south-facing cove)...but we did discover this beached seal.
There was an enthusiastic family that determined it was their role to save the seal's life by getting it back into the ocean. They proceeded with pouring buckets of water onto the seal's back and cheering it along until it was once again in the water.
Part of me wonders if the seal wasn't thinking, "Run, run away from the crazy loons! Stop pouring water on me! Gosh, can't a seal take a nap around here?"
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Snapshot #15: The Finished Top, for Baby Girl Quilt #1
June 16, 2010. San Jose, California. I finished it last night. Not easy to get a good picture of it though.
Snapshot #13: My First Ever "Mitered Corners"
June 16, 2010. San Jose, California. Thank You YouTube.
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Recipe Diaries: Snapshot #12: Morning Tea
June 15, 2010. San Jose, California. Egyptian Licorice, by Yogi.
Monday, June 14, 2010
Recipe Diaries: Snapshot #11: Very Healthy, Yet Yummy, Homemade Soup
June 14, 2010. San Jose, California. Chicken broth, yellow onion, green onion, basil, cabbage, tomato, garlic pepper, poultry seasoning, and shrimp (or chicken or beef).
Snapshot #10: Living with Infertility
June 14, 2010. Santa Clara, California. Last night Dave and I went to a small get-together with other summer interns from BYU, and their families. It is always a rich experience when I am priviledged enough to discover another person's story. I met someone who will likely become a dear friend. Turns out we have shared similiar experiences on our journey toward parenthood. Empathy is a very powerful thing.
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Recipe Diaries: Snapshot #9: I have finally mastered Mom's amazing chocolate chip cookies! (only took me 30 years)
June 13, 2010. San Jose, California. I had to make them, bake them, and take them to a party. The true test of my committment to a diet.
Saturday, June 12, 2010
Snapshot #8: According to Design
June 12, 2010. San Jose, California. It is a pleasant day when the sewing machine works according to design.
I've started to wonder about her name...
Snapshot #7 : Living Made Simple
June 12, 2010. San Jose, California. In an effort to make it through Grad School without taking out student loans, we moved to San Jose with only those items we could squeeze into our car...
...Zazu (the Cat) has already put several holes in the air mattress, leaving us sleeping on a pile of blankets.
Friday, June 11, 2010
Snapshot #6: Giving Dave a Foot Rub
June 10, 2010. San Jose, California. Dave had a most excellent day at work yesterday. He is getting along very well with his colleagues. We have by now learned that he is going to be working on the negotiation of leases, as well as several special projects that will tighten up the company's PO processes and save them hundreds of thousands.
I have never seen him happier at a job.
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Snapshot #5: Designing a Baby Quilt
June 9, 2010. San Jose, California. Now don't get overly excited...these are for the Hope Chest
Snapshot #4: Dave's Hiking Sandals, Our Trail Map, and the Flower He Picked For Me Along the Trail
June 3, 2010. San Ramon Campround, California.
Snapshot #3: Mission San Miguel Arcangel, Est. 1797; National Historic Landmark
June 2, 1010. San Miguel, California. We drove past it on our way to visit Hearst Castle.
Snapshot #2: An Artist's Rendering of Herself
June 1, 2010. San Francisco. My most favorite of all the paintings in the Academy of Art Spring Show.
Snapshot #1: Architectural Model from the Academy of Art Spring Show
I have decided that I am going to start taking snapshots of my daily life, to share on my blog. My hope is that I will find this easier to do on a more consistent basis...as well as create unique vingettes to remember the journey by...so, here's to progress in the blog world.
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