A Pretty Moth

Have you ever seen one of these? It's so unusual for me to see one of these pretty moths that I just had to get a photo or two.

It was in the rafters in my garage, so I got out a ladder to get these shots.

I think it's markings are quite pretty! Not the typical moth I see. There are lovely things all around us if we just stop to see them once in a while! That said, I should also mention that our usually cranky cat was in a good mood today.

But our sweet golden retriever, Curley, is always happy!

Oh, if we could all be like Curley!! Here's hoping you will find joy in simple things. Taniya

Friday Night Fun!

What do you do for fun on a Friday night? There are so many things to choose from. Like having some friends over to shoot off the potato gun!

First you have to stuff the potato in. Then FIRE!!

And everyone is happy.

Then later, after the sun goes down, we have to pick a movie.

And have a snack!

Don't forget the caramel! Every once in a while it's O.K. Now for the most important part...HAVE A BLAST!! Happy Friday! Taniya

Mushrooms And A Driving Dog?

After much cleaning, scrubbing, and shopping I can sit down for a moment. Whew! I was just reading that mushrooms fight infection, help stimulate the immune system, and demonstrate anti-tumor activity. The latest findings show that some mushrooms lower your risk of reproductive cancers. I thought that info was pretty exciting. Plus I already like mushrooms so I thought I'd go get some to cook up for lunch!

Chicken, onions and mushrooms cooked in good ol' olive oil. Pretty good! Now this is really off subject but when we were visiting Solvang, Ca. a few weeks ago I saw this and had to get a photo to share with you guys. But I didn't include it in my Solvang post. A dog behind the wheel! But it was parked so don't worry. Ha ha ha!

So cute! It looks like the dog from that old movie called "The Shaggy Dog". I hope you see something funny or interesting today! If you do, take a picture and share it with me. I'd love to see! Taniya

Have A Drink With Me!

A healthy drink that is! Everyone knows by now how much I like coffee. Well, I have some almost every day.

But did you also know that I love green tea? Yes, I think I've told you before.

I usually put a bit of stevia in it, which is a great all natural sweetener made from the leaves of the stevia plant. SO much better for you than sugar! I even have my own stevia plant.

Did you know that a compound found in green tea has been found to inhibit the growth of cancer cells? I think we all would like that! Try having just one cup every morning or even every other morning. Before I leave you today I want to show you this lovely sunset we had last night. It's just so pretty!

Have a cancer fighting, green tea drinking kind of day! Ha ha! Taniya Oh! and remember, if you want to know what nail polish I have on check out my other blog. http://raindropnails.blogspot.com/

Our Dog Nikita

Back in December our friend showed up at our door with this little girl.

Our friend had found her along the highway. She was only about 3 months old and very thin. We decided to keep her and named her Nikita.

Fast forward one month.

A couple more months.

She has become a very attractive German Shepherd and most the time we call her Nicky! She's VERY playful and smart too. Actually, I need to take her for a walk. So off I go! Taniya

A Stormy Day

Yesterday we had some great, late season, stormy weather and I think it was nice. The rain made everything sparkling clean and smell as fresh as a daisy! My flowers enjoyed it, I'm sure.

Sometimes it's nice to just sit inside and watch the rain, and lightning.

Or to catch up on some reading!

Hope you were able to enjoy this day as much as your plants did! Taniya

P.S. If you want to know what nail polish I'm wearing check my other blog. raindropnails.blogspot.com

Just What The Doctor Ordered.

Dr. Oz that is! This is a Revitalizing Fruit Smoothie that Dr. Oz recommends for it's detoxifying and antioxidant benefits and I think it's yummy.

1/2 cup almond, rice, or coconut milk (unsweetened)

1/4 cup blueberries (frozen or fresh) I used more

1/3 of a banana

1 tbsp. ground flaxseed or chia seeds (I used chia)

ice if desired

Blend until smooth and drink to your health!

A great way to start your day off by doing your body good! Have a healthy, feeling good kind of day! Taniya

Easter Blessings!

Happy, happy Easter to each and every one! I hope your day was full of love, friends, and family! We meandered over to my mama's house for great company, food, and fun. Every year Mom creates a scavenger hunt type thing in which she comes up with all these neat little rhyming clues that we need to figure out in order to get to the next clue. Like this:

The one above led to the saddle bags. There was even a clue strapped on one of the dogs! (On it's halter). One was buried and had to be dug up with a shovel! So fun!
Each time we figure one out there's a few treats waiting there until we got through all 8 of them to the final prize dangling high up in a tree. A box full of goodies for everyone! Who do you think climbed up that tree the fastest?

My little monkey! And our friend was right up there with him.

Some of the treats:

There was also packages of sunflower seeds and nuts! Many blessings to you on this Resurrection Sunday! Taniya

Saturday Strawberries!

Today I went out to my little garden and found my first strawberries of the season! So I thought I would share them with everyone. It's so exciting to grow my own food.

Aren't they shiny and pretty? Luke ate most of them and they were SO sweet. Nothing like homegrown! Have a sweet-as-strawberries kind of day! Taniya

Hearst Castle!

I've been wanting to go to Hearst Castle ever since I was a teenager and my cousin sent me a postcard from there about 20 years ago. So finally my dream has come true! Upon arrival you don't get anywhere near the castle. You can only see it far off in the distance up on a hill. We bought tickets for a tour of the ground floor and then a bus took us up the long, winding road up, up, up to the castle.

This was the Hearst family's front door. So elaborate! All the art, everywhere we turned, was so amazing too! Old tapestries and statues Mr. Hearst purchased from all over Europe!

I wish I knew the story behind this one. He has his shield beside him and a baby at his feet.

Where they ate dinner every night.

I would LOVE to swim in this pool!

There was even a whole family of mer-people!

A giant fountain! And before I finish up I have to show you this guy.

Look at what is on his feet...wings!

I love it! And finally, this is the view from the castle. We could see the ocean!

I should have gotten a better shot of the view but you can tell how amazing it is! I hope this post gives you a nice glimpse of this wonderful place if you have never seen it in person, and that you are smiling in your own private, little "castle"! (Your home, hee hee!) Taniya