East And West. . . Home Is Best

In my mother's kitchen hung a sign, decorated with the Norwegian folk painting known
as Rosemaling. It read: Ost og vest, hjem er best. East and West, home is best.

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If the weather in California weren't so beautiful, it would be boring.
Howard and I were there for 9 days, and never had to turn on the rental car's windshield wipers.

We landed back in New Jersey in a chill drizzle.

But I am a confirmed East Coast kind of gal. Drizzle and all. It's good to be home.

Today it's the great outdoors, with our Southern Daydreamer, Susan, and her blog party for Outdoor Wednesday. You can click on any highlighted word, or the logo at the end of the post, to join all the other outdoor merrymakers!

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Howard and I stayed in Newport Beach -- an hour's drive from our daughter's apartment, but near the ocean.
You can't keep us away from the shore!

We explored a bit along the Pacific Coast Highway;

we had not been in that area for 20 years.

Mid-week, we went whale watching with Alida and her boyfriend,

and then to lunch at the cutest place in Newport Beach.

I've got a few pics of that for a food post later this week.

We didn't see any whales; it isn't the season. But we saw dolphins and sea lions, and the best part was just being out on that gorgeous ocean. There was a group of school children on the lower deck; listening to their giggles and shrieks was priceless.

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And now, we are home.
There have been a few changes at That Old House since we left on September 25th.

Remember we had some green tomatoes valiantly trying to blush up?

Well, this one is doing his level best to become sandwich-worthy.
Can't you just hear him? "I think I can, I think I can ...."

My rosemary plant is thriving still in its pot outside, but the thyme next to it has died.

Miss Rosemary will have to winter in the conservatory.

The grape vines are fading fast. Once the fruit is off, they seem to just give up the ghost.

And that rudbeckia that bloomed so enthusiastically all summer long has turned into seed pods --

rather Halloween-looking, don't you think? Definitely Addams Family material.

The Sedum plants have gone from pink, to a deep rusty red.

They are so large that they've collapsed outward from their middles.

We'll have to see about good strong girdles for next year.
A good foundation garment, ladies, can make all the difference.

But lookie here . . . along the sunroom walls the humble wax begonias are still pumping it out.

Most of the summer-blooming flowers have folded their tents for the season,

but the begonias just keep on keepin' on.

You have to admire a little plant like that.

I figure it's a kindred soul, and is also reluctant to let go of summer.

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I took some video with my camera in California, like this one of sea lions at the base of a buoy . . .

please excuse the shakiness -- I was on a rocking boat!

The voice is the docent's, speaking to the school children.

I even took a couple of videos by mistake, thinking I was taking still pictures. . .

and not checking the settings. I will be kind and not subject you to those.

I also have one of Howard snoring at the hotel, which is quite hilarious, but since I value
my 31 year marriage and would like to celebrate 32 years, I'll keep that one to myself.

Thanks to all who sent good wishes for a quick recovery from my cold. The viral gods must have been listening, as I am feeling just about all better now! -- Cass :-)