We went to Santa Barbara for Valentine's/Presidents Day weekend. My family went in 2003 and I loved it so much I have always wanted to go back. For a Christmas gift, Jonathan said I could pick a weekend to go.

There was not a cloud in the brilliant blue sky and it was a comfortable mid-70's the whole time. We ate nearly every meal outside. It was so nice. And we stayed at a great little inn (shown below). I took a lot of pictures of the architecture because it is so beautiful; white-washed stucco, red roofs, black wrought iron, colorful tile, and flowering clinging vines and trees. When we have a house one day, I would love to have a kitchen that reflects the Santa Barbara essence.

We walked up and down the beaches and saw a lot of different birds. Jonathan's favorites were the pelicans. We walked to the end of Stearn's Wharf and to the end of State Street. We were strolling around by the harbor and heard a bagpipe playing in the distance and followed the tune until we got to the top of a hill overlooking the wharf. A woman was practicing her bagpipe so we sat and listened and took in the view. It was one of our favorite parts of the trip. 

It was such a nice weekend away after the busy weeks we have had lately.

 

"She had been studying her lessons, but it had grown too dark to see the book, so she had fallen into wide-eyed reverie, looking out past the boughs of the Snow Queen, once more bestarred with its tufts of blossom."

- L. M. Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables

My Cherry Tree Neighbor

 

Taking a break from studying Accounting to give a thankfulness report. 

Jonathan is working on a sermon that he will be giving tomorrow morning at intern class and tomorrow night at youth group. He has been busy with that almost every weeknight lately. I have been busy with accounting work almost every weeknight lately. Both our jobs have been demanding. Both of us have gotten sick recently. Weekends have been filled with fun social activities and volunteer opportunities. So much for hibernating :)

In making meals for new moms, helping people move, cooking meals for recovering addicts with our home group, and going to birthday parties and dinner dates, we have been overcome with gratitude. A couple Sundays ago we realized our after-church-lunch-crew had multiplied so that we needed two separate tables to fit everyone! And three of the couples have children now! God really plopped us into an amazing community down here. We couldn't ask for more, we are so blessed.

I saw a bumper sticker the other day that stood out in a sea of  "I'd rather be flyfishing" or "I'd rather be kayaking" bumper stickers. It said, "I'd rather be here, now." Pretty profound for a bumper sticker I think. While we eagerly anticipate and hope in the glory of Heaven, we have so much to be thankful for. Right here, right now.

We are taking a cue from the woodland creatures and beginning a hibernating phase of sorts. With the Christmas season over and social engagements diminishing, we are finding ourselves slowing down and relaxing more. It's been very enjoyable. Blankets, candles, warm drinks in mugs, reading for class as well as for pleasure, playing the guitar (all after exercising and walking the dog of course). It's a relief to let yourself just soak up a slower pace for a while and not feel bad about it.

However, the cherry blossoms are beginning to peek out again. Which stirs my delight for my favorite time of year in the Bay Area: early Spring!

My family was with us the 23rd through the 27th, but my Dad stayed longer so he and I could do a little father-daughter trip. He worked remotely in our apartment and Shinobi loved getting to play with his grandpa all day.

On Thursday morning, bright and early, we flew to San Diego. We got to visit my Dad's college roommate Ned (Uncle Ned) and Ned's wife Laura. They are such a God-honoring, enjoyable pair. Ned gave us a seven hour tour of San Diego and we were able to take in some beautiful sights like the harbor, Balboa Park, Mission Beach, and Mt. Soledad in La Jolla. That night we went to a dinner party with a string quintet made up of five young siblings. It was a true delight. The quintet is called The Bunnell Strings.

Another bright and early morning, on Friday we drove North to Pasadena for the Rose Bowl! Uncle Ned knew all sorts of sneaky routes so the trip was as smooth as can be. I was very sad that the Ducks lost, but it was still such a fun experience. Especially after getting to watch such an exciting season. I wish they had just had possession of the ball more, but I digress...

Saturday morning was bright and early too and we flew back to San Jose. Jonathan had Heath to keep him company while I was away and he was very glad to get to see him. 

And now we are back to the work week. Jonathan has been sick with a sore throat and I have been catching up on sleep from my wild trip ;). Jonathan is going skiing at Heavenly in Tahoe this weekend with Nick and Pete and I will be trying to get a jumpstart on my new term of Accounting. Happy New Year to all!