Around (outside) the house

Just a few outdoor pics to add to
Outdoor Wednesday
put on by Susan
over at
A Southern Daydreamer.

This Western Light

Our backyard faces
West,
allowing for some
lovely light
in the late afternoon.

Sometimes it's just
irresistible.

And finally,
here's a nighttime
shot of a
praying mantis
in our rose bush.

Our first visitors!

Susie & Mamaw came to
town for Z's installation
at church & visited for several days.

We stayed very busy &
had lots of fun...

at least once they recovered
from jet lag.

We spent ALL day Sunday
at church for worship,
the installation,
and the reception,
so the other days we tried to
show them as much as we could.

We went to some parks.

To some antique shops

To see panoramic views of the oil fields
and orchards

And up into the canyon where
the Kern River rushes

Of course they needed to sample local fare
such as In-N-Out burgers

Plus you can't come to Bakersfield
without getting ice milk and candy
from Dewar's!

We loved seeing these wonderful ladies
and can't wait for more visitors!

The domestication of Z & H

We have a lawnmower,
a garden to tend...

Mr. W is all settled in...

& we have new CA plates
& licenses...

It's official. We live here.

Images of Objects

Here are some photos that
I've been taking since we
moved here.

In the Carolinas: Part I

Caught up yet?

So we drove 3 days from
Chicago to California,
found a place to live
in under 2 days,
saw some sights in LA
and then came to visit
family & friends in NC/SC.

First off, one of our adorable nephews!

Saw this beauty on our way to Clemson...
any guesses on what he's hauling in there?

We made a pit (haha peach joke) stop
at the "Peachoid" water tower.

We have driven past it so many times,
but finally stopped at the little park
at its base and took some photos!

After Clemson we made a quick run
over the mountains
to Knoxville, but unfortunately
did not get any pics.

A tree grows in a silo near Z's house.

The Grands & Us

G-ma & I loving on my newest cousin.

Aunt Ginny & mama

Z's mama & aunt working hard on
food for Z's ordination...
yummy pickle sandwiches
aka. Carolina Rolls!