Cindy Lou Who

One of the perks of living in San Diego is spending time in nearby Balboa Park.

During the holiday season, THE GRINCH is playing at the Old Globe Theatre.

If you haven't seen a performance, you should.

Popping up on top of the gift shop.

"You're a mean one, Mr. Grinch"

Old Globe Theatre.

 Prior to the show, there was time to admire holiday outfits and pose in front of the tree.

Even express some holiday joy!

The family seated next to us had been coming to the show for every one of the 16 years it has been there and their grown children were still getting a kick out of it, as did we!

Middle, 2nd row balcony, great seats, by the way.

The sets, the costumes, the music "Fah Who Doraze".

Whoville in all its splendor!

Just before the curtain went up --- oh, the anticipation!

One last look at the sparkly tree as we hum a few carols on the way to the car.

Chop Chop, Whittle Whittle

Standing next to the very large, very tall, very bushy Noble Firs on the lot, our tree looked perfectly normal.

However, after we got it home, the trunk of the tree wouldn't fit in the tree stand.

Once inside, it took many shims to keep it from leaning.

The tree skirt is all but hidden from the bottom branches.

And it is nearly impossible to walk around in the room where it holds court.

It started with a saw, then a hatchet and finally a chisel and mallet.

Just before turning the tree into a totem pole, it looked like it might fit the stand.

Push, push, PUSH.....oh crap, it's stuck.

At least we had plenty of boughs for decorating the mantel.

Perhaps we should have used ONE BIG shim...

Standing upright, inside, at last!

Here's hoping that your seasonal decorating, if you partake in that sort of thing, goes much smoother than ours!

Sunsets Along The Coast

Driving back home on Thanksgiving weekend we veered off the highway in Carlsbad to stand on the cliffs and admire the sunset.

So lovely.

Hopped back in the car and continued south.

By Encinitas, the sky looked like this.

In Solana Beach, we parked the car again so we could admire the colors.

 And there were quite a few others.

That had the same idea.

A California Christmas

From November 17th though January 5, 2014, you can see 23 Christmas trees dressed up as California tourist attractions, historical landmarks and national parks.

This is a temporary exhibit on display at the the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley.

It was fun to see what 'ornaments' they used to represent each area in California.

From beach communities to the mountains.....come take a look.

Lovin' the shoes.

Bunches of grapes, glasses of wine, hot air balloon -- oh my.

Dude kinda looks real.

Yes, that is a California Grizzly bear!

Now I want to go camping!

Because it gets so hot in Death Valley you can fry an egg on the sidewalk!

Had no idea that Ken and Barbie lived in Palm Springs.

Home Sweet Home.

Scuba gear and aquatic wonders.

Wonder if there is anything inside the Tiffany blue bag?

Hurray for Hollywood.

Are you inspired to visit any of these places?