Holidays: Christmas in Sunny San Diego

I grew up in the County of San Diego. I loved it. It was beautiful and nothing beat the sunsets and starlight. I went back for Christmas this year. It rained over the holidays and the next day the weather was crisp as a freshly unpacked cracker. San Diego County is really not that far from Los Angeles, It makes a perfect weekend getaway. Temecula has wineries, Escondido has a huge and gorgeous brewery, Julian Pies - La Jolla, Gas Lamp, Pacific Beach...

Didn't have to do any enhancing on the color, for the photos. It was perfect.

Three favorite men on the planet. From Right to Left, Husband, Father, Brother

Wild

Everything looked like gold in that light

Puddle of water left in the rocks

Glorious sunset, I love those rays of light

Film: Redneck Island Promo

So here is the Redneck Island Season 4 promo. It was a great film shoot. The team was super fun. It was cold to work in but awesome. Oh my lawd, cleaning up the hay from the grass was not fun. Here are a few photos from set. Hopefully you enjoy...

Our little island paradise

The light was perfect that day

The little surprise found in our room

Food: Lazy Sunday Breakfast

Today was just one of those days. Didn't feel like doing to much, so I'm not going to do too much. I am trying to eat healthier, so I will share my favorite oatmeal recipe.

The soft furry rug that keeps me from my duties

Breakfast

So my favorite oatmeal is with trader joe's toasted organic oatmeal, which I boil in water with a teaspoon of vanilla extract (I use 1/2 cup dried oats). While it is boiling, I put a teaspoon - ish of coconut oil in the serving bowl.

Then when the oatmeal is cooked I strain the oats and put in the bowl. Immediately, while the oats are hot I drizzle honey over the oats. The amount of honey should be based on how sweet you like you oatmeal, I usually use about a tablespoon.

Then viola! You are left with very creamy, tasty and healthy oatmeal. Bon Appétit!

As for the accompanying beverages, some green tea and fresh pressed orange juice.

Local Travel: Magical Morro Bay

I had never been to Morro Bay.  It was the last leg of our Yosemite journey and I was swept away. A thick mysterious fog cloaked the whole area and made everything magical. Even though it was packed to capacity (EVERY hotel/motel was booked) the fog made us feel as though we had stumbled on some incredible deserted beach. Super romantic.

Local Travel: Incredible Yosemite

First of all Yosemite is HUGE. So before you go take a look at places and sites that might interest you. I can be very spur of the moment but often I pay the price for that. I got lucky and found a placed called Narrow Gauge Inn. It was small but so beautiful. It was just outside the park which ended up being perfect.

   

Local Travel: Paso Robles - wine and the country side

The next stop we made on the journey to Yosemite was Paso Robles. This is a great place to go for wineries and food. There is also a small water park that closes in the afternoon. Although I love Napa and Sonoma, they are too far for a casual visit. Paso Robles however is a perfect weekend trip. A spa, a wine tour, you can't ask for too much more than that. When I got to Paso Robles I barely made it before 4:00pm, which is when most of the wineries close. However, this lovely winery call Le Vigne Winery stayed open for us and gave me the most amazing wine and cheese pairing. I discovered there that I really like Sangiovese, when, to be honest, I had never even heard of before. (Before you go to a winery, always check when they close and if you need an invitation - learned that lesson in Napa the hard way)

Take a look at the lovely scenery surrounding Paso Robles.

On the road again

Felt like we got caught in a screen saver

 Cost of Trip: $100 Roundtrip gas (unless you have a prius), $50.00 Wine tasting plus bottle of wine = $150.00

Local Travel: Pismo Beach

We went on a road trip to Yosemite National Park. Our first stop is Pismo Beach. Here you can camp out on the sand. I love this place. We camped out on the beach for the first time. Oh but the sand will go everywhere...

Good Morning Beach!!!

Sea of Sand

You also can't skip on the Old West Cinnamon Rolls.

Crowded beach

You can camp on the beach for $10.00. You can shower at the state beach showers for $3.00.

Total cost: Gas $40.00, Beach Fare $10.00, Showers $9.00, Cinnamon rolls $10.00 = $69.00

Film: Commercial from Last September

Point Mugu

So I rarely post anything about work, as I believe it is meant to be something relatively private.

Incredible waves that day

Since all the videos have been released, I feel comfortable sharing a few photos of what we filmed last year in September.

Incredible California Coast

Our helicopter catching the speeding car

Car to car filming.

Thoughts: Love and New Beginnings

Every time you fall in love it's a chance to become somebody new.

Thoughts?

Local Travel: Redrock Canyon State Park

Winter in Southern California is peculiar. You see for all the folks who live here and the transplants that have lived here long enough, anything below 60 degrees might as well be subzero temperatures.

Half the time you end up cooped in your apartment wondering if is okay to watch that 3rd series on Netflix... after you have spent all morning binge watching series 1 and 2.

Cabin fever had set in and I was itching for adventure.

Not far away from the metropolis is California desert. During the winter these parts are actually cold and often scant on tourists and travelers. I thought for this reason a desert excursion might by very interesting.

I was inspired to take a look at Red Rock Canyon State Park from a video a friend had produced in this area. It also is only 1 hour and 45 min, so not a bad car ride.

I put on my explorer boots, some adventure duds, and my trusty hat, then off we went. 

Honestly, the hike was a little more required a little more effort than I thought but it was totally worth it. It was deserted, the temperature was perfect, by the time we got up the hill we were glad it was a cool. Best of all the landscape took your breath away, for a few hours I felt as though I was on some strange desolate planet. 

             

Suggested methods of travel

We went by Jeep

Suddenly we are on another planet...
 

We brought our own lunch. We didn't go to the park where you pay. 

Total cost of the trip: $40.00 in gas.