Yes it's winter even in California!

Clam fondue is baking inside a loaf of SF sourdough in the oven....The Thin Man is on TV...DS is with his GF's family in Carson City....life is good.
Happy New Year everyone!!!

Happy New Year, dear ima! Thank you for all the guidance and the friendship you've given me this past year.
Have a good time tonight! Life is good!
Walk In Beauty!
SW

OK Jules. You're the designated decoy tonight ! Enjoy !

Cymbidium plants will be in abundance at the stores from now til Easter.
You got a nice one, Kathleen. Now go get several more! lol

The Thin Man! Ooooh, one of my favorites! Here, Asta....

TCM showed all six Thin Man movies last night----had to DVR the last 3, as we were falling asleep on the couch by 12:15. Geezers....sigh.....

Hah! I was sound asleep by then.

Didn't even make it to the guacamole and chips...in bed by 8:30...lol..

JD, I think I got the best one! I've always wanted a mini, so I'm happy.

Happy New Year to all of you!!!! Boy, did this thread get long since I last checked it. LOL!!!

I still love my Paperwhites!..And Daphne...My father had most wonderful daphne. I love the smell
of most flowers. I can only think of two right now I don't like. Skunk cabbage and Black
Currant. It smells like cat pee. YUCK!!!! It's used a lot in candles and other scented things. I
can smell it right away. I was told by several candle manufactures they call it Cat Piss. LOL!!!!
Only a few percentage of people can smell it in the candles. I guess I'm one of them. LOL

Been away for a while. My 'new' home internet connection is sketchy right now. AT&T promises they'll have it corrected this week. I can catch up here on break at work.

Hope you all have a happy new year. Lisa and I rung it in with a bottle of champagne and a pay-per-view movie (Four Christmases) It was funny enough. Glad I didn't pay the $10.00 per ticket it would have been at the theater.

We're all "there" in the new house in Fallbrook, just not "put-away" altogether yet.

OH!! You won't believe this one. On Christmas Eve morning, I was getting ready to go to Arizona for Christmas. I let Fido (our Yorky Terrier) out to do his morning routine. I made coffee and was waiting for it to brew when I heard Fido growling and barking viciously, then I heard him yelp as if in pain. I ran to the door just in time to see a quite large coyote running up the hill with Fido in his mouth.

I gave chase, but the coyote had a good 50 yard head start on me. Fido is fairly 'large' for a Yorky, weighing about 10 pounds. Evidently this was enough to slow the coyote somewhat. That coupled with me running on pure adrenaline (no coffee yet) had me gaining ground on the scoundrel. I was yelling at the top of my lungs, (probably had any neighbors within earshot thinking I was crazy!!)

I followed for probably 250-300 yards and had closed the gap between us to about 50 or 60 feet. Along the way I determined that there might be an ensuing fight between me and the coyote if I did, in fact, catch up to him. As it happened, I had my folding box-cutter/razor knife in my pocket which I had already pulled and opened as I ran.

We came to a fork in the trail where he stopped. That's when I noticed there were TWO other coyotes there to meet him, presumably to rip my little dog apart in some sort of "meal game". I screamed and he dropped Fido. Amazingly, Fido took off like a shot, running right by me down the hill and into the quite deep wash we'd been running alongside of. The coyotes ran on up the hill, probably traumatized by the sight of this crazed human weilding a knife.

Then I had to search for Fido. He was so afraid he didn't stop running even when I called and chased after him. After an hour of walking up and down the wash searching for him (went back to the house a couple of times as well) I went home to drive to my closest neighbors to ask them to keep an eye out for him.

Just as I was getting in my truck, he came running around the house. There wasn't a mark on him anywhere. It was incredible. He doesn't leave my side when we're outside now. I keep him on a leash, which he despises, but OH WELL!!
All this happened on his 9th birthday.

I'll have to say I'm glad 2009 is over and done. Welcome to the last year of the first decade of the the third millennium. YIPPEE!!!!!!

Yikes! I didn't know you had a small dog, or I would have warned you. If the coyotes don't get them, the hawks or owls will. Keep the cats inside, too. We've really been hearing the coyotes recently here.

Movies: if you do want to go out to a movie, try the theater at River Village on Saturday morning. We've always enjoyed going there - not too crowded and they have a special day for moms with crying babies (don't know why they take them, but that's another matter). We only go for special films like Harry Potter. :-)

Glad you and Fido are OK!

Already checked out the theater at River Village. I saw "Blindside" there. Not a bad movie. Probably could have waited for it to come out on pay-per-view though.

ACcCk!
Poor DP, poor Fido! I'm so glad you took after that coyote, and saved Fido! What would I tell Buddy Holly, if his Uncle Fido got ate by coyotes?
Spirit has been running off a couple of coyotes a week, here, and that during the day. I don't worry about the coyotes as much since we got a temp fence around the house, and because they are naturally timid by nature, but those coydogs work in packs and little Fido would have been a small appetizer for them. Get a shotgun, use rock salt. Watch the grandkids when they are outside. Be careful!
On the other hand, bet ya didn't know you could still move that fast did ya, DP?
I am so glad he showed up safe, and you are right to keep him close to you.
Happy Birthday Fido! And they say only cats have 9 lives. LOL!

New Years Eve Excitement!
We went out dancing at the local Bar, called the Ponderosa. Usual clientele is a mix of old time farmers, retirees from SC, long time locals, and lately some of the kids who've aged up in the area.
Anyway, this is so funny to me, DH bought the Tickets so we could be assured of a seat, on the day before New Year's Eve. It was 2:00 pm when he went to buy the Tickets. He came home and told me that, "I just couldn't believe that it was so early (in the day), and all the barstools were filled!" I told him that those were the Dedicated Drinkers. He didn't get it or get over it, until I explained that there are some people who live like that.
My Mom & Step father dragged us around to bars for years. As soon as the bar opens for the day, the first customer is already bellying up to the bar. DH still has a hard time believing it. Needless to say I found this very amusing.
The Pond as we call it, is a casual kinda place. I feel comfortable wearing my jeans and tennis shoes, and they do have a grill, too. I also know that the place fills up fast at the last minute which is why I wanted to get our tickets early.

We got there a little late, 'cause there was this really funny show featuring NAI comics on the tube. We had a pleasant time listening to the band "Nightshift".
The Band had just started to play, and they didn't sound too bad, when we first arrived. They had a good sax player, but his keyboard was out of whack after the power outage.
My GirlFriend, Casey and I had some fun dancing. DH had fun getting drunk. He doesn't often do that, so it's like a Hekyll and Hyde transformation. DH is normally shy and very quiet, unless you're talking bees. But he was laughing and fooling around being silly. He seemed to enjoy himself.
We did have some unanticipated entertainment, if that's what you want to call it. Just after the band started it's 2nd set, two couples who were on the dance floor (all alone, just them), and they got into a pushing match because of inappropriate touching? Hmm.
I did see the men bump into each other a couple of times, but didn't see anything to take offense over. I didn't really see them haul the one guy into the parking lot, because I was headed out the door my own self. Watching people fight makes me physically ill.
The Lead Singer called out for Security, and to give them credit, they (Security) moved it outside fast. They just didn't keep them separated long enough.
Even when the fuses blew and it took the owner, who doesn't trust the manager with a key to the office where the circuit breaker box is located. Took 25 minutes to get the power back on. The manager was bummed because some people were leaving. The Sax played on.
Well, it was an eventful evening, especially since someone who doesn't wish to incriminate herself, snuck in some champagne confetti poppers. Party favors (dunce hats, noisemakers, etc.) were provided (providing you have Jack sneaking over early to grab the few crowns for us girls and the only top hat left for himself, LOL!) and you had to be quick and sneaky to get them. Someone did some confetti popper seeding, so that someone didn't get blamed for being the only one in possession of them. There were many willing accomplices. : - )
I only had two soda's the whole night. Once without even ice. (The power was out.) The Midnight Brunch wasn't bad, I got in line early and actually ate more than I thought I would. Then DH got tired of stealing my food, so he made himself a plate. The band stopped playing, and we came home shortly after midnight, and yes, I drove.
The kids didn't even notice the changeover. Too busy gaming.
2010 is going to be a good year. We got a Round Up to start planning too!
My tale wasn't as scary as DP's but I really did enjoy getting out on NY's Eve and dancing. It was good for DH, and my GF too. Once those endorphins kicked in, it hardly hurt at all. LOL!
Best Wishes to all of you for a great time this year!
WIB,
SW

All of the above is why I stay home on New Years..also why I don't drink...lol..

I don't drink either, but I do find it amusing to watch others do so. I do like live music and dancing which is the only reason for me to go out on New Years' Eve.
Staying at home listening to the kids plan strategies for their gaming was too much and I wanted to dance. What can I say? Some years, we stay at home and sleep, some years we go out (or stay in) and watch a movie, and some years we go dancing.
Normally, DH doesn't drink at all, much less as much as he did on New Year's Eve He works really hard and I had his back, so it's okay to let him blow off some steam. My GF said, she'd never seen him laugh so much and she's known him as long as we've been seeing each other. I've had her longer than DH. It was good for all of us.
Wouldn't want to do it all the time but once in a while it's a good thing.
WIB!
SW

Randy..please keep the kitties and doggie in..they won't make it outside here, not for long.....Fido was one lucky pup!

Where's Doss? She has the honor of starting a new thread.

wow beautifull pictures

Randy, what's the prob with AT&T? Not happy to hear this as we've just switched to AT&T and it's supposed to start in about a week...

the problem is not just in california

Im in ontario canada and in my area cat and dog started disappearing two years ago and its the coyotes, they even attached and killed a young women in cap breton nova scotia this fall they are nasty when hungry and in the winter when there is a lot of snow they are starving and will attach almost anything we dont even let the kids out on their own and also keep somekind of weapon I alwasy have my walking stick

Sherry AT&T is not the problem. It's the wiring. I live in an old orchard house that had telephone line ran to it by one of the previous tenants. Evidently the wire they used is OK for phone only, but it needs an upgrade for broadband/DSL. It's a line from another house on the property so it's a kinda funky set-up. I had AT&T when I was in Vista and had no problem with them at all. That's why I chose them this time.

We have them here, too. We've had a few problems with the DSL, but they were quickly fixed and also to do with wiring. Except for last weekend when DH rebooted the new modem and it wouldn't connect. Tech support kept asking for the answer to a secret question that we never set up! He kept telling them he didn't know the answer and they needed to use something else for ID. He ended up going two levels higher and finally got a guy in N. Calif who handled it easily. Be careful and set up your own "secret questions!" We thought we were in the twilight zone. LOL!

BTW, when we did set them up, there were about FIVE.

Yikes! gulp, scary coyote story!

Kasey is glad Fido survived the ordeal.

I just heard a frog! LOL

I love Yorkies, Silkies, and other fluffy little pups.:-) Aww, heck, I love most dogs.

Thanks, Randy...good to know. Twilight zone..that's where I've been living this last month, I swear. With a zillion other things going on, my laptop developed problems and even with recovering everything, it's never been the same since. Driving me nuts. Between Jer and J.P. working with it, everything had to be recovered and seems like I keep having to reset everything.The gremlins are driving me nuts with my toolbar...I finally got things sorted out last night, font size, resolution, got rid of the automatic updates, got my toolbar back, locked it and everytime the guys add something back on I end up with this screwy toolbar again. We've been just a little stressed..lol...having to do some faxing back and forth with funeral home...neither one of our fax machines was working right...after Jer let out a few yells and smashed one I just went and bought another. easier all around, don't you think?..lol....That's what I've felt like doing to my laptop, especially after setting it aside and pulling out my tower and it isn't working right either. Looking forward to AT&T, since we kept having connection problems with File Bank and the slow, slow pace. Is it asking too much to just have things that WORK?
Randy, ours was an old orchard house also...Jer built new walls around it and then tore the old walls down...lol...

Meant to say hi to Mona from Ontario! Sounds like those coyotes are everywhere.

yes and they are not very nice, I dont seem to have a problem close to my house since I have a fisher that lives in the back somewhere and a family of fox off to the side but my sister lives five minutes away and she had to go out and chase them away from her dog last winter and she has a golden retriever which is a large dog but with four of them they didnt seem to be scared came right up to the house, then dogs and cats started vanishing around her subdivision

that is why my dog goes out into the side yard where my pool is it has a five foot fence metal so I know he is safe and I dont even out back by myself anymore because of them and the fisher

One of our neighbors lost two German shepherd-sized dogs to the coyotes. :-(

doesnt surprise me since they hunt in packs just like wolves

Doss must be busy. I've started a new thread here: http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/1067506/

Thanks KaperC. I have been busy. I was just tuning in to start a new thread and found that you had done it. What a nice New Year's present!

Hope you were fun busy! :-)

What happened to the weather??

Ssshhh...it's been so nice down here, we're afraid to say anything. Perhaps some rain coming in a few days. Sun is good, rain is good.....

Yeah...supposedly there's more coming on Saturday. (Rain, that is.)

...and Friday, Sunday, Monday. Off and on is good.

Yes, this is wonderful. I don't think I have to worry about any frost from here on out really and it had already gotten too warm this last week to want to set plants out, so the next week will be perfect for planting, for our place at least. This is that BUSY time of year, isn't it? I do some here, some there, with the result being that everything is torn up...half of things cut back, half weeded, half planted...apparently I do everything half-as**ed....or at least that's what Jer has been telling me for years and maybe he's right...lol...

Boys said there was frost here one day last week, while we were at the beach. We also had 2/10ths of an inch of rain in the gauge, when I got home.
My survivor Beefsteak tomato is still hanging in there.
I'm finally going to get the roses trimmed back tomorrow. I am afraid to see what DH's crew did out in the yard the last two days when I wasn't here. ACCK!
I am enjoying the weather but am hoping for more rain. I want to get some seeds planted next week too.
I am thinking we will be getting rain, but no more hard frosts this winter. Keep having to remind myself it's not officially spring until March 20th. You wouldn't know it by the nice weather we've been having.
WIB~
SW

Yea, I commented to someone that spring was almost over, then realized it was still winter - at least some places. Got this cartoon from my sis in Cincinnati with comment that it sums up how she feels. My BF in NW PA is looking for real estate in FL. Funny duck, she is. Raised in PA, moved to CA after graduation. Stayed for 32 years and moves back there 3 years ago. CRAZY! Yep, there was frost on the roofs about a week ago, I think right after the rain.

QG, What a great photo! Do you think we can do that with tumble weeds?
LOL!
WIB!
SW