Post 5 - A Beach Sunset

Enjoyed this view on Sunday......

Whenever I visit the beach, the first sight always takes my breath away. 

As I soak up the salty ocean smell, the sound of the waves, the feeling of sand running through my toes, and paddle the waves, I slowly calm down, from within. 

It is therapeutic. 

It is ethereal. 

I always try to time it around sunset, to add to the magical feeling. 

These days, when I get to watch the kids frolicking in the water, making sand castles, playing frisbee, and enjoying it as much as I do, I feel like I'm on top of the world! 

 

Feeling very grateful and blessed!

PS: Pictures are from the iPhone so pardon the quality. 

UBM Post 14 - From the backyard....

When we were looking for a house to buy, many people suggested we should buy a property according to all the Vastu Shastra rules....but I had my own simple rules to go by:

- The house needed to be well lit (from sunlight) and airy, with lots of windows

- The kitchen should have a window

- The kitchen, master bed, and dining/living areas should get the morning sun.

- The house should have a small garden. 

And a few others. When we saw this house, it met all the above criteria, and then some. 

We get the morning sun in the kitchen, dining and master bedroom and what a blessing it is! Here is a panoramic view of this area, at 7 am today morning!

That also means that we do not get the strong evening sun (remember, 5 pm is peak temperature of the day for us) in these areas....including the backyard. So every summer evening, all of us spend most of our time in the backyard.....it's always shaded, pleasant and so green.....

And more often than not, the sky lights up like it did a couple of days ago....and the daughter was constantly observing the clouds changing colors from yellow to orange to red.....

What a terrific mood changer this scene is, isn't it? 

The high's these days are close to 100F everyday, so the roses have all wilted.....

But the daffodils are still around....

And so are these beautiful purple/blue flowers....I don't know their name, do you? They can found all over in our area...need to ask around, some gardener should know....

Also pleasing to the eye is this colorful foliage....

Everyday, the daughter would go near the lemon tree and check the size of the lemons....

We finally harvested a few of them....can't wait to use them on grilled corn, along with butter and pepper :)

Next year, we plan to build a small vegetable/fruit bed for the daughter with all of her favorite fruits and vegetables planted, and will let her take the lead in doing most of the work. She will be old enough to be patient in understanding the process and will be able to somewhat help too! Looking forward to it :)!

Until then, we'll enjoy the awesome vegetable produce from the local Indian store....this is what my dad and hubby brought yesterday - looking at it makes me think of all the yummy possibilities in the kitchen :)!

{this moment} Valentines Week

"A Friday ritual. A single photo - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember" - SouleMama

It was Valentines week....and it was filled with:

Hugz from friends....{awwwwwwwwwww} {check the heart-outfits worn by both of the girls}

Socializing {and asking the guy to lower his dhoti :)}

Spring flowers (Camellia) from our garden, thoughtfully presented by the husband with my Vday gift....

And an opportunity to enjoy yet another sunset right outside our community.....{this was on Valentines Day}

Life is G.O.O.D!!!!

{this moment} Thanksgiving beach outing

"A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember" - SouleMama

Sunset @Torrey Pines State Park, San Diego, CA on Thanksgiving Day, 2011! 

An evening to cherish :)

The ocean.

The white sand.

The sand castles.

The shells.

The sunset.

The exotic hotel as a backdrop.

The loving family.

An evening to cherish :)