Crystal Cove & Laguna Beach

We all needed a little break, so we took a mini-vacation and spent the day at Crystal Cove State Park and in Laguna Beach...

Jeff took this picture of the shore.

While Jeff and Tiffani played Smashball, I relaxed in one of the chairs. I felt as though something was watching me, so I turned around and here is the culprit. This little guy chatted with me for quite a while.

He definitely ruled the roost in this area! Later, Jeff and I saw him attack a fellow gull and steal the meal that had just washed upon the shore. He swallowed the seafood (shell & all!) and ran off down the beach with it.

Tiffani sleeping...so relaxing...warm sand and the waves sliding upon the shore...

Our view from the The Cliff Restaurant...all seating is outdoors. The weather was perfect...78F! And so clear that we could see Santa Catalina Island.

Sitting in Brown's Park, Laguna Beach, CA.

View of PCH (Pacific Coast Highway) from The Cliff Restaurant.

My Special Gift...DOVES!

We were blessed by a pair of Doves in the backyard today while we were pouring our tea! They are the first pair we've seen since moving here and they appeared TODAY.

If you've heard my Dove Night testimony, then you know this is a very special gift. How God-incidental that they'd show up on my birthday. :-) Tiffani and I just looked at each other smiled...God is good!


And I said, Oh that I had wings like a dove!
for then would I fly away, and be at rest.
~Psalm 55:6

California Quail

While sitting upstairs in the Den this afternoon, with the windows open, we were startled by the sound of a flock of California Quail. We immediately turned our attention to the canyon hill in the backyard and they were everywhere! Under the shrubs, on the lawn, walking the fence like a tightrope. It was so fun to watch them, busying themselves here and there.

Settling In...

Can't believe we've been here over a week already! I didn't quite get unpacked as quickly as my inspiration, Bethany. LOL! But we are completely unpacked as of today and should have everything where we want it by the end of the weekend. Woo woo!!

We are all truly amazed at how quickly this "house" became our "home." Each room is perfect for our lifestyle and there is no wasted space. A true blessing!

Wiggles checking out a cupboard...


Tiffani in the backyard...

Tea table ready for action!

Back at the BBQ! We've BBQ'd every night now, but two.

Here's the other side of our backyard...our extended backyard is Peter's Canyon. So much wildlife back there. No roadrunners! BUT we have rabbits, squirrels, another larger critter (opposum?? need my binoculars), and different types of birds. Saw our first hummingbird the other day too!

The Birdhouse

The owner asked us if we would mind leaving this birdhouse up in the backyard. He said that every year a family nests in it and he doesn't even want to repair it just in case it scares them away. Were we the perfect family to ask or what?! LOL! We can't wait until the birds come back to nest!

Mama With Her Babies

Mama with her babies...

Mama protecting her babies...

Fuzzy babies waiting for Mama...

Babies Crying For Mama...

Mama spends quite a bit of time away from the nest.

It's HOT here! Over 110 degrees F.

Mama comes back in the hottest part of the day,

sits with her back to the sun, spreads her tail feathers & wings

to protect her babies from the scorching sun.

She gets thinner and thinner...
We want to go out and place something for shade in the tree!

We don't though. We don't want to disturb them.

Hummingbirds do this all the time!

Proud Mama!

A proud mama with her two brand-new babies.

They are sooooo tiny!

(click on the picture so you can see them better)

Two Days Later...

Hatched!

Two Eggs

Mrs. Hummy was away from her nest this morning,
so Tiffani braved it on the step ladder, reached way up high
and took these pictures of the eggs.
Two babies coming soon!

Hummingbird Nest

I was talking with Tiffani in the living room this afternoon and saw a hummingbird hovering by the window above our piano. We very often see them rest on a branch, but it just it didn't look the same from afar. I walked closer and found her sitting in her tiny nest. We'll watch for her to fly away and see if we can get pictures of her eggs...

Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow,
nor reap nor gather into barns,
and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.
Are you not worth much more than they?
And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life?
~ Matthew 6:26-27