Hello there my sweet blogging friends! How are ya? I hope you've had a great week and that your weekend plans are shaping up to be fun ones too! This month turned out to be really busy - in a good way! April is usually pretty quiet, nothing going on....but not this April! I got called for jury duty (and luckily didn't get chosen), I had a ton of awesome blog projects to make, and the hubs and I took a mini getaway too! Most of my cards and projects are being shared over on the Simon Says Stamp Blog or on Instagram right at the moment, so I hope you are following along with me over there! I'll post some announcements at the end of this post!
Today I finally went through all the photos from our road trip and wanted to share some with you. I love it when my blogging friends share their travels, and the places they live. I hope you enjoy that too! I am sooooo lucky to live in such a beautiful part of America. I live just outside of Sacramento, California. Within two hours we can be in Napa, Lake Tahoe, The Ocean, San Francisco..... It's amazing. Ever since we started dating, we have loved to take car trips together. This particular trip started out with a Travelzoo deal I saw back in January. (I LOVE Travelzoo) There was a special mid week special at the hotel/resort where Mark and I got engaged many years ago. So....I booked a trip for us as a surprise treat for him for a Valentine's Day present. If you follow along with me on Instagram - you might have seen some of these photos already... Anyhoo, I hope you grab a cuppa coffee or tea and enjoy the scenery! XO
Here are some flowers and a pretty butterfly in downtown Mendocino, California.
Beautiful California Golden Poppies, our state flower!
I loved how peaceful this lady looked just sitting there on the grass looking out over the ocean. This is also Mendocino.
Downtown Mendocino.
I hope you like pictures of flowers! LOL.
This was the view from the patio of our hotel room!!! At night it was sooooo dark, we could see a billion stars! We left the sliding glass door open at night to listen to the waves.... There is nothing better than that.
The waves were really big the entire time we were there!
This is part of the big walking path along the cliffs - that is part of the hotel/resort property. It's so very very pretty!!
And this is exactly where the hubs asked me to marry him! On one knee and everything! It was so nice to come back here and remember that moment and think about all we've been through and what's happened to us since we were last here. Just awesome.
Mark took this picture and I LOVE it!
The sunset the first night we were there was so pretty!! Not really bright and vivid, just soft pastels and sweeping clouds....
One day we went to the beautiful Botanical Gardens in Ft. Bragg and walked almost the entire day. CLICK HERE to see their website! The trails start off out by the road and you keep walking and walking and walking until you end up at the ocean. It's lovely!!
The end of the trail gives you this reward! LOVE!
Out in front of the botanical gardens there is a giant pool of lily pads!
A BEAUTIFUL pink house! I think it would be amazing to have this as our craft hangout - what do you think?!
One of my favorite sights....the fog rolling in in the afternoon!
Sigh....that wisteria!!!!
This is Pt. Arena Light House!
We took the long and winding road home...actually several winding roads.... And we had to stop for some champagne with our lunch! This is the famous Korbel Champagne cellars. They have an awesome deli and beautiful grounds to enjoy and tour. This is in Guerneville, California.
You guessed it...more flowers! We have had a four year drought here in California. This year we had TONS of rain and all the flowers and plants are so happy. I can't really remember a time when everything was in bloom so much already in early April.
This was the last photo of the trip, at a winery, before it got dark. There were hundreds of these beautiful poppies and I said "STOP THE CAR!" They are so pretty!
Thank you so much for joining me on this photo journey today! I love to share with you guys - it makes me so happy. I have just a few announcements to tell you about today too!
This weekend I am going to a fun all-weekend-girls-crafty-event at my friend Brenda's house with some other cool crafty gals! YIPPPPEEEE! I feel so lucky to have been invited. We are going to create, laugh, stay up late, create some more, go to the bay....and laugh some more again! I am going to teach everyone how to make my Tim Holtz Ideaology Charm Bracelet project. Tim Holtz was so super generous and sponsored the project by giving me all the supplies! (THANK YOU TIM)! When I do my post next week wrapping up the weekend I'm going to give away one of the kits we'll be using - so you can make your very own bracelet! Stay tuned for that fun here on my blog!
My Weekender with Wanda post will feature My Favorite Things stamps this Saturday on the Simon Says Stamp Blog...A fun and bright floral Birthday card.
Monday I'll be sharing a project as part of the Hero Arts "My Monthly Hero" Card kit launch for May. Prizes then too! This is a great kit - can't wait for you to see it.
And, lastly, a bit of information and a big thank you! On some of my blog posts you will notice that I do link lists at the bottom of the post, with squares that have the products I've used and links to them in the Simon Says Stamp Store. I am an affiliate with Simon Says Stamp. This means that if you click on one of those links (or on the flashing SSS blinkie at the top right of my blog) and make a purchase, I receive a small percentage of your sale amount as a commission from SSS. Some of you have been using my links to make your purchases and I am so grateful for that. THANK YOU! Every little bit helps me make my income as a blogger...and helps me buy more stamping stuff too! (and coffee!) Some people had asked me questions about this so I wanted to bring it up. I am very thankful for your support - always. ALWAYS.
Okay, now that really is it for today! I'm glad you came by and wish you a lovely day - until we meet again. Happy Crafting! XOXO
Here is a video about one of the regular features I'm doing for Simon Says Stamp!
I hope you will sign up for #cardoftheweek!
Stunning photos, Wanda! You've got that "eye" girly! Thanks for sharing!!
*mwah*
Steph
Simon Says Stamp!
Posted by: Stephanie | 05/02/2016 at 07:59 AM
Oooohhhh... Wanda, your photos are exquisite!! Your photos are truly, truly amazing!
Posted by: Yoonsun Hur | 04/30/2016 at 01:14 AM
These photo's are amazing!!! We do live in a beautiful country, so lucky!...thanks so much for sharing these!! :)
Posted by: Jamie | 04/29/2016 at 05:24 PM
Thank you so much for sharing, Wanda!! The pictures are absolutely beautiful...even more beautiful is the story behind this trip...a wonderful trip to revisit your romantic engagement.
Posted by: Brenda Lee | 04/29/2016 at 04:56 PM
Wanda your photos are simply stunning. You are so very talented, thank you for showing all of those beautiful images. It looks almost magical at some of the spots. Look forward to seeing how much fun you have this weekend.
Posted by: Linda | 04/29/2016 at 04:47 PM
Thank you for sharing your trip. I love looking at your pictures.
Posted by: Marian W | 04/29/2016 at 03:26 PM
Your photography is stunning! I am always impressed and inspired by your artistic talents! Thanks for sharing special moments from your wonderful trip!
Posted by: LC | 04/29/2016 at 12:00 PM
Spectacular photos, thank you for sharing!
Posted by: Laura Crandall Greig | 04/29/2016 at 08:37 AM
Oh my goodness your pictures are absolutely breathtaking! The coastal pics are fabulous and those roses!! Oh my!
One of your weekend road trips need to come a little farther north to Eureka, then up to Trinidad! You won't be disappointed in the photo opportunities! You could make Scrapper's Edge a destination spot! (lol) That's our locally owned scrapbook/craft store (and where I work, too!!) plus there are lots of great coffee shops too ;-)
Enjoy your weekend and I look forward to your Saturday post! Blessings...
Posted by: Natalie Houston | 04/29/2016 at 08:31 AM
You are an amazing photographer, Wanda! LOVE your pictures!
Take Care!
Michele
Posted by: Michele K. Henderson | 04/29/2016 at 08:16 AM
I always love your pictures....thank you for sharing them with all of us!
Posted by: Fonda Jo | 04/29/2016 at 08:11 AM
Enjoyed your photo essay while still in bed this morning--a bit chilly here.
Have a fun, crafty weekend.
Posted by: Julie | 04/29/2016 at 07:39 AM
What beautiful pictures and flowers and Such spectacular scenery. I was lucky enough to go to California many years ago. So much beauty. Thank you for sharing and for all the wonderful inspiration in your cards.
Posted by: Kathy S | 04/29/2016 at 05:00 AM
Oh my! What gorgeous photos of a fabulous mini vacation. The floral pictures are fabulous (I can't make up my mind which is my favourite - the yellow rose, the pink/yellow rose, or the shot of pink poppies at the forefront, yellow flowers behind). The scenery shots are stunning, too! My DH recently started getting into photography (with a very expensive purchase to start - yikes!). If he ends up taking photos as lovely as this, the investment was well worth it! :-) TFS
Posted by: Susi Kelly | 04/29/2016 at 04:34 AM
Wanda, what a way to start the day, gorgeous pictures! Thanks for sharing bits of your world and pictures of places most of us will never see in person.
Posted by: Lisaerica | 04/29/2016 at 03:41 AM
Wanda you live in such a gorgeous part of the world...would love to see it all in real...but seeing your photo's is so great too..I LOVE it ALL!
that is so romantic of Mark to ask you to marry him in that gorgeous place...
have a great weekend,with the girls...
love to see photo's of all the fun!
hugs Holly.
Posted by: Holly Saveur | 04/29/2016 at 12:10 AM
Gorgeous photos! Thanks for taking us to your awesome road trip! I always enjoy your weekend segment over SSS. Please keep sharing, Wanda!
Posted by: Virginia L. | 04/28/2016 at 10:58 PM