We had a big, cold, rain storm at the beginning of this week, then a day of clearing and then more rain again-- buckets of it! Yes I know, it's not the massive amounts of snow parts of American got slammed with, and I shouldn't be complaining-- But rain in Southern California is a very big deal, especially if the temps drop below 50 degrees, which they did. It was freezing and I didn't like it one bit.
When storm cleared and the sun came out on Wednesday, this is what I saw from my back yard!
We only see the snow covered mountains about ten days a year. The snow is there for a lot longer, but after it rains the smog moves back in and the mountains vanish from sight. If we ever decide to sell our home, the realtor's open house will be on a day like this!
Do you know Unknown Mami? She's awesome and she created a fun Sunday theme inviting you to get out and take pictures of your city to share with the rest of us. Click here for details and her logo and click here to see Unknown Mami's City today.
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Here's a $300 giveaway that's easy to participate in-- Audrey at Barking Mad is asking-- "What brings you joy in your life?
I found this giveaway via If Only I Had Superpowers and it gave me pause-- I thought about the many joyous things I have to be thankful for, not the least of which are-- My beloved husband who has made me laugh every single day for the past 22 years-- my loving family, one and all-- my sweet Godson and his awesome mom-- some really wonderful friends-- my new found holiday spirit-- an upcoming trip to see loved ones this week-- and of course, all my blog friends that I've met this past year! Despite life's ups and down, I'm blessed and joyful on so many levels. Thanks for asking Audrey. It was nice to sit and reflect the joys of life for a moment or two.
Welcome to The Fifty Factor - Joanna
Photo Credit Joanna Jenkins
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I love your list. And I know what you mean about the cold and rain, we're having it up here near Santa Cruz, too. Even though it's always a little cooler up here, we don't like anything below 50 degrees, and it was around 30 for 3 nights! I swear, we don't pay through the nose to live in CA to get this kinda weather!!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous photo, the snow covered mountains are just lovely. I tend to think of LA as not dissimilar to Sydney climate-wise, but we never get snow anywhere near us, let alone in view of the city.
ReplyDelete*waves hello from Down Under!*
Well, first, I ADORE your Thankful list. You know, no matter how hectic and distressful life gets, it is always a pleasure to remember what we have to be thankful for! Your list is just perfect!
ReplyDeleteI can't imagine how cold it must be for you in Sunny California! It is pretty cold here too! Brrrrrr. I miss Spring!
Joanna, hi I am glad I got you before you went away this week, have a wonderful holiday. with the wind shield yesterday, drumroll, minus 41. Your California is looking so good, I love the photo. Keep in touch. all the best to you and your family. Take care.
ReplyDeleteOh gosh, I really love that picture! We have the Campsie Hills behind us but they are a fraction of the size.
ReplyDeleteWhat a gorgeous view! Such a treat on the days you can see it!
ReplyDeleteI marched myself right over to Audrey's place before I even finished commenting here! What a great idea! I'm inspired.
ReplyDeleteLove your joy list. But, oddly enough I would love anyone's joy list because those are lists filled with the things that make us each tick.
I've gone through an entire box of tissues so far, J, just thinking about how incredibly AWFUL it must be to have a view like that. (sniff, sniff). I will send positive vibes your way so that perhaps you can feel better about it.
What a view! The snow missed us as well which we're used to but still, I would like to see just a little! lol Love your joy list!
ReplyDeleteWhat an incredible view. Wow.
ReplyDeleteThat IS a gorgeous view. Too bad you can't see it more often. :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely post, Joanna. 22 years married, eh? Your hubby is a lucky guy. I'm at the 27 years mark. I believe next year I'm eligible for parole...
ReplyDeleteYour picture is beautiful, Joanna. We have beautiful views of the Rocky Mountains here and I never take that beauty for granted. Your list of things that brings joy shows your love of all the best things in life.
ReplyDeleteWe have snow on our mountains too and all around us as well. Yuck! The skiers are so happy...figures! I don't mind the snow on the mountain as long as that is all the further down it goes...but leave me the hell alone!!!
ReplyDeleteGreat list!!
Hugs
SueAnn
Joanna, Joanna, Joanna--you need to come to Maine and experience cold. lol
ReplyDeleteGorgeous picture, Joanna! I remember those days after a good rain! Our view was of the San Bernardino Mountains, but it's just as breathtaking because it is such a rare sight.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great gratitute list! And, what a wonderful idea. We all need to keep at the forefront, all the things we do have, and not dwell on those we don't.
Great post!
liz from noexcuses
Love the picture!!! I don't know where you are but I grew up (well until I was 13) in CA. I remember seeing mountains from my front yard. I lived in Norwalk but that was many many years ago. Ok it was the sixtys. It's funny I still miss CA..most of my relatives still live there. Thanks for bringing back old memories.
ReplyDeleteWow that is some view! Gorgeous! Looks like Utah off in the distant. Have a wonderful day!
ReplyDeletebeautiful view jj. love the mountians in the distance.
ReplyDeletewhat brings me joy...
my boys running into my room to wake me on saturdays...kisses under the stars...
all the love and prayers i got for my mom yesterday..yours included...thank you.
What an awesome shot! I need to get out more!!!
ReplyDeleteWOW! What a view! Have a wonderful week!
ReplyDeleteA beautiful view and a beautiful reflection on your blessings. Thanks for sharing both.
ReplyDelete:-)
Wonderful photo and I love your list:O) Have a beautiful week!
ReplyDeletewhat a view...amazingly beautiful !
ReplyDeleteand that new found christmas spirit....slowly, it's finding its way to me and starting to make me smile...
and all of my blog loves....now that's who inspires me everyday without fail and I am blessed by all of them...including you :)
What a gorgeous view from your home. You are absolutely right that an open house should be on one of "those days".
ReplyDeleteYou really do appreciate the things and people in your life. What a treasure.
Smog sucks. That view should be there 24/7.
ReplyDeleteI'm so happy that you re-found your holiday spirit. This year is very special, because most of us are all so broke. There's an awful lot of spirit in the air. Hugs & love, xo d
Rock on Holiday Spirit! There IS much to be thankful for. xo
ReplyDeleteGreat picture! We don't have any mountains in MN and I've only seen them from an airplance.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous! The sky and mountains look washed by the rain. So clear and clean. :-)
ReplyDeleteAnd so true what you wrote later on about things to be grateful for and community. One children's storyteller I am fond of wrote that the economy has forced us to turn back to the economy based on friendship and community.
I, too, have more reasons to be joyful than not. That is one heckuva view out your window. Gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness! That's the view out your back window??? Amazing!
ReplyDeleteWhat a gorgeous thing to see every day (when they sky is clear). Savor it!
ReplyDeleteI wish you bountiful blessings that encircle your days together <3
ReplyDeleteJoanna, that view from your backyard deserves its own prize! Sort of like the Alps in your backyard, it doesn't get better.
ReplyDeleteWhen you dropped below 50 degrees, we dropped below 20 up in the north state. Brrr..
ReplyDeleteOmigosh; what mountain range is that? Gorgeous--that should definitely bring some joy into your life.
ReplyDeleteAfter my folks moved to the Georgia coast from the snowbelt, every time they got buckets of rain, Dad would say, "Yup, but at least you don't have to shovel it." Too true; don't know how comforting that thought is in a hurricane, though!
That is crazy beautiful!!!
ReplyDeleteBrrr...you need to head towards my area for a bit to warm up!
ReplyDeleteIt is beautiful in L.A. when the mountains are snowcapped.
How's the sliding pool? Hope it's staying in one spot.
Have a safe journey! I'm glad the song made you smile!!
ReplyDeleteSee you when you get back, and will catch up here while you're gone! Not having a connection really stinks! I've missed so much in the past couple of months!
Be well, friend!!
Hi Darlin Joanna! That view is wonderful...tho pity about the smog so often...I received my Snuggie today...just gorgeous...thank you so much honey...I hope you have a lovely visit...
ReplyDeleteJoanna, I don't like the cold either, brrrr. Equally I don't like it when it is too hot and icky sticky. Spectacular views from your backyard, love all that greenery and those mountains look amazing. You really live in a gorgeous part of the world.
ReplyDeleteSuch a shame you can't see those mountains every day! Do you ever get used to the smog?
ReplyDeleteYou have a gorgeous view from your backyard, I think I would just put on a jacket and enjoy it! Beautiful!!!
ReplyDeleteHow spectacular! I'd take a mountain over a city any day. Actually I'm not in NY by choice, my dh is from here. We considered moving to California once. I don't know if I could do it though. I'll go thru anything but an earthquake. I can't believe the smog ruins that for you. Life can really suck in many different ways. Thank God for the joy He gives us.
ReplyDeleteThose mountains look very pretty, we don't have mountains here. What we have in the way of mountains is some very high sand dunes, they are so pretty and hard to climb. I enjoyed reading this post and like your thankful list. Thank you for coming by and commenting, Have a very Merry Christmas.
ReplyDeleteWhat an incredible view. It must have made your day to see it. When I visited my sister in LA many years ago I was surprised to see some of the beautiful natural scenes. I had assumed LA was just all city and freeways. Silly me!
ReplyDeleteI lived in the San Fernando Valley for years and once driving down Ventura I saw mountains that I had never seen before. It was amazing. Have fun on your trip!
ReplyDeleteWell, gosh, darn.... we were in Los Angeles last month and didn't see those snow covered mountains!!! Greg was even asking, "Does it ever snow in the mountains?" Our relative said, "Rarely..." so we missed it by a couple of weeks. I'll have to share the picture with Greg!
ReplyDeletethanks for the link. And lovely picture! Usually I just think of SoCal and smog (sorry! I grew up at a NoCal girl!), but this tells a different story.
ReplyDeleteThat picture is so beautiful Joanna! I just love it! What a great view! Happy New Year!
ReplyDelete