Is it just me or did this week fly by in a heartbeat? It's Sunday again already and I'm happy to be back with Unknown Mami for Sundays In My City. It's my favorite post of the week because I get to see and meet so many great bloggers from around the world.
Los Angeles has been cooler than usual, still in the mid 70 degree range here near the beach, and a bit overcast until after lunch. That's A-okay with me since, as a rule, I stay out of the sun and really, really dislike being boiling hot or freezing cold making the 70s the perfect temperature in my book. Afternoon sun is an added bonus.
A few nights ago we had this stunning sunset....
I'm thinking the magnificent colors had something to do with a large brush fire that day, but thanks to the amazing California Fire Fighters it was brought under control before too much damage was done. Thanks to all the men and women that help to keep our state safe.
Hold onto your seat so you don't fall on the floor laughing but.... This Sunday I'm actually making my holiday shopping list thanks to Sarah at Cottage Garden Studios. She's having a fabulous eBay sale and I scored some real treasures including one of these...
....Which I'm keeping for myself but it reminded me to start making my Christmas and Hanukkah gift list early.
My list is pretty long and giving gifts with a "history" or a story behind them about the person who created them, is a real treat for me. There are some amazing artists and crafters out there so I'll be doing a lot more holiday shopping with bloggers who have etsy and eBay stores this year.
Oh, and in honor of Sarah, I think I might even buy some Halloween candy (incredibly early so I can eat it all) to go with her Halloween Quilt Block.
How's your Sunday?
Welcome to www.TheFiftyFactor.com - Joanna Jenkins
Posts
Joanna, that is such a beautiful sunset. I always dread summer and the anticipated fires it always brings. I worry about all our firefighters who risk their lives in these terrifying blazes that go quickly through our drought areas.
ReplyDeleteI can't believe you start this early on Christmas shopping. Well, it does beat racing around like a lunatic at the last minute and forgetting people on your list!!!
Joanna, I Love the sunsets, beautiful, I love what you got from Sarah, you are so smart starting early. take care my friend, be well.
ReplyDeleteJoanna, I too have started my Christmas Shopping....I have a gift cupboard which I am always adding too.
ReplyDeleteLove your photo's especially the first sunset.
Have a great Sunday.....:-)Hugs
Oh my.. you're starting your shopping list early.
ReplyDeleteLove that stunning sky.
Amazing colors in your SIMC pictures, nature's art, beautiful!
ReplyDeleteHave a great Sunday!
BLOGitsePHOTOS
Hello Joanna, beautiful sunset.
ReplyDeleteYou seem very well organized for the Christmas and Hannukah shopping, I don't even want to think about it yet...
Take care, have a beautiful Sunday. x
The sunset pics are awesome...the colors stupendous!!
ReplyDeleteAnd congrats on starting early...I love the quilt block. Now you have gone and done it!! Making think I should start shopping early too!!
Sigh!!
Drats!
Hugs
SueAnn
That's a beautiful sunset!
ReplyDeleteI've made my Christmas list and started shopping too. It feels good to have a few things!
beautiful sunset jj...holiday list already...actually we already have some things set aside for the boys we were able to grab on sale..so...
ReplyDeleteJJ - tell me you're not seriously thinking about Christmas already..??!
ReplyDeleteSarah's work with the undersea looks are my favorites right now. When she has Christmas things I will be looking to buy for a couple gifts.
ReplyDeleteHalloween here is pretty small. We bought four bags of individually wrapped candies last year, poured handfuls into the trick or treaters' bags, and still had candy left. We don't decorate for Halloween but we like plenty of lights for Christmas.
Here we are way out here in Nebraska and after growing up surrounded by orange groves in southern California, we laugh that we buy delicious oranges and grapefruit that are from California. Your sunset photos remind us of the lovely weather and skies we are missing out there.
I really can't blame you for getting started on your holiday shopping if you have a gigantic list! You're just smart in my book!
ReplyDeleteLove the sunset photos!
ReplyDeletetruly
ReplyDeletegorgeous! : )
and lok at you! shopping already!
Beautiful sunset pictures!
ReplyDeleteAnd happy shopping!
I do miss the great sunsets and 70 degree days! I look forward to your SIMC posts as they take me back home for a short while.
ReplyDeleteThe quilt block is beautiful! I'm on my way over to check out her blog and sale!
Have a wonderful Sunday!
Liz
Joanne- can't believe her artwork!. its gorgeous- I am surprised its not marked higher in price!.btw- I have that trilogy u are reading... did u see the first movie? omg...It blew me away...Can't wait to start the series.
ReplyDeleteIt's funny to think we've had hotter weather here in Michigan than you've had in California! It's been really humid, too, so it's felt extra hot.
ReplyDeleteI love that you've started your holiday shopping already. I say I'm going to start early every year, but I rarely do.
The Halloween quilt block is adorable! I don't blame you for keeping it for yourself.
yes!!!!!!!!! sundays in my city, I would do it but the neighbor in the wifebeater tan,...mumm,.. I don't want your readers to loose their lunch!!!!
ReplyDeleteChristmas in July....a great reminder that I wish I would heed, but probably won't.
ReplyDeleteYour sunset pictures are beautiful.
Your sunsets are gorgeous! Such wonderful shades of orange and gold.
ReplyDeleteAwww thank you hon...so glad ya like them all...is a joy to send them off to someone who will love them!! I think I will joint you for a bit of candy too...can you find candycorn this time of year?
ReplyDeleteI love the sunset shots..so beautiful. When we lived there and in Scottsdale..the sunsets never failed to amaze me!!!
Have a great Sunday hon!
Hugs, Sarah
LOL...join you for some candy..can't type this mornignadfj;lkhdf. LOL
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful sunset. I'm with you about the temps, I like the upper 70's to low 80's and not boiling hot, but around here it's boiling. Thank god for air conditioning.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad they got that under control too! The pyros go nuts during the summer, but the sky sure does look pretty! I hope your day is smooth. I'm thinking of heading over to farmers market and the grove today. But my bed sounds good too, lol!
ReplyDeleteThe weeks are going so fast, I can't keep up! 70s sound great. We've been in the 90s since the first of June.
ReplyDeleteLove those sunsets, but not the fires.
ReplyDeleteShopping...that sounds so good today!
I need to pay more attention to the sunsets.
ReplyDeleteStunning sunset. We've been having some good ones lately too.
ReplyDeleteI'm with you on this! I've already ordered some of my custom made Christmas presents, too! Woo hoo!
ReplyDeleteHoliday shopping? Ouch. I have like fifty family birthdays between now and then that I haven't even started to consider.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous sunsets though. Thank you for sharing those pics.
Casey
Sarah....isn't a shame she is so horribly untalented? Tsk...
ReplyDeleteSunset? Glorious. Truly.
Umm, if I didn't love you so much I'd hate you for having our weather while we're stuck with a wet, wet wool blanket that smoothers us with 'ewww' for the summer so far.
East Coast Snarky Sister
Shopping Etsy and Ebay for Christmas presents sounds like a great idea. I need to surf etsy for some craft ideas, but I'm afraid I'll want to buy everything.
ReplyDeleteGreat idea to get started early on presents. My problem with buying presents early is that I forget where I put them and what I got. What do you do to avoid that?
ReplyDeleteBeautiful sunset and I love the Halloween pic too . Such a good idea to start your list early, I have unoffocially been thinking about gifts, you have inspired me to start properly. I like to make my own cards too so I should really make a start on those! xx
ReplyDeleteOh, you are lucky. I like that cat!
ReplyDeleteThe color of the clouds is amazing, like some kind of psychedelic cotton candy.
ReplyDeleteChristmas?! Wow.
Large bits of Canada were on fire in the 80s and Minnesota had the most beautiful sunsets at that time...
ReplyDelete:-)
Pearl
Nice of the fire to give you some good photo ops! haha!
ReplyDeleteIt's 97 degrees and very hot a muggy here in our holler. The choppin' crew just pulled into the corn fields around four this afternoon. The corn will be made into silage for cattle feed. I thought about takin' a dip in the pool but it's like bathwater....maybe I could throw in the leftover bags of ice from the 4th! Heeehehehe!
ReplyDeleteYou have a glorious day my friend! :o)
I love beautiful skies like that! Send some of that nice weather east, please! :)
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing sky! I'd go outside and look at ours but it's too freaking humid. The condensation on our windows is ridiculous. I'm jealous of your weather!
ReplyDeletesuch a gorgeous sunset. the sun is blazing in NC. it was 100 degrees today. mercy.
ReplyDeleteWow! Those fires make for some vibrant sunsets. It amazes me that year after year, the firefighters have to work so hard to keep the fires under control. You'd think one summer would go by without a fire season attached to it.
ReplyDeleteMy Sunday was just peachy and I didn't make a gift list yet. I don't have many people to buy for....but I will have a new little grandson and that is going to be so much fun!
ReplyDeleteLove what you purchased. So cute!
I have started my holiday shopping too!
ReplyDeleteI adore really thoughtful gifts. Giving something that you know the person will love. That's all the fun right there.
ReplyDeleteWow! You are ahead of the game!
ReplyDeleteI love the sunsets...and I could so do with some shopping.. Never happens in a house with 4 males...
ReplyDeleteBeautiful as usual.....
ReplyDeleteMakes me want to move....to your city!
I love California!
Nice sunset pictures. We went to view the sunset tonight, and it was down in a flash... Sun so bright you could hardly look it's way, then down behind the Olympics leaving a yellow glow with the slightest hint of pink. We're finally getting some warmer sunset watching weather. We've been the coolest part of the USA for much too long!
ReplyDeleteHi Joanna,
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comment.
What lovely sunsets.
Nothing like being organised for the holidays!
I so share your feeling about gift giving! It's really important to me and I find that I almost always enjoy giving more than receiving! Something about it that is just a bit more fun for me! :D
ReplyDeleteThanks for the nice comments on my photo blog. Be sure to let me know if any of my photos will make good presents for your lucky giftees! :D
WOW I just love that Halloween print!!! I'm making all handmade gifts this year..various photos I have taken here will be turned into gifts for friends and family..so needeless to say I am starting early aswell!
ReplyDeletewhat a beautiful sunset. i am dreaming of cooler weather. cooler and dryer air. : )
ReplyDeleteuhm... love the shopping you did. i have been thinking of xmas gifts lately, as well. : )
xo
Love the sunset!
ReplyDeleteLovely shots .. and a giveaway? WOW!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous sunset. I miss that big, Western sky.
ReplyDeleteI am also thinking Etsy is the way to go for holiday shopping. If I started now, I could actually not be bankrupt in January.
Oh how I wish I was in CA now!!! When I was there in 2008 it was soo hot!!!
ReplyDeleteChristmas? Gulp. No. I cannot think of it yet.
ReplyDeleteYou are so ahead of the game in terms of doing things right and ahead of time, preparing early for the holidays rather than waiting until the last moment and panic. I truly admire the way you think and plan in advance.
ReplyDeleteAlso thank you for your newest comment on my blog. I always love to have your feed-back. It is always so insightful!
Hey enter me in that contest and if I win then maybe I can start early on Christmas gifts.
ReplyDeleteMy understanding is if the wind is blowing ok then your valley area does alright but if the wind is still then the smog builds up. Always cooler by the ocean.
*Beautiful* skies!
ReplyDeleteI must say that I've been thinking about buying gifts and cards from art and craft sites like Etsy and Red Bubble. There is so much talent out there and I think it's so much nicer to give something that is hand-crafted and individual, rather than mass produced.
My holiday shopping is more than half done. :) I'm anal retentive about certain things.
ReplyDeleteI've been amassing handmade holiday cards too. That's been more fun than gift shopping.
Love those sunset pictures! I wish I had my holiday shopping list ready. Before I had children I would be almost finished with my shopping by September. Now there isn't time for that. *sigh*
ReplyDeleteI am glad I have found your blog. Stunning sunset with pale-yellow to deep red colour of sunlight! I'm still thinking about my summer holiday shopping ...
ReplyDeleteI'm a joker
ReplyDeleteI'm a smoker (actually I quit thank goodness)
I'm a midnight toker
I get my lovin' on the run
But now YOU are a member of Team ICB
I Can't Blog team
thanks
(oh does this give my another chance for the giveaway??)
Beautiful pictures!! Great blog and I love your bio!! I'm 48 and finally figuring out what I want to be now that my boys are grown. I'm having a great year, which started with blogging, taking classes and meeting great people!
ReplyDeleteFollowing & will be back! :-)
Hugs,
Coreen
My parents are so hard to buy for nowadays I am constantly on gift-buying alert for them. Whenever inspiration strikes, their gifts are bought and stored in our "gift basket" until the next holiday or birthday.
ReplyDeleteSo shopping in July isn't quite the shock it could be. I just wish Christmas wasn't such a gift-heavy occasion. But that's a whole other blog topic!
Hooray for buying handmade! There's so much value in giving handmade gifts. Kudos.
ReplyDelete