Saturday, December 25, 2010

Sundays In My City #58 - A Rainbow, A Winner & An Elephant


~~~RAINBOW~~~
You might have heard on the news about all the rain we've gotten in Los Angeles this past week. Sunny Southern California usually gets about 14 total inches of rain a year, but last week-- Last week our neighborhood got 8 inches in 5 five days! For a while there I was thinking it was time to build the Arc.

On Wednesday we had about an hour break in the downpour and the sun come out. Ahhh, it was such a nice change to see sunlight wash across my living room but even better when I looked outside and saw the most amazing rainbow a girl could ever ask for, and I could see the entire bow from side-to-side.


Look closely below, there is the bright inside rainbow and the hint of a second, outter rainbow as well....


The weather forecasters say the worst of the storm is over, but we're still predicted to get a little more this week. For those of you who know about my once sinking pool and deck, I'm VERY happy to say it's firmly in place with no signs of movement-- And believe me, I was out there checking A LOT. Phew....


The rainbow is hard to see in the above photo but in this one, it's arches across the yard...


...Before it slides down....


...And into someone's front yard! The base on both sides of the rainbow looked like movie lighting was in place to brighten the colors then shade a deep gray on the outside for contrast.


It was pretty amazing-- And I didn't color correct or adjust any of these pictures. My little point and shoot captured it as I saw it.

So many people called to tell me to look for the rainbow because it was seen all over the city. Each person ended with the same comment-- Make a wish! A rainbow is very lucky, all your dreams will come true!

In the 45 minutes I watched this spectular sight, I made a lot of wishes.

~~~WINNER~~~
Drumroll please-- The winner of my $80 CSNStores.com Giveaway is Mari at 365 Days! Congratulations and happy Shopping! And if you don't know Mari you really must stop by and say hello. She takes the most beautiful photos that make me wish I lived in her neighborhood.

~~~ELEPHANT~~~
Did you get a Christmas gift that's left you scratching your head wondering what was the giver thinking because it's soooo not you? Then swing by Nanny Goats In Panties and sign up for Margaret's Online White Elephant Gift Exchange Party. All you need is an unused get this piece of junk out of my house gift to participate. CLICK HERE for details and join the fun. RSVP by December 31st.
~~~~~~~

How's your Sunday?
Welcome to www.TheFiftyFactor.com - Joanna Jenkins

43 comments:

  1. Oh,Joanna,what beautiful rainbow photographs!! I always consider it such a blessing when I capture those spectacular shots. I've several from Hawaii and one from Jamaica but, for the most part, rainbows elude me. Your seems to have lingered a very long time and you had not only one but a jackpot of two. Speaking of jackpots, I am really envious that I didn't win your giveaway - but I don't ever have much luck with that sort of thing.

    As for white elephants, I can't say I got any white elephants. I'm very happy with all my gifts.

    It's been raining a lot up north, too. Our drive home to SF from Sacramento was water logged all the way!

    Blessings to you and yours in the year to come!

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  2. Merry Christmas from Helsinki and Casablanca!

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  3. Oh my word! That is a glorious rainbow! And I've never seen one that lasted for 45 minutes. Glad you were able to share it. :)
    Thanks for the giveaway - I'm so excited!

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  4. It's kinda crazy but beside prayin' for all the California folk, I've been wonderin' if your pool has stayed put.

    I do believe that is the most glorious picture of a rainbow I've ever laid eyes on...and ya caught it on a point and shoot??? Girl it's just magnificent!

    God's promise baby!!!

    Bless you sweetie and have a marvelous day!!!

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  5. what cool shots jj...always smile at the rainbows...so colorful and a great reminder of hope....got about 6 inches of snow on the ground overnight here...

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  6. Beautiful rainbow what a nice view after Christmas :)

    I hope you had a nice one.

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  7. Hi Joanna, we have been watching the weather reports often and hoping all our family and friends in southern CA are on high ground. You captured one of the best photos of rainbows ever. I know it was a huge joy to see the colors and make your wishes. I hope they all come true for you.

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  8. Hope you had a great Christmas Joanna.

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  9. What a beautiful rainbow!! I was just thinking/and talking to my husband about you and your pool yesterday! So glad you didn't have any problems this year with all the rain!

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  10. So glad you fixed the pool before this deluge. In my area we average about 62 inches of rain a year…we’re always a bit moldy.

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  11. What a beautiful gift after all that rain. I hope all your wishes come true.

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  12. Wow, I've never seen such amazing rainbow photos! I'm glad you didn't suffer any damage from all that rain. I was thinking of you with concern. Of course, here in Maine, we're expecting a foot and a half of snow tonight and tomorrow!

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  13. Gorgeous rainbows! I was wondering about your pool thank god nothing has happen! I hope the rain has stopped and you can get back to paradise!

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  14. Lovely!
    A double rainbow!
    A double rainbow!
    It's so intense!
    That's how I see LA all the time, anyways.
    All wrapped up in beauty and lights.

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  15. I love rainbows and think it's really special to see a double rainbow. Glad you got a break in the rain - it sure has been bad.

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  16. What a spectacular rainbow. I'm so glad you captured it for us to see. I'm happy for you that there was no ground-shifting due to the heavy rains. Congrats to Mari! :)

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  17. Joanna,
    Those photographs are outstanding!

    The art created after a good rain is this beauty!

    I remember when your deck and pool were sinking! Oh, how pretty it looks now!

    These are lovely!

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  18. I came back from the Bay just in time to see this! It was so beautiful wasn't it?! Hope your holidays went well!

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  19. I wonder if you could sell the prints to local shops? If I happened by a shop with those photos, I would totally buy one...or them all?

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  20. what beautiful rainbow shots, I did think of you when I heard about all the rain in LA. Glad the pool is ok.

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  21. unbelievable , Joanna.

    and I am still in awe over your pool and view.... sigh.

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  22. I've seen gorgeous rainbows but that one is amazing! I've heard about the rain and remembered your sliding pool and deck. So glad it's staying put.

    Hope you have had a wonderful holiday. Happy New Year to you, my friend!

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  23. Beautiful. But you knew that :)

    Cheers,

    Casey

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  24. So glad you were able to take photos of those lovely rainbows and not your home in a mudslide.

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  25. Oh beautiful - how I miss rain (that doesn't freeze) and green grass!

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  26. Wow! That is some magnificent rainbow. Happy you weathered the storm safe and sound.

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  27. I see two rainbows in some of those pictures. I'm so glad your swimming pool is staying in place.

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  28. There's nothing like a double rainbow to make everyone around you exclaim like kids--I love it! Your pics are terrific and look just like the one we saw last summer, across farm country--It was incredible.

    I'm glad you've seen the worst of the rain and that your deck survived!! :)

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  29. Glad to hear everything is still standing and in place.

    That double rainbow is just gorgeous!

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  30. Such a beautiful rainbow!! And that your pool and deck are not moving is fabulous!!
    Glad you had a great Christmas!! We did too!
    Hugs
    SueAnn

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  31. Hello Joanna!

    Fabulous photos! God's promise! Every time I see a rainbow and especially a double rainbow it makes me smile and brings a lightness to my heart. You did a fantastic job of capturing its beauty. I am so glad to hear that your renovated pool and deck withstood the onslaught!

    ~ Tracy

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  32. Congrats to Mari! And I'm glad the sky finally cleared by you.

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  33. No matter how old I get or how many I've seen, rainbows always fascinate me. I can't get over how bright and vivid the rainbow in your pictures is! Amazing!

    Stop by when you have a moment. I'm having a giveaway that I think you might like!

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  34. Beautiful pictures of the rainbows! Enjoy your shopping Mari!

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  35. Those are stunning photos!!

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  36. What a magnificent photo! You definitely caught that one at the right time. Hope you Christmas was wonderful.

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  37. What gorgeous shots, JJ! Wowza! I'm glad you captured and shared them.

    Congrats Mari!!

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  38. I've seen a number of rainbows over the years and always enjoy each one but I can't remember watching one for 45 minutes - wow!
    Like the way it brighten one side of that scene.

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  39. Absolutely beautiful rainbow! I'm glad your deck is firmly in place and you were able to make lots of wishes!

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  40. Gorgeous rainbows. That is one nice thing about living in the land of almost perpetual rain. We do get a lot of rainbows in the spring!

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  41. Your photos are amazing!

    Have you seen the double rainbow youtube? Our family laughed til we cried watching this. I know. We're weird. :-)

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQSNhk5ICTI

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