Bird Refuge SB 4-27-13

Scott and I took a morning walk at the Bird refuge.  Peaceful.

Mt. Carmel Church, Montecito 4-13

Beautiful Spanish style church I went past on the way to "Riven Rock". Came back to take pics. I'll post more of the inside later.  It was rebuilt in 1930's.  Original church from mid 1800's.

My favorite, St. Frances:

Some History:

Baptismal font:

Riven Rock, Montecito 4/23/13

With our UU's "Garden Painters" group at Riven Rock in Montecito.  Wonderful place. Thanks to our hosts for letting us explore their place. Bahamian paint colors of the house a delight. The owners very artistic couple..he does the landscaping.  Highlight for me was tour of local artist work inside..and the sound of their canary singing in the aviary area.  Some images:

I didn't know "Riven Rock" refers to a tree growning through rock..from "rive"

I like this image:

Children's Choir of SB 4-13

Beautiful children singing Earth Day songs today at UU...

Angelic children

Laying Dove and her 2 chicks 4/17/13

My friend Marcia called me over to shoot pic of Dove nesting in plant on her balcony. She's had the same dove 3 years in a row nesting! She was very tame..allowed me to shoot for over an hour and she never left the nest.

I also photographed her 100 year old beautiful harp..inlaid, carved and gold leafed..gorgeous!

Luncheon, my house

I had 4 for for lunch today. Our Unitarian church has yearly auction..my "lunch for 4" was donated as one of the auction items.  We had a very good time and the casserole turned out well I think. My neighbor was so sweet to bring me a beautiful boquet of roses and flowers grown here on the property..dressed up my table nicely.

We had: egg/asparagus/sourdough bread casserole, fruit salad (strawberries, blueberries, cara cara navel oranges), blueberry muffins, rolls, and wine and pomagranite/blueberry juice wine punch.

On the way to the Ranch..

Beautiful views after we turned off 101 onto refugio Rd

Cows heading "home"..

Dreary day but the mustard blooming on the hillside brightens it up

BBQ Dinner and play at Circle B Bar Ranch (Refugio Beach area) 4-13-13

Fantastic dinner/ theatre at Circle Bar B Ranch yesterday. My friend Elizabeth invited Scott and I.  Her friend was one of the actors in the play. It was opening nite for "Return Engagement". Very well done..I laughed a lot.


Very relaxed, inviting  place..they make everyone feel at home. The BBQ chicken, tri-tip and other fixins were excellent! Ate too much..they pile it on your plate.
Very reasonable prices too. I recommend it!

The grounds lush plants and vegitation:

The Ranch hands..and horses:

Celtic music Concert at UU (World Pathways Ensemble)

Great Celtic music last sunday at our church :Unitarian Universalist Society by "World Pathways Ensemble".
Pianist,  talented Scott Hiltzik, also composed some of the celtic tunes:

John Zeietzke on string and wind intruments..some of them rare antique instuments.
On "Stroh Viol":

Interesting sound, having the percussionist Randy Gloss using percussion sticks on John's violin body.



Another interesting string instrument:

April 9th, 2013 Egg Casserole

Breakfast egg casserole I made last sunday morning, turned out very good!
Sharing recipe for 4:
Toast 4 slices of sourdough bread and butter both sides. lay on bottom of casserole bowl.
Mix about 5-6 eggs with 1/4c milkmilk, season salt, pepper, garlic powder and any other seasonings you'd like..I used some red pepper flakes. I added leftover seasoned greens and cut up sweet red pepper.
(asparagus would be nice)
Let it set overnight in fridge. The bread will puff up, saturated with the egg mixture.
In morning add several dollops of goat chease on top (I used honey chevre)  before baking at 375 degrees until brown..about 45 min to an hour.

Images on !st Thursday Art walk 4-13

Had a great time at Santa Barbara's 1st Thurs. art walk for April. Started at Chocolate shop..got blessed with complementary choc. truffle, dipped in coconut at La Arcadia with GF Karen. Went to several galleries there..also comped with wine and snacks at Gallery 113.  Heavenly Jazz group playing at the gift and dress shop, Encanto, singing by Christy.  After Karen left I went on down to Gallery 27 at Brooks Institute..incredible unexpected bounty there, in addition to fun look at the graduating students photography displayed along with their philosophy.  Food: File Minon and shrimp, cheeses and fruit, eggplant appetizer
and my fav. Menage e tre wine.

Some of the images from Blue Agave Bar:

Front of the SB Art gallery:

4/5/13

Driving by the Riviera theatre on ALP, noticed beautiful landscaping in that area..came back with my camera to shoot it: