I'm back!...thought I'd gone forever, eh?? Not a chance!! I'm just NOT that good at keeping in touch. I mean, look, I was in Santa Barbara in the beginning of August (Viva La Fiesta!), and I'm just now getting around to telling you about it?! Some blogger I turn out to be!! And a blogger without photos??? See what I mean?? Am I a lazy ass or what?!
Well, you will have to forgive me since I am sans photos....turns out I am handicapped in getting them from my digital camera onto my computer (don't ask). For now, a little description of the trip will have to do....so, here's my adventure all tidied up into one quick (we hope) little nutshell:
First of all, DO NOT travel with your human size (as opposed to Hobbit size) toothpaste, water bottle, or eye makeup remover. Everyone of those things were confiscated from me in the security check. I felt like a criminal as the stout, little man at DIA abruptly shouted "move aside lady, we're gonna have to "frisk" ya." Well, maybe he didn't use the word "frisk" but, they certainly did frisk my durable Swiss Army carry on bag, and there was nothing gentle about it...I felt silly and disheveled as I quickly turned from my normal shade of pale white sophistication into a bright pink little girl.
Next was a quick layover in lovely Salt Lake City....there's something in that place that moved me (and I'm not even Mormon!) Perhaps it's because it reminds me of home. But, I've made a mental note: "road trip to Salt Lake City, some time soon, it's beautiful!"
Onward Ho, I boarded for my destination, Santa Barbara, CA! Waiting for me were two of the sweetest, kindest, and funniest people on this planet; my old best friend from High School (she's my BFF) and her adorable, hilarious, multi-talented hubby.
Lucky me, my friends are entirely welcoming....complete with a banner with my name on it, fresh flowers and amazing food. I meet the animals: Lucy the goat, Rhapsody the horse, Fred the cat, the gold fish, and most of all PK the super-special black Lab companion. We tour their new estate which was a find for this industrious couple: one acre with ocean views, Queen Palms, a lemon grove, a precious California Oak and a private beach entrance. Amazing what these two kids from Littleton have created for themselves. I am moved to tears by their accomplishments, their humility and their sweet love for each other.
Inside my friends house it is warm and inviting....filled with a wonderful collection of meaningful art by family and friends, plus a nice collection of vintage items....we pass by a huge bowl of lemons, to which I ask, "did you pick those from your own trees?" she says "yeah, and if I rub them a bit, they fill the whole room with the essence of lemon". Heaven scent.
And lucky me again, because these two kids have a "guest house". That's right folks, I had my very own little house for the entire visit. In describing the decor inside, I would say it definitely has a "beach house" feel. And surely that's partially because the man of the house is an avid surfer and when he's not using his long-board he stores it in the guest house which when combined with the ocean breeze and smell of the sea and view of the waves, and that perfect Queen Palm, well, what can I say, it was my very own beach house, at least for the time being.
Choosing August for my visit was partially because we wanted to partake in the Fiesta going on in town. We were glad we did when we saw our nations biggest display of show horses in the Viva la Fiesta parade. We all were mesmerized by the dancing horses, the beautiful traditional costumes, and all the flowers! It was truly an event that the locals take great pride in and I can see why. The night before the parade we had to chuckle as State street was dotted with beach towels, and chairs and hand made cards reserving the side of the street for viewing the parade the next morning....this is something the locals take very seriously.
Santa Barbara may be considered upscale, but quite honestly, I saw a very charming, homey and downright "Mayberry" Santa Barbara when I was there. Many times we would run into people my friends knew, or we would be driving around town and they would say our friends live there, and another couple lives over there. Everyone was friendly and warm, not a single snob in sight. So nix on the reputation, you just gotta dig your toes in a bit.
And dig my toes in I did, I'm itching to go back...this Colorado girl has a little bit of the California girl in her after all. Oh, and for the return flight?...DO NOT take your human size sunscreen through Santa Barbara security, even though you passed security with it on both legs of the flight in, this itsy-bitsy, cute little airport will have none of that - AND when the ditsy blonde flight attendant gets on her speaker phone and says in her wispy voice "the Captain has asked if someone from the first 4 rows will volunteer to sit in the back of the plane because we have too much weight up front for take off...", don't be alarmed...it's just the cute town of Santa Barbara beckoning you back for more.
I do not know whose collection it was, nor who the quote is from, or the photographer, but what a cool idea for displaying a collection as sculpture, or as a table-scape. "No matter where I put my Mexican milagro crosses and Italian ex-votos, they work. Keep only what you love when you're starting over...." 
The photo above is from the January '09 issue of Architectural Digest. The dandelion sculpture in the forefront right dates from the 1960's; I love it because it is so whimsical, and who doesn't like a dandelion? (artist unknown). The table runner is a Japanese obi; the prints or paintings in the background leaning on a long bench are also by an unknown artist. These paintings remind me of 2 large acrylics that my mother did in 1972; many years later she gave them to me when I moved into an apartment in Boulder, she saw that my new place had vaulted ceilings, and her huge paintings were perfect for that space; big paintings demand lots of space. 
The dining room photo above from Vogue Living Australia, is the perfect example, I think, of how much flowers mean to a room. The flowers on the table and in the fabric of the comfy, modern chairs add a live able warmth that the room would be void of without those floral touches. Flowers always make a room homey and cozy, and in this example you would otherwise feel like you were in a conference room of some cold, corporate headquarters. Painting is a fun stunner (artist unknown); the red enamel "wall sculptures" (artist unknown), are wonderful!
