Easter is the first Sunday after the Full Moon following the Spring Equinox.
Happy Easter!
Spring is in the air!
Happy Passover!
APRIL 2017:
April Showers!
When it Rains it Pours.
And we’re not talking about the weather.
Sometimes life gives you lemons….
Lemons!
So, here are some flowers, bunnies and candy for your Easter Sunday!
American Beauty! “A Red Rose! How Romantic!”
“You’re nobody until some bunnies love you!”
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RABBIT! RABBIT!
RABBIT! RABBIT!
RABBIT! RABBIT!
RABBIT! RABBIT! RABBIT!
RABBIT! RABBIT!
RABBIT! RABBIT!
CHOCOLATE!
Lillie Belle Farms Handmade Chocolates
Everything’s coming up roses!
Pretty Roses!
APRIL 2017: Eating / Cheese (it’s the food group’s theme for April) and Chocolate
Drinking / Espresso, hot and iced
Practicing / PATIENCE?
Mastering / the puppies
Little Bandit and Fuzzy Bear
Learning / MORE LIFE LESSONS
Trying / Hard
Playing / YouTube videos
Finishing / …………….
Reading / “Fake News” and “Wag the Dog” journalism!
Bunny Lebowski wishes you a Happy Take It Easyster!
Writing / This Blog – FOLLOW US!
Remembering / to “Keep It Together!”
Wearing / Shorts and t-shirts because the weather’s been great!
Cooking / Meatloaf & Roasted Garlic Potatoes (see the recipes)
Meatloaf!
Roasted Garlic Potatoes
Working / for the weekend….
Traveling / Local Motion! But no.
Wanting / Chocolate & caramel
Cadbury (Caramel) Egg!
Snoop Bunny! Ferschizzzzzel!
ROSE!
Pink Rose!
PEANUT M&Ms!
AN ASSORTMENT OF FLOWERS!
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BLOODY MARY!
Bloody Mary! Sunday Brunch!
MORE CHOCOLATE!
Four Seasons Westlake Village (copyright 2013 JoshWillTravel)
ROSES!
Easter Roses!
CANDY!
Candy!
FLOWERS!
Saturday Farmer’s Market in Ashland, Oregon
Passover is the week-long festival that celebrates the emancipation of the Jews from slavery in ancient Egypt. The story of the Exodus is described in the Bible (the Old Testament) in the Book of Exodus. Moses leads the Hebrews out of Egypt, across the Red Sea to Mount Sinai, where he is given the Ten Commandments and they spend 40 years in the desert before reaching the promised land of Canaan.
“Oooh look, an Easter Bunny!”
“Every year is getting shorter never seem to find the time…..”
One Year!
12 Months
52 Weeks
365 Days (366 in a Leap Year)
8760 Hours (8784 in a Leap Year)
525,600 Minutes
31,536,000 Seconds
Happy Easter! Praise the Lord and Pass the Ammunition!
Thy Holy Hand Grenade of Antioch
“In this world nothing can be said to be certain,
except death and taxes.” – Benjamin Franklin
“The only difference between death and taxes
is that death doesn’t get worse every time Congress meets.” – Will Rogers
Easter Centerpiece
HAPPY EASTER SUNDAY!
Good Friday commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Easter is the most important Christian holiday celebrating when Jesus rose from the dead after being crucified.
“Always Look on the Bright Side of Life!” – Monty Python’s “Life of Brian”
Just a Bowl of Berries….
A Shot of Vodka Coffee Liqueur, Half and Half Serve in a Bunny A White Russian In a Chocolate Bunny
Happy Easter Dude!
Ingredients: (serve in hollow chocolate Bunny or Santa)
1 shot Godiva Dark Chocolate (or coffee) Liqueur
1 shot (Salted Caramel) Vodka
A splash of half and half
Saturday Evening and Sunday Afternoon at the Pacific Ocean in Cambria.
THIS BLOG IS STILL UNDER CONSTRUCTION!
Pacific Ocean View, Big Sur, California (not my pic)
We have combined the pics from previous blogs and added new pics into this one. This Blog was just UPDATED April 9, 2017.
Hearst San Simeon California State Park owns and controls most of the waterfront property along the 20-mile segment of Highway 1 north of Cambria on the Central Coast as well as Hearst Castle and the surrounding land. There are thirteen different beautiful, uncrowded and remote “hidden gem” beaches in northern San Luis Obispo County and southern Monterey County between Cambria and Big Sur.
Moonstone Beach in Cambria, California
Moonstone Beach is a California State Park and part of Hearst San Simeon State Park. It runs along Moonstone Beach Drive and parallels Highway 1 in Cambria. The shoreline is made up of brown sandy beaches and coves separated by rocky headlands. On the beach, there are a number of natural ocean tide pools filled with marine life, and in the park there are easy hiking trails and an abundance of natural flora and fauna.
NOTE: Dogs are allowed on-leash on the trails and the boardwalk, but not on the beach!
SATURDAY EVENING
Marine Layer Rolling In Over Cambria and the Pacific Ocean on Saturday Evening
Moonstone Beach was the end of a long road trip from Ashland, Oregon. We left in the morning without a destination and arrived in Cambria at sunset. The marine layer and heavy fog had rolled in as we were coming down Highway 46 from the mountains, so there were gray skies and it was chilly outside the car when we reached the ocean.
NOTE: Read the previous Blogs about our Spring 2016 Oregon Roadtrip, Historic Cambria, the Vault Gallery and the Bluebird Inn in Cambria (see the links below)
Sunset at Moonstone Beach in Cambria, California
We parked the car at the Beach next to the Moonstone Beach Boardwalk. The marine layer was over the ocean and there was only a thin line of orange on the horizon as the sun went down over the ocean, but it was really beautiful as we watched the sunset.
Sunset at Moonstone Beach in Cambria, California
The one and a half mile long boardwalk runs the length of Moonstone Beach along the bluff top and walking it is a great way to experience the beauty of the Pacific Coastline.
The Boardwalk at Moonstone Beach in Cambria, California
There is easy access to the sandy beach via stairs down from the bluffs and there are many wooden benches along the Boardwalk to just sit and enjoy the view.
Moonstone Beach in Cambria, California
As the sun set, we called and found a room was available at the Bluebird Inn. We had a very nice dinner at Robin’s restaurant and went for drinks afterwards at the Cambria Pub and Mozzi’s Saloon and then stayed the night at the motel.
Read the Previous Blog! (RIGHT CLICK AND “OPEN IN NEW WINDOW”)
Saturday Night at The Bluebird Inn Motel in Cambria http://wp.me/p3dhVM-3gi
NOTE: There is not much to do after 9pm in Cambria. There is no real nightlife, except for a few bars and restaurants that stay open late.
The Bluebird Inn Motel
The Bluebird Inn Motel
The Bluebird Inn Motel
The Bluebird Inn Motel
Dinner at Robin’s Restaurant in Cambria
Cambria Pub & Steakhouse
Mozzi’s Saloon at night
Cambria After Dark
SUNDAY AFTERNOON
After a good night’s rest and the morning breakfast buffet at the Bluebird Inn, we spent the early part of the day walking around downtown Cambria exploring historical sites and visiting shops and galleries (Read our previous Blogs).
The Bluebird Inn Motel
Old Santa Rosa Chapel
Old Santa Rosa Chapel
Old Santa Rosa Cemetery
Greenspace & Chinese Temple
Greenspace & Chinese Temple
Vault Gallery in the Old Bank of Cambria 1928
Country Collectibles Antiques
Sweet Offerings Confectioners
Read the Previous Blogs! (RIGHT CLICK AND “OPEN IN NEW WINDOW”)
Sweet Offerings Confectionary in Cambria, California! http://wp.me/p3dhVM-3ik
It was still overcast, so we decided not to drive north to Big Sur. Instead, some time after noon, we walked back to the car at the motel and then drove down to Moonstone Beach and the Pacific Ocean.
Moonstone State Beach in Cambria, California
Moonstone Beach in Cambria, California
SEAGULLS!
Moonstone Beach in Cambria, California
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Moonstone Beach in Cambria, California
Moonstone Beach – Parking Lot and Picnic Area
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SQUIRREL!“Hey, nice marmot!” They Have No Fear! Please DO NOT feed the wildlife!
SQUIRREL!No Fear! Please DO NOT feed the wildlife!
This little squirrel tried to “panhandle” us in the parking lot!
It came right up (not even 3 feet away) and posed for these pictures exhibiting little fear of people and obviously looking for some food from the tourists… PLEASE DO NOT FEED THE WILDLIFE!
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Squirrels are members of the family Sciuridae, consisting of small or medium-size rodents. The family includes tree squirrels, ground squirrels, chipmunks, marmots (including woodchucks), flying squirrels, and prairie dogs.
That word “squirrel” first specified in 1327, comes from the Anglo-Norman esquirel which is from the Old French escurel, the reflex of a Latin word sciurus. This Latin word was borrowed from the Ancient Greek word σκίουρος, skiouros, which means shadow-tailed, referring to the bushy appendage possessed by many of its members.
The California ground squirrel (Otospermophilus beecheyi), is a common and easily observed ground squirrel of the western United States and the Baja California Peninsula. “Beechey’s Marmot” (named after Frederick William Beechey, an early 19th-century British explorer and naval officer) is common in Oregon and California and its range has relatively recently extended into Washington and northwestern Nevada.
California ground squirrels live in burrows which they excavate themselves. Some burrows are occupied communally but each individual squirrel has its own entrance. They readily become tame in areas used by humans and quickly learn to take food left or offered by people. They spend most of their time within 82 feet of their burrow and rarely go further than 160 feet from it. The squirrel’s fur contains a mixture of gray, light brown and dusky hairs; the underside is lighter, buff or grayish yellow. The fur around the eyes is whitish and around the ears is black. Head and body are about 12 inches long and the bushy tail an additional 6 inches.
Squirrel! No Fear! Please don’t feed the wildlife!
TRAVEL ALERT!
Highway 1 IS CLOSED! Pacific Coast Highway from Cambria to Big Sur!
HIGHWAY 1 NEAR BIG SUR IS CLOSED DUE TO STORM DAMAGE!
There are currently temporary closures on Highway 1 after winter storms damaged the coastal road again. The highway north of Big Sur has reopened but a full closure due to landslides (Paul’s Slide) near the town of Lucia will continue for at least four to six more weeks. The highway continues to deteriorate at Mud Creek near the town of Gorda as slide activity continues. It is currently closed there and it is also closed at Ragged Point, 24 miles north of Cambria. They remain closed to travelers according to Caltrans as of April 4, 2017. Caltrans completed demolition on the Pfeiffer Canyon Bridge just south of Big Sur Station on March 20 after the bridge failed in mid-February and is planning to build a replacement bridge. Nacimiento-Fergusson Road, the only road that cuts through the Santa Lucia Mountains from Highway 101 and allows access to Big Sur, reopened in late March.
Big Creek Bridge and Cove – Big Sur, California (not my pic)
Moonstone Beach at Hearst San Simeon State Park – 6216 Moonstone Beach Drive, Cambria, CA Free parking along Moonstone Beach Drive and in the park parking lot. NOTE: Bring a sweater or jacket! It can get cold, even in Summer.
Our Periscope videos from Katch are now on YouTube: RIGHT CLICK AND “OPEN IN NEW WINDOW” TO VIEW OUR YOUTUBE PAGE!> The “JoshWillTravel AdventureScope” is now available on Youtube!> https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoP3QQfRTfD-2eABWVd-JwQ
RIGHT CLICK and “OPEN IN NEW WINDOW” TO VIEW LINKS>
Lillie Belle Farms Handmade Chocolates in Central Point, Oregon
Love this place! Love their chocolate!
Welcome to Chocolate Heaven!
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The chocolate is made on premises:
Handmade Gourmet Chocolates under glass:
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They create special chocolates for the holidays!
The Voodoo Bunnies are an Easter favorite!
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They have Prepackaged Chocolate Bars, Lavender Sea Salt Caramels, Assorted Chocolates, Gift Boxes, and more:
FREE Samples: The Other One Dark Chocolate Bar, Velvet Almonds, Spicy Red Velvet Almonds and Cinnamon Ganache Chocolates
Samples: The Other One Bar & Velvet Almonds
Samples: Spicy Red Velvet Almonds & Cinnamon Ganache Chocolates
And a wonderful assortment of gourmet handmade chocolates to choose from:
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Lillie Belle Farms Handmade Chocolates – 211 N. Front St., Central Point, OR
541-664-2815 http://www.lilliebellefarms.com (order online for chocolate delivery)
All photos copyright 2016 JoshWillTravel
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Visit Sweet Offerings Confectionary in Cambria, California!
While wandering around downtown Cambria we found a sweet candy shop!
Sweet Offerings Confectionary in Cambria, California
NOTE: I’m a sucker for candy! And I love chocolate! So how could I not walk in to a little shop named Sweet Offerings Confectionary? And I’m really glad I did!
Sweet Offerings Confectionary in Cambria, California
They offer a “FREE TASTE OF FUDGE” as bait to reel you in the door…
Sweet Offerings Confectionary in Cambria, California
We tried a taste of the vanilla fudge and a taste of the chocolate fudge. We were also given a “on sale Easter egg” robin’s egg maltball to try and then a pretzel stick dipped in caramel dipped in milk chocolate was offered when we mentioned we were a travel writer.
Sweet Offerings Confectionary in Cambria, California
Everything we tasted was delicious! And everyone should try the chocolate caramel pretzel stick (we let it get a little soft, but not melty, by leaving it on the car seat at the beach).
Sweet Offerings Confectionary in Cambria, California
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Candy!
Candy!
Candy!
Candy!
Candy!
Candy!
The fudge and some of the chocolates are handmade on the premises, and other chocolates and the hard candies are from outside vendors. They have a nice collection of “Old Time Candies” that are sometimes hard to find and a lot of great gift items too.
2 Kinds of Fudge (sea salt caramel & rocky road), a milk chocolate honeycomb and a sour apple hard candy stick (watermelon stick not pictured)
Pretzel stick dipped in caramel dipped in milk chocolate for FREE!
We bought 2 Kinds of Fudge (sea salt caramel & rocky road), a milk chocolate honeycomb and 2 hard candy sticks (sour apple & watermelon) for $15.43
It’s FUN to be a kid in a candy store!
Big Thanks to Jan the owner for being so friendly and for the freebie. If you’re in Cambria we recommend you visit Sweet Offerings Confectionary!
No Bake Chocolate Covered Peanut Butter Balls
(from the Army Wives’ Kitchen fb page ~Tammy)
1-18 oz. jar of smooth or chunky peanut buter – I prefer smooth
1 – 16 oz. bag of confectioners sugar
1/4 c. butter, melted
chocolate almond bark
or
chocolate candy melts
or
12 oz. semi-sweet chocolate chips & 2 tsp. shortening
No Bake Chocolate Covered Peanut Butter Balls
In a large bowl, stir together the peanut butter, confectioners sugar and melted butter until the mixture is crumbly. For the next step, the best way that I’ve found to make a smooth filling is to use your hands to mix everything together.
Line a baking sheet with foil. Roll the peanut butter filling into 1 inch balls and line the baking sheet with rows of the balls. Set the baking sheet in the freezer for 5-7 minutes to chill the peanut butter balls for easier dipping.
While the peanut butter balls are chilling, melt the chocolate in the microwave in a microwave safe bowl that is deep enough for dipping. I melted 6 blocks of chocolate almond bark at a time, stirring at 45 second intervals until smooth.
Remove the baking sheet from the freezer. Insert a toothpick or wooden skewer into a peanut butter ball and then dip it into the chocolate, turning quickly to cover the entire candy. Place onto a second baking tray that has also been lined with foil. Swirl the chocolate on the top of each candy for a pretty design. Refrigerate until the chocolate had completely dried.
Store the candies in a sealed container in the refrigerator.
**Warning** These little candies are very addictive!!
