Dusk in winter California style. Cobalt blue sky. Cool enough to bundle up. Snowflake patterns beneath my feet. I have never loved winter so much!
Plenty to see. Take mid-century splendor, for example. I love a big glassy storefront. Saves me from having to go inside and do my bull-in-a-china-shop routine.
Santa, please leave all of these chandeliers hanging from my oak trees. Oh, and if you could rig up the wiring that would be cool too.
I'll be home on Saturday. No rush.
I can't contain my excitement when I see glittery shiny Christmas finery. Makes me want to clap my hands together.
Life is grand.
I'm off to spend Christmas with an old friend in Santa Cruz. Hope yours is a merry one!
xo,
Mary Ann
A cautionary letter from Mama Moss arrived 2 days ago:
I watched on TV that the weather in North California was treacherous, lots of snow. You better take your chains for the tires. Also take blankets, water and extra food - PEANUT BUTTER. I am not kidding! Watch the weather channel yourself to make sure. Take de-icer, shovel and whatever else you need. Better still DON'T GO. Play it safe. Also wear boots and extra heavy coat and gloves. Call me when you get there so I won't worry.
Have a good time. Enjoyed your photos. Happy Holidays!
Posted by: katiejane | Wednesday, December 24, 2008 at 12:50 PM
Best of holidays to you!
Have a safe trip. Looking forward to the pics when you return!
Posted by: Vicki in Michigan | Wednesday, December 24, 2008 at 01:17 PM
What great pictures, my husband went to school in Santa Cruz in the late 70s. He loved it. Your Mom is too funny, how do fretful moms raise such adventurous children? Have a great trip and happy holidays. Mary
Posted by: mary cooper | Wednesday, December 24, 2008 at 02:24 PM
Mothers are wonderful people!! Merry Christmas!!
Posted by: sue | Wednesday, December 24, 2008 at 03:09 PM
Merry Christmas - I hope you have a safe journey! Love the window photos, just fabulous!
Posted by: wendy m. | Wednesday, December 24, 2008 at 04:42 PM
Merry Christmas, MA! Nice new banner....I always tell the same thing to my friend who visits Lake Arrowhead every weekend...chains, blankets, FOOD! :)
Posted by: Julie P | Wednesday, December 24, 2008 at 11:19 PM
And don't forget long underwear.
And don't talk to hippies or people who sell Amway. And don't forget we adore your blog especially when you break free from the little monkeys and are giddy with the onset of vacation.
Posted by: Lorraine | Thursday, December 25, 2008 at 12:03 AM
Love the new look and the photos. Just beautiful. I love your Mom's letter. How sweet she is and she loves you. That's her job, to worry about her children. Cherish her.
I hope you have a wonderful holiday, a safe trip and a Merry Christmas today.
Posted by: Sandy | Thursday, December 25, 2008 at 01:03 AM
Ms Moss;
May you drip with creative juices...may they run down your wrists as you move through life with a designer colored heart...
Posted by: grrl+dog | Thursday, December 25, 2008 at 02:34 AM
Happy Christmas to you! We cease being the children of our mothers but mothers never cease being our mommies. And that is as it should be.
That ball tree is voluptuous!
Santa Cruz --- dude!
Posted by: susan w | Thursday, December 25, 2008 at 07:34 AM
Mothers!!
Merry Christmas, beautiful. May all your days be merry and bright. xoxoxoxoxo
Posted by: judy wise | Thursday, December 25, 2008 at 07:43 AM
I swear Momma Moss was channeling my mom! Oh so familiar! Ho!Ho!Ho! karen....
Posted by: karen | Thursday, December 25, 2008 at 03:07 PM
I can hear myself talking to my daughters in your mom's letter. But I agree about the peanut butter!
Posted by: nikki hardin | Friday, December 26, 2008 at 07:43 AM
I LOVE THE SHINY CHRISTMAS-Y STUFF AND THE REFLECTIONS OF SNOWFLAKES, AND THE GLITTER!!
I had to holler, sorry Ma.
p.s. Is See's Cashew Brittle survivalist food?
Posted by: Chris | Friday, December 26, 2008 at 02:00 PM
AhHA!....a mother after my own, over-protective heart. Raising my glass to toast you, the trip, your safe travels, Moma Moss, Santa Cruz and one of my absolute favorite people/Bloggers.
Cheers Baby....(clink)
Posted by: Lisa Hoffman | Friday, December 26, 2008 at 03:56 PM
Moma Moss is a woman after my own heart. You just know she's right. Hope your holidays are as perfect as these photos. She walks in beauty...
Posted by: Laura Miller | Friday, December 26, 2008 at 10:21 PM
Mama Moss, bless her heart, made me miss my own mother soooooo much with that cautionary letter. My mother used to say all the same sorts of things except she always cautioned me to be sure to brush my teeh. And floss. And she did this well into my 40s.
Hope you had a wonderful and happy Christmas Santa Cruz trip and that your New Year is as bright and shiny as all the Christmas glitz you photographed so well.
Happy New Year!
(Did you need the chains??? Tee hee hee)
Posted by: Michele | Saturday, December 27, 2008 at 03:56 PM
Um....that should read "TEETH" not "teeh".
Posted by: Michele | Saturday, December 27, 2008 at 03:57 PM