One of the first things we did when we moved into our new home a couple of years ago was plant these beautiful Coleus...


And quickly had a rude awakening when I literally woke up to the bunnies chomping down on them just a few days later. We proceeded to try planting some lavender in the same spot and that didn't work. Tried some succulents and again found out these bunnies will eat just about anything. We gave up and this spot under the window but decided on trying to plant some hibiscus in front of the house.


Surprisingly, these have done really well. They have made it through two freezing cold winters and blazing hot summers and have managed to survive and continue to bloom. We tried planting two miniature citrus trees but have had little luck with them.


But, as you can see, the Rosemary we planted is fragrant and thriving. Spring is but a few weeks away and I would like to do some gardening. I have so many ideas, and so many plants and flowers I would like to see flourish, but I am hesitant. I am not sure what will survive the scorching summer I am sure is headed our way and the ravenous bunnies that roam freely on our land. Maybe some more Hibiscus trees are in our future. Or, maybe we can build a tall fortress around our home to keep the bunnies out. Although I have a feeling these cute but pesky critters will find away to forage my garden no matter what. Anyone have any suggestions on bunny safe plants I would love to hear them!

I was going through photos on my computer and came upon these pictures I took when we purchased our house 2 years ago . I thought I would share what country living looks like in southern California.











Our view is that of Palomar Mountain and we can actually see the Palomar Observatory from our vantage point. During the winter you can see a beautiful dusting of snow on the mountaintop and I am hoping this winter it makes it down to our front yard this year. You never know, after all we were around to witness snow in Temecula a few years ago.

So, several years ago I learned about Swap-bot a fun site where you can create and join swaps of all kinds, with people from all over the world. It's for anyone that loves getting surprise mail and gifting to others. I have posted about past swaps on this blog before but it's been awhile. Recently I joined a Care Package Swap and I wanted to share all the goodies I received from my swap partner Midsummer Dream. Thanks!


This was a fabulous package filled with a bunch of great items. I especially loved the reusable cup and makeup bag. Go check out swap-bot and start swapping!

I was going through some of of my old pics and I found a few bentos from last last year I had not posted. Here ya go....


This one contains some rolled up Italian meats, half an apple, carrot sticks, tortilla chips w/ hummus for dipping and some colorful Twizzlers for a treat.


This was last year's Easter basket and bento. A bunny shaped egg salad sandwich, Cheetos because we were out of carrot sticks, flower apples, jelly beans and Easter egg for a treat. I can't quite remember what was in the small container. Even after zooming in to the pic I couldn't make it out. I am sure it was good whatever it was. I wonder what the Easter Bunny is going to bring her this year...

Well, it's been awhile since you've heard from me, since May of 2017 to be exact. I did not completely fall off the blogging earth entirely. I am still reviewing products on Girly Girl and I even started a new culinary blogging adventure at Sushi Tea & Me. Check it out, it is where I will be posting on my recipes and food reviews.  So, what's been happening since I last posted? A lot and a whole lotta nothing. Penelope has had 2 birthdays since, she is now 11 years old. To think I started this blog when she was just shy of 1 year. We purchased a house in the country, it's on 10 acres and overlooks Palomar Mountain. We are just in the beginning planning stages of preparing for a kitchen remodel and we are pretty excited. I am excited to share all about our new home in upcoming posts. I also started working in a daycare with babies and absolutely love it. After being a stay at home mom for many years and with Penelope becoming more independent I started taking child development classes at our local community college. I have always wanted to work with children in some aspect so I figured why not now?! I am now licensed as an early childhood educator and am still continuing my classes so that I can work with children who have special needs. It's taking awhile since I am not able to attend school full time but hey I am alive and well, gotta do something to fill up my days, right? We went on a family trip to Hawaii, that was pretty exciting. We also lost a furry member of our family and gained another one. Penelope's guinea pig Cheerio died a bit ago and we got a new doggy friend for Timber. His name is Relic, he is one big furry Husky, I will share some pics later. I have slowed down on bento's some since I am a little more busy now but I do have some I intend to post soon. Chris started a new job, he is still working in the oil fields of Alaska but with a different company and I hear he is loving it. What else? Basically just living life and taking in all it brings, the good and the better, the bad and the worse. Enjoying my family and new friends I've made and exploring all the new. Stay tuned for more posts as I plan on getting back at it.

If you live in Southern California then there is no doubt you have heard of the annual Temecula Valley Balloon & Wine Festival. This festival is a celebration of Temecula's wine country, filled with soaring hot air balloons, fabulous wine tasting, quality entertainment, arts & crafts, food vendors and even a kids faire! This years musical lineup includes some 80's classic bands like Dramarama, The Motels and Annabella from Bow Wow Wow. Since I live in Temecula I have the joy of watching beautiful hot air balloons sailing in the early morning sky practically everyday, but if you live in California outside the Inland Empire you must make the drive over and visit this festival from June 2 through June 4. 

This year there will be a new face in the wine country skies, that of Bimbo Bear. 


On it's annual Rise & Shine Tour, Bimbo Bear will be making a pit stop at the festival. Bimbo, famous for their tasty baked goods will also be featuring a tent on festival grounds filled with scrumptious sweets. 

To Celebrate Bimbo Bears upcoming voyage in the sky, they would like to offer 2 amazing prize packs to two lucky Girl Girl readers. 

Each prize pack will include four tickets to the Temecula Festival (2 adult/2 children), which can be picked up at the will-call window. In addition each prize pack also includes the following: 

• 1 picnic basket
• 1 Cabana-striped towel
• 4 fans
• 4 drawstring bags
• 4 t-shirts
• 4 sports towels
• 4 Bimbo Balloon pins
• 4 sunglasses
• 1 beach ball
• An assortment of Bimbo Sweet Baked Goods products