Mia Monday...Property Hunting

Over the past weekend we have been property hunting. Our relator seems to be the perfect fit for us. I added this photo since I have not even downloaded the photos from this weekend and we could not see the Pacific Ocean this time.  The rock by the beach is huge, and it is Morro Bay. All of San Luis Obispo is beautiful.

As many people know we have been looking for the property of our dreams since 07. We really need to find the place this year. My hubby is really starting to run out of fuel to keep looking in one area. The whole county of San Luis Obispo is beautiful, but we have to find the right mixture of features to start our orchard and vineyard.

It really hurts when we come home, and the kids say they are homesick for San Luis Obispo. The ride home is just getting more depressing as we fail to find the ONE. I just believe this year is going to be the year we find it, we purchase it, and move to it! This is the year!!!

Jesuits and Skulls

I am a Roman Catholic. I was married in a Jesuit Church. I have seen so much erroneous information that we worship skulls and it is evil. This is just ignorance and arrogance. One phrase that is said over and over is "Find God in All Things, Find God in All People, Every Place, and EveryThing." I think in this modern age we forget how close death was to everyone even 100 years ago. People usually had several generations of people in one home or close in the same community. People died from simple infections, and disease spread through families quickly. More importantly the Masons were started after the Cathedrals were built. Yes, they were a group of people that were a guild, later they would grow to the establishment they are today. Even this group is not evil! They have a broader scoop of religious beliefs. I just don't understand why people are so quick to be judge others in such a harsh way. Religions all over the world have more in common with each other than differences, but some people just want to focus on something they construe as bad. Here are some images that the negative people focus on as negative.

Spiritual Exercises are one of the many things that Ignatius worked on in his life. If you are interested you could go here to listen to Spiritual Exercises. Ignatius was for education, keeping your body, mind and spirit tuned. At times when people had to stand for our faith they did, and some of those people died doing so. The crown upon the head of the skull is because this person was a Martyr. These people stood up for what they believed. Just because there are people around him praying does not mean they are worshipping a dead body or a skull. When people gather at a funeral they are not there to worship the person, they are there to remember the life they once lived. Sometimes skulls are all that is left of a Martyr. If the skull is brought out of a crypt is not being worshipped we are remembering that it has not always been so easy to be a Christian.

There are many images of St. Francis Borgia gazing at a skull.

Again we have the skull with a crown. St. Francis Borgia is remembering the life of someone that gave their life for Christians everywhere. Some other images of St. Francis with skulls

Here is St. Francis with a skull wearing a halo. The artist may have only wanted to hint at St. Francis and his adoration for Martyrs of Christianity.

St. Francis with a Martyr donning a crown on top of a book. The Jesuits were and still are to this day promoters of education. Behind St. Francis is a choir of angels and the Monstrance-Reliquary in the background.


This images almost seems to beg the question from St. Francis if we would be willing to be a Martyr for our faith. His eyes look right at us showing us that others have given their lives for us to have this freedom to participate Christianity.

Here again is St. Francis with a Martyr and a beckon on light in the background. I am guessing that this too is a Monstrance-Reliquary the light around it is the light on Christ. The light of Christ illuminates us in many different ways and variations for different people. Some people may feel moved to read the Bible more, while some people may be moved to help people, animals, or the environment. Why people have to criticise others for their callings is beyond me.

This is one of my favorites...

Here we have St. Francis is in a library, an appropriate place for a Jesuit. Jesuits were the founders of many Universities. Behind him is the crucifix to remind the viewer that Jesus died for all of us. The Monstrance-Reliquary is in his hand. A pen in the ink well. A reminder to all of us that writing is important. The skull of a Martyr, and paper  or maybe a letter in front of him. A letter to possibly to his good friend St. Ignatius?
   And the last one that I am going to show you...

A sculpture of St. Francis with a Martyr for Christianity. A book at his side to remind the onlookers how important education is to all of us. 


All of us need to educated ourselves before we jump to wild conclusions. Even fellow Christians are guilty of the same thing. The Davinci Code was a great book, and people were going mad over the contents. I read the book, and honestly...even if Jesus did have a child I would still be Catholic. I enjoy being a Catholic. I also enjoy reading a plethora of other materials that provoke thought. 


Thoughts do not equate evil. There are many ways to educate yourself. There are even so many ways to enjoy learning for free through iTunes University. Skulls don't equate with all thing evil either. There is beauty in so many things, and there is also God in all things. What are some ways that you educate yourself?

Skulls Part II

Some of the most prevalent images we find are of skulls these days. They are everywhere, of course they are a part of us, but it seems as though everyone has jumped on to the skull bandwagon. There is every kind of merchandise available. T-shirts, computer covers, and so many types of tattoos.

Daniel Strom makes a beautiful, but VERY expensive skull watch. Even though it is a little more macarbe for my taste. Although, I think it would look nice on someone else.

Then we have the Swarovski Crystal Skull that were done by Fabrien Baron. These pieces of art that are brought into the homes of those with a reputation of having the most discerning taste.

Alexander McQueen (yes, the same one that designed the dress for Kate Middleton) also designed many items with skull images including this little number.

For a little more than 3 Grand it could be yours.

Italian artist Nicola Bolla recently used Swarovski Crystals in her art. She not only used the skull but the ribcage as well many other parts.

Dan Aykroyd sells his premium Vodka in a glass skull. He says that he was inspired by his friend John Alexander. He often used skulls in his art. Recently, Quinn Gregory made a crystal skull for Dan.

It is still possible to order a crystal skull from Quinn Gregory, or buy a tie, t-shirt, shoes, purse, socks,coffee cups or just about anything else you can imagine. The Damien Hirst Diamond skull is the one that you may not find.

The Damien Hirst infant skull is a little too haunting, but some people may like it. There is always the front part of a Vespa that may even be more your speed, still a work of art though...

What do you think of it all?

Loving Sunday Dinner

I wish I would have taken a photo of the meal I had for dinner. My husband made Sunday dinner for the second Sunday in a row. We had Ravioli, Roast that was wrapped in bacon with yummy spices, New potatoes with roasted onions, green and red peppers, one dinner roll, salad, chocolate eclair with berries.

This was a great holiday break. I have so enjoyed not cooking. I must say my husband is a great cook too. I hope you all have had a great Holiday weekend too!

Castello Di Amorosa

We spent the day at Castello Di Amorosa. This is one of the many wineries in Napa Valley, CA. As many people know it is the dream of our family to have a vineyard, olive orchard and our Italian museum. One of the aspects of having a winery in a beautiful place is having a lure. Something that is going to get the people in the door. The Castle is different, and inviting. Idea was taken from a 12 Century Tuscan castle. It is 121,000 square feet. We actually only saw two floors. It is 17 bucks each adult and I think that the children were 7 bucks each. The Adults are allowed to taste test 5 different wines, and the children were given juice. I think for the 17 bucks we should get a better brochure. I get it though, it is expensive building such a beautiful place, and it is really nice. I loved all the photo opps.  I got with the children. There are even chickens and sheep outside to give it a more realistic feel.

The wine we tasted was good too, so overall I was pleased. I am sure that there are some great events that they have  to offer too. Could you imagine having your Prom there? WOW!

Mia Monday Madness

Sometimes, I love to drive. It all depends on the situation at hand. I like it even better when I am on the road alone.

Just the other day I was driving along minding my own business. I was in the fast lane behind another car. There were no other cars behind me. All the sudden this jackass comes speeding along side of me in the slower lane, when he sees that the bus is stopped in front of him he cuts me off. He misses my car by just inches. I beeped my horn at him. He went on for a couple of seconds then he stomped on his brakes. It felt like he wanted me to hit his truck.  He then slams the truck in park, gets out of his truck and starts walking quickly toward my car. I franticly put my car in reverse. I put a lot of space between me and him and his truck. He saw that traffic was coming, and went back to his truck.  It was frightening for me and my children. None of us could say anything all the way home. We were just in so much shock that something like that even happened to us.

Why has the world become a dangerous place to drive?

Mia Monday Snow Holiday

Honestly, I would have even liked to do this over the weekend. Sit in my rocking chair and read. This weekend is a traditional Snow Weekend or Ski Weekend around here. We have lots of snow in the mountains. My hubby loves to ski, but we have not been up to the mountains since my son was very young. Neither of my children have even seen SNOW which is so odd for me. I grew up walking to school up hill both ways in the snow. We endured the blizzard of 1978. Wow! That seems like a lifetime ago.

My kids have never made a snow ball. I used to stay outside in the cold playing until I had no feeling in my hands or feet. We made snow Angels, snow men (snow people was not thought of back then) we played tag. We had snot running out our nose and we did not care. Tackling anyone was okay, because there was snow to cushion your fall.

We also did some really stupid things. Bumper skiing was may have even been against the law. Is it dangerous? Yes, very dangerous. One could slide up under the car, and get run over by a car. So, in the HOOD we could not afford to go skiing. The next best thing was grabbing a bumper of a car, and hold on for dear life. Did I do something so stupid and dangerous? Well, I have children. I saw these things, and my sister never participated in such an activity.

As I remember how I used to spend the snowy weekends in the HOOD. I have now spent this weekend doing taxes. Hmmm, I would much rather spend it in the snow.

Mia Monday

Ahhh! The area we live in is so beautiful! I love going for drives. We see so clearly how spectacular the area is, what a blessing it is to live here. Knowing as much as I do about my ancestors I thank them for this everyday. If it were not for all their hard efforts we would not be able to gaze upon all that God offers to us.

On Mia Monday I am grateful for all that I have, see and witness. What are you special blessings?

Strange Things

Usually, I am not afraid of being in my own home. I usually am the last one to go to bed, and walk up the steps in the dark to my room to go to bed. Lately I have been reading journals of one of my ancestors. She was in the middle of talking about a scary wind storm that happened. She said the wind storm caused a tree branch to scratch up against the tin roof.

The very same night we had hurricane winds that swirled around the house. I got chills, and it was very late. As I read I kept seeing images out of my peripheral vision. I was getting spooked. I used the light of my Mac to make it into the kitchen. I was still feeling overwhelmed with fear. I had to grab my flashlight and walk upstairs.

The next morning I hear SHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH coming from my radio. It was an alarm. The alarm went off at 6:03 am. I never set this alarm. I use my iPhone. For three days the alarm that I never set went off every morning at the same time.

I unplugged the radio and reset the clock. The 4th day a Hawk shows up in front of my house. We don't have too many hawks that show up in front of my house. This was no ordinary hawk. He continued to scream over and over, so I grabbed my camera and took this photo. Not only was this hawk on the line, he had crows that were following him. The crows were all in another tree, lots of them!

The Native people believe that the birds are messengers from Heaven to Earth. After I took the photo the  Hawk flew away, and so did all the crows.

My Cherokee ancestor went by the name of Joseph Sparrowhawk. Did chills go up your spine? Now, I have to figure out what is the message Joseph and Sarah want me to discover. Thoughts?