This Summer I am exploring the beautiful area I live in with my kids & our friends. I am also exploring my heart by looking inward. Sometimes I may be giving past poems a look, or I may just jot down current thoughts... Hope you take time to go out and do some exploring of your own! :)
Last week we went to the Botanical Gardens & The Museum of Art in Santa Barbara. Most who live in the area know what a treasure these to attractions are. It was nice to finally take a day out to visit them with my kids & our lovely friends.
We arrived around 10 am when the garden opened and spent a couple hours on a self guided tour. The information desk offered to loaned our kids nets and magnifying cups for exploration. This really increased our level of enjoyment while touring. The kids really got into their search of all things small and different! Even though we came prepared with snacks, it was nice to find that the gardens had nicely priced snack and beverage machines located by the bathrooms. There were also a range of unique and lovely gifts in the gift shop.
Our day then took us downtown for a bite to eat. After a quick stop we traveled down State Street. We found parking in one of the many parking lots. (I have never had trouble parking in Santa Barbara. If a lot is full, just travel down or around the block to the next parking option.) Once on foot we found an nice place to eat that offered a patio table right on State Street. That was fun for the kids to watch the downtown foot and street traffic while we enjoyed our meal. There are many place to eat downtown. Just let your hunger and your taste buds guide the way. Ours talked us into bacon lettuce and tomato sandwiches for the kids and a Salmon Ceasar Salad for myself. Truly a fabulous idea.
Completely satisfied from our lunches we headed over to the Museum of Art. Fantastic adventure was found there for the kids. The docents gave them a scavenger hunt to keep them intrigued. It was so fun for them and it found them really looking at each piece to find their treasure. The pieces there were very impressive. I enjoyed the peacefulness found there and the kids in the midst of their hunt were very well behaved. I believe they were impressed as well and it showed in their level of respectfulness.
(The museum doesn't allow for large bags, so be prepared to use one of their courtesy lockers if you plan on bringing any backpacks or large totes.)
When the hunt was over and our self guided tour was done, we headed across State for an iced coffee to go from Pete's Coffee and headed to a really fun park for some wild time. The kids had earned it. There are some really awesome parks in Santa Barbara. We picked Alameda Park for our afternoon fun. It is great for anyone with children it is a must visit. The 8000 square foot playground was built by local residents and is known as "kid's world." The playground contains a castle, swings, slides, sculptures and
picnic tables. Located at 1400 Santa Barbara Street, Alameda Park is one of the oldest parks in Santa Barbara. Your kids will love it.
After the most awesome Nerf war ever... (lol okay maybe not the most awesome, but the kids had fun and we got to talk and enjoy our iced coffee. :) ) We headed over to Panera for dinner before we headed home. Yes it was a very full day of exploring, adventure and yummy food. The day could not of been more lovely!
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((This week we are off to explore the tide pools!))
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No longer lost....
but sometimes you must go back & view what was in your heart to move forward...
Below Poem was First Posted by Jeri Sharpe Nov. 2011
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Thankful is a heart that has found true love...
Once in our life we are lucky to have found ...
a love that knocks us to the ground...
makes it hard for us to get up...
One that makes us unfocused, dizzy, happy, nauseous, energetic, and fantastic all at once!
True love is a love you can't recover from when you loose it....
Those who have found it... are really found by it
Hit in the heart with it
displaced when our love is gone....
If our Love hurts we hurt too...
Our Love is the other foot ... Our true match...
feel I can't even walk...without Our other "ol' comfy shoe ...."
Hard to even talk really.... words don't even come....
We feel we can't sleep... for when the sun goes down
Without our blanket securely snuggled along side.....
eyes can't rest and heart won't be still..
From Love one can't run or hide.
Once you understand & realize what it feels to become one....
impossible when you have become all undone....
Lost without you.... my true love....
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Miley Cyrus - The Climb - Official Music Video (HQ)
You never know what you will find when you go exploring...
sometimes you may find a place you once loved
sometimes a new friend or an ol' shoe .... whatever you find,
I know for sure that you will be glad you went.
So get out there... & always ~ keep it bubbly!
:) xox Jeri
