Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Merry Christmas from Cambria Pines by the Sea

Cambria seems alot like Brigadoon to me. My grandparents wanted to move here in the forties, when they were nearly giving land away to draw settlers, but work was scarce, so grandpa, a fine carpenter, chose Santa Barbara instead.

Driving the three hours up from Santa Barabara to visit here as a teenager, I liked the way the terrain changed slowly from benign to dramatic. The pine stands start in the hills and are thick all the way down to the sea. I thought then it would be wonderful to live in such a natural and unspoilt place, and it is. Its a constant joy to be happy where you live. I've lived in other places, and some were , well, dispiriting. But I'm not naming names.


And rocks jut up from the ocean floor, like this one, in Morro Bay


Downtown with its streets unusally filled with cars for Christmas shopping. See the pines in the background?




Its still a thrill to see deer graze right across the street from our house. Once a baby fawn came to our door.





Merry Christmas to each and every one of you. Thank you for visiting this past year. I hope your Christmas is loving and beautiful in your very own Brigadoon.

xxx

Beautiful necklace by Nina Bagley
and the olive tree and redwood branches from the garden of my best friend, Kary

juliewhitmorepottery.etsy.com

20 comments:

My Farmhouse Kitchen said...

I loved this...looks so cozy....love the deer in the meadow..the rainy day...all looks so wonderful....

Merry Christmas To All......

Love,
Kary
xxx

Vintage Fairy Tales Rebecka said...

Julie, It makes me very happy to know that you live in a place that is inspiring to you as a person and as an artist!
Then I know there will be many more Fairy Tales created in your studio!
Thank´s for being you.
I wish you a Very Merry Christmas and a Creative Happy New Year!
Lots of love
Becky

Maria said...

Cambria is a magical place!

Merry Christmas, Julie, and all the best to you and yours.

Maria

lilylovekin said...

Julie, merry Christmas to you and yours. Thank you for all the joy you have given me this year with your wonderful creations. I realize my collection started last Christmas with a loving cup that my sister gave to me. It has been a joy.

Wish on a Whisker said...

LOVE the pretty pictures! I will have to visit. Happy Christmas Wishes! ~Mandy

Pamela said...

You always have the sweetest things to share!
I just relish every post you make and I look for one almost every day.
Cambria Pines is heaven on earth and your necklace is so lovely! Thank you for brightening my day. :)

I hope you have a glorious and peaceful Holiday!
XO!
Pamela

Pamela said...

You always have the sweetest things to share!
I just relish every post you make and I look for one almost every day.
Cambria Pines is heaven on earth and your necklace is so lovely! Thank you for brightening my day. :)

I hope you have a glorious and peaceful Holiday!
XO!
Pamela

cabin fever said...

Thank-you for this beautiful post, Julie. And thank-you for another year of wonderful JW pieces.

It is always a pleasure to hear from you, always a pleasure to see what is coming out next from your special tree house.

Merry, merry Christmas, and happy and healthy new year.

Sending you lots of love from COLD New England-
Xoxo Liz

Pat said...

Julie, You live in such a beautiful area of the country...thanks for sharing it and I hope you and your family have a delightfully Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year!!! pat

Aunt Jenny said...

Have a wonderful Christmas Julie!!!!

Uncanny Festoon said...

Thanks for sharing...you just never know who you will touch. I have such fond memories of trips that my husband and I had driving up to Cambria. I had a favorite antique shop, the White Elephant. And in Cambria shopping at Sharon Lovejoy's cute little shop Heartease...I so adore those trips...Happiest of holidays.


Joy............always

Unknown said...

Merry Christmas Julie. I sooo miss the water I live in the desert. yet I do not miss the cold wet weather the water brings. Thanks for the psot

Anonymous said...

This special blog brings Cambria right into my home, even when I am not physically there. I love it! Thank you for this lovely gift and a very Happy New Years...filled with "pearls" of love.
Batty

sea-blue-sky & abstracts said...

Lovely to see where you live, Julie - really like the wintry wildness! Hope you had a wonderful Christmas. Best wishes. Lesley

Julie Whitmore Pottery said...

Dear Lesley, When I see pictures of Cornwall, it reminds me just a little bit of here.
xxx

Thanks everyone for your notes
xx

Maggie Ann said...

Happy New Year to you! I've so enjoyed your blogging!

Grandma Yellow Hair said...

So glad I came by to wish you a Happy New Year these pictures are so great and makes me want to be there enjoying the beauty of it all.
Speaking of beauty I love your pottery. Would you mind if I put it on my Temptation Mondays post that I have on Mondays. I think everyone of my followers would love seeing your work.
If interested let me know asap because I am working on the post tonight
Maggie
grandmayellowhair@gmail.com

icandy... said...

Julie!
Your pottery is enchanting! I just LOVE the pieces that you create!
ox
Christina

Anonymous said...

I am new to blogging but saw a tea cup you made on Wish on a Whisker blog and stopped in. I am in awe of your talent and enjoyed reading through some of your blog today. I will be coming back for more inspiration!
I live in NJ and we have a specific area known as the pine barrens which is much like the place you describe in your post.

Have a wonderful new year.
Deborah

The Feathered Nest said...

Hi Julie! Thank you so much for visiting my blog ~ you can find Somerset Life at major book stores like Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million etc or even Michael's or Joann Etc. If you've never bought an issue, you will love it!!! It is a little pricey but it's more like a book...15.00 ~ Wishing you a wonderful rest of the week, xxoo, Dawn

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