"We didn't lose the game, we just ran out of time." - Vince Lombardi

We got to Bruce & Debbie's early afternoon yesterday. When we pulled up to Bob & Marla's last Thursday Pam, who hadn't been there before, said, "Oh my." When we pulled up to Bruce & Debbie's it was, "Wow."

I don't want to invade their privacy too much, but it really is a beautiful place, so a limited number of pics seems necessary.

We're staying in a space Bruce built above the garage, a one-room apartment with its own beautiful full bath, fridge, flat screen, and coffee bar.
And lest you think this looks anything like your garage or mine....

That's the garage on the left with the side of the house on the right. And trust me on this one, the inside bears Debbie's mark as a skilled decorator. Beautiful, but easy and relaxed.

The landscaping you see in the foreground is the ordinary part of their back "yard." Behind me as I took this pic....

Beautiful flowers, a large lily pond with multiple water falls, the coolest big oak tree you've ever seen (just off to the left), and natural undergrowth. Debbie is holds the master gardener designation and it shows.

To the right of the pond is the chicken coop. Pam thinks I should build a coop that matches Fred and Bruce has removed any excuse I can muster. These chickens have it pretty sweet. Those cedar shakes Bruce used would age to match Fred's and I can get metal for the roof to match.

To the left of the chicken coop is a similar dwelling for the four heritage turkeys they are raising. These are juveniles and don't have their full plumage. The males (three of these) will have beautiful full tails, wings, and wattles.
Yeah, we'll probably end up with those, too. They told us the mature turkeys will be very domesticated by virtue of having imprinted on them as young chicks.

This morning we went for a drive, stopping at a peach ranch (mmmm), an olive farm & shop (did an olive oil tasting), and ended with lunch at the coolest restaurant in Santa Ynez. Walking that little throw-back town we saw these to girls, dressed to kill and eager to meet anyone they espied.

The best thing about it all? Like Bob & Marla, Bruce & Debbie are as easy, fun, and gracious as anyone could ever be. We talk all over the range of topics, including the Bible and our faith walk. At both places we've learned more than I could have imagined about things related to our upcoming Oregon life, including building a tiny house.

As wonderful as our accommodations have been in both places, and as outstanding as the food at both homes has been (gourmet meals served as easily as I microwave leftovers), the real blessing is the people.
The people are the best part.