: December 2008

 

A few weeks back I got a message from my good friends Carl & Ceil Winters:

Howdy my friend way out in California. However, we still consider you 1/2 Texan so it is time to write your own Birthday Blog. This willl be time for you to shine and I just know you will receive many, many well wishes.

Write my own birthday blog, eh? Well, I suppose there's a first time for everything, so here goes. I had the good fortune of being born on December 31, 1952. There have been a lot of people who have asked me if I was disappointed having my birthday so close to Christmas. "Don't you get less presents?" they invariably say. Well, I love my birthday and wouldn't trade it for any other day on the calendar. Plus, there's always a great party!

Now that they're no longer with us, I cherish the memories of my parents Dave and Nora and have wonderful recollections of birthdays spent with them and the life lessons they gave me that will stay with me until I draw my last breath.

 

 

And me, perhaps getting ready to celebrate a birthday a few years ago...

 

 

To you and yours, have a happy and prosperous 2009. See you next year!

 

 

Murrieta Real Estate Expert – Tom Plant, REALTOR® - Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage – Active Rain Ambassador  (951) 907-9701

It would be my honor to show you the incredible Temecula Valley, a place I’m very proud to call home.

 

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Fresh tortillas on Christmas day at El Nido restaurant in Rosarito Beach. I have been visiting Rosarito for more than twenty years now, and ate at El Nido the first time I visited. This was Laura's first trip south of Tijuana, so there were many places I was anxious to share with her.

The global economic downturn was evident south of the border, too. The roads were nearly empty. The media has been emphasizing drug-related crimes, and those stories haven't done much to help tourism either. Nonetheless, the weather for the most part was spectacular, we had an unforgettable time and we felt safe at all times.

One of the places I looked forward to taking Laura was Puerto Nuevo. Years ago, Puerto Nuevo (New Port) consisted of a handful of lobster restaurants. It has swelled to a village with dozens and dozens of restaurants noted primarily for fresh lobster as well as several artisan shops. The last time I visited Puerto Nuevo, the streets were packed and parking was a challenge. Tuesday night, the streets were nearly deserted and it felt almost like a ghost town. We were the only diners in the restaurant we chose. We dined on lobster, rice, beans, drawn butter and fresh tortillas and quenched our thirst with a margarita. The bill for both of us was $30.

We stayed at a new 18 story condo building called Las Palmas. Our two bedroom unit featured a 750 square foot wrap-around balcony with jaw-dropping views to the south, west and north.

 

 

The next morning, Christmas Eve, dawned clear and crisp. After breakfast we drove south through Ensenada to La Bufadora. Any curiosity we had about where the tourists were vanished there. We navigated through the narrow streets, avoiding pedestrians as we went. The seas were calm that morning, but I'm including a video of La Bufadora on a good day.

 

 

Alas, Chore Chango was closed, so we didn't get to see the world's biggest bottle of tequila. That quest will have to wait for another day.

 

We headed back north through Ensenada to visit friends in Bajamar. Dinner was at the renowned La Fonda. Again, there weren't many other customers, but the atmosphere, service and food were exquisite. We had rain on Christmas Eve and a little on Christmas day, but I know that our first Christmas together will be one that we'll never forget. We're already looking forward to our next visit!

 

 

 

Murrieta Real Estate Expert – Tom Plant, REALTOR® - Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage – Active Rain Ambassador  (951) 907-9701

It would be my honor to show you the incredible Temecula Valley, a place I’m very proud to call home.

 

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Isn't this the best time of year? I Love seeing the faces of young people, as they take in the sights and sounds of the season, and get perhaps their first glimpse of Santa.

Friends and neighbors gathered at our house last night for a little bit of Christmas cheer, to reflect on the year rapidly vanishing and looking towards the new year with hopeful anticipation.

Thank you for sharing this piece of cyberspace with me. I wish the best for you in 2009. Merry Christmas from Southern California!

 

 

 

Murrieta Real Estate Expert – Tom Plant, REALTOR® - Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage – Active Rain Ambassador  (951) 907-9701

It would be my honor to show you the incredible Temecula Valley, a place I’m very proud to call home.

 

 

 

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Each year at this time downtown Riverside is turned into a winter wonderland. At the heart of it all is the historic Mission Inn. This is where U.S. presidents come to stay when they visit. When Laura and I went Wednesday evening, we strolled the streets soaking up the 16th annual Festival of Lights. Block after block is filled with lights, ornaments, trees and horse drawn carriages. Vendors sell fresh donuts, cookies, light wands and more. There's an ice skating rink. It's truly a spectacle.

Next year I hope to attend the opening ceremony, which features a jaw-dropping fireworks display followed by the lights being lit. It happens annually the Friday following Thanksgiving. Happy holidays to you and yours!

 

 

 

Murrieta Real Estate Expert – Tom Plant, REALTOR® - Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage – Active Rain Ambassador  (951) 907-9701

It would be my honor to show you the incredible Temecula Valley, a place I’m very proud to call home.

 

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It's no secret that charities are really feeling the pinch this year. Missy Caulk wrote an excellent post on it:

Good Search, You Search We Give

My sister has always been one who would rather a gift be given in her name than to her directly. This year she let me know about a wonderful site -

Redefine Christmas gives you many options of donating to charities in other peoples' names. It also provides multiple links to other sites, like      and 

 

This year, it's easier than ever to make a difference. Here's wishing you the happiest of holidays!

 

 

Murrieta Real Estate Expert – Tom Plant, REALTOR® - Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage    

Active Rain Ambassador   (951) 907-9701

It would be my honor to show you the incredible Temecula Valley, a place I’m very proud to call home.

Subscribe in a reader