Friday Fun Stuff and Some Not so Fun Stuff

This week has been a bit challenging.  Our lake home was threatened by the Chimney Fire. (which also threatened Hearst Castle by the way).  If you follow me on Instagram and Facebook you probably have seen the photos.  We were at the lake two weeks ago when the fire started. We were casually watching Beau play in the water at the main launch ramp when suddenly we saw this across the lake.

We all watched the fire "in the distance" through the night.  The next day it appeared it was somewhat under control and then the wind shifted. On Sunday we watched dumfounded throughout the day as it turned into this and much worse.

We left that Sunday night shocked at the loss of homes across the lake but incredibly impressed by the planning and coordination it takes to fight a fire from the air and ground. We all thought there was little possibility it would cross the lake.   We had renters at our home ( we warned them what was going on, they still wanted to come).  They were out wine tasting and completely unthreatened by the fire (they are californians !).  We got the word that the fire had jumped the lake and that it was burning near the gatehouse of our community. This is a photo (of the drive into Oak Shores) taken by SLO Stringer (an independent news person who was our main source of news throughout the ordeal)



We received the evacuation notice. We called our renters.  They had to gather their stuff and evacuate in a matter of minutes Saturday night.  The power was turned off on Sunday (think rotting food).  Last night the power was restored and today at noon the evacuation was lifted. Tomorrow we go survey the mess. We are so thankful to the fire fighters that we have no more to worry about than that.  

Now on to the fun stuff.  Leslie (of Gwen Moss blog) posted this beautiful diy fireplace mantel that she created herself.  Are you kidding me? You have to check it out here



I love Mary Ann's tips on how to update your dining room for fall  here



Loved Sherry Hart's suggestions on how to make black and white work, and all her great finds at Target and World Market.  D.C's Target & WM must be a step up from ours....



Have you checked out the latest Atalanta Homes & Lifestyles? I absolutely love that magazine. Is anyone else as obsessed as I? This kitchen by Lauren DeLoach


source

...and this room by Nina Nash and Don Easterling, Mathews Furniture 
particularly caught my eye


source

Have a great weekend friends! I know I am breathing a sigh of relief!!