Parsimonious Décor Darling: Hiking

Thursday, December 4, 2025

Beauty in the California Mountains

Hello, lovely people in the bloggerverse and beyond! I hope that all is well!

Last summer, family, friends, and I were again able to indulge with a stint in the picturesque mountain town of Lake Arrowhead in the gorgeous San Bernardino mountains of Southern California. This time, I was able to take more photos; this trip was much less impromptu than the last. With the winter weather looming, I thought this would be the perfect share some of the highlights. I hope you enjoy!

A small, lovely sun-lit brook.

Wild Feverfew growing in abundance, in sporadic areas that almost looked like meadows,

abounding in between rocks on stony paths,

and sprouting under the shade of trees.

A sweet Dwarf (?) Incense Cedar. It reminded me of the tiny, precious tree from A Charlie Brown Christmas. :)

There were gorgeous mock garden "rooms,"

faux topiary friends galore,

charming water features,

and a gorgeous smattering of for-sale flowers everywhere.

Next door, another darling nursery sits,

with rambling beauty alongside flagstone paths.

Finally, we bade farewell to the gorgeousness...but just in time, my sweet daughter grabbed an impromptu "vase" and filled it with beauties to remind me of our time there.

These wildflowers made such a beautiful bouquet!

So charming!

Looking forward to next summer! Until we speak again,

--Y

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Monday, September 25, 2023

Enjoying the Beauty of Autumn

Hello, beautiful people in the bloggerverse and beyond! Well, we are finally here, at long last...Autumn. Even though it was officially Autumn September 23 this year, here in sunny southern California, we oftentimes don't feel it until much later in the season; it almost always occurs on Halloween night. I always notice that is the evening that there is a definite crisp in the air, and usually subsequent to that, the rains come.

A couple of years ago, just as the Autumn was upon us, we were able to stay in a cabin in the mountains belonging to a colleague of my husband. This beauty was tucked away in the woods just a few short steps from Lake Arrowhead. It was an amazing property, and we had such a great time. During our time there, we took hikes, fished, and went shopping at the picturesque and charming town center, which even had a scant of upscale stores such as Coach.

On one of our hikes, I was giddy when I looked and noticed wild brambleberries growing alongside the trail. Brambleberries are really any berries that grow on thorny, prickly bushes (or brambles) and include blackberries, raspberries, boysenberries, and fruits of the like. I had never seen them growing in the wild, but I immediately recognized what they were and I went on to pick several straight away.

When I got them back to the cabin, I decided to make a lovely brambleberry jam. I completely romanticized the idea of a morning java in the mountains with a jam made by my own hand. Is there anything better?? ;)

Here is my process.

I began by thoroughly washing the fruit.

I found this darling little antique saucepan in the cabin; it was just the right size for making a small batch.

I placed the cleansed fruit into the pan on medium to medium/high heat.

I added a squeeze of fresh lemon juice, about one teaspoon.

I added sugar, approximately two to three tablespoons.

I brought the fruit to a boil, then reduced the heat to medium/low, and continued cooking until all of the liquid in the fruit was reduced.

I allowed the jam to cool completely.

Look at this beautiful view!

I couldn't wait to sit outside in that gorgeousness and enjoy the morning! I served this yummy jam with bagels and inexpensive caviar. I love a sweet/salty combo. I also had a bit of orange juice. It made for a lovely start to the day.