Journeys›Photograph

Dragons, Peacocks, and Christmas Lights at Home

·Lake San Marcos, California·#winter#San Diego#home-life#holidays#christmas-lights
A large inflatable green dragon with a Santa hat holds a white mug with marshmallows, with a small dog sitting below.

A couple of quiet days at home in early December. The holiday decorations are officially up, including an enormous inflatable dragon that now dominates the entryway. The dog isn’t quite sure what to make of it yet.

The afternoons have been clear and sunny, warm enough for a walk around the property. It’s always a funny mix here—tall, green cacti reaching for the sky while wreaths hang on the pool house door. I spent some time just observing the details: the old brick building, the tall windmill against the blue sky, and even a peacock wandering near a pile of hay.

At night, we went to see the neighborhood Christmas lights. Some of the streets go all out, stringing long lines of colored lights from one side to the other, creating these bright tunnels above the road. It’s a nice, simple way to feel the season starting to settle in.

Tall, green cactus plants with ribbed stems and small dark spots rise against a bright blue sky.A backyard swimming pool next to a white cabana, surrounded by lush vegetation, bird of paradise flowers, and hills.A rustic building with a red tile roof, peeling white paint on brick walls, a blue door, and a stone patio.A tall windmill and palm tree stand against a blue sky, with a bladed rotor and a barbed wire ring.A large prickly pear cactus partially obscures a white brick house with blue shutters and a deer skull and antlers.A peacock with vibrant blue and green plumage stands on dry, straw-covered ground.A street at night with houses illuminated by colorful holiday lights and multiple light strings spanning overhead.Colorful string lights stretch across a dark night sky above a residential street with illuminated houses and a parked car.

More Entries