About Monterey County, CA

The unexpected often appears as Angelica Blatt gazes out her window.

That's why Blatt positions her Nikon within easy reach. She can grab her camera, focus in and, with a snap, capture the moment in all its digital glory.

Blatt lives in a gated community off River Road.

From her house, she sees the winter moon rising and the valley floor silvery in the morning mist.

She also sees the silent migration of foxes, coyotes, deer and other natives as they crisscross the land.

In bitter cold, in hail and rain, the animals roam, seeking enough food and water to get them through the day and night.

Much of the wildlife drifts in from nearby Toro Regional Park. No fence separates those untamed lands from Blatt's property, and the animals move at will.

"Like this big bobcat," Blatt said. "It walked by my kitchen window and along the side of the house. I happened to have my camera on the table.

"I grabbed it and went out the door. I can't believe I did that."

Blatt, who has lived in her house five years, has seen a few tarantulas, too, and wild turkeys.

"And a huge king snake," she said.

Hawks glide through a nearby canyon. Quail hunch and rustle through the underbrush. Bunnies hop and stand on their back legs to reach and nibble little plants.

Blatt sets out feeders for hummingbirds, which dart and hover and stop, quivering a fluorescent purple and green in the air.

Like so many in Monterey County, Blatt and her family - she has twins 2 1/2 years old - live in a house on land that connects to expanses still untamed.

Monterey County is among the dwindling number of places on Earth where anyone hiking in a regional park or along the shore of the bay may suddenly encounter a spectacular natural moment.

Everything from whales breaching to dolphins feeding to the ghostly silhouette of a mountain lion crossing a trail.

One day at Blatt's house, a buck with antlers peered into her window. He was apparently curious about the two-legged creatures within.

"He wasn't startled," Blatt said. "He just sort of munched along. I got a really neat picture of that buck."

The bobcat that walked past her house sprinted down the hill once Blatt stepped out her door.

"My adrenalin was going," she recalled. "The bobcat looked back at me. I snapped its photo.

"I didn't even think about being afraid."

THIS IS A COPY OF AN ARTICLE THAT APPEARED IN THE SALINAS CALIFORNIAN AND OFF 68 NEWSPAPERS. MORE PHOTOS TO FOLLOW!

Come to Las Palmas Ranch to live. You will be surrounded by lots of natural beauty and lots of open space.

Currently there are 6 homes available for sale ranging in price from $290k to $909k of which 4 of those homes of short-sales..the market seems to have picked up. Earlier this year we had nearly 40 homes for sale. I think buyers have realized there are good buys out here and it is a great place to live!

I have lived at Las Palmas for over 10 years and in four sections of Las Palmas. We currently live in Prominence which has a total of 40 homes each one situated on 1 to 2 acre lots and is a gated section with

magnificent views of the Salinas Valley and beyond!

We often use the swimming pool to take the kids for a swim, get some exercise in the lap pool or just relax in the hot tub!

Set in the heart of Las Palmas Ranch II is the Buena Vista Middle School and Monterey County Library. Our girls love story time at the library.

You will also find hiking trails and lots of wildlife in the area. Las Palmas Ranch II is contiguous with Toro Regional Park.

So come to Las Palmas to live!

Please give me a call 831/406-1455. I am a satisfied resident of this brilliant community!

HOLIDAY HOME-SELLING IDEAS!

So you have decided to sell your home during the holidays! Welcome to the most magnificent (and stressful) time of the year--especially if you are trying to sell your house. What are your options to help make your sale quicker? You always have options and there are many which can help you sell your home faster. If it is vacant, this will be a little more difficult, but necessary to be sure.

1) Keep the holiday decorations to a minimum. If you love holiday decorations, try to pack most of them away to enjoy next year at your new home. Buyers don't need to be distracted in your house and some may be offended if they have different religious beliefs.

2) Keep a colorful doormat outside and inside the house to add color and reduce dirt tracked through your house. Make sure it is a friendly and inviting one.

3) Pre-pack all the unnecessary items. People have a hard time seeing the house through all of the "stuff" in the house. Your "stuff" is not staying anyway, so start packing!

4) Keep fresh-cut flowers in the kitchen to add some color and fresh smells.

5) Don't keep presents out in the open during showings. That can be too tempting for some buyers or their children.

6) Don't burn a fire in your fireplace, if it will not be attended the entire time. While fires smell great, they are dangerous, especially while unattended. The same goes for burning candles. Use fresh flowers or air fresheners...not too strong of a scent though. I recommend keeping the fireplace as clean as possible. Might depend on where you live.

7) Keep all blinds open and lights on. This is not the time to be cheap with the utility bills. A light, bright house sells. But make sure you close them when the showing is over.

8) Fresh paint is the best investment you can make in your home. Remember, keep it neutral and remove ALL wallpaper. Wallpaper is one of the biggest decorating faux pas you can make since most all buyers will want to remove it and they know how time-consuming and boring it is.

9) Play soft music during showings. Tune your radio/IPOD to an easy-listening station or easy-listening songs and keep the volume low.

10) Keep the driveway and walkway clear and shoveled, if you are in an area with snow. You want to make it as easy as possible for people to get to your front door, which, by the way should always be clean with the hardware polished.

I am sure there are many more helpful and useful ideas for this holdiay season home-selling. I also think selling your home during the holidays can be a good idea. Lots of sellers take their home off the market during this time to be home with family/friends and cook and entertain. There just may be fewer homes on the market to compete with during this time which can be very helpful to your sale.

HAPPY SELLING!

My Museum in Monterey is a wonderful place for kids to discover and learn! I love it and so do my 3 year old twins. We go every chance we get. This year the girls had their 3rd birthday party. The party room was perfect and the kids had so much fun they hardly could stop for cake and ice cream!

Home School Class
Thursday, November 19 9:30-10:15am
We have a great hands-on class planned for you this week, we'll be learning about light refraction with a camera obscura (otherwise known as a pinhole camera)! This ancient camera has been around since the time of Aristotle and is easy to make and fun to enjoy for our age group of 4 to 8 year olds!
Space is limited so please call and reserve your space today! 831.649.6444

Once Upon a Party
Sunday, November 22nd 5:30-7:30pm
The party planning company Once Upon a Party is turning ONE and will be celebrating their party at MY Museum! Join them for cake, raffles and giveaways!
It's Free, but reservations are required! Please call 831.883.8591

$2 Tuesday
Tuesday, December 1st Two Dollar Tuesday
This specially priced day is our way of saying "thanks" to Monterey County Residents for all your support. In an effort to make the museum accessible to our entire community, Two Dollar Tuesdays are offered on the first Tuesday of every month to Monterey County residents. Please bring current identification verifying your residence.

Members Only and a Movie
Sunday, December 6th 10:00am - noon
MY Museum Members Only
A GREAT Member Benefit. A quieter time for your children and you to play and a great time to meet other member parents. This Members Only Sunday we will be playing Frosty the Snowman at MY Theater!

Noon Years Eve Party!
Thursday, December 31st 10:00am-1:00pm
Members Only Noon Years Eve Party
Activities abound for members to play together on this special day! Join us for the countdown to Noon Years! Reservations are required 831.649.6444

Bring the Kids and Cake
Plan your next Birthday Party with us!

-Affordable Pricing
-Safe Environment
-Easy to Plan
-Perfect for kids 10 & under

FOLLOW-UP TO THE FOUR-BERRY PIE RECEIPE!!!

Last night I prepared the infamous four-berry! My family could hardly wait the 35 minutes for it to bake. Once it came out of the oven...someone started eating it even before it cooled and burned their tongue..so becareful. Berries really hold the heat.

It is best served cooled with fresh whipped cream and perhaps a scoop of your favorite ice cream. Try it!

Here is the before photo. In my earlier post, I only had the after photo.

Send me your comments on the pie and photos please!