It goes by so fast...

Vacations.

Why do they go by so fast?

We had a nice time...sleeping in, walking MILES and MILES on the beach, eating good food, exploring and finding LOTS of Moonstones.

We found a bounty of them...these are the ones from this trip! We both love looking for them, it's kind of like gold panning at the beach. Even though they have no real monetary value.

(Below is from a Cambria visitors guide)
What is a Moonstone?

Moonstones are named after the beautiful translucent stones found on Cambria's beaches.

Moonstones or chalcedony is formed in the earth by patient dripping water through the ages. It is swept down the streams into the ocean where it is tumbled and polished by the turbulent surf along the rocky coast.

The ancient Greeks believed the stone to arouse the most tender of passions and were convinced that the stone foretold the future and could guide a person in making decisions.

Cambria Moonstones are also called quartz agates.

Over the years of collecting them, we have gathered quite a few. Which I keep in a glass jar, so I can look at them whenever I'm missing the coast.

We also found some cool rocks and shells (these are just a few)

And hearts too.It feels good to be home (except for the piles of sandy clothes waiting for me in the laundry room) But, I feel rejuvenated and ready to hit the studio! Which will be today. I'm re-making a few things that sold before the shopping carts updated, plus I'll take a picture of the new Design of the Month for September. Which I'll post tomorrow.

But first I'm going to make Kurt's favorite cheesecake because it's some body's birthday today!

Happy Birthday Kurt!
(even though he never reads my blog)
Which is a good thing!
ox

Santa Rosa Creek Road

Santa Rosa Creek Road is a little winding road just East of Cambria.

We stopped at a few roadside veggie stands for some fresh produce. The stands are self serve, pick what you like and leave your money in the coffee can.

The Bacon Avo's were so good!



Had to get a couple bunches of Beth's sunflowers.

Which is also a honor veggie/fruit stand.

I'm thinking I just might have to have one of these stands of my own next year. We have tomatoes and zucchini and flowers coming out our ears!

I loved their Piggy Bank too.

We stopped at Linn's and had ollalieberry pie by the creek. Linn's also has a Restaurant in town, which serves yummy food, breakfast is my favorite.

When we were leaving we saw they were growing tomatoes in their greenhouse. I was amazed to see how tall they were, at least 12 feet tall!

If you'd like to see more photos, I put a few on Flickr too.

ox

A hike to the beach and much more...

Yesterday we took a drive up Highway 1 to Carmel.

Along the way we stopped at a trail that went through a creek, a tunnel, on the way to the beach.

For lunch we stopped at Nepenthe, where the view of the coast is the best, plus it's fun to watch the blue-jay's steal your fries (see below photo)

(click on pic for larger view)

After spending the day in Carmel, we stopped by Deetjen's Big Sur Inn for a cozy dinner.


It was a wonderful ending to a wonderful day.
ox

Happy as a Clam...

Miles of beaches to stroll...
Smelling the salty ocean air...
Listing to the otters chatter...
We are on the beach, and nothing else matters.

I'll be back next week...
ox

Thankful

I'm thankful I now have a fence around part of our property. Otherwise this guy would have wandered in...eaten my blooming roses, after he most likely would have taken a little nap on my shady lawn (after eating some of that too of course)

I'm sure the deer is thankful too, that I am not a hunter...deer season started last weekend (bow & arrow) And yes, it is legal to hunt on your own property (which he was)

But, than later in the day I looked out my studio window and saw them eating all my plants in the front yard and for a moment (a short moment) I thought about buying that bow & arrow.

But, then I came to my senses and remembered why we moved here...one reason was the deer. I know! But when you grow up in the city you very rarely see deer, let alone in your front yard.

So I'm thankful I have a little fenced area of my own...

Last Call

Tonight the SPCA Kitty Kitty Bracelet will be ending on Ebay, at 8pm (California time)
Thank you so much if you placed a bid! 100% of all the money raised goes to the SPCA to help their spay and neuter program. 1000's of cats and dogs each year are put to sleep, just because there are not enough homes for them. Please spay and neuter, it's the right thing to do...

Halloween

It's my Favorite Holiday!

My Favorite time of year...
Lately I've been playing with some of my favorite holiday colors...black, orange and green.
If you'd like to check them all out, I put them on my site.
ox

Happy Monday!

I love Zinnias in my Summer garden!
They do great, even with all those hot Summer days we have here.

They are just a happy flower for a happy Monday...

ox