It's been a fun week...

We took a little drive up the coast this last week and had lots of fun along the way. We stopped at wineries, pumpkin stands, and farmer's markets, picked apples, ate cotton candy, watched sea lions, drove in fog that was so thick we couldn't see the car ahead of us, sent postcards, ate apple pie a la mode, fish and chips, and the best spaghetini with marinara sauce I've ever had, took pictures, picked and ate wild blackberries, bought taffy, Snaps, and winged gourds, and drove the most beautiful country roads and charming city streets.

We had a wonderful time.

Here's a different view...

After visiting a very dear friend in the hospital (he just had triple-bypass surgery), we took his wife and visited the new spot we discovered just a few weeks ago.

It was a lovely, warm but not too hot day and we had a leisurely lunch before embarking on our little walk. My DH asked me why I was taking more photos since I had already taken them on our previous trip. What a funny question. This was a different trip with different opportunities and besides, I love taking photographs and practicing.

This photo is taken as we were approaching the entrance to the walking bridge. Yes, it is for walking - no cars allowed - and it's wonderful!

Look at the Bougainvillea....this is one of the most gorgeous plants I've seen. Wish it would grow this way in my yard! :)



We spent about three hours here....eating lunch and then wandering the pathways. It was so peaceful and refreshing. Finally, a cold breeze starting blowing and chased us into the car. Love those Sunday drives/discoveries.

A new place to visit...

on our Sunday drives. This was totally unexpected and a wonderful surprise. We found one of our favorite restaurants had opened at a new location and once inside we realized it was sitting right on the water! You certainly can't tell that from the front of the restaurant. Anyway, it was lovely and warm so we took a little stroll after lunch.

This next photo was taken looking from the bridge seen in the last photo.

One of these days we're going to rent one of these little "dinner" boats and cruise the harbor while we enjoy a meal. Doesn't that sound like a lot of fun?

I especially loved the Palm trees that lined both sides of this walkway. So peaceful and green!

We'll definitely go back to this restaurant and take this gorgeous walk every time. I just love discovering new places that are actually right around the corner from us.

Taking lots of fabric photos...

I'm in the process of loading into the shop about 35 new bolts of fabrics. Mostly Brandon Mably and Philip Jacobs and I'm telling ya....they are really gorgeous fabrics. When I get some extra time, I'm going to make up either some half-yard or fat-quarter packs by color families. Which would you prefer to see? Half-yard or fat-quarter packs?

In the meantime, DH had a birthday recently and took the day off. We drove north, as it was a beautiful day, and quite warm so it was nice to drive near the ocean. We went north as far as Buellton, where DH encouraged me, on his birthday, to visit The Creation Station. He likes it too as they have such great marketing ideas. Their store is so much fun to walk through. And of course I had to buy a couple of things. On DH's birthday!

We continued over through Solvang, to Los Olivos where we purchased some lavendar from the stand there in the lavendar fields. And, where we were very surprised to see this....

As we were turning around to head back towards home, we were passing through Santa Ynez and found a new-to-us restaurant and decided to stop. You know...birthday Margarita's and chips were sounding pretty good about then, plus it was Happy Hour so there was lots of activity and people to watch. Don Carlito's is a very nice place, with indoor and outdoor seating, great food, and a wonderful ambiance. All in all, it was a great day!

Take care,

A couple of weeks ago....

we took another Sunday drive, this time heading north on the 101. It was a lovely, warm day and we just generally had fun. Discovered a new place for lunch, walked down to the beach, and visited one of our LQS (not super local to me) that's going out of business, where I did a little shopping. Yes, I shop for fabric too! :)

Here's what I bought. The shop was pretty picked over at this point, even though she was only offering 30% off but I still found a few things I had to have.

Our walk was about a mile and a half by the time we were done. A little adventure, since we had no idea where we were going. The path crossed over the train tracks and there were a few folks putting pennies on the rail so that they would be flattened when the train ran over them. I would never have thought to do it, but it was fun watching. Besides, I didn't have any pennies. Who carries pennies around? :)

As you already know...I love our Sunday drives.