Monday, February 18, 2013

Unplugged


We have returned from a long weekend on the Central Coast to Elle Cottage. We extended our trip by a day. We had the warmest weather there I can remember for February. It was 71 on Saturday. Perfect. We spent a couple hours on the beach and at the park.


We took a favorite hike up to the top of the hill at Fiscallini Ranch Preserve. A popular walking area set aside as a preserve with lots of trails. Here was our goal. We needed it after a lunch out for burgers and fries.




It was just us three as the older kids all had school or work. I miss them when we can't be together but it rarely happens that we can all travel together any longer.


Gorgeous views from the top of the hill.


The trail down. Easier than up for sure.


We literally unplug up there as there is no wi-fi and barely any cell service. I have to walk around the yard to find a bar to try and call home. I enjoy it though and read a lot and napped and ate WAY too much. We only ate out once for lunch. $20. The rest of the time we ate in. BBQ and lots of noshing on snacks. I find I like restaurant eating less and less. I can't stand the expense. What is happening to me? I keep thinking I could buy half a weeks groceries for the cost. I am not one for crowds either. Am I strange or what?

27 comments:

  1. Loved you used the word "noshing." I like to unplug and read book after book too. That is a beautiful location.

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  2. know exactly what you mean about eating out. We went to Olive Garden on Valentine's Day for lunch (just our usual salad and breadsticks only) and were commenting on how eating out is no longer fun. Gone are the days of a quiet meal out. Nevermind, that I am thinking how many bigger/better salads I could have made at home with my knock-off OG dressing for the cost of the meal. On a side note...looking forward to my first trip to the west coast in a couple of weeks. My son is graduating boot camp.

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  3. looks like a gorgeous area to visit. glad you all had fun. i love unplugging from the world & all that silliness. fun, fun, fun!! enjoy your week. ( :

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  4. Elaine- How wonderful that you had such a good getaway. The area is beautiful.

    I am with you- I used to love eating out- now I cook almost all of our meals. It is a weird transition for me, too. xoDiana

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  5. Looks lovely!! Glad you had such a nice trip!

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  6. You're not weird. I like eating out every once in a while, but this eating out is killing me...U'll be so glad when our kitchen is usable again!
    Happy you enjoyed your weekend away. Our girls have been in different school systems for seven years, and they've only had spring break the same week only once. It's hard for us to travel together, too, that's why se started going on vacation @ Christmas.

    xo,
    RJ

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  7. It seems eating out has changed or is it us? Last year we would get poor service from time to time. Frustrating. We began to eat at home more and enjoy it. It costs so much less and we enjoyed that too. :) We have noticed the people around us sometimes are very loud. All in all eating out is fun once in a while but we like the savings, and the quiet, as the evenings are short.

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  8. Ahhh....Just look at the surf and those beautiful rolling hills. I'm glad you were able to slip away and savor the beauty of the coast. I grew up on the Oregon Coast and whenever I return I am reminded just how it is my sanctuary.
    Blessings and welcome home, Elaine!
    Carolynn xo

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  9. Looks like a wonderful relaxing time ( aside from going UP the hill :)

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  10. Elaine, i think one of the reasons we all show up here is that we are of "like minds"-eating out just doesn't really "do" it for me. Was never huge on eating out, but enjoy it even less now. Then $$ spent on it drives me crazy when I know I could do it myself and enjoy prob just as much if not more!
    Wonderful getaway-aren't you thankful for your little tail-ender?? They surely are a blessing!

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  11. well, if you're weird elaine, then so am i. : )

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  12. Sounds like a restful couple of days in a beautiful place. A great vacation in my book!

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  13. Je suis heureuse de voir quel agréable journée vous avez passé avec votre petite famille... Des moments précieux.
    Tout comme vous, nous évoluons... Petite j'avais besoin de la foule pour me sentir heureuse. A présent, je me réfugie dans la campagne le plus souvent possible, loin du bruit et du tumulte.
    Gros bisous à vous et prenez soin de vous.

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  14. What a great getaway, and a precious cottage! The last time we went out of town, we rented a little cottage instead of a hotel room so we could have the comfort of a home and cook our own food. We have done that on past vacations too and it's our favorite. No more eating less than great food in crowded, expensive restaurants for us, either.

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  15. Sounds like an amazing weekend. I wish I would stop liking restaurants. It is seriously way too expensive but I can't help loving it!

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  16. What beautiful views and such lovely weather for Feb.

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  17. Lucky you to have a beautiful little getaway - hope you had a wonderful time!

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  18. Sounds like you had a wonderful time, what a gorgeous place to spend time with your hubby and sweet little daughter. Good for you!
    Hugs, Cindy

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  19. What a nice weekend away! Q is getting so big!!!
    Love those views!!!
    Restaurant eating is quite expensive! Far cheaper to cook.
    : ) xo Kris

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  20. Hi Elaine - I was just having dinner with a bunch of girlfriends tonight. We get together and all toss $5 into the pot to pay for ingredients and I make a meal for everyone. We were talking about going out to the Keg for dinner soon as we just got one here but were saying how hard it is to spend $35 on a meal when we can make dinner for 8 of us for that. J

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  21. Just beautiful! Gorgeous pictures. I bet it was nice to be unplugged. So peaceful and relaxing. I love eating out. Especially on vacation. I'd probably pay for someone to bring me water right now LOL. I just like being waiting on....as it's rare :) Glad you had a nice time. Your daughter is such a cutie!
    Karen

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  22. Not strange at all...I feel the same way...why spend $50 bucks eating out on something that lasts and hour? when you could use it to buy a real chicken or two...lol

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  23. You're definitely not strange! Prices are ridiculous and portions are too. And I'm finding myself to be less tolerant of crowds, too. The older I get, the less tolerant I get. :-)

    ~ Wendy

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  24. Hi! Popping in from the Rurality Blog Hop and a new follower...

    Sounds like a great time with such beautiful scenery.

    Just the other day I was telling my hubby that I no longer enjoyed going out to eat. I'm not sure if it's the prices, the food quality or the lack of food choices for us. Who knows?! Maybe I'm just getting old and prefer my own cooking. Problem is, I'd like a day off from it and the only way to do that is to go out to eat! Such a dilemma, lol!

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  25. What a beautiful place to visit. I do believe I could use a visit right now to soothe my soul. You are not strange ;)

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  26. Nice photos, perfect post for the theme!

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  27. Gorgeous views and sounds like such a relaxing getaway. I'm with you on the eating out. It's fun to go out occasionally, but I really prefer the food we cook ourselves.

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