Nursery Love

 Last weekend we went to a favorite nursery. It is a creative lovely place. This little house is set on the grounds. Love the green roof.

This would be a perfect playhouse or garden shed.

The shop carries many delights. Love those old chicken prints. Way out of my budget though.

 Just adored the succulents in the old barrow. We have one right now we are using as a sandbox but I can see this in its future.

Then down the road for a country drive. It was so green and lush. Can't wait to go back. I love to take this country road to a little farm to buy preserves and baked goodies. It was closed this day so I will have to share another time. It is a real treasure.

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?

Family Time - Cambria

I cannot tell you how good it was to get away last weekend. I think I had been going at full speed down here and up there there is no cell service hardly and forget WIFI. So I was totally in the moment and disconnected and really enjoyed just doing what we wanted at a slower pace.

We always head to the beach for sunset and tide pooling. This time the tides were wonderfully low.

Grandma and grandpa were there for one night with us and it was nice to spend some time with them. We ate at our favorite restaurant in there outdoor patio.

Afterwards we had to go in our favorite candy shop. A real treat. Every kind of malted milk ball you could want.

Trying to grab a quick self portrait of me and the kid.

Saturday dawned clear and sunny so we knew it would be beach day. This is the most gorgeous cove in San Simeon.

For most of the day we had it pretty much to ourselves.

Uh could we get any sandier?

The next day was more foggy and we went to town and did some more tidepooling. Our kids have grown up on these beaches. Our favorite spot in California.

Linking to:
Fantabulous Friday
Show and Tell Friday
Potpourri Friday
Home Sweet Home
Simple and Sweet Fridays
Farm Girl Friday
Weekend Whatever
Inspiration Friday

Full Vacation Mode

In two days we leave on our vacation to the Central Coast. So as of today I am in full vacation mode or more plainly: crazy running around, endless washing of clothes, packing like I'll be gone a month mode.

I am so ready to hit the road I can taste it. Long walks on the beach await and I can't get there soon enough.

When I used to have to  pack all my older kids suitcases I literally would start a week ahead and do one a day. The child that was packed first always had to wear some old strange things because all their newer stuff was sealed tight in their suitcase. My hubby packs right before we leave and I don't know how he does that but I guess if you only have yourself to pack for, what's the rush?

I love how there is no internet or cell phone service in the campground. My kids are unplugged and outside. It is good for them. We will play cards and watch the occasional movie but mostly we will be outside playing.

So if any further posts are incoherent then it is because my mind is in a million places and so am I. As much as you plan ahead there always seems to be a lot of work to take a vacation.

Cutest Little Nursery Ever

One of the most darling nurseries is in Cambria. You know even though it was cold I had to make a pilgrimage. You enter through this red barn.

This is the florist shop you walk through to get to the nursery.

There are paths that wind around the property with quaint buildings and outdoor spaces. Cutest little playhouse ever.

 Birdies were in all the fountains.

The orchids were just gorgeous.

Loved this wheelbarrow full of herbs and pansies.

I did buy a little turtle made of stones for my garden. Forget to snap a pic. I'll have to share when he finds a home.

Linking to:
Sue Loves Cherries
Outdoor Wednesday
Watery Wednesday
Raising Homemakers
Brambleberry Cottage

Elle Cottage

I thought I'd share a tour of the little beach cottage we run off to several times a year. It is owned by my in-laws and is called Elle Cottage. The name comes from the first two letters of each of my in-laws last names.

My mother in law is the queen of collectors and has decorated the house with lots of found treasures but mostly it is decorated with her mother's things. They were the original antique/ flea market junkers and bought antiques when no one else did and managed to collect many wonderful things for pennies back in the 70s and 80s. Hope you enjoy the tour.

Daffodils bloom on the little hill out front.

The beach is just a short walk away.

A cozy corner.

The window seat is favorite for the kids to climb up in and read.

We use china and sterling for dishes. Can you believe this? My MIL believes in using what you have.

Decanters collected over decades.

There is a bright galley kitchen.

There was a fairly large earthquake up here a few years ago and we could not believe nothing broke. Many things were teetering off the edges, but nothing fell.

It was cold and rainy the first day, so we had a fire all day.

A collection of teapots and pitchers.

I was a bit under the weather so this is what I did while the hubby and kids went to the beach.