Indian summer

It's warm at the coast today, Indian summer I call it, pine needles cover the patio and pathways,

leaves are falling, the air is scented with a marine brine, fall is here.

With this comes lots of work in the garden, I find it joyful and relaxing . 

Teddy is always close by, looking for a cool spot to spread out.

The ferns dance in the warm breeze sheltered by giant redwood trees .

At my potting area I have various collections of floral frogs, seems I never have enough...
I always buy more ! old, and rustier the better .
Last year I made these clay succulents at my friend Lindy's, I leave soon for 5 days at her
ranch with another friend Gayle, we will be making lots of wonderful things .

This one is a favorite .

We still have blooms on several succulent plants, they enjoy the mild weather here.

Come late afternoon a glass of good red is a fine reward .

Turtle frogs !  I have a family of them !

Evening we walk through our garden, swept, watered, fresh......
grateful for such a beautiful place we call home .
This is my studio nestled in the oaks .

Potting area cleaned and pine needle free.......almost !
Thank you for stopping by,  wishing you a spooky trick or treat......
Happy days ~ vicki

weekend getaway

Living on the central coast of California you don't have to go far off for a marvelous adventure.

Last weekend I headed up the coast to Carmel to visit my son and his good friend Zabie,

 hunt around for treasures, visit my favorite organic food farm, and bask in the beauty of this

wonderful place.

My van packed, off I go..........

From my house it's about a 100 mile trip up the winding road that clings to the cliff edge of the pacific ocean .  The clouds were like ribbons, hanging low streaming across the landscape .

It takes about 3 hours give or take to get to Carmel, the entire trip offers stunning views
of a rough wilderness and breathtaking sights of the ocean below .

It was a overcast day, the sun peeking in and out..... gentle like a watercolour .

The farm did not disappoint with piles of pumpkins and squash, I had enough at home
but there is always room for a few more !

I always looks for the the longest stems, thats the personality I look for .

 colors, textures, shape, these have it all ...

I went to all my favorite thrift shops and didn't find a single thing, I was just about to walk out
 when a gal put a box on the counter with these hand puppets, I gulped, and one by one
I took them out of their box giggling to myself with sheer excitement, and said " I'll take them "
What a find, these are SO special, what fun for the holidays .

Staying at Zabie's meant great cooking and a spectacular environment.

 Zabie making a beautiful apple pie.  hmmmm

Dinner was stuffed goat cheese squash blossoms in a fresh tomato base .

 

Salmon with pistachio pesto crust...................yummmmmmmmm

After all that I slept here !   bliss

What a grand weekend, I came home refreshed, inspired, grateful for my family and friends that make
my life so rich in the pleasures of nature, fresh organic foods,  and the art of sharing .
This is my painting of the beauty of Big Sur .
Until next time, wishing you happy days,  ~ vicki
Thank you zabie *