First, Auburn. Then, Grass Valley.
Last weekend, I went on a little wine-tasting getaway in California’s gold country. The Sierra Nevada foothills are fairly foreign to me, but it didn’t take long for me to promise to return. Next time, I’m going to buy those earrings, those SaltWater sandals and stock up on more of that almond sparkling wine.
Here is a little peak into the relaxed two days we retreated to the hills:
Abandoned cottages and industrial art studios. Chorizo and Bloody Marys. Tempranillo and almond champagne. The San Francisco Bay and the Sierra Nevada foothills. Big cameras and trusty Hipstamatic. Skirts and cut-offs. Origami earrings and red lipstick. Clean sheets and a breakfast bar. Homemade soap and blooming flowers.
It was a busy weekend, friends. A fun one for visiting new places, like the old gold-mining towns Auburn and Grass Valley. They were enchanting and welcoming and I could have easily extended our one-night getaway.
Life would be so much more interesting and colorful if every community covered its exteriors with this much paint. One of my favorite parts of San Francisco is walking along the walls of the Precita Eyes Mural Project. It’s in the Mission. It’s beautiful. It’s soft, yet edgy. Take a peek into this little ‘hood.
Happy Monday, friends. This past week was a busy one, but extra fun because I got to see these cuties. My sister brought my niece Emmelia to town for lunch one day. We were craving hummus, but we failed on both attempts (one restaurant closed, the other was out!) We settled on chai from Dancing Fox (OMG). 
Emmelia is her own little person now, so much personality … and attitude. Check out her Hollywood shades. She throws momma’s credit cards around like she’s anxious to start using them.
Then, Emmelia and her brother, Joseph, came to visit yesterday and we played on the longboard. I think I have more fun than they do.
I’m not quite sure if he’s playing a guitar or trying to ride:
And now, it’s time for Five Senses Monday, where I reflect on the past few days through the senses. Feel free to play along; it’s more fun that way.
Tasting:
More Island Black Bean Stew — I’m on a role. Hummus … I’ve been so addicted lately (edamame is my recent favorite). The best vanilla chai, ever. Roasted vegetables, done perfect with evoo, salt and pepper.
Hearing:
Whispers between a bride and her groom. Children laughing as they roll down the street. A silent puppy, a sign she’s doing something she shouldn’t be (in this case, tormenting the kitty). That one question — when? — constantly floating around my head, about so many things and situations.
Feeling:
Cooled off, when the bride and groom did a cannonball into the pool, wedding gown and all. The comfort of my worn, summertime cut-offs, back out for another fun season. That sleepy, headachy fuzziness that everyone tells me are allergies (dang you, allergies!).
Smelling:
Wildflowers growing, well, wild.
For about six months, I’ve had this folder on my desktop titled “leftover summer.” It’s filled with random summer shots I never shared anywhere. I keep moving it around, one corner to another. Can’t quite get rid of it, because, well, you can’t just toss those bits of summer in the trash or lock them away on the external hard drive. You know? So, today — on this day when the thermometer decided to climb to 84 — I decided to welcome summer home.
So, hello, summer. Or at least, hello summer weather. Here are a few snapshots I’ve had locked away from your last visit. They’re fond little memories, aren’t they?
Happy Monday. I had a rather quiet weekend to myself, which is a bit unlikely and a bit nice. It eased my mind to catch up on personal projects and check things off that never-ending list of to-dos. We all have those, don’t we? I wrote and worked and tinkered for hours and hours. When I started to feel cooped up, I tried new recipes or took drives to the country to visit my aunt, bags of dinner in the passenger seat.
And now, it’s time for Five Senses Monday, where I reflect on the last few days through the five senses. Play along if you get the urge, either on your own blog or in the comments.
Hearing:
Two ducks chattering to themselves as they sunbathed at the edge of the swimming pool. Awful and annoying songs as I searched the Internet for music to add to my workout/everyday playlists (recommendations, please!). A winemaker playing guitar as we drank wine and ate almonds marinated in truffle oil.
Seeing:
A tender and touching film, “The Sessions“; even if it did mean seeing a lot more Helen Hunt than I needed to. Raindrops and sunshine in the same afternoon. Donkeys wandering over to me, only to be disappointed by my lack of carrots.
Feeling:
Relieved to have finally completed the framework for a new project. Amazed at how much I can get done in a morning when I’m surrounded by nothing but peace, quiet and one cute dog. That deep, make-your-shoulders-drop, hint-of-sadness disappointment you sometimes get when you realize that was so unlikely. Anxious to pack my camping bags for summer and take off.
Tasting:
Soft and chunky trail mix cookies made with almond butter, nuts, dark chocolate, coconut, agave and other lovely decadence. Mango frozen yogurt. Asian chicken salad, a first dinner in a new camper — perfect, even if we were only parked in the driveway.
Smelling:
My attempt at the island black bean stew I learned at the Utah cooking demonstration; packed with flavor, yet not as chunky as the chef’s version. Coffee — just because it always has to be in my life.
Have a great week, friends.
I’m always sharing pictures from my kitchen, my travels, daily life, but I don’t always share one of my favorite parts of picture-taking: The people. It’s always fun when someone asks me to take photos of them, their families or an event because it gives me an excuse to shoot and play more than I can when I’m just shooting for fun.
Margarita and I recently met up at University of the Pacific, where she has been working hard toward her masters degree in special education. The clouds were heavy in the beginning, but that glowing, beautiful sunlight found Margarita as soon as she draped that earned gown around her shoulders.
Congratulations, Margarita! You’re already a spectacular teacher and mother; can’t wait to see what you do with this new fancy degree! xoxo, L
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