Progress at Caffe Encinalito

With the opening of Jacqueline and Sasha's cafe scheduled for just 2 weeks from now,  we are scrambling to get things in order.   My first day in Los Barriles was spent helping out with painting.  Here's how it's going.........

Down in Topanga and Ojai

Facing a holiday season without family for the first time, I decided to head out early for my winter retreat to join them. First stop was Los Angeles for Thanksgiving.  Ten days in Topanga with Jeanne and Robert and then a visit to Ojai to visit cousins Chris and his wife Angie.

Jeanne and Robert's nest

In Ojai on Matilija Creek Chris and Angie have built their home

Makings of a holiday wreath

An old piano will become wall art

but I didn't PLANT tomatoes, and I didn't PLANT potatoes...........

I haven't paid much attention to my little garden since the end of summer after it had provided me with such a bounty of all that I planted.  I went out today to clear it and look what gifts I found.

I LOVE volunteers!  By the way, that is TEN pounds of potatoes.

Cruising and Wine Tasting on Joe Euro's Boat

The endless beautiful weather here in Port Townsend brought an unexpected treat:  a cruise and wine tasting on wine merchant Joe Euro's motor vessel.  We were guests of Alex and Elena who had  bid on the event at an auction.  There wasn't a breath of wind all day and that made it motoring heaven.

"Round-Up": a visit to Jane and Richard's Ranch

Jane and Richard are neighbors on Grand Lake and both have deep roots in the area.  It was fun to go to their ranch outside of town one morning to watch them round up a couple of their horses for a visit to the vet.

 Pard is a very enthusiastic partner to Richard and was excited about helping with the round-up

First the horses had to be located:  there they are at the end of the meadow 

 The Percherons had to stay home and seemed concerned

Constitution Day Parade and a visit to Grumpy's

 Symbol of the fallen soldier (duct-taped)

Lazy, Lakey Days

 Penny and Richard 

 Penny and Elisabeth head off for a morning paddle

 Going.........

 Almost gone (we're the two dots heading to parts unknown)

Liberty Puzzles of Boulder,CO:the gold standard and really hard!

 Afternoon reading