Bella - que bella!

These past four months have been a whirlwind. I am selling my home of 18 years, so to stay sane through it all, let me tell you about an amazing distraction - Bella Vineyard and Wine Caves. Then again, maybe I should keep it a secret... I discovered this gem of a winery not long ago at the far end of the Dry Creek Valley just next door to Sonoma. I was bewitched by the warmth of the locale and in pure admiration of the creativity throughout. I was 'home'. I smiled at the basket filled with hula hoops laying under the shade of a very old olive tree. The displays on the shelves, the simplicity of the decor, the straight lines, the votives lit at 11am in the back of the cellar. A growler of rosé or white wine? Yes - original, most definitely, and so perfect. I know that I could move in if given the opportunity. Join me.

As you can see Bella is an exquisite find. Do go. Do linger. Do taste. Better yet, sign up for their Unleash the Beast Tour - you will tour the cave, you will walk and see these old vines up close; you will linger in their private tasting room. You will picnic on the lawn - and very quickly you will say... this is good for the soul.

Now onwards to finding my new home!

Enjoy as always, Adeline

Missions and La Playa

Missions • Long overdue on my to-do list was stepping into California's founding history via its remarkable Missions. Walking through their well-landscaped inner courtyards, their frescoed inner sanctums and churches, their impressive museums filled with noteworthy paintings, sculptures, and both Spanish and Native American artifacts; I marveled at this important period in the state's history. The small towns where they are located still vibrate with a calming gentle pace of days gone by - some catering to the tourist throngs, some moving more slowly as though on hold from today's brisk pace.

Ojai • Ventura • Carpinteria • Los Olivos • Pismo Beach • San Luis Obispo • Santa Barbara

- Let me take you on a detour -

• Mission Santa Barbara •

 • Mission Santa Ines • 

 • Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa •

 • Mission San Buenaventura •

Playas • I am not much a beach person. I do not usually linger there. I was smitten this time. Shorelines went on forever. The soft hues of the light made geometric patterns in soft shades of pale creams and faded grays and soft taupes; each pattern caressed by the slow moving ripples of the surf. The morning fog had wrapped the sky as the palm trees stood proud against it. 

• Pismo Beach •

• Carpinteria State Beach •

• Central Valley Twilight •

    Heading back north, the evening sky twirled and twirled away - it was out of this world.

I have been plotting in my mind the next time I go south - most likely a return along the Pacific Highway via Carmel, Monterey, Pacific Grove, Morro Bay, Big Sur, Cambria... 

For now, I stayed a bit closer to home - stay tuned for my latest weekend up the coast to Dry Creek Valley and Alexander Valley - in our turbulent world, these getaways are simply so good for the soul.

Enjoy as always ~ Adeline