there is always magic to be found by the sea...

 The coastline is one of my most favorite places to be and our little adventure yesterday did not disappoint. We took a nice drive through the city of Palos Verdes, ending up at the Point Vicente Interpretive Center. The view was spectacular, and we learned from a quick chat in the museum that there were tidepools nearby. We hopped back in the car and drove a mile up the winding sea-cliff road to and quickly found Abalone Cove .  It instantly became a favorite. The weather was absolutely perfect. We hiked down, through brush and briar and past sharply fragmented rocks. After passing through a bit of 'Narnia' as Nat called it (if you have seen The Voyage of the Dawn Treader where Eustace finds treasure, you'll know what she means) we found ourselves treading over the most beautiful, smooth carpet of beach stones we've ever seen.

We trundled over the rumbly surface and on to the sand for a short spell before arriving at the foot of a huge cliff where rocks jutted out in to the tide. When the tide is low these rocks become tidepools. The tide was beginning to come again but we did manage to see (and feel) a few starfish and sea anemone. We saw crabs as well, but left those little guys alone. The day was amazing, the views breathtaking and even when we found ourselves grouped with other people, I did find a brief moment where I felt like I was the only one there soaking in all this majesty and glory.

Before we headed back, we made sure to bring along some of those beautiful smooth stones. They added to our labor as we made our way back up the steep winding trail, but it was so worth it. I can't wait until we get to visit and explore this beautiful place again....

 

a visit to the farmer's market

 

We visited the Farmer's Market in Downtown Fullerton last week, our first for the season. We decided to head out there after our trip to the local Costco (where I took photos of Nat by the budding tomato plants). The Farmer's Market is always so much fun to visit not just for the abundant sampling of great tasting fresh vegetables and fruits, the cool handmade merchandise or even the fun atmosphere of music and gathering but for the people watching to. I think you can find the coolest people at a Farmer's Market. Like we did that night. I had to stop a young girl who I had to do a double take. I thought I saw something unusual and I was right. She was walking around with a beautiful and brilliantly colored yellow sun glow baby boa. Amazing!

We walked around and perused the tents of different people selling their wares. The place we were impressed with the most was The White Llama with everything being made of llama wool. The dresses, blankets, gloves, mittens, scarves, everything was so beautifully made. We weren't able to purchase anything that day but we did come back home with some fresh corn, onions, turkey jerky and a bunch of rainbow chard (swiss chard) that Nettles picked herself. :)

can a snake and a mouse be friends?

You tell me.... :)

oh how lovely green mansions...

Sometimes, before you have seen a movie, you know you are going to like it. I just seen Green Mansions for the first time, and yes, I loved it! The premise of the movie sounded so intriguing I had to see it. Now, to get my hands on a copy of the book it was based on, that would be nice!

How breathtaking is Audrey Hepburn? And I can't forget the sweet and tender song, played and sung by Anthony Hopkins. Unfortunately I can not share the video from YouTube because it has been disabled, so please tell me you will go to the video and see it/hear it. Please. :)