Vineyard Drive, Paso Robles, CA

After lunch Sharon and I took a drive to one of our favorite places.Vineyard Drive. It takes you out into an area called The Adelaide. It is a drive where you find yourself amoung vineyards and wineries and farmhouses and barns. And we had a beautiful afternoon. The sky was a buttermilk sky. Big high clouds shading the bright sun, the vineyards were in full fall color, the crush for this year was winding down. Walking into the wineries you could smell grapes and damp leaves. In the distance red shouldered hawks swirled high above in the late afternoon sun. We drove lazily down the road enjoying the walnut orchards and olive groves. We came upon The Halter Ranch...a big old house that has been redone by a local architect. It sits grandly amoung stately 100 year old oaks. There are many out buildings on the property...the old barn..the little red shed. It is so peaceful and quiet there. A PERFECT Novemeber afternoon. As the sun began to sink we moved on towards home, but only after one last stop. To Nature's Touch in Templeton.

Nature's Touch Organic Market - Templeton

Our last stop of the day was to a little market in Templeton called Nature's Touch. It is right off Highway 101 and sits just off Main Street. It is very small and they carry everything that is organic and from the local farms in the area. I got avocados from George and Beth's Farm on Santa Rosa Creek Road in Cambria, local olive oil from a farm called "Homestead" and a big sack of oranges from Cayucos Creek Farm. I thought those would look really nice in my big yelloware bowl in the kitchen. Very Christmasy. I got a nice package of fresh yeast and a crock of butter called CLOVER FARMHOUSE from a farm up in Petaluma. The crock is worthy of having it's picture taken and I will do that for you later. I would rather had that crock of butter than a new pair of shoes.It will look great on our Thanksgiving table.And it will remind me of a beautiful November afternoon with a dear friend.

November Afternoon Walk

I took Buddy for a walk around our neighborhood. This is the street we live on here in San Luis Obispo. The neighborhood is over 100 years old and we are in what is called "The Historic Raliroad District" I LOVE hearing the train.Anytime of the day, really. Sometimes in the middle of the night I will lay awake and listen for it coming from over the hill. And the little Del Monte Cafe is right across the street. John and I sneek in the backdoor in our pajamas sometimes for supper. It is cozy and farmy and old fashion. I've known the owner Debbie forever. She and her son Travis run it. And the food is realy good too. Comforting knowing they are there.

Signs O' The Season

I haven't left the house since Halloween Eve. And we needed food. So I got my sweater on...and headed out. And it's Christmas out there.
Went to Trader Jo's and got that cute rosemary topiary. The little ornaments on it I scored last year off ebay. And they are old. I just love them.I looked for something like that this year but so far, nothing. My friend at "Entertaing Mom" had the Thanksgiving Coffee from Starbucks this morning on her blog. So that was at the top of my list. I needed the cranberries and orange to make the cranberry bread tomorrow.And the kitty. He's just on there cause he is my big baby boy, Whiskey Sour.Isn't he cute? I think he is.

FOG

See that? Yep. Gray sky. The fog rolled in off of the Pacific last night. And just in the nick of time.These pictures were taken outside my upstairs bedroom window this morning about 7:30. So now I can stop complaining. And even though it's not raining...it's misty....misty enough to open the Martha Holiday Sweets magazine. And misty enough to play some Christmas music.

I'm in a good mood today. Going to go get the Thanksgiving coffee that's out at Starbucks. My friend from "Entertaining Mom" mentioned it on her blog.Going to go get cranberries to make some cranberry bread too. I got Red Plaid out and found Bessie's recipe. I think it is the same one that is on the back of the cranberry bag. I'll check and let you know.

So I am draining the wading pool. Putting the tank tops and flip flops back into the closet. Dumping the ice. Putting the sunscreen on the top shelf in the bathroom.Unplugged the fan last night and put in in the barn. (Buddy was glad to see it go.) And getting out the Kenny G. Christmas c.d. (Poor John, he no like-ee Kenny G. what guy does?)

So I'm back. Back to cooking and baking and building a fire. And really, it was just in the nick of time.Oh, and if you look really close in the last picture looking through my bedroom window. That is my neighbor on Church Street. That house is 104 years old. Isn't it adorable?

Full November Moon

We watched the Full November Moon come up over Terrace Hill last night in our bathing suits.

Cooling Trend..It's only 86 Degrees Today

Well, thank god for the "cooling trend". It was a little cooler when we got up this morning...but by 10 a.m. ...there was no doubt about it...it was HOT again. Got the fan back on Buddy. What a trooper. Filled the wading pool with water. Shredding my closet looking for tank tops and shorts. Can't take anymore bbq..last night was a total bust. It just tasted..well,tired. So tonight I am going to make veal saltimbocca. I have the meat and prosciutto. I just don't feel like going to the store in the heat.

The pictures are to show you my attempt at decorating for Thanksgiving. I got it out the day after Halloween. All happy and hopeful. The paper turkey in the wooden bowl was my grandmothers. I've had it all these years after about a zillion moves. I can't believe it is in that good of shape. I can't believe I even have it.

I saw the Pepperidge Farms stuffing in Scolaris the other morning.I know, boxed stufing. Tried making my own, but it didn't go over very big. Frankly, I didn't like it much either.It just doesn't taste like the kind mom used to make. And I've learned...some things you just don't mess with. And the Thanksgiving stuffing is one of those things. I didn't buy it cause the weather just isn't right. Now I kind of wish I had. I like to look at it in the month of Novemeber...and dream about the BIG DAY.

And I am still looking at the Martha Christmas magazine...and waiting..I hope it rains before New Years.