The Adamson House, Malibu

Another weekend, another chance to cross a destination off my list.  

So, once again, we piled in the car, and drove down Highway 1 towards Malibu.

Of course, I only travel in the very best company.

Canadians, Alaskans, Northeasterners, I apologize for these photos.  It's cruel to rub it in.  The day was beautiful.  The sky was blue.  The flowers were in bloom.  It's California.

We went to the Adamson House to marvel at local history, Malibu tile, ocean views, and all that 1930s wealth can buy.

This was a summer home for the owners of the Malibu Potteries company and the Adhor Dairy.  They built the Malibu Pier, which you can see in the photo below.

That is the backyard, facing south.  Brandon is loosely holding Jules by the hair, lest she attempt a swim.  It looks cruel, but believe me, an appropriate pre-caution.  She is a daredevil.

I'm a little lazy right now, so read the tile below and learn some history.

 The picture below is the view to the west.  Yes, this house is on a small peninsula, and the views of the water are nearly 270 degrees.

 The Malibu Lagoon and additional ocean views are to the north.



Here's some nice detail of some of the tile from one of the patios.  Nearly every room in the house has its own patio or balcony.

This is a very large pot made with the Malibu technique on one of the courtyard walls.

Of course, one needs a pool to recreate in.

Here's some information to read about the pool:

You can't take pictures inside the house.  Just believe me, the house was amazing.  Here are some great photos of the interior from Martha Stewart Living, if you are curious.  But I suggest visiting in person.  Even if it means leaving Canada, Alaska or the Northeast.  Just saying.

A Graduation Party and a Morning Walk in Nob Hill

Last month, my mom and I flew to San Francisco to attend my cousin's graduation party.  We stayed at the Marine Memorial Club, which was also the location for the party.   But first, lunch.

We met my Aunt Carol at the Zuni Cafe.  We ordered Lillet and salads to pass the time until our chicken emerged from the oven.



And then, we ordered a bottle of wine to go with that chicken.



The chicken and the bread salad underneath it was delicious.  It was so nice to have a nice lunch with my aunt and my mom.  Afterwards, my mom and I headed back towards Union Square and did a little shopping to walk off our big lunch.  And then back to the hotel for the party.



Our lovely hosts, Frank and Mary Ann.



Aunt Michelle and Uncle Tim.  And here is the lovely graduate, my cousin Chelsea.  Isn't she beautiful?  My mom, who just retired from her nursing career, is especially proud of Chelsea because she is graduating from the University of San Francisco with a degree in nursing.  The torch is passed.

We had so much fun at the party!  Afterwords, we went to an Irish bar to celebrate further.

Good times!  But the next morning, I woke up with a few cobwebs in my brain.  So I decided to put on my running shoes and go for a long walk to clear my head.   I had forgotten to bring a warm sweatshirt, so I popped into Walgreens to buy one.  It was cold and windy out!  The cashier told me my choice was "very subtle, not too touristy" and rang me up. Off I went, out the door and up the hill through Chinatown.

I love all the stoops and doors on Nob Hill.

I would love for this to be my neighborhood library.

The views and the color of the sky were amazing.

A white camellia in bloom.

The Broadway Garden for Children and Seniors.

The sidewalks around the gardens had sprigs of rosemary imprinted in the concrete.

Look at the sky!  This photo is from my iPhone and is unedited.  It was such a beautiful morning.  And a beautiful weekend.  Congratulations Chelsea!  I am so proud of you!

Griffith Park and the Hollywood Sign

Well, I'm proud to say we've knocked a few items off of our California list.  Especially since our performance is not that stellar.

Folks…here it is…Griffith Park.

A little anti-climatic?  Maybe.  But we had fun.



First we hit up the choo choo train.  Side note: for some reason my spell check isn't recognizing the word choo choo.



Yes, it's so bitterly cold in Los Angeles I had to wear a down vest.



Jules certainly enjoyed the choo choo.



Paige just took it all in.

After our epic time with the choo choo, we headed to the Griffith Park Carousel.



Jules started on her own horse.

 And then decided it would be more fun to ride with Mommy.

Paige was quite confident on her steed.

These horses have a lot of patina.

Then we walked over to the playground.

Tunnel!

Sure, putting a two-year old in a tree is a great idea.  After the playground, we drove through the park up to Griffith Observatory and were amazed by the traffic and the parking.  We decided to attempt the observatory another day.  It's crazy to imagine the construction of Griffith Observatory.  It's an impressive, large building in an impressive, challenging location.

And here's the Hollywood Sign.  Enjoy...

New Year's Day 2014

On Wednesday, we woke up, looked outside and realized it was a beautiful winter day in California.

So after lunch, we loaded in the car and drove to Ventura, the town directly north west of where we live.  It's hilly and overlooks the ocean and the Channel Islands.  We parked at the Ventura City Hall and then walked to the path through the Ventura County Botanical Gardens.  Jules had fallen asleep in the car and miraculously stayed asleep during the transition to the jogging stroller.



The gardens are in the early stages of development, and at this point, are really just a trail through the coastal chaparral.

Paige took to the trail with enthusiasm.

Since it's winter, most of the sage scrub is brown right now.

Paige found a lone flower in bloom, though.

There's downtown Ventura in the distance and the ocean beyond.

Plants gone to seed.  I think it might be a coyote bush.  Or maybe I'm making that up.

More views of downtown, the pier, and the ocean.

Agave plants or yucca in bloom.  I need to step up my local plant knowledge.

Lemonade berry plants budding out.

Look at that blue sky!

The rock work on the trails was fantastic.

Wild fennel plants gone to seed.

Happy New Year!