Thursday, August 15, 2013

Really Random Thursday, 8/15/13

Let's just call this the anniversary edition, because Mark and I went to beautiful Carmel, California, to celebrate our anniversary. It was a major one. I don't have to actually give the number, do I? Okay...it was our 40th.

So anyway...about every four months, we head off to the central coast of California and go to Pismo Beach. Here's the thing. Pismo doesn't have a town that entices us much. There are some places to eat that we really enjoy. But other than that, the best part is where we stay. A full view of the ocean. We stay on the second or third floor so we can leave our sliding door open a little bit all night and listen to the ocean.
On the other hand, after we moved to California years ago, and Aaron was about 9 months old, we left him with my parents and went to Carmel. It was really our first coast experience.  The town is totally charming.  More art galleries than you can imagine. We were entranced with the town. The thing is, it is nearly impossible to get a room with a good ocean view. Not with anything within our budget an affordable price tag, that is. It's a trade off. We decided to celebrate in Carmel. We have a lovely couple of days. The weather was grey and drizzly. Perfect, after the relentless sun and heat of Fresno. 

We ate fabulous food at our favorite restaurants (even though it looks like all we I did was drink Chardonnay.  Okay, the thing is, after I took the most perfect Chardonnay picture in Portland,
I have tried hard to duplicate it. Without success, I might add. But I spent a lot of time trying...all for the cause of art...

On Friday, we didn't get to Carmel until after supper time. So after checking in, we walked around. Carmel is one of my favorite quaint little towns to walk around in after dark. It is quiet, lights are on in the gallery windows. It's just beautiful. We went to our favorite watering hole, A.W. Shucks, where they specialize in oysters. 
No we didn't have any--we just spent a little time relaxing.
The next night we went to a restaurant we have frequented many times over the years, Forge in the Forest. We always choose to eat outdoors, surrounded by ivy-covered walls. 
We went to one of our favorite breakfast restaurants on Sunday morning. It was about 10 a.m. and when we saw the waitress walk by our table with cheesecake, our first thought was, "Who eats cheesecake at 10 in the morning??" What we didn't notice was an engagement ring between the two strawberries on top of the cheesecake. Then we heard someone saying, "She said YES!!"
An engagement right in front of our eyes! How cool.

The final night, we went to Chart House, in Monterey. Mark had made reservations. And when our waiter brought the menus, they actually had our name (although it was misspelled...) on it! Do you see it? It says Happy 40th Anniversary!
Our waiter's name was Spartacus. How cool is that? We had creme brulee for dessert.

Did I mention art galleries? Have you ever seen the Blue Dog? The artist is George Rodrigue and apparently the paintings are a tribute to his now-deceased bluish-dog named Tiffany. Anyway, there has been a gallery in Carmel for nearly as long as I can remember. It has moved. To a larger location. The yellow eyes kind of freak me out. But nevertheless, we took pictures anyway of some of the 3D art.
Yes, a cow decorated with the Blue Dog. And in the other three pictures, the blue dog rendered in three colors. With Mark added next to the blue version just so you can get an idea of the scale. My question: what kind of room do you need to actually purchase this piece of art?

Since I have have again taken up knitting and crocheting, I wandered into  a cute little yarn shop. I was charmed by her sign about the hours she is open.
When I had a few spare minutes, I completed the last of the Lego blocks. All 81 are done. They now just need to be crocheted together. Stay tuned.
So that's it for this week.

Your turn.







22 comments:

05 08
Selfsewn said... #

Wow 40??? Congratulations to both of you...you must have been school sweethearts?
Mmmmm creme brulee my fav xxx

Susan said... #

Happy 40th Wedding Anniversary Cindy!! You must have been a child bride! Love the blue (and red and yellow) dogs! We have Blue Heelers here in Australia. Maybe the artist owned one of them?

Rachaeldaisy said... #

What a fabulous way to celebrate 40 years together. It all sounds absolutely perfect!

Val's Quilting Studio said... #

Thanks for the link-up. Love your mission to get the perfect wine glass picture.

val from myplvl.blogspot.com

Terri said... #

Happy anniversary to you two! Looks like a wonderful weekend to celebrate.

Unknown said... #

Carmel is amazing!

Only been there for the day ... ahem...in 1989... I was travelling and poor but LOVED IT and couldn't afford to stay...

Would love to go back.

Cathy said... #

Happy anniversary!!! Love the sign in the yarn shop!

Deborah said... #

Happy anniversary!

ChristaQuilts said... #

Wow! 40 years is awesome! We just recently celebrated 20. Time sure flies, doesn't it?? Beautiful scenery pics!

Jocelyn said... #

Congratulations and Happy Anniversary!! I am linking up with you today, because my sweet hubby and I just celebrated our 40th TOO!!! You need to see what he gave me :-)

Unknown said... #

How lovely to have such a wonderful anniversary! Looks like you both were blessed. So nice to see happy couples celebrating their years together. May you have many more to follow.

Janine @ Rainbow Hare said... #

Congrats on your Anniversary! It sounds like you had a wonderful break :) I'm looking forward to seeing your lego crochet.

Katy Cameron said... #

Happy anniversary! You were obviously a child bride...

Loving the opening hours :oD

Molly said... #

Aww Happy Anniversary Cindy- that's fantastic. 40 years gives me something to aspire to- I hope to celebrate that wonderful landmark with my guy too someday... I hope it was a fun as it looked in pictures- sure sounds like it was... and I like how the restaurant spelled your name..... Cindy Wines... makes those chardonnay pics so much more appropriate!

Vicki said... #

You didn't tell me....HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!! We honeymooned in Carmel. Sounds like you guys had a great time. Cool would be nice.

Nita said... #

Happy anniversary! That was a lovely post - enjoyed it very much!

Susan at TheBoredZombie.com said... #

Congratulations! That's fantastic and seems like a great celebration.

The cow - he looks like a cow from cow parade, a traveling art exhibition: http://www.cowparade.com/ I heart cow parade and have quite a collection of the small ceramics. They have been in my home town and a few towns close enough that I did a drive through to check them out. I'm pretty sure anyone can buy the undecorated cow. One day, I'm getting one for my yard!

(I see you found a funny slogan....)

OPQuilt said... #

Fun trip for you two. We are celebrating an anniversary, too, but think that every anniversary is a big one (ours is #24). I'm glad you had some yummy food, some fun sights, and saw some Blue Dog art, as well as hit a knit/yarn shop!

E.

Betty said... #

Happy 40th!! And how great of you two to take time for yourselves and with tradition at that! Carmel is a sweet little town (got a parking ticket there once) and the perfect place to celebrate a lifetime together.

Dana - Old Red Barn Co. said... #

happiest of anniversaries to you!

Doris said... #

Oh my Lord, I love that store hours sign! Too honest and sweet for words.

Dar said... #

I enjoyed reading about your trip to Carmel. I have been there years ago, too many to remember, and would love to revisit after seeing your pics. Your pic of Portland through the wine glass is awesome. You should enter that in a photo contest. Enjoyed reading through your blog. I too am a selvage lover. Aren't they fun?