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Happy & Heavenly Pink!
Theses are cupcakes! Can you believe it? @cakesbyjanetaylor. “I believe in pink. I believe that laughing is the best calorie burner. I believe in kissing, kissing a lot. I believe in being strong when everything seems to be going wrong. I believe that happy girls are the prettiest girls. I believe that tomorrow is another day and I believe in miracles.” Audrey Hepburn
Pink piglets @pretty.pink.piggy 
Pink bicycle & flowers @eleanorfordfood. I have always loved the color pink. The color pink is most often associated with romance, sweetness, femininity, and charm. It takes its name from the group of flowers called “pinks”, which belong to the genus Dianthus.
Fairy Tale Craigievar Castle in Scotland, @tis_the_season_to. This captivating color became very popular during the 1700s, when the King of France’s mistress, Madame de Pompadour became enamored with it, and pink and blue became the leading fashion colors in the Court of Versailles.
The original pink craze fashionista. Today it is as popular as ever. Pop and rock stars have chosen it as their names and it has been used as a clothing label for Victoria’s Secret. “Think Pink” is a popular song from the movie Funny Face. And who can forget the films “Pretty in Pink”, starring Molly Ringwald and “The Pink Panther” with Inspector Jacques Clouseau? Pink is also used as an emblem for breast cancer awareness.
A group of flamingos is called, appropriately, a flamboyance! @24style_ 
Garden tableau with pink window, table & chairs @michelle.m.hillier People who like to wear pink are said to be affectionate, sympathetic, and understanding. Pink, once associated with all things feminine & girly is now embraced by men as well. The color is said to have a calming effect and also to evoke joy and happiness.
My pink “naked lady” lilies come back year after year on my farm. Pink often inspires creativity. It also reminds us of springtime, when the earth is rejuvenated and we see flowers budding.
Pink flamingo fun @taylorjoelledesigns “Anything is possible with sunshine and a little pink.” Lilly Pulitzer
French macarons. Did you know that pink is the color most often associated with sweets? There is nothing more magical than a California sunset. I love the way the sky is often painted with shades of pink both at dusk and dawn.
A peaceful sunset at my farm. 
De Tierra Winery down the road from me, framed by pink sky. Pink is often associated with playfulness and charm.
Puppy in pink tutu @elainebjd_fab5 I love all the wonderful shades of pink, from the palest hues to the most shocking hot pinks. Just think of all the things that make life better in pink: cotton candy, balloons, strawberry ice cream, champagne, roses, lipstick, and the list goes on and on.
My pink Aglaonema is not only pretty but also super easy to grow! Some popular pink phrases are “tickled pink”, which means one is happy, and “in the pink”, which means one is healthy.
A beautiful temple in Tokyo @travellerspursuit “Life, when it was good, was indeed pink.” Lydia Michaels
Friendship and tulips @landofinspos I hope that you enjoyed this post and found some pink inspiration. Thank you for visiting my blog! Wishing you peace, joy, happiness, & beautiful vistas.
Cherry blossoms in the moonlight @wakaponpoco -
Elkhorn Slough & Moss Landing
Playful Otters, barking sea lions, and graceful egrets are only a few of the amazing wildlife you may see at Elkhorn Slough and Moss Landing. The area is also home to a plethora of good restaurants, art galleries, and shops. You can also enjoy a variety of outdoor activities here, including fishing, surfing, beach combing, sea kayaking, whale watching, walking trails and even hydro biking.
A lone fisherman on Moss Landing Beach during the King Tides. The extreme low tides pose prime conditions for fishing. HISTORY
Located between Monterey and Santa Cruz, Moss Landing is located where the Elkhorn Slough creates an estuary as it flows into Monterey Bay. Moss Landing is named for Charles Moss, a ship captain from Texas who built a wharf here in the mid-1800s. The area was once a very busy whaling and fishing port and the site of many fish processing plants and canneries. Today, Moss Landing Harbor is home to hundreds of fishing, pleasure, research and tour boats. Commercial boats bring in Dungeness crab, halibut, salmon, albacore, sardines, squid, mackerel, prawns, and more. Fresh seafood can be purchased off the boats and in the local restaurants.
The Sea Goddess is one of several whale watching tour ships in the area. 
Moss Landing Harbor is home to the Monterey Submarine Canyon, a mile-deep chasm filled with a variety of sea life, including whales! 
The twin towers of the power plant can be seen for miles. BUILDINGS AND RESTAURANTS
Notable buildings in Moss Landing include the Moss Landing Marine Laboratories operated by California State University, the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute, and the Moss Landing Power Plant. Some of the amazing restaurants in the area include Moss Landing Cafe, The Whole Enchilada, Haute Enchilada, Lighthouse Harbor Grille, Pacific Grill, Lemongrass Seafood, Sea Harvest and Phil’s Fish Market. Lines form daily at Phil’s for the cioppino, one of the restaurant’s most famous dishes. For more information on local eateries in Moss Landing, see Restaurants.
ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS
Moss Landing offers many fun activities and events including dancing, music, and wine and other tastings at both the Haute Enchilada and the Whole Enchilada. The Elkhorn Yacht Club also hosts a multitude of fun events including a crab feed in February as well as seasonal parties and races. There are also open studio art tours in September and October featuring local artists. One of the most popular summer events in the area is the annual Moss Landing Antique Street Fair. It is usually held the last Sunday in July and brings hundreds of vendors and shoppers together for a day of fun. Other activities in the area include the May opener for rock cod fishing, blessing the fleet May 1, open house at the Marine Labs every spring, and a Nautical Flea Market in May. For more information on events in the area, see Moss Landing.
The main drag in Moss Landing has many quaint, historic buildings and shops. 
Moss Landing is a great place to bike and enjoy the quiet fishing village. WILDLIFE
Elkhorn Slough is one of the largest wetlands in California. It began as a salt marsh and efforts are being made to help restore this habitat. It is considered one of the top ten best birding spots in the country, according to Audubon. More than 350 bird species migrate through Elkhorn Slough each year. It is a nesting place for Western Snowy Plover in spring and summer. In fall and winter, the wetland provides habitat for waterfowl and shorebirds. My favorites are the snowy egrets and the endangered brown pelicans.
Moss Landing offers wonderful opportunities to view resident sea otters. You can see rafts of sea otters swimming here, sometimes holding hands. A raft refers to a group of sea otters in the water. A group can also be called a family, romp, lodge, and bevy. Whatever they are called, who doesn’t love those faces? Too much cuteness!
Moss Landing is also one of the best places to spot whales up close! I hope you are able to visit Moss Landing and enjoy its beauty. Thank you for visiting my blog! Wishing you peace, love, happiness, and beautiful vistas.
Nothing is more fun than playing in the sea foam when the tide is low. It reminds me of when my Mom used to pour Mr. Bubble in the bathwater and the bubbles got higher and higher in the tub! Good times 🙂 -
River Road Wine Trail in Monterey County
Nestled in the highlands of the Santa Lucia Mountain Range in Monterey County, the River Road Wine Trail snakes its way from Salinas to Greenfield, California. The River Road Wine Trail is billed as “one of the Central Coast’s premiere wine touring destinations”. I have to say that is absolutely true. The climate in the Santa Lucia Highlands is perfect for creating very unique and highly sought after wines including pinot noir, chardonnay, pino gris, and syrah, among others. Furthermore, River Road wineries are passionate about what they do. Many are family-owned businesses going back for generations. There is pride and respect for what they do, and it shows not only in the quality of their wine, but also in the way they treat their customers. Tasting room staff are professional, friendly, and willing to discuss any questions you may have. Wine tasting here is the ultimate, authentic experience.
Each year, wineries along the River Road Wine Trail in Monterey County celebrate Valentine’s Day by hosting a special event. This event features some of the finest wines in Monterey County, along with food pairings, music, and fun.
I think this sign is my favorite, can you tell why? This year, Odonata, Pessagno Winery, Manzoni Estate Vineyard, Puma Road Winery, Hahn Family Wines, Smith Family Wines, Scheid Vineyards, Chalone Vineyard, and Michaud Vineyard participated in the event. What I love about this event is that not only do you get to sample a huge variety of wines, you get to see the actual vineyards and wineries where they are created and meet the makers. How cool is that?
Scheid Vineyards had a very relaxed atmosphere, with amiable and helpful staff. My first stop was Scheid Vineyards. Michaud Vineyard was also here for the event. I loved all the visitor-friendly outdoor seating!
Wine tasters partake in a game of Jenga at Scheid Vineyards. After leaving Scheid I headed for Smith Family Wines. My GPS was going wonky and telling me to turn on dirt roads leading to abandoned muddy fields, but I persisted, and eventually arrived at my destination.
The tasting room at Smith Family Wines was warm and elegant. Smith Family Wineries represents three generations of hard-working vintners. Their three award-winning brands are Alexander-Smith, Paraiso, and Irie.
Smith Family Wines offered a beautiful setting for visitors. 
Next, I headed north to Hahn Family Wines. Chalone Vineyards was also set up here. It seemed like it took forever to navigate the narrow road flanked by fir trees back to the winery, but finally, I arrived!
The deck at Hahn’s tasting room offers gorgeous vistas. 
Heading north from Hahn, in another 7.3 miles, I reached Puma Road Winery. On the way, I passed rustic farm buildings and witnessed a huge rainbow arching over the Salinas Valley. While there were a few occasional patchy sprinkles, the day remained, overall, quite beautiful.
The staff at Puma were super friendly! A hop, skip and jump north of Puma Road is Manzoni Estate Vineyard. The estate is comprised of a mere six acres (that’s only twice as big as my farm!) but the wines they produce are exceptional. The Manzoni family has called this area home for nearly 100 years.
The Manzoni Estate Vineyard tasting room was intimate and inviting. 
The Swiss fare served at the Manzoni Estate Vineyard brought back memories of my days living in the Swiss area of Wisconsin. Indeed, my three sons are half Swiss! Following my visit at Manzoni, I headed just over a mile north to Pessagno Winery. This, in my humble opinion, is the coziest tasting room ever. I think it might be the combination of the warmth exuding from the wood burning stove, the cute cat curled up on a chair, the beautiful stained glass window, and the long, roomy wooden bar. Pessagno Winery just exudes ambiance and comfort.
The final stop on my wine tasting venture was Odonata Wines. Did you know that Odanata is another word for dragonfly? Odonata states that variety and quality are their watchwords and that the batches of wine they produce are made from grapes that are organic and grown sustainably. I’ll raise my glass to that!
I had so much fun today and I can’t wait to repeat the experience next year! I hope that you get a chance to check out the River Road Wine Trail and enjoy it as much as I did. Remember, you don’t have to wait until the Valentine’s Passport event to visit, most of the wineries here are open year round. For more information on any of the wineries listed, or for information on the annual Valentine’s wine tasting event, see Wine Trail.
Helpful Hints for attending the Valentine’s Passport event:
- Arrive as early as possible as parking and crowds increase the later you start.
- Be aware that the wine service ends at 4 pm.
- Designated drivers who will not be imbibing get a discount: tickets are half price!
- Parking areas fill up quickly and you may end up walking quite a distance; choose footwear accordingly.
- Bring a warm sweater or coat as it can be chilly this time of year.
- Many transportation options are available if you don’t have a designated driver, including the Monterey Party Bus, limos, and of course, Uber.
- All wineries provide vegetarian as well as non-vegetarian food pairings.
Thank you for visiting my blog. Wishing you peace, love, happiness, and happy wine tasting!
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Seacliff State Beach: Sand, Sunsets & Sunken Ships
Enticing you with golden sand, gentle sea breezes, and a wooden pier leading to the remains of an abandoned ship, Seacliff State Beach is paradise found. Seacliff State Beach lies next to Aptos, California, and is just south of New Brighton State Beach and Capitola.
Seacliff Beach was originally called Rancho Aptos. During the 1800s, it was a busy shipping port. By the 1920s, people fell in love with the enchanting scenery, and many summer homes were built on the beautiful bluffs around the area. In 1931, it became one of California’s first state beaches.
The view from one of the beautiful homes on the cliffs above the beach. *sigh* 
A seagull shows off his dance moves on the old pier. In 1930, the Seacliff Amusement Corporation bought a retired World War I concrete tanker, the SS Palo Alto. It was towed to Seacliff Beach and a pier was built leading to the ship. The ship was rebuilt as an amusement ship. There was a restaurant onboard called the “Fish Palace” with ocean views on three sides and a “Rainbow Ballroom”, where you could dance the night away. There was even a swimming pool onboard! Unfortunately, the Amusement Corporation went bankrupt after only two seasons and the ship was abandoned. During a winter storm, the ship cracked at the midsection. The State of California purchased the ship, and it was stripped of its fittings and left as a fishing pier. It was a popular fishing spot, but eventually, it deteriorated to the point where it was unsafe, and it was closed.
Snowy plovers dash in and out of the waves in their search for food. 
“Nature is painting for us, day after day, pictures of infinite beauty if only we have the eyes to see them.”–John Ruskin There is a paved level path, known as the “Promenade” that follows the mile-long beach and makes it possible for virtually everyone to enjoy the area. Beach wheelchairs are available for those unable to ambulate. As an occupational therapist, I was really thrilled during my visit to see an elderly man enjoying his stroll with his walker on the Promenade. It made my day.
Surfing is popular on the far south end of the beach. Seacliff State Beach is also a great place to go surfing, fishing, picnicking and beachcombing (no matter what your age!).
Where: 201 State Park Drive, Aptos, CA 95003
Phone: 831-685-6500
Hours: 8 am – sunset
Parking: You can park above the beach on the street for free and walk down the stairs to the beach, or you can pay 10.00 to enter below near the beach.
Camping: Beachfront camping is allowed for recreational vehicles only. There are 26 full hook-up campsites and 34 non-hook-up campsites.
Other helpful information: Dogs are allowed on leash only, alcohol and fires are prohibited, and drones are only allowed above the southern end of the primary day use parking lot. Fishing does not require a license from the pier but limits are applied by the Department of Fish and Wildlife. Multiple accessible restrooms are located along the “Promenade” pathway. A Visitor’s Center at Seacliff State Beach features exhibits and information about the area’s natural and cultural history. For more information, see Sea Cliff.
The last catch of the day is the best. I hope that you enjoy the breathtaking beauty of Seacliff State Beach. Thank you for visiting my blog! Wishing you peace, love, happiness, & beautiful vistas.
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Vintage Fun in San Jose’s Willow Glen
Willow Glen is known as “San Jose’s Local Treasure”. It is an area filled with quaint vintage houses on quiet tree-lined avenues. It is also home to some unique shops and amazing restaurants.
Magpie welcomes you with a variety of felicities, from jewelry to clothing to home decor to paint. It is one of those unique, creative, quirky places where there is so much to look at you don’t know where to start.
Bertucelli’s La Villa Delicatessen was packed to the gills, even in the middle of the afternoon. It was standing room only. They have outdoor dining and this was also packed. Waiting in line here for handmade ravioli and fresh, delicious sandwiches and desserts is well worth it.
Park Place Vintage carries vintage clothing and collectibles and even has costume rentals!
Petroglyph is a cool ceramics lounge. I have not seen ceramics like this since my Mom painted Peanuts characters for my brothers and me in the 1970s. They supply use of all paints, brushes and art materials as well as assistance. Once your artwork is complete they fire them in on-site kilns for you. They even host group activities. Petroglyph indicates they are “designed as a place to gather, connect, and creatively explore”. I wanted to stay and creatively explore, but so many shops, so little time!
The cozy Mariette Chocolates has not only freshly made chocolates, but also fudge, coffee, pastries, gelato, and hot chocolate. I love the cute little vintage tables and chairs.
Susie Cakes is a super cute vintage bakery with very friendly staff.
The Willow Glen Collective is chockful of antiques and vintage finds.
The cozy outdoor seating at Vin Santo is so inviting.
Downtown Willow Glen frequently hosts festive events, including its annual summer festival, “Dancin’ on the Avenue”, which features music, food, and local wines. On Thursday, February 7th, from 5-8 pm Willow Glen is hosting a “Ladies’ Night Out”, which features “pampering”, as well as refreshments and specials! Sounds like fun to me!
San Jose is home to some wonderful places, and I am adding Willow Glen to the list. For more information, see Willow Glen.
Thank you for visiting my blog! Wishing you peace, love, joy, and beautiful vistas!