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Puppy Love! Favorite Dog Quotes
Puppy love is blatantly apparent everywhere in the Monterey area. Back in the Midwest, where I am from originally, dogs are treated like, well, dogs. You see them in dog parks, or walking on trails with their humans, or occasionally you will see a service dog in a traditionally “humans only” place. In Monterey County, dogs are treated a little differently. When I first moved here, I remember walking through the Whole Foods Store in Monterey and being shocked when suddenly a Pomeranian poked its head out of a handbag held by the lady standing in front of me. Far from being excluded from human gathering places, dogs are instead embraced and treated like family.
From Doris Day’s Cypress Inn in Carmel-by-the-Sea to Wine Tasting Rooms in Carmel Valley Village, to beaches, stores, and more, dogs are EVERYWHERE here. Stores place dog water bowls outside their doors for parched pooches. There is even a psychologist in Carmel for those dogs who need canine counseling. If you come to Monterey County, you will soon grow accustomed to, and enjoy encountering a bevy of breeds and their owners in nearly every setting.
I will never forget that day. I was ten years old, and I had brought a puppy home. My father was telling me that I could not keep the puppy. I grew up in a home where dogs were not wanted. I cried, and cried, and cried. My heart was shattered. Flash forward twenty plus years, and as an adult, I had a new puppy, a beautiful Scottish terrier named Ally. Then I added a West Highland terrier named Emma.
My son Nick with Ally and Emma. Ally & Emma drove with me across six states to our new home in California. They were able to see the ocean and play on the beach. They were able to run around on the farm and play with all the other animals. I am glad they lived out their lives to ages 13 and 14 and were able to experience a beautiful climate where they could be outdoors year round.
Ally & Emma at the beach in Carmel for the very first time! I then adopted a German Shepherd puppy named Sasha.
Sasha became my best friend and enjoyed her job guarding the farm and antagonizing the goats and chickens.
Because dogs are so beloved I thought it would be fun to put some dog quotes together for my blog. I hope you enjoy them.
“A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself.”~Josh Billings
Puppy kisses with my son’s dog “Swisher”. 
“Home is where the dog runs to greet you.”~Unknown
“A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself.”~Josh Billings
“There is nothing truer in this world than the love of a good dog.”~Will Rogers
“Dogs have a way of finding the people who need them, and filling an emptiness we didn’t ever know we had.” ~Thom Jones
I am going to end this with a beautiful quote that my friend provided. “I will never move and not take you with me. I will never put you in a shelter and leave. I will never let you starve. I will never let you hurt. I will never desert you when you get old, nor will I leave you when you go blind. If that time comes, I will be there to hold you. Because I love you, and you are FAMILY.” ~unknown. This, dear hearts, is true puppy love.
I hope you enjoyed my dog quotes. Wishing you peace, love, happiness, & warm puppy snuggles.
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Eight Fall Fun Activities in Monterey County
Every leaf speaks bliss to me, fluttering from the autumn tree.~Emily Bronte 
Why is fall so enchanting? Witnessing the transformation of foliage from green to a bright kaleidoscope of reds, oranges and golden yellows is beautiful and inspiring. It reminds us of the importance of letting go of the old and embracing the new. The cooling temperatures encourage us to slow down and snuggle up under an afghan or quilt with a hot cup of tea or cocoa and a good book, or light candles and sit in front of a crackling fireplace. Conversely, the crisp autumn air may also encourage us to spend more time outdoors and is the perfect time to visit the apple orchard, the pumpkin patch, or have a picnic outdoors.
Fall is also a time for seasonal favorites. Who doesn’t look forward to all the yumalicious fall drinks, such as pumpkin lattes and apple cider? Fall is a comfy, cozy season of layering sweaters and soft flannel shirts and warm nourishing foods. Fall is also the gateway to creative and fun holidays such as Halloween and Thanksgiving. Monterey County has many fun activities this time of year. Here is a list of some of my favorite things to do in Monterey County in the fall.
1. Visit a pumpkin patch, such as Borchard Farms or Earthbound Organics Farm Stand.
A mountain of pumpkins awaits at Earthbound Farms on Carmel Valley Road. 
Fall fun feels at Borchard Farms near Castroville. 
2. Visit an apple orchard such as Gizdich Ranch and enjoy fresh apple cider and homemade pie.
3. Bring a picnic and a bottle of wine to the ocean’s edge in Carmel-by-the-Sea and have a bonfire on the beach.
4. Attend the annual MEarth Glass Pumpkin Festival in Carmel Valley.
5. Sit in a rocking chairs next to the crackling fireplace at Asilomar Lodge. Originally called Monterey Peninsula’s “Refuge by the Sea,” Asilomar is located on 107 acres of state beach and conference grounds in Pacific Grove. Asilomar was designed by renowned architect Julia Morgan between 1913 and 1928. Thirteen of her original structures remain today and represent her largest collection of Arts & Crafts style architecture in one location.
6. Snuggle under a blanket with a drink near the cozy fire pits at the Inn at Spanish Bay in Pebble Beach and listen to the bagpipes at sunset. You don’t need to be a golfer to appreciate the majestic beauty and magical atmosphere here.
7. Visit the Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary in Pacific Grove. In October, you will see them clustered together on pine, cypress and eucalyptus trees in the Sanctuary. Their migration to Pacific Grove is so unique that Pacific Grove is nicknamed “Butterfly Town, U.S.A.”
8. If you love the ocean like I do, there is nothing more memorable than an adventure on the open sea. Take a sailboat ride at the end of the day and enjoy the magical autumn sunset.
Every season is full of wonder, but I think fall is my very favorite season here in Monterey County. I hope you enjoy it too.
I’m so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers. ~L. M. Montgomery. Thank you for visiting my blog. Wishing you peace, joy, happiness, and beautiful vistas!
An autumn sunset at my farm. -
Wine Tasting in Carmel Valley, California!
Napa and Sonoma may be the first names you think of when wine tasting is mentioned. Yet, Carmel Valley, southeast of Monterey and Pebble Beach, may be the area’s best kept secret, as it is home to dozens of amazing wineries. Surrounded by the picturesque Santa Lucia Mountains and just inland from beautiful Monterey Bay, it features a climate of warm days and cool nights just right to produce some pretty outstanding wines, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Chardonnay. I am fortunate to live just over the hill from Carmel Valley Village. Here is my list of the best wine tasting venues in Carmel Valley. All of the wineries I have listed are located within walking distance from each other, with the exception of Folktale.
1. Folktale Winery. Originally, this estate was called Chateau Julien Wine Estate, but in 2015 it became Folktale Winery. While it is more than a stone’s throw west of the quaint Carmel Valley Village, Folktale Winery is not to be missed. You can visit their fairy tale castle and also listen to fabulous bands while sipping on wine in their rustic barrel room. There are awesome food and wine pairings at their events as well. Some of the performers I have seen here include Anderson East, Chris Cab, and Iyla. Can I say more?
2. Cowgirl Winery. Want to sip wine in the midst of clucking free range chickens and a cute vintage pick up truck? Would you like to belly up to a bar with rustic cowboy boots lined up above it? This place has so much character I dedicated an entire blog post to it, see: Cowgirl.
3. Talbott Vineyards Tasting Room.
You will love Talbott’s not only for their wine but also their spacious and elegant ambiance. They are located just south of Cowgirl Winery.
4. Georis Winery, located across from the Corkscrew Cafe, showcases exquisite mosaic artwork at their entryway, and is surrounded by beautiful floral landscaping and both indoor and outdoor tables. They often feature live music on the weekends as well.
My friend Lauryn and I enjoying the beautiful artwork and yummy wine at Big Sur Tasting Room. 
5. Big Sur Vineyards. I first visited this a few years back with my buddy Lauryn, and I have never forgotten. What I love most is not only the wine, but the exquisite hand-painted labels featuring iconic Big Sur images.
6. Testarossa Winery, & 7. Joyce Wine Company. Joyce and Testarossa are connected by a series of rooms.
Bernardus features an expansive and comfy outdoor seating area where you can enjoy delicious charcuterie platters with your wine. 8. Bernardus Winery. This winery was started by Ben Pon, who was a race car driver for Porsche for many years as well as a participant in the Olympics in 1972 in skeet shooting. The crest on the Bernardus wine label represents Mr. Pon’s Dutch Heritage. This has an intimate indoor tasting room as well as a more expansive patio with comfy seating.
9. Boekenoogen Vineyards and Winery. This tiny tasting room is packed with pizazz. Many folks are keeno for their pinot.
10. Joulian looks like a petite French Chateau, showcasing beautiful decor in addition to their award winning wine.
11. Cima Collina. Like Cowgirl, Cima Collina has a super cute old truck, this one complete with wine barrels.
Helpful Tips:
- Most flights cost around 15.00-20.00 and involve 4-6 tastes.
- During the summer and early fall months Carmel Valley can get warm; dress accordingly.
- Parking can be challenging to find, I recommend getting there before 2 pm when most of the wine tasting begins. Most tasting rooms are open between 12 and 5:30 pm.
- If you don’t want to deal with parking, a Wine Trolley is available from Monterey, or you can hop on Tractor Pete’s rustic wagon to visit local wine tasting rooms.
- Most of the wine tasting rooms are dog friendly.
- There are several notable restaurants and cafes interspersed between the wine tasting rooms, including the Corkscrew Cafe, Roux, Cafe Rustica, and Holman Ranch Tavern.
- If you have time left for shopping, there are some cute shops in the area. I highly recommend Quail & Olive, just north of Georis. It features delicious olive oils, vinegars, kitchen items and lovely gifts.
Thank you for visiting my blog. Wishing you peace, love, happiness, and beautiful vistas!
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Rabbit Romance: My Love Affair With Bunnies
Easter and springtime bring to mind baby chicks, eggs, and of course, bunnies. With their twitchy little noses, fluffy tails, and long, soft ears, rabbits are simply adorable. I have always loved them.
I grew up in a home where my father did not care for pets. Dad had already nixed my request for a kitten or puppy. It was only due to my Mom surreptitiously sneaking him into the backyard along with his rabbit hutch that I came to know and love Oliver. Oliver was a very fat, sweet rabbit, as brown as a bread crust and with feet as big as my hands. When Dad discovered my new pet, he was told that Oliver’s previous owner had departed for college and could no longer care for him. There was no taking him back. Wink wink.
My bunny Oliver. Oliver became my best friend. I would dress him up in baby doll bonnets and Daisy Duke cut-offs, feed him lettuce and carrots, and snuggle with him. I would ride around with him tucked safely inside a white flower-power basket on the front of my bicycle, which often drew astonished looks from folks we passed in the neighborhood.
My love of rabbits only grew with my love of reading about them. Beatrix Potter’s Tale of Peter Rabbit was a favorite of mine. I ended up naming one of my sons Peter; it may have been my adoration for Peter Rabbit. I loved that Peter Rabbit was the naughty one in the family, sneaking into Mr. McGregor’s garden and binging on veggies. After his misadventures, his siblings, Flopsy, Mopsy, and Cottontail get fresh bread and blackberry jam but poor Peter gets only chamomile tea and is put to bed. Poor Peter!
Brer Rabbit, created by Joel Chandler Harris, lived in a briar patch and was always one-upping the naughty Brer Fox. I have always admired him because he was resourceful and survived by his wits to escape capture. He was a tricky trickster!
The Velveteen Rabbit, by Margery Williams, is a dear and lovely book I am besotted with. Is there anyone that does not love this classic quote?
Thumper, the bunny in Bambi always reminded me “If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all.” A good life lesson that I need to abide by.
The White Rabbit in Alice and Wonderland always fascinated me, running around helter-skelter with his pocket watch. There was also the March hare who was obsessed with having tea. Never a dull moment for the bunnies in Wonderland!
The Country Bunny and the Little Gold Shoes by Dubose Heyward tempted me with the most magical fairy tale adventures.
Do you have any favorite rabbits or rabbit stories? If so, I would love to hear about them. Thank you for visiting my blog. Wishing you peace, love, happiness, and a beautiful Easter!
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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 -
Pretty Fall & Winter Pedicure Toe Nail Art Ideas
With fall and winter holidays just around the corner, don’t forget your toes! There is nothing more fun (and relaxing) than having a pedicure and choosing pretty colors and designs are important. Take time to browse through my cute toe nail art designs for your own inspiration!
I love the deep rich autumn brown with the coppery gold artwork. It creates a very fall vibe.
Nothing will put you in the Christmas spirit like getting a cute pedi with these festive holiday toes! It is like giving a present to yourself, literally!
Gold & Cherry Red is a great combo for New Year’s Eve and into 2019!
I hope you enjoyed my nail art designs. Wishing you peace, love, happiness, and super cute toes!