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Sand Dollar Beach & Jade Cove in Big Sur
Sunset at Jade Cove in Big Sur We are heading south on Hwy 1 on a jade mission. An hour and 45 minutes after leaving Carmel, we spot it. The rinky-dink parking lot across from the Plaskett Creek Campground. Sand Dollar Beach awaits!
Sand Dollar Beach is the Largest Beach in the Area To get to Sand Dollar Beach, take the wide dirt path running parallel to the parking lot. The hike is .5 miles round trip. Start at the northwest corner of the parking lot and follow the trail for until you reach the steps leading 40 feet down to Sand Dollar Beach. It is extremely isolated and quiet here. There is no cell service, it vanishes shortly after you exit the south end of Carmel. No sound but the ponderous crash of waves as they break onto the beach and the whispering of the wind through the foxtails. Jagged cliffs plunge recklessly below to the sea. The rolling prairie above the beach is punctuated by several meandering trails. Many of these end abruptly and are surrounded by poison oak, however, some lead to breathtaking cliff top views of the beach.
The Stairs Leading to Sand Dollar Beach There are many fun activities here including hiking, fishing, picnicking, and sunbathing. The beach is the largest in the area, a crescent-shaped arc of soft, white sand stretching for over half a mile. Surfing is also big here. Sand Dollar Beach is rated as one of the best surfing spots along this section of the coast. In addition, the level bluffs above the area are a designated hang glider and paraglider landing area. You may also see gray whales, elephant seals, sea otters, or shorebirds such as cormorants, brown pelicans, plovers, and gulls.
After you are done at Sand Dollar Beach, hike back to where you are parked and head further south for about 1/2 mile until you see a small pullout on the right side of Hwy 1. The trailhead to Jade Cove is unmarked, ostensibly to protect the area from overly ambitious jade seekers. Follow this trail straight back. Large jade boulders extend into the ocean and offshore you can see the picturesque 100-foot high Cave Rock, whose walls of jade are continuously pummeled by the crashing waves. As you near the ocean, follow the trail to the left through coastal grasses and wildflowers. You will pass three more boulders and then, when you see a pine tree, you are near the trail’s final descent to Jade Cove. The round trip hike is 1.5 miles.
The Unmarked Trailhead to Jade Cove Jade has been prized for thousands of years and was considered the “imperial gem” in China. It has been used throughout history for tools, weapons, jewelry and religious objects. It has even been used for its metaphysical properties; some people use it for a talisman, for feng shui, or practice “jade rolling” which is said to draw out negative energy and balance your chi. Jade Cove in Big Sur is the hang out for jade-a-holics who diligently search along the beach or even perform meticulous dives off the coast in search of the beautiful mineral. There is even an annual Big Sur Jade Festival held nearby. People come from all over the world to the three-day fall event to sell and showcase their work, ranging from tiny, delicate pieces of jewelry to huge slabs of stone harvested from the sea.
Jewelry made from Big Sur Jade; available at Nepenthe I recently met a girl running on the path to Jade Cove named Joy, who said she often finds jade there and makes it into jewelry which she occasionally sells at her mother’s shop in Pacific Grove, the Rabbit Hole. She kindly showed me what real Big Sur Jade looks like and when I returned home, I did additional research online for information that can help identify it. Apparently, the most problematic look-alike in the area is serpentine. The difference between serpentine and jade is that jade is much, much harder. How hard? If you scrape it with a pocket knife or can opener, serpentine will easily scratch, but jade will not. There are other tips offered including spitting on the stones, licking the salt off them, etc. I cannot vouch for any of these techniques.
Who knows what the tide will bring in at Jade Cove! It is always a treasure hunt here. Be aware that there are regulations regarding removing jade from the area. 1. Only loose jade from submerged lands may be collected, from below the mean tide level. 2. No tools may be used except a hand tool to maneuver and lift the jade or scratch its surface to determine its authenticity. 3. Divers may use lift bags with a combined capacity of not more than 200 pounds. For more information on regulations see: montereybay.noaa.gov
The Rambling Trail to Jade Cove Despite their rugged beauty, Jade Cove and Sand Dollar Beach can also be quite dangerous. Swimming and wading are not recommended due to dangerous rogue waves and strong rip currents. Hiking down the steep and at times slippery and ambiguous path to Jade Cove can also be a bit challenging and is not recommended for inexperienced hikers. There is a rope to hold onto at the bottom of the trail to facilitate a safe descent. Be sure to wear long sleeves, head covering and tick repellent if you will be hiking through the brush. The area is known for harboring ticks and people often leave with unintended guests, much to their chagrin.
Wild Roses Growing Along the Jade Cove Trail To reach Sand Dollar Beach and Jade Cove, travel south approximately 60 miles from Rio Road in Carmel on Hwy 1 or 30 miles north of San Simeon. No camping is permitted except at Plaskett Creek Campground, located directly across Hwy 1 from the parking lot and also at nearby Kirk Creek Campground. A parking lot, picnic tables, and restrooms are available at Sand Dollar Beach, but there is a 10.00 fee to park there. If you camp at Kirk Creek or Plaskett Creek Campgrounds you can use the Sand Dollar Beach Day Use Area without paying the fee. There are also numerous turnouts nearby along Hwy 1 where you can park for free. Sand Dollar Beach and Jade Cove are open daily from sunrise-sunset and are day use only. Dogs on leashes are allowed. No bonfires are allowed on the beach.
Thank you for visiting my Blog! Wishing you peace, love, happiness & beautiful vistas!
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The Garden Gate Story: Inspiration from Carmel-by-the-Sea
Every garden has a story to tell. The beginning of that story is your garden gate entrance. Your garden reflects who you are and what is important to you. Let these gorgeous garden gates in Carmel-by-the-Sea provide inspiration for your own unique and special garden.
Gardens evolve and grow, and with them, your story grows. What glimpse of your life do you want friends and family to have? Your gate sets the tone for the beginning of the story. Your gate lets everyone know the intention of your story. Is your gate inviting? Does it have bright colors or entice with warmth? Is it more private, implying mystery and intrigue? Whatever it is, your story begins with your gate. It should suggest what we may expect to see once we enter your garden.
Show me your garden and I shall tell you what you are–Alfred Austin
This rustic hinged wooden gate set into stone is typical of the fairy tale style homes peppered throughout Carmel-by-the-Sea.
Gardening is the art that uses flowers and plants as paint and the soil and sky as canvas–Elizabeth Murray
The use of a small heart cut-out in this garden gate, hollyhocks & roses, give this cottage garden depth & charm.
Always throw spilt salt over your left shoulder, keep rosemary by your garden gate, plant lavender for luck, and fall in love whenever you can–Alice Hoffman, “Practical Magic”
Out of the window, I can see them in the moonlight, two silhouettes saying goodnight by the garden gate–Ray Davies, “Come Dancing”
Framed by a sculpted hedge, this arched gateway leads to a secluded garden.
A garden must combine the poetic and the mysterious with a feeling of serenity and joy–Luis Barragan
This open garden gate framed by geraniums conveys a sense of warmth and welcome, inviting guests to enter.
Charming and colorful green and red decor and a hanging bell set this garden gate apart. Note the unique bicycle decor also.
This garden gate is very symbolic of the fairy tale cottage look in Carmel-by-the-Sea.
A simple and classic white garden gate is dressed up with ivy trained to form an x design.
This garden gate is the cat’s meow! Literally.
A beautiful and delicate filigree gate balances the ponderous stone arch. A topping of stacked stone “shingles” adds quaint character.
The boxwood hedges flanking the stone path and the rose covered arch provide elegance and romance to this garden gate.
Let us be grateful to the people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom–Marcel Proust
Everything that slows us down and forces patience, everything that sets us back into the slow circles of nature, is a help. Gardening is an instrument of grace–May Sarton
Your promises, your pleasures, your penchants, are all portrayed in your garden. A garden gate that expresses your sentiments and passions provides a warm and inviting welcome to your garden. I hope that you enjoyed and were inspired by these lovely garden gates from Carmel-by-the-Sea.
Thank you for visiting my blog! Wishing you peace, love, happiness, and beautiful vistas!
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Fairy Tale Cottages in Carmel-by-the-Sea
Eclectic, charming, and private, Carmel-by-the-Sea was founded in 1902. It began as a haven for creative intellectuals. Designed by James Devendorf and Frank Powers of San Francisco, the village attracted famous artists, poets, musicians, and writers, including Robinson Jeffers, Sinclair Lewis, Upton Sinclair, Jack London, and Robert Louis Stevenson. Stevenson used Carmel as inspiration for his famous novel, “Treasure Island”.
The fairy tale homes prevalent in Carmel originated with builder Hugh Comstock. Comstock built the first cottage as a studio for his wife, Mayotta, whose “Otsy-Totsy” doll business was booming. Although he had no training as a builder, he had the vision and ingenuity to create these whimsical buildings. Twenty-one of his cottages remain in the area today. Comstock is said to have been inspired by the illustrations of Arthur Rackham’s turn-of-the-century children’s books. His signature style included roofs with steep pitches, arched windows and doors, and rustic Carmel stone chimneys. As you wend and weave through the courtyards and quiet side streets of Carmel-by-the-Sea you will see many of these historical homes.
This Comstock home was built in 1927 as his studio, and later, as a home for his wife.
The “Marchen-Haus”, built in 1928, was Comstock’s largest cottage.
The Tuck Box was the only property Comstock built for commercial use. It is now used as a tea room; see The Tuck Box: A Fairy Tale Tea Room in Carmel-by-the-Sea
Comstock’s cottages became the local rage, and other builders soon followed suit. The Cottage of Sweets was built in 1922 and served as a weaving shop, ticket booth for theatres, a dress shop, and finally, a candy store. The pink cottage next to it was based on illustrations from a Swedish folktale book and included miniature turrets and stucco tiles above the windows.
This Tudor style cottage was built in 1925, and stands just east of the Candy Cottage.
The French Country style Normandy Inn was built by architect Robert Stanton in 1924, and features a shake roof and half-timbering.
The original bohemian owners of many of these fairy tale homes may be gone, but their spirit of creativity, individualism, and beauty remains.
Carmel-by-the-Sea began as a refuge for dreamers, artists, and story-tellers. Houses here do not have numbers, but rather, names, in order to support a sense of community and personal identity.
Crafted from local materials, and with lovely imperfections, the homes here look like something from Grimm’s Fairy Tales. You almost expect Snow White & The Seven Dwarves to appear in the cottage below, or Rapunzel to let down her hair from the stone tower in the cottage above.
If you visit Carmel-by-the-Sea, I highly recommend that, in addition to visiting the beach and local shops, you take time to slowly meander along the byroads and quiet side streets. You never know where your explorations will lead and what you will find, but most certainly, your fairytale adventures in Carmel-by-the-Sea will have a happy ending.
Thank you for visiting my blog! Wishing you peace, love, happiness, and beautiful vistas!
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Magical & Enchanting Gardens of Carmel-by-the-Sea
“A garden should make you feel you’ve entered privileged space — a place not just set apart but reverberant — and it seems to me that, to achieve this, the gardener must put some kind of twist on the existing landscape, turn its prose into something nearer poetry.”__Michael Pollan, Second Nature: A Gardener’s Education
As a little girl, I grew up watching my mother & father tend to our garden. It was an important part of our lives. Each year, my father would diligently work in the garden, turning over the soil. He would sow green onions, radishes, green beans, tomatoes, and cucumbers. I would help my mother plant zinnias, morning glories, sweet william, and black-eyed Susans. I would help cut bouquets of fat pink peonies and pale violet lilacs and pull weeds straggling between the flowers. I loved watching things grow and thrive with only minimal care, water, and sunshine. I played with snapdragons, made daisy chains, and helped gather fresh vegetables. I appreciated the beauty and bounty provided by nature.
It is no surprise that as an adult, nothing is more peaceful and relaxing to me, than working in my garden. I also love to see other gardens. I believe that gardening nurtures the heart and soul.
One of my favorite places to view beautiful gardens is Carmel-by-the-Sea. There, quaint seaside cottages abound, with darling garden gates and arbors, climbing roses, and picket fences. I love to wander along the streets with names like Court of the Golden Bough, Casanova, and Inspiration Avenue, and take in all the lovely views.
It is always reassuring to see well-tended flowers and gardens. To know that others love flowers and care for their gardens is very comforting.
“A garden is a grand teacher. It teaches patience and careful watchfulness; it teaches industry and thrift: above all it teaches entire trust.” __Gertude Jekyll
I love that even in the tiniest of spaces, people will grow flowers in pots where there is no room for a garden. I applaud everyone who finds a way to nurture and grow things, no matter where he or she lives.
“There are always flowers for those who want to see them.”__Henri Matisse
Serendipity is often the best way to discover beautiful gardens. I hope that you enjoyed this post and that it inspired you to find or create your own magical and enchanting gardens!Thank you for visiting my blog! Wishing you peace, love, happiness, & beautiful vistas! -
Nine Best Fresh Herbs To Use In Your Kitchen
If like me, you have had sticker shock at the price of fresh organic herbs lately, you will be happy to know that they are super easy to grow yourself for much less! One of the things I like most about herbs is that you can grow them pretty much anywhere. Even if you have no space for a garden, you can grow many herbs in pots on your windowsill or in containers on a patio. Fresh, organic, high-quality herbs can make the difference between a bland dish and something filled with exceptional flavor and aroma. Herbs often have powerful health benefits as well, by providing vitamins and minerals, strengthening the immune system, lowering blood sugar and cholesterol, and reducing inflammation.
- Basil is by far my favorite herb. It is a staple in pizzas, salads, sauces, and pesto. In addition, it contains antioxidants and helps moderate blood sugar. It is easy to grow but needs hot weather and must be kept watered regularly to thrive.
2. Rosemary. I love the smell of rosemary! It is a great herb to add to poultry and vegetable dishes. It has a refreshing scent and is super easy to grow, preferring dry conditions. It is said to improve mood, memory and protect the immune system. Here in California, a rosemary plant will grow into a full-sized bush and thrives with neglect. Seriously!
3. Dill is easy to grow. It will also attract helpful insects to your garden such as wasps and other predatory insects. It also is a delicious complement to fish and sour cream dip for vegetables. Dill is a source of calcium (surprise!), iron and magnesium.
4. Thyme is a dainty, low-growing herb with a lemony scent. I love to use it for soups, stews, vegetables, and poultry. It is a staple of Provençal French cuisines. Thymol, an ingredient found in thyme, has been shown to prevent fungal and viral infections, reduce respiratory issues, and alleviate stress.
5. Cilantro is another of my favorite herbs and tastes amazing in salads, with chicken, and in Mexican cuisine. The seeds of cilantro are known as coriander. It grows best in cooler weather and requires moderate watering.
6. Lavender smells fantastic and survives with little care here in California, as long as it has full sun and well-drained soil. Health benefits include the soothing of insect bites and headaches and it has been touted as a sleep aid. I like to keep dried lavender sachets in drawers to keep linens freshly scented. In cooking, lavender imparts a sweet flavor.
7. Chives are super easy to grow and look amazing in herb gardens. Chives are a member of the garlic family and are considered one of the “fine herbs” of French cuisine. Chives are an excellent source of beta-carotene and Vitamin C and taste great with potatoes and other vegetables as well as fish as well as in soups and salads.
8. Mint is super duper easy to grow. There are several varieties of mint. You can use it in drinks like mojitos, mint juleps, and iced tea. It is also used in soups and salads. It is best used fresh. Mint has high antioxidant levels, freshens the breath and will help to calm your stomach. It also relieves congestion and has anti-inflammatory properties. If you grow mint, remember that it’s invasive. Mint will spread!
9. Oregano is also part of the mint family and is native to the warm climates of Eurasia and the Mediterranean. Oregano is a plant, but in colder climates can be grown as an annual. It is sometimes called wild marjoram and is closely related to sweet marjoram. Oregano is used for flavoring and is a staple herb of Italian American cuisine including everyone’s favorite, pizza!
If you grow your own herbs, you can be assured that they are fresh and organic. If you grow your herbs indoors you can enjoy them fresh year-round. But if that’s not an option, consider freezing or drying some of your own herbs to have available for use year round. Be warned that herb gardening can be addicting!
Thank you for visiting my blog! Wishing you peace, love and happiness!
- Basil is by far my favorite herb. It is a staple in pizzas, salads, sauces, and pesto. In addition, it contains antioxidants and helps moderate blood sugar. It is easy to grow but needs hot weather and must be kept watered regularly to thrive.
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Purple Sand & Stone Arches at Pfeiffer Beach in Big Sur
For a few brief weeks around the winter solstice, the sunset casts an ethereal glow through the Keyhole Arch. 
It’s fun to just sit and contemplate the myriad of sea stacks from the beautiful beach. If you are heading to Big Sur, the exquisite Pfeiffer Beach is a must see. It is easy to miss the unmarked turnoff for this secluded beach. Take a severely sharp turn off Highway 1 on Sycamore Canyon Road at mile marker 45.64, the second right turn after Big Sur Station if you are heading south. The meandering, narrow Sycamore Canyon Road is bordered by the occasional and surprising home, given the solitude. Follow Sycamore Canyon Road just over two miles to reach the parking area.
Manganese saturates the rocky outcroppings with its purple hue. 
The disintegrating manganese in the cliffside creates a beautiful violet variation in the beach’s sand. Take a ridiculously short .1 mile hike on a flat, sandy path from the parking area to the beach. The path is flanked by Monterey Cypress and the Sycamore Canyon Creek, on the left, flows down to form a serene pool at the beach. The sun beats down on the purple-hued sand and huge waves roll and crash against the rocks and beach. The wind is usually blustery and harsh in this area.
You will be wowed by the sea stack formations here. There are three arches. Two stand side by side, close to the beach. The third, called Keyhole Arch, stands further north, alone and solitary in a wall of rock several yards out in the ocean at high tide. For a few weeks, beginning in mid-December, sunlight comes through the northern keyhole arch perfectly (or close to it) due to the angle of the sunset, and photographers will gather to get that perfect shot. The surf here can also be incredibly powerful, with huge dramatic waves.
The Keyhole Arch is said to be the most-photographed attraction in Big Sur after Bixby Bridge. Pfeiffer Beach is not a state park, but rather, a part of the Los Padres Nation Forest. During the spring, the low bluffs above the beach are dotted with wildflowers, including California poppies, verbena, Indian paintbrush, and lupines. The cliffs and arches at Pfeiffer Beach are primarily granite which continues to erode over the years with the sea’s crashing waves.
Helpful Tips:
- If you are heading south on Hwy 1, the Pfeiffer Beach turnoff is on the right, shortly after you pass the Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park entrance. The very sharp right turn is at mile marker 45.64 on unmarked Sycamore Canyon Road. Sycamore Canyon Road is a paved, ungated road.
- Pfeiffer Beach does not allow you to park outside and walk in, as you can at other places such as Point Lobos. Au Contraire. You have to pay the $10.00 entrance fee to enter in your vehicle.
- There are a limited number of parking spots and when they’re filled you are out of luck. They do not allow overnight camping, and no RVs or campers are allowed in due to the narrow road.
- Be aware that there is a “nude” section at the extreme far north end of the beach so that if you see a swimsuit or clothing lying on the beach you may be approaching a naked person!
- Pfeiffer Beach can also be extremely crowded on weekends so you may want to visit during the week when it is less busy.
- There are pit toilets available but no water to wash your hands. I recommend bringing hand sanitizer.
- It can be quite chilly and very windy, bring a sweater or jacket.
- The walk from the parking lot to the beach is short and well marked.
- Dogs on leash are allowed on the beach.
- Picnic tables and benches are available near the parking lot.
- GPS coordinates for Pfeiffer Beach are 36.2383,-121.8150.
- No campfires are allowed.
- Swimming and wading are not recommended due to dangerous waves and rip currents.
Cost:
Daily admission is 10.00 or you can purchase an annual pass for 50.00. Both cash and credit cards are accepted.
Hours:
They are open daily 8 am to sunset.
Helpful Links:
For more information, see Sycamore Canyon and Pfeiffer Beach
Thank you for visiting my blog! Wishing you peace, love, happiness, & beautiful vistas!
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The Feast of Lanterns in Pacific Grove
Pacific Grove, California, is a quaint Victorian seaside community filled with charming old homes. Each year it celebrates its history and culture during the Feast of Lanterns. It is Pacific Grove’s oldest tradition, beginning in 1905. It is a wonderful event that draws this charming small town together with a multitude of fun events and lasts for four days. The festival includes a lantern parade to the beach, fireworks over the bay, a sandcastle contest, a pageant, and a pet parade. The pet parade is held on Friday before the last day of the festival on the city’s main street, Lighthouse Avenue.
Pacific Grove has been billed as “America’s Last Hometown” and it is easy to see why, during this magical festival. Many Pacific Grove businesses & residents show their support by hanging brightly colored lanterns and lights in windows, trees, and on their porches. There are also a great many private parties held in anticipation of the festival’s finale.
Blue Willow Plate You may have heard the legend of the blue willow, a story about the beautiful antique china pattern. In this story, Chang falls in love with the beautiful Koong-se, and they fly away as immortal doves, forever free. Pacific Grove, known as Butterfly Town, has its own spin on this story, in which the lovers fly away as Monarch butterflies. This is depicted in their annual pageant, which takes place on the last night of the festival at Lover’s Point. The story takes place in pantomime. It culminates with a burst of fireworks overhead as the lovers are seen for a brief moment before departing in the guise of Monarch butterflies.
The Feast of Lanterns is held the end of July, with the culmination occurring the Saturday of the last full weekend in July. If you are planning on attending the last day’s events, be sure to arrive early in the day to set up chairs, blankets, etc. Bring warm jackets, etc. as it can become quite chilly during the evening. For more information on the festival as well as other upcoming events see Pacific Grove. Thank you for visiting my blog! Wishing you peace, love, happiness, and beautiful vistas!
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Mission Ranch in Carmel, California
Picture yourself seated on a terrace, drinking in the sweet ocean air, with stunning views of Point Lobos, Carmel River Beach, and the Santa Lucia mountains. Sheep graze peacefully in a sweeping pasture before you. A multitude of lovely shrubs and flowers surround every building, including hydrangeas, bougainvillea, hollyhocks, and angel’s trumpets. Live oaks, eucalyptus, and centuries-old cypress trees tower gracefully over them. You are sure to be delighted no matter where your gaze wanders. This is Mission Ranch.
Mission Ranch is located in Carmel, California, just around the corner from the beautiful Carmel Mission Basilica. It began in the 1850s as a farm owned by John and Elizabeth Martin and their seven children. The Martins had a dairy farm and provided Monterey County with fresh cheese and butter. Their former creamery is now the site of the Mission Ranch restaurant.
Mission Ranch is located on 22 acres owned by actor Clint Eastwood. In 1950, Clint Eastwood was 21 years old and had just been drafted. Off-duty from Fort Ord, he discovered Carmel and Mission Ranch. He loved the area and made it his second home. When developers threatened to desecrate the area and turn it into condos, he stepped up and saved the historic ranch.
This historic ranch consists of 31 rooms located in 10 original buildings on the property, including a bunkhouse, the original farmhouse, and a honeymoon cottage. Mission Ranch is a great site for weddings, family vacations, and romantic getaways. While we were at the restaurant for dinner, there was a wedding taking place. How peaceful and serene it appeared, next to the pasture full of grazing sheep!
The charming restaurant is famous not only for its lovely views but also its amazing piano bar. The piano bar is a great place to strike up friendships. We recently met a lovely couple from Cote d’Azur and had a great visit with them, even though they spoke little English and we, little French!
Mission Ranch is open every day except Christmas day. They have “early grazing” outdoors from 3-5 pm, but dinner service does not officially start until 5 pm. On the weekends, they offer a brunch from 10 am – 2 pm. During the week, you can get breakfast from 7 am-10:30 am. They do not accept reservations. I would recommend getting there early if you want to get a good table. When you arrive, you can choose to be seated inside or outside on the terrace.
We arrived at 4:30 pm and sat at the piano bar until we were seated around 5:15 pm. Fortunately, we were seated in the east section of the restaurant at a window table overlooking the pasture and sheep with a fireplace next to us. This is much quieter than the adjacent dining room near the bar and I would highly recommend it. There is a plethora of yummy food on the menu including appetizers, soups & salads and fabulous dinner entrees. I chose the slow roasted prime rib and it was too delicious!
- Pets are not allowed in the restaurant except for service animals.
- Bring a jacket or sweater for dining on the outdoor terrace as it can get chilly, even with the outdoor heaters.
- Piano music is played nightly from 5-9 pm.
Location: 26270 Delores St., Carmel, CaliforniaPhone: 831-624-3824Website: Mission Ranch.
Thank you for visiting my blog! Wishing you peace, love, happiness, & beautiful vistas! -
The Tuck Box: A Fairy Tale Tea Room in Carmel
The Original Tuck Box 
The Tuck Box Today Once upon a time, in lovely Carmel-by-the-Sea, there was a fairy tale English cottage called the Tuck Box. It was built in 1927 by Hugh Comstock. Comstock’s wife, Mayotta, was famous for her unique hand-made “Otsy-Totsy” dolls. Time passed and the cottage changed hands. During the 1940s, two sisters, Mrs. Bumbridge and Mrs. Watson, converted the building into a tea room and named it Tuck Box after the traditional trunks British schoolchildren used to carry books, food, and supplies.
Vintage Tuck Box Tuck boxes generally had a child’s initials, last name, or school mottoes and crests painted on the outside. Tuck boxes were sometimes created with secret panels, false bottoms, and sliding sections for hiding goodies or contraband. No mother, wrote Roald Dahl in his childhood memoir Boy, would send her son off to prep school without, at the very least, the following in his tuck box: a home-made currant cake, a packet of squashed-fly biscuits, a couple of oranges, an apple, a banana, a pot of strawberry jam or Marmite, a bar of chocolate, a bag of Liquorice Allsorts, and a tin of Bassett’s lemonade powder. To these, a boy would add ‘all manner of treasures’, such as magnets, pocket knives, balls of string, clockwork racing cars, lead soldiers, tiddlywinks, catapults, stink bombs and Mexican jumping beans.
You won’t find stink bombs or Mexican jumping beans at this tuck box. Instead, you will find delicious sandwiches, fresh fruit, salads, steaming hot tea in whimsical teapots, and their famous scones with fresh cream, orange marmalade, and olallieberry preserves. It is a very cozy, relaxed setting. You may be seated inside or outdoors on the terrace. Caveat: if you eat here, make sure to bring money. Oddly, the Tuck Box does not accept any credit cards and will direct you to the nearest ATM if you do not have enough cash TUCKED in your wallet.
The Tuck Box is located on Dolores Street between Ocean and 7th Ave and is open daily, 7:30 am-2:30 pm. For more information, see Tuck Box. You may also enjoy reading Fairy Tale Cottages in Carmel-by-the-Sea. Thank you for visiting my blog! Wishing you peace, love, happiness, & beautiful vistas!
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Hen House Inspiration: The 20 Cutest Chicken Coops Ever!
- The Versailles-inspired Coop. Offered by Nieman Marcus for a mere $100,000.00, this posh abode contains multiple levels, including a nesting area, a living room for nighttime roosting, a broody room, “a library filled with chicken and gardening books for visitors of the human kind”, and last, but not least, an elegant chandelier.
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2. The Little Red Barn by GopherBoy Farms. This was built entirely from junk, scraps, and odds and ends. I would say he did a pretty good job, and I bet his chickens would agree.
3. A chicken tractor from My Chicken Home would entice even the fussiest hen. A chicken tractor is basically a chicken coop that has wheels so that you can transport the coop to various areas on your property. It will also protect your chickens from being harmed by predators.
4. This turquoise trimmed coop was pieced together with “salvaged and repurposed” materials. Source: Good Enough.
5. This darling coop by Crafty Farm Girl began life as a playhouse. Super cute!
6. Holier-than-thou chickens need their own church coop! This coop was originally posted on Craigslist in the Seattle area, and for some lucky poultry, their prayers must have been answered.
7. This rustic coop from freecycleusa.com is made of recycled materials. Love the cute little weather vane!
8. A Tree Trunk Chicken Coop. For real? This is in an industrial park in New York. Source: Flickr
9. This tiny teal coop from England can house up to three chickens and is adorable! Source: Oakdene Designs.
10. A medieval looking stone coop looks like something out of Game of Thrones! Source: Kalla.
11. Chickens like Christmas Cheer too. This owner decorates her beautiful walk-in coop with wreaths for the holidays. Souce: happydaysfarm.
12. This kooky coop reminds me of Pippi Longstocking or Baba Yaga. Definitely one-of-a-kind! Source: roseapples.tumblr.com.
13. Victorian Charm is in the details with this carefully constructed coop by The Bird House.
14. All aboard the chicken express! Another tractor, this one is ready to chug down the train tracks. Source: thepoultryguide.com
15. This mint green coop (countryliving.com) is so darling it looks like a doll house.
16. This whimsical Coca-Cola and tin coop from montanahappy.com is perfectly petite and adorable.
17. An old chest of drawers has been repurposed into a diminutive coop
18. Old vehicles can also be transformed into coops. The “cluck bus”, from Community Chickens is home to more than a handful of hens! This old car (source: alternet.org) has also been converted.
19. This quaint coop is plain and simple. From Homestead Revival.
20. I initially converted this treehouse into a home for my two geese, Abelard and Heloise, but have since turned it over to two of my chickens.
Wishing you peace, love, & happiness!