California Dreamin'

Since it's pretty darn frigid here right now, I've decided to extend my reminiscences about Christmas in California for one more winter day.


Why wouldn't I, when I have yet to show you the beautiful post-rain sky I spotted from the front door of My Sister's apartment?


And when I haven't shown you a few photos from the wackiness that is Venice Beach on Christmas Eve day ...


... the wackiness that Conservative Hubby said was making him break out in hives?


I know what you're thinking right now. "Ah, yes, that's the way to spend the holidays."


You know what else makes for a great holiday?


Dining on wonderfully fresh fish tacos at a big farmhouse table in My Sister's apartment.


Trust me, I know.


And to cap it all off, there's nothing like a stormy dusk walk on the beach.

Returning

Oh, I'm sorry. Did I promise you that you'd get surfing photos? Way back in 2010? And did I say I'd post them right away and then proceed to fall off the face of the earth for over a week?

Oops.

My bad.

But it happens, you know. Especially when you can't tear your gaze away from the sunny California coast.


Or the equally sunny Gulf coast.


Or when you're on vacation for 10 blissful days sans computer.

You try finding the motivation to cull 240 surfing photos down into one blog post when there's sand and sun and surf waiting for you. Then let me know how it goes.

Probably about as well as it went for me, eh?

Alas, I'm landlocked once again. I'm armed with my computer once again. I'm (slowly ... reluctantly ... ) throwing off the fog of a lazy vacation filled with food and fun and family.

So I'll return to you soon. I'll post more surfing photos soon. (And a few food photos, if you're really nice to me.) Promise.

But I'm not going to promise it will be tomorrow, because we all know how well that worked out last time ...

Santa Monica Lovin'

As you may have noticed from my last couple of posts, I enjoyed the time I spent visiting My Sister in Santa Monica. How can you not love a city with a small-town, laid-back vibe, with an adorable Main Street and a beautiful beach beckoning just beyond the palm trees?


How can you not love walking under beautiful flowering trees


and past little street-side gardens designed to grow corn, squash, and beans—and educate passersby about the traditional gardening technique involving the aforementioned three sisters?


How can you not love peculiar plants


and big community gardens full of every flower imaginable?


How can you not love wrought-iron railings leading to the apartment where you're visiting?


And once you get in the apartment, how can you not love casual, light and bright decor


a friendly greeting


and a surfboard ready to go?

West Coast Livin'

I'm guessing that you've been sitting around all week wondering, "Where was Julie last Friday? What was she doing?" I'm sure it's consuming every waking moment. So, to put all your questions to rest, I thought I'd fill you in on last Friday's activities.

Just because I'm thoughtful like that. And just because I want to rub in where I was.


At about this time last Friday, I was sitting on a lovely little patio drinking coffee with my mother. We were in Santa Monica, which my nomadic sister now calls home. Then, we wandered down an adorable little Main Street of shops and restaurants, window-shopping because nothing opens early in this laid-back beach town.

Shortly thereafter, surprise of all surprises, we headed to the beach. It's a mere three blocks from My Sister's apartment. And oh so wonderful.

Right before you reach the beach, there's this big paved path, with lanes for bicyclists, roller-bladers, and skaters plus the occasional pedestrian. I may be mistaken, but I'm pretty sure everyone in Santa Monica travels on that path. If they don't, they should. Why wouldn't you?


We parked our chairs in a spot near one of the lifeguard houses, a la Baywatch. (No babes, though, but perhaps I'll tell Conservative Boy I saw some Pam Anderson lookalikes in order to get him out there with me next time.)


From there, we could enjoy views of sun and sand and beautiful West Coast waves.


It was lovely. It was perfect. I decided by noon on Friday I was never going to leave.