Carmel, and Wednesday Gratitude #26 at Heart and Home

Hi everyone.

"No one is as capable of gratitude as one who has emerged from the kingdom of night." -Elie Wiesel
I'm back with my new attitude, and just in time for Wednesday Gratitude! Thanks all you lovely lovelies, for the kind words and the support.

I am amazed your willingness to offer insight and guidance, and by your wisdom and humor.
I am grateful for the great fortune of your friendship.
I am taking all your advice to heart.
Thank you!

Yesterday I took my girls for a short drive down the highway, for lunch,  window shopping and a meander down the rustic roads of Carmel.

 I picked out two of my favorite homes, just a block from the beach.

I could have shown you at least 100 more that I'd move into in a heartbeat.
There are so many cozy cottages, and gorgeous haciendas, California ranch style, and modern seaside homes that it's hard to pick a favorite.

We're guessing these two are in the $2.5 - 3 million price range.
At least.

I will take them both.

This park in the middle of town is quiet and green, surrounded by manicured trees and bouganvilla.
It's a sort of escape and a dose of reality compared to the extravagances of the shops in town.

Strolling through the pretty boutiques can take the better part of a day.

And let me tell you, these places are pricey!

Who is spending that kind of money nowadays?

Not me.

It is fun to look, and get ideas, and daydream.

This shop rekindled my dream to get back to my painting one of these days.

One year ago I pulled out my watercolors.

They are still sitting right where I put them.

Because I started Heart and Home that very same week.

And since then I've been spending a lot of time with you ladies!

But I think I should take some time for other pursuits, too.

I used to have dreams about my paintings, when I was painting every day.

I really enjoyed messing around with the colors and compositions, and looking at things in a different way.

Anyway, I also love spending time on the beach on a foggy, hazy day.

We ended our visit to Carmel doing just that.
The beach is right at the end of main street.

This is the Pacific Ocean, and the waves crash on world-famous Pebble Beach.
In the distance you can see more of those multi-million dollar homes that crowd the cliffs along the shore.
Those green patches are the Pebble Beach golf course.
La-dee-dah.

And what do you think of this powdery white sand?
It's totally different from the sand on our beaches on the bay.

Let me tell you, although it doesn't look like much in this picture, it's a good work-out climbing that hill!
Especially after eating Thai noodles and curry for lunch.
Which we did, with gusto.

I'm contemplating my future!
Which looks bright by the way.
I'm getting cheerier every day.

See?
I'm squinty, and almost happy.
I guess a day shopping and walking on the beach was just what I needed.
I'm grateful for the time I spent with my daughters, enjoying a little escape from the everyday routine.
I love taking the time to drive somewhere special with them.
I'm grateful we get along so well, and have fun together, sharing conversations, eating, laughing, and window shopping.

I'm grateful they still want to spend the day with their mom!
And that they think I'm cool, and they will share their shoes and lattes and advice and humor and good natures with me.
I'm very grateful I'm such a lucky girl.

Until next time,
XO
Heidi

Linking to Outdoor Wednesday, at A Southern Daydreamer. Thanks  Susan!