Dinner and Gratitude (#30) at Heart and Home

Welcome back!

I'm so glad you're here.

After that walk on the ocean cliffs (go check it out here),

you're just in time for

a hearty ranch house dinner, with margaritas!

"He is a wise man who does not grieve for the things which he has not, but rejoices for those which he has." - Epictetus

It's nothing fancy, but you're always welcome.

Gather around the table set for a casual meal.

It's a lovely, almost crispy Fall-ish early evening.

(still not officially Fall until Sept. 22 at 11:09 PM - according to WikiAnswers)

Autumn-y colored linens, rush chairs, hand-painted rooster plates.

Margarita glasses.

Margaritas.

Well, for some of us anyway.

The rest can drink sparkling limeade.

I'm thankful for spontaneous celebrations.

I'm always thankful for the pleasure of a shared meal.

I'm thankful I can set a pleasant looking table in my own home,

 and serve abundant, tasty, healthy food and drink to my loved ones.

You already know candle light is on my list of things to be thankful for.

And these little polka-dotted votives make me smile!

See what I mean.

They're cute, right?

I'm thankful for the simplicity

of the blue and yellow and white color scheme,

and the ease of choosing

 from among my favorite linens, dishes and flatware.

I love mixing it up with patterns, textures and colors.

I'd rather have a few favorite items that I use regularly,

than an overwhelmingly huge stash of things stuffed in the cupboards.

The exception apparently being my desire

 to own one zillion candles in every shape and color

as long as they are white.

Well, a girl's gotta have a hobby.

Excuse me while I go light the bar-by.

It's almost time to start cooking dinner.

Around here we use real charcoal,

in an old Weber that's been part of the family

 for a very long time.

Not very high-tech, or high-end, or glamorous. 

Kinda like me. 

I'm thankful I don't have to worry about those things

 among the people I love.

And that simple pleasures bring me joy,

every day.

What are the simple things that make you smile?

I'd love to know.

Until next time,

XO

Heidi

Linking to Tabletop Tues. Thanks!

                        

La Selva Beach and Heart and Home

Hi!

Welcome back to Heart and Home, and thanks for stopping by.

I spent a delightful afternoon

 at a "new-to-me" store PATINE,

in the teeny-tiny downtown of La Selva Beach.

I finally left close to two hours later,

after poking around,

checking out all the wonderful reclaimed ticking linens,

candles, jewelry, pillows, scarves, lanterns and more.

I had a great time talking with Dani, co-owner of the business with her husband.

I will tell you more about Dani and PATINE in a future post.

And show you pictures, too.

In the meantime, you can find out more HERE.

After my shopping expedition I continued on out of town.

I came upon this at the end of the road:

On one of the most glorious days of the late Summer,

the sun was sparkling on the water like diamonds.

For a little while I had this part of the world to all to myself.

Peace and tranquility free for me to enjoy as long as I wanted.

The temperature of the air was so perfect I couldn't feel it on my skin.

I love days like this!

The sunlight glistened off the gentle waves.

The beach was nearly abandoned.

For miles in each direction I could count only a handful of walkers with their dogs.

Railroad tracks seldom used 

provide symbolism for my feelings this afternoon.

I'm on my way somewhere, but to where exactly?

Who knows.

I felt the urge to join the group of children playing in the surf,

But there was no obvious way down the cliffs to the shore.

 I think this part of the world is kept a secret from the rest of us

 by those who are in the know.

I can't blame them.

I would want to have this quiet place to myself, too.

I would divulge it's location to only a few chosen,

special ones, dear to my heart.

People I know and trust to keep a secret.

I can't take you there,
But I can share this place with you today.

Enjoy the harmony and the beauty of the ocean,

on one of the most perfect last days of Summer.

Until next time,

XO

Heidi

In Remembrance

September 11, 2001

Wednesday Gratitude #29 at Heart and Home

Hey everyone! You're just in time for Wednesday Gratitude.

I hope you all had a wonderful holiday.

I spent three great days with my husband, sans daughters.

Daughters spent three fabulous days sans parents.

For us: no fancy hotels or room service.

Instead:

a long walk,

dinner and a movie,

a baseball game,

an air show.

All wonderful.

For them: time at the dorm and in the city.

Shopping, cooking, talking, reading.

Watching movies.

Eating, giggling.

Two sisters, doing what they do best, together.

Sometimes simple weekends are the best.

We all returned home happy.

It was a good weekend!

I'm very grateful for those three days.

And now, I'm back to the daily routine, 

I'm feeling particularly grateful for Guadalupe and his team.

They stopped by the house this morning with their squeegees and soapy water,

and worked some magic on this house.

Eleven  exterior French Doors.

Four interior French Doors.

25 BIG windows.

Four skylights.

All are clean, sparkling, and spotless.

Perfect.

Daughter #2 came home from school this afternoon and said the light looked different.

Said the rooms seemed to glow in the sun.

That everything looked "crisper".

I noticed it, too.

That bright, brilliant, fall-ish sunshine, streaming through the windows.

NO fingerprints, no dust, no streaks.

Ever notice how clean windows make the whole house feel fresh?

It's lovely!

I'm very thankful for the clean, clear views.

I'm thankful I didn't have to climb up the ladder myself,

 armed with buckets and rags,

but instead know a nice man and his three nice helpers, 

who will take care of that chore for a reasonable fee

 and leave with a smile and a handshake.

And give me the gift of sunshine and shining glass.

"I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought; and that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder." - G.K. Chesterton

What are you grateful for today?

Link in, and let us know!

Until next time,

XO

Heidi

ps. all pics taken through windows! see what I mean by clean?

linking to Outdoor Wednesday, thanks Susan!

Fall Hydrangeas at Heart and Home

These are the final days of summer.

The weather has been the nicest yet, with fog-free mornings and warm breezy days.

Around here it's the best time of the year to head to the beach,

but don't let the out-of-towners know that.

It will be our little secret.

In the garden, plants need to be pruned, oak leaves swept up,

 and acorns cleared off the steps and the deck.

The pots of hydrangeas from the Summer are past their prime.

I cut all the stems and put them in a vase to dry.

Now they will be Fall Hydrangeas.

I have baskets around the house containing dried bunches from years ago.

When I move the baskets, hydrangea petals rain everywhere in little petal flurries.

I'm adding new stems to the collection so I can let go of some of the really old ones.

 I'm afraid they will eventually turn to dust, like a moth's wings.

I really don't need any more dust in this house, if you know what I mean.

Maggie doesn't like to dust, either.

She is not a very big help around the house.

This dog gets a free ride around here, that's for certain.

I guess being cute counts for something.

I'm wondering if these blossoms will hold their color.

They are the prettiest green and gold,

and somewhere in that bunch 

are a few pale blue reminders of spring and summer.

Everyday right about now

the afternoon sun streams through the skylights,

bathing the entryway in warmth and golden sunlight.

I always look forward to this time of year.

After the excitement of back-to-school,

we all chug through the next few weeks.

Earlier bedtimes, alarm clocks,

 packed lunches and homework take some getting used to. 

The weather is warmer than usual, and the days are still long.

Then, all of a sudden, there is a snap in the air

and it's time to pull out the heavy throws and brocade slipcovers.

Seashells will soon be replaced
with pumpkins, gourds and dried wheat, as the weather turns cool.

Time to let go of the warm weather and embrace the chill in the air,

 the falling leaves and the scent of burning wood.

Time to start thinking about the upcoming holidays and celebrations.

Time to start baking delicious apple treats,

with apples picked in the orchard across the way.

I've collected a few new recipes, for apple cakes and crisps and crumbles.

I'm looking forward to some quality time in the kitchen,

peeling and chopping and sifting and stirring.

And tasting.

I'll let you know how things turn out.

Until next time,

XO

Heidi

Linking to Show and Tell, at Cindy's