you fill up my senses...like a night in the forest....like a sleepy blue ocean

can you believe we are back already?!!

geez, i wasn't kidding when i said things have been a whirlwind.

heads up: this is going to be a monstrously long post because i am writing it the night i am home, full of the swirling love and exuberance of our trip together and kinda not ready for it to be over.

picnic at salt point.

our coastal getaway could not have been more perfect and lovely....thanks in part to good old CALIFORNIA which has a fine blend of perfect weather, cool and unusual and exciting history, and beautiful landscapes, and thanks in full to the most amazing place we stayed:

Jughandle Creek Farm and Nature Center.

and our perfect rustic little cabin, complete with woodstove and loft bed, mmmmmmm.

day one i wore what i call my "anniversary dress," the lovely vintage dress pattern my momma sewed for me as my wedding reception-dress of white cotton eyelet. i loved it that day, and i love it still and i trust i will wear it every year!

3 happy years is cause for celebration indeed (i soooo agree, anne!)

darin's dream come true: wooden cabin, soy nuts, a good book about Billy the Kid....

(and a perfect beanie from sara....)

other amazing things about Jughandle Creek Farm include:

plants everywhere:

bookshelves and books everywhere (there's a nature book lending library inside the main farmhouse)

access to an organic garden from which you can pluck anything for your supper!

(by the way my scarf is from milla)

green fields, paths through wildflowers, old apple orchards, and a big spacious meadow campground area for taking long walks:

lovely trails to the ecological preserve and beach:

(blouse from the forestlass)

and oh!

that beach!

i wore a vintage bathing suit that came from grandma cherie a long time ago.

till the wind picked up and darin lent me his sweater. and it was STILL heaven.

also, Jughandle is located precisely in between Fort Bragg and Mendocino, two perfectly charming coastal towns.

Fort Bragg for morning coffee and bookstore/thrift store shopping:

mendocino for live music,

treats,

and sunset strolls on the headlands.

back to the cabin for cozy fires and reading at night.

by the way, the main farmhouse which has an amazing light-filled kitchen for all guests to share, as well as parlours and cozy chairs and hang out spots galore and big antique rugs, was built about 140 years ago!

 a past guest even made a book of drawings of the place.

okay, okay, i'll stop.....

believe me, i could go on and on! i'm so enraptured by this time we spent together and highly recommend a getaway for all you lovely ladies.

but now i have to crawl into bed to wake up for yet another adventure: backpacking with darin and the family for fourth of july weekend.

see you when my head stops spinning!