The quality of life is in direct proportion to the capacity for delight. The capacity for delight is the gift for paying attention.
live in the moment … stop and smell the roses … and be grateful for what this Monday brings
You cannot direct the wind, but you can adjust the sails!
“The goal isn’t to get rid of all your negative thoughts & feelings; that’s impossible. The goal is to change your response to them.” … marcandangel
Choose to take hold of what you can control and let go of what you cannot. You cannot control every circumstance, but you can control your character. You cannot control the actions of others, but you can control how you react to them. You cannot always control the outcome, but you can control how you process that outcome.
You cannot direct the wind, but you can adjust the sails!
I traveled up to Santa Ynez last August to celebrate the wedding of my dear friend’s daughter. I’ve been to the charming triangle of towns that make up Santa Ynez … Buellton, Solvang, Los Olivos & Santa Ynez … numerous times, but I wanted to see if there was something new to discover in the area, besides another winery. I found it at the Santa Rita Hills Lavender Farm. It was started in May of 2020, at the height of the pandemic, by a mother/son team. They grow over 3000+ lavender plants, as well as seasonal flowers, and it was only about 15 minutes from my hotel.
It’s up a winding road through a neighborhood and then you come upon their beautiful farm. The lavender had already been mostly harvested, but there were still a few rows that looked pretty. I was greeted by Lucas, the son part of the team, and he gave me some background on their operation, events and encouraged me to walk through the fields … which I happily did! Here’s a sneak peek …
They have some interesting looking workshops & events throughout the year, like yoga in the lavender fields, wreath making and honey tasting, to name a few. You can also schedule a private class too. The upcoming Farm to Table Dinner on July 8th looks amazing and it benefits a local charity. Yes, it’s a bit pricey at $250 (today is the last day to get that price before it goes up to $300 on June 1) but what a cool, unique dinner to attend. Over the years I’ve done some Outstanding in the Field Farm dinners and it’s really a great learning and foodie experience, that I would recommend if you can afford it. I love the smell of lavender, so I stopped into their tiny store to buy a few things, so I’d have a little slice of the farm when I returned home.
Check out their website for more info and stop by if you’re in the area.
It was time to get ready for the wedding, so I hustled back to my hotel. What a fun, gorgeous evening, surrounded by beauty, friends & love …. and a few alpacas/llamas too!
I’m on the road again next week to drive up North and dance up a storm at my nephew’s wedding in Napa! I’m going a few days early, because why not, and I just found another lavender farm, that is also a winery in the area. I booked my reservation to wander the fields with a glass of wine … and replenish my diminished goods at their lavender market. My timing for the blooms looks much better than last year and I’m so excited!
You cannot direct the wind, but you can adjust the sails!
Memorial Day is the day that is set aside to remember, with gratitude & pride, all those who served and died for our country and our freedom. May your day be filled with memories and peace.
You cannot direct the wind, but you can adjust the sails!
“If you cannot find peace within yourself,
you will never find it anywhere else” … Marvin Gaye
You cannot direct the wind, but you can adjust the sails!
Live like you’re about to enter the best chapter of your life.
You cannot direct the wind, but you can adjust the sails!
If you think your life is boring, it will be boring. If you think your life is wonderful and fun, it will be wonderful and fun. Do you see the connection? It’s all a matter of attitude!
You cannot direct the wind, but you can adjust the sails!
My home-base in the Loire Valley was the perfectly situated, Amboise. It is a quaint little village to walk in, with cute shops, great architecture, and of course the beautiful Chateau Amboise.
My original plan for my fourth day was to travel to Château de Chambord, Château de Cheverny and/or Château Royal de Blois (all highly recommended), but to be honest I was tired of driving and exploring and just needed a day to relax and read in my cozy little apartment. Our book club selection for the month was Demon Copperhead, and it’s a big book, as some of Barbara Kingsolver’s books can be. I walked down to the water and read on a bench for a bit, wandered the tiny streets, and then went back to my apartment for more reading and then made myself a delicious dinner, if I do say so myself. I put together a little charcuterie board from some delicacies I had bought at the farmer’s market, and then made some fresh pasta with pesto. It was DEEEELISH!
My last day in the Loire Valley concluded with a cave tour and wine tasting at Caves Ambacia, which was an easy walk from my apartment. I’ve been to numerous wine tastings, but this one was especially interesting, due to the pairing with select cheeses/salamis. The cave tour was so interesting, but the wine tasting was even better (okay, of course it was, wine was involved!) It was kind of amazing how a very dry white wine (I’m not a fan), on first taste, transforms into a semi-dry delicious wine when accompanied by a soft goat cheese … or how a red wine taste can change so much with the addition of spicy or fatty salami. Try it yourself!
I thought I was done looking at chateaux, but there was one that was just up the hill from Chateau d’Amboise and kind of on my way back to the apartment. Seemed silly not to go at least check it out.
Château of Clos Lucé is best known as the final home of Leonardo da Vinci before his death in 1519. I forgot to mention that Leonardo is buried at Chateau d’Amboise and that he had an extensive relationship with France’s kings Charles VIII, Louis XII and Francis I. So much history in all of the chateaux in the Loire Valley. I’m not a huge history buff, but the escapades of the French monarchy … Fascinating!
My final stop in Amboise was at Les Arpents, another amazing restaurant with a Bib Gourmand rating, and recommended by the apartment owner. It was less than 50 euro for 3 courses and an amuse bouche and my mouth is literally watering looking back at these pictures.
A couple more food recs from my 5 days in Amboise …
It was pouring on pizza Monday, but that didn’t stop me from indulging in this delicious pie. Via Roma, is right across from the chateau and the ambience was lovely. One thing I noticed more on this trip than my previous visits to France, was how bright the lights were in all the restaurants. There were a few I wanted to say, “turn down those lights!”
There was another restaurant named Paul, also right across from the chateau. Paul, I later found out is a chain restaurant, with outposts in Paris too. It may be a chain, but the food was really good!
Well, that’s it for Amboise! Such a quaint little town with great food choices, beautiful architecture and the perfect place to wander!
You cannot direct the wind, but you can adjust the sails!
Happy Cinco de Mayo!
(…because I forgot to click “publish” on Wandering Wednesday!)
I boarded the TGV, fast train, at Gare Montparnasse for the 1 1/2 hour ride through the French countryside down to the Loire Valley. I hopped in my rental car and made my way to the first of six stunning chateaux I had planned on visiting on my five day stay in the region. I only made it to four! The amount of pictures I took at each chateaux is ridiculous, so I’ll just show you a few highlights from each. I’ll get to some restaurants and experiences later, but the pictures of all the chateaux is everything you need to understand why so many people flock to this area of France.
First up … Château d’Azay-le-Rideau
second stop … Château de Villandry with the most amazing gardens
Day Two … The Amboise Sunday Market on the banks of the Loire River and The Royal Château of Amboise
They had an interesting fashion exhibit at Amboise, curated by local art students, depicting the clothing inspired by 16th century period fashion.
Day Three … Château de Chenonceau my favorite one of all …
… and on to Château de Chaumont, with an interesting art exhibit
Day four & five coming on Foodie Friday … stay tuned!
You cannot direct the wind, but you can adjust the sails!
“If I am not good to myself
how can I expect anyone else to be good to me?” … Maya Angelou
A woman who knows what she brings to the table is not afraid to eat alone.
You cannot direct the wind, but you can adjust the sails!