A cool Humboldt Fog rolls in. . . . . . . . .

Doing all we can to stay cool here in central North Carolina as the weather continues 

to heat up. End of week became dangerously hot with the actual temperature
 hovering at 100F yesterday and will continue over most of the weekend. 
The heat index will make it feel more like 110F and could be life threatening for
 those who don't take care! 

We know to stay out of the sun, in air conditioned spaces, drink plenty of water, and 
not do stupid things such as mowing lawns, pulling weeds, jogging - or even

 walking far outdoors!

Northern California coast - Trinidad, Humboldt County 2016

I've shared these foggy coastal photos before but couldn't resist displaying

 them again as they are so refreshing on these hot days.

San Carlos, CA wine bar - perfect cheese plate with

 fresh bread, apricots, honey and chutney, and great

 cheese choices.

So what should we eat in 100+ degrees?

Always looking for hot stove alternatives in oppressive, steamy weather.

Salads of course are always good. Chilled soups such as the cucumber gazpacho

 we've enjoyed lately - and luckily I've several pouches in my freezer as I made so

 much last week. . . . . . . . and how about cheese plates! 

I love cheese in any shape or form. When in California last year, wine

tasting also meant cheese tasting, and did we ever get some fabulous 

offerings both at wineries and restaurants!

High end wine tasting in Napa - the way to go!

After hot, sunny weather in and around Napa and Sonoma, it rained heavily

 for our visit to Northern California, but it was so beautiful and allowed for

 some mysterious looking photos of the coastline bathed in fog with crashing

 waves. . . . . . . . and the discovery of what has become one of my most

 favorite cheeses ever. . . . . . . . . . . 

. . . . . .Humboldt Fog - a soft-ripened goat cheese made in Arcata, CA.

 Winner of many awards both in the US and internationally,

with just four ingredients, pasteurized cultured goat milk, salt, enzymes 

and vegetable ash, this is a remarkable cheese. . . . . . and all can be

eaten including the rind and ash.

 Each handcrafted one pound mini wheel features, per the maker Cypress Grove, 

"a distinctive ribbon of edible vegetable ash, buttermilk and fresh cream,

 complemented with floral notes, herbaceous overtones, and a clean citrus finish.

 As Humboldt Fog matures, the creaminess develops and the flavor intensifies."

Yes, on these hotter than you know what days, I'll be prepared when it 

comes to eating and drinking. A somewhat expensive cheese, but Costco stores
 are offering Humboldt Fog mini wheels at an excellent price.

What to drink with this cheese?
While the cheese is young, a chilled

 Sauvignon Blanc - my always favorite white - or a demi-sec sparkling wine, 
is suggested. When ripe, a Pinot Grigio, Rosé (my summer drink), Vouvray,

 or a sweet sherry. When mature, a Zinfandel or Pinot Noir may be best.

If you prefer a thirst-quenching cold beer, the maker suggests wheat beer, 

IPA or Porter with a young cheese, pale ale

 with ripe, and IPA or Stout when the cheese has matured.

Do you have a favorite cheese?
I'm admitting to being a cheese-aholic. . . . . . . how
 about you?

The weekend's here again already - 
have a great one.

Amazing trees of Northern California. . . . . . .

Just a peek into the mighty Redwood forests of northern California.

During our recent visit it rained quite hard off and on due to the remnants of 

the typhoon which hit the Pacific Northwest, but it didn't stop us from

 enjoying ourselves.

I'd never seen these trees before - they are amazing, so large it's

really difficult to even take photos to show you their gigantic size.

Just looking up trying to see the tops 300 feet or more above was

quite painful.

Paula appears so small at the base of this Redwood. . . . . . . 

. . . . . . and here you can perhaps get a better idea as to the 

size of the tree trunk compared to a person.

We drove through two different trees - this one was magnificent.

Bob and Paula - in a tight squeeze!

 Rough-skinned newt resting in the rain.

Pretty leaves growing and dropping - rain-soaked colors.

On a dry day I could imagine sitting here for quite a while, amazed by

 the trees and beauty Nature shares in this forest.

via Paula's iPhone  

Bob and me dwarfed by the forest of Redwood trees

as the rain came down. . . . but the sun peeped through now and

 then. . . . . .it was amazing and so beautiful.

I voted today - November 8, 2016

All Hallows' Evening ~~~~~~~~~~~~~

BOO!

Photo - with a little tweaking - from my recent visit to the awesome

 Lady Bird Johnson Grove Nature Trail in northern California.

This one mile loop walking trail in Redwood National & State Parks near Orick, 
was so magnificent, even though viewed in rain, that I will definitely be writing
 more, with photos of course, soon.

A place like this has to be shared again with all who may have already visited,

 and definitely with those of you who may not have the chance. . . . . . but 

I certainly hope you do!

The ancient tree-worshipping European pagans lit candles on fir trees for the

 winter solstice - this custom was transformed by Christians into the lighted

 Christmas tree. This kept popular customs alive but dimmed their pagan past

 to the satisfaction of all. There are certainly many stories/myths regarding the
pagan roots of Halloween.

It is written that Halloween was originally a Celtic pagan end-of-summer rite
 celebrating Samhain, said to be the Lord of the Dead. He called forth spirits
 of the dead in the form of ghouls to roam the villages and try to gather new
 victims to take to hell. People defended themselves by wearing masks and
 costumes as disguises. 

Will you wear a disguise on Halloween?

Do you party or take the little ones trick or treating?

Do you hand out treats at your home?

Do you love big trees?

Answer any or all!

"Happy haunting"

Rain soaked Pacific Northwest coastline. . . . . . . . . . .

Another part of the California coast is very different from Monterey Bay

which I recently shared HERE.

There is a town in northern California named Trinidad - and I must say it's

 totally unlike the southern Caribbean island of the same name.

It sits on a rocky bluff overlooking Trinidad Bay surrounded by redwoods and spruce. 

It's a seaside village, often compared to a quaint Cornish fishing village with a small

 fleet of fishing boats, a working pier, and restaurants serving great seafood.

The day we stopped here was at the end of the typhoon which paid the

 Pacific Northwest an unusual visit. Rain was extremely heavy, lashing the windows

 of the comfy little restaurant we chose for a great seafood lunch. Unable to spend

 time outdoors in the downpours, I managed to take these photos from the car.

Named one of the most spectacular and pristine segments of the California coast,

Trinidad has been established as a California Coastal National Monument Gateway -

an area that offers the best shore-based opportunities to discover and view offshore

 rocks and islands and their inhabitants. The Trinidad rocks support one of the most

 diverse seabird colonies in California with twelve species and over 100,000 

breeding individuals.

As beautiful as it looked in the storm - just as we were leaving the rains did let up a bit -

 I would love to return some day in sunshine - it truly is a lovely ocean area.

P.S.  Many, many thanks for all the much appreciated

 Birthday greetings on the last post - you are all

 such wonderful friends.

The Vineyards, Winery Gardens, Cozy B&B's of California -

Such a beautiful place to visit. . . . . . . . . and I often find myself experiencing

 those "I could live here" moments!

Then I'm advised of the price of real estate!

Land for vineyards cost as much as a million dollars per acre.

Tiny houses a couple of million before an often needed rehab.

So I'm staying where I am of course. . . . . .but will always be up
 for a visit here where it truly is lovely.

Our beautiful suite on the lower level by the pool - in Napa. 
This amazing B&B is the Candlelight Inn and I'll be showing you much
 more of it in another post.

We are now in Ferndale, just south of Eureka, California.
A spectacular Victorian B&B in a small town full of Victorian buildings,
 the previous homes of cattle barons and dairy kings.
Weather is wet but we're seeing some beautiful scenery including the 
giant redwood forests and the pounding Pacific surf along the shore.

Velvet underground. . . . . . .

 via ZARA

via ZARA

Velvet, like silk, seems to soak up color and turn it into something miraculous.

The fabric comes alive, saturated and bold, brilliant and beautiful.
Velvet upholstery and drapes - beautiful.
Yes, velvet is back for clothes, not just for evening, for daytime too.
I have a few velvet pieces hanging in my closet.
A crushed velvet coat in chocolate brown. 
A black velvet top cut and stitched like a casual sweatshirt.
A skirt, short, inky black, and perfect with tights and booties under my red coat.
 But I think I might look for more for a few more pieces for Autumn and Winter.

Do you like velvet - for clothes not curtains?

******************

Post hurricane update from home - my freezer and frig are empty but
apparently our power was restored yesterday.
Our area has suffered and much of North Carolina is still under water
and there is much sadness with death and destruction.
Here in Northern California the rains are due - this last day in the Napa Valley 
will be lovely and dinner will be on The Wine Train this evening.
Tomorrow we head further north into to rain - but I know it will still
be beautiful. Photos later from San Francisco and this lovely
wine country.

Wednesday Wit and Wisdom . . . . . . . .

I was in my late sixties when I made my first run, alone. Crossing one of the most beautiful lakes in northern California. Deep, sparkling water, tall green pines along the shoreline, a snow-capped sleeping volcano in the distance. Somehow, in these later years, I've become brave, adventurous. My heart pounds sometimes and I wonder if this the right thing for an aging heart. On that day, in the quietude of an early morning, I graduated from riding pillion behind my friend on her wave runner. I straddled my own bright red machine, checked my life jacket, looked across the pool of shimmering diamonds, and started my engine. . . . . . . . . . . 

  

Today I'm joining Linda Kay's WEDNESDAY WIT AND WISDOM
on her blog Senior Adventures.

I like the idea of a writing challenge.

Choose a photo - write a story, a poem, an observation.

Visit Linda Kay HERE for more stories. Perhaps add 
your own, after all we each have a story to tell.