Hardware Store in Wine Country

I avoid trips to The Home Depot whenever possible. Their products are fine, but not the shopping experience.

So while my husband was studying the map to get us from one winery (Bella Luna) to the next (Le Vigne), I startled him by saying, "Look at that hardware store, I have to stop."

 

We were in downtown Templeton but it felt like we had gone back in time.

I half expected to see Opie from The Andy Griffith Show.

Or at least a Templeton version of Opie!

The place is immaculate. Wood floors.

 Every item in place. Dust free and label facing forward.

Admittedly, the folks that run it are pretty 'OCD'  (they said it, we just agreed, ha ha).

But that just adds to the charm.

Along with the old-fashioned cash registers.

And the bank safe that has been around forever.

It has a stair step door frame so that if robbers try to shove nitroglycerin to blow it up, it will only settle/seep into the first of many 'stairs'.

Clever design, no?

We walked through all the aisles.

Impressed by the decent prices.

Felt the urge to support the business.

Established in 1899 and operated by the Hewitt Family since 1923.

Which is why we left Templeton with a shiny new mailbox and stick-on numbers displaying our street address….

Cocoa, Ovaltine, Belgian Chocolate, Fluff and Marshmallows, oh my!

Milestone birthdays deserve CAKE.

Even if the person you are celebrating is more of an apple pie lover.

So I scoured the internet for a show-stopper and found this multi-layered decadent cake on Sweetapolita.

I read the recipe several times.

Figuring that the amount of butter listed for the frostings MUST be wrong.

SIX STICKS !!!!

Oh boy, this cake was going to be show-stopping and possibly heart-stopping.

But most of all, it was delicious.

.....let's hope our hearts are still pumping long enough to celebrate another milestone, ha!

Cardiff Kook Run 2016

Sunny, in the 70's, big crowd.

Fewer costumes than previous years but still quite amusing to watch along Pacific Coast Highway on SuperBowl morning.

Feel the energy….

(or lack thereof at the end of the route)!

Best Costumer Ever!
A couple running, IN A SOFA…..

….munching on potato chips, before the SuperBowl.

What a Dump!

After a week and half of phone tag, an 11:15 appointment was secured to dispose of our hazardous waste.

And I will get to that in a minute.

But first this is what our local dump, I mean landfill, looks like (in case you are curious):

They must get so many used toilets that they had to designate a specific bin for TOILETS ONLY.

Everyone was polite and hard-working.

Doesn't that look like a frozen brick of bottles?

Although we chatted it up with several folks doing drop offs (i.e. the couple that said we could share a dumpster, the guy that told us where to find the beautiful Dirt Diva that scooped up compost), we didn't pester this guy as he seemed to have a massive job ahead of him unloading all those beer bottles!

So the process goes like this. 

Grab trash cans on wheels, fill them up, take them to weigh station (below), and they will hand back a slip.

Take slip to the window nearby and they will give you money for things like bottles or paper or copper.

Our purpose, hazardous waste disposal, was a little bit different.

We followed the signs, stopped for check-in (they noted name, asked whether all goods came from our residence, how long had we had the items, etc.) and we gave them our confirmation number and time.

Then we drove around and waited in a short line.

As each car pulled up, workers came out to inspect, ask a few questions, and unload.

We opted to store our items in uncovered boxes so that everything was clearly visible.

The car in front of us was filled with sealed black bags and it slowed down the process a bit.

But not by much and soon we were on our way.

Next time we plan to get instead of give ----- gotta check out what the Dirt Diva is shoveling up.

SOBERDOUGH

Don't you love clever gifts?

The name, the packaging, the idea - so much fun.

For Christmas, we received three bags of SOBERDOUGH, in three delightful flavors.

Easy to make, all you need is a bottle of beer!

Pour bottle into a bowl and add the mix (we tried Rosemary).

Stir until combined.

Put into greased loaf pan and bake.

Slice and serve!

Can't wait to try the other flavors!

San Diego Car Show

What does your car say?

While walking around the convention center on Sunday it seemed that every car was sending a subtle or not so subtle message…

I frequently cruise Rodeo Drive.
My bling comes from Tiffany & Co.

Look out. I own the road and I am cool.
I will never wave, just tip my grill knowingly when I see you.

I am young but not carefree.
I insist on the 10 and 2 position.
I don't believe in taking sharp corners.

I have money. Lots of money.
I am full equipped.
My clothes match my paint job.

Bit of a hippy. Artistic.
My heart sings.

I am quiet. Reserved. Intriguing.
My friends want me to open up.
They often force the issue.

There is no stopping me.
I have a thick skin.
Strong and tough and built to last.
I am not in touch with my feelings, at all.

I am friendly. Have a vintage vibe.
Animals and small children are attracted to me.
I make people smile.

That is how I experienced the San Diego Car Show.

I also took a picture of a clown that took a picture of me (his camera squirted water), asked two guys to pose while buffing out fingerprints on the hood of a MINI Cooper and then sat inside a BMW convertible wearing sunglasses and practicing my "I am Grace Kelly" look.

My husband asked intelligent questions, found out prices, the gas mileage on road vs. highway and the differences in the 2015 vs the 2016 models.

But that is not how I roll...

Welcome 2016!

First day of the new year.

Fresh start.

New page on the calendar.

Yet our house is still full of red and green, droopy poinsettias, wrapping paper and holiday cards…the tree needs to come down, needles must be vacuumed and everything needs to be packed up and stored in the garage.

But not just yet.

We still have to drive up and down Christmas Card Lane while the lights are still up.

Savor the last homemade French Macarons on the kitchen counter...

By Monday, I should be able to write and say and remember that it is officially 2016.

But in the meantime, a few days of transition, filled with new books, some shopping, perhaps a nap, will help ease the passage.

Until Monday….