Thanksgiving

The Veitch's arrived with gorgeous baby Madison - just in time for the Lundberg Lodge's inaugural Thanksgiving! Jack wove his usual magic with the baby prompting plenty of coos and coy smiles as Sam slowly tested the waters unsure if this new creature had the ability to usurp his position within the family... he slowly warmed to her, finally requesting special playtimes with Maddy in the games room! Teak was especially smitten entertaining her every time she was placed on the floor.

The huge 18lb gobbler (organic free range thank you) was brined in special spices and lunch was served: creamy potato gratin; green beans with tomatoes, olive tapenade and goats cheese; autumn carrots glazed with maple syrup and parsley; parmesan, artichoke and Italian sausage stuffing; and, of course, cranberry sauce! Michelle whipped up a pumpkin creme brule... yummmm!! A few good wines were downed, and we whiled away the evening with some friends and their children around the pool table - the Pococks and the Brooks (from Sammy's preschool) whilst the kids all watched the karate chopping Kung-Fu Panda.

Rodeo Beach

Just a glorious spot, 2mins from the Golden Gate Bridge on the Marin side. You pass under the 101 from Sausalito and emerge from the long tunnel into another world... a long sandy beach, trails criss crossing the ridges and an expansive ocean view before the fog rolls in! Everytime we have been, there is hardly a soul around. Glorious.

Sea Ranch Chapel

About 5mins north of Sea Ranch lies The Sea Ranch Chapel. Offered as a 'nondenominational sanctuary' it was designed by a San Diego artist in 1985 and gifted by two local residents. It is an amazingly incongruous sight as you drive by on Highway 1; nestled into the forest with it's cedar thatched roof, bronze spire and stained glass windows - it is part mushroom, part witches hat and part peacock... inside is even more spectacular. It is a tiny room with softly carved benches and
flagstone paving inlaid with shells. A wrought iron chandelier hangs from one corner and the sunlight pours through the multi-hued abstract stained glass windows. We missed it several times as we drove up and back from Gualala, but finally it appeared and I just had to stop and peek inside!

Sea Ranch I

Sea Ranch Lodge, on the Sonoma Coast on my 37th birthday, feeling all snug and cozy - the rain is absolutely pouring down over the pacific outside the window as David and I sit on our leather recliners, reading the magazines and papers. The boys are having some well earned 'quiet time' beside us on the comfy bed and Teak is sound asleep at our feet in his own little snugly bed. This place is gorgeous - in a kick back 60's coastal shack kind of way. It is a rambling series of architect designed timber 'condominiums' that blend well into the surrounding low lying scrub (eco-friendly before the phrase was ever coined). We arrived late last night (the long winding Highway 1 coastal road not quite agreeing with Jack's delicate tummy) after stopping for dinner in Bodega Bay. As we climber the stairs to our front door, 3 raccoons cheekily poked their heads out, bobbing up and down like cartoon characters (Sam and jack were in hysterics, so they're dying to see them again tonight!).

This morning, we awoke to six deer roaming in the grass outside the window as Teak was peeing at them out the window. Gourmet breakfast was served overlooking the ocean and afterwards we walked out along the cliffs and through the historic barns built by the original owners of the property c1890. We then headed north to the little seaside town of Gualala with its galleries and stopped for burgers at the 'Bones Roadhouse' then beach combed here below the lodge just before the rain set in. I was totally spoilt by the boys for my birthday; I received a lovely handmade wallet from David and a beautiful dress from the kids which I shall wear tonight to dinner here at the lodge. 

Sea Ranch II

Election Day

The race to the presidential election seems to be more of a spectator sport, with one competitor far outstripping the other in the popularity stakes as he makes the final turn into the home strait, but what a historic race!! Obama is set to make history today, it's going to be an amazing day for the US and the rest of the world today I am sure... the votes have now been counted and it's official... OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA !!! Sentator Barack Obama has been elected the 44th President of the United States of America, and the country's first black 'chief executive'. The crowd goes wild... pretty much everyone on the streets here in SF is Obama mad, and he has raised the hopes of many in these parts. You don't see many politically apathetic Californians! Record turnouts to the polls indicate a shifting psyche and a strong interest in our leaders, which can only be a good thing. Bring on January 2009 when he gets sworn in. PS. Sam's choice for the US Presidency... Jack Johnson!