Heart's Ease Nursery

Finally made it to Cambria while it's still open..........Heart's Ease, was here more than 10 years ago, that's a long time.
Always wanted to come back, I'm glad I did.
A small place but nice they have candles, oils, soaps, potpourri and a garden make sure you go to the back room, that's where the entrance to the garden is, they should put a sign
"this way to the garden"
I should have bought the sage while I was there, but decided to have an early dinner at Robin's.
After dinner I went back to Heart's Ease and it was closed............oh will I ever make it to Cambria at a decent time or at least while the shops are open for more than 1 hr.
here are some photos, not much plants but a very nice place can't wait to go back.

In case you have that coffee urge, French Corner Bakery and A Matter of Taste are right across the street. Coffee was good and just what I needed after that good dinner, yummm

The drive back was great, slow down, enjoy the ride. I wish I had stopped in Harmony, population 18......art and hand blow glass, I want to see it!!! This is central coast so they're all on Cambria time, so fustrating when you want to do something after work and averything is closed.

Garden update

This is late, for sure.....
The garden did good this year and it's still going. Good news there is an eggplant on the vine and more good news there's lots and lots of flowers on the vine. Yes this will translate to eggplants.
Cross your fingers that they all make it.
The Butternut squash was not a successful and I'd hope, here is a flower. For those who haven't seen the flowers, they're as big and my hand, couldn't believe it, but they are so beautiful. I'll have to figure out when to pick the flowers and how to prepare them.
The tomatoes are still going and going and going. Good job tomatoes.....
I hate to say the peppers did not make it, not sure what happened there better luck next year.
The top photo is the million bells I bought a few months ago, they look happy.

Old Town Nursery

Been meaning to write about the Old Town Nursery. Found this place just like many of the other places I visit, by accident, they say there is not such thing as an accident..........

Found it on my way to a gas station, on my way to LA. This place like many of the other places is small by they has the nicest lavender and butterfly bush plants. Like always could not resist and I'm glad I didn't, the plants I adopted are doing great. The butterfly bush is still in the same pot and it hasn't stopped blooming. Even with the cold, more Arctic than anything, weather we're having it's still blooming. I guess they plants just feel at home and they should they're in good company.

Here are some pics I took, couldn't upload the other, somethings wrong with the iPhone, maybe it's the fact that I haven't downloaded the updates.......my bad.

By the way, the had great fountains in this place, can't wait I really need a fountain, yes I said "need" this will just make the garden complete, if there's such a thing.

Enjoy.......

Clairmont Farms

So I made it to one of the many lavender farms in California, one down a bunch to go.. Clairmont Farms in Los Olivos, CA
This place was great, a lavender lover dream, it's a little off the beaten path but worth the drive. You can go 101 to the 246 to the 156 and you'll see the signs to the farm, this is the scenic route. Or if you're like me and take roads you really don't know Exit on 246 to Solvang, turned left on Refugio Rd, right on Roblar Rd, right on 156 and you've arrived, this is really scenic....
There's lost of farms and wineries on the way, mostly apple farms and if I'm not mistaken you had to pick the apple. Now people, I love the garden but if I'm picking apples I'm not paying to let me pick them. Yeah, just put them in a bag and I'll be off. Got to the Lavender farm and it was a sea of lavender, hahahah
there was small barn like building where they had lavender products, would have bought something but there was no one there, maybe next time. Not sure if it was the honor system, but wasn't taking any chances, so I'm keeping my self honest, for once. By the way no way to take a cutting, I was prepared.....
The farm is open from 10am to 5pm. As you head out don't forget to turn left, you're in 156, at Alamo Pintado Ave, turn left and you'll hit downtown Los Olivos, if you're in the mood for wine tasting this is the place, lots of tasting rooms. I'm sure none were free so don't think you'll be drinking for free. Once you're done with all that it's time to hit the road. Love it love it love it, must be the lavender farm, how do I get one of those............... here are some pics hope you like them.
Notice the "I love my chickens" sign,
remember 3 chickens= 15 egg/wk.

Here are the rest of the photos from the Chubby Checker concert.
enjoy.............

Cherry Hill Lane

Serendipity, it's how I found this nursery.

Found it during my last trip and decided I have to visit this place. It was worth the visit.

This is a small nursery, beautifully organized and everything is in bloom, eye candy.......

I got there at opening time, was greeted by Luis. Took a look and decided the million bells were worth the $5.99, yes I bought 2 of them, Luis told me that if they die, dig then up and taken back. Cross my fingers they don't die. Love the place very small nothing to appropriate

hum mm

They have lots of pots in the back, didn't check the prices. I'm sure they're worth it.
They have very nice looking succulents, some had beautiful blooms, I mean eye candy.

No coffee shop close by, maybe they'll open one up soon. But if you drive four blocks north you'll end up in downtown Arroyo Grande, nothing Grande about it but they do have some interesting shops, worth checking out.

By the way Luis is from Morelia, has been in the US since 1982 and he lives in Nipomo.

Very nice guy, very friendly and helpful with the plants.

very cute place, I think I'll visit again.....

Paso Robles Fair

It's been a long time since I've been to the fair. I've never thought much about the fair, maybe because LA County fair is always packed, it's always an ordeal to park and it's expensive (is $12 expensive?).

So, I made it to the Paso Robles Fair, went to see Chubby Checker, yes that's right, I said Chubby Checker, what can I say it was free.

He sang all his signature songs, got the crowd very involved, it was fun.

Went to walk the fair after, I like the fair, it was small and it was country.

Had to go see the cows, meet cowboy, he was handsome looking steer, weight about 1300 lbs.

Had a change to meet notorious P.I.G, yes that's the pigs name, good looking pig and clean. Not the pigs I remember. Saw the sheep and billy goats, yes I said this was country.

Had a great time, sorry I didn't check this out before I would have made it to Paso on the 24th, that's when Morris Day and the Time played, yeah baby bring it Morris.

Here are some pics of my new found friends (the animals) at the fair........

Couldn't resist taking a stroll on the beach, this house is right accross the street, Sophie, me and my plants would look good here.............