Vacation?

So, I packed up the kids to head to Monterey for the week..yes, week!
Why is it that they manage to have all of the necessary items while I end up with one sandal, a t-shirt and half a pair of pj's? In the race to get the three of them ready, I always manage to forget the essentials!
Luckily, we are at my moms and I am certain (hopeful?) that she does not mind that I am raiding her wardrobe while she is away.
Having this respite from the HOT Roseville summer is so nice. Right now it is foggy and cold...48 degrees!
So, days spent on the beach, digging huge holes and evenings relaxing watching the deer walking along 17 Mile Drive are a lovely distraction from the everyday.
I love this time away, our days take on a different tone. We are not racing around. Large chain stores are not part of our circuit. If we need something , we run to a local place. Sometimes it costs more but I love that we are away from what I call chain store hell.
I find it harder and harder to escape that monotony in Roseville. Being a suburb, the town just sprawls and sprawls, ever larger. Most days our attempts to eat and shop local are thwarted.
There are some places there and some opportunities. There are many Farmer's Markets in the area and some new restaurants are trying to turn the central commissary tide.
So, for the moment, we are away. We have big plans for more digging and dog watching on Carmel Beach and for chowder at a place in Pacific Grove. It is a lovely break!

Oh yes, there is knitting as well!!! I am joining in an Art Swap that a fellow etsy seller has organized called Namaste Art Swap.
While here I will go to
this shop to find some wool to go with some vegetable dyed yarn I got in Taos, NM. I am thinking a felted bowl or a mobius basket! ( The kids are less enthusiastic about this part of the day!)