Just 24 Hours…🧡

We had been talking for quite a while about going to one of our favorite foodie destinations—Gayle’s Bakery and Rosticceria in Capitola (home to my all-time favorite biscottis!)— to hear the Hot Club Pacific Jazz group which performs there every Thursday evening. Finally, we did it!  And we made it into a 24 hour vacay that was fun and easy.

We secured a state park campsite within a mile of the venue, got our ourselves and our van Baci ready for the adventure quickly and with minimal “carry on’s.”   And off we went.  Our destination—one hour away!

What followed was an “up” mini-adventure of people watching, conversations with campsite neighbors, walks along the beach, stocking up on biscotti, and enjoying Gayle’s dinner specials while listening to great  jazz!

It took a little effort, “little” being the important word.  But it produced “big” results—a nice spark of fun and new stimulation and a reminder that sometimes, it doesn’t take much to bring in new life and inspiration.

∗ New Food Inspirations:

I’ve now made the New York Times Cooking “Eleven Madison Park Granola” quite a few times and love it.  My next endeavor…the Florentine cookie, what we had for dessert at Gayle’s.

∗ New Reading Adventures:

After hearing a Sunday Morning Show interview of Ezekiel J. Emanuel M.D., the author of Eat Your Ice Cream: Six Simple Rules for a  Long and Healthy Life, (2026). I bought the book and am enjoying it.  It is filled with health advice similar to what many books offer, but Dr. Emanuel’s style is witty and entertaining.  Overall, I feel I have some new facts and reminders  that I will actually put to use! Like how about…cooking.  As Dr. Emanuel  says, “cooking requires complex mental and physical engagement, especially if you try unfamiliar dishes or ingredients…So fire up that stove, drizzle olive oil in a pan and whip up a delicious new dish. Then, invite friends over to share it.  A wellness trifecta.”

∗ A Rediscovery:

Becoming re-enamored with the idea of little close-to-home trips, I got out a favorite book of mine called Very California: Travels Through the Golden State (2001) by Diana Hollingsworth Gessler.

This is a sweet quick-hit guide to California, with delightful watercolors of each suggested locale, including a section on Capitola, which the author says is California’s first seaside resort!  It is now in our van “library.”

“Sometimes the smallest things take up the most room in your heart.”                                                      Winnie the Pooh, by AA Milne.