On this post, Max and I explored the newly rebuilt West Cliff Drive in Santa Cruz and checked out a little lunch spot- plus Wimbledon style chat, a bag to consider for your fall wardrobe, and more.
Welcome to the Weekend Meander!
The yard
How has your summer been going? I can’t believe it’s July already. My tomatoes have barely grown much in my garden. We have had so much wind and cool weather here in Northern Cal. I am not complaining though. The nights have been super cool and I feel like I’ve been transported to the beach. I think that is about to change.
To fluff things up in the yard, I added a wall basket to an empty wall I found at Homegoods. I moved a few plants and cleaned things up. My donkey tail plant is now in a hanging basket. I noticed my 7-year old dark pots are getting worn and I would like to replace them with a combo of these baskets and these fluted pots (both on sale).
Wall Plates?!
What are your thoughts on plate walls? I am working on a plate wall between the kitchen and dining. Max helped me and thanks to one of the plates being too large for the holder, we haven’t put them up yet. Max was about ready to kill me when I took these photos for a test. One of the plates I scored at an estate sale (more here), and one was from Mexico and one from France (both online finds.) Though they don’t really all go together, I think they work as a whole, or maybe I should just do the two darker ones?
I thought I’d take a vote — which layout do you prefer? I’m tending towards the right one…I think!
Walking the new West Cliff Drive path in Santa Cruz
Thursday Max and I took a walk on the newly restored path on West Cliff Drive in Santa Cruz. If you live nearby, you may know the path was terribly eroding, and the part of the street here and walkway had fallen into the ocean thanks to a huge storm early in 2023, closing the street and the walk.
It finally reopened last year and is wider and perfect for strolling. If you want a long walk, you can park at Natural Bridges State Park, a beautiful preserve with an arch and tide pools, and go all the way to the Municipal Wharf, which is nearly 4 miles. We did a shorter walk, parking along West Cliff and walking to the Surf Museum area to have lunch and back, which was nearly 3 miles.
Along West Cliff there are two dog beaches and also a great Surf Museum. Did you know surfing originated here when three visiting Hawaiian Princes made long boards out of redwood? The museum is also a good spot to watch the surfers — and see a seal or two!
Across from the museum is Steamer Lane Supply in Lighthouse Field State Park. It was formerly a food truck, but they now occupy a spot here with restrooms and the best views of the action on scattered picnic tables. Max had gone here with his biking buddies and wanted me to try it. They are known for their ‘dillas- a wrapped version of quesadillas that are cooked a bit until crunchy. We both had the breakfast ‘dilla with eggs, hash browns, and cabbage, queso fresco, salsa verde, sour cream and jack cheese. You can add bacon if you wish. They make all their yummy baked goods from scratch, so Max got a slice of apple cake. They do serve a full range of coffees and the whole menu is here.
On our meander back we took the Lighthouse Field Trail that parallels the West Cliff Drive for a while with excellent bird watching through there. I just discovered this site- CaliforniaCoastaltrail.org which has a map of all the possible walks and videos of this section and more.
From there we always stop in downtown Santa Cruz at the huge and wonderful Bookshop Santa Cruz . This place is always a must with books I see nowhere else, topped off with a coffee at Verve (4 locations in SC area), or ice cream at The Penny Ice Creamery. Since it was summer we opted for the latter. One of the featured flavors was Brown Sugar Oat Walnut, which tasted like oatmeal cookie dough. Penny has locations in Los Altos and Palo Alto now, Scott’s Valley, and three in Santa Cruz. It’s not summer without a few ice cream cones!
Wimbledon Chat
Have you been watching Wimbledon? I have enjoyed Wimbledon so much this season, and I suppose a lot of it is due to seeing great matches with players who aren’t the top 10. I feel like these lower ranked players – like wildcard Arthur Fery of Great Britain and my new favorite, the amazing Alex Eala of the Philippines were the most fun to watch. I always love a Cinderella story. Today will also make tennis history as Linda Noskova and Karolina Muchova will face off in an all-Czech women’s singles final! My Czech grandfather would be thrilled if he were still here, as Pops always loved Martina Navratilova’s Wimbledon matches.
What the players wear is becoming more than just the kits distributed by their sponsored brands. Many of the players are crafting unique looks with the companies. Ukrainian player Marta Kostyuk created a pretty lace look with Wilson.
Coco Gauff wore Miu Miu x New Balance dresses and sneakers. At over $1,000 for shoes and dresses, I checked to see if gold was involved. Cute, but ridiculous prices.
So interesting and fun to see some players now have outfits for walking onto the court. Jessica Pegula and Naomi Osaka both had looks. Some men like Djokovic had blazers made for them by their brands. Naomi’s was obviously a nod to her Japanese heritage. Her shorter version floral short adorned dress is here (sure to be restocked), and this dress, also worn by a few of the women, is still available. Jess’s look was modern and chic and her Adidas dress with the metallic accents is on my own list.
If you are hoping to get to Wimbledon someday, this post is on how we went to the tournament last year for my 60th birthday, with details on tickets and my diary of a day at Wimbledon, a lifelong dream for me.
On my radar…
If you too are a tennis fan, you will appreciate this great book on tennis style through the decades I just bought.
UNI based in LA, has a fantastic body serum that has been a lifesaver for my dry skin this summer. They just sent me this luxe Marine shower oil and a darling terry bag. I am in love with these plant-based ocean-powered body products made in California, with sustainable packaging too.
I know Fall presales are coming, so I’m sharing a find I’ve just bought for autumn. My friend Jane and I were at Palo Alto’s Fillmore & Fifth consignment, and she spotted a beautiful new bag with tags . We were surprised it was from Quince. It’s a better than reimagined version of a nearly $5K bag, with a great pocket for the phone on the outside, pebbled leather, suede lining and gorgeous hardware. This is my pre-fall pick! Jane has the rich brown with gold and I bought the taupe with silver hardware. It also comes in black.
Below left the $4,700 version and middle and right the ones Jane and I bought.
Speaking of Quince, I noticed a stylish woman with a beautiful soft pink sweater tied around the shoulders that complimented her white t-shirt and a white skirt. The tag peeking out read Quince. (She was in line at a So Cal bakery.) I thought it could be pretty with this bag too — come fall.
A beautiful ranch remodel
I am crazy about this house in Connecticut! The owners have great taste and the kitchen is a dream space with the best skylight and island…
Other cool things
It’s good to hear so many of the younger generation care if the clothes and accessories they buy are sustainable and ethically made. My friend’s daughter Emma is a recent UCLA grad and has built a wonderful brand – Foster. Emma’s goal was to support sustainable, independent small businesses all in one place. If you have a young woman in your life who cares about shopping for cute and ethically produced clothes, please share her great site – Foster.
Max has been working furiously on building sites for things he uses and his latest is a reader for your news feeds. Feed Me is a way to customize the news you want to see. I’ve been loving it as I pick the papers and magazines I like, and also subjects like women’s issues, the environment, fashion, travel and home. It’s kind of nice to filter out the noise and read more of what matters to you. It’s free and you can try it here!
Little House on the Prairie’s reboot started this week on Netflix, and I was excited to watch it. I was a die-hard Laura Ingalls Wilder fan as a kid reading every book and also reading them with my sons. Even Max grew to love the stories, as he read them to the boys so many nights. So far we like the series, though we have only watched one episode. I believe it’s more truthful to the real story of Laura. The story of what was taken from the Native Americans is going to be a theme here and I think it’s warranted. The hardships for Ma, are something I didn’t think of when I was younger. Now I see the story from different angle and Pa seems selfish and foolish to me. Love to hear what everyone else thinks!
Thinking About…
No Country for Mothers is a new film showing nationwide about the struggle American women face with childcare. You may not be aware, but the U.S. is just one of three nations in the world that gives no paid leave at all, though we are possibly the world’s richest nation. The minimum required paid maternity leave in the U.S. is zero weeks. Moreover, the U.S. has fewer maternity leave protections and benefits than any other country of developed nations. It’s pretty shoddy here in America, and with the money we spend on wars and gilded upgrades to the White House and Capitol, I won’t accept that we cannot afford it. This is an investment in women and future generations, something this administration has no interest in.
I would love to see this film. There is a showing this Sunday in San Mateo at Coyote Point Yacht Club, and this is a list of other showings. You can also host a viewing. Follow Moms First organization and its wonderful founder Reshma Saujani fighting the good fight, for more.
If you missed last weekend’s post, I shared our four days in British Columbia, for a forest wedding and a bit of exploring beautiful Vancouver.
Happy weekend!
Kim
Please stop by Elizabeth’s blogs for more good things…Juliet is taking a few weeks away.
PINECONES AND ACORNS
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Yes to the wall plates, if only to validate the blue and white Meissen plates I sourced from an antique shop (when they existed) in Vienna back in the 1990s. I have collated them on the wall with various blue and white small prints from Hong Kong. Probably not to everyone’s taste, but I like them. I used a very strong adhesive backing on the plate which has a hook. The hubbie did the actual hanging (complete with spirit level). Last visit to Wimbledon was back in the 1970s because my housemate’s mother was on the board and sourced us free tickets. However, your birthday treat last year looks a very chic alternative if one can’t get an invite to the Royal Box (lol). Haven’t watched the recent Little House series, but loved the books.
Hi Kim. I have been looking at the plates on and off for a few days now. I think the third arrangement looks the best. The top and bottom plate appear to have a rooster (or hen) theme and the plate with its scalloped shape and softer colours looks more coherent placed in the middle. That is just my opinion though.
Thank you Susan! I think I agree. It makes more sense that way doesn’t it? x
I prefer the layout on the right. I look forward to reading your blog. Thanks for all the great ideas!
Tracy
Thanks so much Tracy! x
I love a plate wall. Have started collecting some. Trying to thrift them so might take a while. Love the hunt.
Kim me too! the best way to find things.
What a cool house tour! Love that house! Everything about it is fabulous! Also love a plate wall. I enjoy your walking adventures too.
Aw thanks so much Catherine!
Hi Kim,
I prefer the middle plate choice because it has an interesting threesome and the light to dark arrangement is pleasing to the eye.
Your adventures with Max are so inspiring. The restored West Cliff Drive path is remarkable. The overcast skies remind me so much of our PNW coasts. Don’t you love it when the sun burns off the. fog?
Hugs from Diney on Mercer Island
Hi Diney! I know I think that is why this is a tough choice!
I do love seeing the fog burn off and the sun peek out,
I hope you’ve had a nice summer on your island! x
The one on the right. I moved recently from Walnut Creek (East Bay) to St.Louis, Mo. I really miss everything in California, even the high gas prices! Thank goodness for your blog!
Penny
Penny thank you! Oh gosh well St Louis has so much charm. I just loved the historic homes there and the park and museum… and you have the arch- and barbecue. I hope you find things to love. The people sure are kind. We have my husband’s cousin there.
Glad I can be your California connection still. Sending hugs.
I loved the Little House on the Prairie books as a child too. When I read the books to my boys, I realized that they were probably constantly moving because Pa was running away from creditors!
Linda, I was just looking up why the left the Big Woods and several times they alluded that they left in the middle of the night, and never said goodbye to anyone… A little digging says it was exactly that. He wasn’t exactly the man we thought he was!
Hi Kim,
Enjoyed reading your post with my coffee..when it pops up in my emails I always make time for a quick break as they are such a great read! I will be reading them from NZ and Fiji the next 5 weeks as going to home to visit family in both places.
I love plates on a wall – I don’t have a plate wall myself..not yet.. but there is such beauty and craftsmanship put into some of these plates that it makes sense to display them where they can be appreciated.
It is appalling as a so called rich country the US does not have any form of paid maternity..it really speaks volumes about how women are valued in the workforce. I know we have decent maternity leave in NZ..I don’t know what it is currently but when I had my kids around 20 years ago you could apply for paid maternity or paternity leave for 3 months. So my husband took the 3 months off with paid leave and it was so helpful to have him around. As an aside when I had my twins I had specialty care, a week in the hospital afterwards and didn’t pay a cent. We were sent home with arms full of hand knitted goods that kind volunteers had made and given to the hospital. We are a small country and not rich but we place value in our mothers’ health.
Yes, it’s certainly been a cooler start to summer in the Bay Area but I’m not complaining either! Makes getting into the garden a lot more enjoyable!
Have a great week!
Fi that sounds wonderful – NZ and Fiji! Enjoy.
Plate walls are so good right- and inexpensive too.
I know this maternity leave makes me sick.
Wow 20 years ago your experience sounds years better than here. That is just it though isn’t it… we don’t value the mother’s health.
I know we’ve been lucky with the weather. Have a fab trip. x
Kim, the threesome plate option looks best to me… in design, groups of 3,5,7 look better . I see that wall space isn’t very wide, but if another two plates were ‘discovered ‘ later, there might be room to move them about and create a five piece display. I have little dishes, plates and bowls set out along my window sill above my sink. Love them! Collected from my travels in France , Italy , Mexico and the Netherlands. Good memories and given a place to be seen.
I was unaware of the situation in the US regarding maternity / parental leave. I did check regarding parental leave here in 🇨🇦… 55% of taxable salary for max of $750 /week for the shorter length of time and if longer period taken then 33% of salary. More details, but that’s the basics. Our taxes pay for this obviously, but so worth it. I wonder if PBS might pick up that documentary later on …would like to see it.
That pathway looks like a wonderful walk. A road trip to California is on my travel list…eventually . Already have other destinations in CA from your former posts …ie San Francisco. Thanks!
Wow Cath I would love to see your collection. So wonderful from your travels.
Canada is much better for mothers.. yes PBS should show this!
Hope you get to California soon! x
Hi Kim,
Have you missed me??
Me too, I prefer the plates on the right. If you want to have everything being eye perfect. The top plate (beautiful as it is) kind of looks out of place. I can see that all by its self if you have a small wall for it. I’m only saying this living in the perfect world. Max was being such a good sport holding up the pics in different position. You better be good to him!!!🤣 This reminds me of my Bears expressions with me over the years.
Loved seeing the pics of you both in Santa Cruz, of course you know my response, it gets me terribly home sick for our place in Stinson Beach when we took a work sabbatical and seeing the ocean from our deck. Pablo Cruise had his home across from ours. We used to hear them jam and rock out. Fun great memories.
Hope all is going swell with you both and the family.
Hugs from hot tamale Arizona. 115 degrees today, stopped me from going into our club huge pool.
Take TLC of yourself.
Katherine, I did miss you! I figured maybe you were busy. Aw I know I was lucky to have Max help with this! Okay I see what you mean about the top being too big… agree.
I hope you take care in that heat.
Wow I would miss Stinson. That must have been so wonderful. Pablo Cruise? Amazing ! I need to hear more of this.
Sending you huge hugs. Stay cool down there. xoxo
Hello Kim,
Wow just finished watching the Ladies Wimbledon Final and what a match!! Incredible women, their poise and sportsmanship and power I am sure we will see these two players many times in the future in the grand slams. I adore Wimbledon; and I am supposed to be going with my brother in law and sister in law sometime in the future and I cannot wait,
Love the plates and like you said the right placing is my favorite. Thanks for the post I have great memories of Santa Cruz and I want to go soon after hearing all about the wonderful walks. Happy Final day tomorrow Kim!! Normally I would say Sinner to win, as I love him, but hey I want Alexander Zverev to get another Major, and be in the mix with the greats.
xo
Francesca I loved that match too! I hope we see more of both ladies. I hope you get to Wimbledon! You will love it – just being there is magic.
Oh yes Santa Cruz is a lot of fun.
Loved the men’s final too. x
I’m long past giving birth or needing child care but I just returned from a 3 wk. trip to Scandinavia (Norway, Sweden , Denmark & Finland, the “happiest nations” on Earth), I realize how backwards we are in this “richest” country on the planet. One party professes family first but it’s just a tag line.
Barb so maddening. Family first is not what we have at all in this country! You are so right.
Yes to plates on the wall! The middle one is my favorite, dark to light gradation. You’ll love whichever one you choose.
Thanks so much Emily! I love that and the right… Appreciate it.
Kim, I’m a fan of the middle plate wall. We watched Netflix’s ~Chris & Martina: The Final Set ~ and LOVED it. I may be late to the party, as we are in NZ but if you and other wonderful readers haven’t seen it, it’s a must.
Thank you Suz. Oh the Chris and Martina doc is on my list! Thank you so much. x
I just came home from Santa Cruz ( Aptos). The weather was beautiful all week. We also went to the bookstore we go every year and I always buy a good book. I Just started watching Little House of the Prairie tonight. Mrs Olsen seems so much nicer.lol We go to Mariana’s ice cream almost every day. Have a great week .
Blessings, Monica
I am so glad you made it to your Santa Cruz trip! Ha Mrs Olson… I haven’t gotten to her yet.
xo
I like the plates very much. I would place the larger one at the top and I have no justification –just what I like. I enjoyed reading about Santa Cruz. Enticing for sure. Thank you for sharing the info on maternity leave for Mothers. What a shame we are so backward! I’m watching the men’s finals from Wimbledon as I type. Thanks for your blog. I will try Uni.
Thanks Linda! Uni is good. Love all they make. Great things.
I know this country. We cannot get change until we demand it I think.
I hope you enjoyed the tennis. x
Good evening Kim,
Enjoy the cool weather, we are melting here and all of our plants are boring up. Our water bill is going to be outrageous this month from trying to keep things alive. It’s worth it but I would love a little rain.
I am sorry about your tomatoes! You always grow the most beautiful tomatoes and have great tips.
The plate wall is perfect! Love the one on the right side.
Your day out walking, lunching and checking out the little shops on the way looked beautiful. There are so many amazing walking trails in your area. I love seeing them.
My niece who has a one year old was just talking about this, and all of the other things that other countries have for mothers, women and babies that we do not have here. It’s sad.
I love Wimbledon and am enjoying it for the same reason that you are. I will be honest, I am not a fan of some of the outfits, but that’s me. To each their own. It just seems like it’s a tennis tournament not a fashion show? Naomi Osaka wore that white kimono I believe at the Roland Garros in Paris and many people had the same opinion as I. Again, to each his/her own.
As for a $1000 Mui Mui dress or shoe, that seems a wee bit over the top.
My husband was just asking me today how to get Wimbledon tickets and I sent him your post.
Have a lovely week Kim.
xo
Elizabeth, thank you I think I like the right one. Yes we have to keep demanding change for mothers. Why are we so complacent?
The outfits are taking over and it’s getting a little silly sometimes.
I hope you guys go to Wimbledon!! Let me know if you need more info. xo
Hi Kim,
I love a plate wall and was just reading somewhere that they are becoming popular again. I think I like the middle one best and yes to all three. I always try to group things in odd numbers since I heard somewhere that as humans we subconsciously find odd numbers more aesthetically pleasing for some reason!
I have been enjoying Wimbledon this year although I do feel the celebrity/fashion angle is a little too much now but each to his/her own.
I am so sorry to read that parents get so little (or nothing essentially) for maternity/paternity leave in America. For some reason I assumed these basic things would be enshrined in law so shocking to read otherwise and so sad that working parents receive so little support. Speaks volumes about how the US government views care-giving sadly.
I am now off to view the Homeworthy tour. I do love that channel!
Thanks for another great blog post!
Lesley I have always loved them too. I have heard the odd number thing too.
Yes the fashion thing is getting a bit over the top!
The leave in the US should be fantastic. We are the wealthiest nation and we let our mothers live like the poorest country.
Hi Kim — You know I love a plate wall! I like the one on the right best. You go on the best walks, and I love how you always make an outing of it with some food and/or shopping. Fun! I was all in on Wimbledon and then the weekend got away from me and I missed both finals. Duh. My kids all have young children/are expecting, so I am seeing firsthand how bad leave is in our country. New moms should get a year. And yes, we don’t need to pay for messed up reflecting pool re-dos, triumphal arches, and masked men murdering innocent people in our streets. Thanks, as always, for speaking your mind.
Molly I think I like that one too. Ha I always have to get lunch in somewhere.
It’s easy to miss the Wimbledon finals and now they are on all these merged networks. Not easy to follow!!
Ugh this maternity leave is so upsetting – and hearing the president say we cannot afford it while adding a helipad and more gold to his plane….
xo
Hi Kim,
I must’ve been ahead of my time, I had a big blue and white plate wall in 1999 when my Danville house was featured in Better Homes & Gardens.!! I still love plates on a wall. I have several in my house here in Southern California, California as well. I love your third arrangement with the lighter plate in the middle. I think it appears to be more balanced. I love your plates and they’re so neat when they remind you of places you’ve traveled.!
I wanted to mention that Southwest Airlines gives their Flight Attendant six months of paid maternity/psternity leave. It’s one of the things that makes it one of the best companies to work for.
I too watched Wimbledon remember when you went there last year! I would love to do that sometime.
As usual, loved your blog!!
Martha
Martha, Your home has been inspiring me forever! I remember the Danville home when you shared it too.
Good to hear about Southwest! Love that.
I hope you get to Wimbledon too. Your travels have been so fun to follow this year. xo