We survived Gualala!
Sorry about the lack of posting…there was ZERO service/reception/anything up at Sea Ranch and we ended up staying an extra night because there was a huge storm! Talk about straight out of a movie. We pretty much survived on chicken and dumplings and sea salt chocolate all weekend. But it was perfect and the best way possible to disconnect and relax. I need another week there!
Before we headed out on Saturday we grabbed some sandwiches in Santa Rosa for the drive. I had a hot turkey and cheese on whole wheat—
And then we were off! Naturally there were a few photo stops along the way….
After exploring the house for a little while (thanks Polly and Bob!!!!!!) we headed out to the Seaside Grocery Store in Gualala to get all the necessary ingredients for chicken and dumplings. While the boy cooked, I made a snack plate with some truffle goat cheese, hummus, grapes and whole wheat crackers for us to enjoy with some Merlot…
I really should have taken more photos of the dumpling making but I was COVERED in flour! I rolled out the dumplings while he cooked the chicken and the end result was delicious. How lucky am I to have a cute boy cook me chicken and dumplings by the ocean??! I feel so spoiled. 
Photos don’t do it justice!
Of course there was oatmeal with banana and peanut butter yesterday morning, eaten while staring out at the balmy waves.
MORE chicken and dumplings (with grapes and chocolate) for lunch….
We shared a perfect caramel marshmallow…
And then visited the tallest lighthouse in California! Gosh, it was breathtaking…I wanted to bring sleeping bags and camp out at the top!
I think because I grew up on the ocean I have an obsession for lighthouses. I just adore them and everything about them! The view from the top was spectacular!
It gave me goosebumps! 
After the lighthouse adventure, we found an orchestra that was playing at the Whale and Jazz festival (oh yes!) in Gualala and then we ate the most delicious pizza ever. Yep, it was pretty amazing….not going to lie.
The pizza had the most amazing sourdough crust……I actually can’t stop thinking about it. Normal?
So many fun adventures!
We were going to head back last night but the storm was too bad so this morning we left around 6:30 after fueling with some oatmeal (of course):
Whew!!!! Currently caffeinnating at Starbucks and heading to the studio to work for a few hours. So many fun times…I have a cheesy grin on my face that I can’t seem to wipe off.
Happy Monday!
{ 94 comments… read them below or add one }
you are a lucky girl indeed! i love my husband for MANY reasons, but the fact that he’s an amazing cook is just icing on the cake. and what could be so bad about surviving on chicken and dumplings and chocolate while a storm rages on the sea? sounds incredible!
Glad you had a good trip!
I need to hook my boy up with some cooking lessons or something…that man manages overcook everything! Glad you had a great time at the beach…sounds marrrvelous!
Ahhh cheesy grins usually have something to do with love. I LOVE dumplings…but I LOVE PIZZA even more – and that one has my name written all over it…delish!!
Great pics. It does look stormy there.
Sounds phenomenal. I want to get stuck in a storm somewhere! Lighthouses are also a favourite of mine after growing up sailing! So enchanting, are they not?
Oh and dumplings sound SO GOOD!
It just sounds so amazing! Just by looking at your pictures I can tell that I definantly need a week by the ocean soon!
And I need to make dumplings very soon
Wow this looks so surreal! I can’t think of a better way to relax than with good friends, good food and scenery like that! I’m glad to hear you had such an incredible time! You deserve it!
I love it when you just can’t stop smiling, good times! That pizza does look really good.
OMG–such great photos–what a fabulous time! Pizza, mmm.
I have a weird love of lighthouses too. If ever near Carmel be sure to take a quick tour of the Point Pinos lighthouse. Oldest continuously running LH on the west coast. The docent explanation of how operates is fascinating, the ‘works’ are mostly in the basement. The most popular keeper ever was a society woman who lived there after her rich doctor husband died. She left Berkeley Hills and moved into this quaint lighthouse where she entertained all of her guests. It isn’t impressive looking in the photo–but really is–especially the gorgeous setting. http://www.pgmuseum.org/Lighthouse.htm
All those FABULOUS pictures and not one of this “cute boy that makes chicken and dumplings!?”
i love that “we” as strangers are SO interested in your love life..
I’m so happy for you that you’ve found someone that makes you smile.
Awww sounds like you had a blast!! I am seriously craving pizza after seeing that picture. I get food stuck in my head too when it’s so good… you’re “normal”.
Sounds like you had a great time! That place looks amazing, even if the weather wasn’t the best.
I am in desperate need of a disconnect weekend. I’m glad you got to celebrate your brother’s birthday in such a peaceful and beautiful environment.
Such beautiful scenery! And that marshmallow sounds dreamy
Sounds like a fantastic weekend. Everything you ate just looks delicious.
Glad you had a nice time! That pizza looks wonderful.
oh i love sea ranch…..stayed there many years ago. but it is always freezing! sounds like you had fun!
Beautiful photos! And cheesy, happy grins are completely the best.
“Giddy?” “Cheese grin?” “Goosebumps?”
Somebody’s in trouble. Wonderful, glorious trouble.
Sounds like the perfect weekend with the boy. And just what you needed!
(P.S. Cheesy grins are the best.)
You take amazing pictures!!
Your pictures are so beautiful! I seriously think you need to start selling them to tourism sites- you could make a pretty profit!
So glad to see that you had a great time, cheesy grins are always the cherry on top to great weekends
Sounds like someone might be in love
Everything looks gorgeous.
What an incredible weekend!! That pizza made my mouth water!
Awww that is so sweet!!! Glad you had an amazing time girl, you deserve it!!!!
That pizza looks AMAZINGLY good!
What an amazing weekend, Jenna! I love the lindt with sea salt – to die for!
awwwww cheesy grins =) wheeeeeeee! i share your adoration for light houses and for some reason i love them on overcast stormy days! such great pics!
Looks like a beautiful weekend! Glad you had such a blast
u r so blessed. to be able to travel and experience the things u do. its absolutely amazing the things u are able to do and experience. that pizza looks great. and i really like your hair.
Oh it looks gorgeous!! There is a pizza place I’ve been to a few times and their crust is SO GOOD- they even serve it with honey packets on the side!
Looks like you had a great weekend! I’m totally jealous of your cute boy who actually knows how to cook. My cute boy’s idea of cooking is thawing frozen vegetables. Seriously…boys can be so silly sometimes.
Those views are breathtaking! If this was like something out of a movie then Wolf Creek written in the fence was some foreboding sign. Kind of creepy. Other than that, looks like an amazing way to spend the weekend.
Wow those views are outta control! Glad you made it back safely:)
In college we used to call that cheesy grin “the face.” as in….”ooooooooh you must really like him..you have the face!”
Love the cheese plate and the pizza! Everything looks divine. What a fun weekend.
sea salt chocolate, toasted sandwiches and goats’ cheese – AMAZING!
Is just funny to me that they advertise “pizza every night! (except sunday)” haha. What kind did you get? looks like some shroomy cheesy, glorious concoction!!
MA
ps: if you havent had it before, go get some oreillys pinot noir. if you ever get invited to their vineyard… you best invite me!!
Beautiful pictures, and great looking food!! Looks like a fun time!
xo
K
Beautiful pictures, and great looking food!! Looks like a fun time!
xo
K
What a wonderful weekend you had! Everyone needs to disconnect every once and awhile and it sounds like you had a wonderful guy to disconnect with
Glad you got to escape for the weekend- yikes, what a scary place to have a storm in!
Ah i love storms! And lighthouses. And the ocean. And Chocolate. What was my point again? Oh ya, sounds FUN!
Oh I so badly want to spend a weekend up at Sea Ranch-many fond memories from my childhood of that place-my father’s company put in all the roads up there (more than 20 years ago) and he’d often take my mom and I on drives there to see how the work was progressing and we’d visit the ocean, Gualala, and the lodge. It’s such a wild, magical place. Unfortunately the drive up there scares the heck out of me now…didn’t bother me as a kid though! So glad you got to have such a lovely, peaceful weekend there.
What gorgeous photos, it looks like an amazing trip! So nice to unplug as well.
Absolutely GORGEOUS pictures and INCREDIBLE food. Love iiiiiiiiit !! Sounds like you had a great time with your “friend”. You deserve it !
Very off topic question: GLO BARS ….which flavours are good? Do you order online? THANKS
its so great to read about the things that make you smile. its contagious – even through a computer screen
so happy to hear you had such a wonderful weekend. and cheesy grins are the best… 
Glad you had such a fun time!! Those pictures look gorgeous even though they aren’t very sunny! Dark and gloomy in a romantic way!
It sounds like you had a great time. A relaxing break is always great, I so need one right now! I love the fact that my bf can cook amazing meals! Also all you eats look great, especially the pizza!!
SOunds like an amazing time! I’d love to have a cute boy cook me chicken and dumplings
SOunds like an amazing time! I’d love to have a cute boy cook me chicken and dumplings
lOve the pictures. Thanks for sharing!
Sounds like love is in the air….
Can’t wait until you introduce boy to all of us…
Sounds like love is in the air….
Can’t wait until you introduce boy to all of us…
You got some really beautiful shots! Looks like a great trip.
-Mary
What an amazing trip!! The pictures are gorgeous!!
SOMEONE’S IN LOVE! Luuuurve. Fantastic love.
Sorry I’ll stop.
when will we get to see this cute boy? lol
WAIT!!! I can see cute boy’s reflection in the shiny table top photo!!!
(]
identity revealed!!! and he is CUTE!!!
[okay, not really
Awww, Jenna! It looks like you had a marvelous weekend! From the incredible caramel stuffed marshmallows right down to the boy-induced giddiness. Oh, and the spectacular lighthouses, orchestras, and seaside bliss.
So glad to hear you had a great time!
I have always wanted to live in either a lighthouse or a windmill. I have a thing about round buildings!
Your pics are so wonderful!!! I can almost smell the salty air and feel the breeze in my face! I adore little sea villages!
What an amazing amazing place! So glad you were able to get away and revel in the results of an amazing weekend.
Lovely photos. This post was inspiring, per usual.
I LOVE lighthouses – I used to live in Maine
I also LOVE your blog!! Which is why I gave you this award! I know your blog is pretty famous now, but I love the vibe of your blog…. easy breasy… and I love your outlook on food! Thanks for writing something that makes me smile – your goofy little smirks say it all! 
*Cheers Jenna!
http://unpolishedspoon.blogspot.com/2010/04/spoon-won-award-first-one-ever-d.html
Looks like an amazing trip– I am LOVING the pictures! And yes, I agree that lighthouses are the bomb
Such a wonderful weekend! I’m so happy to see that you’re loving life so much right now!!
What an amazing trip! And he can cook
How fun!! It sounds like a great time!
Gorgeous pics. Looks like a great and yummy time!
Looks like an amazing place and an amazing weekend! I think being giddy is one of the best feelings ever, glad you had such a great time!
Awww…what a fun, romantic weekend getaway! What else do you need in life? ; )
I love your photos!
And truffle goats cheese???? YUM!!!
Cooking with my husband is one of the best perks of a relationship! We usually switch off taking the lead… but just being together in the kitchen doing something like that – creating food – is wonderfully romantic and bonding!
How cute, isn’t love amazing. Glad you had a good time and I’m sure the storm was a good thing since you stayed another night.
that sounds like such a romantic adorable weekend. cute!
beautiful pictures!!
That is so amazing!! the pictures are great and I am sure it is even more beautiful in person.
Sorry to hear about the storm although I am sure it wasn’t so bad since it sounds like you had great company!
Lucky girl! how do I find one of those? haha!
The pictures from your trip are amazing. I would love to visit a lighthouse some day. Also the pizza with the sourdough bread sounds marvelous!
I love lighthouses & that one is gorgeous. I get too see so much of Cali from your blog, it makes me want to go back and visit all the places Ive missed!
Stunning! Sounds like a wonderful weekend that you most definitely deserve
This is one of my favorite posts of yours. What a wonderful story and the pics are amazing. No wonder you are writing a book. : )
sounds like you had an amazing weekend!
Can’t wait to see a pic of the “cute boy”
What an awesome weekend, good for you!
Who doesn’t love a man that cooks, lucky girl
I seriously wanna fly into San Fran and stalk you till I see this boy…okay that sounded crazy. Anyways I’m glad you had a relaxing weekend…and i can FEEL your energy and giddy love throughout this whole post!
Wow those photos are incredible. I love every one of them! You really do have a gift.
Your little trip sounds amazing and completely relaxing! Definitely looks like a place to go and unwind. I love technology as much as the next gal, but nothing is more destressing than turning everything off and being on your own! Glad you got to enjoy some down time.
Such great outdoors pictures. Do you ever find it hard traveling all the time?
Katherine
Hey Jenna, what kind of camera do you have ????? your pictures are awesome
Blaire,
I have a Canon Rebel and usually use a fixed 50 mm lens on it. I’m learning!!
Beth,
I use 8 lb weights…it hurts.
My boyfriend cooks for me too, it’s so sweet! What awesome pictures!
I’m not sure whether to vomit (a la Dexter last night) or say awwwww
Next time I come visit, we are totally going to see that lighthouse. I’m obsessed with lighthouses as well!
xoxo
Hi Jenna, do you have the Canon Rebel XS or T1i? Thanks!
Lisa,
I have a XS..no video capability. its still awesome though!