Rain, rain and more rain! However, it did break for about an hour and we got a really great walk in. The waves were HUGE!!!!!! Definitely feel very far from my calm Gulf of Mexico right now….or even the Atlantic!



Tree fort! I sort of wanted to live in it. I was totally “that little kid” that would always run away when I was little and my parents would find me up in a tree or building forts in the woods behind our house…..some things never change? Let’s be honest…..forts are still pretty darn awesome in my book. Since I still don’t have any furniture (except for a desk) in my living room, perhaps I should just make a giant fort? My mom says I am a special girl. 🙂
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By the time we got back to the house, I was in desperate need of a thawing out by the fire. My cheeks were bright red and my sneakers were soaked! I had a cup of hot peppermint tea and a yogurt with some Kashi:
And then curled up next to the window and fell asleep! I never take naps and it felt aaaamazing.
Dinner was more chicken, roasted brussels and kabocha squash! My parents had never had the wonderous squash that is kabocha and I happily introduced it to them. Yum! I wasn’t feelin’ the wine tonight and had a big glass of cold water instead. Sometimes you just gotta hydrate, people!


Paige (Running Around Normal)
December 26, 2009 at 7:34 pmHaha that tree fort is awesome. I was so that girl when I was little, too. Heck, forts are awesome at any age 🙂 Glad you had such a wonderful time at the ranch!
Chelsea
December 26, 2009 at 8:09 pmI just finished Cleaving. I will give Powell a lot of credit for being so open and honest. That takes GUTS. I don’t think I could confess that sort of think (not that I’ve done that sort of thing) to my personal journal. Hahaha.
I can’t wait to read your book.
All these pictures are making me miss Carmel! My family used to go there every winter and summer, but we haven’t done it all together in a couple of years. 🙁 I’ll just have to stick with my Malibu beaches (oh, poor me. :P).
Jenna
December 26, 2009 at 8:12 pmHave fun tomorrow!
Brandy
December 26, 2009 at 8:18 pmAhhh… I feel like I’ve just been on a mini vacation reading your posts. That is my kind of trip. Enjoy every second and live in the moment!
Chelsea (Chelsea's Chew and Run Fun)
December 26, 2009 at 8:23 pmGreat writers are also good readers, remember that, and don’t feel guilty for taking extra time to savor a book!
Love those beautiful shore photos! As a nanny, I have sharpened my fort-building skills over the years. I love forts as much as the kids do.
Erin
December 26, 2009 at 8:35 pmI love all the seasonal vegetables on your blog. Totally in love with the root vegetables this year. 🙂
Jessica @ How Sweet It Is
December 26, 2009 at 8:50 pmI love these scenes! Those waves really are huge. I wish I lived closer to water!
Michelle
December 26, 2009 at 9:07 pmI love the Pacific Ocean in winter. Nothing beats it.
Ameena
December 26, 2009 at 9:23 pmIt is very hard to get motivated when its raining and cold…today I just wanted to read all day long as well.
Danielle
December 26, 2009 at 9:58 pmI want a fort too! The location of mine is a secret 😉 oh, and yes, I am a child at heart as well.
Ashley
December 26, 2009 at 11:19 pmLove the red jacket photo! So cute!
The Voracious Vegan
December 27, 2009 at 1:00 amYes! Being out in the fresh air like that can really take it out of you! I love a good tree fort too, I always feel best when I’m totally surrounded by nature and was always the little kid that ran off to hide in the park or the desert. No woods to run away to here in Saudi, but I did my best!
Madelin @ What is for Breakfast?
December 27, 2009 at 3:51 amAmazing photos Jenna!
christie @ honoring health
December 27, 2009 at 3:56 amvery cool tree fort! I also love the photos of the waves, looks beautiful. I hope I get to see that side of the US sometime!
Aimee
December 27, 2009 at 4:02 amHappy Holidays Jenna! Beautiful vacation photos. Looks so wonderfully relaxing.
Just curious, what brand of yogurt is that and where did you buy it. It looks really good.
simpledaisy
December 27, 2009 at 4:31 amEven with rain the Pacific still looks beautiful!! I know what you mean about needing a good solid nap sometimes:) Good for you for taking the time to listen to your body~
Lauren @ Eater not a runner
December 27, 2009 at 5:52 amWow love the waves! I love being near the water no matter the weather 🙂
Heather @ The Joyful Kitchen
December 27, 2009 at 6:10 amWhat a sweet tree fort! I think you should totally just make your own…who needs furniture anyway? 🙂
Kristine
December 27, 2009 at 6:14 amHealdsburg aint such a bad place to go back to 😉 Enjoy your last night! 🙂
Jenny
December 27, 2009 at 6:42 amI love BIG waves! And forts are definitely still cool, I was that kid who dreamed of finding a place like in the Secret Garden 🙂
Lauren @ louisianagrown
December 27, 2009 at 6:49 amYayyayay for sharing what books you’re reading! They say to be a good writer, read good writers. Spending this time reading good books is probably just as beneficial as if you were actively working on yours.
Katy @ These Beautiful Feet
December 27, 2009 at 6:51 amI have so many good books to read, including “Cooking for Mr.Latte” which I am SO excited about! Please review Powell’s newest book, I wasn’t going to read it but I would be interested in your review!
skinnyrunner
December 27, 2009 at 6:56 amsounds like such a peaceful, relaxing mini vacation! i love unexpected naps.
Meredith
December 27, 2009 at 7:06 amI just graduated college a couple weeks ago and the night before I moved out of my dorm, I made a huge blanket fort with my friends instead of packing. I feel you on the “little kid” vibes. I get them every day.
eatmovelove
December 27, 2009 at 7:27 amI seen Julie Powell’s new book out “Cleaving” – I’ve read that it isn’t what you might think it might be – apparently she holds nothing back about her relationship with her husband (and both commit infidelity!! – ack – not the ‘story-book’ romance 🙁 ). But that’s real life I guess…
Just seen the movie too, but didn’t like it really, was dissapointed. I love Meryl Streep though – she was just darling 🙂
Stay dry. ICY as Heck here (…well, I guess Hell really isn’t that icy now is it?…)
JR
December 27, 2009 at 7:33 amhi just found this blog while searching for yoga toes. now i am hooked. and also male….do you have many male readers? anyway keep it up as it is fascinating.
Sarah (Finding My Balance)
December 27, 2009 at 7:43 amI love your pictures of the waves! And that tree fort is too cool. Glad you are enjoying yourself and some time with your family!
Lisa
December 27, 2009 at 8:02 amOh, those waves are awesome! They seem so far from me in MN! Can’t wait to visit CA again, your photos are making me really long to be there! Glad you and your parents are having a nice time!
amanda
December 27, 2009 at 9:01 amYou got the rain we have been having on the east coast for awhile. Ugghh suck
Maria (realfitmama)
December 27, 2009 at 10:35 amMy husband and I lived in Portland, Oregon for about a year and a half when our oldest daughter was little and we took so many trips out to the coast. Those photos brought me right back and make me miss it so very much. Enjoy your time there. It is a beautiful place to be…
Anna @ Newlywed, Newly Veg
December 27, 2009 at 10:58 amThat fort picture is so cool! Looks like your trip has been full of cool experiences 🙂
Safe travels back “home!”
Bridget
December 27, 2009 at 11:37 amI looovvveee peppermint tea during the winter. Especially the stash kind (which I noticed you were drinking!)
B
December 27, 2009 at 1:03 pmSo glad your enjoying the Pacific. It is beautiful and the coast I grew up with although I live in Maine now. Sea animals are great!
I had a question about the protein ice cream you make. Do you know if guar gum adds anything that Xantham doesn’t. I notice you use just the Xanthan gum and that is all I can find. Can I just put in extra Xanthan. They both just seam like thickening agents but a lot of products do contain both so maybe there is a difference. Any thoughts?
Keep enjoying your family and the holidays!
Suzanne de Cornelia
December 27, 2009 at 1:21 pmChelsea’s response above cracked me up re missing Carmel but loving Malibu beaches. I’m in Carmel but could go for some Gladstone’s for Fish in Malibu. But Sea Ranch, Wine Country and reading by the fire [aka ‘prime the pump’] when think ‘should’ be writing. Hmmm, that sounds great, too. We humans are funny. Enjoying what we do. But wait. Look over there! The world just has way too many cool things! Thankfully, every once in awhile have that ‘wouldn’t want to be anywhere or anything other than where and what I am right now’ feeling. That’s life. Love the photos and vanilla bean yogurt.
katelyn
December 27, 2009 at 3:14 pmlove the pictures, and it looks like you had a really nice time with your parents. and you’ve gotta love those days where all you do is snuggle and read. they’re my favorite 🙂
Jil
December 27, 2009 at 3:39 pmVery cool fort! I always loved forts~ okay I still do… 🙂 And yumm dark chocolate Toblerone. 🙂
daintyvegan
December 27, 2009 at 4:08 pmThose waves are ridiculous! And hey, tree forts will always be fun and cool, no matter what one’s age!
Never feel guilty for reading because you can NEVER read to much. Never. 🙂
Mae
December 27, 2009 at 4:40 pmMmmm tea is so good after a day outside. That tree fort is so cool!! Awesome day! 😀
Stephanie
December 27, 2009 at 5:06 pmThe photos of the waves are spectacular!
BODA weight loss
Cynthia (It All Changes)
December 27, 2009 at 5:14 pmThat tree fort looks awesome! And hot tea sounds like a nice idea. I’m off to make some now!
J
December 27, 2009 at 5:27 pmHave you tried Traditional Medicinal brand’s Peppermint Tea?
Love it more than Stash’s!!!
Bev
December 27, 2009 at 5:41 pmThose photos are gorgeous !!! Tree forts are so cool
Averie (LoveVeggiesandYoga)
December 27, 2009 at 6:20 pmI rarely comment on your blog but just thought I would say hello. I hope you had a nice holiday. I am trying to comment on blogger’s blogs that I dont comment on usually. Yoga? That caught my attention. I’m a yoga teacher. Healdsburg? That caught my attn as I recently moved from San Diego to AZ. But really, if I could live in Napa or Sonoma (but I dont like cold weather), I would. Happy Holidays, Jenna!