Farmers market soups...

A sellout at every farmers market in San Luis Obispo county, Stephanie Burchiel's soups are so delicious that she is now taking advance orders - leave your jar the week before and she'll have it waiting at the next market...

Many of her favorites available in her new cookbook, and new surprises for the new year at the local markets...

Tried the japanese yam / heirloom sweet pepper soup at home... Yummy!

http://farmersmarketsoup.wordpress.com/

*cookbooks available at farmers markets

  and local stores

Markets:http://www.slocounty.ca.gov/Assets/AG/farmersmarket/FarmersMarketSchedule2012.pdf

Cayucos polar bear dip...

Each new year's day at noon... no wetsuits allowed

...victory t-shirts for all

A lyrical ode to the central coast...

There is no deeper wave than this...

A benefit song for the 2012 Bioneers Conference
http://www.ecologistics.org/centralcoastbioneers/

Elephant seals at Piedras Blancas...

Live cam:

http://www.elephantseal.org/Rookery/livecam.htm

...approx 17,000 playful pups migrate here each year

...they have a lot to say

...like to hang out with friends

...enjoy the beautiful views

...winter is the best time to view mating rituals and births

...and they certainly know how to relax

www.elephantseal.org

Christmas lights up Cambria...

Grab a mug of hot spiced wine at the garden gate and meander through the light show at the first-annual Cambria Christmas Market at the Cambria Pines Lodge...

www.cambriachristmasmarket.com/
www.cambriapineslodge.com/

Lunch at Hearst Beach...

A beautiful almost winter's day at the cove in San Simeon...

...a late morning walk on the pier

...rented paddle boards in the protected cove

...down the road to Sebastian's for lunch

...still owned and operated by the Sebastian family

...with Hearst Ranch Winery tasting room recently added

...sandwiches are huge & delicious

...and hungry gulls always ready to share

http://www.slostateparks.com/hearst_memorial/

www.facebook.com/pages/Sebastians-General-Store-and-Cafe/134932509893022

www.hearstranchwinery.com/

One-room schoolhouses...

Rural schoolhouses can be found all over the central coast, a lesson in recent history. Many date back to the late 1800s when grade school became compulsory; some still operating until the early 1960s, closing their doors to paved roads and bus routes...

Los Osos School (1872-?)
...now part of a skatepark in Los Osos

Pacific School (1881-1950)
...with Hearst Castle on the hill in the distance

Santa Rosa School (1881-?)
...now an art gallery & studio in Cambria

Santa Maneula Schoolhouse (1901-1957)
...now a heritage museum in Arroyo Grande

San Simeon Home School (1903-?)
...now for sale as private residence on 1.1 acres of ranch land

Edna Valley Schoolhouse (1908-?)
...now a one bedroom farm stay in Old Edna

Independence School House (1909-1956)
...now a tasting room at Baileyana Winery

www.patriciagriffinstudio.com

www.oldedna.com

www.baileyana.com