Arroyo Verde 2025

Hook & Press revisited again

What a great place to enjoy an afternoon coffee in peace.

Mizza revisited

 

This time we had the vegetarian pizza with several adjustments. Since it had goat cheese and pesto, it was much to my liking. Not sure what Mrs. thought of it.

Keyhole Arch

Whenever I see this picture at California Pizza Kitchen I recognize the rock formation, but then sometimes forget where exactly along the California coast it is. Other times I remember that it's Keyhole Arch at Pfeiffer Beach in Big Sur.

holiday season Ficelle

broccoli stir fry

The plates may change, but the broccoli stir fry at Moons Thai is always delicious. 

poinsettia exhibit

The post-Thanksgiving buffet first-time visit to VBG's new Fernery structure, where we saw this nice little poinsettia exhibit. How appropriate given the season and the fact they were once grown extensively in Ventura, known at the time as "Poinsettia City". I also appreciated seeing the history (which I was familiar with), explaining how Joel Roberts Poinsett - the first U.S. ambassador to Mexico - introduced these plants to the U.S.A. in the early 19th century.

post buffet stroll

It was certainly a warm and sunny Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving buffet

Thanksgiving buffet at Water's Edge had above all a great view of the water. Of the wide range of food offerings, some were better than others. For the most part the salmon, salad and mac & cheese worked for me. Above all I was thankful to have food on the table and good company.

a tribute to Van Gogh?

A Ventura sunset paying tribute to Van Gogh's "Starry Night"?

Boba by the Sea

Something different. The Vietnamese-style coffee is sweet and according to the barista will "keep you up for three nights" (or some such thing).

Le Petit Cafe revisited

 

We don't go here often but it can be pleasant to partake of lunch on their patio.

shopping

Sometimes shopping is picturesque.

banana yogurt revival

A bit of power sharing between the banana lobby and the strawberry lobby.

spontaneous breakfast

Sometimes you spontaneously propose breakfast at Cajun Kitchen and it's a success. Note the container of Tony Cachere's creole seasoning on the table in the background.

post-rain cloudage

The post-rain cloudage was spectacular. The above was taken from the parking lot of Ben Franklin in Ojai. The others were taken from highway 33.

The Dutchess 2025

As the saying goes, "Long time, no Dutchess".

congee

Being in a soup mood, we tried the congee and Thai curry rice at Hip Vgn. Both were good and somewhat unusual. I think the above must be the Thai curry rice, but since I like the word "congee" I've used it as the title of this blog.

double rainbow, part 2

At first it looked like both rainbows were in front of the hill. Then it looked like the inner band was in front and the outer band went behind it. Then maybe both went behind it. The optics of rainbows are mysterious, but they make for a beautiful and remarkable experience which, thankfully, the camera is able to capture.

double rainbow

I've seen my share of rainbows but what was truly striking about this double rainbow was its completeness and the way the inner band appeared to stop right at the end of this street.

rainy day jigsaw puzzle

Madame de Maintenon

A book that belonged to my mom, which she got from the public library, and which I eventually read. I definitely learned more about this exceptional lady who rose to the top of the social pyramid (spouse of King Louis XIV) and that whole period of history. Despite her Huguenot background, she was complicit in the persecution of the Huguenots and therefore also a controversial figure.

 

Sips

Not to be confused with Sip! in Wimberly, TX - where I picked up a coffee in 2012 - Sips is a new coffee-beer-wine-craft artisanal beverage spot on the east side of Ventura. They also serve pastries from Ficelle, which are always of good quality.