A Perfect Afternoon

In the midst of the most intense storms, the Lord sometimes allows us a respite. 

I spent several days in San Diego with my sister and brother in law last week. My brother in law, while visiting friends, had a stroke. He spent 26 days in ICU. The day after I arrived, the doctors felt he was stable enough to leave ICU and move to IMU (Intermediate Care). Stephanie had spent the first two and a half weeks sleeping in a chair in Tom's room. 


Our sister, Brenda, lives in Visalia, California and her daughter, Mariel, and husband live in Santa Monica. Stephanie decided we would take several hours one day while I was there and meet them in Santa Monica for an afternoon. We went to the hospital early that morning and spent a couple of hours with Tom. Then we left and drove the two hours to Mariel's.

Brenda's cappuccino

My Mediterranean Plate

The afternoon was beautiful. We walked down the main street of Santa Monica, exploring a few of the shops. Then we had an incredible lunch in a very popular and fun restaurant, Urth Cafe. I had another Mediterranean Plate, my new favorite meal in the world!! Stephanie had introduced me to it the evening of my arrival in San Diego and I have been hooked ever since! Now I have my kids hooked on them, because I made them for the family.

But, my favorite part of our afternoon together was our visit to the beach. It was so wonderful to just visit and stroll along the beach with our toes in the sand and surf. 

Brenda and Mariel

Mariel telling us a story

I love the patterns in the water

And in the sand. These are seagull footprints.

Stephanie with her camera

                                                                                   

I have no idea what this is, but it was just so interesting. Are there sea radishes?

I love how cropping in unusual proportions focuses the eye

And we found so many sand dollars! Several smaller than a dime. I had never before seen them that tiny. 

Tiny, but perfect. Just like our afternoon.