The June Gloom in California

 we were warned about the cloudy, overcast skies.

but it didn't stop us from enjoying a day in Solana Beach.

The fierce roar of the waves was actually relaxing.

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Do you like the sound of waves?

A world of dolphins and whales

After  driving along the Pacific Coast Highway for 5 hours ( we stopped about every 1/2 hour to take photos) we made it to Seaworld around 3pm. 
We woke Beli up as she had fallen asleep during the drive.

a quinceanera?

She asked, " is this San Diego?"

I had printed the show times and there were scheduled about every 1/2 hour, but after arriving at the park I realized it would be impossible to attend them all, the park was big!  So I asked Beli what she wanted to see first. 

 "the dolphins," she replied.

She was so proud of herself that she was able to interact with the dolphins.

 Then we saw Shamu.

I think I was more excited about seeing the whales than Beli. I just can't imagine how they can be trained to perform.

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Have you been to Seaworld before? do you have a favorite show?

Along the Pacific Coast Highway

 Palm trees

love them

reminded me of Split, Croatia.

Pacific Ocean was cold

breezy

yet a beautiful sight to see

 Day 1: our first stop along Highway 1 was 

the town of

San Clemente

 Beli had a fun time running from the waves,

she would say, " you can't catch me."

 and of course our beloved medo came along

Until another time

San Clemente.

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From the moment we arrived in California

Beli asked if we were in San Diego, "is this San Diego?"

Me: " this is Anaheim."

Beli: "is this San Diego?"

Me: " this is San Clemente."

Beli: " are we are in San Diego now?"

Hubby: " still far away Beli."

Beli: " awwww."

............................

even though it was 70 minutes away

we took the scenic route and took us about 5 hours

before we arrived at Sea World.

Unfortunately Beli was sleep when we arrived.

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Health Tourism

I'm amazed and grateful at how well my Father-in-law is recovering from his surgery. One of hubby's cousins is a doctor in Croatia and he suggested a stay at a rehab center in Opatija, Croatia.

Arrangements were made for the two week stay.  My Mother-in-law would stay a couple of days then my father-in-law would be admitted into the rehab center, Thalassoterapia, where they specialize in  rehabilitation and treatment of heart and lung diseases.  You can read more about the center here.

I remember visiting Opatija on my second trip to Croatia with hubby, several years ago. I guess I never thought of it as a seaside  health resort but it makes sense,it has beautiful parks and nice climate.

Park Sv. Jakov

And in the meantime while my Mother-in-law waits for her husband's return, she paints.

Beautiful isn't it?

This morning:

Beli, " Are we going to San Diego now?"
Me: " Two more days of school and then we go"
Beli: " TWO MORE DAYS?"

Later in the day: 

Beli: " Mami, my eyes are sweating...because I'm crying"

At bedtime:

Me: " Beli, dame un abrazo fuerte"
Beli: " No, not a big hug, a little hug."
Me: " Porque?"
Beli: " Because you broke me"

Is it Summer yet?

Somehow, without planning I spent most of the weekend in the kitchen.

After buying groceries for the week, ( and these beautiful flowers)

I began to think about what to cook for the upcoming days. 

I'm counting the days until our vacation to California (10 more days) and  

I'll working every single day until then so I wanted to have dinner ready for the days to come.

I made stuffed artichokes, banana bread, garbanzo bean patties,

tofu with sun-dried tomato pesto sauce, stir-fry with beef, grilled shrimp, and pasta.

And while I cooked and baked, Beli helped Hubby with our project for building a planter box. 

We'll be growing tomatoes, lettuce, cucumbers and jalapenos on our balcony!

So, is it summer yet? 

I want fresh veggies already!

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update:

yesterday we had a BIG storm: rain along with hail...

a friend lives south of Denver and they were under a tornado watch,

the sky was angry! (but I guess the moisture is good for the earth, we haven't had much rain  )

this morning I looked outside and looks like our little balcony garden survived the storm!

but many businesses suffered some damage, including Beli's preschool (one of the classrooms flooded)

 Although, our jalapeno plant looks sad?

Tomorrow is Friday~woo-hooo!

or as Beli likes to say, TA-DAAAA