In Ojai

The relative quiet of the Ojai valley was so welcome after the thrumming energy of LA. Layers of high rocky peaks surround the valley and gradually fall to the foothills, then to the orange groves that stripe its belly. Light plays across the landscape in a breathtaking way.

In the middle of these orange groves, we were welcomed to the home of our friends, photographer Victoria Pearson and her husband, Brett. (I was delighted that our college guy, finished for the summer, got to come along on this California jaunt with me!) Such a comforting respite their place was to these weary travelers! From a deep soak in the bathtub, to a nap on the guest bed, to reading in the light-filled studio, the first afternoon was a delightful progression of rest. (Go see photos of Victoria & Brett’s home here. And photos of their home and studio/guest house here. And more snaps on my Instagram feed.)

By evening, we were sitting with Victoria on the terrace of her interior designer friend’s meticulously renovated midcentury home in the foothills, watching the show of sun showers and rain clouds between the peaks. Chatting, nibbling tasty treats, and enjoying refreshing drinks, amazed at this unexpected delight to share an evening at the home of this beautiful soul and design legend (fun, also, that I’d just recently used one of her fabrics in a client’s master bedroom). By late evening, Victoria, my son, and I were dining under globe lights at a delicious restaurant in town.

Next morning, Victoria and I caught up further over cups of coffee and tea on the stone terrace outside her kitchen. Wild bunnies were running about, dodging in and out of the hydrangea hedge growing against the stacked stone wall, while a steady migration of butterflies darted overhead. Later, at the table in their beautiful kitchen, Victoria served a breakfast of toasted bagel, topped with fresh-from-the-garden arugula and golden-yolked farm eggs, perfect with a side of fresh strawberries and blueberries that we’d brought from an organic farm stand further south the day before. And in our cups? Sweet-tangy juice that had moments before been inside the oranges hanging on Victoria’s trees.

Because we both love knitting, Victoria & I then darted off to Catywampus, the local yarn and fabric shop. Oh, my. What a little slice of heaven! I could have purchased yarn and needles, a latte from the coffee shop next door, settled into the sofa in the shop’s ‘living room’ and stayed all morning. Inspiration everywhere.

My son and I then dashed off to Patina Farm for the afternoon. Later, we found a sidewalk table outside another tasty restaurant downtown for dinner (so fun to have tasted the deliciousness at several different places there!). Then, there was nothing ahead but a relaxing evening back at Brett & Victoria’s place, where I snapped the photo (above) as the sun sank toward the sea.

The next morning, I lingered one last time in the refreshing outdoor shower, watching the water splash white flower petals, fallen from the canopy of blooming olive trees, from the stones beneath my feet. Then, there was hot tea and long conversation with our hosts about hives and honey (they sent us home with a jar from their bees!), about boys (they have some, too) wildfires, and favorite places and pastimes. It was the best way to say goodbye.