Santa Maria Valley to the Dunes

 

Santa Maria Valley is known for their wines (34 tasting rooms) and amazing dining experience. Even though we did plenty of that, we really enjoyed Santa Maria Valleys nature the most. We loved all the farming, the beaches, and the dunes that Santa Marina Valley has to offer. It was here where we learned that Loofahs don’t come from the sea but are a vegetable that grows on a vine and are considered a gourd. When the fibers dry out the loofahs are then used as a sponge.

 

After reading You’re wearing that? by Deborah Tannen I realized that mother and daughter relationships are so strong and complicated. At first I felt hopeless, realizing that no matter what I did as a mother I’d somehow disappoint my daughters. Mothers have it hard. I actually never thought we did because I enjoy being a mother so much but there is so much pressure on us mothers. If we let our kids do what they want it might be perceived as if we don’t care enough about them but if we offer our advice too much our daughters might resent us and feel like we want to control them. “Mothers, like daughters, yearn to be understood and accepted – in a word, seen” -Deborah Tannen.

When I was in sixth grade my mother took my sister and I to Ross and told us that we could finally choose our own clothes. I still remember that day like it was today and what I bought. I was so excited. She also let me wear my hair down and growing up she always braided my hair and felt that hair that was loose looked messy on a young lady so it is only natural for her to braid and do Elizabeth’s and Eve’s hair when they stay at her house. This always makes me smile seeing my daughters hair the way my sweet mother did mine when I was younger. After that day my mother gave me the freedom to wear what I wanted to even if she didn’t like it. Still to this day, sometimes when I come over to my mothers and fathers house, they smile, laugh, and ask me what I’m wearing in a loving way which always makes me laugh knowing that they still love me even if they think my choice of clothing is a little too colorful or weird for their taste.

Now, this all seems so silly that daughters and mothers would fight or argue about clothes. I mean it is just clothes isn’t it? But we do. If our daughters hair or clothes are dirty we somehow believe that others will think that we are bad mothers and that we don’t take the time to care for our children so we might yell at our children for getting dirty or not washing up. We also might want our children to wear what we want them to wear but as they get older they usually never want to wear what we would like them to wear. Even when children are becoming adults we might be tempted to make comments about their choice of clothing. It is almost as if what our children wear is a reflection on how well or poorly we raised them.

So, looking at my relationship with my beautiful mother I realized that our bond is extremely strong. That we can say things in a loving way or in a harsh way. We can make our relationship stronger or weaker simply by what we say and how we make each other feel. We can also give our opinion without making our daughters feel unloved. I pray my daughters will be modest and Godly women. That I say things with humor like my loving parents do with me. That I pray more than I judge. And that I will not put my daughters down if their choice of clothing is not to my liking or as modest as I’d like.

So what are your thoughts on clothing and the way this topic affects mother and daughter relationships?

 

Rancho Guadalupe Dunes Preserve

 

In 1956, Celcil B. DeMille built the largest set here for the movie The Ten Commandments. Celici B. DeMille secretly buried the set in the dunes.

Peter Brosnan found piece from the movie set buried here. If your lucky you might still find some lost treasure buried in the dunes.

This is also a nature preserve so during the time that we visited we could look but we could not explore the dunes because the snowy plover was nesting.

There are miles of sand dunes which are right next to the beach.

 

Located at 6999 W Main, Guadalupe, CA 93434.

 

Guadalupe-Nipoma Dunes Center

 

This center is dedicated to education about the movie The Ten Commandments. You can even see some original artifacts on display here.  But it is was also dedicated to teach you about birds, animals, and fish that live in the dunes surroundings Guadalupe. We have been to a lot of museums and educational centers so when we saw how small the building was, we didn’t expect to see or learn anything new but we did and we were so glad we stopped by. Gaby told us all about how long and how much went into making The Ten Commandments film.

 

Located at 1065 Guadalupe St. Guadalupe, CA 93434.

 

Oso Flaco Lake Trail

 

This is a very great way to observe nature while getting close to nature and not disturbing nature. On this 1.5 mile round trip hike you’ll walk on a boardwalk, over a lake, and through a wetland habitat that is home to a variety of birds. We saw ducks, coots, egrets, and a variety of birds which we have never had seen before. We were very fond of the group of white pelicans we saw. We had never been able to observe them from such a close distance and it seemed like they didn’t even notice we were there. The weather was just right and the water was calm enough to see their reflections as they floated across the lake. As you continue walking down the boardwalk it takes you through the coastal brush full of signs of spring. Then the path takes you over the dunes and to the ocean. When you get to the ocean you can walk down to the beach or up to a platform from which you can watch the waves crash into the beach below. Oso Flaco Lake Trail is one of those trails you don’t want to miss while exploring the central coast.

Located at Oso Flanco Lake Rd, Nipomo, CA 93444.

 

Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center

 

It is really nice to see when every day people are celebrated and communities of immigrants who are often so overlooked and unappreciated. When everywhere we see praise the founders of the cities or owners of the farmlands but it takes a lot more than the labor of those few who are in the spotlight to make things happen. This particular museum and educational center pays tribute to the native community that was here before anyone had arrived overseas in the second floor exhibit. The first floor is dedicated to Pilipino immigrants who helped make Guatemala and Santa Maria valley what it is today.

 

Located at 1065 Guadalupe St, Guadalupe, CA 93434.

 

Luffa Farm

 

Oh my word, this place is amazing! If you love learning and seeing new things then you’ll love it here. There is so much to learn and see. Who would have thought that a luffa grew like a cucumber and that only after it looks dead and all dried up, it can be used as a product to wash yourself or things with? They grow some soft luffas here at this farm. They are not as harsh as the ones sold in stores.

At the Luffa Farm you get to go inside the greenhouses and see all the different stages of a luffa. It is pretty neat to see since they bloom and grow at different lengths and speed. The tour guides are so informative and knowledgeable. We seriously learned so much.

You can buy luffa at the gift store. We bought two that were peeled and ready to use and two that still had their skins on them. The best thing is that the luffa tour is free.

 

Located at 1457 Willow Rd. Nipomo, CA.

 

Hands on Learning

 

After going to the Luffa farm we wanted to make soap ourselves. We also wanted to make a soap without Lysol so we used Shea Butter Soap that you can order online through amazon.

We have never made soap before and we wanted it to be simple and safe. The melt and pour method was perfect, especially if children are making the soap.

To make the Luffa scubby soap all you need is:

32 oz Shea Butter Soap

round silicone soap molds

spray bottle with alcohol

string

color : we used ground dandelion powder and hibiscus powder

essential oil

some Luffa

First spray the Luffa with alcohol so that the Shea Butter Soap would stick to the Luffa. Then cut 1 inch size Luffas and place them in the mold. Next, cut the Shea Butter Soap in smaller pieces and melt in the microwave. Mix well and add the color and the essential oil. You can use whatever essential oil you would like and pour as much or as little. For the food coloring we decided to add something more natural. You can add anything that has been dried and is made in a powder. After it is all mixed well you’ll want to pour the soap onto the Luffa which is inside the mold. You can leave the mold out to dry on the counter or place it in the fridge. Then once dry use a straw and make a hole so that you can tie string through the Luffa and soap, this way you can hang it in the bathroom and it is ready to use when your taking a shower.

 

 

 

My mustard dress is from unique vintage.

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