weekend.

Hello, hello. It was a great weekend--even though it was so damn hot. And although it's a bit of a trek, I made it my mission to get to the beach.

On the way, I stopped for water, fruit and poop bags. Was excited to see all of this on display.

Boo! Kidding. Just saying "hey."

Up past Malibu to Point Mugu. Since it was already crowded by 11, we went a little farther north, and came upon this little cove.



We played in the water for a bit, and then drove back south, where we found another of the "Coastal Access" signs that dot the PCH, and another cove. A few other people seemed to have the same idea, but mostly we had the beach to ourselves. So, I let Isabel off the leash, and she went completely bananas.

A private beach--such luxury!

Here she comes!

There she goes!

She always comes back.

Also, this past week, I was reading about a so-called "hidden beach" in Malibu called Lechuza Beach. I had to find it. I did.

Unbelievable. So beautiful and perfect, a public beach off a private road surrounded by chic Malibu beach houses and barely anyone on it, while just a few hundreds yards to the south, Zuma was swarming.

SPOILER ALERT: Here's a little-known fact--and a very useful one if you're ever in Malibu: there are no private beaches in California. They are all public property. The residents of Malibu will go to great length to make you believe otherwise (and I actually like them for this), but if you see a PRIVATE sign on a beach, just stomp right past it. The world is your oyster.

Shhhhhh.

 The only bummer about Lechuza Beach? No dogs allowed. Boo.

We drove back home to the sizzling Valley through Topanga Canyon--always an interesting place, a kind of hippie holdover nestled in the hills. There was this guy selling hot sauce out of the back of his truck by the side of the road. He had set up all kinds of signs leading up to it, which made me laugh. It's all very Topanga. Also--I really like hot sauce, so I stopped and bought some.

Habaneros, ghost peppers, jalapenos AND serranos. No joke.

I go to the Farmer's Market every Sunday. But this was the first time I shopped at Sur La Table and Marcel Marceau. I discovered that I like fancy food and cooking stores.

Shopping. Like a boss. A foodie-type boss.

Lately, I've really been into making homemade soda, and I needed some serious supplies.

Grapefruit Rosemary and Watermelon Ginger sodas. 

My other obsession this summer? Actually every summer--gazpacho. I can't get enough of it. I've tried it with watermelon, radishes and in the version you see below--pineapple.

Pineapple gazpacho at Sage Vegan Bistro.

My current version is my favorite. My secret weapons? Tomatillos and serrano chiles.

Both Saturday and Sunday ended with beautiful sunsets in the Hollywood Hills.

Sigh. It was a good weekend. See you soon!