untouched by time - San Sebastian del Oeste

I recently had a delightful visit to the beautiful and very picturesque historic town of San Sebastian del Oeste. A charming 17th century colonial town, untouched by time, nestled deep within the Sierra Madre mountains. We traveled about 90 minutes by car from the beaches of Puerto Vallarta through pine tree forests and beautiful mountain scenery before reaching San Sebastian del Oeste.

The streets are cobbled, and the town is peaceful and well preserved  -  almost movie set perfect!

The day was spent wandering the streets shooting photos and exploring this charming town.
When hunger called, we stopped for lunch at Los Arcos de Sol - a restaurant and hotel on the main square, where we met the friendly owner Jesus. Born in San Sebastion, Jesus left to attend the university in Guadalajara, returning with an entrepenurial spirit to run the restaurant and hotel next door. We loved the homemade cookies that he had packaged and ready to take back to our room.

We checked in for one night at the El Pabellon Mexicano - a historic eleven room home -  turned hotel overlooking the plaza.

There are a handful of food and hotel options and an excellent website for planning a visit can be 

found here .

Photography: lorelle

visit OceanVU my all things Mexico photostream on flickr to see more images on San Sebastian
and to learn more about me.

more San Sebastian photos
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in the garden

this time of year - when the garden and island landscape is devoid of color, i so appreciate the camellia as it starts to bloom. like a welcome friend's visit, when you're needing it the most.  I will cut a single stem and place it by my bedside to enjoy.

ansel adams at the bainbridge historical museum

ansel adams - portrait of manzanar

i have been meaning to pop into the bainbridge historical museum for the last year, and finally did so today. a very moving video along with a photo essay and portraits by photographer ansel adams is currently on exhibit.  In 1942 Franklin D. Roosevelt's executive order 9066 ordered  Japanese American citizens to be escorted by armed military personnel and sent to the manzanar relocation center during world war ll.

snowy morning

It's a snowy morning on bainbridge island. really, just a dusting of snow....but i still get very excited

about it, and since it's a holiday in celebration of MLK - i'm spending the day at home and in front of the fire, working on personal projects around the house. i took a little walk earlier this morning just to take it all in.

polar bear swim - new year's day

it was a pleasant day at pleasant beach. a good sized crowd was on hand, for the annual polar bear plunge - which takes place on bainbridge island each new year's day at noon.

even some of the dogs took the chilly plunge too!

the beach

 

a peaceful and quiet rainy day on bainbridge island...

my morning walk to the beach.

manor house at pleasant beach

earlier this month i attended the open house festivities at the manor house at pleasant beach. this lovely english tudor home has been lovingly restored and is now available to once again host special celebrations. the manor house was gloriously decked out for the holidays - with trimmed christmas trees, holiday cookies and wine. 

now bainbridge island's premier special events venue to celebrate and commemorate. I have so many fond memories of times spent in this gracious and elegant property and i'm so pleased that it now lives again, and will be looking forward to attending future functions at the manor house .

wreath making at bainbridge gardens

each year, one of my most cherished traditions is to make my own holiday evergreen wreath at bainbridge gardens .

reserve your slot by stopping in or calling them for a two hour time period. the one pictured above i made in less than one hour.  after you have your appointment,  forage your yard for greens. usually i can depend on a good wind storm or two before my date......then i just walk around the yard collecting evergreen boughs that have blown down for the basis of my holiday wreath.

when i'm at bainbridge gardens -  i will usually purchase some other sorts of greens and holly sprigs to round out and complete my wreath. you will need to bring your own clippers and gloves.

select the size wreath ring for your creation - and after a quick refresher, i was putting together the
evergreen bundles that were to become my holiday wreath.

after completing my wreath - i stopped inside where they had all kinds of additional items you could purchase and add to your wreath - such as ribbons, berries, dried pods and floral items along with hot glue guns set up for use.

i choose a ribbon and had bainbridge gardens complete a nicely tied bow to display at home.

bainbridge gardens - favorite shops

after i finished making my holiday wreath at bainbridge gardens -  i picked up a few holiday gifts. the shop was filled with lots of holiday items for the home and the tree. ornaments, glassware, plates and linens for the table.

garden books, soaps and some wonderfully blended christmas potpourri. a favorite shop where i can spend hours.

during the holidays, the outdoor nursery is filled with holiday wreaths and outdoor ornaments to use in your yard. i stopped at the new rose cafe and ordered a hot spiced cider that took the chill away as i wandered through the garden and admired all the holiday magic.