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Friday, July 31, 2015

Giving good gifts



Giving Good Gifts

Gift Giving is not high on my love languages. And yet I love love love finding the perfect gift for someone. The excitement of getting it for them, the weeks leading up to the day they open it, the look on their face, and maybe a little personal satisfaction that yeah, I just gave a great gift.

The last few weeks Sweetie has been talking about our wedding cake. Amaretto with Raspberry filling. It was his favorite cake ever, and apparently people only make it for weddings because we haven't found it anywhere. While I was on my trip to Ca I had an epiphany. I called our wedding baker and asked if they could make us a mini wedding cake. They make them all the time for anniversaries - you just tell them what you want and they decorate it and everything. I trekked back to Tx with it on ice while I was inwardly exploding with excitement. Unfortunately I couldn't be there in person to give it to him but I just left it in the fridge with a note. He was sooo surprised! He could not believe I brought that back for him. It made me so happy that I could make his day like that, especially as we were going on week 2 of being apart. I may have to make this a habit :)



A California Summer


A California Summer

The last 2 weeks have been quite the adventure! A family, friends, fun, sun, beach filled adventure. I could get used to adventures like that :)  First there was K & J's wedding...

K and I have known each other from grade school, but somehow in all the drama that is Jr. high we found our escape in each other. We went to different high schools but always kept our friendship. She planned to have her wedding at the beautiful Circle Oaks Ranch in Fallbrook. We spent Thursday and Friday celebrating with Downtown dinners and the Rehearsal with Perfect weather. Of course we wake up Saturday to booming thunder...and rain. In July. In California. In a drought. K handled it beautifully, I don't think I would have been as calm and composed- she just believed it would all work out. And it did! We had to postpone the ceremony a few minutes but after raining for 8 hours it stopped and we had the outdoor ceremony and reception as planned! After an anxious afternoon of waiting, the rest of the evening was a beautiful celebration of the bride and groom.
KL's Wedding Day
K & J  Tying the Knot

The next few days were a dream. This year, as you know, I've had many trips out to California. All of them were needed, and sweet time with family- but none of them were what you could call relaxing. I finally had 3 days to spend with my parents and sister (and her precious baby E). Sunday I went to church with my mom and then spent an afternoon at Balboa Island shopping Main Street and walking around the island. Monday my sis and I relaxed and then headed to my grandma's where we made us lunch and played in the pool with Bug. She would squeal with delight every time K would dive under water and pop out at her. It was the cutest thing. That afternoon I got to spend a fun afternoon with C.L and R.D.


 The next morning I went surfing with my dad at Doheney which was a blast! We met up with K and Bug at Antoines in San Clemente for some delicious omelettes and coffee.
Surfing with Dad

 Giggles with Papa
Watching Bug while her mom surfed


 Talking on her cell like her daddy
I left on Wednesday quite cheerfully because as luck would have it I got a flight to LongBeach Friday-Sunday! So Friday I went back up and spent all afternoon and the night with my Grandma and Aunt L. The next morning I left early to have brunch with my sister K and my sis in law M who happened to be in town from Australia!! We had an amazing time eating and catching up at Haute Cakes in Newport. The rest of the day was fun but a little crazy- I drove to San Clemente to get some Rainbows at the outlet, picked up a bracelet at Swirl that I had been eyeing- and grabbed some cute tops at Jacks Outlet, then headed to Dana Point to pick up a unAnniversary cake to surprise Sweetie, then Irvine Spectrum for FroYo with KH and back to the Orange Circle for dinner with CL at the FillingStation then I headed back to Newport to hang out with M a little more. The next morning I grabbed some Avalon bagels and a latte and ate at the park while I watched the ducks attack people. Always entertaining :)


Driving down PCH in my (rental) Mazda 2

Tri-City Park Breakfast


I got back to Longview Sunday night (unfortunately Sweetie was on a trip so I didn't get to see him) and then headed out to Santa Fe the next morning. It's been a pretty chill week here. I found a group to play tennis with one morning which felt great. One morning we went to Cafe Pasquals for breakfast and walked around the downtown. Other than that I've watched a lot of HGTV, studied, ran and relaxed. It's actually been really nice to take it slow after the last few weeks.
Oldest house in the U.S!


Café Pasquals- where the locals eat

Beautiful Scenery 


Sunday, July 12, 2015

Our Balcony Project



Our Balcony Project

On the left was our ugly balcony last summer and my pathetic attempt to spruce it up. I came out here about 3 times all summer.
On the right is our updated balcony! 

Our happy Hibiscus seems to love East Tx weather

Cucumbers!
Tomatoes are growing...

We added an outdoor carpet to cover the rotting, nail filled wood. The bistro set is from Ikea and the cupboard was from Canton (used to be in kitchen). We added a few balcony flower boxes and lights.

Perfect little spot for morning coffee and devos!
 or a Dinner date night

Our first pepper!

Outdoor Carpet- Home Depot $40
Bistro Set- Ikea $80
Lantern - World Market $15
Lights- Target $15
Garden Containers and pots- Home Depot $60
Plants: Tomatoes, Cherry Tomatos, Peppers, Cucumbers, Rosemary, Cilantro, Mint, Geranium, Other flowers, potting soil - Local Nursery  $80

It cost us about $290 for our little remodel- but next year we will have all the supplies we need except  more plants and soil!


Gardening tip: We planted ours WAY too close, the few extras that ended up in their own pots did a lot better. They all grew really well, but we haven't gotten much of a harvest. At least its green outside!



Vanilla Bean Donut (without the vanilla bean)

Vanilla Bean Donut




These Donuts are AMAZING! I made these with the beautiful L.R. and her sweet daughter on a rainy day during our girls weekend. I like donuts as much as the next person, but normally I don't think they are worth the calorie count. These are SO much tastier AND they are baked! (so better for you? I would assume so...) You can find the recipe for these bad boys Here .

Tip 1: We didn't use the Vanilla Bean because we didn't have any- they are still delicious without but I'm sure they'd be even better with)

Tip 2: We found the easiest way was to make the glaze was over the oven on low heat and dip the donuts while warm.

Coatesville, Pennsylvania - Mertz Family Visit

Chad and I went back to Pennsylvania to spend a week over Memorial day weekend with his family. It was the first time we've been back together since  we've been married and long over due! Chad and his family played tour guide and showed me all over Lancaster county (Amish country!).
While we were there we also ran up to New York City! It was my first time there- and we didn't have very much time so we drove by Central Park, the Statue of Liberty and a few other key places, but I am very excited to go back and explore more some day!

               
Buying Shoofly and Whoopie Pies from the Amish baker

Can you see little Lady Liberty in the back?


I was trying to show off my new ombre highlights!





Putt Putting at Village Green - so fun and beautiful!