City of Angels

Headed to Los Angeles today to spend the weekend with one of my favorite people– Miss Natalie–soon to be Mrs.  This weekend is her bridal shower and it’s my first time being a bridesmaid, so I’m looking forward to a fun weekend. Her fiance is headed to Vegas, so it’s a girls weekend to boot.

You can bet there’s sure to be a lot of this…

Maybe a bit of this…

And hopefully if all goes well, none of this…I wish I was there already! Can’t wait to see this face.

Berry Popsicles

Yesterday, I heard someone say that the temperature this weekend was going to be 106 degrees.  I got sweaty and uncomfortable just thinking about it.  Mind you, I’m already a bit sweaty and uncomfortable and it’s only been in the early 90′s. It’s gonna take me a lot of popsicle and sweet tea to get through this summer.  Never have I missed the North West rainy days so much.

My babysitter when I was little use to make popsicle with Kool-Aid and I’m pretty sure I remember this thing alone, making her one of the coolest people I knew.  Especially since my parents would never allow it. I’m not really one for Kool-Aid these days, but I do love a popsicle and making them always makes me a bit nostalgic of my younger days and these hot summers.

You can find my recipe here!

Look What I Found!

I spotted a yard sale the other day on the way home, just around the corner. It didn’t look too promising, but I’d spotted an old sewing machine and decided to walk over and take a gander.  After a little tinkering, I could tell it didn’t work, and upon plugging it in, a resounding thud of the needle affirmed this.  I was about to head back when they asked if I’d seen the other machine.  Other machine? Apparently everything in the house was for sale. Sounded like a death trap I might never leave–so I went in.  I was directed to a sewing room(!), where I was greeted by this.But the real surprise was inside the desk.  The sounds of joy that came out of my mouth, made me glad I was alone in the room.  A Bernina, working and in amazing condition! (For those of you not familiar with sewing machines, they’re very expensive Swiss machines).  I couldn’t have been more surprised if I’d opened the desk and there’d been a puppy.  They were selling it for only $50– I couldn’t believe it!                                     Sold!As if the sewing machine and this beautiful desk weren’t enough, it came with all these goodie and this secret door–I’ve always wanted a secret door.

 They even delivered it for me. It felt like all the holidays all wrapped up in one.

Best find of the year!

Squash Blossoms

We were at the Farmers Market the other day, and I spotted some squash blossoms, I also got some cactus which I was pretty excited about. I’m a big fan of pretty things that  taste good.  There are a number of things to do with the blossoms, they don’t need much love, in fact they’re good just the way they are.  I sautéed mine in a bit of olive oil with some salt and pepper.

You could probably get really fancy, but I kept it simple.  It was one of those days, I didn’t want a recipe, I didn’t want to write a recipe, I wanted something easy. Using a couple other gems I found at the market I made a fresh Pico de Gallo.  All you need is a couple of tomatoes seeded, a red onion, a couple of cloves of garlic, handful of cilantro, jalapeno, lemon/line juice and salt and pepper to taste. You could give or take on any of those ingredients depending on what you like in your salsa.  Honestly, I could eat Pico de Gallo all day long on anything except my ice cream.

For the blossoms, I made squash quesadillas.  Try not to lose too much sleep about stuffing your quesadilla and trying to cook it successfully.  I just make a cheese quesidilla plain, saute my vegetables and blossoms (I used fresh corn too–you can use whatever your belly desires) and then top the dilla with them. Virtually the same thing right?  When I said I meant simple I mean simple.  Of course, avocado, sour cream and your Pico de Gallo on top.

Hope everyone has a wonderful week!

A Little Peak

My parents just left for my Mom’s big surprise birthday weekend.  I sent a bunch of goodies along with them and some more surprises along the way.  I’m so glad all of you got to be part of it.  She was absolutely thrilled, she kept saying that if aliens landed on earth she wouldn’t have been more surprised. Made me feel good and made we think we should probably get her out of the house more often. I can’t wait to hear all about her trip.

I’m looking forward to a quiet weekend. All the pups (except barking chewy) are asleep– even my parents mischievous Airedale Georgia.  Who I’m sure in no time will be up and about to look for trash can treasures for me to chase her around the house for.  Until I give up and turn the pool sweep on, which she loves.  That dog, she’s something special. We must have the worlds cleanest pool.

In the meantime I’m busy with last-minute things. I’ve been working on converting my room, to my studio/shop until I move back up North.  It was an absolute mess for the past few weeks but is starting to look promising.  It’s a small space so I had to get creative.  Fingers and toes crossed the store should be open early July.  I’ve finally got my business license and name and am just waiting for a couple more things before I share it with you.  You can see a hint of what I’ll be doing in the pictures.

Hope everyone has a peaceful weekend!

xoxo

I Hope You Like Surprises

 You may not know this about me, but I love surprises.  As a perpetual planner, I like surprises– served both ways: I liked to be surprised because it frees me of my incessant need to plan, but mostly I like to plan surprises, especially for people who really deserve them.

For those of you who don’t know, I am very close with my mom, who also edits this here blog.  She retired from being an English teacher last year, so I figured she might like to get her editing fix when I started the blog. Truthfully, I need it more than anything, and Mom just shy of demanded that I let her do it.  All those years of being rebellious to my mother’s mad English skills have definitely caught up with me.  These days I love them.

Anyway, right now she’s editing my blog, and naturally I’ve made a couple of typos, but really, she’s about to be surprised.   I don’t think in general she likes surprises, but I have a feeling she’ll like this one.

You see, she’s turning 60 this year, and that’s a big one, especially considering she looks like she in her 30′s.  Seriously, sometimes people think we’re sisters.  Its been a hard year for her, losing my grandfather– we never really had the chance to celebrate her retirement.  After taking care of my Grandfather for the last five years and teaching the last 25, this year’s been tough.  I keep telling her to enjoy retired life, but it hasn’t been easy. She is the queen of graciousness, always putting everyone before herself.

 So I thought it was time to switch it up a bit, and the family agreed.  My grandfather would have been the first to sign up–he was so proud of her (you).

You see mom, lucky for me, you’re pretty gullible, because I’m not the best at keeping secrets.

You think you’re going to visit your best friends this weekend, but you’re not.  Don’t worry, they know, they were part of the plan.

In fact, your whole family was part of the plan.  Yep, even Kate, Matt and the girls in Dubai.

You’re not going where you think you’re going…because you’re going here (a beautiful bed and breakfast on the Mendocino Coast).  You leave Friday, don’t worry, Dad got the day off.  On Saturday you get to do this (horseback riding on the beach!). You leave Sunday.  There will be more surprises along the way, but that’s all you need to know for now.

You, lady, deserved this more than anyone I know.  We love you, and we never for a second, forget all you do for us.

Happy Birthday/Better late than never Retirement!

Don’t forget to pack your suit and, well, if you wouldn’t mind… finish editing this post.

Just kidding!!

xoxo

**The horse picture is not my own, I found it on the internet but couldn’t find the actual source.  Thanks if you’re out there and please send your link if you find this.   I’ll be happy to give you credit**

This Little Ol' Place

I spent this last weekend in one of my favorite places–Arcata, California.  My home for over eight years– it still feels so much like home. Nestled in the redwoods along the beautiful pacific coast, I often wonder why I ever left.  I really do love this place.

Lucky me, it just so happened to be the weekend of the Kinetic Sculpture Race, which made for a long and festive weekend.  BBQ’s, race watching, egg tosses and plenty of cornhole, one too many margaritas, wiffle ball at the beach, new friends, lots of good eating, bad dancing and time with some of my favorite people.  The kind of friends, that even after 3 years, make a little place like this feel like nothings changed–in the best possible way.

I had way too much fun.

In the mess of all the bad dancing (I fully embrace being a bad dancer, but Ido love to dance), one very large bouncer, made this moment possible…

………………………………

It probably wasn’t this graceful considering the pain in my back the next morning.  But it was certainly magical.

Only things like this happen in Arcata.

xoxo

P.S. all of you are going to be part of a big surprise tomorrow evening–stay tuned.