I believe baking can soothe the soul. I believe a smoothie a day keeps the doctor away. I believe flannel sheets are one of the best items we’ve purchased for ourselves. I believe in answering people honestly when they ask how I’m doing. I believe in a God who doesn’t play fair. I believe that same God knows what He’s doing. I believe in cream cheese frosting. I believe fantasy football is a guy’s way of keeping in touch with his friends. I believe in keeping my cell phone on vibrate. I believe marriage has made me a better person. I believe in wearing over SPF 30 on my face at all times. I believe in taking public transportation. I believe in HULU (!) I believe friends should ask a lot of each other, and give a lot to each other. I believe in spontaneous dinner parties. I believe we assume too much, judge too often, and forgive too little. I believe in constantly working to fix those things.
Part one can be found here.
You drive down the 5 through cows and wheat, making a list called, “Things to Do Before We Have Kids.” **
You eat the most amazing truffle burger at Unami Burger, and enjoy Kevin serving you mexican coke. For free.
You let mom and dad make breakfast for you all weekend, and you soak up sun at a pool that actually has lounge chairs.
You make homemade ice cream vanilla soup at the beach, and you throw your mom and birthday dinner under the stars.
You get on a cruise ship and motor into the sunset, sea air in your hair and no access to the internet. Blessed day.
You spend four entire days with the love of your life, no distractions. After three quiet months, he has a lot to say.
You eat. A lot. You eat at the buffets. You eat room service. You eat in the dining room. You throw in a couple pina coladas and mojitos.
You swim in the warm water off Catalina and remember time there with family, as kids.
You get off the boat in Ensenada, just for a fish taco. One. Because you’re still full from the breakfast buffet.
You read a book: Shanghai Girls: and think about China’s smells and sounds and history. You don’t think about Twitter. Ever.
You get three whole days in Santa Barbara. You eat at your favorite SB spot with one of your best friends- The Palace-complete with sister as your waitress. She makes you decorated bread pudding and you stuff it in about two bites.
You walk on the beach and talk with her, and then you eat dessert with women who make you laugh a lot.
You see your aunt-unexpectedly-and she picks up the breakfast bill. Awesome.
You go to a wedding that brings together so many of your favorite people that it feels like a reunion, a homecoming of sorts. Plus, the cupcakes are amazing.
And then, you head back home up the 101, back to life and busy mornings and smoothies for breakfast, and an exercise routine, and networking events and a garden that is very much needing attention.
And, you start thinking about the next time you can get away from it all…
(**Note to sister Sarah, mother-in-law Marlene, or any other concerned family members: The “Things to Do List” stretches so long that we won’t be parents until we’re 42. We will be editing the list down over the upcoming months and will keep everyone informed of our ‘family planning’ timeline as we made crucial decisions. Te-he!)
Last weekend I attended the wedding of a dear Europe travel buddy, Lisa. I like to call Lisa by the name “Brownie” which is funny because I call very few people by nicknames. Lisa fits her name–she’s genuine and warm, pretty and bubbly, and always brings a smile to the face.
Lisa’s wedding was one of the most creative events I’ve ever attended. She weaved in some of her favorite passions-like travel-by putting vintage travel postcards on the tables. She made her own centerpieces using vintage birdcases and mason jars with flowers inside. A few of my favorite touches: the symbol of a tree being weaved through the day from her invitation to where they chose to get married, to how they planted a Redwood together during the ceremony. Her new husband, Darren, is a musician so they had a beautiful choir sing during the ceremony, followed by a Blues Grass band during the reception. Guests played bocci ball and croquet, and got our silhouettes cut-also tying into their invitation and programs.
For more wedding inspiration, details and pictures of the day, visit this blog. Congrats Darren and Lisa!
Even though most people who read my blog don’t live in Sacramento, I still feel the need to (sometimes) write about the great things that exist in my new, fabulous and slightly underated river city. Which brings me to today’s review of Icing on the Cupcake, a new bakery in Rocklin. My co-worker, Julie, discovered this bakery which is run by a former client of ours who ventured out on her own to start a cupcake business. (I know, I know…inspiring, huh?) We used Icing on the Cupcake for a company Christmas party and loved their service and the delicious flavor options. The best part of the whole deal? I got to attend the cupcake tasting and tried most of their cakes including chocolate ganache, red velvet, gingerbread, peppermint, lemon, carrot cake, mocha, vanilla, chocolate, german chocolate and apple spice. Now the owner is even carrying flavors like banana, pb&j, chocolate chip, cookies & cream, pistachio and raspberry! There was not one cupcake that disapointed me– I think because all of them are baked fresh with no preservatives so they are moist, rich and delicious. Plus, you can rent this large cupcake tower which they will customize to your event’s colors! So cute! Icing on the Cupcake is just one of at least 5 cupcake stores that have popped up in Sacramento this past year, following a nationwide trend to go mini or go home. No complaints here. (BTW: I always do a little google images search to find pictures to accomodate the text on here. Sometimes I find what I am looking for, other times, I don’t. Today when I searched for “Gourmet Cupcake” I found the posted Airstream Cupcake Mobile and I thought– now why can’t my sensible mom turn her little trailer into a money making side business. Mom? Are you listening?)