8.30.2011

The Olive Cafe

There are so many hidden gems in San Diego. One such place is the Olive Cafe in Mission Beach. It is tucked away in a little corner and would be fairly easy to walk by without every noticing that it was there. Mike and I ventured there a few weekends ago for one scrumptious breakfast. 

Tay-lay got to come to (we are always looking for pet-friendly places now) and she even got a doggie cookie from the server. Lucky little lady.  I ordered french toast with bananas and mike ordered an omelet. We both got our usual lattes and then went for a stroll on the boardwalk. 

If you are ever visiting San Diego, check out this little cafe at the beach. We will be going back soon because Mike was eyeing the breakfast burrito being eaten at the table next to us. mmm breakfast. 
Best.Meal.of.the.Day.





8.27.2011

Workin' for the Weekend

I'm not going to lie, working every Saturday can really be a drag. Especially on those days when the sun is shinning and there are drinks to be had.

I had an extremely long 12 hour day today after an already long week. It was for a young girl's sweet 16 party (MTV is definitely missing out on this one!). It was not only hard work and good experience, it reminded me a little as to why I thought I would like this job. Considering I went to college for it...that is a good thing.

It amazes me that we can turn an empty concrete warehouse into something so beautiful. These iphone photos don't do it justice. This party is going to be off.the.hoooook.

Not to mention it is a bunch of 16 year olds and the party is scheduled to rage through to 5 am....

...as for me...I'm going to sleep riiiiight now.


ZzzZZzzzzZzz (it is 11:11 ...make a wish!)


 BEFORE

AFTER



8.26.2011

Friday Fill-ins


1.   One of life's most simple pleasures is     fresh air  .

2.    Fake people and slow walkers      makes me want to punch someone.

3.  I like   my puppy    because,    she is the cutest maniac I know  .

4.    fart   is a funny word.

5.  If I had to choose one beauty product to use for the rest of eternity it would be    chapstick - out of necessity. I can't go 30 minutes without re-applying. next would be blush since my face is usually pale .

6.  I'm happy that    I have gotten to see so many dear friends this week    .


7.  I would never     be a nurse or doctor. blood, bones, flesh, needles all make me want to cry and vomit at the same time. sick sick sick!!!    .


Happy weekend friends :)

8.21.2011

Frenchie

I don't know about you, but my weekend mornings usually call for a delicious breakfast that I can actually enjoy. The weekday mornings are always so busy that breakfast usually consists of one largeee coffee and some toast, a cliff bar, or something boring like that.  Not on the weekends, not uh, nooo way jose.

Remember that loaf of Challah bread I made? It turned French.

I have always been in love with my french toast. When mom made it from our standard sandwich bread it was good as ever. Now, add thick slices of fresh baked bread that is light and fluffy and you have got yourself a winner.

Challah and brioche are really great breads to use. You do want the bread to be a few days old so that it can hold up to the egg wash. All you need is a few eggs and you can season it however you like. I put some cinnamon, sugar, salt, cream and a dash of nutmeg in with the eggs. Drench the bread in it and put it in the pan to brown. Serve it with whipped cream, fruit, syrup...whatever floats your boat. I went with powdered sugar and warm maple syrup and it was darn tasty.





8.20.2011

Puppy Love

Part of the reason I love the weekends so much is I get to actually spend some time playing with Tay. Poor girl is lonely all week while Mike and I are working but the weekends are a free for all! 

Today, we went to breakfast at our favorite little cafe, strolled along the boardwalk and now she is napping on my lap. Cutie. 

I'm off to work this afternoon (unfortunately). My weekends usually consist of work but the mornings are great. Have a great weekend!!!

~Boomer sharing his bed with Tay~
 ~Taylor sandwich~
 ~what a face!!~
 ~enjoying the sunset in PB~
 ~sleepy time~

8.18.2011

PB&C

Here is yet another way to combine the world's greatest flavors: peanut butter and chocolate.

PB and Chocolate Marble Brownies
from Sur La Table Cookbook: The Art & Soul of Baking
YUM!

Ingredients:
5 ounces semi-sweet chocolate, finely chopped
1 stick unsalted butter, softened
2 cups firmly packed light brown sugar
3/4 cup creamy salted peanut butter, room temp
3 large eggs, room temp
1 1/4 cups AP flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt


Preheat your oven to 350 degrees and place rack in the center. Line the baking sheet with parchment paper or foil across the bottom and up the sides. The lightly coast with melted butter or cooking spray.

Bring 2" of water to a boil in the bottom of a double broiler. (You can use a pot and a heat safe bowl). Place the chopped chocolate in the top bowl of the double broiler and turn off heat. Set the bowl over the steaming water and let the chocolate melt, stirring occasionally.

In a stand mixer, cream the butter and brown sugar on medium-high until it is light and fluffy (5 minutes). Add the peanut butter and scrape down the sides of the bowl. 

Crack eggs into a separate bowl and mix to combine. Add the eggs, one tablespoon at a time until fully mixed in. Add the vanilla and scrape down the bowl.

In another bowl, mix the flour, baking powder and salt. Add the dry ingredients into the peanut butter mixture until smooth. Scrape down the bowl.

Stir half of the batter into the melted chocolate (it might look grainy, that is okay!). Spread 3/4 of the peanut butter batter on the bottom of the pan. It will seem thin, that is okay. Pour the chocolate batter on top of the peanut butter mixture. Spread it out. Drop dollops of the remaining peanut butter batter on top of the chocolate. With a knife or toothpick, make swirls by drawing the knife through the dollops and swirl it into the chocolate batter surrounding it.

Bake 30-40 minutes. Let cool. Enjoy!  

PS- these are GREAT under some ice cream. Juuust saying :)










8.17.2011

Song of the Hour

Actually, the past few weeks. I love this song and its constantly stuck in my head. Thought I might share the goodness with you.

Enjoy :)
and sing along.


8.15.2011

Wanna Move to Nashville? Sure, Why Not??!

Yep, that is the conversation two of my greatest friends had about a year ago.



Where are they now?


They are in their new apartment in Nashville, TN! It has been a long time of this "talk" about moving away and starting over fresh and to be honest, I was not convinced that they were actually going through with it until they sent me these pictures. They had quit their jobs, started saying goodbyes, packed up their apartments and I still thought there was a chance it was all a sick joke.

As sad as I am that I am down two friends and I miss them already - this is such an exciting adventure for them! From what they have told me, they love it already and seem to fit in perfectly. They have explored some exciting places like the Phunky Griddle and Tootsie's and soaking up all the Music City has to offer! I can't wait to visit so we can stalk all of our favorite country music stars and I can be reunited with these two amazing friends of mine.

This new adventure inspired them both to join us here in the blog-o-sphere! Saddle up and follow these girls on their new blogs!

This is Ashley! She takes great photos, has some really great quotes and stories to tell! She loves country music, love, weddings, photos, friends, french fries and glitter.

Her new blog is She's Gone Country. Check her out!

Meet Elise! She is a clever and hilarious and great at documenting their adventures. She loves anything Italian, friends, fun, wine and constantly has that sincere smile on her gorgeous face and enjoys life!

Her new blog is The Odyssey of Elise! Go and follow her now!!



To my girls: I love you and miss you more than anything! I am so proud of you both for taking a chance on life that most people are too afraid to do. I can't wait to visit and for you to (hopefully) return to us in Cali in a year or so. I can't wait to hear all the stories that I know will come :) Love you!!!!

8.09.2011

Barefoot Blue Jean Night

I needed to escape from my job and escape I did! I have been so lucky to have spent the past five days on the lake in Colorado with Mike and his family! His aunt and uncle live in an incredible home on a lake in Windsor and were the most amazing hosts. I have a great time lounging in the hot sun and swimming in the lake. Who knew Colorado got so HOT during the summer? I was bakin'!

We got to lay out on the dock, ride around in the boat, swim, jump of bridges (yes, its true! I conquered my fear after about 5 minutes of incredible stress), visit Boulder, play with their puppies (teacup yorkies - Tiki and Kiwi, which I wanted to bring as my carry-on back to Cali), cheer on Mike's brother as he competed in his first half Iron Man race (he did great!!!), eat, drink, drink...eat...and drink.

Ahh it feels good.  Here are some photos from the trip. Mike and I just got back into SD and have to go back to work tomorrow but I think we both feel refreshed from our trip with his incredible family. Hope you all had a wonderful weekend!!
~Mike's (Debbie) mom kayaking like a champ! His sister (Kris) and I lounging.~

 ~Mike and I reading and sunning on the dock~


~Having dinner at the West End in Boulder~
 ~view from the restaurant~
~the Boulder reservoir cheering on Dan~
 ~Dan half way through his running section~

~sunset cruise on the lake~
~when the sun goes down...~ 
 ~everyone on the boat!~
 ~walking around Boulder with the three CU alums/students~
 ~night out on the town in Boulder~


Aren't good vacations with good people just the greatest!? :)


8.01.2011

Challah at Your Girl!

Bread baking can sound pretty intimidating. I know, because I have been pretttty terrified of it for a while. Challah bread is a great place to start. It is simple and delicious. You get to braid it like the coffee cake from a few days ago and it looks so purttyy. 

Challah is a traditional Jewish bread and contains to dairy products at all. No butter, no milk, no cream. Makes me feel a bit better about eating it, right?

Challah is great for dinner bread, sandwiches (the first thing I used it for) and breakfast!

In other news, 2 more days before Mike and I head for a long weekend in Colorado with his family! I can NOT wait to get away and spend some quality time together relaxing and hanging with the fam in such a beautiful place!  Any plans this week ya'll?? Challah!