Off we go!

Safe travels to those of you brave enough to navigate your way home for the holidays!

Holiday gifting: Mini calendars

Giving out these mini desk calendars has become a holiday tradition at work.  My co-workers love them--they're useful and don't take up much desk space, and they're relatively easy to make.  I buy the PDF from this wonderful etsy seller each year, then we head on to Kinkos to print them out on cardstock, cut them out (BK's a paper cutter master), and put them into these little clear plastic business card holders.  If you don't feel like going through all those steps, you can also just buy sets from the etsy seller.

What are some holiday gifts you love to give?

Christmas decorations

A picture of our Christmas tree before it was attacked by one 10 lb yorkie.  My poor ornaments are now downstairs, safely out of reach.  I suppose they were just too tempting...

Happy Anniversary!

8 years in, love you BK!

Roses from our garden

Just popping in to show off our rose bounty from this week!  After our initial disappointment in trying to grow peonies, I'm so glad BK found these rose varieties that are doing amazingly well in our little garden.  Hope everyone is well and having a great holiday season!

Favorite Recipe: Salted oatmeal cookies

The recipe for these delicious cookies are over at the Tess dress blog where I'm guest blogging today!

Wishlist Wednesday: Holiday decorations

I know, I know, we've only just gotten past Halloween and still have to hurdle over Thanksgiving before getting to Christmas, but that hasn't stopped me from admiring all the fun holiday decorations that are already out!  Here are a few of my favorites from West Elm.

 

Vintage Monday: Belgian green bottle

I have a little habit/addiction about picking up little green and cobalt blue bottles and this one with the bubble top makes me swoon.

Vintage Mondays: Pink Pyrex baking dish

Found this great little pink Pyrex baking dish along with a matching loaf pan at an estate sale a few weeks ago.  Tried out a delicious Trader Joe's blondie bar mix to top off a chilly weekend!

Wishlist Wednesday: Posters

Here are some posters I'd love to put up in my office

(courtesy of Urban Outfitters)

 

Favorite Friday Recipe: Marinated tomatoes

A great way to use up the last of this year's fresh tomatoes.  These are delicious with fresh bread to soak up all the goodness!

Marinated Tomatoes

Ingredients:

• 1/3 cup Olive Oil
• 1/4 cup Balsamic Vinegar
• 2 Tablespoons Sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon Salt
• Freshly Ground Black Pepper
• 3 whole Green Onions, Sliced
• 1/3 cup Chopped Parsley
• 10 whole Basil Leaves (chiffonade)
• 1 clove Garlic, Minced Finely
• 1 pound Tomatoes, cut 

Directions:

•  Combine all ingredients except tomatoes and whisk
•  Add tomatoes
• Allow to marinate for at least 3 to 4 hours, several hours if possible 
• Serve with fresh hot crusty bread!

Handsome puppies

St. Cecilia

Our favorite garden rose!  I love how full it is (almost like a peony -- my favorite flower!) -- and it is so fragrant!

Wishlist Wednesday: Laywer's bookcase

I've been wanting a lawyer's style bookcase for some time now for the study.  I love the clean lines and especially how the doors open up and slide back into the case.  There are a few that I go visit every time I am at the antique mall--just waiting for a sale!

Grateful

So glad that it's Friday and that BK comes home today.  Never thought I would say this, but evidently you can eat too much Captain Crunch cereal...

Garden Roses

The latest bloomers from our rose garden

CA favorites

A few more remaining pictures of our CA trip... Our sweet rental car upgrade for the weekend

Pinkberry goodness

Beautiful CA flowers and plants

A deconstructed California roll (delicious!)

Best candy store ever

Our roaring fire in the hotel room

I'm ready to go back again! :)

Day 3: Big Sur

We spent the sunny afternoon driving down Highway 1 towards Big Sur.  While BK navigated the windy roads, I enjoyed the magnificent views.

We stopped at the Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park to do some hiking

McKay Falls

Day 3: Cannery Row and Carmel by the Sea

Our final full day in CA and the sun finally came out!  The view that greeted us in the morning:

We spent the morning poking around local yard sales and then driving back down to Monterey to the Cannery Row Antique Mall.  It was huge and well organized and was super fun to look through.

Then we went back to Carmel for lunch at Basil--probably one of my favorite meals on this trip.  Love the seasonal dining concept and the delicious warm crusty bread and specialty "basil" dip.

BK had the Thai shortribs which melted right in your mouth

And I hoarded the freshly made spinach tortellini in an amazing truffle cream sauce with prosciutto and asparagus

Seriously--if you are anywhere near this place, you MUST GO!

Carmel-by-the-Sea was super charming to walk around--great for window shopping, enjoying the cool weather, and admiring the gorgeous flowers and plants.

Next up: Big Sur!

Day 2: Point Lobos State Reserve

To cap off our day, we headed to the Point Lobos State Natural Reserve, located close to our hotel in Carmel.  There are several trails that you can hike and since we had about 2 hours till sunset, we chose the three most interesting to us.  First up was Sea Lion Point trail where you could see (with binoculars) the sea lions out on their rock islands, frolicking and making a general din.   Even with the cloudy day, the hike was still beautiful.  Love seeing the mountains in the distance and the fog just adds a little mystery!

Then it was on to the trail furthest south where you take these very steep steps down...

All the way to a gorgeous beach--China Cove

Our final hike was Cypress Grove Trail

Monterey Cypress trees are rare and only grow in this location (something about the combination of the soil, weather and sea air).  These magnificent trees grow over 70 feet and live as long as 300 years.

Stay tuned for day 3--when the sun finally came out and we did more hiking, including my kind of urban hiking...through an antique mall!