Noted on a Friday

This was a let's-just-get-through-it kinda week. The end of the semester is always my busiest time (grading and meetings and more grading) and Flavio has been slammed, so I couldn't be happier about the three-day weekend ahead. My plans are having no plans at all and I can't wait to disconnect, relax, and see what fun pops up in the next few days. Happy (looong) weekend. xo

A few little things that made my week...

Celebrating my half-birthday last Sunday with half a leftover, defrosted cake - delicious.

Cake accompanied by this classic. "I got worms."

An after-work walk past our neighborhood's heavenly wall o'jasmine. Smells like summer.

I'm excited about the burgeoning blackberries in a neighbor's yard.

Dog-friendly dining at Carnitas' Snack Shack. Guiri recommends the pork belly.

Windblown

The Santa Ana winds have blown in and there's an electricity in the air. I am at my desk with a stack of work to do, but wish I was home listening to the wind blow outside, feeding Guiri ice cubes. While I am over this triple-digit heat and the surrounding brush fires, the Santa Anas are sort of beautiful in their own way.. they make your hair stand on end, and dry up everything in their path. Anyway, it wouldn't be Southern California without them. Declaration: Flav is off tomorrow and I decided I am taking Thursday afternoon off!!! Dog beach or bust.

Update at 2:00 PM - I have been holed up in an office all day and just learned So Cal is on fire. Shit. The above post feels insensitive. Stay safe, San Diego.

 {citrus infused water}

Noted on a Friday

Happy May! This week was just... weird. My brother was hit nearly head-on by a drunk driver and miraculously, he is fine (thank god!). This 90-degree heat was making me feel ill and I projectile vomited all over my car while driving on the freeway (awful!). Lastly, my non-smart (dumb?) phone finally bit the dust. After years of resistance, an iPhone is in my future. In better news, my parents are coming to visit today (yay!) and a Padres game, new restaurants, and cooler temperatures are on all the itinerary. Have a great weekend. xo

Some fun moments from the last couple weeks...

Summerlike afternoons with this beauty.

Mimosas at Easter brunch.

Mystery date: Thai cooking class at Hipcooks. So much fun!

Baking funfetti cupcakes on a Sunday afternoon.

Mid-week sushi date when it was too hot to turn on the oven.

Drinks on draught at Toronado.

Felices Pascuas!

Happy Easter! We're back from an amazing week in Mexico and I can't wait to share photos soon. In the meantime, we're enjoying cuddles with our favorite Easter bunny (we missed Guiri sooo much!) and chocolate treats paired with a Sunday movie marathon. The end of a trip is always sad - thankfully, these tips are helping - but at the same time, nothing's sweeter than being home.

Easter has always been one of my favorite holidays. When I was little, my parents would set up an egg hunt and my brothers and I would run around the yard searching for well-hidden eggs. Some eggs were filled with candy, while others were filled with cold, hard cash. Over the years, the egg hunts have continued and I am really missing my parents and brothers and our tradition today - hopefully we can all be together next year. These annual egg hunts are one of my fondest memories, and inspire me to make a point of celebrating Easter Sunday with something fun. Some years, Flavio sets up an egg hunt for me :), last year I made carrot cupcakes, and this year I put together simple Easter baskets. They were fun to come home to after a week away.

{His}

{Hers}

Strawberry Rhubarb Pie

Baking, I have missed you. Earlier this week I saw bright, beautiful sprigs of rhubarb at the store parked next to neon pink strawberries and baking a pie of the same ingredients sounded like a fun way to welcome spring. I love strawberry rhubarb's puckery-sweet compote and overall, this was an easy pie to throw together on a quiet Thursday afternoon. Here is the recipe I used -- and despite having trouble with the crust, I recommend it. I'd never made strawberry rhubarb before today, and though my pie may not win any beauty contests, it tasted amazing as dessert and will be perfect for breakfast tomorrow.

{ombre rhubarb}

{chopped}

{ready to bake - ignore that I messed up the lattice}

{dessert}

Weekending

Even though it's raining and cold right now, the weather this weekend was gorgeous! We spent our days collecting sunbeams and on Sunday afternoon, after a lazy outdoor brunch here, we snuggled in the grass watching palm trees sway and jointly declared: we never want to move. Most of our close friends have left San Diego for cheaper cities, and we've talked (quite frequently) about relocating to a place where we might be able to afford a mortgage that gives us a dishwasher and two bathrooms and a big yard. But, look where we live! To own a house, or to live in paradise? That is the question. Priorities change, but for now, we never want to leave. Renters for life.

Noted on a Friday

2014 is speeding on by - can you believe we're nearing April?! Crazy. This week felt quick and easy -- which is how I like 'em - and we're on the home stretch to Spring Break. Whaddup! I'm hoping time slows down this weekend so we can enjoy some leisurely fun. 

A few things I noted this week...

A couple surprise rainy days and brisk weather -- loved!

And this homemade kabocha squash soup with bacon and crema was really hitting the spot.

We watched a butterfly flutter by outside our window. (Photo by Flav)

And played in the park with this pretty lady.

Happy Friday! xo

Weekending, quick notes

Although there aren't photos to prove it, this was maybe the best weekend we've had lately. Last Thursday I was feeling anxious about having too much planned/being over-committed (I need downtime scheduled in, too), but from Friday - Sunday, we were on the move and in the end, we had a lot of fun and it made the weekend seem longer. Some highlights:

:: Some of my students were in a play, so it was fun to go see their talent and support them in their production of Balm In Gilead.

:: We pretended we were in Vietnam/France and went to Zion Market for their "Paris Baguette" pastries with friends. (Note to self: Friends report the coffee is amazing there. When we're back on the juice, I can't wait to try it. Pastries divine - like those we had in Paris.)

:: We partied at a BBQ on Saturday night.

:: I was a wee hungover Sunday and woke to the smell of bacon as Flav surprised me with breakfast - sweet!

:: We're sort of getting into Friday Night Lights and we binge-watched in pajamas Sunday morning - Flav is really into it - I'm sort of a fan. Reminds me of high school culture in El Centro.

:: We celebrated Jan's birthday with wine and delicious Thai food Sunday night.

Even though we were out late last night, I woke up this morning feeling oddly refreshed. Nothing got done at home this weekend, but who needs clean clothes, anyway?

{Sunday morning chef}

{paleo pancake breakfast a la Flav}

Noted on a Friday

This was a pretty uneventful week. We both worked a lot and spent the evenings collapsed on the couch in front of the TV. The weekend ahead is packed with fun plans, so it'll be a nice change of pace. I hope you have a good one. xo 

A few highlights from this week...

St. Paddy's dinner & a movie.

It's beginning to look a lot like springtime.

Found: A sleeve of thin mints in the back of the freezer. Made me beyond happy.

Spring To-Do

Happy first day of spring! Here in San Diego we're already munching on delicious red strawberries and enjoying flowery roadsides and sunny days. While our draught-ridden state could definitely use more showers, I think it's safe to say spring has sprung around these parts. Last summer and fall I put together seasonal to-do lists, and I thought it would be fun to do the same for spring. Here are some of the things I hope to do in the next few months:

1. Go on a picnic
2. Hit up the farmers' market regularly
3. Sleep more and worry less
4. Bake my annual strawberry shortcake
5. Go to a baseball game
6. Easter baskets!
7. Mix up spring-themed cocktails and drink on our porch
8. Do some home spring cleaning / redecoration / freshening up (new pillows, a new rug, etc.)
9. Take a cooking class here
10. Go to Playa del Carmen. Woot!

{Video: Guiri enjoying spring-like weather at Coronado last weekend - not sure if it plays properly on Blogger?}

Encouragement

I woke up this morning feeling bogged down by life. Spring Break seems so far away. I'm tired and grouchy. And I was not feeling it in my classes. Then, on my walk with Guiri I spotted this sweet little flower trying any which way to grow. Unbothered by the stone around, and the people stepping on its sidewalk, totally persevering through the concrete jungle that is our modern world. I felt inspired by its cheery yellow optimism. And happy that tomorrow is Thursday. And that spring is coming.