Noted on a Friday

Greetings from Vegas! We got here yesterday and we're looking forward to a long weekend of relaxation with my parents. It's likely our last trip here before the baby comes, so we fully intend to soak up the comfort and be the carefree "kids" for maybe the last time. We spent yesterday evening chatting with my mom about all things pregnancy, labor, and baby, and I can't believe I'm going to be a mama-bear myself very soon. Is this really happening? I feel simultaneously ready and terrified. Happy weekend. xo

Eggy, sweet pan de muerto, via Tijuana and my mother-in-law.

Somebody doesn't mind daylight savings. Or my pregnancy pillow.

Mario, Luigi, and the Princess on candy duty this Halloween.

Flores para los muertos.

Requisite Dairy Queen stop on the way to Vegas.

Noted on a Friday

I had a disappointment this week, and I'm learning that's okay. As someone who likes to control how things play out, I find myself constantly (and irritatingly) challenged with lessons in flexibility and living in the present. Fact: Things will not always go as planned/hoped, but worrying what "could be" takes away the ability to see what should be, a.k.a. what actually IS. Life lessons in progress over here. Anyway, happy weekend. xo

Some little things that made my week...

Playing around on Instagram as you can see (not sure I'll stick with it). But loving all the Jacaranda this time of year.

Thursday was National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day. I celebrated accordingly.

 Festive bloodys at Mother's Day brunch.

And this reminder.

Noted on a Friday

I have major vacation anticipation right now and instead of wishing the time away in a countdown to Spring Break, I made it a point to stay in the present and celebrate each day this week. Whether baking a pie or meeting Flavio downtown for happy hour, planning afterwork fun switched things up and helped me feel positive about each day. I'm looking forward to a mystery date this evening and then making a conscious effort to focus on the now and enjoy this weekend. I hope you have a good one. xo

Here are a few things that made my week...

Cupcakes and (decaf) coffee with a friend.

April showers (and rainbows) bring May flowers.

Meeting up for a cocktails/oysters/Mexico-vacation-planning happy hour.

Wine, snuggles, and a movie on Thursday night.

Pretty roadside flowers on an afternoon walk.

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.

Noted on a Friday

Thanks for playing along with my Week o' Valentiney Nerdiness. I hope you do something happy today, either to celebrate yourself and your loved ones, or to make fun of the whole thing - whichever suits your fancy. I actually spent two long hours at the dentist today, which was not romantic, but I'm looking forward to a low-key night. We'll be celebrating with Chinese takeout and a House of Cards Season 2 marathon. I'm about to get going on making a batch of chocolate covered strawberries and we'll be popping those and champagne for dessert. I hope you have a wonderful weekend with the ones you love. xo

Here are a few little things that made my week...

A valentine from my bestest in Boston.

Baking my traditional red velvets for Flavio's work, and keeping one for me.

I am still missing coffee/caffeine, but I'm loving the motivational messages on my morning tea.

This AM surprise - V-Day loot and a dystopian novel by my favorite author. Sweet!

This festive polish - for lasting all week.

Weekending

We spent Saturday in Temecula at a friend's wedding, which was lovely. The groom is Flavio's childhood friend, so it was like a high school reunion for the guys. It was a love-filled night, with great food and lots of celebratory booze and in the midst of the party, a couple things occurred to me. (A) We are getting older - lots of people there, our age, have children who talk and play and entertain themselves. People kept asking whether we have kids and I just showed multiple photos of Guiri. :) I know I've said it before but it was a reminder: It's time start making some decisions about children, but this book is scaring me off.  Also, it shocked us all to realize it's been 18 years (!) since Flavio graduated from high school. Whoa. Yep, getting older. (B) Flavio gave a beautiful and heartfelt toast to the newlyweds and I couldn't have been more proud. There were multiple points in the night where I'd look over at him telling a story or a joke, and I'd be struck by how handsome he looked, and how funny everyone thought he was. Sometimes, in a crowd, you get to see your partner through other people's eyes, and realize how lucky you are.

Nothing too terribly exciting on this Sunday, actually, but it was nice. Flavio went to play paintball with his friends in the morning while I slept in and lazily nursed my hangover with eggs and a marathon of DC Cupcakes (so embarrassed to admit I love that terrible show). This afternoon, we went to the dog park, cooked this delicious chicken, and slowly got ready for the work week ahead.

Valentine's is a comin'! I'm excited. I think I might do a week of heart-filled goodness on the blog. I realize some people are skeptical, or hate the holiday, but maybe just play along. I promise I'll try not to trigger your gag reflex.

{tulips, Trader Joe's}

{wedding, end of the night}

{toast!}

Gems from the Web

Sometimes when I should be working (like right now), I find myself sucked into the interwebs, fascinated by articles, essays, videos, and Tumblrs. I've found some good stuff online lately, and wanted to share it with you in case you too are procrastinating, or are just in a link-reading mood. Here are some of my favorite gems from the web:

1. On this somber day, I think we should honor 9/11's heroes. This woman's story about her boss is so touching.
2. This dad's fantastic essay brought tears to my eyes.
3. 12 things successful women do differently.
4. Awesome people reading.
5. An important piece in Elle about women and ambition. It's been on my mind since I read it.
6. Words to know, like cataglottism ("French kissing") and farctate ("the state of being overstuffed with food; having overeaten").
7. The most touching StoryCorps ever: Danny & Annie still make me cry.
8. Martha Stewart doesn't give a damn and neither should you.
9. Hilarious things to keep in mind if you're having a bad day.
10. I'm usually a heel girl, but have been debating whether to buy these flats. Is $180 too much for leopard print? Probably.

{This photo is not really related to the post, but I love the way the light comes in to our kitchen in the morning.
Flowers, Sept. 11, 2013}

Weekending

Except for a trip out with friends on Saturday night, we were mostly homebound this weekend. We both worked all day Saturday and I knocked out a bunch of prep and grading, which means this coming work week should be smooth sailing.  That night we met friends at Heights Tavern (now our go-to neighborhood bar - love that place!) for dinner, libations and some great discussion around the Tavern's fire pit. The four of us spent much of the night tipsily debating whether or not to have kids and on the walk home, Flavio and I declared we are leaning more in the direction of to have, than not to (!). Not immediately, but.. Scary. Anyway, a fun night and a delightful end to a long day.

Sunday morning we took Guiri to the park and then came back for warm muffins and coffee and an all-morning movie marathon. We re-watched Drive, which is amazing, and were enamored by the classic landmark Italian film The Bicycle Thief, streaming on Netflix. Flavio's teenage nephew is in town, so they went to play soccer while I spent the afternoon getting our house ready for the week and listening to music (loving this Calexico album). This evening we made salsa verde to add to some tasty shrimp tacos for dinner. It was a quiet fiesta.

{anniversary flowers, slightly wilted but still going strong}

{muffin prep}

{salsa prep}

{taco fixins}

{she loves to watch us wash the dishes}

Weekending

It was a luxuriously unscheduled weekend. Saturday morning Flavio got up early to play soccer and I made coffee and brownies then hung out with my brother and nephew before taking them to the airport.  I love, love weekend mornings baking alone in our sunny kitchen. Peace. Saturday afternoon we took our lady to the park and then picked up lunch at bfd (ridiculously good sandwiches) then went home to nap. That evening we put on music and set up a picnic on our porch. Cold rose, warm weather and the summer evening light. And an impromptu card game. Basically perfect.

Sunday morning we made breakfast then headed to Coronado to stroll and play. We picked up In-N-Out in the afternoon, read our books outside, and then cruised out to see the gorgeous sunset in Ocean Beach.

Everything about this weekend was relaxed and easy with sunny days and warm breezes. It felt quintessentially Californian.

A few scenes, some of which try to capture the evening light, which I love this time of year...

{enjoying the sunset as we drove away. she cracks me up.}

Weekending

We crammed a lot of work and play into the last four days. After a patriotic breakfast at home on The Fourth, we lounged, then made a vat of our sangria, and headed to a friend's for a backyard barbecue. After too much drinking in the sun (my scalp got burned, dammit!) we were too partied out and dehydrated to even care about staying up for fireworks (I never care, anyway) and we were home and in bed by 10.

{lounging, 4th of July}

{sangria, soaking}

We both worked on Friday (I only have one month left of summer classes!) and Friday evening we enjoyed cocktails poolside at our friends' amazing house. After my boo-hooing on here about not having couple-friends, we all of a sudden met three great couples we love. Maybe there's some truth to the idea that sending requests and specific energy into the universe (or in this case, cyber space) actually does bring you what you want. We met this couple at CrossFit and had an absolutely lovely time at their home. We got into a great midnight, tipsy-in-the-jacuzzi conversation about isolation among peers and how most people 50 and under don't really want to converse or interact. Instead, we're so distracted by technology that we retreat into "iDistraction" to avoid any true human connection, leaving us diminished and alone. I was referencing this New York Times essay, which I think everyone should read. Our friends have this fascinating sociological theory that the recent trend in stark, warehouse, garage-chic, so-loud-you-can't-speak bars and restaurants (think Bar Basic, Blind Lady Ale House in San Diego) are another way people can be out in a "social" setting, crammed together in a public place, but don't have to interact at all. The music is so loud and the acoustics so bad that you truly cannot speak to the person next to you. And most people are busy looking at their phones, anyway. It's all so isolating and strange. What is the world coming to? Anyway, it was a great night full of meaningful interaction and re-affirmed my hope that there are still smart, cool friends to be found.

{hydrangea, kept me company as I worked Friday}

You'll be thrilled to know that much of Saturday was spent cleaning and running errands. Saturday evening we took Guiri to the park. Then she hung out while we enjoyed a light dinner al fresco at Cafe 21 (I highly recommend this farm-to-table restaurant, friends).

{having a ball}

{seafood salad, Cafe 21}

Sunday morning we all slept in and then walked down the street for brunch. Later in the day we packed a picnic and headed to Del Mar for some reading, play and relaxation by the sea. It was a fun and restorative day, even if it was bathed in northern San Diego's warm, grey marine layer. We were home in time for our evening walk and the inland sunset.

{bloody mary, Heights Tavern}

{surfers, Del Mar}

{red fence, yellow house}

{inland sunset}

5 Tips For a Great Dinner Party

I'm 32 and still confused.  Should we have kids? Not sure. Should we save for a house or do we want the freedom to travel and possibly live abroad again? Unclear. Is teaching my forever-calling, or should I be open to new challenges? Hmm. Being an adult is confusing business, but one thing I'm finally figuring out is how to host a great dinner party.

Eight years ago, Flavio and I hosted both of our families and some friends for Thanksgiving. Neither one of us had ever hosted a large dinner party, nor cooked a turkey, and in our ambitious, naive youth we figured "Hell, we make dinner every night. We got this! No sweat." Turns out there was sweat, and tears, and a very late turkey, and starving guests and just overall panic and frustration. While everyone did finally get fed, it was so overwhelming and miserable that at the end of the night I declared, "NEVER AGAIN!"

In the eight years since, there have been many more dinner parties and a few more definite flops.  In my older age, I've finally realized why dinner parties fail: I am a type-A planner and my inner party planner always wants to do something extravagant and over the top. THIS IS WHERE THINGS GO WRONG! Extravagant and over the top always equals stress and frustration. A stressed and frustrated host does not make for a fun party. To have a great dinner party, you gotta aim for simplicity with these 5 tips:

1. Before anything else, set the table.

My strangest tip, but one I learned from my mom. My mom always has the table set, whether anyone is coming to dinner, or not. There are chargers, cloth napkins, candles and fresh flowers. It's remarkable! Flavio used to ask who my parents were having over for dinner, until he realized the table at my parents' house is always set, whether guests are coming or not. So when I'm having people over, the first thing I do is set the table. It calms me, it sets the tone, gets one thing off my to-do list and makes everything feel more manageable. Try it! Set the table first.

2.  Stick to food you know.

Do not try to make paella if you've never made paella. I made this mistake. It was the Great Paella Fiasco of 2009 and it was ugly. "Paella?" I thought. "That's just seafood and rice!" Wrong. Paella, it turns out, is one of the most difficult dishes in the world to make, and stressing all day to make it perfect made me too anxious and exhausted to be a good host. The paella was dry, I was disappointed,  I totally missed the party part of the evening, and my guests could feel it. Do you make a killer lasagna or a fantastic roast chicken? Make it! Do not veer outside of your comfort zone in an effort to impress your guests. Stick to food you've made before and know how to do well.

3. Don't make too many things.

Your friends do not need an amuse bouche and an array of appetizers. Your friends need a cocktail immediately upon arrival and a happy host. Pick a one pot dish and do it well. I love to do these braised short ribs for a dinner party - they're amazing and you can't mess them up! If you love to bake like I do, bake something simple and that you've made before. Or, pick up a fantastic dessert at your favorite bakery. Do not even think about trying to do a three-course meal. Make a one-pot dish with protein and vegetables and serve bread and wine. Done and done.

4. Create a simple, cozy environment.

Turn down the lights, light some candles, use cloth napkins, create a simple centerpiece, put water on the table, and put on some music. For music, I like some kind of samba or relaxing tuneage for dinner, and then fun, upbeat music for dessert and after. Music really sets the tone and fills in any gaps in conversation.  (Note - Do not do place cards. I am always tempted to make them because they can be so cute, but then I regret it as I am always harried, angling for perfection at the last minute. They're an unnecessary hassle, and we want simplicity. Go for seasonal fruit or flowers on the napkins, if time.)

5. Wear slippers and relax!

Ina Garten famously said she wears slippers when hosting a dinner party. That way, the mood feels instantly relaxed, and so do the hosts and the guests. I've tried it and it totally works. But more importantly, make sure you've had some wine before guests arrive and that you're relaxed and present when it's time to kick things off. Remember, the whole point of the evening is to enjoy the simplicity of sharing food, your home and laughter with friends; there are few activities more special.

{Photos from last Friday's dinner party. Sunset, drinking wine, waiting for friends to arrive.}

The Magic Minute

TGIF. I've been waiting for this Friday for so long! As of yesterday, I am finally free of my morning class at the navy base which was making me batty. And while I still have final grades to calculate, reports to do, and afternoon classes to teach, I won't be the stressball I've been since January. I celebrated my freedom last night with my ladies and one too many drinks, and I'm sorta suffering this morning. Totally worth it.

Here are some flowers for Friday. Every evening at dusk, our house fills with gorgeous golden spring light. The flowers on our table light up and our home is cast in the most amazing vernal glow. It is only this way for one elusive, ephemeral but magic minute, and then everything turns bluish and chilly. I tried to capture the moment last night with this pic of our sun-kissed snapdragons. It's a fuzzy cellphone photo, and doesn't do it justice, but makes me feel glowy nonetheless.

Happy spring weekend.

PS. This is an accurate account of last night's Girls' Night Out.