Tailgating with Girlie Food

My favorite fellow super fan, Michelle, and I hit John's summer tour again. Most notable about this summer's show was how he can pull off - yes, he pulls it off - shredding in preppy plaid pants and a v neck. I loves me some unpredictable preppy.

Since we left the hubs behind and brought another super fan friend we needed a girlie tailgate to properly prep for the show. I brought Giada's shrimp in endive boats (with parsley sauce) and some grapes. Big whoop.

Michelle, pampered us as we enjoyed THE BEST spread from Venisimo. My friends, this cheese shop has delectables I am still salivating over. (In fact, I am squeezing in a trek this week to said slice of heaven.) We enjoyed the best double cream brie, insane gouda, blue cheese (paired with honey and sugared walnuts, of course), creamy goat cheese (so soft and smooth) and peppers with chevre. And then there was the artichoke, salami and some amazing prosciutto salami hybrid with a fresh baguette. Nordies cafe provided our post show wrap up. More than I can take, people.

The vodka ice tea Michelle made is the most perfect drink for a hot summer day - or night. That lovely libation deserves a post of its own. Forthcoming...

I'm not exaggerating that we got lucky with the most perfect night for an outdoor summer concert. Warm and clear with the full moon rising over the amphitheater during the show. And the best tailgating ever. Thanks girlies!

Local Tourists

August around these parts is chalked full of family guests. We literally have a solid rotation of visitors staying with us the entire month. Sharing good time with family who don't live nearby is so very important to us and we are lucky to have them. As an added benefit, we become local tourists.

Sometimes we go big and hit a tourist trap. But often the most memorable moments are found in simple pleasures, like a trip to a favorite taco shop.

D's dares never get old. He eats fire.

And this little guy wanted every last sip of his fountain drink.

Takin' it to the street.

The Sound of Writing

We've been having great fun around here with our new-to-us typewriter. I don't know what it is about a classic hunt and peck return carriage of a Smith Corona, circa 1950s, that I find so charming. Perhaps it's the sound of writing that I love so much.

While we regularly use Spelling City for practicing our weekly words, our portable typing machine has added new charm (and keyboard recognition) to our exercises. It also works well for shopping lists and just about anything else we can muster. Spelling today, stories tomorrow...

Simple pleasures, my friends.

Getting Out There

We've been hitting the trails again. This past year got us a bit off balance and we weren't enjoying as many of the simple pleasures we love so much. Over our holiday break we completely lost track of what day it was and got back out there.

Hiking the local hills with a good view of our community, not to mention some sweet sword fighting, whittling, family yoga and pick-up batting practice.

Riding through Balboa Park on a day trip south with Liz in her chariot,

(except when she tried to take a dip in the fountain), and pausing for a game of freeze tag.

Strolling beach side with family and lots of hand holding.

Next up, two new beach trails we have been dying to wander.

Birthday Brunch

One of my most favorite people, Michelle, celebrates her birthday today. And somehow, even though we live almost a Southern California hour away from each we managed to squeeze in a brunch at the Ramos House Café. I love this place so much I almost want to keep it to myself. But because I know you'll love it too, I decided you had to partly experience it with us.

Signature Bloody Mary and Pomegranate Mimosa.

We started with a little sweet and a little savory. I can barely describe the Bloody Mary except that is was for sure the best I've ever had. Heavy on flavor, with green beans, greens and crab. Topped with scotch quail eggs (quail egg wrapped in Italian sausage and flash fried to perfection). Presentation fantasma aside, this started our brunch off right. The mimosa was nothing to complain about either.

Part of the charm of this lovely home-style gem is that the chef lives and works on-site, grows the herbs in the garden and even churns the ice cream on the back porch. The menu changes frequently and is full of the most interesting combinations. We were hard pressed to make a decision for our brunch. The popcorn soup was too intriguing to pass up. It's a corn chowder with a seared avocado slice. Topped with popcorn drizzled with truffle oil. D-lish!

Our entree (split) was the Flannel Hash with Fried Poached Eggs and Goat Cheese Hollandaise. It was the most amazing beet and fennel goodness I have ever had. And now I want more.

There's something very special about sharing a good meal with a good friend. I am glad we could make it happen--and even on her special day (yay!). Our time was cut short with my girl in sick bay at school. Nurse Mama to the rescue with a full belly and happy heart.

Happy Birthday Michelle.

{I hadn't planned on documenting our brunch so the pictures are from my lovely iPhone. Pardon the imperfections.}

Reading Chair and Room Revamp

Pardon the poor iPhone photo but at least you have a sneak peek at our reading chair. Dad came to town this week but before that, I decided to make myself crazy and begin an overhaul on our playroom to grow it up a bit. As if I could pull that off before guests spend August with us. Ha. Damn those bees in my bonnet!

So, I've been working away transforming our small room to a more den-like status. I am hardly ready to post any 'after photos' since it's still a work in progress but I can tease you with a few of these progress notes:

: First and foremost, I have embarked on this challenge without two of my most trusted advisors, Michelle and Brandy. There simply wasn't time and I knew enough of the direction I was heading to get started. Now that I have some basic things underway, I will be calling on them (fair warning served, ladies) to help me make it pretty.

: Husband is the best! He cranked out some shelves for me (in a day). I so appreciate him hanging with my crazy, whimsical Lucy thoughts.

: The space is completely in transition and I haven't even set it up for the fam and yet my vision is being realized. Kids are playing checkers on the floor. Our reading chair is rarely empty. The toys are sparse but finally getting some action.

: Projects and creativity are brewing (much to my delight) even though I am getting rid of our craft table. I loved the table and reworked the room several times trying to make it fit and grow with the space but alas it doesn't work. I feared removing the table would leave a creative void in the room but actually it's quite the opposite. I am tripping over Anna at this very moment as she works on an embroidery scene.

I am encouraged and feeling the reward of a good purge.

Quail Botanical Gardens

Last week I took my little monkeys to Quail Botanical Gardens. We had heard several good reviews but wanted to check it out for ourselves. Since it was a scouting mission we tapped into the 'free Tuesday' option (first Tuesday of the month). Not surprisingly every other mother and child in north San Diego County had the same idea. Even still, there was plenty of room to wander and the mini-canyons made for a nice baby hike.

The Children's Garden is full of fun and creative options for little ones-like a large floral chalk wall. In truth I was more concerned with continuously counting the heads of my three tikes (one, two....three) than fully experiencing the area. It was clean with a good variety of interactive play best suited for toddler to preschool kids.

The treehouse may have been the highlight in the play area for me. I realize the children's garden is designed for little people, but if you've been around here for long you know I have an unexplainable obsession with treehouses. I am compelled to evaluate and share.

Walking back to the car almost alone (playing chauffeur) I was instantly transported to my Nana's garden. The aroma of the pathway brought me back and stopped me in my tracks.

This was not the trip for much moseying but it served its purpose to hook me for more. There is a great seeds of wonder program all three kids would enjoy and plenty of areas we didn't explore.

For good measure I had to include these three amigos.

Rite of Passage

Crazy as we may seem, the big kids passed a notable rite of passage in Zion--pocket knives. Christopher got his first Swiss Army tool (not just a knife!). We knew he would take it seriously and enjoy the hobby of whittling but didn't anticipate Anna's interest as well. Sitting by the river working away was precious time. Simple pleasures.

Scrumptious: BGAT+

Please excuse my inability to pause and capture this scrumptious sandwich. Instead I devoured my first bite, then my second and then...Well, at least I got a picture at all.

Bacon, Greens, Avocado, Tomato Plus A Little Somethin' Sandwich
Toasted sourdough
Dijon, mayo, lemon aoili (the extra pizzaz that makes you go, hmmmm?)
Bacon
Tomatoes
Avocado
Micro greens
Salt & pepper

I hope it lifts your day as much as mine. Simple pleasures.