A blog about us & our favorite things
November 12, 2011
Farmer's Market Saturday
Occasionally, Josh and I will stroll through our local farmers market and I'll marvel at all of the fresh goodness while Josh attempts to drag me away from it all. Today, however, we stopped at a very lovely cheese stand & were fed sample upon sample of some of the finest cheese I've ever had. We finally decided on a smoked cheddar (for josh) and lemon quark (for me). Let me just say, quark is the most amazing discovery since Nutella. It's a homemade (!) German cream cheese with lemon curd. It's delicious. I'm eating three slices of toast topped with the Quark right now. Plus, it's super fun to say. Quark. The really nice stand was for Spring Hill Farms, and I feel really great supporting the local dairies & they had homemade Butter! We also bought homemade ciabatta bread & these beautiful berries!! Gonna make some delicious muffins for work on Monday :)
November 08, 2011
Mustachio
My friend made these great pins to celebrate Movember & they are decorated with a blue ribbon to bring awareness for Prostate & Colon Cancer.
Aren't they cute?
Aren't they cute?
November 07, 2011
November 06, 2011
Happy Movember!
So, a friend of mine showed me this really great website for an organization that brings awareness to men's health. I'm usually a supporter of ALS and Breast Cancer awareness, but very recently, two men in my immediate family have been diagnosed with colon and prostate cancer.
Since being told this tragic news by my family, I have been brainstorming ways to support men around the world & their struggle with fighting cancer.
Until I can do more, I will become a Mo sista.
http://us.movember.com/about
Josh is currently growing a beard for his job, so for the month of November, we will be doing a Beard Watch.
Please visit http://us.movember.com to donate or read more about men's health awareness & please, encourage the men ( & women) in your lives to schedule regular screenings with their doctor.
Beard Watch day 5:
Since being told this tragic news by my family, I have been brainstorming ways to support men around the world & their struggle with fighting cancer.
Until I can do more, I will become a Mo sista.
http://us.movember.com/about
Josh is currently growing a beard for his job, so for the month of November, we will be doing a Beard Watch.
Please visit http://us.movember.com to donate or read more about men's health awareness & please, encourage the men ( & women) in your lives to schedule regular screenings with their doctor.
Beard Watch day 5:
November 01, 2011
Starbucks secrets!!
Drinks not on the menu, but can be ordered:
* Penguin/Zebra/Tuxedo: This is a mocha (with caffeine) or hot chocolate (no caffeine) that is half white chocolate and half regular chocolate. It's tastier than the regular hot chocolate and less sweet than a white mocha.
* Hot Chocolate with a shot of vanilla: Once you try it this way, you'll never drink regular hot chocolates again.
* Strawberry Lemonades: A lemonade concentrate is mixed with a strawberry puree. Can be blended!
* Gummi Bear: some fruit punch based drink
* Steamer: Half regular coffee with half steamed milk. For those who like lots of milk in their coffee but don't like it cooling when they add creamer.
* Red Eye: Regular coffee with an add shot.
* Penguin/Zebra/Tuxedo: This is a mocha (with caffeine) or hot chocolate (no caffeine) that is half white chocolate and half regular chocolate. It's tastier than the regular hot chocolate and less sweet than a white mocha.
* Hot Chocolate with a shot of vanilla: Once you try it this way, you'll never drink regular hot chocolates again.
* Strawberry Lemonades: A lemonade concentrate is mixed with a strawberry puree. Can be blended!
* Gummi Bear: some fruit punch based drink
* Steamer: Half regular coffee with half steamed milk. For those who like lots of milk in their coffee but don't like it cooling when they add creamer.
* Red Eye: Regular coffee with an add shot.
Killer Alfredo Sauce
The biggest problem we run into when attempting to eat healthy & buy fresh groceries, is using our resources before they expire. This week I had:
1. 1/2 tub of sour cream
2. Half and half
3. 1/2 brick Monterey Jack Cheese
4. 1/2 tub Parmesan cheese
After searching online for 5 minutes I came across instructions for making a killer Alfredo sauce. Luckily, I had chicken breasts in the freezer & fettuccine pasta in my pantry. After adding a few spices, I have to admit that this homemade Alfredo sauce was the best I've ever had.
1. 1/2 tub of sour cream
2. Half and half
3. 1/2 brick Monterey Jack Cheese
4. 1/2 tub Parmesan cheese
After searching online for 5 minutes I came across instructions for making a killer Alfredo sauce. Luckily, I had chicken breasts in the freezer & fettuccine pasta in my pantry. After adding a few spices, I have to admit that this homemade Alfredo sauce was the best I've ever had.
October 23, 2011
Tips for a good life
1. Memorize something everyday.
Not only will this leave your brain sharp and your memory functioning, you will also have a huge library of quotes to bust out at any moment. Poetry, sayings and philosophies are your best options.
2. Constantly try to reduce your attachment to possessions.
Those who are heavy-set with material desires will have a lot of trouble when their things are taken away from them or lost. Possessions do end up owning you, not the other way around. Become a person of minimal needs and you will be much more content.
3. Develop an endless curiosity about this world.
Become an explorer and view the world as your jungle. Stop and observe all of the little things as completely unique events. Try new things. Get out of your comfort zone and try to experience as many different environments and sensations as possible. This world has so much to offer, so why not take advantage of it?
Not only will this leave your brain sharp and your memory functioning, you will also have a huge library of quotes to bust out at any moment. Poetry, sayings and philosophies are your best options.
2. Constantly try to reduce your attachment to possessions.
Those who are heavy-set with material desires will have a lot of trouble when their things are taken away from them or lost. Possessions do end up owning you, not the other way around. Become a person of minimal needs and you will be much more content.
3. Develop an endless curiosity about this world.
Become an explorer and view the world as your jungle. Stop and observe all of the little things as completely unique events. Try new things. Get out of your comfort zone and try to experience as many different environments and sensations as possible. This world has so much to offer, so why not take advantage of it?
October 22, 2011
Sayonara Starbucks!
I am one of a million Starbucks lovers who waits around 9 months for the heavenly Pumpkin Spice Latte. While Stumbling the other night, I came across the holy grail of homemade coffee drinks:
The only changes I made were, I added the ingredients to my regularly brewed cup of coffee & whisked them together, and I used easy pumpkin pie purée (pumpkin pie purée & spices in a can) Deliciousness!
The only changes I made were, I added the ingredients to my regularly brewed cup of coffee & whisked them together, and I used easy pumpkin pie purée (pumpkin pie purée & spices in a can) Deliciousness!
October 18, 2011
Cream Cheese Chocolate Chip cookies
No eggs? No problem - Josh & I eat eggs for breakfast & dinner so much that we tend to run out before we have a chance to make dessert. Here's a great recipe for chocolate chip cookies, sans eggs.
October 03, 2011
Lasagna Soup
Josh & I love us some lasagna! But I don't dare get into the ricotta-ing or the noodle-ing...etc. This recipe is so delicious and you can make it as soupy or not as soupy as you like. :)
October 02, 2011
Tale of the sad layer cake
So I just bought my shiny new Kitchen-Aid mixer & I had this great plan to surprise Josh with a delicious cake for a belated I Love You Day present (I'll explain in a later post...). So I went to Martha Stewart.com thinkin' "Martha is like, the CAKE MASTER(!) & I'm gonna make a cake just like Martha". Unfortunately, the model cake in the picture is made of plastic or something, 'cause mine didn't come out lookin' like Martha's...
Sadly, this was my end result:
Sadly, this was my end result:
So, at this point, I was pretty optimistic. I thought, "hey! It probably tastes good! I've eaten lots of other people's deformed cookies & they were pretty delicious." So I just put it in the fridge & hoped that when it got cold, it would solidify a bit & not self-implode. How wrong I was. Oh, how wrong I was.
This is 15 minutes later:
First of all, I must put a disclaimer here. In no way, shape, or form do Josh or I drink Beringer Rose wine. One of Josh's weird friends left it here. But we do not. I repeat, do NOT drink Beringer Rose wine. Now that that's settled, back to the disaster of a layer cake. So, now I'm a little peeved. After 10 minutes of trying to doctor up this cake, I'm giving up. But we will STILL EAT THE CAKE!
Why? Because I spent a buttload of money on stupid "Special" Mascarpone Cheese for the dumb frosting.
Word to the wise: don't make homemade Mascarpone Cheese frosting. Did you know, Mascarpone Cheese is like, $5 a carton!?!?!
October 01, 2011
New Toy
So, after having to hand-whisk everything from here to kingdom-come for the past 6 years, Josh & I used some of our wedding gift money to purchase a brand new beautiful Kitchen-Aid Mixer. If you would have asked me 2 years ago, would I ever own one of these, I would have said it was too expensive, unnecessary...etc. But today, I am a proud parent of a brand new Kitchen-Aid mixer & to all of you who gave us cash for a wedding gift, my arms (and Josh's stomach) thank you :)
September 28, 2011
Oatmeal Chocolate Chip cookies
If you grew up where I did, you knew that every summer when the temperature reached a scorching 112 degrees, you could smell the drying raisins laying out in the vineyards. And every winter you'd see new people out pruning & tying vines. And if you grew up where I did, your probably just about as sick of eating raisins as I am. Problem is, Josh & I love oatmeal cookies. Thanks to The baker Chick, I found a great recipe with the perfect alternative: Chocolate.
Say it with me now, "oohhhhhh, yeeeeeaahhhh....."
Say it with me now, "oohhhhhh, yeeeeeaahhhh....."
September 23, 2011
August 14, 2011
July 09, 2011
May 24, 2011
Visitors Info: Ventura, Ca.
Ventura, California is a beautiful beach-side town where we have been lucky enough to call "home" for the past 5 years. If you plan to stay in Ventura, please use this guide to make your stay a comfortable one.
Our Favorite Spots:
1. Cajun Kitchen Cafe - located in downtown Ventura on the corner of Main & Palm Street. There is rarely a Weekend where we don't stop here at least once for breakfast. Great Coffee; Cajun/ Country style breakfasts; limited seating.
2. Tipps Thai Restaurant - located in downtown Ventura on Main St. just off of California. Great Pad Thai; full bar service; plenty of seating areas.
3. Savory Bakery - offers gourmet cuisine in a quaint european style garden setting. Located in historic downtown Ventura on the corner of Main & Oak Street. The aromatic coffee bar, delicious breakfast and lunch menu, and fresh baked goods, are sure to please!
4. McConnell's Ice Cream - located at the Historic Mission Bell (next to the Pacific View Mall) in Ventura, McConnell's offers ice cream, gelato, and sorbets that are truly to die for. Go for the great service and even better flavors!
5. Eggs n' Things - Truly a great Breakfast place with the greatest service you will find anywhere! Go for the great coffee and country breakfast choices. Tell them Charlotte sent you!
Our Favorite Spots:
1. Cajun Kitchen Cafe - located in downtown Ventura on the corner of Main & Palm Street. There is rarely a Weekend where we don't stop here at least once for breakfast. Great Coffee; Cajun/ Country style breakfasts; limited seating.
2. Tipps Thai Restaurant - located in downtown Ventura on Main St. just off of California. Great Pad Thai; full bar service; plenty of seating areas.
3. Savory Bakery - offers gourmet cuisine in a quaint european style garden setting. Located in historic downtown Ventura on the corner of Main & Oak Street. The aromatic coffee bar, delicious breakfast and lunch menu, and fresh baked goods, are sure to please!
4. McConnell's Ice Cream - located at the Historic Mission Bell (next to the Pacific View Mall) in Ventura, McConnell's offers ice cream, gelato, and sorbets that are truly to die for. Go for the great service and even better flavors!
5. Eggs n' Things - Truly a great Breakfast place with the greatest service you will find anywhere! Go for the great coffee and country breakfast choices. Tell them Charlotte sent you!
Our Wedding Venue
Allow us to tell you a little bit about our wedding venue...
In 1872, Captain W.H. Johnson built a house on De La Vina Street in historical Santa Barbara for his wife and family. In 1962, it was moved to its current location on Los Patos Way located next to the Santa Barbara Bird Refuge and it was re purposed as an antique store for many years. Since 1996 it has been Stella Mare's Restaurant, a place where locals can go for a unique atmosphere and some of the best food found in Southern California.
In 1872, Captain W.H. Johnson built a house on De La Vina Street in historical Santa Barbara for his wife and family. In 1962, it was moved to its current location on Los Patos Way located next to the Santa Barbara Bird Refuge and it was re purposed as an antique store for many years. Since 1996 it has been Stella Mare's Restaurant, a place where locals can go for a unique atmosphere and some of the best food found in Southern California.
50 Los Patos Way
Santa Barbara, CA, 93108
Santa Barbara, CA, 93108
March 13, 2011
Hotel choices for Long Distance travelers
Please let us know if you are interested in staying at a different location. There are many choices in Santa Barbara, Ventura, and Carpinteria.
1. Holiday Inn Express & Suites - Carpinteria, Ca.
2. Motel 6 Santa Barbara - Carpinteria, Ca.
3. Best Western Carpinteria Inn - Carpinteria, Ca.
4. Ala Mar Motel - Santa Barbara, Ca.
More Hotel choices to come...
March 07, 2011
03/05/11: Bridal Gown
I bought my Bridal Gown today!!! I can actually say that I felt like a princess bride while wearing this dress & I can't wait for Josh to see me walking down the aisle wearing it!
Here's a sneak peek:
Here's a sneak peek:
February 21, 2011
02/19/11: Bridal Gown
Today was the first day I shopped for Bridal Gowns! I found some beautiful dresses at David's Bridal, but I will continue to shop around until I find "The One". :)
February 11, 2011
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