it’s august, and we’re camping.

We bought our very first tent (yes, cute was a factor) and tagged along on a family camping trip to Malibu Creek State Park. The temperature was scorching inland at the campsite, so we headed to Zuma Beach for a glorious afternoon of sunshine and sea breezes. Hubs helped cook dinner, and my cousin made blackberry Mountain Dew cobbler in a dutch oven with coals (makes me wish I could have been a boy scout). We ended the weekend with a trip to Malibu Seafood and an evening showing of Guillermo Del Toro’s latest, Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark. Even though our getaway was just a little over 24 hours, it felt like so much longer, as all getaways should.

Can’t wait to get some campsites booked up for next summer! Sleeping under the stars on summer nights is a dream.

our bay area vacation in iphone photos [part one]

This past week, we house/dog-sitted for a great couple I’ve known from middle school. Winston got a few lessons in puppy social skills, and we had some time to relax in the cutest little bungalow. Of course I took way too many iPhone pics. Highlights (there were lows too, like um, visits from an unfriendly neighbor, but vacations are about focusing on the fun) from the first part of the week :

• mango & sticky rice (world’s best dessert) in downtown Walnut Creek
• homemade happy hour with brie and muscato
• homecooked dinners
• early evening walks with the pack (Lucy, Ellie, and our little guy)
• cookie-sized macarons from Bouchon
• reunions with old friends
• smoked tri-tip lunches and leisurely drives
• a HUGE scoop of ice cream from San Francisco Creamery
• studying for the GRE outdoors in the sunshine
• glasses of wine in the evening (from Cupcake Vineyards, of course)
• randomly finding a cafe and realizing it was Tartine (their bread pudding was the best I’ve ever had, and the Mexican wedding cookies were delicious)
• ordering in pizza and quality time with our little guy (and his new doggie friends)

Not pictured:

• Stonehouse olive oil and endless food discoveries in the Ferry building
• cinnamon rolls for breakfast on multiple mornings
• morning strolls downtown
• afternoon naps in a bed v. afternoon naps sitting upright in a van in traffic on the 405
• quality time with my sweet parents

Crazy how days just fly by. More photos to come.

bittersweet.

Last night, husband sold the car that has been a part of his life since high school: a 1966 Dodge Coronet with plates that came practically customized for him. He rebuilt the car with his dad, took it to prom, and to college. That car transported us (and subsequently broke down on the side of the 405) on our first Valentine’s day. We rode in it on our first date to the Santa Monica Pier and 3rd Street Promenade. The first time I drove to Irvine with David was in that car, with the windows rolled down and the music blaring. And just over two years ago, we waved goodbye to our best friends and family amidst a cloud of bubbles and drove away in it to our first night as newlyweds and the beginning of our marriage.

so thanks for all the memories, Blue Bomber!

you will be missed.

[all photos by Raya Carlisle]

my baby munchkin turned one!

My puppy baby turned a year old this past Sunday! I can’t believe that how fast the little guy has grown… he didn’t even weigh two pounds when we got him. He makes us so happy every day with his furry cuddles and nuzzles and endless puppy kisses. We can’t imagine life without this precious fur ball as a part of our little family.

happy birthday, Winston!!!