This date night idea is an oldie but a goodie.
B and I usually cook dinner together, but are in charge of different courses. He prefers to cook the meat and I will do the vegetables. So to make it feel more like a date and as one, I found a one pan recipe. That way we were both looking forward to the same end result. It is so fun to cook with my love. I learn more about his food preferences every time. It is a great cost effective date that has a high interaction level and I love that!
I love finding new recipes on Pinterest. There always seems to be a never ending supply. We chose this recipe and also experimented with new ways to cook an artichoke. Usually B steams the artichoke but wanted to see how roasting an artichoke tasted. It was good but I think we may stick to steaming ( or grilling if only we had an outdoor grill!).
The pasta dish was pretty good but will probably not be repeated. B and I would rate it a 6.5 out of 10. That is my one beef with finding recipes on Pinterest. Everyone is getting so talented at photography that all the dishes look so tasty and doable. And then you start on them and it’s a different story…. Does that ever happen to you?
I think the next thing that would be fun to cook together for a date night would be homemade pizzas!
I am normally not one to eat at chains. I mean granted there are some good ones out there (hello In-N-Out and Chipotle), but I usually prefer to find something local as to get a better “taste” of the city I am in.
If there is a handful of the same restaurant only available in the Bay Area is it really considered a chain? I don’t think so… at least I tell myself that because I couldn’t pass up on dining at Pacific Catch.
Pacific Catch is an island inspired restaurant with various locations throughout the Bay Area. B’s brother was in town a couple of weeks ago and I figured it was the perfect time to try this well established and highly rated restaurant. I have always been obsessed with Poke but don’t eat it very often on the main land so when I saw such a variety of poke it really sealed the deal!
I, of course, tried the poke trio plate. There are about eight different variations of the Hawaiian delicacy available at Pacific Catch. I chose to try the original, California style and Macadamia Nut. All were tasty and the fish so incredibly fresh. It is a lot of tuna at one time so I would probably opt to share this entree next time. California Style was by far my favorite because of the creamy sauce and addition of rock crab and avocado. I would have to say my least favorite would be ahi macadamia nut. It was still very fresh but the flavors were not as vibrant as the other two.
B and his brother, J , are not raw fish eaters so they opted for fish & chips and fish tacos. J said his fish & chips were the top 5 he had ever had! The fish was perfectly battered and fried to perfection. B loves tacos (especially chicken tacos) so he chose one fish and one chicken. But guess what? He preferred the fish taco! That is how you know the fish here is perfect. I did sneak a couple fries, which are seasoned and let me tell you they were seasoned just right! It seemed to have a bit of a spicy BBQ flavor. Whatever it was it really spiced up the once ordinary side dish!
You always have to save room for dessert! I chose to treat myself to the macadamia nut brownie a la mode and dusted with toasted coconut. Yummmmmm It was superb. I love love a macadamia nut and chocolate combo. I wish they would have subbed the vanilla ice cream with macadamia nut and then it would have been out of this world! Have you ever made a chocolate shake with macadamia nut ice cream? My mom makes them all the time when we are in Kauai and it is one of my favorite shakes of all time. The main land really needs to offer more macadamia nut ice cream options.
I also hear the fried dulce de leche spring rolls are one of their specialties! I will have to try the next time we come because there was no way I was passing up macadamia nut heaven.
It was so fun seeing J while he was in town for a couple days at a conference. It was fun to show him a little around our city and give him a taste of what the Bay Area has to offer. Pacific Catch is a great representation of that!
It is a great reminder to me what produce is in season and what I should be incorporating into our meals to get the best flavors. As I was perusing the list for summer, I came upon squash. I love all different types of squash particularly zucchini. My dad had a garden of zucchini when I was young and I can vividly remember steaming the home grown vegetable in the summer time. He was so proud of the fruits of his labor (as he should be because I have never had a more delicious zucchini).
I decided to think of something else besides steaming where I could incorporate zucchini and I remembered one of my favorite recipes I found two summers ago. It is for lemon zucchini bread with lemon glaze. Those two flavors balance each other perfectly. It is also a healthier summer treat and can be easily taken to eat while on the go, which is a win win (especially when I am always tempted with chocolate covered raisins and almonds at the office).
This recipe is on the easier side but the product is nothing short of scrumptious. The lemon glaze makes the bread melt in your mouth. It is melting in mine as I type. Do give this recipe a try! It would be perfect to bring to a Summer potluck!
What is your favorite produce to use in your Summer meals?
I am also obsessed with peaches and plan on making many meals highlighting the sweet and juicy fruit!
This weekend surprised me a little bit. I was excited to experience another California beach town, but was very apprehensive to camp. I have always really disliked camping. I camped every summer for 5 years with my church youth group and absolutely dreaded the week long trip. However, that is why I think I hated it so bad. It was far too long to be sleeping in the Big Bear mountains with 30+ teenage girls. The food was mass produced and my time was based on what was planned by the counselors.
B loves camping. He loves having an excuse to get dirty and enjoy the great outdoors. He loves sleeping in a tent and hearing the whistling of the wind. He loves spotting deer and trying to catch lizards. So when B told me he would like to go camping for the 4th of July holiday I had to go along with it.
I started scouring the internet for campsites in the Big Sur / Pismo Beach area because if I am going to camp I am going to have it by a beach (also note the research process started happening in the end of May). There appeared to be some great state parks but all were filled to the brim. I even looked up north and south of Pismo. Everything was completely booked. I thought, well maybe this is my sign. Maybe we are not supposed to go camping and B could curse fate. Still, in the back of my mind I felt terrible that I was not going to make B’s dream of camping a reality. I searched many hours without any success. After no hope in the horizon I started to look at other travel destinations for our holiday weekend. I guess people plan their 4th 6 months in advance because I was not liking the variety and price of options. I turned to Airbnb in the 11th hour (2 weeks before July 4th) since we previously had such a great experience renting.
And then I found it. The best of both worlds! A post was listed on Airbnb highlighting “glamping” in the Pismo Beach area. It was perfect.
This weekend’s camping (or “glamping”) at Laura and Ben’s farm was such a treat. Their farm is situated in the rural part of Arroyo Grande, which is less than 5 miles from Pismo Beach.
We arrived a little after 7pm. Laura greeted us and took us on the tour of her 4 acre property. There we learned that Laura and Ben also offer lodging in their re purposed water tower and tepee (I would love to have a night in either the next time we are in town).
Their property is so charming and whimsical. Ben mentioned that he designed the property so every corner you turn there is something new and exciting. He said this was the perfect place to let your inner child run wild. And run wild we did.
There was even an adult size teeter totter and swing set!
Bonus points if you know where the inspiration of this circular door came from!
Laura and Ben start a campfire in the evenings for all their guests to enjoy.
The first night we stayed in their “glamping” tent that housed a double mattress with bench. There is a community bathroom located on their property that provides both an indoor and outdoor shower (and towels! ). The second night, all of their designated lodging areas were completely booked but Laura was nice enough to offer their meadow where we were able to set up a tent (so see I did get a camping and a glamping experience all rolled into one).
I can’t say enough good things about the experience we had. Laura and Ben are so friendly and welcoming. The attention they put into the little details of their farm make it magical and picturesque. It really made B want a place like theirs to call home someday. We will see!
B is already talking about our next camping adventure but I am taking it one experience at a time…
This long weekend in Pismo Beach was so relaxing and lovely. I wish it never had to end. Great food, breathtaking sights and even better company. Three day weekends are good for the soul. Here is a little sneak peak of our weekend in pictures!
How was your weekend?
Check back for a Pismo Beach guide and full details on my first “glamping” experience!
And don’t forget to follow along on instagram!
4.Remember what living in America means to you via
B and I are headed a couple hours south to Pismo Beach tonight and I am very excited but a little nervous! Did I tell you? B convinced me to go camping. I have always detested camping, but the places I have traveled to in the past have been less than stellar so it’s time to give it another go. Technically you could consider our situation “glamping” since we will be posted at a local farm/ranch where they provide complimentary coffee/tea, hot showers, air mattresses, ocean views and a fire pit! I think B is trying to warm me up for many more camping experiences…
I love love love the Fourth of July. It is a great time to get together with family and friends and celebrate this great nation! I am so grateful for the freedoms I participate in on a daily basis (like the freedom of speech and religion). And one of my favorite parts about this great holiday is the great eats.
Growing up, my family and I always celebrated the fourth at a beach with close friends. As you can imagine the beach was always packed and you had to get there pretty early to reserve a spot, but it is the best place to celebrate. It was sun bathing / ocean swimming during the day and then in the late afternoon all the families would bring a different entree to share in a potluck. There always seemed to be a never ending supply of fresh fruit, pasta salad, hamburgers, hot dogs, sweet treats and good company. And eating all of this goodness as the sun is setting over the ocean is serene. I live for days like this.
Sadly, I have not been able to participate in this joyous gathering for a couple years now due to living so many miles away. But, the spirit of my childhood fourth of Julys lives on in my need for good food and sandy hair.
Here is what I am planning on cooking up this Fourth of July!
What is your favorite part of the Fourth? I also love cuddling up to my love and enjoying the fireworks.
Fireworks always seems more magical when they are gazed at on the beach so I convinced B that this year the 4th will have to be celebrated properly. We are heading down to Pismo Beach on Thursday evening and I couldn’t be more excited.
As I mentioned in my earlier post, I was able to travel down to Southern California to attend my best friend’s baby shower. Alex and I have been friends since age 6 I believe. We went to the same church and grew an unshakable bond. There are ups and downs in any friendship (especially going through your pre-teen / teen years) but through these ups and downs I knew in my heart that I would never want to lose this friend of mine.
On multiple occasions we have been asked if we were sisters or twins (I secretly loved this because I always wanted a twin). We, coincidentally, married our lovers one week apart (which could have caused competition and hurt feelings when I think about it, but there was only love). She stood by my side in my wedding and I by hers. Alex tells it exactly as it is and I treasure her honesty to me.
Nine months ago when Alex called me and told me she had to tell me something, I instantly knew she was pregnant. I could not have been more excited for her. But since there are many miles between us, I only was able to see her once during her pregnancy. She looked amazing of course (no matter how rough it was). Even seeing that belly of hers didn’t make it real to me. Everything was still the same from my point of view.
Then I got a text and picture on June 3 (8 days past her due date) that little Eleanor Steele was born. I can’t even explain the rush of emotion that came over me.
Mind you, I had never truly thought about motherhood before this day. I knew it would happen someday but that someday would be far into the future. I was not ready to settle down. The thought of motherhood made me super nervous and uncomfortable. But seeing this friend who I love dearly with a babe in her arms made me cry instantly. I could not have been prouder. Motherhood for me could not have felt more real and something to strive for (still not saying I am ready but I now am more open to it).
I got teary eyed because I knew how extremely lucky Eleanor was to have my amazing friend as a mother. To have a mother so strong in her beliefs, so creative, so real and so fun to be around.
Now, I still don’t know when I will be ready for motherhood but I know it is a gift and a blessing. It is a struggle and a learning experience. It will refine me into my best self.
I know this is getting a little personal, but this blog is also my outlet.
I have never been so overcome by one picture. Seeing my friend become a mother, rocked my world a little bit. All our life monuments thus far have been together but this is all her. And that made me realize it could and will be me one day in the future.
PS What do you think… could we still pass off as twins?
Growing up in the Laguna Beach area (technically Laguna Niguel) , I never thought of it as a place people seek after for vacation. Okay, it is beautiful and I did notice there was more traffic in the summer time but I really never thought of it as a premiere travel destination. I mean normal to me was working across from Main St. beach in Laguna and sitting on the benches watching the waves on my lunch breaks (ya, it’s a little surreal to think about it now). However, after living away from Laguna for the past 6 years (wow time flies) I now appreciate the beach city more than ever.
I was able to head home this weekend for a short trip (my best friend since forever had a baby and I had to go down and attend the baby shower. She currently resides in Chicago so I wasn’t sure when the next time I would be able to see this beautiful baby if I didn’t take this chance) and while I was home I couldn’t stop pointing out all the beauty that surrounded me. I kept on reminding my parents to make sure they know they live in one of the most gorgeous places in the country! My dad kept on saying he knew and that is why they have lived there for 30+ years (my dad grew up in Salt Lake City).
I also noticed whenever I go home that, no matter how long it has been, I know that place like the back of my hand. I love that feeling. So although I am not considered a local any longer below is a previous local’s guide to the best public beaches in Laguna Beach!
1. Victoria Beach – This is the beach I grew up going to with my family. It is also the beach where B and I took our engagements. Victoria Beach is located really close to the Montage hotel and Ruby’s diner. Parking can be a little bit of a nightmare (but that is the case with most beaches I think) and it is a little bit of a trek to get to the beach but it is completely worth it. There is a beautiful rocky area to explore tide pools, an old lighthouse shaped building and the water is crystal clear.
2. Thousand Steps Beach – Now although it is not literally a thousand steps it is a workout to leave this beach, but it is worth every step. A lot of people come to just run up and down the stairs multiple times because being in this amazing setting is reason alone to keep pushing yourself. There is a long stretch of sand, a cave to climb in and clear water. It is so unique. Do note that it is street parking only which can be difficult to find on a Saturday afternoon. And whatever you do, do not park in the hospital parking lot across the street! You will be towed!
3. Treasure Island Park (Montage Beach) - My family and I used to walk these grounds frequently, have had a number of family portraits taken here and I went to this beach for many picnic dates with my high school crush (all happy memories). Although it is the backyard of a hotel, the beach is open to the public. I came here a lot on my own when I wanted to be near the beach but not necessarily at the beach. There are many benches to sit on at the top of the hill. There is also some fun rocky areas to explore with abundant tide pools. Parking can be found at a pay lot next to the hotel or across the street.
4. Shaw’s Cove – Shaw’s Cove is located less than a mile north of Main Beach. It is tucked away in a beautiful neighborhood with lust worthy homes and is on the smaller side, but that’s why it gets its name. Do note that there is no natural shade so prepare accordingly!
5. Thalia Street Beach- This is one of two beaches I frequented almost daily in high school (the other is a private beach). It is a pretty hot hangout for the teenage crowd but it is a beautiful beach and great if you are into skimming or surfing! Thalia Street Beach is located on Thalia Street (who would have guessed) close to many shops and eateries. I also like how it is a quick trip down two flights of stairs and your on the sand (but this quick trip also makes it a smaller beach — not as much sand to spread out in).
So I don’t know about the rest of the country but the Bay Area is obsessed with bocce ball as of late. Many companies are adding bocce ball courts to their office space as an extra amenity to their employees. There are also a number of bars dedicated to playing bocce and it is used frequently as an activity during corporate parties. I have loved bocce since elementary school when my family and I used to play it at the beach so I am fully on board with the craze.
B and I recently inherited a bocce ball set and love to play with it at a park near our house.
It can also be the perfect date night!
Did you know bocce ball developed into its most present form in Italy? Learning this, I decided to keep with the Italian theme for our date. We had a picnic full of pizza & Italian soda and a rousing game of bocce ball of course!
