Thursday, April 28, 2011

Wisteria and Olive Trees

I have always been in love with wisteria.  I love the way it looks and smells.  They bloom with the most elegant flowers and I feel like they are everywhere this time of the year.    One day, I want to have a pergola and have wisteria growing up the side of it.  The other reason I like it is because it takes some time for it to grow and be the beautiful focal point.  It is a piece in your yard that marks how long you have been there.  If I start it soon, I can look back in many years to remember when I planted a little sprig.  Our backyard definitely has some potential for this.  This post at Design Mom  definitely has me swooning.

Olive trees are another part of Sonoma living that I really feel like we should have in our yard.  Not that I want to do anything with the olives.  But olive trees in lovely pots.  Oh, yes, I think we need a few.

I could add lavendar to this list of plants I would like to own.  I am feeling the Spring in the air (finally) and want to get out and plant.

I am lovin' the plant my grandma dropped by for Easter.  Thanks Grandma!  KJ picked one for me...ahh!

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Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Doran Beach in Bodega Bay

This weekend we attended the Kite and Sandcastle Festival at Doran Beach in Bodega Bay.  It was an overcast day, but the boys had a sand-eating, wave-chasing, kite-watching good day.  It was such a blast and it didn't take us that long to get there, maybe an hour. Although I have been there before (when I was a kid) I didn't remember that they had camping.  The camp spots are right near the beach and all the people looked like they were having a tons of fun.  So, on the bucket list, camping at Doran Beach.  Maybe closer to Fall when the weather is a little better.

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It was so great to be at the ocean!

Saturday, April 23, 2011

Marshmallows

About a month ago now, I spent a wonderful afternoon with some old college friends.  While out and about in Sacramento, we stopped into Ginger Elizabeth Chocolates and had the most wonderful hot chocolate.  Oh my, this stuff is like pure liquid yumminess.  It was awesome! And, it was topped with a homemade marshmallow.  Which got me thinking...why shouldn't I try this? I do LOVE marshmallows.

So, I decided I would add it to my list. I needed to make homemade marshmallows.  So, yummy and actually they don't look that difficult.  Of course Martha Stewart has a recipe.

Easter is here and I thought it was the perfect weekend to have marshmallows on the menu.

Well, I tried them, yes, I tried, but I will not show any photos.  They definitely tasted like marshmallows, but they looked like cottage cheese.  Hmm I did something wrong, just not sure what.  So, on my bucket list, still, homemade marshmallows!

Happy Easter everyone!!!  And to my dear friend Jayme who I have known my whole life, Hoppy Birthday!!

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Thursday, April 21, 2011

Avon Walk for Breast Cancer

I have decided I am going to do the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer in San Francisco this July.  I am excited to do it but I know it will be very challenging.  I have been walking almost every day to get myself ready, but I really feel like the marathon that those with breast cancer have to run to save their lives is a whole lot harder.  I feel like this is the least I could do.

So, I am dedicating this walk to our dear friend and member of our extended family, Jane Gianino. KJ calls her Grandma Jane and she has a heart of gold.  She has opened her home and heart to us and we are eternally grateful to her.  It is time for me to give back!

If you feel so inclined, I would love a donation.  Fundraising is a big part of the walk.  Here is my page.  Hope I will see you there.



Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Coloring Easter Eggs

I am a big kid!  I love the traditions of all holidays, including decorating Easter eggs for the big bunny to hide.  Last year, with an almost 2 year old, it was a bit of a mess, with fingers that ended up being a purplish brown color.  Don't get me wrong, it was still a blast.

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This year I am thinking I will try to get him to decorate with pieces of Japanese masking tape called washi.  It is very cool and can be found on etsy .  I have a few little rolls and think it might be fun.

But I also saw this on Oh Happy Day and think it is brilliant!   Confetti eggs, yes please!  Maybe next year we will try them.  It looks like so much fun.

Thursday, April 14, 2011

Happy Planning

I get bored easily.  I also overwhelm myself quite often.  Not sure why I always feel the need to have more than just a couple irons in the fire, but my mom says I have always been that way.  Since I was a kid I always needed some project or friend to entertain me.  As I got into high school I remember being on summer break for about a week when the words "I'm Bored" would come out of my mouth.  I guess this blog is just a way to embrace this quirk of mine.  Keeping a list of things I would like to do always ensures that I will not be bored.  Having two little boys also helps.

I love planning too.  Planning just about anything really.  I love my calendar!  I love to mark it up with fun events and who is where and filling it with trips to see friends and dinners and trips and date nights and all sorts of fun things.

So, with busy-ness and planning in mind, I will share with you a few little projects I am working on:


  • We need to have a garage sale.  Not sure when, but this summer we must!





  • I am walking in the Avon Walk for Break Cancer in San Francisco in July.  Would love some encouraging words or a little moola thrown my way.  I am really looking forward to this huge challenge!





  • Our trip to Germany is quickly approaching.  We are going to spend most of our time in Fulda, with a little time in Eltville.  The Gusthotel Baron Knyphausen  looks very cute!  But I am looking forward to many days like these.


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  • I want to make some Easter pants for the boys...must do this soon!





  • KJ's 3rd Birthday is right around the corner as well.  I will need to start planning soon.  Not sure what my theme will be but I love Ohdeedoh and their many ideas. Fire trucks, dinosaurs, who knows...



Ok there is a small glimpse.  Happy planning to you!

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Hot Air Balloons

We live in Sonoma, completely beautiful right?  I can't explain how much I love living here and then one morning on my way to work we see not one, not two, but three of them...


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And it stops you in your tracks.  You realize that you must live in the best place on Earth.  How cool!  I couldn't stop looking and KJ really loved it.  "Look, there it is, mommy" he kept saying.  Add it to the bucket, hot air balloon ride.  I might be dreaming, but it looks like so much fun. 


In fact, when I was a kid, there was a hot air balloon festival that I remember going to in Sacramento.  Not sure if it still happens, but it was magical.  The many balloons all lit up as the sun was rising, while three girls try to keep warm in the cab of the truck. 


Ok, yes, when the boys get older, we must!

Saturday, April 9, 2011

Kunde

One of our favorite wineries is Kunde Family Estate, located in Kenwood.  We have been members there since we got married and I think it would be fun to go on one of their hikes.  We have planned on going a number of times but something always seems to come up.  I think the first one we found out about I was 9 months pregnant with KJ and well let's just say I was not about to go on a real strenuous hike.  I was hoping to go into labor soon, but not stranded on a hiking trail.  So, we took a rain check.  But we still haven't been.


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Hiking plus tasting some of our favorite wines in the vineyards at Kunde would be very cool.  This time of year is amazing in the wine country.  The mustard is blooming and it isn't too hot yet.  They also have hikes you can take your dogs on Awesome! 


I just love this place, look how beautiful it is!


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Tuesday, April 5, 2011

The Masters

On my husband’s bucket list, Augusta Georgia.   I suppose the boys and I would be invited to go too, but Conn really wants to go.    Why is Augusta so exciting you ask?  Conn wants to see, up close and personal, the Masters golf tournament in Augusta, Georgia.  Tickets must be purchased way in advance and I am sure it is a crowded event, but what a fun way to spend a few Spring days.  I love the smell of freshly cut grass, the hush of the crowd and I have never been to Georgia.  In fact, there are a few other places I would like to visit in Georgia as well, but I will leave that to another day.  My grandfather LOVES golf as well and this time of year our whole family is all about the game.  One day we will be sure to plan ahead and make it to Augusta.  We even have some golf knickers we could sport while we are there.  Till then, we will have to play a little closer to home.


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For me, Spring is daffodils, Easter candy and golf on TV.  And if you happen to be watching this year, go  Phil!

Friday, April 1, 2011

Ice Skating in Yosemite

When Conn and I first started dating, we spent a lot of time in Yosemite National Park.  We both love it there.  No matter how many times we go, we can't get over the monstrosity of El Capitan, the beauty of Half Dome and the wonder of Mother Nature. We would find ourselves there several times a year and each time as we drive in, that first glimpse of the valley takes our breathe away.

This time of year we would go up to enjoy the snow, the small crowds and the ice skating and hot chocolate in Curry Village.  It is a bit harder to get there now, but we still love it and try to get there once a year.  I hope as the boys get older we can bundle ourselves up, head to snowy Yosemite Valley to enjoy hot chocolate and the ice skating in Curry Village.

One of the amazing parts of being a parent is being able to introduce such wonderful things to your children.  I remember when I first saw El Capitan and how tiny I felt in comparison.  Ah the wonder!

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