Monday, October 31

Birthday Trip

Love birthday week. 
Yes, week not day.  For the last 10 years, I've been sharing my bday with my lovely (now) hubby.  My best friend's bday is the day after, so we all get together and really make it a celebration every year. 


This year took us to to see them in beautiful San Francisco.  Can you see how excited we were to get there!!! This was us waiting for them to pick us up at the airport.




{Saturday}
Running on only a few hours of sleep over the last two days, I still couldn't sleep on the plane.  I use to HATE flying, but actually quite enjoy it now.  I find myself looking out the window and thinking it's unreal we are able to do this.  Needless to say, the traveling didn't help my sleepiness.  However, once we got there, I was SO excited to see our friends.  It was like I had all the energy in the world. 


We drove back to their lovely abode, tossed our bags, cheers-ed to us making it with pumpkin beers, and then headed out for our first adventure. We met some of their friends for lunch at a local crepe restaurant.  We reloaded on some coffee and split a delicious crepe. 


While waiting for our ride to the Bride Benefit Concert, we decided to go across the street for one more birthday beer.  Do you see where this evening is headed....




It was a pretty quick drive out of the city, and we had a few more pregame beers before the show.  We weren't in the closest seats, but it was nice to be in the lawn section.


These are the last pictures I took that night.  Kyle saved us by ordering delicious pizza when we got back to the apartment.  It was hilarious that every night we all passed out in the living room while we were there.  About half way through the night, we would all wake up and adjust to where we were supposed to sleep.  We had way too much fun and lots of great memories...

I did get this lovely picture of what my puppy was up to while we were gone.  My brother dropped us off at the airport and was gone for about two hours.  He has some separation anxiety, but we are working on it.  Luckily we are hoping to put hardwood in our living room space anyways. He is just helping us get it sooner.  Doesn't he look so proud of his work? 


{Sunday}
This was a lazy day!  Since we had a little too much fun, we did absolutely nothing but hang out on Sunday.  D was amazed because I don't even do this at home!  The cardinals played a world series game that night, so of course, we had to watch with our die-hard fans! 


{Monday - B+D Birthday}

We got to sleep in and had the whole day to ourselves, since Katie and Kyle had to work.  D was so excited to go to this breakfast place the boys saw yesterday.  We walked all the way down the hill and D couldn't find it. It was quite hilarious.  We ended up going to the store and getting stuff to make delicious brownie Oreos for Katie's bday.  We walked back up the hill and ended up going to a cute little cafe by their apartment.  The coffee is SO good. 


My adorable husband!  He was very excited for his breakfast bagel with sausage, egg and cheese on an everything bagel.  It's making me hungry now.  


We spent the rest of the day shopping at H&M and down in market square.  I love walking the city, all the building are just so pretty.  The fog actually cleared off pretty quickly and it made the walk perfect!



Every time we are in San Fran, we have to eat some fresh seafood down in Fisherman's Wharf.  This year we went to Sabella and La Torre.  I had a huge bowl of clam chowder and D got the fish platter.  



After we went by Ghirardelli Square to get our free chocolate, we headed to Rogue pour house.  The shopping was my part of the bday, but part this was for the boy.  He loves Rogue and their pour houses are only in the northwest. 


The beer was delicious.  We tried about 5 of their different beers and in birthday tradition got 2 beers for free!  The best part was that the bartender didn't ID us, so he had no idea.  Love birthday karma.  :o) 




Love the look of their tap room.  Plus, the Halloween decorations were an added bonus.   After sitting there for a few hours, we noticed that it's a San Francisco custom to get a shot of Jameson or Fernet with a pint of beer.  Interesting. 


After peeling D away from the bar, we headed back towards the apartment.  D so kindly decided to talk me into walking up the steepest hill in San Fran (or so I thought).  His reasoning was that we'd walk a shorter distance, so it would be done quicker.  Silly boy.  We were practically walking straight vertical.


Such a pretty view of the city on the walk home.  Love this city.  We met the two at their place and headed to one of their favorite bars, Shanghai Kelly's.  We were able to watch the end of the Cards game, even though they lost, we still had reason to celebrate.



Showing some love to my bestie and of course had to put this adorable picture up of the two of them!




{Tuesday}

The birthday girl!!! 


After sleeping in and D not feeling so hot, Katie and I headed out to get some food and caffeine.  We ended up getting some Starbucks and heading down towards Market Street.  After being revived by coffee and looking at the clock, we snatched Kyle from his work.  It was a gorgeous day out so we decided to have an amazing lunch outside at this adorable Italian restaurant.  I went for the butternut squash ravioli - YUM!



D finally rolled out of bed and joined us after lunch.  We got him a quick bite and got Katie some birthday fro-yo.  I'm pretty much stuffed by this point in the trip!  We jumped on the street car and headed to the peer.  We are such goofs. 



As we got down to the peer, we had a great view of the Bay Bridge, even through the street car.


Finally we arrived for my very first trip to Trader Joe's!  I was SO excited!!!




We ended her birthday by opening presents and making a yummy homemade dinner of burgers, sweet potato fries, corn, and mac'n'cheese.  Perfect way to end our trip with our great friends!  I miss them oh so much!  
Love you both!!
B

Thursday, October 20

Another pumpkin recipe...

Why, yes, yes it is.  Can you really get enough pumpkin???  For me, the answer is no.  You've all heard my many confessions about my love of all things pumpkin.  I'm not quite sure how I haven't gained 15 lbs with all these sweet treats around the house, but here is another one that you've got to try. 

I made a 9x13" pan and they were demolished by the family before I could even get a picture.  Needless to say, yet another pumpkin favorite.

via
There are beautiful step by step pictures if you click on the via above. 
Happy Baking! Love B

Wednesday, October 19

Bored?

What do you lovelies do when you are bored?  Any favorite sites you have to look at every day?  I have a long list of blogs that I like to follow, but one of my favorites is foodgawker.  Are you really surprised? I feel like every other post I do lately involves food... What's not to love about gawking at pretty pictures of food. 

This amazing little site searches all the food blogs out there, posts images of ridiculously amazing food and links you back to the recipes.  You can do specific searches or just head over to start drooling over all the beautiful food.


You've got to check them out.  Oh, and there is also craftgawker, dwellinggawker and weddinggawker!
Try not to spend all afternoon on these sites!  Love B

Tuesday, October 18

The Countdown has begun...

I can't believe we are under the one month mark for my 1/2 marathon.  Although I feel like I have been training forever, I'm a little nervous that I haven't been pushing myself quite enough.  Then there is this other part of me that really just wants to get it over with!  I actually really have been enjoying the longer runs, so I'm sure with all the people and excitement I'll be able to push out those 13.1 miles. 

Last week I finally made an appointment to go to the chiropractor.  I only run on the streets around my neighborhood, and prior to the appointment, I could feel my left hip was out.  I blame it on how uneven the streets are towards the sides.  So I wasn't super amazed when the doctor said I was completely out of alignment.  However, when he said my right leg was about 3/4 of an inch shorter that my other one, I was a little shocked!  Hello, that might be my problem.  Now I'm all fixed up and feeling better.  I still have a little issue with my hip, but I don't think it's going to go away while I'm still running. 

I did get some fancy new shoes yesterday!!  After running multiple long runs in my Vibrams, I felt like I needed something with a little more support for my knees.  I love my Vibrams and will definitely keep running shorter distances in them, but I am excited to run in my new shoes.  I actually have almost worn through the bottom portion of my Vibrams, so either way, something new needed to be purchased!

I was going to go with the Saucony Grid Type A4 shoes, which is a racing shoe, but still didn't feel quite enough support in them.  I decided on the Brooks  PureConnect, which have a similar style as my Vibrams.  They have a little more support, but with the flexibility of the neutral running shoe.  Aren't they pretty?


Love B

Friday, October 14

Happy Friday

How is it already the middle of October???  I am not quite sure how time is flying by so fast, but I am pretty excited for everything that is coming up. 

Today is a good day... I get my new iPhone 4S today!!!!!!  Although, I'm not home to patiently await it's arrival {more like stare out my front window for the FedEx man}, but it should be there by the time I get home today.  The best part will be the upgraded camera!  I can finally have some un-blurry pictures on here!

Lots to look forward to... 

One WEEK until my next fabulous wedding!
Add one more DAY and we are off to San Francisco!!!!!!
TWENTY DAYS until my and the hubby's birthday!!
Twenty ONE days until my bestie's birthday!

via

Did I mention it's now less than a month until the 1/2 marathon!  Eek!  I went to the chiropractor the other day because my left hip was out of place.  Every time I would run or lay on my side at night, I could feel it.  The chiropractor informed me that one of my legs was almost an inch longer than the other!!!  The price of running.  I definitely feel better, but man my muscles are sore.  That won't stop me though, I'm still pounding the pavement! 

Hope you are having just as wonderful of a Friday as me!
Love B

Monday, October 10

Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls

Pumpkin, I love you.  If I didn't, I wouldn't have had to make this recipe twice in the same day just to get it right.  Apparently, the first try was a fail and the yeast didn't like me.  Really it was my fault.  You really shouldn't scald your dry active yeast.   Not a good idea.  So needless to say, they didn't rise at all and the dough didn't absorb any of the yummy goodness inside - lesson learned. 

This recipe was tweaked to how I was taught by my momma to make cinnamon rolls.  Let me just say that over the years, I think my mom has perfected her recipe.  There are few that compare to her fluffy, sweet, delicious cinnamon rolls.  I really think that the little small steps bring the 'love' to the rolls and make them that much better.  The bread is a little denser than normal cinnamon rolls, but I think I could eat these all year.  This one is added to my must make pumpkin recipes in October.  Enjoy!


Adapted from here
You'll be licking your fingers by the end of the roll!! 
Love B

Wednesday, October 5

Pumpkin Cookies

I am hesitant to share this recipe with the world, but it's too amazing not to.  I feel like it's my secret recipe, and I always get the best comments when I take this to an event.   If you love pumpkin and cream cheese, you are going to die {well hopefully not} once you try these.  I made mini ones last year and they were bite sized pieces of heaven. 



If you don't just fall in love with these, I'm not sure we can be friends... Or more for me. Hmmm.
Love B

Monday, October 3

Well, hello October

I firmly believe that October brings all things that are good.  I know I've said this a ton lately, but it really is my favorite month of the year.  Moods change, the weather finally stops being 100 degrees here in Austin, and you start seeing all things pumpkin pop up.  Did I mention how much I LOVE pumpkin and how many amazing recipes I have with pumpkin?  You'll see more of those pop up through out the month. 

Yesterday, after a long weekend {aka awesome wedding} in San Antonio, I called my mom up to go shopping.  If you are like me, the few times you go out with money to spend, you never find what you are looking for.  I was shoe and wallet shopping and went home with neither.  Although I didn't go home empty handed.  I actually FINALLY found a trash can for my bathroom, which means we can stop putting our trash in an over sized store bag!!!  I was so incredibly excited I about jumped up and down in the store. 

I have been pretty particular about the style of items in my master bathroom.  To me, the bathroom walls and vanity look more masculine, and I want to bring a little vintage female touch to the space.  I am dying to get my claw foot tub in there, which will really help my case.  While browsing around Home Good's by my house, I ran into these beauties...

Too pretty to call a trash can... 


I had to get the adorable soap dish and the jar as well.  How could I resist? 



Don't you just love them.  They have a simple yet striking design.  I am in love.
B