Mama Said Home is Where the Heart Is

After feeling like I hadn't stopped at all this month, I made a quick trip to Fresno this weekend with visions of laying by the pool, watching hours of TV and doing nothing but my laundry. This weekend was certainly the most relaxing two days Ive had in a long time, but we ended up squeezing a lot in. My two favorite munchkins came over for dinner with their parents and we had a much needed catch-up sesh and plenty of pool time! They gave me this adorable frame to put on my desk, and I plan on putting the pic below right in it.





Dad made barbecued apples, courtesy of our very own Abel the apple tree, and they were amazing. I knew I liked baked apples, but the grill gave them a whole new flavor.



Our Yoda lookalike, Gracie. Cats are never allowed on the counters, but she jumped up and struck this pose. Too much attitude not to capture!



Dog days of summer. I have definitely forgotten what it actually feels like to be h.o.t. hot! Thanks for the triple digits Fresno.



Babygirl and I fit in lots of shopping, a movie, and plenty of time with the pets. I also got to see two of my best girlfriends currently residing in Fresno. Weekends always go by way too fast!

Oh Hello Berkeley

My friend Jo has been living in Berkeley this summer, and we were finally able to find a free weekend to meet up. She saw this restaurant on Diners, Drive-ins and Dives, and it was everything we were expecting and more. Sadly, my phone decided to spaz out on my way up, but this video should clear up what a Southern Bubble & Squeak and Pain Perdue are. When a dish is smothered in Pot Likker gravy, you know you are in for a good time. The water glasses were also tiny Mason jars, which made the experience even more perfect.





It was a fantastic day of eating, shopping and catching up. There is nothing like seeing my girlfriends from UCLA and ADPi!

Merin-gutan

When I was home two weeks ago, I snagged a fabulous meringue recipe I've been so excited to try. I finally managed to pick up the oh so extravagant ingredients of eggs and sugar (seriously folks, my fridge/cupboards are that empty), and got to work! Other than the fact that I got an arm workout beating my eggs by hand, it was an easy peasy recipe. Next time, I am for sure throwing in a few chocolate chips or something! I highly recommend cooking the babies on paper towels (as scary as that might sound). And it isn't a wives' tale that you should leave your meringues in the oven until they completely cool...it definitely helps them set.





RECIPE

2 egg whites
1/8 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. cream of tartar
3/4 c sugar
1 tsp. vanilla

1. Heat oven to 325 degrees.
2. Beat egg whites with salt and cream of tartar until stiff.
3. Add sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, beating well after each addition.
4. Add any extra ingredients like chocolate chips!
5. Put 2 layer of paper towels on a cookie sheet.
6. Drop meringue by tablespoon-fulls onto the paper towels.
7. Bake approx 15 min.
8. ENJOY!

Chevron

If my apartment had a fan, I would beg my landlord to let me paint it like this. Obsessed.


I also saw a fabulous tutorial to create a Chevron rug from The House of Smiths.

And as this gal calls it, a lot of "zig-zag fun" without too much effort. This pattern is so clean and classic!

Maybe I'll just start with a pillow though.

My Heart Melted

Whats wrong with being a nice person? Absolutely nothing. This is from Quarter Life Coe:

"I know this is going to sound strange, but I literally wake up every morning and want to be the nicest guy anyone has ever met."

A co-worker of mine was asked on the boat Thursday evening how he is so happy all of the time. And he is, he’s the nicest, most positive guy you’ll ever meet (in the most endearing way). What a mission to wake up with! You’ve got to be some kind of strong to be that nice to everyone all the time.

Fres-Yes

Two birthdays meant a trip to Fresno this weekend was a must. I was so antsy all of last week waiting to drive home to see all of my family, and my Nan. Sissy was dog-sitting this weekend, so we thoroughly enjoyed the company of three Boston terriers. I consider them a wonkier version of French bulldogs, but these dogs were so lovable it made me want a baby of my own so bad!



Waiting for nom noms.


Babygirl was playing softball in Tennessee all week, and brought me this kitty all the way from Chattanooga! She knows I'm not quite ready for a pet, so this will do for now. Kitty needs a name!



Since Maggie's birthday fell on a Monday this year, I celebrated with her a day early. I felt so green buying her this teeny coffee maker with a reusable filter. We definitely look like weve spent two days catching up instead of sleeping.



Oh, and babygirl has her permit. Not. ok. Can't babies just stay babies forever? She did a fab job driving us to our errands though! I'm excited for her even though I wish she wouldn't grow up this fast!

Not Your Typical Thursday Night...

A Thursday night post-work filled with cleaning, packing and a late movie? If this isn't a huge change from Thursday nights at UCLA, I do not know what is. Crazy Stupid Love was an amazing way to spend the night though! Whether or not you believe in true love, this movie will make you laugh, it will make you cry, and it will certainly make you thankful for the man that is Ryan Gosling. Go see it now!


I die.