It was a wild time...

During our weekend in California, we stopped at the San Diego Zoo. It was a hilarious time, and we will definitely have to make a second (or third!) trip as it was too big to take in in just one day. Plus, I totally want to do the "Skyfari."

 

 I loved that Jessica was "The Queen." The hubs thought that it was hilarious that she had a "big appetite."

Last Weekend

The hubs and I went to California and I saw the Pacific for the very first time. Even though it was very very cold, I just had to touch it. I feel like it doesn't count as a trip to the coast until you get a little wet. 

We took a little walk along the coast, checking out the cliff houses, the plants and wildlife before we realized that we needed to turn around before high tide took over the beach. From the dunes, we watched my first west coast sunset. But fear not, we'll be back.

 

 

1 year.

Today I'm celebrating my one year wedding anniversary. So, this week, for August Break, I'm recapping my honeymoon pics. Good thing this challenge doesn't have rules, because I am pretty sure this is cheating. Whatevs. Check out these posts (one, two, three, four, five) for a look back at some of our first year adventures!


Above photo by Catherine McKinley Photography.

Blog Love and a Hello from the Road

We're still gypsies, traveling around the country with a suitcase. I can't wait until we get settled in our new home later this month so that we get our kitchen back. We've been eating out a ton and I miss having a space of our own to cook in. There have also been some delicious looking recipes posted recently that I can't wait to try (check them out after the photos).

Margarita Fish Tacos from Food for My Family
Watermelon Raspberry Granita from Kitchen Konfidence
Chili Lime Sweet Potato Taquitos from The College Culinarian
Better Than Fried Artichokes from Eat, Live, Run
Cauliflower Patties from Recipes from Europe
Orange Cinnamon Rolls from Foodies at Home
Tiramisu Cupcakes from Eat, Live, Run
White chocolate Covered Crispy Peanut Butter Eggs from Lemongrove Avenue
Cake Pops from Andrea the Kitchen Witch
DIY Saltwater Taffy from Creature Comforts
Honey Pie from Cocina Diary
Portobello Fries from The College Culinarian
Avocado & Grapefruit Salad from A Cozy Kitchen
Whipped Cream and Blackberry Tarts from Cocina Diary
Vanilla Bean Bundt Cake from Andrea the Kitchen Witch
Lemon Corn Waffles with Blueberry Sauce from Lemongrove Avenue
Homemade Shamrock Shake from The Brown Eyed Baker
Baked Doughnuts with Cinnamon Sugar from The Brown Eyed Baker
Honey Yogurt Ice Cream from Bojon Gourmet
Vanilla Honey Peanut Butter from The Comfort of Cooking
Italian Strawberry Creme Cake from The Comfort of Cooking
Avocado Ice Cream from Two Peas in Their Pod

Also, some very cute decor ideas:

DIY hanging mason jars from Going Home to Roost
DIY Repurpose Books into Picture Frames from Creature Comforts

And just in case you haven't noticed - I have re-done and re-published my "Daily Reads" page, which includes many of the blogs above and many more worth checking out! 

Fun in the Sun!

So, the weather has been right at the perfect balance here between hot as *$%^ and just a bit too chilly so we've been taking advantage and spending the weekends at the beach. We say we're "going fishing," but we really sit in lawn chairs with our feet in the water holding a fishing pole, feeding shrimp to the fish every so often. They must bite I guess, since our line comes back sans bait, but we never manage to actually hook them and reel them in. They mush be smart fish because none of the other fishermen on the beach ever seem to be either.

But, alas, we still go and cast out and enjoy this bit of nice weather before the hotter than hot comes. It's fun, and I get to model a pretty sweet SPF fisherwoman shirt. It's cool and fashionable, I know. Nick takes care of the shrimp. If I do, I get too attached with their beady eyes looking up at me pleading for freedom.

Weekend Recap & A Poll

This weekend was such a fun weekend. It was the first weekend this year when Nick and I both were feeling well, but the highlight was the Rolex 24 in Daytona Beach. I never really thought I would get into Nascar or car racing, but it really is such a good time to go watch the races live. I think some of the speed and intensity is lost when it's broadcast on television. Plus, the atmosphere is actually quite nice. It's pretty judgement free, fun and family friendly.

The Rolex race in particular, being a 24 hour race, also offers some fun extras that we certainly took advantage of.

First, we watched the start of the race from the Grandstands. It's basically two races in one since there are prototype cars and GT cars, but they race together on the same track.

Outside the Grandstands

Grandstands from the Infield

Next, we headed to the infield where all the fun was through the tunnel that goes under the track.

Heading into the Infield

Under the track in the tunnel

My first taste of PBR

We checked out team garages, where we saw a sad Ferrari.

We also checked out older winning cars they had on display.

Ferrari

Next we headed to the Chili Cook Off. Our favs: Carolina Catfish and Yes Deer.

Our vote for Sportsmanship

After we stopped to watch a bit of the race, we ended the evening with a ride on the ferris wheel, which gave us a 360 view of the track.

Sunset from the infield

My fav car, #7. He wasn't doing very well.  

Ferris Wheel

View of Grandstands from the Ferris Wheel

Afterwards, we stopped off at the sushi restaurant near our apartment and grabbed a couple rolls and warmed up from the race with some hot sake.

Sunday was a lazy day to catch up with some housework, hang out, prepare some stuff for the week ahead and of couse, watch the NHL All Star game. I hope you all had a great weekend. 

On another note, I have a poll up to see what you all are most interested in when I post. Take a minute to vote! If there is another option not listed that you would prefer, leave it in the comments.