A Gift for Moi!

I love getting packages from Amazon.com especially on an uneventful Monday afternoon.

Sometimes you just have to give in and buy something for yourself.

I looked at this book over and over at my aunts house and had to have it for myself because it is chalk full of great recipes vegetarian and non (that can be altered). I love Ina Garten's simplicity and mellow home made style. If you get a chance, check out barefoot contessa at home, you may even end up buying it for yourself.

I can't wait to make this...first of all, it's pink and second, its beets and I love beets!

Into the Woods

Still inspired by the wonders of nature on our vacation to the mountains, Tim and I decided to go on a hike yesterday and enjoy the great outdoors. I mean, we have the best areas in Northern California and they are no more than a car ride away! We are truly blessed to live here.

We went to the Tomales Bay area of Point Reyes National Seashore and took a hike that lead to three little beaches. I had been out there before to Hearts Desire Beach, but was alone and freaked myself out on my hike so it was nice to relax with Tim walking behind me with a large walking stick. The hike was supposed to be 4.6 miles but we made a short cut on another trail so it ended up being about 3.2 instead. We had a great time except for the 1.6 mile short cut was all uphill on the way back to the car. Kind of funny, we kept laughing though and our spirits were high as usual and we pressed on. I think laughter can get you through anything. At the end we both felt really good and plan on going back out soon to check out another hike in the area. We have a book that we are going to make our way though and keep notes, etc.

Some highlights of the hike were:

Large hive of bees in a dead tree

Using brute strength to lift an entire tree out of the way of the trail (ha ha)

Little beach full of jelly fish that we launched with a stick back into the water (we had to try and save some of them)

To wrap it up we took the long way home along the coast (I know a lot of short cuts through West Marin) and got salads from Whole Foods Market for dinner that we enjoyed with some wine we had at home from our recent trip to Napa.

Cute Halloween Stuff

I went to Michael's yesterday and got some super cute Halloween stuff by Martha Stewart for my office. Go now and get some before they run out - I learned my lesson last year.

I love the little mice. I think I might have to take some home and put them by BayLee's food!

Fabulous Find

I love everything that has to do with Autumn especially Halloween.

This mat is super cute - if I had a porch, I would get it myself.

Check it out!

One of my photos from my road trip with Angela got picked up for the Salt Lake City schmap!
Click on the link and then scroll over Red Rock Brewing Company - there is a photo of my meal!
Salt Lake City - Cafés

Back to Reality

It has taken some time for me to get back to reality from my wonderful vacation!

It was so nice to hang with my family and get to the mountains, I LOVE the mountains.

I don't want to give too much away, so here are some highlights:

• Fabulous weather the entire time (no fog at all!)
• Dinner at Half Moon Bay Brewing Co. outside
• Lunch at Sam's outside on the water
• Strolling through Sausalito and looking at jelly fish in the Bay
• Riding the carousel with Mom in Golden Gate Park
• Mom, Dad and I, cheering when Tim walked out of his office to kick off his long weekend vacation!
• Wine Tasting in Napa
• Picnic in Napa with home made lunch and Dean and Deluca desserts
• Getting "pulled over" in Napa, or so we thought, ha ha!
• "You know the routine" - inside joke
• Tasting (drinking) WAY too much wine
• Listening to James Taylor through Yosemite on the way to Mammoth Lakes
• Aunt Linda, George, Kelley, Matias and Edwardo in Mammoth
• Hiking around at 11,000 feet on Mammoth Mtn.
• Seeing a Momma and Baby Bear near Twin Lakes
• The Tiger Bar in June Lake
• Linda and Kelley's dinner on Saturday night
• Yosemite Valley on the way home with Tim
• Kissing BayLee when we got home
• Sleeping in my own bed after our trip
• Having one last day open before returning to work

For those of you reading, I have to tell you, that a vacation with the Lemke Family is a LOT of fun. We laughed so much, got some sun, drank some wine and had a blast!

I am not glad to be back, I have to be honest. Being in the mountains reminded me of my climbing days and weekends of packing the car and letting the adventure unfold in front of us. I didn't know Tim during those times but am hoping to incorporate a little more of my past experiences in the outdoors back into my life.

Here are some photos from our trip.

The above photo was taken from the car as to not disturb Momma, hence the reflection.

Lucky!

Mom and Dad are here and the weather is incredible here in the Bay Area. This is the time of year we get our summer.

We ate dinner outside last night in Half Moon Bay and it never got windy or cold, lucky!

Vacation

I am taking a half day tomorrow (I hope) because my parents are flying in to spend a couple days in San Francisco. I may not post during this time, not sure what the plans are - they are still kind of up in the air as to what we will do each day. I know Thursday we are going to Napa and Friday we are on our way out to Mammoth and Yosemite (where Tim has never been). It should be a nice little road trip. I am looking forward to seeing family for a few days. We will back in the Bay Area (Tim and I) on Sunday night.
If I have time, I will post, but if I don't...I'll be back soon!

Fabulous Find

OK, so I am a little biased, but these cookies ROCK! They are not like your Momma's Nabisco
'Nilla Wafers, they are 100 times better. Crispy and light, with great vanilla flavor. Please go to Whole Foods Market and try them at once. They also come in Lemon flavor, yummmm. I have yet to try those. I am scared to get them because once they are open at our house, they will soon disappear.

Tim and I made dessert with these last night, we put cookies in the bottom of a bowl, topped with Espresso Ciao Bella Gelato and topped with chocolate sauce, sweet!