Rosemary On Demand

I planted a big rosemary bush on our back patio because I use rosemary often in all types of chicken and fish dishes and roasted  red potatoes are just not the same without rosemary! It's pretty easy to go out back and cut off a few sprigs when I need it, but what's even easier is having them on hand in the kitchen. So I clipped some pieces and put them into small bottles in my kitchen window. They are cute decorations and make it easier for me to remember to use my rosemary! 

One

I believe that every person was born with someone else who was made just for them. If you find the one person in this world who you are meant to be with, now that is lucky. It is the single most important thing in life to find that one soul who is the best match for you. Once you have that, IF you can ever find it, you have everything!

That is what Steve told me last night and it melted my heart. And then he told me that before he met me, he'd always wonder where I was. He knew I was out there, but often thought about what I was doing - was I watching tv? Was I sitting inside a quiet apartment complex as he drove past on the freeway? Was I across the world? Nope, I was right here in SLO waiting for him. And probably watching tv :)

Do you believe there is ONE person out there for everyone? I do and I am so glad I found him. We are lucky.

San Francisco Treat

Friday Favorites - The Martins!

Isn't he dapper? And isn't she lovely? And aren't they awesome?! A big YES to all.

Friday Favorites - Roomba!

Steve surprised me with a ROOMBA! (yes I am going to use CAPS and exclamation points whenever I mention it) when it came on Woot! last week and boy oh boy was I happy!!!! Who woulda thunk one would get so happy over a vacuum cleaner?? Well, this is not just ANY vacuum cleaner. It is a ROBOT and it cleans my floors by itself! My ROOMBA! is the maid I've always wanted! I've been curious about this machine and figured it probably didn't work well, but it didn't let me down! The ROOMBA! is heaven sent for four reasons:

1. It sweeps the kitchen and vacuums the carpet, giving me time to do other chores.
2. It keeps me company while I am doing those other chores. Yes, it's my new pal!
3. It does an excellent job cleaning - the carpets looked better after the ROOMBA than with my regular vacuum and all of the crumbs were picked up in the kitchen - even the corners!
4. It is magical and super smart and knows where to go and what to do and where its home is.

Thank you Billy for my new favorite toy and cleaning buddy!

SYTYCD Favorites Update

Okay so after watching the first real episode of the SYTYCD competition, I must edit my top 5 favorite dancers:

Caitlynn

Melanie

Jordan

Marko

Tadd

And again, Travis Wall had the best choreography, hands down! Sonya came in close behind!! LOVED IT!

Gym Face

Why is it that the majority of guys at the gym always have this expression on their face like they are either having an orgasm or shitting their pants?

Friday Favorites - SYTYCD Season 8!

I've been glued to the tv the past couple of weeks now that The Bachelorette and So You Think You Can Dance are back to entertain! After last night's top 20 reveal on SYTYCD, I was a little bit disappointed that some of my early favorites didn't get chosen, and why are they getting rid of all of the hot white guys?? Don't they know that hot guys = better ratings?!?! Hellooo Neil, you are the last hottie to rock that stage!!! 

And also, Travis Wall has my heart!!!! I am in love with every piece he choreographs, and I am ESPECIALLY in love with the music he finds inspiring!!! 

Anyway, my favorites among the top 20 are:

Clarice

Tadd

Caitlynn

Nick

Robert

Who's your favorite?!

Baby Fox

Saw this teeny sweetie pie fox rummaging around our patio the other day. He spent a good amount of time up under our BBQ, hopefully eating all of those nasty earwigs that like to call it home. A few days later we saw the fox and his brother in the brush next to the creek. I think they have a little den in the trees. I hope we see them again!

One Year

For our first anniversary, Steve surprised me with a Phil Collins Hits CD. I grew up listening to Phil Collins and Genesis and certain songs remind me of when I used to watch MTV music videos for hours on end, and sitting in the car hearing Genesis on the radio and thinking how great it was. Now, I have my very own Phil Collins album and I couldn't be happier. One of my very favorite songs, "A Groovy Kind of Love", sums up my feelings about Steve perfectly and how incredible it is to have someone in my life who loves me so entirely.

When I'm feeling blue, all I have to do

Is take a look at you, then I'm not so blue.

When I'm in your arms, nothing seems to matter

My whole world could shatter, I don't care.

 Wouldn't you agree, baby you and me, we've got a groovy kind of love.

So, we celebrated our very first anniversary on the shores of Oahu and I must say, it was the PERFECT vacation. Celebrating something like love is easy when you're on a Hawaiian island because really all you have to do is look around at the beauty and you'll automatically feel the love. And what made our arrival oh so special was my Heather Bug with baby Harper, greeting us at the airport with a huge sign that said, "I've waited my whole life for you!!", complete with a tall can of Bud for Steve and a mini Champagne for me! Seriously! Can it get any better? I think not! Thank you, Heather for making our first moment in Hawaii so memorable and joyful! You are THE BEST.  I'll never ever ever forget that.

A huge reason why this trip was so relaxing was because every morning we woke up to a gorgeous view of Diamond Head from the patio of our hotel room on the 31st floor. What a way to start the day!

For our first night out, Heather and Ryan took us to a sushi place nearby their house. The place was so authentic it brought  me right back to Japan and really made our first night in Hawaii all the more meaningful. Heather and Ryan had never eaten sushi before so it was a fun experience to pick and choose what to try and overall it was a success!! The next day we had an adventure day with the Mohrs and were lucky enough to spend some time at Ryan's parent's house - a gorgeous retreat away from the hustle and bustle of Waikiki.

See the rainbow?

We kayaked to a private little beach to enjoy lunch in the sunshine. Then we lounged, napped, and soaked in the beauty of this place before making our way to a local surf spot to catch some waves...okay so I didn't even go in the water, but Steve did!

Later that evening we had a yummy dinner on the patio and the best part was that it wasn't cold in the least! I love the warmth of Hawaii!  Ryan made us the best Pina coladas ever which we enjoyed with some chocolate covered strawberries and hot tubbing! Absolute heaven!

For our actual anniversary on May 22nd, I made a special reservation at The Top of the Waikiki, a restaurant that rotates 360 degrees every hour, giving each person an entire view of Waikiki beach and its surroundings. The scenery was spectacular and we timed it just right so that we could see the sunset from high above the beaches. 

Hawaii overflows with jaw-dropping scenery. And Ryan and Heather are the best guides because they've scoped out the most gorgeous places to just sit and BE. Besides gazing into the ocean, the rest of the trip consisted of smooching little Harper, watching The Bachelorette with my best buddy (what a rare treat!), Yogurt Land, beach time and swimming with H and H, a tearful baby trip to Costco (poor Harper!), jet skiing!!, a quiet morning walk along the Waikiki shores, a tour of the Foster Botanical Garden, and finally our last meal at Duke's.

The calm before the storm...on the way to Costco!

Palm lover

Cannonball Tree!

So small next to the giant buttress roots.

My favorite, the rainbow tree. (And Heather, there was a bubble gum tree!! The brochure mentioned it, but we never saw it!)

Thank you Ryan and Heather (and Harper!) for making our visit one of the BEST vacations ever. You were such lovely hosts and it was so neat seeing you both with Harper. I still can't wrap my brain around it :) He is so lucky to have you!!  Miss you already!