California Love {w/ travels}

hello friends! Today I am in New York City! I absolutely LOVE New York. There is just something about it! 

As much as I love to travel and see as much of this world that I can, my heart and home is in California. So it only seems suiting that my dear friend Katie from Unwritten is here today to share with you about California and her favorite places.

... 

Hello!

I am Katie and I blog over at Unwritten where I talk about my life, my guy, the amazing things I find on Pinterest, my love for coffee and lots of other random things.

long. distance. friendships. {w/ life}

We've all been there. College. A new job. For some reason or other, life changes and the people in it, suddenly aren't.

So how do you keep a friendship going strong, when you're on other sides of the country?

Today I'm over at Unwritten, guest posting on how to keep a friendship close, even when you couldn't be farther away. I'm sharing a few of the things I do to keep my long distance friendships strong. So go say hi to Katie (she's one of my long distance friends) and please let me know, what do you do to keep your far away friends close?

circa 2007

it's a major award.... {w/ blogger awards}

hello!

Source: google.com via Kristin on Pinterest

A few things... First, a big THANKS to everyone who follows this blog. I just hit 50 followers! And while that may not be much to some people, it seriously means a lot to me. Second, in thanks for everyone who has followed my little blog, I will be hosting a giveaway very soon. More to come in the next few days. Third, I was recently nominated for a blogger award by my dear friend Katie at Unwritten.

I feel so lucky to be nominated for the Liebster Award. "Liebster" means darling or beloved person in German.

The rules are as follow:

1. List 11 facts about yourself.

2. Answer the 11 questions given to you.

3. Create 11 new questions for the bloggers you nominate for the award.

4. Choose 11 bloggers with 200 or less followers to nominate.

5. Go to each bloggers page and let them know about the award.

 

11 Facts:

1. I LOVE the color green.

2. I am very competitive (although most people don’t think so until they play a game with me).
3. I lived in the same house until I was 18.

4. I don’t particularly like cake, but I love cupcakes.

5. I lead a small group of high school girls at my church.

They make me feel young and old at the same time. 

6. I was the captain of my varsity tennis team in high school.

7. My husband and I met at church, nearly 7 ½ years ago. 

8. I am {not-so-secretly} celebrity obsessed.

It is my guilty pleasure.

9. I love the smell of asphalt after the rain. I also just love the rain.

10. I put garlic on {nearly} EVERYTHING.

11. I would love to have my own business… someday.

Katie’s Questions:

1. What was your first car?

A 1996 Forest Green Volvo sedan. We just sold it last year.

2. What is your drink of choice at Starbucks (or anywhere)?

I change it up a lot. In the summer I love unsweetened iced green teas or upside down iced caramel macchiattos. In the cooler months I like vanilla soy lattes or other flavored lattes (lately I’ve been getting Pumpkin Spice but with not as much pumpkin)

3. What is the first thing you do when you turn on your computer?

I check my email. Even though I check it a bunch on my phone throughout the day. Then I go to Blogger. Then Facebook. Then Pinterest.

4. What is your favorite cake? White or Chocolate cake? Or are you a Carrot cake fan?

Well given my random fact #4, I don’t particularly care for cake (even though I bake all the time). But I prefer chocolate cake with vanilla frosting, or red velvet. My husband is a carrot cake person.

5. What is your favorite verse or quote?

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be renewed by the transforming of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is - His good, pleasing, and perfect will.” Romans 12:2

Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.  Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

Romans 12:10-13

6. What song can you listen to over and over again?

Anything by The Shins.

7. Ross, Chandler, or Joey?

That’s a tough one, but probably Chandler. I did name my dog after him.

8. What is a perfect day for you?

Waking up naturally, “pinning” on the couch or in bed while watching t.v., making a delicious breakfast.

Followed by a few hours of crafting, cooking, baking, and/or blogging. Going for a walk with my husband and pup.

An hour at a coffee shop for a little bible study, then meeting up with friends for dinner and game night. A perfect day!

9.Where did you get married/want to get married?

I got married outside at a golf course in northern San Diego. You can read about it here.

It was in front of a gazebo and completely surrounded by flowered hedges.

10. Which do you prefer-Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter?

Fall is my favorite. Along with smiling.

11. What has become your favorite thing about blogging?

I love that it gives me the motivation to try new things and actually do stuff
so I can post about it on my blog.

It’s also been wonderful “meeting” so many great people.

 

My Questions

1. What is your favorite holiday food?

2. What would your dream house/apartment/condo look like?

3. If you could live a day in the life of another person (any time, place, etc)
who would it be and why?

4. What is your favorite childhood memory?

5. Salty, sweet or savory?  

6. How would you describe yourself in 3 words?

7. What places are on your travel bucket list? (Places you just have to see someday)  

8. What is your funniest cooking story?
(pizza box catching on fire, putting ½ cup oregano instead of ½ tablespoon, etc)

9. Do you have/want children? If so how many?

10. What is your all-time favorite movie?

11. What is something you didn't like at first, but now love?




Here are my nominations:

Stephanie @ Never the Same Spice Twice
Hannah @ Our Journey
Lindsey @ Just a Small Town Girl
Haleigh @ Benvenuti nel Avventura
Sam @ Life as Mrs. B
Cortney @ Autumn Sunsets
Jessica @ Overthinking
Tiffany @ Happily Everandom
Chelsea @ Chelsea's Culinary Indulgence
Logan @ Southern Sunflowers & Coffee Beans
Jenn @ Life as a Wife






 

Bacon Cheddar Pancakes {w/ recipes}

I'm not sure if I've ever mentioned it, but breakfast is my favorite meal. It's one of those things I could, for lack of a better phrase, eat for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. In fact breakfast for dinner is my go to when I don't feel like cooking. I can scramble some eggs, toast some bread, or heck, just pour a bowl of cereal. But the creme de la creme, in my opinion, is pancakes.

I love waking up early on Saturday mornings and heating up the griddle.  Fluffy, light and buttery, flap jacks. You can top them with fresh fruit, or dot them with chocolate chips.  The possibilities are nearly endless. Be prepared to add another flavor combination to your repertoire: bacon and cheddar cheese. I saw this on the menu of a cafe once and was intrigued. Salty bacon, sharp chedder, with sweet maple syrup drizzling down the sides...helloo breakfast!

What I'm Loving Wednesday {w/faves}

What am I loving this Wednesday? I think the better question is "what am I not loving"? Today I feel so renewed and joyful, in no small part to the kind words in comments from yesterdays post. I tend to be a private person, and have a very hard time opening up. So it was incredibly encouraging to read all the lovely notes.

Thank you.

Here's what I'm loving this week...

...The Shins radio on Pandora
This station is perfect for work. It is mellow, but with the right mix of upbeat songs that will lift your spirits if you happen to find yourself in a work funk. Tons of Shins songs, Modest Mouse (every time I hear them it takes me back to high school), Amos Lee, Iron & Wine, Mike Snow, Fleetwood Mac, to name a few.


... the idea of FALL
I say idea, because that's all we have here in San Diego. It's been hotter than you know what the last few weeks, and while it's nice to have extra beach days, the cool, crisp days of autumn are calling my name. My heart is yearning for a gust of wind to blow red and yellow leaves across my front balcony.

via

 

 

 



via

 



... Food Network's The Great Food Truck Race
How embarassing is it that this makes my list? But seriously, I love this show. I am crossing my fingers that Seoul Sausage will win and already planning my daytrip to LA to try their Kimchi Fried Rice Balls.

... blogging!
It feels great to be re-energized and full of ideas for things to post on in the coming months. I am considering doing a Daily December series (a post every day in December, eek!).

... my sweet husband
He's been particularly awesome this week.

Exhibit A

Reflection {w/ prayers}

hello dear friends. how are you?

***

The last few weeks have been heavy.

Some very close friends are going through some very difficult times.

And I can't help but to feel the weight of their pain.   

 

 

 

 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace.
In this world you will have trouble.
But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
John 16:33 

 

 

Gifts from Afar

Let me start by saying that gift giving is not one of my talents. It is also not one of my Love Languages. Have you heard of the 5 Love Languages? It's a book that describes the 5 ways that people show love to one another:  words of affirmation, quality time, acts of service, physical touch, and receiving gifts. The author says that you need to know your own top 2 love languages, and that of those you love, so you will know how to show them you care.

I've been trying for years to be better at choosing gifts, and actually giving them {you have no idea how many would have been gifts are floating around my house}. This gift I've put together today is way past due.

It's for my dear friend, Katie. Katie and I met freshman year of college. In fact, it was our first day in the dorms. We've been together through cramming for finals, stressing about what major to choose, trying to figure out what to do with our lives {I'm still waiting for a definitive answer}, and a few Disneyland trips. She was also there in the very early stages of my relationship with Steven. And I was lucky enough to have her stand by my side as a bridesmaid.

Photo by: Flux Photography

Over the last few years our friendship has been a long distance one. I stayed in San Diego while Katie moved back to Sacramento. We've stayed close, cherishing our telephone dates and the special occasion when one of us can visit the other.

Katie has had some wonderful, life changing events lately. All of which deserve to be celebrated. The first (not so life changing, but more inevitable) was a birthday in December. I meant to send a card. The second was graduating from Sacramento State. I meant to send a gift. The most recent is a brand new job, which she just started last week.

With all of these wonderful happenings, I knew I needed to do something to show her that although I couldn't physically be there, I was proud of her and excited for these new beginnings.

So I decided to put together a little care package with a few essentials for her new career life.

First, a devotional. My Utmost For His Highest was first published in 1927. Decades later it still remains as one of the most popular daily devotionals. I picked up a copy for myself too.

I also found this adorable owl mug and couldn't pass it up. Perfect for a morning cup of jo at the office {or holding pencils on a new desk}. Of course, you need coffee with a cofee mug, so I slipped a little gift card inside.

Now for the wrapping, which is my favorite part of giving gifts. I wrapped the book in brown paper and added a little something extra with this fun scrapbook cardstock. Tied with twine and it is ready to go.

I found an old dictionary in my office break room "give away" section. Does your office have one? We have books, file folders, even small furniture. It's kind of like thrifting... on your coffee break. I cut out pages in the dictionary and used them for wrapping the mug and filling my shipping box.

Topped with a card from my ever growing stationary collection and it is ready to go. I posted it on Thursday Saturday Monday and it should be delivered today. So Happy B-day, Congradulations, and Congrats on the new job!