Saturday, December 4, 2010

Baboozeled



One year ago today, Jor and I met up in Houston Airport and made our way to Austin.  Despite canceled flights, snow storms, and last minute panic attacks, we decided to give it a go.  And now, 365 days and 2,500 miles I couldn't be happier.  Thank you JC for making my last year so amazing!  Cheers to us!

2 things.

Thursday.

The first Thursday of every month there is a FREE Art walk in Laguna Beach.  We have been trying to go since I've moved out here, but last Thursday was our first chance.  All the galleries up and down PCH open their doors with free wine and beer.  There were two distinct groups of people...lots of artsy kids who were in it for the free drinks, and lots of rich individuals who were actually interested in buying art.  Everything was slightly out of our price range, but it was a great evening and I can't wait to check it out again.  Jor loves this guy's gallery.

Friday.




Last night we went with Jor's parents to see all the Holiday decorations at Disneyland.  Surprisingly the longest line we were in was the one for food.  Disney always is great for people watching, and always has a little but of childlike magic.

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Vino Thanks!













There is always so much to be thankful for, but sometimes it takes a holiday to remember those little things... 

speaking of the little things...this blog puts the biggest smile on my face...

Last week, Jor and I headed to the little town of St. Helena, CA.  It was an amazing week, from running through some wineries, to lots of wine tastings, to fun family events (races as seen above, endless games of hangman, and reading bedtime stories), and stuffing our faces and bellies full of amazing goodies...



Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Wanda's First Road Trip...



18 hours and 952+ miles later...

Tuesday we started our trek up to San Francisco where we met up with Cousin Katy (so sad I didn't get a picture)  and a bunch of Jor's college buddies (again I blew it with the lack of photos).  On this journey I learned that i'm not great at reading an iphone map or random trivia....but I am good at the license plate game, and taking shortcuts on lots of freeways.  Thanks to my dad I have a wonderful sense of direction when it comes to driving.   

I am still amazed that my dad would predict the time we would pull up to the beach house (7 states and 18 hours later) when we got in the car at 4 am....he was always within 20 minutes...

The one negative thing about road tripping in California...there isn't any Welcome to celebrations across state lines.

Soup & Crackers...

What's the first thing that comes to mind when your sick?  For me it's where's my mom...Since she is now 2,500 miles away I did the next best thing... I made the soup she made for us when we were growing up.  This soup is my absolute fav and will always remind me of my amazing mom. 

Isn't it funny how you remember your favorite things, and then you don't feel so bad?  

Monday, November 22, 2010

This is Where People go to Die.






Right past Anza there is this gorgeous (from afar) body of water, the Salton Sea.
This was one of the creepiest places I have ever been.  The whole town was pretty much deserted with a few locals enjoying a few milwaukees best in their driveways.  Straight out of a horror movie... Everywhere you stepped you stepped on bones.  dead fish everywhere. yuck!

anyways this place was so weird I had to make it a separate post.   
if you want to read more click here.

splorin & fires









When we arrived at our campsite it was pitch black.  Good thing we practiced putting up the tent in his parents driveway (true story).  After setting up our tent, Jor, who loves cleaning, decides our front porch (blue tarp) can't have dirt on it, so he proceeds to use a pan and brush to get the dirt off.  Did I say we were in a desert, and it's windy?  Sometimes it doesn't make sense to me, but if he is happy, than I am happy so I just giggle and take pics....
The next day we go on a hike to find hell's hole.  The bartender from the night before told us how pretty the waterfall is and how it's a good spot for swimming.  The only problem is there isn't a trail...but it's through a canyon so we can't get lost.  We get to where the easy hike ends, 1.5 miles.  no sweat....The boys go climb a bunch of rocks to figure out how we are going to keep going past this breaking point.  So then 13 of us take off with high hopes to find this hidden little gem.  2 hours and of climbing boulders, walking on fallen trees, running from swarms of bees, soles of shoes falling off, to getting pulled and pushed up ginormous rocks we finally called it a day.  Come to find out it's about 5 miles past the first 1.5 mile oasis, so we were no where near it....but it was a great day with some great people....

then....the fire.  brandon decides it would be a good idea to through the box of duraflame logs into the fire...i wouldn't suggest trying this at home.

desert morn.





Anza Borrego...Not exactly what i was expecting a desert to look like, but it works.  After the first sunrise I realized why Jor is so in love with this place. 

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Like Mom like daughter...



Thank you mom for letting me lick the bowl, spatula, spoon, mixers and whatever else I could get my hands on.  And thank you for baking with us every weekend.   Even though i'm 2,500 miles away, baking makes me feel at home.  

like mother like daughter...chocolate can make everything better...

I made this cake completely from scratch, thanks to the baking basket Jor won for me at the bid.  It seriously needed about 35 ingredients so not the cheapest cake around, but sure was worth it.  

Crystal Cove





This is Crystal Cove.  A gorgeous state park just north of Laguna.  With our handy dandy state park pass we can hit this place up as much as we want.  I'm thinking next time I will bring a good book, and a warm blanket....