Spring Green

SO I've been in Spring Green, WI this summer for a job. And let me say, Wisconsin is beautiful.
Take a look...

Favorite Things: Montara

A few generations ago, my family bought a house on the cliffs of Montara in California. When they first acquired it, it was just a single room and a fireplace. Now it's two bedrooms, a fantastic kitchen and a dining room as well as the Big room. Most of my family holidays have been spent here and more than a few of my favorite memories took place in that kitchen or on that deck. I've made friends there and grown up there. I solidified my love for my family and discovered some of my favorite foods there.  

Basically, I love it. 

We stayed there in May and I got to snap a few photos of the place, my cousins and the newest family member, my cousins baby boy. Here's some of my favorites...

Happy Belly: Bacon Pancakes

I've had a dream for a while.


That dream was to have bacon pancakes.

Well said, Jake the Dog.


Anywho, on my May trip to California, I got to live my dream thanks to my fabulous cousin, Em.

The How is pretty simple: 

Make bacon. We did it in the oven (my favorite way- clean up is super duper easy). 

Take sip of bellini. This step is VERY important. 

After that, Mix up pancake mix. We did bisquick because, well, it has yet to let us down.

Take another sip of bellini.

Then, you chop up the bacon, and sprinkle it on the pancakes. 

Flip. 

Serve. 

Cover in butter. 

Cover in Syrup. 

EAT and be ridiculously happy. 

Road Trips and Driving

The past month and a half had been built up of three things: work, packing, and driving. I've never liked road trips much before, but now that I'm a driver, I'm becoming more and more of a fan.
To be fair, the first flush of excitement still clings to me when I drive since I'm only a few months in.

Still, I've learned to really enjoy the little things about driving; being in charge of the vehicle (which I've officially named Suzy, ps), rolling down the windows, blasting music. I've become quite adept a car dancing as well; I'm a regular Car-yshnikov (dance-pun-high-five).

Trust me, that was a really funny joke.

The point is, I love me a car trip.

It's amazing how a change of scenery can make all the difference.

Happy Belly: Wine Tasting

When I was back in California in May, I got to do one of my favorite things: drink wine. It was glorious; sunshine, rose, and some of the loveliest women I've had the pleasure to get breakfast wine with.

Google Reader, Anxiety and YOU!

As you loyal readers know, I used to be pretty awesome at updating my Pinterest all the time. I even had a weekly feature for a while.

See, the process has always been read the blogs, star the posts I like the most, pin the pictures from said entries. I like to use Pinterest as my own personal blog imagery file cabinet. Then I'd share it with you lovely people.

You might have also noticed that that has slowed from a pleasant skip to somewhat of a slog as of late. 

Here's why:

Google Reader stressed me out.

Not only because it's shutting down and I need to find an alternative (which seems upsettingly unnecessary in my first-world-problems life,) but because it triggers a strange and unshakable... something in me.

Oh- right. The word is anxiety. 

But it's not google readers fault; It's reeeeeeally more of a me problem. 

Let me explain:

There is nothing quite the same kind of stressful as when you get busy for, say, a week, and then cheerfully sit down with a mug of hot chocolate or tea (I don't do coffee), only to be met with the glaring 1000+ count at the top of your list. 

 You think, how can this be? It's been a week? Has that much happened? 

HOW WILL I READ ALL THIS???

Now, keep in mind I am not afraid of long reading material; one of my favorite books is Anna Karenina. But there is something about having a lot of blog entries to catch up on that makes my blood go cold.

It's like that feeling when you realize you were supposed to email someone or text them back, like, yesterday and TOTALLY forgot. In your head, you know that the blogger in question won't take it personally that you got behind; in fact, they probably have no idea who you are. Almost definitely, actually. But this breach in loyalty is something that I cannot abide in myself. 

So, I just shut my computer and franticly hum as I walk away until my unread pile reaches a digital stack up to the ceiling. 

Oh, I know it's crazy; don't worry about that.

SO it's been a while....

Yeah. Sometimes you turn around and realize its been months since you've touched the internet outside of Facebook updates and the occasional Netflix binge. Lucky for you guys, I have a whole stack of photos and stories to share from the spring. So let it begin!!!

In May, I took a trip back to the Old Country (or, you know... San Francisco) with my cousins and some New York friends. It was amazing. Days of gorgeous drives, more than a few laughs, and our fair share of wine. 

I also got to use my new camera.

Here's a couple to wet your appetite.