Good Times in California

Last weekend, David and I spent some time with his parents in Auburn, CA. It's so fun to visit and we seem to explore and do something new each time we are there. Here's a recap of our wonderful weekend!

David's mom took me to Old Town Auburn and we shopped around a little bit (I bought the cutest Easter tea towels!).

The next day, we went back with David to have lunch at a great pizzeria and then sampled the local brewery (http://auburnalehouse.com/). The beers were quite tasty and we brought back a pub glass to spread the word in Austin.

David and I went hiking in Nevada City at Empire Mine State Park. There was snow still on the ground up there! We decided we wanted to take a picture of the both of us, so David set up the timer. He didn't quite make it in the first picture:

But we managed to get it in the second picture - success!

I also learned how to make deviled eggs (David is SUPER excited - he loves them!). Here's the finished product:

And, of course, a trip to California wouldn't be complete without pictures of all the animals!

The oldest (Lucy, aka Louie or pig pen) and the youngest (Rosie) cats saying hello to each other.

Paddy running along with us.

Bink getting scolded by David for trying to bite his sweatshirt.

Thumper getting his daily run in the pen.


And, last but not least, Notebook!

Posing as he always does for me (even though it's probably because he thinks he's getting a peppermint).

Smelling the camera and disappointed it was not a peppermint.

Good pals!

Vintage Valentine

For the past couple of weeks, I've been on a mission to find Valentine home decor. I searched Austin far and wide for decorations for things that would go in our house, but all I could find was an "XOXO" that would work (at Homespun Cottage in South Austin - great store!). So, I gave up and decided I just wouldn't have a lot up this Valentine's Day. But then I remembered one of my New Year's Resolutions...shopping in my closet and house. I started digging around for things, and was able to come up with some fun stuff!

First, the coffee table...I put the XOXO I bought, along with a picture of David and I on our engagement, and a picture of David's grandparents (one of my all time favorite pictures!), and a book that my mom had given me a couple of years ago (it's titled "Kiss and Tell" and the proceeds went to the American Heart Association). I opened the book up to Napa Valley, since that's where David and I got engaged!

Next, earlier in the week, I had gone through a box of letters and memories that were my Grandmother's, and in there were Valentines! I scanned them in and framed two of my favorites.

I've put the pictures in the entry way so that people can see them as they come in. Love it!

While we are on the subject of Vintage...I found postcards from my Grandfather to my Grandmother. I knew I wanted to showcase them somehow, but couldn't figure out how. I was at Pier 1 this weekend and found this:

I scanned in four of my favorite postcards and here's the (almost) final result..still need to put it up on the wall:

One of my other favorite pieces is a platter that David's parents gave us for Christmas. It's a wooden platter that David's grandparents had made during a visit to Fisherman's Wharf. Here it is displayed:

We are so lucky to have all of these things and more to use for decorating. It's been fun mixing them in with our style!

Happy Vintage Valentine's Day!

Our Life in Pictures

A brief update on what's been going on in our lives!

In December, I got to visit my 18th capital - Nashville, TN!

 David, Charlotte the dog, and I were in Little Rock for Christmas (please note the Chocolate Cream Pie I made for David...with my mom's assistance!)

 Meredith and J came to visit for New Year's Eve (J pulled her suitcase all the way to the ticket counter at the airport - it was hysterical!)

  

I went on a week-long work trip through the Southeast. Here I am in Nashville, TN at the Wildhorse Saloon, expecting to hear country music...but instead, I got hip-hop. Still confused. 

 The snow finally came to Austin! Of course, it was melted in two hours, but it made us feel like we "understood" what the rest of the country was going through (ha!).

Fluty European Vacation

What an adventure it was! Over Thanksgiving, David and I crossed the Atlantic to see our cousin, Adam, and explore Europe! Thanks to Adam for guiding us through the first leg of our trip!

Our friend Julie told me before we left that she'd love to have a hidden camera as we navigated our way through Luxembourg, Germany, France, and Belgium. I would love to replay me getting stuck on the Metro in Paris...without David. Apparently we took a train that didn't have automatic doors. By the time we figured out how to open the doors, David was the only one who could get out before they shut again and the train took off. All the while, I'm yelling to David and David is yelling to me about what to do. As I took off to the next stop, I turned around, and everyone in our car was staring at me. Yep, I'm pretty sure I've been deemed "stupid American" in their eyes. I sure didn't do a good job at giving America a good name...oops. BUT, I did navigate my way back to him...if only those on the train could see I was actually smart. I can only hope I was a good dinner conversation for them and their friends/family.

When looking at the pictures below, think National Lampoon's European Vacation. It's probably an accurate depiction of our trip. :)


Memorial in Bastogne, Belgium where the Battle of the Bulge was fought. My Grandfather was in the 35th Infantry and fought here.


The Thanksgiving feast that Adam prepared (after he searched Luxembourg for a turkey!)

The American Cemetery in Luxembourg.

Potato pancakes with apple sauce at the Trier, Germany Christmas Market.


After a yummy dinner at one of Adam's favorite restaurants in Luxembourg.


Waterloo


Having Framboise (raspberry beer) in Belgium, where it originated. Yum!


Enjoying Belgium waffles at the Christmas Market in Bruges.


At the American Cemetery on Omaha Beach in Normandy.


Enjoying a crepe and hard cider in Bayeux, France.


Outside the museum in Caen - it was freezing!


At the top of the Eiffel Tower.


Enjoying the best hot chocolate ever at Cafe Angelina in Paris, France.



The BEST restaurant in Paris. They don't take reservations and people start lining up 1-2 hours before it opens. They only serve steak and frites, and you sit so close to others that you can't help but strike up a conversation. On our left were two British Airways pilots on an overnight. On our right was an older couple celebrating her birthday. They had been coming to this restaurant for 40 years.


The Eiffel Tower at night.