San Fran..Yountville..and food, OH MY!

10 years of marriage and truly I love him even more!  I married the sweetest person in the whole world! He treats me like a princess, but that's not why I love him. He inspires, challenges, and blesses others around him every day without even realizing it. He is humble and giving, he is strong, protective, and always kind.  He is just a wonderful person, and We are so blessed to have him as our family leader!  Oh how great the blessing of a Godly mate!  Plus he gave me my two angels, and that we celebrated as well! Having the twins defined our family and we thank God for them every day.  So to celebrate, we decided to spend a long weekend along the northern CA coast, visiting San Francisco, then making our way to Yountville. We had both been to SF, and loved it when we were last there so we knew we wanted to go back! We had seafood for every meal, and walked seven miles a day around the city! Which I highly recommend for truly seeing a city! It was so fun and we really have a schedule, and that made it so relaxing. Then we drove the coast highway to Yountville. Oh the treat we were in for! We had NO idea.  I cannot describe it, other than to say it was the quietest, most romantic little town, and everywhere you walk smells like honeysuckles. We browsed Thomas Kellars culinary garden across from The French Laundry, rode bikes around Napa, then ate at his reataurant Bouchon two nights in a row. Such a great experience....

I hope you enjoy the photos

It's a wonderful life with this amazing man! 

Seven!

This year for the twins birthday, we decided to go low key and invite one friend each to take bowling and to play lazer tag! It was very special choosing one friend to spend special time with! Here are some pictures from the party. We came back to our house afterwards and had pizza and cupcakes. It was pretty perfect!!! 

Isabel chose Dolphin Tale 2 as her party theme! 

And Sports for Luke, of coarse!

These balloons were a HUGE hit! They loved them so much and hung them in their room for days. I'll be doing this again. Maybe next year I'll do their letters. 

We love the Brunswick Zone!

On their actual birthday, they got their own little cakes! So much fun! No picture of Luke's - it's on my camera.

It's so hard to believe they're already seven! As sad as I am that the little years are almost over, I am so proud of the sweet kids they have become! As first graders, they are doing great in the same class! They do so well together and love being together, so we will continue that as long as we can. Happy Birthday Luke and Isabel!

My Easter bunnies

Ina wins! {Perfect Tomato Soup}

Have you found a great tomato or tomato basil soup that you just love?  I had not, and had just about given up on making my own - the flavor just wasn't there.  Then I came across Ina Garten's Easy Tomato Soup with Grilled cheese croutons  Let me just say that this one is going in my file folder!  And only the good stuff can go in there!  I promise you, your whole family will love this.  It's hearty enough that if you don't want the grilled cheese you could eliminate ...but I don't recommend that :)  I was tempted to add basil into mine because I love that for flavor, but I'm SO glad I didn't.  You'll see why. Just trust me on this one!

So I hope you make it, enjoy....and don't forget to serve it with a smile!!

2 hints .....

I used whole canned tomatoes and then used my immersion blender, and the texture was perfect.

I also forgot to add the half & half, and I'm so glad I did b/c it would have been too heavy with it
{in my opinion}

Recipe is in the Link above

Like a fine wine....

Happy Birthday to my sweetheart! What a wonderful weekend we had celebrating his sweet life, and the joy we get to walk beside him in it!  He is the hardest working, kind-hearted, gracious, giving, patient person and I am so honored to be his wife!  This year I pray courage, peace, health, happiness, and rest for him.  We love you Joshy!!!

 

Holiday Fluff! {a cure for the cravings}

Are you feeling that extra Holiday fluff yet? And I don't mean decor...I mean that  extra fluff behind you..beside you...in front if you....wherever it goes!  :)  Well it's that time of year! Thank goodness for big sweaters and black tops!! But I have to share a secret I have found.  I plan to eat a lot of cookies and just enjoy the holidays because life's just too short, and I have kids!  But the other day I found these at Costco! I am keeping them right inside my refrigerator door.  When I go looking for something sweet and I've already had my fill for the day....I'm grabbing one of these and a cup of hot tea! You won't need those extra cookies...it zaps that sweet craving and won't pack on any fluff! Here's to a Happy Christmas time and to fitting in those cute new cords ~ because we all know we won't be getting to the gym this month....

And remember this.....

Just a little fun for your Tuesday! 

So much more than pretty {gifting from the heart}

Jewelry. What gal doesn't love it?  I have always loved making my outfits complete by putting just the right piece with my look.  Years ago my uber talented sister Shelly made the most beautiful jewelry.  She must have made 20 necklaces, lots of earrings from extremely amazing quality hardware....and what did she do?? Gave them ALL away! To us..her sisters, friends, my mom.  Now that is an example of a pure act of love.  These are three of the ones I adore and wear all the time. Inspiring me to be more than I think I can be! Love is powerful and gifts from the heart are rare and special. 

Then last year on my birthday, Josh gave me a lovely piece by Chan Luu. Some similarities from Shelly's!  I began looking at her collection and realized how much detail she puts into her designs and the quality is excellent. It is a mix of modern/bohemian, just simple and classic!  I then realized what a gift from the heart ~ my husband knows me so well and knew it was something classic that won't ever go out of style and similar to the ones of Shelly's I wear.  I can literally put it on with anything bc her colors are very neutral for the most part.  And guess where it's made....Denver,CO! 

Both pieces can go together or separate... I usually wear them separately

Now I want to share a third really special jewelry story with you!!  I have the opportunity to host a holiday Noonday Collection party!  Have you heard of Noonday Collection? What an awesome company!!  Please go read about it and see how you can be a part of it or just attend a party.  I was asked by a friend to share and consider hosting a party. I said sure, of coarse I LOVE jewelry! Then when I heard how the jewelry is a purchase going for the good of something, I loved it even more!! I hope you will check it out! I am so grateful for the opportunity to bring friends into my home and fellowship, for a good cause! 

I am so thankful for these gifts from the heart given to me, and I hope you might be inspired to give with a purpose! 

I look forward to sharing pictures from the party with you!  

Happy Happy Thanksgiving time to you all, our dear friends and family!!!!