Hello October

I sound like a broken record over here but why is time moving faster and faster??  I know, its not time it's me, I just need to slow myself down maybe!!

The hubs and I celebrated the return of school year with a little getaway for us adults and it was fabulous.  The Ritz at Half Moon Bay, California has been on Dr. Beautiful's list for years and last month we crossed that one off.  As expected, it was perfection.

You feel like you are driving up to castle when you enter the property

a room with a view

in true Ritz form, you are serenaded by a bagpiper every night at sunset

Once the sun goes down, the fire pits all over the property go up...

We got up before sunrise one day for an early morning bike ride...

and I couldn't get enough of the seals (or sea lions)

We checked out the town of Half Moon Bay (darling)

and met some friends in nearby Palo Alto for dinner

they knew we were coming...

We also spent a day in the little seaside town of Santa Cruz

with an awesome arcade

and mounds of seals (or sea lions)

The drive back up the PCH was beautiful

we made it back to catch the sunset

We spent our last day and night in San Francisco

and visited Alcatraz 

so cool plus I got a bonus history lesson

Our last meal of our trip was hands down the best!!

Lord Stanley in SF

OMG this was so good!!

It was the perfect 5 day trip.  

Time to plan a new vacation;)

Freedom Weekend

This weekend one of my best friend's ex- husband is getting remarried.   She wanted the divorce, she is happy, she is dating someone new, but I still sometimes cannot wrap my brain around the fact that they are no longer a couple and as we like to quote Taylor over here, "they are never, ever, ever getting back together" (like ever)

Us girls need to stick together so we are having a little freedom celebration in honor of my friend, while across town there will be a wedding going on.  

Nothing but the best for my girl so we are starting with a brunch on the patio of The Four Seasons

and we are doing it up right.

There will be a tulle table runner

there will be centerpieces of all white flowers

there will be splits of prosecco for every guest

and there will be cake

afterwards we will hop in the pool and drink ourselves silly until the day is officially over

This weekend we are toasting to a lifetime of happiness, no matter how or where you find it!!

Well Hello

I really did not intend to basically take off the entire summer but I think the school age kids are on to something.  No work, no responabilities, not a care in the world, and you don't have to be accountable for anything for 3 months.  Unfortunatley,  all good things must come to an end.

I spent a good portion of my summer in the Hamptons of the mid west (Michigan)

Holland

Chicago is just a hop, skip, jump, and train ride away so we went to see Heather (and her hubby's insanely gorgeous and delicious restaurant)

Pearl's Southern Comfort

and Taylor

Swift, that is at Soldier Field

and ate like it was the end of the world

Little Goat

Lyfe Kitchen

Cupcake ATM (brilliant)

Summer House Santa Monica

Eataly

Dylan's Candy Bar


I swear we did other things besides eating

Kayak Chicago anyone??

and those Divvy Bikes were a god send!



I spent some time in Petosky, Michigan which I think feels like the top of the world

and a visit to Detroit to see my sister

After being gone for most of July it was time to come home

and now the countdown to fall begins, my days of doing this are numbered!!

boo hiss!!!

Between Time

I usually am not one to hem and haw over what to wear.  I make up my mind, get dressed, and don't think about it, but the summer can sometimes throw me for a loop.

After a day at the pool/beach you come home, shower, and while you are still in the shower, think about that glass of rose just waiting for you.  At this point I would love to get into my comfy p.j.'s and sit on my porch and people watch, but it is only 5pm so I have now become my mother.

Since becoming someone that puts on p.j.'s at dusk is not an option, its time to get dressed, and after a day in the hot sun I just want something flowy and comfy.

all from here

bonus, if the hubs comes home and is feeling a night out for dinner I would be ready to go in any of these options!!

Winner, Winner!!

With all the celebrations we've had lately, I hit some out of the park with dinners/desserts I made.

Last Saturday night, the kids wanted to make dinner for their dad for his birthday (what that means is that I do all the work and they take all the credit)  The kids (me) nailed it with the short ribs over potato puree 

Braised Short Ribs

                        2 pounds short ribs

                        3 carrots

                        3 stalk of celery

                        1 small onion

                        6 cloves of garlic

                        6 cups of red wine

                        Brown the ribs in EVOO in a pan over high heat, let them rest.  In a food processor                  

                        add carrots, celery, onion and garlic.  Make a paste.  Transfer the paste to a large cast 

                        iron pot, on the stove top brown the paste, add the wine and mix well.  Add the ribs,

                        transfer to a 375 oven and cook for 2.5 hours.

Potato Puree

                        6 med-large potatoes

                        1 stick of butter

                        2 cups heavy whipping cream

                        Boil potatoes in a pot of salted water for about 20 minutes or until tender.  Drain and       

                        peel off skin.  Using a cheese shredder, finely shred the potatoes into a large bowl.  

                        On the stovetop over low heat melt the butter, slowly stir in 2 cups of cream.  Pour the 

                        butter mixture over the potatoes and mix well.

You're welcome, I promise so worth the extra hour at the gym the next day!!

In addition to this amazing meal the kids prepared they topped it off with an unbelievable dessert

Chocolate Salted Caramel Tart

We lucked out with the weather the night of our birthday celebration, the weather was perfect for dining outside under the stars...

but I swear we've had non stop rain since then.

My son is doing a 2 week exchange with his school in Santiago, Chile.  He called me today and requested that I make something for him when he gets home.

Fresh bread and pate

Seriously!! 

Cleary he is living like a king down there.  

Big Weekend

This is a big weekend here, the hubs and I have our anniversary on Sunday,  his birthday is Monday, and then we have father's day in about a week.  I have got to step up my game in terms of gift giving. I have a few ideas....

a pair of knocking around shoes

a pair of knocking around pants

a knocking around watch

2 of my children need laptops for school next year, of course the hubs has decided that he needs one too.  I wonder if Apple will give me a discount if I go in and buy 3 airbooks  at once??  Doubt it, and I don't even want to think what that bill will be!!

Don't get me wrong, I would love a new pair a shoes or a handbag for an anniversary gift but we are at the point where we either buy something for our house or plan a trip just the 2 of us.  For as long as I have know my hubs,  he has always wanted to go to Half Moon Bay right outside San Fran.  I would love a new runner on my stairs but I think California might be calling my name

Have a beautiful weekend!!