Last Saturday was my wonderful husband’s 29th birthday! Adrienne and Justin came over to hang out with Timmy in the afternoon (aka eat Gott’s, play Wii, discuss books), and also to watch Marco so we could go on a date, ’cause they’re cool like that. 
Tim picked Ubuntu for dinner, which is a vegetarian restaurant here in Napa.
Watermelon and cucumber foam amuse bouche
Canteloupe and sage gazpacho with pickled radish and spicy peanuts in an onion top oil
‘the garden snake’ : greens, leaves, flowers, roots and soil, dressed in olive oil and lemon
Toasted pearl pasta with fennel, chilis, corn, and a goat cheese called ‘Midnight Moon’ – DELICIOUS! I forgot to take a picture until we’d already started eating, lol
We opted out of dessert, but the manager sent us out a small treat: it was some kind of blueberry pate di fruit, with a graham cracker crumble, fresh creme fraiche, and a lemon shortbread cookie. Quite tasty, mmmmmmmm.
The only downside to our meal was, unfortunately, our server; she was awful. We sat for 15 minutes before she asked us about wine, and repeatedly forgot to bring things we’d asked for. Hmmph!
After dinner, we walked to Fish Story and had a drink. The bartender noticed Tim’s birthday when he checked our IDs, and sent out a cornstarch pudding for dessert. OMG SO GOOD. I know cornstarch is bad…but what a way to go!
My cocktail was dangerous: blended lemon, peach bitters, green tea vodka, ginger liqueur, and mango. It tasted like a smoothie!
After our date, we headed back to the house, and finished the night eating cupcakes and chatting with the Gomers.
Nothing like an evening of food and friends to refresh you for the week ahead!
I know I’ve been SO behind on posts! I apologize!
Last week, the three of us took a ‘stay-cation’, and tried to relax. Marco’s daycare was closed for ‘teacher in-service’ and I was forced to use my vacation days to stay home…so we figured we’d make the best of it! We took a day trip to Bodega Bay (THE BIRDS!!!) on Thursday. My wonderful friend Micaela came up to chill with us, and we had a lot of fun at the beach – getting sunburns (Marco escaped our fate – he was covered in baby sunscreen!), eating salt-water taffy, and playing with Marco.
That night, we feasted on tacos from our favorite taqueria La Taquiza, caught up on The Daily Show, and watched “The Princess Bride” outside (details to be posted later).
Friday, after a leisurely walk to Starbucks (slowly, because our legs were sunburned), the four of us decided to head to Healdsburg for the afternoon. It’s a quaint town, but coming from the Napa Valley made it less interesting, I think. It was kind of a cross between Saint Helena and Calistoga. There was a great antique store, where I found a 1930′s typewriter in good condition, but I couldn’t bring myself to spend money on something I’d probably never actually use. It would’ve been cool, though, on my desk in the library! Micaela had to mosey home after the trip, but she left us with hugs and Snickerdoodle cookies…so we were ok for a bit.
Saturday, unfortunately, my wallet was lost/stolen while Tim, Marco, and I were at Whole Foods. Needless to say, the day grew sour quite quickly. Luckily, I had my cards cancelled before you could sing ‘The Mariner’s Revenge’ twice over.
We spent Sunday indoors with the air conditioning on, only venturing out for coffee and a swim in our kiddie pool.
Marco LOVES splashing around in the water…and he looks so cute in his swim diaper.
On the 4th, we ended up in Berkeley to see the fireworks with the Gomers. We made a wonderful meal of ribs (none for me, thanks), grilled veggie mix (mushrooms, red and yellow bell peppers, red onions), grilled corn, and salad. After our delicious dinner, the six of us went to the Berkeley Marina for the show. Marco thought the fireworks were soo cool! He watched the entire show with his mouth open, cuddled in a blanket on our laps. Even though it was late, he was quite the trooper. There was a 10 minute period of fussiness, but once the show started he was mesmerized.
Wow…after reliving the weekend, I’m exhausted again.
My cherry tomatoes on Friday….
And same tomatoes on Monday:
How awesome is that?!
I made a watermelon salad on Monday night, and used fresh mint from our garden:
watermelon, mint, and feta with a mere splash of balsamic vinegar
I love planting! It is so exciting to see our garden flourish. We joke now that we’re headed to “the farm” when we go to the back to clip herbs, or pick tomatoes and strawberries. I want to plant more! We’ve tilled the side of our yard, and have begun planning out our fall and winter gardens.
Sorry for the late recap, readers! Here’s my weekend update.
Read on for deets on the debauchery that took place in my household…
SATURDAY
I was awoken by my adorable girl Roux massaging my neck (seriously, I have pictures):
Then, I was surprised by Marco and Tim, who brought me a Skinny Caramel Machiatto (only 140 calories, which makes me feel less piggy) in bed.
After a leisurely morning, the three of us headed out for a few errands. We stopped at World Market and ended up purchasing two awesome leather chairs for our living room…and a HAMMOCK. YES. You will probably never seem or hear from me again, because I shall be reading and sleeping in MY HAMMOCK. Pictures to come once it is set up.
I then hit up the matinee of “Midnight in Paris” at the Cameo.
I really liked this film. I like a good portion of Woody Allen’s work (“Match Point”, “Hannah and Her Sisters”, “Annie Hall”), but I was not sure if I’d enjoy this particular piece, seeing as how Owen Wilson was the star; I don’t really like the actor. My advice: don’t avoid this movie for that reason. It’s adorable and fun; given to flights of fancy, and requiring a suspension of reality – but lovely!
Did I mention the walk with Tim and Marco to pick up frozen yogurt?! Will my devilish behavior ever cease?
Thanks, Yo Belle, for the delicious Plain and Blueberry Tart flavors
Although I didn’t get as much of it as I expected… SOMEONE basely stole my spoon.
At home, I cuddled, tickled, chased, and kissed Marco until his bedtime. Tim and I finished the evening trying to stay awake through “The Runaways”. Don’t really recommend. It doesn’t tell you anything you didn’t already know about the band, and in my opinion, gives you no reason to even care. I love Joan Jett, but I didn’t see much spark in the way she was portrayed, and Kristen Stewart will never have the amount of cool.
SUNDAY
We watched Sesame Street with Marco, and cleaned up the house a bit. After a trip to the gardening section of Home Depot (my new favorite place), we stopped off for a tasty lunch at Gott’s with my two men.
Marco DEVOURED his grilled cheese on wheat (happy camper!)
Tim ordered up the Wisconsin Sourdough
I had a green salad with sliced avocado and artichoke vinaigrette.
Before you think I was eating super-healthy, feast your eyes on the mounds of sweet potato fries and garlic fries present. Yummy in my tummy.
Some gardening, pedicuring, and a nasty bump on the coffee table (poor Marco!) later, it was the end of our weekend. SAD FACE.
I told you it was crazy around here.
What did you do last weekend? Spill the beans!
Tonight, after a long day of work, I will be here:
(found via google)
With two great people (my hubby, and one of our best friends, Justin):
(taken at Justin & Adrienne’s wedding – September 19, 2009)
We’ll be cheering for these guys, as they battle it out with the Nationals:
(found via google)
Eating these:
(found via google)
Drinking this:
(found via google)
We’ll freeze our butts off, ha ha ha!
It will be awesome.
How’s that for a Tuesday night?!
Wednesday night I attended the long-awaited concert at the Warfield in San Francisco. Unfortunately, Tim could not join Micaela and I in enjoying the beautiful music! 
He had to work really late on a phone issue, and couldn’t make it.
I started listening to Iron and Wine after I saw the movie ‘In Good Company’; the song “The Trapeze Swinger” plays during the end credits, when Topher Grace is running on the beach. After almost 10 years of enjoying Sam Beam’s music, I finally got to see him live! It was a very exciting event for me.
I couldn’t take my camera with me, but I do have a few iPhone pictures to share:
He changed up some of the songs, so that a slower tempo song became upbeat, more jazzy… Sam told us audience members that he didn’t want to just give us the songs we could listen to at home. I agreed and disagreed; I fell in love with the sounds on the album, but I did enjoy his new versions of some of my favorites! His voice was AMAZING! All appreciation I had for his recordings became heightened by the knowledge that he sounds just as good, if not better, live.
The last picture is of Mr. Beam singing “Flightless Bird, American Mouth” without accompaniment (other than a few spare notes on his guitar). I gotta tell you: I felt shivers in my spine. It was so freakin’ awesome. Thanks to Adrienne for keeping an eye on my boy while I attended the concert!
Marco’s birthday AND birthday party were a beautiful success. I cried, we all laughed, and I smooched Marco about 100000 times. I have a 1 year old child! Wow.
He looks so much like a big kid now!
Carrot cake cupcakes with low-sugar cream cheese frosting! I made these for Marco’s classmates and teachers. The recipe for the frosting called for cream cheese, butter, vanilla, and 1 whole box of powdered sugar! Ewww! I put in half the sugar, and the flavor was perfect for the carrot cake. I may share with you my super-secret-but-not-very-complicated carrot cake recipe. But I might not. We’ll see… LOL
Marco’s party was a lot of fun! We had about 28 people at our house, and they all wanted to talk to, cuddle with, and kiss the birthday boy, and Marco was a total champ! He even took a few steps for his family and friends. I’ll post more pictures of his party later.
Roux also celebrated her first birthday (May 26th), and she was happy with her very own tuna cake!
ALSO!! Our garden is doing very well, and we’re finally getting lawn in our backyard! It’s so exciting to see the green shoots. Proof of my gardening skills:
My very own strawberries! Small, but delicious. I feel like a real farmer! LOL, not exactly…but it is fun to grow my own food.
Speaking of food, I almost forgot to mention my big decision: I decided to become a full-fledged vegetarian! After 3 1/2 years of a mainly meat-free diet (chicken only – no fish, fowl, beef, or pork products), I finally took the plunge. I’ve been ENTIRELY meat-free for 2 weeks now. It’s a little difficult, but I managed! I didn’t give up dairy products, though! More power to the vegans out there, but I love cheese too much.
Phew! That’s what I get for slackin’ on the posts!
What have you been up to?? I hope you have wonderful weekends!
…cause that’s my name (in binary code). Don’t wear it out!
Remember all those funny sayings we used as children? Maybe we should bring them back.
Friend: “I love Captain Crunch cereal!”
You: “So why don’t you marry it?!” MY GOD. Comic genius!
Enemy: “You smell bad!”
You: “I’m rubber, you’re glue! Whatever you say bounces off me and sticks back to you!” Repeat as necessary.
Parent: “Go clean your room!”
You: “I’ll do it because I WANT to, NOT because you tell me to!” This one’s a kid classic. Immortalized forever in Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle by Betty McDonald, which if you didn’t read, you have no soul.
Umm…so about this completely random post…whoops.
Meant to show you a few pics from Saturday:
Outfit from our anniversary dinner at Farmstead (yep, taken in the bathroom)
Dress: Mossimo for Target
Belt: Forever21 (purchased 2007)
Shoes: Steve Madden (purchased 2008 – also styled HERE)
Headband: Target
Bracelet: gift from Mom
The restaurant was housed in a converted barn, on a property that used to be a nursery. The gardens are still lovely, and the whole place looked awesome! The decorators really took its roots (pun intended!!) into account, and used everything available (farming tools turned into lighting fixtures, refinished original woods, etc).
The cuisine was great, utilizing the local flavors and modern menu items, while adding a sprinkling of home. The Executive Chef, Sheamus Feeley, did a great job keeping both a dyed-in-the-wool carnivore and his vegetarian wife satisfied and happy!
We started off with wood-roasted asparagus (topped with ricotta, Meyer lemon and EVOO). All three of us (Marco was partaking in the adventure, too) looooved this dish!
I had an arugula, strawberry, feta and apple-cider vinaigrette salad, with a an order of the Cheddar biscuits. The biscuits came with a dollop of honey butter…and I pretty much died and went to cheese heaven. SO FLIPPING GOOD! I was excited that there were a few left over to snack on the next day.
Tim ordered the cheeseburger on a potato bun – and said that it was both interesting and delicious.
Marco enjoyed the grilled cheese sandwich, which I would have happily eaten myself – and, luckily for me, Marco loves to share food, so he handed me several bites. SCORE!
Aspara-good! *facepalm*
Schramsberg Blanc de Noir for me, and a cocktail for Tim
Marco was suspicious of the crayons
This picture makes me laugh, because it almost looks like I digitally added Tim into it!
The awesomely good Lemon Meringue pie – the graham cracker crust was dreamy.
Blissed out after delicious meal and a slow-dance to our wedding song
Might be a little sporadic with posting the next few days – trying to get things together for Marco’s 1st birthday (and his party!); will update when I can!
For our anniversary, I decided to go low-key and make dinner at home. I had a lot of fun preparing this meal! I went with the basics: pizza and salad.
The salad: Strawberries, tangerines, almonds, and baby spinach tossed in a homemade champagne vinaigrette that I seriously made up as I was doing it. Luckily, it was perfect!
Dressing:
1 Tbsp white vinegar
1 Tbsp cold-pressed extra-virgin olive oil
1 Tbsp champagne (we were drinking a bottle of 2007 Schramsberg Blanc de Noir!)
1 tsp salt
1 tsp black pepper, freshly ground
Stir ingredients together, and toss with salad. Delicious!!
The Pizza:
This was my first time using the Trader Joe’s Whole Wheat pizza dough, which comes in individual bags in the refrigerated section. You let it rest on a lightly floured surface for 20 minutes, then roll out to desired shape/size. Add a smidgen of EVOO to your rolling pin (or your fingers, if you decide to hand-shape); it adds a smooth flavor to the dough.
Instead of using a sauce, I covered the dough in sun-dried tomatoes that had been soaked in olive oil:
Then, add baby arugula (remove stems first).
Final flavor: crumbled gorgonzola!
I rolled in the sides of the dough to create more of a crusty-edge, but this isn’t necessary.
You can bake or grill this pizza; we opted for the oven. After 10 minutes at 450 degrees, we had a perfect homemade pizza!
Let me tell you: I loved this pizza. I can’t wait to make more. 
I might try making my own dough,but we’ll see if I can handle it. For now, the TJ dough is fab!
For giggles…
The remainder of my wonderful Mother’s Day…
First – my outfit!
Dress: Derek Heart
Belt: vintage
Sandals: Preview, purchased 2009
Scarf, worn as headwrap: vintage
After a stop at Whole Foods for supplies, the three of us headed to Downtown Sonoma for a picnic. There is a pretty park right smack in the middle of the main square, and lots of sweet little boutiques to peruse. A few restaurants that I want to try, too!
Marco loves avocado and mango
After the picnic, we wandered around the shops, and checked out some local sights.
We headed back home so Marco could take a cozy nap. After a rest and an episode of ‘Poirot’, we went to Firewood Cafe for dinner, and YoBelle for frozen yogurt!
I filled my cup with Plain and Fresh Strawberry yogurts, and added kiwi, strawberries, blackberries, and blueberries. Tim ordered Yellow Cake Batter, Cinnamon Bun, and Plain, mixing in peanut butter cups, cheesecake bites, and brownie bites.
Tim made funny faces, and I let Marco press the shutter button on my camera. He is a good photographer 
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Today is also a milestone; May 9th 2011 marks the 8th year since Tim and I had our first date.
(not from our first date, but this was taken the day he first kissed me)
I am ridiculous. Somehow, Tim puts up with me. I love him in ways I never imagined, and can’t think of anything about him that I would change. Okay….maybe he could pick up his dirty socks, and rinse out his cereal bowls after use. But aside from those minor details, he’s just what I need in my partner. He’s been an amazing father to Marco, and I hope that Marco inherits all of Tim’s beautiful qualities, his intelligence, his kindness, and his wonderful natural scent (seriously, I could smell Tim’s neck all day).
I love you, Tim!! <3
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P.S. Did you enter my giveaway? Ends Friday, May 13th!!
Photos from the past week
Please forgive this iPhone picture; it was taken right after my workout on Thursday – no makeup and my hair is a bit of a mess - but this will give you an idea of what my haircut looks like.
My Friday night: a Pink Champagne cupcake from Sift and episodes of ‘Castle’ (also taken with my iPhone)
The adorable silhouette bookends I found on clearance at Target yesterday:
Awesome paint color we ended up choosing for our front room (last room in the house! only took us 1 1/2 years, lol):
I don’t have a picture of the finished room yet, but one will be forthcoming.
Last week, we removed the icky shower doors from our guest bathroom, and I finally found the perfect shower curtain (another Target find!)
What do you think??
