Over my birthday week, we tried a new breakfast spot in Downtown Napa called Biscuits, and it was so good we went back last weekend. We’re officially addicted.

Tasty iced coffee

Kisses

Also, umm yeah. Chicken and waffles. So flipping good.  This fried chicken was so good, Tim finished his biscuits and gravy breakfast, and ate a chicken wing and a waffle. THIEF.

Marco was smart and ordered his own waffle.

I’ve started eating chicken once a week to increase my protein intake (doc says I must), but now that I’ll basically be eating fried chicken once a week, the health benefits are probably nil. OH WELL DON’T CARE. NOM NOM NOM.

Read part 1 HERE

This part is a little rambling.

After much dancing/bouncing, our group practically ran over to the mainstage to snag a good spot for Mumford & Sons. Unfortunately, because we got there a bit early, we were forced to stand through Gogol Bordello’s ridiculous set. There was nowhere to run. It was the worst junk I’ve heard in a very long time.  All I could do was stand there, with a tall, large gentlemen’s backpack smashed into my face (seriously – one of the many drawbacks to being short).  All we could do was wait.

In the interim, we played ‘I’m going to the picnic and I’m bringing…’ all the way through the alphabet, took silly pictures, and took turns getting smashed, pushed, grabbed at, and elbowed by every drunk person in the 100 yard radius.

But then… the delicious sounds of Mumford & Sons…

They were beautiful, and I might or might not have teared up during “Lover of the Light”.

After, we headed to Denny’s for horrible late night food. Adan ordered a coconut flavor drink that looked like Windex. We were so achy, cold, and tired (the walking, dancing, sitting, standing, and then more standing for three hours with no room to move AND a full bladder will DEFINITELY do that)  that everything was funny, so anything goes! And it did.

After trying to win stuffed animals from the Claw machine (RIGGED, DAMN IT!). we hugged it out and parted ways.  Tim and I were not ready to go back to the hotel, so we hit up Cannery Row to check out the after parties and see if we spotted anyone (I saw Este again, getting out of a cab. I did not see Marcus Mumford, but we did spot Ben Lovett!).  Cannery Row at night is so beautiful. After listening to the Mumford & Sons brass section play for awhile, we decided to go back to the hotel to rest.

The next morning, we slept in again (!), packed up, and headed right for Cannery Row. Our hunger brought us straight to the Trailside Cafe, where we feasted on beignets, coffee, and omelettes. The biegnets were served with a fresh side of jam, and SO FLIPPING TASTY. A musician played guitar and sang tunes I knew, and the morning was so bright, warm, and beautiful. I imagined a life spent here and now, sipping lattes, reading the paper, not picking up food crumbs and wiping up spilled milk, and never needing to be anything to anyone. And then, I thought of Marco’s perfect little baby feet, and how I would wiggle his tiny infant legs in time to Mumford & Sons songs, and how THAT is precisely when the music meant something to me. Yes, I love the Shakespeare and the Steinbeck, I love the banjos and the kick drum keeping time, but I also love that feeling…knowing here is nothing more than that moment, and you and me and baby makes three because this is my life, and together we can see what we will find, and goddamn it, I will wait for you.

and that’s why I listen.

 The things I think about over a good donut, am I right?

After breakfast, we snagged bags of saltwater taffy from a candy store, and a stack of used books from BookBuyers (<3! discovered a few years ago when we were in town for a wedding, and I’ve been dying to go back ever since).

Of course, we still had the drive home and the boy to pick up. It was lovely to enjoy some grown-up time, and even lovelier to see Marco’s face light up when he saw Tim and I. He came back to us a little tired (Tim’s parents watched him the 1st night and 1st day, my mom had him on the 2nd night and day, and didn’t make him take a nap), but, if possible, even more handsome.

Play me out, Marcus…

                                                                                   

xoxo

Last week, Tim and I celebrated our 7 year wedding anniversary with a celebratory dinner at Auberge du Soleil.

Best view in the valley

He’s just so handsome!

We opted for a four-course meal, and, luckily, they had some vegetarian options for me!

I didn’t remember to snap pictures of each course, but I did manage to get a few.

Umm, yeah. Tim ate this:

My courses were a little less…tentacle-y

A delicious end to the meal (one of three desserts served to us!)…

Just in case you wanted to see, here’s the one pic of my full outfit that I snapped (yep, in the bathroom. you know you do it too, quit judging).

I love date nights! Also, food.

My mother’s day was just as lovely as I could have hoped! I got to sleep in, was greeted upon waking with flowers, donuts, coffee, and hugs! Marco drew a card for me, and I even received a special card from my fur babies! <3

We decided to go to the movies to see ‘The Pirates! Band of Misfits’, which was quite silly and fun. British humor is rather quirky. Rather. Ha, see what I did there? Right-o, Jeeves.

Marco and I both took an afternoon nap, and after, I was able to read in bed. Blissful silence…

For a special treat, Tim took Marco and I to dinner at the Calistoga Inn, one of our favorite haunts in the valley.

Tim, contemplating the dinner menu. It’s serious business, guys.

Marco, lookin’ handsome (as always!)

Marco’s smooches are the best mom’s day present!

Love the patio

Spring risotto!! Mmmm

I love this picture of us!

After dinner, Tim picked up a lemon-blueberry cheesecake for us to enjoy at home, and we settled in with a glass of wine and an episode of ‘Mad Men’. I was completely disappointed in Betty’s childish behavior (when will it cease??), and kind of furious with Don for his treatment of Ginsberg (whom I adore!), but otherwise I quite enjoyed our evening.

Here’s to the mamas!

P.S. My baby turns 2 in three days. Trying not to have a heart attack.

I have neglected my poor little blog.  Between editing photos, working, and trying to keep up with the most beautiful, energetic toddler in the world – well… the blog gets passed over for my time.

I have, of course, still had plenty of time for my iPhone. I figure I’ll share some of the things taking up my free time!

A molasses ginger cookie and a cappuccino at Model Bakery – the perfect mid-day snack when work makes my brain hurt

A lunch date with Timmy at Farmstead … we hadn’t been back since THIS VISIT and it was getting depressing! Such good food.

The most awesome cheddar biscuits!

Gardening inspiration (those are apple trees on the vine!) – pics of our apple trees soon!

Brain food – cake pops and iced coffees

My cat, Stabler, is kind of a big deal.

Also, I like to procrastinate.

The movie theatre in our backyard has re-opened after some renovations…

And this is thebestmovieever. All one word.

Homemade pound cake, homemade whipped cream, and fresh strawberries

Local’s night at Gott’s with Tim and Marco

Hanging at the park with this cutie

As you can see, a lot of food has been consumed lately. A lot of coffee, too.

Quick recap of my birthday dinner! Holy mac, can’t believe I’m 27 already.

Heck yes, I wore a tiara.

Check out my shoes!!

Favors for the guests! Mason jars filled with gummy bears, Dutch caramel wafers, English toffee, and madeline cookies.  I decorated them with ribbon and mini-chalkboards (yes, I gave out chalk, too!)

My birthday dinner took place at the 1515 Restaurant & Lounge in Walnut Creek. Food was good, and the cocktails were excellent.

I told them to act natural. Good spies they’d make, eh?

Adrienne couldn’t make it this year, so Justin acted as a placeholder. Personally, I think he should’ve worn the heels.

Adan and Tim lookin’ fly in their new suits

I had a wonderful time!! The restaurant was very cool inside, and though the food wasn’t amazing, it was good and I really liked their house-made hummus. Ooh and their onion rings were delicious!

For dessert, I’d brought cupcakes from Sift; Stud Muffin (Lagunitas beer and brown sugar cake, caramel buttercream frosting topped with bacon and fleur de sel) and Pink Champagne (raspberry and champagne cake with buttercream frosting).

We didn’t end up getting home until almost 2 am, but I was happy tired.

I love birthdays.

 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!

…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!

I finished my first round of antibiotics last week, and, unfortunately, the strep did not die off. I had to go back to my doctor today, and this time I got the business end of a sharp needle in my butt cheek (THEY called it my hip – riiiiiggghhht), and a new prescription. This had better work!

Luckily, even strep didn’t keep me from enjoying my weekend. The three of us had a fantastic brunch at Gillwood’s. Marco loved his scrambled eggs and avocado.  I managed to hit the gym for an hour, too (worked off the brunch, lol)! After running errands and playing outside (‘This little piggy’ about 100 times- it’s Marco’s favorite – and crawling around the lawn, eating bits of grass), I arranged my flowers from Whole Foods. I love spring! That night,  Tim and I fired up the grill and made a feast of fresh veggies and chicken for dinner.

Sunday, we had a birthday party (Isabella turned 1), and more errands to take care of (never ending). Marco enjoyed himself eating cake and visiting with friends at the party.  Tim and I closed the evening by loafing around the house, and eating snacks.

Alright, onto the pictures!!

Isn’t my boy getting more beautiful by the second!? Oh, and yes, those are my favorite jammies. The last picture is also something of a proud moment for other reasons: Marco has successfully transitioned off of the bottle, and it was far easier than we anticipated (suh-weet).

Last night, I sipped a delicious blended mojito and nommed chicken tacos at Compadre’s (happy hour!) with a few of my coworkers. I’d never been a huge fan of the food there, but they always have fantastic drinks – and the crispy tacos were actually very tasty this time! Maybe they changed recipes since I was there last (which, to be fair, was several years ago). Anyway, it was an enjoyable evening, and I’m hoping that I will feel a little less lonely at work.

Tomorrow night, Tim and I have our long-awaited date. We’ve been planning it for, oh, two months now… it was supposed to be two weeks ago, but I was so sick that we had to cancel.  Tim and I are thinking of seeing ‘Hanna’. Anyone see this? Should we see ‘Source Code’ instead?

The last time we saw the Campos family, both Kacey and I were pregnant with our boys. Marco was born on May 27th, and Jesse was born August 13th!

Kacey and Robert ended up coming up to Napa for a day trip, so we met up with them for pastries and coffee at Bouchon Bakery in Yountville.

Jesse preferred his shoes to the Passion Fruit-filled donut I was munching…

It was so beautiful outside (80 degrees, sunny, clear skies), and we so rarely get to see them, that we ended up spending the afternoon together. First up, a picnic (sandwiches from Yountville Deli) on the lawn at Peju Winery, and sipping wine in the tasting room.

Marco loves the ladies (and also plastic bottles – don’t worry, he recycled)

Jesse has fantastic hair!

After that, we headed to ZD Wines for a delicious Cabernet and chocolates (!) tasting. Marco slept through it, but Jesse was intrigued by the wine barrels.

We tried an ’09 right out of the barrel, a 2008, 2003, and a reserve of 2006. My favorite was the 2008, but the 09 was pretty awesome. I can’t wait for it to be bottled!

Kacey’s parents were also visiting the Napa valley, and were headed to dinner with Kacey, Robert, and Jesse; they invited Tim, Marco, and I to join them at Bottega (my favorite!). After grabbing some groceries, napping, and changing into a cute outfit (pajamas for Marco) we headed to dinner.

The food was just as amazing as I remembered, and luckily, everyone else agreed! I always get nervous recommending restaurants to people; what if they don’t like it!?

I ordered a pear and balsamic vinaigrette salad, and a side of truffle fries.

Tim ordered the ‘Angry Prawns’:

Yeah, those are eyeballs. Staring at me. Not so fun for me. Tim enjoyed them, though!

It was such a fantastic day. I really needed this jaunt; it was nice to do something with friends that wasn’t just a play date for the kids. It’s good to be reminded that we can still do our own thing, but keep Marco involved.

I went to bed sleepy and happy.