Wasting, Away!

February is complex and my goals are all over the place, but I would like to do away with wasting for this month. Wasting time, energy, life, etc...but most importantly, stop wasting so much. I feel I create so much garbage - so whether he likes it or not, Jared and I are going minimal on the garbage.


-Cut out sweets (except on Valentines Day, but I wont go crazy)
-Read, His Excellency: George Washington
-Learn about Mitt and everything he stands for; I want to make an educated decision
-Go to one concert
-Change my name
-Tie up some loose ends left in January

Well, get on with it then!

Photo: The Insider

70% Bittersweet...

...and other Scharffen Berger tendencies.

I attempted to make the Miette Old Fashion cake. It was like a test; I was all nervous and read all the directions three times. Preface: I was making this cake for one of the teachers at my school for her last day. There was use of the Kitchen Aid, mixing, precise measuring, coco powdering the pan, boiling candy and making fluffy icing, etc. After my labors I brought it in the next day for tasting - they all loved it and I now I have street cred at the office as a great baker...I'll gladly take it!

Chapter 1: January

J and I have a tradition that is only two years old. On MLK Jr. Day we go to Castle Rock and then drive down to Santa Cruz. Last year it was a mild 70 something and we actually got in the great Pacific. This year it was freezing and we barely stayed on the beach long enough to eat some fig newtons and take this picture. We stopped at Pleasure Pizza - hidden gem frequented by local surfer - and enjoyed the beautiful scenic route back to Berkeley.



 

If you look up Bay Area Hiker you'll find amazing hikes in all direction. We drove to the South Bay (nothing to write home about) and did the Mission Peak trail. This is a major community trail...probably 'cause it's the only mountain looking thing around. We couldn't find a place to park and there were tons of people on the trail. However, the journey is "moderately tough" and it's uphill all the way to the rolling top. There were cows, a single farm house, rolling green hills, and an end of the trail marker. It was a nice hike, but we'll never go back to Fremont again.







Later that night....
Pancho Via and Bi Rite - just showing my parents the city life.

Candy Bar Message

Minus the candy - add music instead.


Dolly, I can't believe you're having a baby. I'm so excited for you and Tyler and Teddy. Lincoln is going to be adorable and hopefully chubby like all Smith babies. I'm so glad that you're naming him Lincoln and not Bruce. Just imagine, you're going to have two boys who love each other and can entertain one another. However, there will be time when they fight, but hey, that's what kids do.  Always remember that you're their mom; they'll say, "You're the one that I want" and you'll relish in the awesomeness that you have become. Use your sugar lips to give them many kisses and when people say that dreams never come true turn to your boys and say, "Yes they do!" On sunny, rainy, whatever days you'll take them upward over the mountain to sing, play, dance, love...

FYI: North Highlands is one of my new favorite bands.

We built this city...

We felt the need to be spontaneous:
The 80's are so unpredictable, right? I mean, who knew that clashing colors and bands with the names of Wham! and Hall & Oats would be famous? Goldstar informed me, I bought the tickets, found outfits, and two days later Jared and I went to the best 80's Prom Party in San Francisco.



Thank you to Buffalo Exchange and Pretty Penny for the awesome clothes!

 

Going for it!

In February I'm finally going to tidy up my roots and get a cut (people are cheering), but I'm going all Bridget Bardot. I've loved her hair since forever...and my secret dream to have Dolly Parton hair is too "extreme" for  work. We'll see what happens!



I do love Dolly Parton though...

Photo: Listal

Sagarmāthā

Here's my review:
I was captured by the writing, more specifically, the attention to detail and tangents about Sherpas, religion, and personal conjecture....Sandy Pittman was so frustrating, I was going crazy over the South African team, and I was just in awe over Beck...Who wants to be freezing all the time anyway?...Seriously, Beck Weathers - you must have some divine purpose on this Earth...After reading the last sentence from his last radio call I just started to cry...Namba!!!...Jon, you did your best...This book was amazing and hard to put down.

Too soon?

Perhaps you may find me sick and twisted for ever thinking of celebrating a holiday since we all might still be recuperating from December. However, Valentines Day is one of my favorites (right after my birthday) and I am gearing up to start the festivities (eg: baking everything in the shape of a heart, telling everyone I love them, smiling like a goon, etc.). I can't wait!



Link Love:
-100% adorable and yes, please
-Too bad it's sold, but this would be a cute party dress for said day
-Everyone needs to try these...I had a banana one and it was pure amazing
-Anything pink will do

Photo: Debutante Clothing

Soldier On

I've decided to plan monthly and leave the yearly goals to all the go-getters. Though, I do hope to be more patient, read scriptures often, run routinely, and read about babies with Jared (you never know).
January:
-Send out Thank You Cards
-Eat at 1 New Restaurant
-Finish Matthew (only 54 pages...totally doable)
-Learn to Say a Prayer in Spanish (Jared and I now attend the Spanish branch twice a month for his calling)
-Visit the Beach
-Go on 2 Great Hikes
-Finish Into Thin Air...I'm almost done

Ready?...Go.

 

Tis the Season

In January I just get this feeling of reminiscences for D.C. Like all other January's have been forgotten and now I only have one go-to memory. It's okay though, because it was an awesome January...and February and March and...



Who would ever think Breezy and Gable would marry? - Everyone
Britt, who ever thought we would be friends? In the Bay Area? - Fate
Who ever thought I would still work with international visitors? - A hopeful Me

Cheers to D.C. and all the fun we all had!



 

16 Weeks and Counting...

Jared, today we remembered our union. It was exactly four months ago. Here's to another four months...and forever.

Outdoorsy