home

San Diego. Still adjusting to life back here. Strangely almost feels like I never left. But I'm thoroughly enjoying the warm sunshine, jasmine perfumed air, hoards of hummingbirds around the yard, and just being with everyone I missed. Finally cooked something for myself in our kitchen today, and now it really does feel like I'm truly back home. When I went shopping for groceries a day or two ago, I was overwhelmingly pleased to see all the gorgeous green spring things still in stock. So I came home with a lot of it. Kale, spinach, broccoli, peas, leeks, edamame, avocados, beans, herbs, you name it. If it was green, into my cart in went. And tonight a lot of that went into my dinner. A super simple but super tasty pasta with some broccoli and avocado pesto. I threw it together, piled it into my favorite bowl, and sat down to enjoy it with a big bouquet of peonies in front of me. Couldn't have been better. And I do still have lots to share from my last days in Australia, but I'm afraid you'll have to give me your patience, it's just too weird to look at it all right now. But perhaps I'll start showing you around my hometown!

If you're so inclined to make your own bowl of green goodness, here's how:

Steam some broccoli until it's bright in color and just tender. Toss into a food processor with some garlic, parmesan, pine nuts, a good handful of basil, a ripe avocado, a splash of lemon juice (I got to use one from our new tree!) and some olive oil. Pulse that all into a delicious pesto, then toss with pasta, or any kind of grain, or spread in sandwiches, or just eat it straight! Broccoli pesto is there for whatever you want to do! I had mine with some gluten-free corn penne and fresh peas. Perfect. 

spring/fall break

It's that time of year. School holidays are upon us! In the northern hemisphere it's spring break, but I guess down here you could call it fall break. Two weeks off school and plenty of time for adventure. The past years I've been lucky to go on lots of little trips, whether day-long or week-long. And this year it's a few days in Australia's national capital, Canberra. Very excited! Couldn't help but look back at some of these trips, so here's a recap that will hopefully stoke your sense of adventure. Definitely know I'm ready to explore somewhere new!

2008

My dad, sister and I went to Washington, D.C. to see the cherry blossoms (and all other kinds of pink blooms) and explore some historical locales. It was beautiful, wonderful and COLD

2009

My sister and I met up with family in North Carolina for a long weekend birthday celebration. One more state and lots of good times checked off the list! After that I went on a second break to New York to catch up with family and (my official reason for flying cross-country again so soon) to do some art history homework/research at the Metropolitan Museum of Art

2010

Allison and I took a day off to explore the Scripps Birch Aquarium, her first ever visit there!

2011

Another day trip with Allison (and Marco). This time a first for me: the Carlsbad Flower Fields. Spectacular! We took our "official" engagement picture, and had fun breaking all the rules and posing like mad with the gorgeous blooms

2012

My dad and I went off to Key West while my sister was chaperoning a school trip in China, and it was simply the best. Including touring Ernest Hemingway's house, trying out some Cuban cigars, making friends with butterflies, staying in a beautiful turret suite, and sampling as many pieces of Key lime pie as we could manage

2013

Another quick trip with my dad last year, to Riverside and Palm Springs. He golfed with company bigwigs, and I explored on my own. Stood in the middle of a white-out at the summit of Mount Jacinto, and drove around admiring the vistas. Can't wait to go back someday. 

queste cose

Loving these teeny flowers that are popping up in the botanical gardens

And equal love goes to all the giant trees. Paradise. 

Our friend's sweet little baby girl dozed off in Pasca's lap the other day

Pasca came home from a market with a rose and mustache painted on her face. So distinguished! 

Felt magical walking into the sunset last night 

Did a little more evening window shopping in town. This shop, with it's ever evolving Marimekko stock, is my favorite. 

Shadow has been extra lazy lately, and particularly fond of the veranda. Can't say I blame her!

Been sick yet again, and Oscar and I had a little bit of quiet time in front of the fire one evening. Purr-fect 

Was admiring the sunset and this spider tonight and was suddenly, vividly reminded of a night last August when Brittanie and I went to La Jolla and watched another gorgeous sunset, played in some fun sculptures, met an amazing man and his adorable dog, and admired a huge spider making it's web. Such fun. 

gold

Today the sun was warm and the wind was cold. Summer is already slipping away, and I couldn't be happier. Don't get me wrong, I love the hot, sunny days where the only option that seems reasonable is throwing on a bikini and diving into the lake. But with this sudden cold snap, I'm feeling refreshed, happy, and full of energy and inspiration. Went for a long run this morning, and then was distracted in my work outside by how purely content I was. And the bodily memory that says this type of day should be spent wandering around La Mesa's Oktoberfest. That's a "problem" I wish on every one of you. And now my mind is racing with things to do, sew, cook, draw, write, you name it! So in celebration, here's a playlist of songs that capture the season for me. Nothing particularly themed or anything, but I do notice that this weather has me craving a very specific type of melody and mood. Happy listening!
                                             

                                            


This weather also has me remembering a trip my dad and I took to see the fall leaves years ago in Ohio and West Virginia. Driving down two lane, back country highways, finding random towns to sleep in, never having a plan besides knowing when we needed to be back at the airport. Always say yes to quick trips! Here's a handful of pictures from those few days, and contrary to the evidence they provide, I can promise you that my dad really was there. Acting as faithful driver and photographer, while I was the DJ. Thanks dad.

Scraping ice off the car, always a good start to your day

A sweet little town we settled in one night in Ohio

And a fascinating ancient Native American burial mound there

A random stop on the road

The Glade Creek grist mill in West Virginia

The New River Gorge bridge. Beautiful

Charleston's capitol building. The whole place was deserted when we arrived, it was pretty eerie

The most gorgeous autumn tree