Welcome to the good life.

This Is What Happens When You Go To The Fair.

In my opinion, the fair is good for three things. Eating, drinking, and watching the animals. And taking photos. This year's visit to the Orange County Fair did not disappoint. That's for dang sure. Lots of the fair essentials and good laughs with friends.

Juicys. How can you skip Juicys at the fair? We ate our way through the fair this year. Funnel cake, french fries, fried zucchini, pork sandwiches, and cheesecake on a stick. Talk about delicious.

Enjoying some champs in the wine tasting area. We made ourselves at home...in fact, it sort of felt like home. We sipped wine, champs, beer (boys), and tasty margaritas (girls).

Group photos. And yes, that's a cow in background.

Petting the animals. My heart melts for the baby animals. Especially the chicks and calves. Just so precious to watch.

Love this sign. Its true...there is no place like home.

Enjoy your Tuesday, friends!

Brother of the Sun.

Saturday we were lucky enough to have tickets to the Brothers of the Sun concert. Talk about awesome. I'll happily spend any Saturday afternoon watching a few cowboys sing and dance in those tight jeans. Only a few people can pull off the look...Tim McGraw is on that list.

Tim McGraw sang one of my all time favorite songs, Last Dollar (Fly Away). It brought back great college memories of scrapbooking with Megs in our dorm room and not knowing what the heck I was going to do for work after graduating. Side note- its four years later and I still don't know what I'm doing...but I am doing it. In the song, Tim says "Cause if I ain’t got nothing
I've got nothing to hold me back". how true is that. The more you have, the more that holds you down. Very good reminder.

Hope you had a good weekend, friends!

Oh, Hello.

Hello, friends! My, my, its been a busy week with not much blogging time. I'll take being busy over being bored. Its been a week of randoms...work, family, friends, a holiday, ridiculous amounts of food, TV, and lots of good fun.

Spent some time with Chip, commonly known as "fluff". Its ironic since he just had a haircut and has no fluff, besides the top of his fuzzy head. Oh, how I love this little guy. And obviously his way of showing love back is resisting my many hugs, kisses, and carry-around-the-house sessions. Example shown in the picture above. I know he loves me. He must love me.

Jon and I enjoyed a bomb lunch at Lucca. We were starving...and their food is delish. I had a chicken wrap + minestrone. Perfection. Plus, they have a cheese shop that I am in love with.

The random week day holiday. 4th of July really threw my work week off...Tuesday felt like Friday and Thursday felt like Monday. Two "Mondays" in 1 week is just wrong. Wrong. Regardless, we enjoyed the 4th by laying by the pool and sipping Frozen Lemonade with Coconut Rum. Yum.

Jon grilled it up on the 4th. The Western Hot Dogs turned out pretty good. Too bad we lost track of which hot dog was turkey (mine!)...Jon played hot dog investigator, I'm pretty sure the one I ate was turkey. At least, I sure hope so. Cheeseburgers (turkey again, for me!) included.

We also became obsessed with the Walking Dead. Ah-mazing show. Just finished Season 1...so many unanswered questions. Where is the guy with no hand? What did Jenner say? Why does that guy insist on wearing a full sheriffs uniform around a zombie infested world? These questions are haunting me...I must, must know what happens. We will be spending the weekend figuring out how to connect my laptop to our TV so we can find out some answers in Season 2. Its good preparation for the Zombie 5k.

Happy Saturday, friends! Enjoy your day!

Summer Living.

Ah, sweet summer time. I can't help but just love these days...sunshine, flowers, sun dresses, and laying by the pool.

I've started gathering pretty paper and add-ons for my Summer Manifesto book. Clearly I am excited for this project. I am using lots of random bright colored papers. This paper makes me happy just looking at it. The add-ons are simple- tags, doillies, wood veneer, bakers twine, binder clips, and more.

Just like December Daily, I've created my foundation pages. I can always make more or take pages out. So simple.

And I'm in love with taking fun summer photos.

We took a walk over the weekend and the timing was perfect for shadow pictures.

His & Hers drinks at Big Fish.

Window reflections...especially nice with ocean in the background.

Enjoy your Monday, friends!

Now That Was Some Good Food

We wanted to try something new for our anniversary dinner. We ventured to beautiful Laguna Beach and after reading a few reviews decided on going to K'ya Bistro for dinner. The restaurant is attached to the La Casa Del Camino hotel, which sits right on the ocean. At the top of the hotel, they have the Rooftop Lounge which has the most amazing views.

K'ya Bistro's menu is based on "small" plate sizes. We proceeded to order two small appetizers and four entrees to share. Note to self, the small plates are really not that small.

This picture can hardly capture the beautiful view from the Rooftop Lounge. Talk about breath taking. We enjoyed a nice breeze, a little sunshine, and cocktails. Jon went for a Coors Light (what else?) and I opted for a Champagne Mojito. Umm...must make champagne mojitos in the very near future!

Dinner time. I loved my Hibachi Salmon. It was cooked to perfection. Jon ordered the Grilled Salmon.

My second entree was the Herb Marinated Chicken with vegetables. This dish was good but I could have done without it.

Jon had to order the Grilled Fillet Mignon, which he said was amazing.

Between the view, nice atmosphere, and great dinner menu, I can certainly say we will be going back to K'ya Bistro soon. 

Happy Friday, friends!

I Wanna Go All The Way...

I had to channel Britney Spears for the 5k today...I still have this song stuck in my head!

Start of the race. Ready to run!

The start line!

CDM is so gosh darn beautiful. Between the houses and ocean views, I could barely keep my eyes on the road to run.

By far, the favorite part of the run was going over this bridge with pretty purple and pink flowers.

Finally almost to the finish line!

Completed 5k and in the food area.

The 5k went great. It took a while for me to warm up like a whole dang mile. Once I was warm, I had a great time running. The course was gorgeous and I loved the challenge of the rolling hills.

I'm happy I did it. I'm happy with my 5k time, especially considering that I just got back from vacation. I'm happy I did it at my own pace, my way. And I'm happy to measure my progress...one year ago you couldn't have paid me to run a 5k...and now here I am. Happy.

Jon was busy working the event but managed to give me a good luck kiss and cheer for me at the end! And thank you to my friends who sent well wishes today, the support is greatly appreciated!

Happy Saturday, friends!

Ready!

Well, not really. But I'll be doing my best at the CDM 5K. I hope to get a good run in and enjoy the beautiful scenery!

Got my number and timing chip. Bonus, I get to keep my timing chip as a souvenir!

To prepare for the 5K I decided to buy an iPod shuffle. I normally have Jon as my running buddy...but I'll be alone today so I am in need of music!

 

I'll be running in my new Pure Barre tank top which is so soft and comfortable. I'll probably have to bring a jacket too.

I'm hoping to take some pictures on my run...will post them here once its over.

Hope you enjoy your Saturday, friends!

 

Belated Wine Wednesday

Happy belated Wine Wednesday!

We enjoyed a little happy hour last night with my dad at our favorite place, Bacchus Secret Cellar. My dad loves this place too. There happy hour menu was delish! We enjoyed caramelized onion dip and gorgonzola dip with kettle chips, pretzel chips with spicy mustard, and flatbread pizza.

Jon drank craft beer while my dad and I sipped Rombauer Zinfandel. It was by far one of the best bottles of wine I've ever had. Ever. I'm a Zin fan and this tops my list. It was full of flavor, lots of sweet berries...just very luscious. This is not a dry wine by any means. I'll definitely be adding a few of these bottles to our wine collection!

Happy Thursday, friends!

Memorial Day Recap!

Wow, was it just me or did you have a nice Memorial Day weekend?!? The weather was beautiful here on Monday and it was pretty darn nice to have a day off work.

We spent the morning by Back Bay, they have the prettiest road for jogging and cycling. Nothing beats staring out at the sparkling bay. Perfection. I was still sore and tired from the previous days of running (so out of shape!) but was still able to get in 4 miles or so.

Along the way, Jon noticed a trail that went up into one of the bluffs. We decided to take the trail...it was beautiful. So many natural plants and streams. Off that trail, Jon found a ridiculously steep trail to climb up. I made it up most of the way, he went to the top. Crazy boy!

We spent the afternoon at the pool. I've been sucked into the Fifty Shades series, currently reading the last book, Fifty Shades Freed. So freakin good. Also, sipping Skinnygirl white peach margarita. Yum!

Leanne made this incredible Buffalo Chicken Cheese Dip and I had to have the recipe. I love blue cheese and buffalo sauce! Its cooked in a bread bowl and eaten with crackers. So easy and yet so delicious. You must try it!

After stuffing ourselves with dip, we had to have a little BBQ.

It was a great weekend that went by way too quickly. Did you do anything fun for Memorial Day?

Some Good Ol' BBQ

We finally had dinner at Wood Ranch...I know what you are thinking, welcome to 2012. I would agree. We've clearly been living under a rock with out delicious BBQ food!

We joined friends for a much needed happy hour session this week. Pinot Noir and beer to start with, followed by delicious Onion Strings and Garlic Rolls. I'm bananas for both.

Wait, it gets better...they had TURKEY sliders. Yes, TURKEY! I am always envious of people who order sliders (beef/pork), they always look so darn delicious and cute. This is the first time I was able to order sliders and they were delicious turkey. Score.

Jon had a pulled pork sandwich. He loves pulled pork. And guess what, he rarely eats it since I usually won't make it. And he scarfed a side of sweet potato mashed potatoes.

It was a very delicious dinner. We can't wait to visit Wood Ranch again!