I was seriously feeling the spring/summer vibes this past weekend because it reached 60 (!!!) degrees both days. But then the weather rebounded in a VERY aggressive way and we have been suffering through 30 degree days ever since. Wah wah. It’s almost as if I was thinking that I could bring back the warmth by making a summer dish with tomatoes and zucchini! I had leftover lentil noodles from last week, so I decided to make a similar pasta bowl, with veggies and pesto. I roasted both the tomatoes and the zucchini in the… Read more >

This was our 4th time staying at the Omni La Costa in Carlsbad and it’s a tradition I am very pleased about continuing. Each year is a little different based on the occupancy over the holidays, the timing of our trip (weekend v weekday), and the weather, but there are a few keys things that are the same. I loved starting our day at the cafe/general store where they have tons of baked goods, fancy parfaits, açaí bowls and java (you even get vouchers for free coffee when you check in). Look at all those… Read more >

Like most of the parents with kids in the 4+ range, my kids are LEGO obsessed. And so, while down in Carlsbad for Thanksgiving break, we took the kids to Legoland for the second time. We had driven down the day before with my mom and stayed the night in Glendale where my cousin and her fam live because we wanted to join them for Thanksgiving. The next morning we were up early to hit the road and get to Legoland as soon as it opened. My dad was still up in Nor Cal, but… Read more >

Name a better combo than nuts and cheese. I’ll wait. In the world of me, there isn’t one. Which is probably why I am so obsessed with grain bowls. They are like an endless opportunity for different nut and cheese options based on what you’re in the mood for! You have grains and greens are the base, and from there it’s a choose-your-own kind of adventure! This week’s combo was kale and farro with my beloved lemon miso vinaigrette, plus Meredith sheep and goat milk cheese, candied pecans, slivered almonds, and dried cranberries. Heaven! Usually… Read more >

Back in November we popped up to Idaho for a long weekend to celebrate an early Thanksgiving with Kyle’s fam. It was their last weekend in their current house. They are still in Idaho, just no longer in Star. We arrived late at night and immediately dug into the chocolate stash. They are 100% the best enablers that a girl ever had. The next day was low key…football and basketball and cousins. Kyle’s dad had pork in the smoker overnight so lunch was literally 24 hours in the making. We had slaw and beans and… Read more >