Summer Dates in LA: 3rd

Take a Thursday off (gasp!) and head up to Joan’s on Third in LA. Order a yummy latte or cappuccino, take a seat and savor your delicious beverage and enjoy one another's company. Before you leave, take a look at all the specialty items and sample whatever they have out for the day.

Walk east on 3rd stopping at any of the boutiques that catch your eye. Pass all the restaurants until you see Toast across the street. Order a half sandwich/half salad combo (or anything really, it's all good) and sit outside so you can spot the celebrities pretending to blend in. 

Drive over to The Grove in LA. Grab a place on the bridge and enjoy the show at the mini Bellagio fountain. Then meander over to the stage lights and be an extra on Extra. Shake Mario Lopez’s hand and grab a photo or two of whoever he’s interviewing that day. Head up the street, window browsing until you reach the very end.Turn left and enter into The Farmer’s Market for dinner. Tour the whole place before deciding on something to eat. Get it to-go and take the cute trolley all the way back down the street. Grab a blanket from the car, find a spot in the park, and end the night eating dinner while watching a movie classic under the stars.  

P.S. If you really want to impress, later that week, surprise your date with the tivo’d episode of Extra with your (now infamous) cameo appearance! 

Cake Topper

Doh, forgot this one! 

Wedding #3

We were in LA for a wedding this past weekend. Jenna and Josh are just the sweetest people on the face of the earth. I mean, they're the type of people who would take a bullet for a stranger or donate their kidney's to some kid on a commercial. Much better people that I am. So much better that you're kinda suspicious of it. ;) j.k.

Anywoo, they were married at the Swiss Park Banquet Center in Whittier, Ca. The whole thing had a bit of an 80's feel with a bunch of really amazing homemade touches.

Photobooth!

And for the finale, this one is entitled, "Kiki Rules" (bottom left photo, center)

Health Update

While I was running last night I was listening to "Your Love Never Fails" on my ipod and there's a part of the song that says,

the chasm is far too wide
I never thought I'd reach the other side
But your love never fails

I stopped running and the weight of the truth hit me like a ton of bricks. Here I was running. Running! In the middle of the field, with all the other people around, I lifted my arms to the heavens and repeated over and over "your love never fails". I can honestly say there were times when I never thought I'd get better. Six months is and isn't a long time. And although 'six months' just rolls off my tongue now, when we were in the thick of it, it truly felt like an eternity.

Don't get me wrong, the road to recovery is still a ways out. Part of my back is completely immobile because it hasn't moved in a long time. But the good news is the herniated discs seem to have finally slipped back into place. I am working on strengthening my core and hips, and regaining my flexibility. It is our hope all this will help my back to loosen up so I can be free from pain soon.

You must be sick of hearing about my health woes. I'll tell ya, I'm sick of it too. But I wanted to tell you about my revelation of freedom to encourage you in case your chasm feels far too wide. I'm telling you, His love never fails.

Summer Dates in LA

A friend of mine recently asked for some date night suggestions. The question sparked my fancy and the ideas kept coming long after my friend had moved on. For the next several weeks I thought I'd do a fun little mini series on Summer Dates in LA.

First up, one of my favorite places. Malibu.

Malibu Country Mart, John's Garden, K Chocolatier's, Malibu Seafood Fish Market

1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th!

Happy 4th everyone. One of my favorite bloggers posted a little DIY party banner for today's celebrations. I love her because she's so crafty and she generously shares her templates and tutorials at no cost. 

So, if you're in the mood, here's the link to the 4th of July party banner tutorial. Stay safe and enjoy the fireworks. :)

Half Moon Bay

And on Sunday after church we traveled to Half Moon Bay expecting the same 72 San Jose degrees. Instead we were greeted with a thick marine layer than had rolled in and settled. 

Even though we didn't get to beach it like we planned, it was beautiful and moving. Quiet and immensely powerful, deserving your reverence. We drove in the car in one mood and switched to another when we stepped out into it. The way only the ocean can make you do. 

 The cliffs were infinite that day.

And this fisherman making his way.

Gen 1:9 And God said, "Let the water under the sky be gathered to one place, and let dry ground appear." And it was so. 10. God called the dry ground "land", and the gathered waters he called "seas". And God saw that it was good.  

"..how wide and long (longer than the beach!) and high (higher than these cliffs!) and deep (deeper than the ocean!) is the love of Christ." Eph3

A Delightfully Fatty Saturday

On Saturday we practically ate our way through San Francisco. If you've been around, you know I'm on a quest to try all the best foods in SF. I was excited to go because I am finally well enough to handle all the standing, walking, and sitting. Even though I had to wear my mondo sized marathon shoes, I totally made it. Thank you Jesus!

We decided to take the Bart since I had never experienced it before. It was less *word searching* hostile (found it!) than the NY subway. I was quite in awe of all the diverse white people. That may sound weird but I'm telling ya it's true. Not quite what I'm used to being from LA. :)

ANYWAY, back to it. The Bart, lovely. Much less stressful to use than having to navigate the cramped roads and impossible-to-find parking. 

Our first stop was Pizzeria Delfina. It's been at the top of my bucket list because it never fails to be at the top of everyone else's bucket list. And man, it did not disappoint. I was mentally prepared for an hour wait but to our surprise we sat immediately! If you know SF, then you know all those foodies book reservations months in advance. We totally lucked out. 


Margherita Pizza and that small bowl of goodness in the back was to die for. Some fancy mac & cheese-pasta-red-sauce-braised-pork hybrid that melted in your mouth. Kid you not, I was savoring each bite as if I was being taped in slow motion. And the Margherita was so good I would argue it is the best I've ever had (seriously Ramsey, you'll have to come and try it).

Then afterwards we heaved ourselves over to Tartine - one of the best bakeries in the city.The morning buns and fresh pastries looked so tasty. I know we just ate, but I had to get something. :) 

You'd think we'd be done, but no no. Classic Bi-Rite Creamery was just down the street so after we waited in 3 different lines (no kidding!) we were rewarded with a scoop of homemade salted caramel and brown sugar ice cream. Even now I close my eyes and am transported back to that first taste of heaven. -_- Proof it was good? Mr. Lactose Intolerant himself couldn't stop from digging in. 

There was no stopping us so we broke from the locals and BART'ed it up to Fisherman's Wharf. From the dock Josh took this picture of Alcatraz. It was breezy and as the hour passed the fog slowly rolled in and covered the infamous island. It was beautiful.

All that walking helped to combat all that eating. That's what I keep telling myself anyway. ;) The crowds were thinned, the weather refreshing, and the company rated outstanding.

If there was one thing I would leave with you it's this. They sure do know how to do food right. 


Hope this short week brings a reprieve from the daily grind. Happy Monday!