Picnic

A Hometown Vacation

Bijou and I had a couple of free days in our busy summer schedule so we decided to visit our family in Santa Cruz last week.  Instead of doing the usual, shacking up at Mimi and Grandpa's, we headed to the newly redesigned Dream Inn.  Our room had a gorgeous view of the Monterey Bay, the pool was heated to a warm 85 degrees, and the air temperature remained a pleasant 70 degrees for the entire duration of our trip.

We had a  great mini vacation visiting the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk (Bijou even scored herself a season pass), sushi at Mo Bo, sea creature exploration at the Long Marine Lab, strawberry picking at Swanton's berry farm, and clam chowder at The Flying Fish in Half Moon Bay on our way home.

It was the perfect little bonding trip with my daughter before the babies arrive!

 

Summer Solstice

We headed to Muir beach yesterday evening with friends for some beach play, campfire and sing-a-long in celebration of the summer solstice. 

With it being only 60 degrees outside, I didn't bring a towel or extra clothes.  Never underestimate the tolerance a 4-year-old has for the cold.  Within minutes, her dress was wet and she was stripped down to her skivvies.  

 

It made her feel so free!

     

Happy Father's Day!

 

The girls and I took Doug to Ad Hoc in Yountville to celebrate Father's Day.  It was hands-down the best brunch I've ever had... seasonal berries and yogurt, fried chicken and waffles, and peach turnovers with buttermilk sorbet.  Needless to say, it provided more than the sign implied, "temporary relief from hunger."  We all came home and cuddled back into bed for an afternoon nap.

 

I loved that the daily menu was presented in these kraft paper folders and adored the succulents planted in vintage enamel mugs by the restrooms.  I liked them so much that I logged onto Etsy this evening and bought these...

 

Happy Father's Day Doug!  You are a wonderful father and I'm excited to embark on a new parenting adventure with you. 

x + o
  

Summertime!

Tahoe Donner Equestrian Center

Sand Harbor

Speedboat Beach

 

Farmer's Market Flowers

We are off to our cabin in Lake Tahoe this weekend so I will leave you with a few photos of some flowers we picked out at the farmer's market last week.  I will be in touch when we return, with photos from our adventures, of course.

   

Huck Finn Pants

I purchased a stack of summery striped fabrics at the Erica Tanov fabric sale last week and thought I would tackle the "huck finn" pants pattern from Weekend Sewing.

 

My babies probably won't be able to fit into these till they are nearly 1 but I can already picture them wearing these little trousers, collecting sand crabs in their beach buckets.

     

Baby Kimono Tops

With summer here, I have been feeling a bit nostalgic.  I just bought Bijou her first pair of Saltwater Sandals (a summer staple from my youth) and have been making homemade ice pops.  We always ate Otter Pops by the pool when I was a kid but we are making our own.  

Another staple from my youth are these kimono style tops that my Mom's friend Sam brought back for us from her travels in Japan.  I decided to make a few for the boys.

 The pattern and directions for this kimono style baby top can be found in Weekend Sewing by Heather Ross.

  

Summer Pajamas

I have never made a pair of pants before but I trusted that the "pajamas for everyone" project from Weekend Sewing could in fact be completed in a weekend.  The project was very simple and perfect for a beginner sewer.  I highly recommend purchasing the book.

Bijou insisted I take a photo of her end-of-the- school-year gift, a Skip Hop backpack for kindergarten. 

I'm not sure who taught her this devil horn hand gesture but she decided to throw it up for the photo.  I think she will be ready for her first rock concert this summer.     

Masking Tape Garland

I've been a huge fan of garlands and Japanese masking tape for awhile now, so why not combine the two?

 

To make:

1. Purchase a multi-color pack of Japanese masking tape and some twine.
2. Pull off 7" pieces of tape and fold each piece over the twine spacing each piece 2-3" apart.
3. Cut off the rough edge with scissors or pinking shears.

  
 I bought the tape for these garlands from Studio Koizumi's Etsy shop.  I adored her little note she included in the package...

 I certainly will "enjoy creation!"

Cherry Picking Adventure

Pomeroy Farm, Brentwood, CA