California Vacation

Oliver and I just returned from the most wonderful-amazing-lovely-could not have been better trip to California. Oliver was in Dallas last week for work so we met in San Francisco on Thursday. I flew in on Thursday afternoon, rented a car, and drove to Baby Sister's house (Oliver's great aunt)in Moraga. Baby Sister and I had the BEST afternoon. She is such an amazing Godly woman who is such an inspiration....she made by day by introducing me to her neighbors as "my niece"! On Thursday night I picked Oliver up from the airport and we drove to Healdsburg, CA. We stayed at a little B&B...which I loved....however we figured out that Oliver is much more of a hotel person as we didn't have a TV in the bedroom and he kept telling me to "shhh." On Friday morning we had breakfast at a little bakery on the Healdsburg Plaza and then hit the wine country....we did a cave tour at Bella,then went to Preston Winery, then to Zichichi Family Vineyards, then to Quivira, and then lastly to Seghesio. We learned a ton about Zinfandel, Syrah, and Petite Syrah --- all of which I don't know much about. We had dinner at Willy's Seafood...it was yummy. On Saturday we took a tour of Ferrari Carano, then went to Dutcher Crossing, then UNTI, Papaprietro Perry Winery, and Lambert Bridge. Saturday night we had dinner in Geyersville...a little town outside of Healdsburg. On Sunday morning we got up early and drove down HWY 1 to Jenner and Bodega Bay. It was an amazing drive down HWY 116 through the wine country, then the red woods, and then to where the Russian River Valley meets the Pacific. We walked on Goat Rock Beach for a little while and then went back to the wine country. On Sunday afternoon we hit: Korbel, Hartford Family Vineyards, Porter Creek Vineyards, Arista Winery, Clos Du Bois, Simi, and Selby Winery. We had the most amazing Italian food I have ever had outside of Italy at Scopa on Sunday night. On Monday, we drove to San Fran....we pulled into Pier 39 at 8:45 a.m. San Fran was such a suprise.....I didn't expect to fall in love with it....and now I want to go back very soon. We walked along Fisherman's Wharf, ate clam chowder at 10:30 a.m, watched the sea lions at Pier 39, ate a chocolate cupcake at Gheirardelli's Square, then took a street car to Union Square, took advantage of the super nice shopping (Oliver bought me a purse I have been DYING for), strolled through Chinatown and ate in a really shady place that was authentic, ate gelato in North Beach, and then walked back down to Pier 39. Baby Sister gave us a tour of Berkley, CA and then we had an amazing dinner with Baby Sister, Val, and Jim (Oliver's CA cousins). All in all it was amazing....here are some pictures:

Old Fashioned Chocolate Cake

For Rebecca's birthday on Friday we had an all girls party. Each "girl" invited their mom. Everyone's mom was able to come. It was the first time all of our moms had meet. The theme of the party was a surprise from the birthday girl....she had no clue what to expect but we had a painting party. We had someone come and give us a lesson in water-coloring and then we each painted a picture. It was really fun....and everyone's picture turned out surprisingly good.



Old Fashioned Chocolate Cake

Chocolate Cake
3 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups sugar
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. table salt
2 cups hot water
3/4 cup vegetable oil
2 Tbsp. distilled white vinegar
1 Tbsp. instant coffee granules
1 Tbsp. vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 350 and grease two 8 x 2 round cake pans.

Whisk together flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda, and salt.

Combine water, oil, vinegar, instant coffee, and vanilla in a large measuring cup. Add to dry ingredients and whisk until combined (a few lumps are ok).

Pour into pans and bake for about 30 minutes (until toothpick comes out clean).

Glossy Chocolate Icing

1 stick butter
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 1/4 cups unsweetened cocoa powder
Pinch of salt
1 1/4 cups of heavy cream
1/4 cup sour cream
1 tsp. instant coffee granules
2 tsp. vanilla extract

Melt butter in large sauce pan over medium heat. Stir in sugar, cocoa, and salt.
Combine heavy cream, sour creams, and instant coffee in a large measuring cup. Gradually add cream mixture to chocolate until blended and smooth.


Cook until sugar has dissolved, and mixture is smooth and hot to the touch. Do not boil.
Off heat, add vanilla. Cool icing at room temp until spreadable.

The result? The perfect birthday cake for a great friend! Happy Birthday to Rebecca! Since I know Rebecca hates having her picture posted...I refrained myself...even though I got a great one of her blowing out her candles!

On another note, only 3 days till we go to Sonoma County...our first real vacation since our honeymoon!

Hip Hio Hooray

So it's hip hip hooray!
The Party is on its way
And Osiris goes rollin' along....

Banner Party Twenty Ten--we enjoyed great food, a great band, and country club specials out the wazoo...it was so fun to see my friends having so much fun with their drunk husbands...but of course what happens on the bus stays on the bus and we were just happy to have them so willing to dance!

The only time our boys sing to us....I LOVE it....





My absolute favorite picture of the night......

Cracker Rapper Trophy Wife

I used to think I would be cool if I ever saw a famous person. I definitely would not be "star struck" and make a fool out of myself just over a celebrity. Now I know I was wrong and I would make a complete fool of myself. I didn't even see a famous-real-life-movie star....but I did see the Cracker Rapper's Trophy Wife walking down Walnut Grove. I swear. She was just walking down the street at about 7:50 a.m. on Tuesday. I got so excited (not because she is cool but only b/c I have watched her on YOUTUBE 100 times) that I about had a wreck! Have you seen this on YOUTUBE...if not...check this out:



He actually has another video now....but this one is my favorite!