Local Exploration

One thing we've had on our "to do" list for quite a while now, is a visit to the Tomales Bay/Point Reyes area.  We made a stop at Cowgirl Creamery for some picnic supplies, stopped at the state park visitors center, and hiked one of the many routes along the Point Reyes seashore.  One could spend days on end exploring, hiking and camping here, and as usual, we just barely scratched the surface.  We're always blown away by the beauty and diversity of this area, and grow to love it more every day.

Delicious cheese being made at Cowgirl Creamery

Playing catch-up...big time

Whew!  Where did the last month go??  We've been working a ton lately, but we've also managed to have a lot of fun over the last few weeks, and unfortunately the longer I go without writing a post, the more overwhelmed I feel at the prospect of recounting everything.  Therefore, I'm posting a few highlights of our pretty eventful past month, and hope to be better about it going forward.  Here goes!


We participated in our first Bay to Breakers....a famous 12k event in San Francisco, that over the years has become less about running, and more about dressing in costume and partying in the streets.  We definitely saw some colorful & interesting things, (and maybe walked a mile at most), but we had a great time.  I think next year we might try to actually run the race.  :)

Nate & Serena hosted our group of cops & robbers

We didn't know this guy, but he had an awesome costume!

Memorial Day weekend included a quick visit from the Rinabarger's....

...a super short trip to Napa...having some friends over for the Golden Gate Bridge 75th Anniversary firework show and a rousing game of Taboo...and finally a little bit of much needed relaxation.


The month of June began with a super fun visit from two of our favorite couples!  I couldn't help myself and had to get them these shirts....they were great sports for humoring me.  :)  

On a street car

Famous Irish coffees at the Buena Vista

Dinner at Leopold's

Brunch at the Tipsy Pig

Union Street Festival

Giants Game

 It was such a fabulous weekend with some really incredible friends, and we're SO grateful for their visit!  They were such good sports as we dragged them all over town, yet the best moments are always when we're just hanging out, talking and laughing, in any location.

We recovered from the weekend just in time to take a road trip to Southern California.  Our first stop was Claremont, to visit our old home, see a few friends, and of course eat at a couple of our favorite spots we left behind.  It was pretty wild being back there for the first time since we moved away (almost a year ago).  It's amazing how much we truly enjoyed it!  Claremont definitely will always have a special place in our hearts.  
We spent the night with our dear friends Sara & Anthony, and their daughter Kayte was so sweet to loan us her fabulously purple bedroom, such a hostess!

These two...Mila and Delilah, were great playmates for Mahoney.  They paraded her around the house, fed her, gave her lots of hugs, and even tried to pick her up, which was pretty hilarious.  Mahoney was tuckered out when we left!

It was so nice catching up with them, seeing their awesome new house, and as always, having new cooking adventures.  Anthony showed us how to use an emersion circulator, and the boys went to town in the kitchen- making steaks for dinner, and egg sandwiches in the morning.  It's hard to believe it was over 10 months since we'd seen these two, but felt like no time had passed.

Sara & Anthony also treated us to an awesome food & wine event to benefit Share our Strength.  There was more amazing food to taste than we could handle, delicious cocktails, and lots of sunshine.

We saw a handful of famous Chefs, and some of our favorite competitors from Top Chef! 

We also attended a big 40th birthday party at the home of one of Mass's mentors, Russ.  They hosted the party in their gorgeous back yard, hired food trucks of kogi tacos and customizable ice cream sandwiches.  It was such a pleasure to finally meet some of the people that were part of Mass's career development while we were living in Claremont.


We also got to see family!  It was great to visit with Pinkie, Steve, Nona, Marisa & Nina...and of course we enjoyed a fabulous homemade Italian lunch, compliments of Pinkie.  Delicious, as always.

Mahoney (making a funny face) had missed her friend Nina

Finally, we finished off the weekend and celebrated my birthday with a dinner at Ink in West Hollywood.  We enjoyed some super creative dishes with artistic presentations, and great wine.  It was a very cool spot!

Cuttlefish salad with green papaya and black lime

All in all, it has been a very busy, but wonderful last few weeks!