...well sort of. we at least walked through the park we had intended to go to, but ended up trekking over to angies house to finish up some food prep and avoid the called-for-but-never-happened rain. so it was actually more of an indoor/kitchen kind of picnic.

took the recently reloated theresa to humphry slocombe for some 'secret breakfast' ice cream en route to the park...her first (and whats likely to be the first of many) taste!

and yes, we also stopped at dynamo donuts along the way (lemon huckleberry - totally into lemon flavored pastries these days). no, its not normal to pregame lunch with sweets??

// i was on matzo ball duty this year - 18 glorious floaters. i had to redeem myself after the infamous incident of '11 when i waited too long and had to buy premade.  the shame... // 

// the whole gang - family + my roomies (all passover newbies) //

// i live for these chocolate dipped coconut macaroons  //

// so many desserts, only one (very full) stomach. in addition to the passover meal staples (veg, brisket, matzah, maror), we topped off the night with some incredible homemade honeycake cupcakes and flourless chocolate cake //

happy passover!

i dont think ill be cutting my ear off anytime soon, but its been getting pretty arty around here

// (my very first!) byob painting class masterpiece - a little vino, a little light rock, some acrylic, rockin aprons and good company make for a great sunday afternoon. ill be scouring living social for more deals! //

// loved this housewarming idea - we all added a little something to a blank canvas theyll hang up in their apartment. (naturally i went with some 'interpretative' ocean art) so happy for faye and ralph and their adorbs apartment!! i'm officially inviting myself over for future bbqs //

Gimme that Giggle Water

quel succès! just about everyone showed up en coutume and ready to hot glue some feather headbands and down some hooch for darlene's roaring 20s themed bday soiree. there was dancing, there were props, PLENTY of fringe and of course cake & snacks from costco.  i even channeled my inner lady mary to throw up a few swell decor details to doll up the joint. and how!

 

there was a whole lotta this going on

photo dump

// theres that sf fog i know and love //

// experimenting with new recipes //

// catching up on oscar movies at the castro threatre. didnt looove lincoln, but was pretty damn impressed by mr. daniel day lewis //

// chinese new year feast (too many questionable seafood dishes for my taste) //

// is that you, downton?? //

// sometimes you just need a big ol veg burger. and a tray full of pickles //

// we got our dance ON //

// theres something magical about the foot long $1.50 hot dogs from coscto //

// bobs! where have you been all my life?? //

quick weekend getaway in tahoe - i'm not much one for winter sports (i start crying everytime i get on a chairlift), but had a blast touring around sleepy south tahoe. maybe next time i'll work up the courage to actually try skiing again, but until then i'm perfectly happy sippin on my hot chocolate at the lodge

// don't let the hat and boots fool you - saturday was BALMY //

 // our weekend abode //

// yeesh, even that bunny slope looks like a formidable foe //

// we ate like kings! homemade dinners, hawaiian tacos, in-n-out, and of course car munchies! //

// we crossed over the border into nevada and into an endless maze of craps tables, slot machines and arcade games //

// rain turned slush turned snow made for a gorgeous drive home //

// i didnt realize how much i missed snow/real winters until i saw those snowcapped mountains.  seriously cant get enough snow + mountains + trees //

// trying to blend in with the real boarders //

 // until next time, tahoe! //