The Art of Hosting

One of the joys of being home is being able to have people over. I've been so excited to host people that we've already had a handful of people come by. Josh told me to pace myself because me, and our budget, won't be able to sustain this lifestyle. ;)

Ever since I've begun the journey on how to cook, I've come to appreciate a great meal. One that starts with a well thought out drink, a complimentary appetizer, a satisfying dinner, and the touch of a sweet ending. I like thinking through a meal to anticipate the needs like cut limes, extra spoons, more ice.  I've come to think that hosting is a fine art which includes the ability to facilitate an ease of conversation.

Tonight we had Sheldon and Kristin over.

I made Auntie Ruth's Seven Layer Dip, Pioneer Woman's Restaurant Style Salsa and Chicken Tortilla Soup. For dessert, we high tailed it over to our (quickly becoming) favorite place, Diddi Riese. (I have a feeling the close proximity of that place is going to be an issue...for my waistline.  Who can only buy one when the cookies are 35 cents?)

Here's our halfway set up dinner last night, with the dining room table given to us by Josh's Jichan and Bachan. I'm a bit embarrassed to show you this picture for danger of underwhelming you. I didn't have a center piece or the proper table settings. I still need some serving platters and serving utensils. But this is the truth and the truth is always good enough.

I have a lot to work on when it comes to hosting. There's always another level of cooking to attain and a prettier, more functional way of presenting the meal. But in the meantime, I'm having fun figuring it out.

Peace.

Snapshots of Our Home: Slowly But Surely

My friend, Christina, once visited us in Nor Cal some 8 months after we had moved in and I had yet to hang something on the wall. She teased that it looked like we had just moved in. 

Well Christina, I'm 7 months ahead of myself. :) This is a nook right outside the kitchen and in front of the dining room. That is my favorite picture frame on top and the bottom was a print I showed you earlier. It's gold foil and I just love it.

Slowly but surely.

Simple and Sweet

Our weekend was restful since I was trying to kick the tail end of a cold.

We did a bunch of laundry at my inlaws and Josh clay bared and waxed his car. We went to reality LA on Sunday with Sheldon and Kristin and then flashed back to the 60's with lunch at Bob's (complete with Bob statue and all).

Simple and sweet.

How The Story Goes

This is how (I wish) the story goes. 

We needed art. ASAP. 

I stumbled onto these mind blowing marquee signs. 

We bought.

We installed.

You're looking at one happy lady. 

This is how (the real) story goes.

We needed art. ASAP.

I stumbled onto these mind blowing marquee signs.

I saw the price.

Had a heart attack.

Was rushed to the hospital.

Came home with no new art and an enormously high hospital bill. 

The end.

Friday Favorites

It was a busy week. Wednesday night Aimee and the baby came over for dinner. Josh fed him while we finished getting the food ready and then we ate and all stared at Cole, talked about Cole, played with Cole. :)

Thursday Melissa came over for dinner and I made Sunday Night Stew (yes, on a Thursday). It hit the spot since I'm trying to kick a stubborn cold. 

I seem to have stalled on my last remaining box. It just sits there and stares at me. Daring me to do something about it and yet I turn my head in defiance. I just can't open that thing up. Drat. -_- Maybe this weekend. ;)

/ / W E B  F A V O R I T E S / /

Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee

Also, a fascinating read on cultural parenting norms in Japan.


Have a wonderful weekend friends!

It's a Boy!

more here

Mr. Buff

Our balcony looks directly into our neighbors balcony. We have a wall of windows so if he so desired he could peak over anytime he wants. And when his blinds are open the same is true for us.

I've started calling him Mr. Buff.

For everyone's privacy, Josh and I bought some small trees that will hopefully grow large enough and thick enough that even when he's on his balcony, we all can't see each other. Until then, we are privy to Mr. Buff working out from time to time. 

One day when I run into him, I hope I don't say, "Hello, Mr. Buff, it's nice to meet you!" Wouldn't that be completely awful? And something I would completely do. -_-

Here, Mr. Buff meet my friends. Friends, Mr. Buff. 

Friday Favorites / / The Curious Cat

My Instagram friends saw part of this sequence the other day.

One of the only times he'll sit still is when we read together. The Curious Cat can't get enough of his books. Here he is telling me about the five birds, laughing about the five birds, and then pausing to give me a kiss. Swoon!

He is one of my biggest joys of being home. 

Have a wonderful weekend friends. My weather says it's looking to be a perfect one. Yes!

The Swing of Things

We are getting back into the swing of things.

I'm cooking again. Josh likes taking leftovers to work too so it helps with the monthly budget. Last night I made Katsudon. Not gonna lie, it was super good! Definitely being transferred into the Paprika App.

Katsudon

We've also been exploring the area on our nightly runs. It's peaceful around here and so far we are loving our new neighborhood.

P.S. Our place is a bit bigger than our last apartment so even with our furniture it looks a bit bare. I'll post pictures as soon as we fill it out some. :)

P.P.S And next week I'll show you my new obsession!

Matchy, Matchy

Yesterday I finished the kitchen so we had our first dinner at home. :) Five boxes down, three to go. Today mom and I are on the hunt for a dining room table and chairs, and a host of little things so the place looks matchy and cohesive.

Speaking of matchy, baby Justin and I blended in together at church on Sunday. :) Cutie patootie!

Happy Tuesday!

And...Home.

Folks, three weeks, four hotels, and one vacation later, w e  a r e  i n . And we have these guys (+ Luke, Kelvin, Sharon, and Kylie) to thank for it.

Moving is never an easy task and it wasn't so bad except for these 15 little steps. Holy Moses, it felt like we were climbing the Appalachian! I was especially apologetic to the guys since they did most of the work. I'm pretty sure they were sore on Sunday - so I am thankful for both of the days they helped us move. ;)

Normally I would have a hard time falling asleep in a new place but the moment I crawled into my own bed I closed my eyes and was out. Pure heaven I tell ya, pure heaven.

It is so good to finally be home.

Friday Favorites // And He's Off!

This has been a week of firsts for the kid. First time slurping. First time waving goodbye. First time blowing kisses. First time consciously giving you something. First time turning over during the diaper change. And the ultimate, first time crawling.

This new discovery of freedom has unleashed a moving beast. The little thoroughbred can't keep still. Here he is caught red handed, but he don't care.

We checked out for the last time today. Praise the Lord! This weekend is the big move. Home here we come.

The Colony Palms

Josh had never been to Palm Springs, and I had only been for work. It was a 45 minute drive from Joshua Tree so we decided to stop there for a night before heading home.

We found a deal at The Colony Palms. Rates are good right now because of the heat (hint hint).

It was blissfully air conditioned and the bed super comfy. The salt water pool was open all night so we laid on the beds while exploring the stars with Google Sky. It was amazing.

Some pics.

When we got back we checked into a hotel near LAX while family stayed at moms. After they left we moved back to moms and now we are out in the valley again for the rest of the week. Phew!

We are tired of living out of our suitcases. Moving day is Saturday morning, can't wait.

Jackrabbit Wash

When we were telling people we were headed to Joshua Tree for a few days I think they assumed we were planning on becoming one with the land, living off the basic necessities, and dealing with the formidable heat. Those people don't know us very well. :)

It is true, the desert is prickly and mean. It can weather a man faster than ... well, come up with your own analogy please. The good ones are slipping my mind. 

This was the dirt road that we were on for more than a mile in search of our destination. Can you see any houses? No? Neither could I and I was worried that our meals from Mitsuwa and our water bottles from my mother-in-law weren't going to sustain us should the car die and we were left out in the middle of nowhere. 

And by "nowhere" I mean nowhere.

But we arrived. This tiny house that blended in with its surroundings. Josh found the place on VRBO and rented it for two nights. You know that feeling you get in your gut when you think you liked something you saw online, only to be shocked by the reality of it? Yea, whatever that feeling is was coursing through my veins.

Upon closer inspection the place was nothing to fear, in fact, it was an oasis in the desert.

We spent all day skinny dipping and suntanning. Oops, TMI? Oh well. :p And at night, we cuddled on the couch and watched Season 1 of Games of Thrones.

No, we did not hike the boulders or go into the national park. It was 117 degrees and we mutually agreed that this Joshua Tree on the side of the road was educational enough for these city kids. (However, we did read all about them on Wikipedia while we drove past.) heh.

The desert is a strange place. Creepy crawly bugs lurk outside and it's so quiet you kinda want to look over your shoulder all the time, just in case. The wind whistles through the hills in an eerie but peaceful way and the deadness stays with you, long after you've left.

We desperately needed time to regroup. Josh from moving down, moving us all around, starting a new job, and trying to adjust to it. And me because it's been a lot. It was the peace we were looking for and the calm we desired.

So that was that. Joshua Tree in a nutshell. Tomorrow I'll show you pictures from Palm Springs. I mean, after roughing it in Joshua Tree, don't you think we deserved a little pampering? :p

Sweet Monday friends.

One more week of this, one more week.

A Moroccan Paradise

Poolside

A Desert Oasis