85 Years Young...

As my grandmother's 85th birthday approached, my mom and her sister decided a surprise birthday dinner was in order.

We had big parties for both my grandmother and grandfather's 80th birthdays, but turning 85 years old is definitely worth celebrating. 

My mom decided on the location of the dinner, a German-style restaurant in Anaheim called Jagerhaus. I highly recommend it to those of you out there who are fans of Dutch or German food. It was GOOD. 

My aunt and her husband were in charge of luring my grandparents to this location (under the pretense of shopping at a nearby German store). 

I was therefore designated as the decorator for the birthday dinner. I love doing this kind of thing! 

The first thing I did was pick a color scheme- pink, white, and green. The rest came about organically.

I picked pink flowers...

And white flowers...

I also use Martha Stewart craft punches (kind of like this one) to decorate pink and green paper bags.

The party favor bags held sugar cookies (one of my grandmother's favorites) that were cut into "spring" shapes. 

  

 Once we got to the restaurant,  I used pink, white, and green balloons to decorate our booth. 

Then I set up the party favor bags...

 Added a few finishing touches...

And Voila! All that was left to do was wait for the birthday girl...

We took turns standing watch.

At some point, it became a two-person job.

My grand mother was very touched by the party.

 She was surrounded by good food...

...and some of the people who love her the most in the world.

 Happy Birthday, Oma! We love you!

Reunited!

I have been home with Matt in California for the last week or so. It's been wonderful...so glad to spend some time with the husband. 

Also, Happy St. Patrick's Day! 

Matt and I are having a St. Patty's Day shindig at our place this afternoon, so stay tuned for some upcoming photos about the day's festivities. 

My Huckleberry Friend

As many of you know, Matt and I currently have a bi-coastal relationship. He started his new position in California back in January and I am finishing up grad school in New York. 

During this time on opposite coasts, I am living with one of my best friends (here's looking at you, A-Rod) and her amazing mom. 

We've been able to have late-night talks and girls outings to NYC...and I have been spoiled silly by my friend's momma (let's just say I haven't cooked ONCE since my arrival).

So there are definite blessings that have come out of this period of separation.

But, still, it's hard to be apart. 

Sometimes, I am asked the question, "How did you know that Matt was the one?" 

 

And while the most profound answer to that question would take some time to explain, one of the less complex, but still very truthful, responses is that Matt and I are partners in adventure. 

We have been since the very beginning of our relationship.

Sometimes, our ideas of adventure look a bit different.

But that's ok. Most of the time, our visions overlap very nicely. 

There are lyrics from a song I love that go something like this:

Moon River, wider than a mile

I'm crossing you in style someday

Oh, dreammaker 

You heartbreaker

Wherever you're going, I'm going your way

Two drifters, off to see the world

There's such a lot of world to see 

We're after the same rainbow's end

Waiting 'round the bend

My huckleberry friend, Moon River, and me

Missing you, my huckleberry friend. 

Celebrating Mardi Gras in the West

Christmas is over. 2012 is here. Valentine's Day is around the corner. 


That must mean that king cake season is close at hand. 

For those of who you are unfamiliar with king cake and its consumption, check out this post from last year.  

Although Mardi Gras itself isn't until February 22nd, Matt and I decided to begin our king cake consumption early this year. 

Thanks to my new KitchenAid standing mixer, a fabulous Christmas gift from my grandparents, I was able to make my king cake this year without developing hand cramps (from all of the kneading of the dough). 

This is my third time making a king cake and I have continued to modify the recipe each time in an effort to create a king cake that rivals those sold in New Orleans.


I can dream, can't I?

I tend to create chaos when I bake, so I don't have any charming photos of the process but this is what the king cake looks like fresh out of the oven (and undecorated). 

Matt lent mission-critical support by helping me ice the king cake...

As well as helping me with the strategic sprinkling of purple, green, and yellow sugars.

The proud baker (I felt like I was holding a baby). 

 Matt savoring the king cake (with Mardi Gras beads on), with the iconic New Orleans radio station WWOZ playing in the background. 
Go here if you are interested in checking out the local Nawlins music scene (Click 'Listen Now'). 

 Matt with matching Mardi Gras cup!

Happy Mardi Gras season, everybody!

p.s. I am totally planning on one day posting photos of this entire process, along with my recipe. Just shoot me an email if you can't wait until then and want to try out my recipe! 

Welcome to Our Home!

Hellloooo! So glad that you could visit....please come inside. 

Would you like something to drink? 
Let me just run to the kitchen. 

We can sit here with our beverages of choice....

...And enjoy the view.

On second thought, let's sip our drinks on our huge, comfy couch. 

And, if the mood strikes us, we can grab a guitar, banjo, drum, or flute from our music corner.

Or maybe you would prefer to peruse our bookshelf. 

...And check out our taste in art (if you like this, check out the artist's totally cool blog).

Or our souvenirs from places near and dear to our hearts ...

Feeling a little tired, guest? Fancying a nap? 

Well, that's too bad. Because our guest bedroom...

...is under construction.

But feel free to take a nap in our room.

Which is slightly more put together.

What? Leaving so soon?

Make sure to visit the little boy/girl's room on the way out.

Thanks for stopping by! Come visit us again soon!

Love,

Nicole and Matt