On the road...first stop...MAILBOXES!!

Last week we decided to surprise the kids and take them on a little road trip to Palm Desert... kinda a last ditch effort to have some fun before summer is over.    We love going out the "back" way through Anza.    Along the way is this little turn off with a ton of mailboxes.  I have been eyeing this spot for years and have never had the opportunity to stop with my "real" camera and take some pics usually because kids are sleeping, or we are in a hurry, or I forgot the camera!   Well, this time it was ALMOST a perfect opportunity.   The sky was full of thunder clouds and the air smelled of rain...only problem was, one kid was sleeping.   Oh well, we went with it anyways and here are a few of my favorite shots.

 even I got in a few!!!  

this is my husbands.. "are you done taking pics yet" look

miller snoozing through the whole thing... thunder and all...

and that's the story of our little stop at the mailboxes....   sad to say, I didn't take any other pics of our trip!!

Paige turns {seven}

Today was my niece's 7th birthday party.  I can't believe she is 7 already....that means I am getting old.....  She wanted to have her birthday party at Menchie's Frozen Yogurt, and what a great idea that was!   I mean, who doesn't LOVE froyo?   I often make it a reward for my own kids just so I can go eat it!   I am a total sucker for it, and apparently Paige is too.   My sister asked me to bring my camera along to take a few pics....Enjoy... and Happy Birthday to the most beautiful, smart, sweet, and sassy {seven} year olds I know.  Love you Paige.

wait....the only thing missing here is a picture of ME with her?!   Bummer:(  

xoxo~m*

{LOVE}

This past weekend I was lucky enough to go up to L.A. and visit one of my oldest and dearest friends, Sara.   We haven't seen each other in 3 years.... How silly is that?!?  She only lives 100 miles away.    I was so excited to go up and see Sara, and just as excited to finally meet Bailey.   She just turned TWO last week and is definitely her mother's daughter....so beautiful, sweet, and just down right special.    It was a perfect girls weekend... we laughed, we played, we ate amazing food, had great drinks, and we took photos :)    I just love these girls.

.....and those EYES?   Forget about it.  

xoxo ~ m*

Encinitas Food Swap Addict

Yesterday, I participated in my first food swap. And I think I am addicted. What is a food swap, you ask? Well, pretty much it is a group of foodie's from the community that get together, bring their homemade & homegrown goods and SWAP them. It is a genius idea, if you ask me.

And who is the genius behind this food swap? Meet Isabelle.....

Isabelle is a Mom to 3 boys, an uber foodie, ultra creative, and just down right awesome. She wanted to create an event where our community could come together, swap recipes and eat yummy organic & homemade food.

Lucky for me, I have a mini orchard in my backyard. I have more citrus that I know what to do with. So, this time, LEMON's were my culprit.

I made lemonade concentrate, lemon curd, & lemon blueberry scones.

There were so many amazing products at this swap.. Take a look:

and much more.......





This is how it works..... after you go around and taste all the yummy treats, you put your name down next to the items you want and what you want to swap it for...   Check out the loot I came home with...

Mexican Chocolate Navel Orange with Chocolate Ganache Ice cream, fresh Chard, Gingered Nectarine & Apricot preserves, 2 different kinds of Salsa, Mole sauce, Maple Mustard Dressing, Chocolate Orange dessert sauce, pic nic lunch bags, 2 types of Curry, 3 Bean Salad, Sunflower Seed spread, Pizza making kit, Fig & Goat Cheese spread... I may be forgetting something.

After reading this, I bet you want in on the next one right?! Lucky for you... I heard a rumor the next Enicintas Food Swap is going to be March 17th at Glen Park in Cardiff... from 10am-12pm.
Check out the Encinitas Food Swap Facebook Page, make sure you LIKE it to keep up with the latest info.

Thanks Isabelle for an amazing day!   Now, off to EAT!

xoxo~ m*