A Perfect Independence

image courtesy of Pottery Barn

Doesnt this look like the perfect way to celebrate our Independence?!

{actually it would be perfect if both Coronas were in my cupholder!}

I have been busy planning our annual 4th of July family trip to Bass Lake.

It is drop-dead gorgeous there.

Let me give you a teaser:

Nestled in the Sierrra National Forest

surrounded by massive pine trees

fresh water fed by natural rivers, creeks and streams

20 minutes to Yosemite National Park

Here is a link to a quaint write up -

http://www.viamagazine.com/weekenders/basslake99.asp

My family has been going to this magical place ever since I was a little girl.

I can still remember the ride up.....

Winding roads

no air conditioning

the endless "are we there yet's

intoxicating smell of pine trees

clean fresh air

fighting in the car with my four brothers

the anticipation of bubble gum ice cream from Miller's Landing

(bright blue ice cream with bubble gum balls-every parents worst nightmare!)

It is smack dab in the geological center of California

{North Fork, Calif}

But, what I really wanted to share was

our favorite childhood memory of the lake:

 

{image courtesy of moi}

Every 4th

before sunset......

All of the lake's inhabitants

get on their boats that have been

decorated in the

red white and blue 

loaded up with  ice chests

packed to the hilt with snacks,

excited children,

and giddy adults

eager with anticipation of the fireworks show.

And let me tell you, they NEVER disappoint.

There is NOTHING ....

absolutely NOTHING

that compares

to the sights and sounds of

this annual tradition.

the smell of pine and sulfur

the sounds of boat horns and laughter

the booming echo coming off the mountains

(it sounds like cannons!)

{photo courtesy of basslake.com}

And let me tell you the only thing better than these pictures.....

Is spending time with my family

creating amazing memories

that hopefully...

one day.....

my children will experience

with their own families.

{image courtesy of Pottery Barn}

Beauty in a Potato Sack

Hello there, and happy Tuesday!

We are back from our lil trip and we had a blast.

And you know what?

I didn't even get my funnel cake.

It wasn't for lack of trying....

everytime we walked by the booth the line was a mile long!

Ugghhhh.....

It was like the Funnel Cake gods were at war with me.

I lost.

{boo}

I didn't want to subject my fam to the torture of waiting in line

FOR-EV-ER.

FOR-EV-ER.

(said in the voice of Squints from "Sandlot")

Its ok though.

I am over it.

Im a Mom.

Im used to not getting my way.

{But, I really wanted to flop on the ground and kick and scream!}

It's not about me.

Besides....

I did get this consolation prize:

Mmmmm...chowder.

In a bread bowl.

Doesn't get much better than that, huh?

It's probably a good thing I didnt get that funnel cake.

You know why???

That horrible countdown is almost ending.

Ya....

you know which one I am talking about.

That countdown that every woman has been having since

 I was fourteen January 1st.

In 96 hours.

I have to be practically nekkid.

Around a small army.

It's times like these that I wish I was a guy.

{Also those times when I can't go pee wherever the heck I want to}

I shall never be one with a bathing suit.

I wasnt even when I was 14.

{I didnt even know what cellulite was-or a bikini wax, thank god}

I mean come on.

We pay $$$

for a tiny piece of fabric

 that makes us look like Giselle

feel fat.

Just a heads up.

In case you were looking for one.....

There is no "miracle" swimsuit.

{what a crock of poo}

Victoria's Secret is not a secret.

It's pretty obvious.

They get their models from another planet.

I say we blow that planet up.

Hmmmm..........

What?!

I was kidding.

Good thing I got a new "cover-up" for this summer.

Liberty of London for Target® Tunic Swim Coverup - Black Dunclare Print $24.99

I also got a new swimsuit.

I would show you a pic of it

But for some reason I cant download it.

I think I know why.....

It's because noone will ever see it.

{except my hubby - if he is lucky}

It will be nicely hiding underneath my cute cover-up.

You know what though?

 I won't be happy until potato sacks are back in.

Huh?

Whats that you say?

They were never "IN"??!

Well, Im getting one.

Pretty simple.

Fill with 100lbs or more of charm.

{ I got that and then some}

It also claims I can save $$ for french inspired creations.

I like that.

I like it A-LOT.

Well, Im off to go look for my new french creations.

{im gonna check out Etsy first}

See you at the lake in my new frock.....

Sunday Suppers

Do you remember those?

I do.

Growing up we always had dinner together on Sundays.

ALWAYS.

Together.

Actually, we hardly ever ate out. It was a rare occasion.

Nowadays, its a regular thing.

RUSH RUSH RUSH.....

Drive thru's, paper plates, eating in the car, rough cheap paper napkins,

plastic "silverware"......

Whatever happened to the good ol' days of eating together?

Asking each other simple questions:

"How was your day today honey?"

"What did you learn today dear?"

"Make any new friends at school?"

"Need some help with your homework?"

Well, I say we bring Sunday suppers back!

Hip Hip Jorge!

{sorry....that ESPN commercial always cracks me up!}

Unfortunately, I didnt think of this first....

Well, i kinda did -

But in MY head

{its really crowded and loud in there}

It was NOTHING compared to what they have done here:

http://sunday-suppers.com/

{doesnt this pic just make you drool?}

Sunday Suppers was created as a labor of love by stylist and photographer Karen Mordechai.

She is SO  uber-talented!!

{that is her on the left - too cute, huh?!}

"Sunday Suppers are offered once or twice a month and take place in a loft in Williamsburg Brooklyn.

A group of 14-20 strangers are taught by guest chefs to prepare a meal from scratch.
The class is followed by a wonderful communal dining experience with new friends."

How cool is that?!

Besides the classes that they offer, they provide amazing recipes, ideas and pictures on their website.

Additionally, Sunday Suppers will cater and design an entire event or simply offer a la carte services such as table design, buffet set-ups, favors etc....

Seriously.

Sigh....

I wish I lived in the NYC area.

Just for this reason alone.

{well, and Dean & Deluca!}

So, since I cant partake of Karen's amazing creation -

I have just decided to bring Sunday Suppers back to my house.

Yeah.

So there.

It may look a little something like this:

Hahahaha.....that was a good one, huh?!

Who the heck am I kidding!

Its more along the lines of this:

{the Stig on left, me and my hubby's lil Italian Grandma on the right}

Traditional Italian Christmas Eve dinner at my in-laws (Spaghetti and Clams)

Our fam is so big they have it in the garage!

My wonderful Mother-in-Law puts a fake fireplace in there with stockings on it and everything....

But this is really who WE are:

{Annual Bass Lake trip 4th of July '08}

It doesnt matter where

or what you eat

All that matters is the WHO

Sitting together

Enjoying each other's company

Participating in humorous banter 

filling each other in on your daily activities

listening

laughing

birping

spilling milk

hugging

praying

Even if it is on paper plates.....

**All Photographs on the site are Copyright of Karen Mordechai via Sunday Suppers **
(besides the ones with my crazy family!!)

Under the Boardwalk

Why, hello there!

Is it Wednesday already??

Just wanted to give you

a taste

and a smell

{what?! no smell-a-vision ?! Awww man....}

of what

skinny beotches that can eat whatever they want to

I will be enjoying this weekend.

(image courtesy of flickr)

Mmmm....funnel cake.

Oh yes. I will definitely be having one of those bad boys.

I can.not wait.

Seriously.

And then go on one of these:

(image courtesy of flickr)

(image courtesy of flickr)

Or maybe visit this "mysterious" spot again.....

Did you guess where this blondie and crew are headed?

No?

{Softball Crew-Hot Dogs n Buns }

me and Stigman on the left

That wasn't nice of me.....you didnt know about my "other" family yet...

More about "them" some other time!

Need another clue?

(image courtesy of flickr)

Did you figure it out now?

{giggle.giggle}

I adore Santa Cruz.

the beach. the weather. the food. the free music.

Um yeah.....

I said the "F" word.

{Gasp!}

"FREE"

During the summer time, the Boardwalk hosts a

"free" Friday Night Bands on the Beach Concert Series.

"free"

every Friday from June 18th thu Sept 3rd

How cool is that?

Dont believe me?

Is it cuz I said the "F" word?!

{she covers her mouth sheepishly}

Check it out:

http://www.beachboardwalk.com/concerts/

WORD.

Free.

My favorite "F" word of ALL time.

(funnel cake, flea markets, flab, flip flops all a close 2nd)

thats me....and Santa Cruz Boardwalk beach behind me

{photo courtesy of Stigman circa '07}

We used to go every year, but took a break.

Now we are back.

Can't wait to let you know how that Funnel Cake tastes.....

Who Wants to Be Millionaire?

Have you ever wondered what you would do if you won the lottery?

No?

Hmmm....for some reason I just dont believe you.

Because I have a really really l  o  n  g mental list of everything I would do and buy if I suddenly became a millionare. And let me tell you-it doesnt involve fancy gold watches or lamborghinis (sorry babe).

First off, it is has already been definitely decided between the Stigman and I

that we will immediately re-locate our crew to something of this nature:

{image from Country Living}

Now, dont get all worried that we are going to move far far away.....

Thats just crazy!

We have already agreed that it is a must that we be within driving distance of a Costco, Home Depot and Target.

I mean, come on.....lets get real.

There will be wild animals (in addition to ours!)

Like cows, and baby chickens, and a pig, maybe a goat, and baby chickens!

Yea yea...I know I said baby chickens twice.

Duh....thats because I really really want have to have need baby chickens!

A massive garden for my big green thumber:

{image from wildschoenau.com}

We will spend many many nights eating the fruits and veggies

of our his labor

( remember, I told you that HE had the green thumb-not me!)

Now...on to the important stuff.

The store that I dream about cruisin' into with a PHAT wad of cash....

(no, not FAT - cuz I would be gangsterly with all that lotto $$-hence the PHAT)

Where is this place you ask??!!

Neiman Marcus?

Pssshhh...

Walmart??

HUH??!!

Um, no - I dont even step into those places NOW.

The place that I will have close the doors and let me have full reign of...

Have you heard of her ? {she tee-hees}

No? {gasp}

Well, let me introduce you to the one that you always wanted to be friends with but was way too cool for you my friend:

Anthropologie Illusorio Cabinet - $1695

Why, yes, I will take 2 of those.

$150 shipping surcharge each?

Hmmph....no problem.

(oh - and yes, Lets see:18 drawers x 2 = 36 drawers = PAT RACK HEAVEN)

Anthropologie Lunet Chair - $1698

Yes, yes, I know there is a $150 surcharge PER chair Miss.

We already went over this.

I will take 2.

Yes T-W-O. 2

My girlfriends will need somewhere to sit while we are having our skinny whole milk starbucks lattes.

Anthropologie Flores Lawn Chairs - $298 each

No....these are what we will sit on when we are drinking our spiked lemonade coolers and watching our kiddos run around the farm shooting large rodents chasing rabbits and chickens.

Ugghh. I dont have time for this....

YES. I am quite aware that there is a $75 surcharge per chair Miss.

I will take 4 of them.

No- I didnt say TWO.

I said 4.

Actually, I will take 6.

Mmmhmmm. Thats what I said.

Yep. I have lots of friends.

Especially since I just became a millionaire.

It happens.

Oh, and I will need one of these:

 

Anthropologie Verona Daybed- $2498

Well, we will need somewhere to nap after all of those lemonade coolers.

Besides, I plan to hang all of my beautiful ferns, geraniums and vining jasmine off of it.

Dont let me forget about the bedding for it:

Anthropologie Rosette Bedding-$48-$268

Now I cant forget a big ol' farmhouse table.

We ARE country-folk now. Don't ya know.

I must have one (or two) of these:

Anthropologie Modern Farmhouse Table- $1998

Now, dont let me forget about the chairs.....

Anthropologie Redsmith Chairs - $198 each

Must not forget about the "kids" table:

Anthropologie Galvanized Pedestal Table- $1298

Throw in a couple of these bad boys for my ironstone collection:

Anthropologie Decker Bookshelf - $698

Yes, thank you Miss for not reminding me of the extra surcharges on everything.

Hahaha....I know.

Dont need to worry about those petty things anymore, now do we?!

What?

The children?!?

Oh yes. I have thought of them too :)

They definitely need one of these (yes, thats what Rylee told me) :

Anthropologie Illusorio Console - $1698

That puppy holds lots of crayons, candy wrappers, loose change, dirty diapers, 

movies and all of those pesky remotes.

Actually, just Ry and her homies will be watching TV.

The Cambo and other kiddos are doin crafts.

Yeah. We do lots of crafts.

We now have the storage for all of their goodies too.

You did add this to my list, Miss Anthro girl, right?

Anthropologie Illusorio Cabinet - $1698

14 drawers.

Why thank you very much.

I think we even have room for a bunch of those anti-bacterial wipies.

Check the bottom drawer.

No?!

Oh. Thats right.

Check the 1st or 2nd or 3rd drawer.....

Anthropologie Ordinal Dresser - $998

Phheww.

All of this shopping is pooping me out.

Before we leave for the day (yes, I will be back tomorrow)

I mustn't forget about a bed.

Anthropologie Coralie Bed - $1998-$2398

And two adorable side tables:

Anthropologie Flea Market Find Table-$298 each

Let me just lay down for just a second......

zzzzzzz.....(drool)

And then.....

I WOKE UP.

 Have a wonderful day-dreamin kinda day my friends!!