2 com

October in Pictures...

Hanging out at the Bentley Football game, cheering on Kyle. 

Players warming up.

Visiting friends in Boston, Ma.


Candlepin bowling. MUCH harder than I'm making it look, with my perfect form and everything ;)

Crisp, fall morning pic from our building before heading down for work.

An interesting display at a Wal-Mart in Virginia. (Don't even know what you would do with all of that processed meat!!)
Our team for the Tough Mudder, VA race.
Bryan making his way down an obstacle.

Bryan and our friend Greg awaiting my approach to the half pipe.

My very feminine and dainty run up the half pipe, thanks to the guys who dragged me up the rest of the way!
The final obstacle, Electroshock Therapy - running through a bunch of live wires, ouch!
Decided to go for a Star Wars theme for our Halloween Party - I'm Princess Leia, Bryan is a Sith Lord and Napoleon was Yoda!! (Obviously he loves his costume based on the facial expression)
His + Hers Pumpkins. Can you tell which one the dentist carved?
Halloween Cake Pops I made for the party!


October was a very very busy month for us.... A trip to Boston to watch Kyle play Bentley Football, visiting old dental school buddies...Then the Tough Mudder race in the Virginia mountains the next weekend (10 miles up and down mountains definitely took its toll!!)....then hosting a Halloween party at our place for all our friends!! As busy as we have been - we're so grateful to have the opportunity to travel and to spend time with great family and friends! Hope you enjoyed the pics.

Next up on the itinerary -  Thanksgiving in CA then our winter retreat to Paris!

S.
0 com

there's a chill in the air...

Absolutely couldn't wait for the weather to get colder. It was the most welcome feeling EVER. Nothing beats the east coast fall/autumn, crisp sunny days and chilly nights. Perfect weather for apple cider, pumpkin carving and hearty home cooked meals.

In addition to enjoying the weather...Bryan is pulling teeth and taking names in clinic and I'm trying to finish my thesis this semester, so needless to say the Chai's have been having quite the hectic fall season.

I've also developed quite the online shopping problem... as you can see below I had to purchase my seasonally fashionable boots...this year its suede wedges. (I've convinced myself that this will be tre chic for our trip to Paris in December but maybe not if we're trudging through the snow!) I've also found ways to justify other purchases online for Paris - which means we'll be living off of croissants and cappuccinos alone for two weeks.

Anyway, below is a delish recipe for an Apple Dutch Baby, a baked pancake, that is perfect for lazy Sunday morning breakfast and ideal with a cup of coffee or tea. I made it using some fresh Jonagold apples, milk and eggs from the market, which is typically what I end up doing most Sunday mornings. I love making breakfast/brunch with my market finds, its such a great way to start our Sundays. Here's the link for the recipe Apple Dutch Baby - I would note that they didn't include any extracts, but I would add about 1/4t. of vanilla or almond extract.

We're headed back to CA this week for Kylie's 1st birthday - although it doesn't even seem like a year since that little angel entered all of our lives, looking forward to seeing the West Coast fam and friends! Have a great start of October everyone!



S.

Still enjoying gelato at Pitango during the fall....especially the affogatos!

Huge boots! I'm about 5'9 in these, love it!

Apple Dutch Baby, fresh outta the oven, sprinkle liberally with powdered sugar!!

Someone is definitely enjoying his Sunday nap and the cold weather. 



0 com

A much needed respite...

Spent a couple of days Labor Day weekend in Santa Fe, NM with Aunt Tish and Uncle Rich. Neither of us have ever been to the Southwest and I must say, we were extremely surprised with how much we enjoyed everything there.

I'm not going to lie, the amazing hosts, nice dinners, perfect weather, shopping and spa day definitely didn't hurt either...but Santa Fe definitely has gorgeous mountains and desert terrain. (Unfortunately I got lazy and didn't take my nice camera so my phone pics will have to suffice!) Of course the Southwestern influenced cuisine, extensive art galleries and turquoise jewelry were ever present - all of which made for a much needed getaway.

By the way, anyone going to Santa Fe needs to book a day at the Ten Thousand Waves Japanese Spa - it was the best 4 hours of my year so far hahaha.

October outlook is insane, three weekends out of Oct. we will be traveling out of state, hopefully I can post some pics though!

View from the kitchen out onto the terrace.

Bryan in relaxation mode.

Me posing with the pepper ristras.

Enjoying lunch al fresco.

Getting blinged out with some gorgeous turquoise and gems. 

0 com

Hurricane? What hurricane?

I'm not going to lie - I was actually excited to experience my first Hurricane. I know that sounds absolutely insane, but considering it wasn't going to be severely damaging to MD it seemed a little exciting. Considering we just experienced two natural disasters in a week - earthquake on Tuesday and weekend of Hurricane - I can't say it hasn't been interesting. Although I must say, being a native of CA the earthquake was a bit unimpressive. But I guess I'll take unimpressive and safe natural disasters over any other kind.

With Labor Day weekend coming, we'll be headed out of town - to avoid the maniacal Baltimore Grand Prix - which I'm sure will be amazing, but I'll pass on the madness of later summer + alcohol + racing fans in favor for a gorgeous, relaxing weekend in Santa Fe!

Will post pictures soon, take care!


2 com

summer is hot. life is hectic. and i'm a horrible blogger.

 After realizing that I hadn't posted to this blog in AGES I felt mightily guilty as I sat down the other day and browsed though the abysmal 'blog' history or this page. Initially I had really hoped that this was a good way to keep in touch with friends and family until I realized that not everyone really checks things like this...at least it seems like most of my family doesn't at least...anyways, I will persevere on....because it seems like maybe someone is reading!

Early June we were lucky enough to have Gina, Josh, Kylie and Brianna visit for a week long East Coast adventure. Everyone really seemed to enjoy themselves and I'm hoping we can have more family visit again soon!
The sibs doing what they do best, posing + funny faces

Hanging out in D.C.


While June sped by with Bryan's 26th birthday and then early July with my 27th birthday - we've started to realize how quickly life is moving this summer! Bryan is busy in clinic now and seeing patients and I've been working in a new position at work and trying to finish my graduate program in December. (Fingers crossed). 
Just after blowing out candles on my birthday cake!
Napoleon beating the heat in the 'kiddie' pool. 
Well that's it for updates as of now...coming up we have a trip to Santa Fe planned to visit Aunt Tish and Uncle Rich VanCamp, who have graciously offered to host us while we explore New Mexico for Labor Day weekend! But otherwise its just the daily grind of work, school and more work! Hope everyone is doing well, will post some recipes and pics soon...just recently made the best cupcakes ever and will share the recipe and pictures. If there are any cupcakes left. =)