Sonoma Wine Trip: Russian River Valley & Bravas

Day two exploring the Sonoma wine country was amazing. Even better because Michael and I had a tour guide. In total, we tasted at 6 different wineries! I couldn't tell you all the names because I don't remember half of them, but it was really neat to compare the pinots and chardonnay from this valley. I found that the chardonnays I preferred came from the Sonoma Coast (so I think a trip to the coast is in order--sometime in the future at least).

After our full day of tasting, we went out for ice cream at the Noble Fir before heading to dinner at Bravas (dessert before dinner ;) yum).

All in all, the trip exceeded my expectations. The wine region here is huge though, so I have a feeling Michael and I will be back since there's so much more to explore.

Christmas 2015: Going home, coming back, and 'The Nutcraker'

Christmas is over! Still a bit hard to believe with the last couple of days being a whirlwind! I'm still coming down from my my ballet high. This year Michael got us tickets to 'The Nutcracker' for one of my Christmas gifts.

'The Nutcracker' was so much fun. The hall was decked out in Christmas decor and all the kids were so excited. The ballet itself was very festive and beautiful. It was my first time seeing 'The Nutcracker' and I loved every minute of it.

Before the ballet, Michael and I went to Petit Toulouse. They're rated top ten in best happy hours in the nation (according to their disclaimer on their menu)! The HH menu is pretty awesome though! Every single bite was delicious and none of the food went to waste.

Oh gosh. This white chocolate bread pudding was amazing. I am currently ranking it two in best desserts in Seattle, with the first being the maple bread pudding at Walrus & Carpenter.

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day we spent with Michael's family. As usual it was a blast with thoughtful gifts, great food, and great company.

Every year, I do miss my family. It's been three years since I spent a Christmas with them. Luckily, this year I flew down the weekend prior to Christmas to see them, also hoping to catch the birthing of my first little niece, Jasalyn. Of course, she was past due and didn't want to see me! But as I write this blog post, my sister is currently in labor, so I'm thinking good thoughts for her and her baby. By tomorrow morning Jasalyn will be sleeping in this little basinet Michael and I gifted to her.

I do have to admit, kids have grown on me! For awhile I thought I could do with or without them, but I am leaning toward them in the future now (like way wayyyyy in the future :P).

Now I can't wait to meet my niece next year!

How was your Christmas? Comment below :)

Plum Bistro

Last week my friend Cristine and I met for dinner at Plum Bistro, a highly recommended vegan restaurant on Capitol Hill. It was both our first time trying it out. When we got there, we were suprised at how small the restaurant was, but nontheless almost every seat in the house was taken on a Thursday night.

We decided to try some appetizers and split them family style. The first thing we tried was the russet fries. I was too eager to eat and missed a picture on this one. All in all, they were good fries. What I really liked were the three different aioli sauces that came with it. One aioli had incorporated dill in it which was a nice touch. Next we tried their avocado roll and famous mac' n yease.

 

The avocado roll was on the big side. Definitely hard to put in my mouth and chew, but it was pretty good. Although they didn't have chopsticks to go with the roll, which Cristine and I found unusual. I forgot how weird it was to eat a sushi roll with a fork! Anywho, the mac n' yease was really the star of the night. I can see why it's famous; it's super freaking delicious! Even better than a normal mac' n cheese, and I should know because it's one of my favorite comfort foods. I will highly recommend this place just for this appetizer (which I think should really be an entree because it was so tiny!).

For dessert we had the cheesecake. One bite of it and I was shocked. How can this be vegan, it tastes like the real thing? Clearly, Plum Bistro exceeded my expectations, so if you're on the lookout for a vegan joint in Seattle, this is the place to go.

Happy Christmas!

Cheers to another Christmas! 

Christmas 2014

This was Michael and I's second Christmas together. Can you believe that? Time sure flies! Just last year I was posting about Christmas 2013 here!

Christmas 2013

Not too much has changed from these two photos besides our longer hair. Again, we spent Christmas with Michael's family and celebrated his brother-in-law's birthday. As usual it was a grand time filled with warmth, love, wine, good company, and such great food!

But before heading over to his parent's house, Michael and I had a little Christmas celebration of our own. Christmas morning I woke up super early! We had forgotten to turn off all of our weekly alarms so I was bright-eyed by six-thirty. It was agonizing waiting for Michael to wake up (as you can tell I'm very impatient when it comes gifts!). You see, last year we went shopping and picked out what we wanted for Christmas from each other, but this year I had no clue what I would be getting (though I had a few guesses). Michael wouldn't even put my gift under the tree and kept it hidden all week so I that I would be unable to shake it and use my deductive reasoning skills.

When 7:40 came around, I could wait no longer! I kissed Michael good-morning and jumped out of bed shouting Happy Christmas!

When the sleepy Michael appeared, he handed me this little box. And we all know what a little box means, right?

A very beautiful necklace!

I love it! Not to mention, I got a gift certificate for a massage! A Happy Christmas indeed!

Unlike Michael, I am terrible at surprises or secrets. I wear all my emotions on my face, making me very easy to read. So Michael guessed what I had got him two weeks prior to Christmas. Nonetheless, I appreciated his feigned enthusiasm!

After gifts I got to work on making brunch: mimosas, bacon, and baguette french toast with strawberries, bananas, and pomegranates. Yum!

Blaire also had a good Christmas. Thanks to some doggy friends of his, he got some neat toys too!

I hope you all had a Happy Christmas with your family and friends! How did you spend your Christmas this year? Comment below or answer in a post on your blog :)

My First Real Tree

Growing up, we never had a real Christmas tree. We had a six-foot faux tree that I loved taking out and setting up every year with my mom or my sisters. This year, however, I wanted a real tree! Just because I never had one before. So once we returned to Seattle, Michael and I set out to the tree farm in Redmond to pick one out.

The day was super cold! Below freezing with still a dusting of snow from the previous day, but I was persistent and we bundled up.

We walked around the farm for a good twenty minutes while drinking cider. I was really picky. I wanted the perfect tree for my first, and then I finally found it! So perfectly triangular, bright color, and a great smell!

I was completely surprised at how hard it was to saw down the tree. I hardly made a dent so Michael ended up doing it all.

After tying the tree down, we headed to Target to get some lights and ornaments. Then, voila! A very merry apartment!

 

 

What kind of tree do you prefer? Comment below :)

It's cold outside.

We've hit low 40s and 30s in Seattle. And man is it cold! So cold, I ended up getting a cold. Haha. Did you get it?

Poor Michael, he's had to deal with me in a crummy mood as well as being sick. Yesterday I stayed home and ate, slept, and hydrated while watching Netflix. I get cold super easy so I buried myself under my heat blanket (if you don't have one, get one! They are so warm and cozy!). Blaire loves beeing warm so he ended up cuddling and sleeping with me.

When Michael came home after work, he presented me with a space heater, but I think Blaire loves it more than I do.

How are you keeping warm this winter?

All dressed up in white

Just before going to bed last night I asked Michael to keep the blinds open.

"Why?" he asked.

"Because I want to see the snow!"

I had such a hard time sleeping too. Maybe it was all of the excitement, because I have never seen snow fall since I was like three or four years old, so it kind of meant a big deal!

I woke up around 6:30 a.m., the usual time I get up for work. I opened my eyes, and the sky was pink and orange, but lo and behold there was snow! Being the responsible person I am, I called work to see what time the office was opening (two hours later due to the snow) before launching myself outside to see it!

View from the balcony, looking down into the street.

"It's snowing, honey! It's snowing, honey!" I exclaimed as I threw on whatever would cover and keep me warm. "I have to go and see!"

"Be careful," he mumbled as he rolled onto his other side, continuing to sleep.

On my way down the elevator, I called my mom, waking her up to share the news. Then went outside to walk in it and take a ton of photos!

Stepping out into it! Look at that early morning sky!

7 am, just got out of bed, yet happy as a clam!

Snow falling.

Covering the grass.

Catching snow.

It sparkles!

Some snow in my hair after my walk.

I came back into the apartment so spritely and excited then proceeded to wake Michael by showing him my photos. It was so hard to sit still, so I went back out again to the top deck and took even more photos. The sky finally turned blue as it woke up and voila! Seattle all dressed up in white!

Untouched snow on the rooftop deck.

Getting my footprints in.

The whole skyline, with the Space Needle's lighted Christmas tree on the far right.

Beautiful. It was a good morning for me and a great way to start my Friday! I came back to my apartment, taking in the scene before making pancakes for breakfast!

Can't get enough of it! View from the balcony window.

Such in great spirits that I made blueberry gluten free pancakes topped with sliced bananas and agave nectar.

Blair watching snow for the first time!

Michael snapped this one of me when I wasn't looking.

Happy Friday Everyone!