HOSTESS WITH THE MOSTEST

Something I love to do is play hostess. Luckily, our ward is filled with many talented women who enjoy doing the same thing, and a lot who wanted to learn more tips and tricks when doing so. We decided this would be a great activity to learn from the many talented women in our ward and make a party out of it. We invited all to participate in an hors d'oeuvre contest, and view examples of hosting ranging from centerpieces to fruit displays. Lela, as always, pulled out all the stops with our beautiful display table, which made it almost impossible to think we were in the seminary room. It was a great activity filled with fun, friends, and too many yummy foods to choose from. The winner (and one of my favorites) was Stephanie's mini chicken & waffles, which I'm still craving to this day. 

THOUGHTS ON TURNING 25

Twenty Five. 20 + 5. Twenty + Five. 25.

This is one of those ages in high school/early college you just think about. You wonder where will you be. What you will be doing. Who you will be with. Why did you end up there. Now that I'm at "that" number, I can say that my journey to the quarter of a century has been a great one. In my early twenties I graduated college, met, dated, & married, held my first teaching job, moved across the country, and so much more. To celebrate, I have come up with 10 small and simple things I want to accomplish the next year. Just things to make me look back on during a future birthday and think, "Hey, that time in life was pretty great." So cheers to the big 25....I have a feeling it's going to be pretty fantastic.

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• send a hand written note to someone once a week
• participate & journal a 3-5 day juice fast/cleanse
• take an overnight trip somewhere in Southern California
• read the Book of Mormon 3 times 
• eat & journal a list of favorite local San Diego restaurants 
• host a dinner party once a month
• complete & journal 5 exercise "challenges" 
• practice new photography/Photoshop techniques
• bake a pie from scratch 
• attend the temple once a month

A WEEKEND FOR THE BOOKS

This past weekend was the perfect mix of busy & relaxing, which is just the way I like them. Starting out with some Friday Night Lights & a major bum kicking by my brother's high school football team, to a Sunday evening dinner party with friends, we spent a lot of time with family, friends, and food (my 3 favorite "f's"). Saturday was one of those days where staying inside would've just been a crime. I woke up early and took a long bike ride around Coronado Island with Crystal picking out or favorite bungalows and chatting. For lunch we ventured to Liberty Station for the best dang sandwich in town (Con Pane) and a walk around the old navy barracks. Derek and I ended the night with my family before we send Rachel back to school for the year. We surprised her with a favorite treat--mini bunt cakes--and they were quite the hit. Sunday night was the perfect night to sit on the patio with friends for dinner. A perfect weekend, I would dare to say. Practically perfect. 

SUMMER'S LAST WEEKEND

Labor Day Weekend is what most consider the end of summer. Luckily, we've always lived in cities where the end of summer isn't for a long while after that. I see quite a few more weekends at the beach, wearing shorts, and soaking up the rays in our future. But, for everyone else's sake, I guess we will just count this weekend as "the last of the summer". We've had a weekend of  bike rides along Mission Bay, wave riding, a trip to our favorite place, and BBQ eating. Now, if only we could convince the last of the tourists to skedaddle out. I'm ready to have my city back. 

TWO SMITHS COME TO VISIT

This past weekend we had visitors! Trina & Whitney came from Idaho for a quick visit before heading back to school & work for the year. We spent the weekend in all of our favorite San Diego spots-- Old Town, Sea World, the beach, and eating lots and lots of food. We even snuck in a quick visit at the hospital to see Doctor Smith in action. At the beach, we all braved the cold (at least I think it is!) water for some boogie boarding and by the end of the day, I would consider both Trina and Whitney to be pros. Whitney had a goal of learning to surf and stood up on her second try--that girl is amazing! Chalk this one up for the record books kids, I don't know if there is a more fun place to visit then San Diego. Next time, we need to get the whole gang out here for a major party. 

KAYAKING ON THE BAY

I think one of the greatest things about living in San Diego is being able to enjoy the weather year round. Thankfully, sweet Lela, our ward enrichment leader took this into high consideration for our enrichment activity for the month. I love working with her and she is so very talented-- I have a feeling all our activities for the year will be up to this caliber of fun and creativity. This month, she planned for us to kayak in the bay--and it was a major hit with all the wonderful ladies in the ward. It was the perfect evening for chatting, snacking, and getting out on the water. There's just something about the freedom of being out on a {tiny} boat, paddling into the sunset that just sets your mind at ease. Ahh, take me back.