Then it was time to burn off some of those calories from lunch with a hike. We found Villa Montalvo in Saratoga and enjoyed our hike up to the look out point.
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
This Beautiful Moment
We had a great time Saturday afternoon, starting with lunch at La Cueva. After living in San Antonio for over seven years, I am still adjusting from Tex Mex to Cali Mex. The green salsa and tacos at this restaurant won me over.
Then it was time to burn off some of those calories from lunch with a hike. We found Villa Montalvo in Saratoga and enjoyed our hike up to the look out point.
I played with the panoramic photo option on my iPhone.
The grounds include an art center and concert venue and some creativity spilled over into the trail signs. I am looking forward to returning in the spring when the gardens will be in bloom.
Then it was time to burn off some of those calories from lunch with a hike. We found Villa Montalvo in Saratoga and enjoyed our hike up to the look out point.
Monday, January 21, 2013
Saturday Around the Bay
Our Saturday morning started with some pancakes at home in the South Bay. One of Alex's favorite shows right now is Sid the Science Kid, and we recently watched an episode about pancakes. Alex helps me cook sometimes and is learning to crack eggs.
Later that morning, we headed to San Francisco. After rainy and then cold weather, we had beautiful weather with highs in the 60's. (It was actually cold enough to scrape frost off the cars multiple mornings!) John had wanted to try the American Grilled Cheese Kitchen for a while now. Lunch was yummy and then we found a park nearby.
Alex conquered the big slide!
After lunch and playground time, we drove to the Northwest corner of San Francisco to Lands End for the spectacular views and some hiking. Alex got to play in the ruins of Sutro Baths. It is a beautiful park with amazing views!
Then we headed to the East Bay to have dinner with Matt in Berkeley. We made it back to a restaurant that we visited on my first trip to the Bay Area in 2011, Saturn Cafe. It was a fun day, but we were tired by the time we arrived back home in the South Bay.
Later that morning, we headed to San Francisco. After rainy and then cold weather, we had beautiful weather with highs in the 60's. (It was actually cold enough to scrape frost off the cars multiple mornings!) John had wanted to try the American Grilled Cheese Kitchen for a while now. Lunch was yummy and then we found a park nearby.
After lunch and playground time, we drove to the Northwest corner of San Francisco to Lands End for the spectacular views and some hiking. Alex got to play in the ruins of Sutro Baths. It is a beautiful park with amazing views!
Then we headed to the East Bay to have dinner with Matt in Berkeley. We made it back to a restaurant that we visited on my first trip to the Bay Area in 2011, Saturn Cafe. It was a fun day, but we were tired by the time we arrived back home in the South Bay.
Monday, January 14, 2013
Still settling in...
One year ago today, Alex and I moved to California. We had one way airline tickets from San Antonio, Texas to San Jose, California. John had moved out here about a month before us to begin his new job.
There have been so many changes in the past year. I started a new job as an academic advisor at San Jose State University and Alex started a new preschool/daycare. We had family and friends come out to visit. We took a trip to Disneyland. We have met lots of new people and visited new places. I taught a freshmen seminar class in the fall. We moved to a rental house. We wrapped up the year visiting our family and friends in Ohio.
After all of these changes and new things, I still need some time to settle in to life in California. Maybe another year? Along the way, I am trying to learn, grow, and enjoy it all.
There have been so many changes in the past year. I started a new job as an academic advisor at San Jose State University and Alex started a new preschool/daycare. We had family and friends come out to visit. We took a trip to Disneyland. We have met lots of new people and visited new places. I taught a freshmen seminar class in the fall. We moved to a rental house. We wrapped up the year visiting our family and friends in Ohio.
After all of these changes and new things, I still need some time to settle in to life in California. Maybe another year? Along the way, I am trying to learn, grow, and enjoy it all.
Sunday, January 13, 2013
Cooking
Our goal of creating a healthy lifestyle has involved more cooking around here. John and I have both been doing more cooking and have been buying less processed foods.
Last weekend, John made Alton Brown's French Onion Soup. It was quite yummy and filling!
I had a variety of ingredients on-hand and found a Chicken Black Bean Soup recipe, which we all enjoyed. I have actually been using some of the recipes that I pinned on Pinterest!
I did start the new year with a bad cold, but I have slowly been starting on my goals for 2013.
Last weekend, John made Alton Brown's French Onion Soup. It was quite yummy and filling!
I had a variety of ingredients on-hand and found a Chicken Black Bean Soup recipe, which we all enjoyed. I have actually been using some of the recipes that I pinned on Pinterest!
I did start the new year with a bad cold, but I have slowly been starting on my goals for 2013.
Sunday, January 6, 2013
Goals for 2013
I started thinking about my 2013 goals on the way to Ohio. During our trip I decided to chose CREATE as my "one little word" for 2013 and use this word to frame my goals for the year.
In the freshmen seminar class I taught about setting SMART goals. Your goals and their corresponding objectives should be Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and have a Timeline.
The timeline for all of my goals is one year, and I plan to check on my progress and blog about my goals every three months.
Here are my goals for 2013:
1. Create a healthy lifestyle for me and my family:
Plan healthy dinners for my family and try new recipes.
Track my calories for at least one month.
Focus on eating more fruits and vegetables each day
Exercise at least 3 times a week.
Lose 10% of my current weight.
2. Create balance between work, family, and fun:
I joined a local Stamp Club for fun. Besides this, I do not have set objectives for this goal. This one I will have to figure out as I go through the year.
3. Create (literally):
Find time to scrapbook or stamp each week.
(Re)learn to sew
Submit at least 3 cards for online or magazine publication
In the freshmen seminar class I taught about setting SMART goals. Your goals and their corresponding objectives should be Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and have a Timeline.
The timeline for all of my goals is one year, and I plan to check on my progress and blog about my goals every three months.
Here are my goals for 2013:
1. Create a healthy lifestyle for me and my family:
Plan healthy dinners for my family and try new recipes.
Track my calories for at least one month.
Focus on eating more fruits and vegetables each day
Exercise at least 3 times a week.
Lose 10% of my current weight.
2. Create balance between work, family, and fun:
I joined a local Stamp Club for fun. Besides this, I do not have set objectives for this goal. This one I will have to figure out as I go through the year.
3. Create (literally):
Find time to scrapbook or stamp each week.
(Re)learn to sew
Submit at least 3 cards for online or magazine publication
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)