Pismo Beach

My aunt Jana invited us back to Pismo Beach this year for her birthday.  Well, to be quite honest... I don't know if she invited us... I just sorta told her she better invite us.  She has started a tradition of celebrating her birthday at a friends beach house in Pismo Beach and we've been invited every other year.  This year, Cory was able to join us and my mom and aunt Lori were there too!

We were actually only there for 2 days, so why does our car look like we will be gone for a week?

 Since our last trip there was so much fun, we decided to enjoy the same activities this time with Cory.  That included the beach (in February! HA!)

 Grant sliding down the sand dunes... 

 The Monarch Butterfly reserve... 

 and the Elephant seals... 

A good time was had by all!

Romantic Dinner for...11?

My dinner partner Amy and I were up for hosting in the month of February.  We put together a romantic dinner... as romantic as it can get with 11 people.  We promised our guests chocolate, roses, hearts and lots of love!

Amy was in charge of the menu and I was in charge of the decor.  I asked her to make this cute burlap table runner.  She had made one for Christmas so I begged her to make us a Valentine's Day one.  

Saw this cute LOVE banner on Pinterest...

I had fun decorating the table.  

 And making our Valentine menus... 

We had a good idea to make good table conversation by putting a romantic type question on the back of each of the tags tied to the flowers.  It was way fun!

Appetizers: Artichoke &Parmesan Crostini and Strawberry Balsamic Crostini

 Soup: Tomato Basil with a touch of creme fraiche

 Main Course: Brown sugar &Chocolate Balsamic Pork, Three cheese Polenta and marinated grilled asparagus

Dessert: Pots de Creme, Chocolate meringue, Raspberry rosewater cupcakes and a classic frosted sugar cookie.

For the recipes... see our food blog Karrotsticks