Not Merely Living

These Days

are full. 

Whirlwind seems to be a word I used a lot to describe my life lately. The days have been jam packed and joy-filled, and it’s not going to slow down any time soon. Our work and social calendars are slammed this month.

I had an incredible long weekend. I celebrated a birthday and a wedding, took advantage of some much needed nephew time, and got to celebrate mother’s day with my mom (something I haven’t done in years).

Thursday night, my lovely friend Stacy celebrated her birthday with a lovely dinner underneath the bridge and the stars. The evening was just simply magical.

These days . . . are blooming

Yes, yes they are. I feel like I always think about "stopping to smell the roses," but I don't always stop to appreciate the buds. Today I saw that little bud, and it stopped me in my tracks.

These Days

I had a jam packed weekend filled with good food, knitting, reading, and handlettering!

>Friday night, the hubs and I kicked off our weekend with a delicious dinner at Locanda:

These Days

These Days

I sure do love a long weekend. Getting that extra day is just magical. This weekend was the first time that Viet and I have been together for blocks of time for almost a month now. He got back from a long work trip to India last Sunday, so this was our first weekend home together. 

This may not be the case for other folks, but for us, it always takes us a little while to readjust to each other when we've been a part for a significant amount of time.  It doesn't matter how well we know each other or how much time we've been together, I always seem to forget key things about living together and successfully communicating with one another. We are so different, and I think when we're apart we revert back to our natural ways of being (that are on pretty opposite poles).  

When we come back together, it often feels like we're starting back at ground zero for a few days.  We spent most of the day on Saturday readjusting to being together for long blocks of unplanned time (the best kind!). Thankfully, by the end of the day, we had it down, and we settled back into our groove. I just think that's such a funny thing. For me, living with a partner doesn't come naturally. It makes me happy, and I enjoy it (I'm an extreme extrovert). But it takes a lot of practice and actively trying to be more selfless (which isn't easy y'all). 

We had a lovely long weekend aside from our readjustment period :). Friday night I went to see Cloud Atlas at the Castro Theater. I really loved the book, but I have to say I was equally impressed with the movie. We got to see family on Saturday when we made a quick trip up to Napa to celebrate Tet. Sunday we went to brunch at Absinthe (get the cinamon roll if you ever go-trust me) and took a little ride on Viet's scooter (making a stop at Miette to pick up some chocolate flowers). 

Most Sunday evenings we have Sunday Supper with several of our friends. It has become a beloved weekly tradition. This past  Sunday evening, we had an extra special Sunday Supper because our dear friends Amit and Casey made dinner to thank folks for helping with their wedding. It was not surprisingly delicious (they're amazing cooks), and as always, it's nice to just relax with friends and enjoy good food and laughs. 

Yesterday, the gloomy weather returned, but I was able to be super productive in spite of the lack of sunshine inspiration. I wrote several posts for the week, made jambalaya (recipe on Wed!), and I even made time to watch the movie Brave (so good). I ended my long weekend relaxing with friends. 

Happy Tuesday y'all,

This Weekend: In the Snow

This weekend we were in Tahoe, and we had such a fun time!

I didn't grow up in the snow, so being in it always put me in awe. The sun and the sky and the water were all simply magical this weekend.

And in my fearless, adventuring way, I love skiing. Even when I don't. :) The hot chocolate and chili breaks sure do help. It was the perfect winter weekend filled with new friends, shenanigans, and wonder. 

Also epic margaritas at Hacienda del lago.  Tahoe, I hope we see you again soon.

Happy Monday friends,

 

This Weekend

 We went up to Napa to commemorate 100 days since Viet's uncle's passing. It was nice to be with all the family and to remember a great man. We also played with a puppy.

 We made Pho. It was really good. Check back for the recipe on Wednesday.

 I gave the blog a much needed facelift. What do you think?

 We took a walk to the paint store to pick up some color samples for my new business cards (!).

 I finally started to feel recovered from last week's flu disaster. It was nice to be able to get out Saturday night to celebrate a friend's birthday. The lights of the city were beautiful.

 Happy Monday,

Merry and Bright

We have arrived safely in Alabama. We had quite a difficult red-eye last night. It was raining on both sides of the country, and we were on two of the most turbulent flights I've been on in a while. 

Nevertheless, I think that made me even more excited and grateful to finally make it home to my family in Alabama.

We had a sweet, quiet weekend celebrating our first married christmas:

>We officially entered into vacation mode. 

>On Saturday, I had an epic girls day with Shappy and Lisa having brunch at the historic Sears Fine Foods, getting our nails done, and doing some light shopping in Union Square.

>There were beautiful skies all over the city, and it was truly magical.

>We ate at the delicious Flour + Water. This place is always packed. We thought we might be able to get in a little bit easier since so many folks in our neighborhood seemed to have left for the holidays.

>On Sunday, we visited with friends who live on the east coast who were in town for the holiday.

>We made our favorite gumbo (with plenty of yummy leftovers for our friends/upstairs neighbors) and had a nice quiet evening just the two of us exchanging gifts and preparing for our travels.

It's about 70 here in the Bama, and the sun is shining.

Tonight our family will be having our annual appetizer dinner (complete with mom's chocolate fountain) and playing dirty santa (white elephant for my California friends). Tomorrow we will have a large dinner and exchange presents. I am so excited this year because my oldest nephew Kai is old enough this year that I think he will really enjoy the Christmas fun.Wednesday we are headed up to Birmingham to see my extended family. 

I am so grateful for my family and friends this holiday season. And I'm also grateful for you. Thanks for reading. It means a lot. I'm sending you all lots of love and joy today.

Whether or not you are celebrating,  I hope your day is Merry and Bright.

lots of twinkling love and a few ho, ho, hos-

This Weekend: Winter Wedding in the OC

At Nghia & Aline's Wedding Reception-love this picture of us

This weekend we were in Orange County visiting with Viet's family and attending another amazing #Vu-tang Wedding. 

As usual, we had an epicly good time. 

Viet and his cousins (Thanh, Bob, & Binh)

 Binh, Matt, Ruong, & Hinh


Matt, Binh & Viet

Christina & Binh

me and my favorite 3.5 year old, Hailey!

me, Viet & Hailey

The Bride, Groom & the boys

Congrats to Aline & Nghia!! Wishing you many years of bliss-

This Weekend

We had Prom. Also known as our Holiday Party. Also known as #Winterballz. It was Epic. 

On Saturday, we prepped:

and partied:

and on Sunday, we recovered:

Happy Monday friends,