Pennies of the Weekend

Lately, each work week seems to blow by

without enough time to accomplish what needs to get done.

And each weekend,

speeds even faster.

My soul is longing for rest.

Not just rest,

but refreshment.

Rejuvenation.

Not only a chance to relax,

but a chance to re-charge.

I've been trying to find the perfect balance,

but as I do

I've found it even more important

to stop and count the pennies

so to speak

a flirty date night 
delicious food
getting caught up 
a good sale + a gift card 
a mini workout 
the warm sun on my legs
 a good book
 familiar faces
another year of life 
new friends 
spontaneous gatherings
 late night girl chats
 sleeping in
 a nostalgic breakfast
college softball world series
 the way Jeremiah looked at me on our drive
texts from sweet friends
games on the patio 
surprisingly flexible schedules
family
 ice cream cones. double scoop 
open windows

Date 19: Bo Beau + the Driving Range

Some of our best friends have been boasting about Bo Beau for almost a year now

and we were so excited to finally head down to OB to try it last night.

Just looking at the menu alone,

it was completely clear to me why they recommended this place.

But once we tasted it,

I almost felt like we needed to send them a huge thank you package.

As we normally do when trying out new places,

we ordered a spread of several different things to try.

To start, the cornbread madeleines 

with pumpkin butter, mixed berry jam and jalepeno-cinnamon coulis.

I wasn't sure it could get much better than that.

But of course it did.

With their signature crispy brussels sprouts 

drizzled in pancetta, parmesan and blasamic.

After every bite, I'm pretty sure I said

"why have I never had brussels sprouts before!?"

Probably because most brussels sprouts are served plain 

on your childhood dinner plate that already has ribs and mashed potatoes on it.

Why pick those darn sprouts over the good stuff?

But seriously. I don't care 

if you've had the worst experience in the world with brussels sprouts.

Order these. Please.

We wrapped up our dinner with the chorizo flatbread

and an order of the leek macaroni and cheese

(I mean really, if it's on the menu.. I order it. Every. Time.)
before we headed to the driving range.

I have very vague memories of playing at the driving range as a kid,
but it's safe to assume I wasn't actually doing any golfing.

It was so fun to have Jeremiah teach me how to swing.
Aside from put-put, I've never hit a golf ball before
and let me tell you... it's quite different than hitting a softball.

He was so gentle and patient as he taught me,
and his little flirty comments made me feel
like a giddy girl on a first or second date.
I loved it.

Not only did I gain a new admiration
for anyone who can get that little ball to the hole,
 but all that golfing made me think of my Gram and Papa
whose love for golf paled only in comparison
to their love for their family.
It was so fun to be trying something they have loved all these years.
And all that thinking of Grammy
made me crave an orange push-up popsicle like she always used to buy me.

After a stop at the local 7-11,
it was home to snuggle on the couch
for Wednesday's episode of Revenge.


It was a night filled with satisfied taste buds,
and a satisfied soul.


Again, please?

Date 18: Bruski

Between Jeremiah's busy work schedule 

and softball playoffs for the team I was coaching,

the two weeks that had passed since Date 17 warranted another date ASAP.

And really, what better way to cheer up a Monday

than with a little date, right?

So... Jeremiah and I met up for drinks and burgers after work on Monday

at a little local place called Bruski in Scripps Ranch.

Getting to drive to dates together is definitely my favorite,

but there's still something so special about going to meet Jeremiah after work.

I get little excited butterflies in my stomach.

Anywho...

The little restaurant was nothing special.

It's just a little neighborhood place

with beer, burgers and a few TVs.

But it was so nice to sit face to face,

talk about our days,

what's driving us crazy and what we're looking forward to,

and to know that we do this life together.

The pulled pork sandwich was a plus. :)

Date 17: National Comedy Theatre

 When Jeremiah and I decided to hit up the National Comedy Theater in Mission Hills,

we just knew we had to invite my sister for a double.

My sister is one of the funnies people I know

and she has a real love for live performances. 

If you're looking for some fun entertainment,

I'd definitely recommend the NCT.

They have nightly improv shows each weekend

that are not only different every night,

but that are also filled with clean humor.

Plus, there a billion tasty restaurants nearby:

Saffron, Lucha Libre...

and several others on our list of places to try.

Date 16: Searsucker

 This date was a little special

because Jeremiah came up with it all on his own.

We've always wanted to try out Searsucker downtown,

but when Jeremiah heard they'd be opening up to serve Sunday brunch,

he suggested we make a date out of it.

Good choice.

I mean, really?

What better way to enjoy a Sunday after church

than to go for a little stroll downtown

and eat some dang good food. 

I ordered the Green Eggs and Ham

while Jeremiah ordered a Lobster Scramble.

We shared that there pile of hashbrown delight

by ordering what they call One Foot in the Grave.

We also ordered a couple of their mimosas

(well, Jeremiah got a manmosa. :))

But to be quite honest, weren't terribly in love with them.

Didn't matter.

The food was delicious and the decor was so fun.

It kinda reminded me of a chic Cucina Urbana.

We haven't had their dinners yet,

but I've heard their absolutely fabulous.

Date 15: Slater's 50/50

To be fair, we stopped into Slater's when the Kruegers were in town

to grab a couple beers at the bar,

but when we took one look at the menu,

we knew we HAD to come back for a date night.

Slater's 50/50 specializes in custom burgers

and the 50/50 part?

Oh, that's referring to their signature patty that's 50% Beef and 50% Bacon.

Any place with Bacon salt on the table? Winner!

We started off with an order of their Vampire Dip

which for anyone who has ever heard me sing the praises of The Brig's crab & cheese fondue

Slater's Vampire Dip is like the fondue's freakin sister.

It's OUTOFTHISWORLDGOOD.

Good thing we decided to share a burger,

because I drank that dip in like a famished little girl in the dessert.

The burger we made started out with a jalapeno and garlic infused patty,

added pepper jack cheese, green chilies, onion rings and chipotle aioli.

We split the darn burger and it was still bigger than our faces.

If your a fan of sweet potato fries, 

I'd definitely recommend theirs too.

It comes with a pumpkin pie dipping sauce

that'll make you think you're eating dessert for dinner.

Have a boyfriend? husband? dad? male neighbor?

Every man should try Slater's at least once in his life.

You'll earn major points for introducing him to this place.

Date 14: Santee Drive-in

So, I have to admit...

we were two of those people

who went to see Hunger Games

without reading the books first.

I know, we're lame.

But...

We absolutely loved it

and have since bought and read the books.

Anywho, we hadn't been to the Drive-in since we were kids

and neither of us to the one in Santee

so we thought it'd be fun to head down there after dinner one night

and catch a showing of Hunger Games under the stars.

We picked up some popcorn and red vines,

snuggled up with blankets in our car

and absolutely loved the whole Drive-in experience.

The last time I had been, 

you still had to roll down your window and clip the speaker on.
But apparently these days, you just tune your radio to the right station

and you can stay snuggled warm in your car 

without a peep from the crying baby in the neighboring car.

I must have said at least ten times that night

"Oh my gosh, this is so dang fun!

We should have brought your Letterman's jacket!!"

Have you gone to the Drive-in?

Totally recommended for one of those movies

that you don't have to see in IMAX 3D.

Date 13: Cucina Urbana

At the end of March, some of our favorite people 

came down from Morro Bay to spend the weekend with us.

We picked up some delicious meats and cheeses from Venissimo  

(think black truffle salami, manchego and white truffle honey. #yummo!) 

and picnicked along the bay at the Embarcadero. 

We played cards, enjoyed good conversation 

and drank beer while we watched March Madness.

But the best part I think... was dinner at Cucina Urbana. 

(Gosh, I'm drooling just thinking about it.)

This Anthroesque restaurant nestled just outside of Balboa Park 

has got the most beautiful interior decorating and even better food.

As we tend to do when trying out new restaurants, 

we went with the "Sample Everything" approach.

We ordered gorgonzola walnut mouse + poached pear 

which was served in a mason jar alongside Tuscan toast. 

We savored the stuffed fried squash blossoms with herb ricotta, 

purple basil pesto and cured lemon aioli (#todiefore). 

We sampled their pizzas (though I swear I could have ordered half of them!) 

and for dessert, the zeppole (Italian style donut holes) 

with cinnamon chocolate and limoncello inglese. 

Salivating yet?

The picture doesn't do this justice at ALL.

But my goodness, eat here.

Date 12: California Avocado Grill

Every Friday during Summer, Grand Avenue in Escondido 

flashes back to something from decades past.

People bring their hot rods, the little shops stay open later, and locals stroll the streets.

Jeremiah and I went to the opening night of Cruisin' Grand back in March.

Even though I grew up in Escondido, 

I had only been to Cruisin' Grand once or twice 

and I didn't really remember it much.

This time, we stopped in at a new restaurant that recently opened up: 

The California Avocado Grill.

As I'm sure you guessed, Avocados are an ingredient in every dish on their menu: 

Chips + Guac, Tortilla Soup, Burgers, Sandwiches, Fish Tacos, 

and... the Cali Slaw Dog. #yeahgirl

This brat covered in BBQ Sauce, Coleslaw and Guacamole was yummo! 

The service was almost unbearably slow, 

but I just attributed that to a new restaurant on it's first night of Cruisin' Grand. 

I'm sure it'll get better.

Plus, Jeremiah weren't in a hurry anyway. 

We were just strolling down the streets, people watching, 

and stopping in at shops like the Rustic Sparrow (swoon). 

It was a nice little date night.

Date 11: C Level

For Date #11, we decided to switch things up a bit.
Double Date.

It was a crazy windy day,
but we decided to head down to the bay anyway.

(I mean really, I had had my heart set on Lobster Mac all week.)

C-Level is nestled right there on the water
and is one of Dan + Erin's favorites.
I'm still not sure why we've just never been there.

The view sells itself.
And the Lobster Mac? Um, yes please!

Name them, I must.

After a week from you-know-where,  I was challenged to name my blessings this weekend. How richly blessed I am.

- an encouraging conversation with someone at work

- an after lunch treat from a thoughtful co-worker

- a compliment and token of gratitude

- the thoughtful deeds of my ma

- pick and choose mac n' cheese

- cuddling with my best friend

- finishing my book

- an adrenaline rush

- a daddy who invites his son in law to breakfast and a round of golf

- free breakfast

- a championship game

- sunburnt shoulders

- a long distance phone call

- no wait at dinner

- a strong margarita

- a stop at the beach

- beautiful pictures

- ice cream sundaes

- friends at church

- the gospel via music and a slap in the face

- babies. babies. cute and well behaved.

- lunch for two < $5

- anticipation of a weekend away

- an afternoon nap

- shopping for others

- driving by the beach, windows down, music blaring

- the San Diego skyline

- friends from far away

- more babies.

- gorgeous views

- warm weather

- the eyes of a faithful follower 

- a messy craft room