Catalina Island

A couple of weeks ago Matt and I snuck off for a long weekend getaway to Catalina Island. Catalina is a small island off the southern California coast, which is accessible by ferry.   The island is about 80% undeveloped (don’t quote me on that) and everything is walkable. 

Before Matt got back we talked for months about finally taking a honeymoon (three years later) and setting off for the Caribbean, Mexico, or Hawaii.  But when he returned, reality quickly set in.  We had four days to plan and with so many fun trips back East planned over the next couple of months, we had to scale back the plans.  I’d say Catalina wasn’t too bad of a plan B (or C or D).

Basically we drove an hour north, dropped off our car, boarded the ferry, and escaped.  We spent the next couple of days drinking Buffalo Milk on Descanso Beach, biking around on our rented beach cruisers, zip lining through the Island, enjoying hot fudge-y ice cream cones, reading lazy beach books, waking up to Chai lattes and hot coffee, laughing at the Karaoke bar, and just having a really good time.  

A little advice for those living or traveling to California – Catalina is an amazing weekend getaway!  Perfect for a short, but fulfilling, vacation.

Catalina fun fact: There is a limit to how many cars can be on the Island – currently there is a 14-year waiting list (credit to Wikipedia for that one).  Golf carts are the main source of transportation.  

Here are some shots from our vaca...

the view from our hotel room

more catalina

this is what relaxation looks like

nightly stop for beers and karaoke

classic beach cruiser pose

matt's turn

summer.

lovers cove

gettin ready to hit the zipline

zipping around the island

trying the burt reynolds

buffalo milk - drinks of the island

last treat of vacation - ice cream in laguna beach

Top Brews

Sometimes my job is just a job that involves too many hours, too much work, and stress. Other times it definitely has its perks and I get to do some pretty cool things!

Recently we helped sponsor the New Jersey Beer Festival, which our distributor in North NJ organizes. So it's not the whole state of NJ and its only the beers that they distribute...but it draws a big crowd and has a great selection of events and beers. It's hosted in a really nice part of the state...yes there are nice parts of new jersey! Far north and west...in a small town of Hamburg is a gorgeous ski/golf resort and spa, Crystal Springs. It has many hotels, restaurants, lodging options, golf courses, and other activities. 

one of the golf course holes Nick played at Crystal Springs

Friday night we were part of a food and beer event with the top New Jersey chefs. A real Top Chef was paired with Sam Adams! Kevin Sbraga who won season 7 Of Bravos's Top Chef in Washington DC, served a delicious salmon sashimi with a mango jicama salsa, nitrogen frozen yogurt and topped with chili oil. It was paired with Sam Adams Summer Ale which was a great pairing! Kevin talked about and served his dish while I served and talked about the beer. He was super nice and fun to hang out with for the evening. Since I have literally watched Top Chef since season 1, I was pretty psyched to hang out with him.

Kevin with his dish and a Sam Summer

plating

one of my reps, Melissa, myself and Kevin

a top chef plating!

 Saturday was the big beer festival...under a tent, filled with beer and food tables with an awesome Philly cover band (Lima Bean Riot) for entertainment. The weather was beautiful, not too hot. My team had 3 tables for our 3 Boston Beer brands, Sam Adams, Angry Orchard, and Twisted Tea. We set up, poured, and talked to beer fest goers all afternoon. It was definitely fun! 

my NJ team! At the festival...Rob, Melissa and myself. sweet cooler turned cold plate.

our lovely Sam Adams table...takes skill to decorate like this :)

pregnant lady taking a break...some non-pregnant drunk stole my chair.

I've used cases of beer as a seat more times than I count...always sturdy.

8 months pregnant and pouring beer...so appropriate.  people were actually

so nice..."you look great!" "when are you due?" "having children is the best thing in the world!"

Tip for all you beer lovers...the big thing with beer this summer is cans...most craft breweries are canning thier beers which is great for the pool, beach, boat and golf course. Try leinenkeugals summer canned variety pack...summer shandy is pretty good. Favorites like Harpoon and Sierra Nevadad are in cans this summer, along with one of my favorite brews, Kona Longboard Lager. 

Cheers from New Jersey!

Parents' Week

Kind of like those good ole college Parents' Weekend, but a few days longer.

 

One of the best things about living in San Diego is that it is a vacation destination and there is never a shortage of friends and family wanting to take advantage (as I’m sure that you have seen through my ongoing visitor blog posts)!  My mom and dad are no exception.  They have already been out here a couple of times.  It doesn’t hurt that they used to live here and still have some of their best friends out here.  But I choose to believe that they are planning their trips solely around the fact that their favorite daughter, son-in-law, and grand puppy live here!

Right before Matt got back, my Dad was out here for two weeks (oh, the joys of retirement) and my Mom for one week (oh, the joys of being a teacher and having summer vacation).  I absolutely love having them here and already have plans for the next time that they come back. But on this trip we were able to cross off food truck dinners, Stone Brewery tours, Padres baseball game, learning Margaritaville on the guitar, cross-stitching, and dog park visits. 

Already counting down the days until the next visit…   

one of our favorite things - trying beer

stone brewery - a must see while in san diego

the only time i have ever seen my mom trying a beer - she is a wine lady!

i figured you hadn't seen this face in a while!

mom and dad.

me and mom - she's the best

my family - love them!

Matt's Back!

One week ago - Matt returned from deployment.  We had our first homecoming ceremony last Thursday and it did not disappoint.  The ship was welcomed home with banners, balloons, flowers, kisses, and hugs.  Matt was welcomed home with sloppy Sadie kisses, cupcakes, craft beer, and lots of love. 

There is nothing quite like seeing someone for the first time after months of being apart.  I have tried to write what it was like – the anticipation, the butterflies, the nerves, the excitement – but words don’t do it justice.  If I had to choose one emotion that stuck out from the rest it would be pride.  I was so proud of Matt seeing him in his uniform coming home from serving our country, proud of myself for making it through this first deployment, proud of all of our family that has served in the military and have been through these homecomings time after time, proud to be standing among the families (spouses, children, parents, siblings, etc.) that have sacrificed time and moments with their loved ones, and I was proud to be an American (I know, I know...cue Lee Greenwood) standing there among all of these young men and women that chose a life in the military.  I hope that I never forget that moment and the sense of pride that came along with it. 

As far as deployment goes, this was the first of many.  There are plenty of moments that we will not be able to share together, but there are many that we will and that is what we chose to focus on.  We have become stronger because of this deployment.  We have a better appreciation for each other and our time together.  It is funny – the things you miss – walking Sadie together, making dinners, pizza and wine nights, Sunday tea. This week we will fill our time with these everyday routines – these things that we so often take for granted.  We will be together – again!

Here are a few homecoming shots...

his ship is coming around the corner

it's back!

raising the flag

i spy with my little eye - my husband!

look closely and that is matt saluting the flag

love it.

welcome home margs!

Welcome Home!

You have probably noticed a glaring absence in my pictures over the last couple of months - Matt!  He has actually been on deployment since February.  I will have much more on that later, but the good news is that he is coming home today!  

In just a few hours, I will leave to wait with hundreds of other families to welcome him and his fellow Navy guys and gals home. You have no idea how many times I have imagined this day and now it is here!  I promise to take lots of pictures and share them with you all.

Now I am off to get ready and welcome this guy home...FINALLY!

  

Kris Gets Hitched!

Without a doubt the most exciting thing to happen over the last couple of weeks was my sister-in-law's wedding.  She is a married gal now!  The wedding was absolutely beautiful and so much fun.  They did such a great job planning - from the afternoon tea at the Jefferson Hotel (some of the best tea I have ever had!), to the Virginia is for Lovers peanuts, to the photo booth antics at the wedding, the delicious food, and rockin' band.  All the details, big and small, were perfect.  Just like the bride and groom!

Here are a few shots that I snuck on the phone...

the wedding party - ready to start the wedding festivities 

the beautiful bride

mother and daughter

father and daughter dance

the happy couple

mom and dad in laws

me and my sis-in-law (isn't she gorgeous!)

look who i got to hang out with - my brother and sis-to-be

stealing a little more time together!