The Morning.

You should know upfront. This is not a love story.

It is no secret that I am not what one would call a "morning person." It really doesn't matter what hour I go to sleep. When I wake up and am forced out of the warm, cozy cocoon that I have built for myself throughout the night, I'm not the most pleasant human. I joke with Daniel that I am not fully myself for the first 30 minutes after I wake up. I need time to process what is going on and why exactly I am no longer asleep. Don't tell me anything important during those first 30 minutes; I won't remember. I can't yet process any information.

So, when a new job opportunity came my way, I had some serious considering to do since a) I would have to be at work an hour earlier and b) I would actually have a commute. Granted, that commute is probably the most beautiful drive possible (the stretch from Santa Monica to Malibu on the PCH). But it still meant I would have to be awake a full two hours earlier than I had to for my old job.

It's not that I don't know that mornings can be beautiful... (Kauai 2011)

When I took the job, I was prepared for the worst version of myself to emerge. No longer could I leisurely roll out of bed at 8:15, eat breakfast, spend 20 minutes picking out my outfit, etc. I knew I would have to economize my time, because each morning minute suddenly became so much more precious.

It has been about 6 weeks, and I am happy to report that I am adjusting. I can't declare my love for the mornings. But I'm finding ways for us to become friendly acquaintances. Here are some of the ways I'm working on our relationship:

• I started picking out my outfits the night before. This is what I used to do for the first days of elementary school. Little did I know what an essential life skill it would become.
• I'm making delicious and healthy breakfast smoothies that only take a couple of minutes to whip up. It's such a simple thing, but it gives me something to look forward to the morning, and it's pretty much fool-proof (and since I'm always still pretty tired, I wouldn't want to mess with a stove.) I love the smoothies from Whole Living and found some other awesome recipes on A Beautiful Mess (like this one.)
• I invested in Spotify Premium because it makes my morning commute 500 times more amazing. I create seasonal playlists with old and new favorites and blast them in my car. The time I get to listen to music in the morning helps me focus, wakes me up and boosts my mood. One benefit of a commute to work is that I now know more music than I did when I drove 3 minutes to my building (Cayucas is a new favorite.)

Here's hoping me and the morning can eventually take our relationship to the next level (gym dates?!)

xo, S

Year One

Last weekend D and I celebrated 365 days of being married. We decided to make a quick getaway to Palm Springs to soak up some sunshine, get massages, and enjoy some a nice meal out together. It was great to have a weekend away with some time to ourselves! 

At dinner on Saturday night, we reflected on the past year and talked about some of our most memorable moments since the wedding. We have had a truly blessed and amazing first year of marriage, but it was not without its challenges. This year brought issues with health, learning about each other's lifestyles, goals and dreams, and figuring out how to stay in tune with God, ourselves and each other. 

Looking back on our wedding day and the passages our godmothers read, I am reminded of why Daniel chose Philippians 4. Verses 11-13 particularly stand out in my mind as applicable to this first year of marriage.

"...I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength."

There have been times we have not been completely content with my circumstances, and have felt frustrated and fearful. We are learning that God has given us everything we need, and that joy does not rely on circumstances but on trusting in God's perfect timing. Daniel has a way of keeping me calm and showing me patience, even when I feel like the timeline I envisioned for us isn't matching up with God's plan.

The passage engraved on my wedding band is Romans 12, and I find that I am constantly meditating on its words, especially verses 10-11:

"Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord."

Honoring Daniel above myself is something I'm in the constant process of learning about. Daniel naturally has a servant's heart, constantly making sure I have everything I need, taking time to make sure I'm feeling okay, cooking us dinners and running errands. He really is a role model for me and shows me how to be the hands and feet of Jesus.

So we are learning. We are learning about each others' flaws, hearts, joys. We are learning about how to find deeper peace and satisfaction in our relationships with God and with each other. Marriage has been really cool and really scary, mostly because you suddenly have someone with you all the time, who knows you better than you know yourself and can truly call you out on the things that you need to work on. But because of that, marriage has made me better. And that has been the biggest blessing of Year One.

Anniversary evening at home-a slice of wedding cake, my gift to Daniel and some wine that was a wedding gift from friends to open on our first anniversary.

Pajaro Dunes: A History

Every other summer since I can remember, my grandparents have rented a house on the coast of Monterey Bay called Pajaro Dunes. It has always felt like our own "secret" spot--I love how quiet and undisturbed it is, just the crashing waves, cool grey skies and salty ocean breezes. All we do when we visit is enjoy the ocean views, hang out at the beach, read books, play games, and eat. To me, being here is total peace and happiness.

Matching outfits have always been a recurring theme for me and Heather.

Amazingly, Daniel and I are coming up on our six years since we started dating, so this was Daniel's third time visiting Pajaro Dunes with me. Our first two trips up there together we weren't able to take more than a weekend trip, so it felt really special to have a whole week to spend with family this time.

Our first trip to Pajaro together in 2009

This latest trip was so anticipated and so relaxing. It always amazes me how every time I come, I can fall even more in love with this place. This is where I experience peace, where I can recharge and focus on what's most important. I appreciate the beauty and the memories that Pajaro Dunes has given me, and only appreciate it more and more as years pass. Below are some of my favorite shots from this year's trip.

Still matching, years later.

xo, S

Summertime

Daniel and I have had a joy-filled past couple of weeks surrounded by our family and friends. D's parents have been visiting from Germany, and we were able to celebrate the 4th of July all together with his family at Lake Mission Viejo. Since Daniel's grandparents recently moved out of their house there, it was the last time the whole family could celebrate there and watch fireworks on the lake.

Grandkids with the Grandparents

Taking photos with the Spainhowers is quite the production. They're so adorable. 

We've also gotten to soak up summer by enjoying the beach (we found our "secret spot" in Santa Monica), indulging in mystery reading, and eating Bay Cities sandwiches.

We are also so excited that wedding season has officially started! This past weekend we went up to Northern California to celebrate friends at my home church. It was a really perfect day (congrats Mr. and Mrs. Fritchle!) and so fun to spend time with my parents, sister, and friends from home. Another perk--getting to work the dessert table (read: taste testing.)

Hope you're soaking up your summer!

xo, S

Dads

To the men in our lives who made us who we are, loved us from the start, and continue to support us and encourage us each and every day: we love you.

With Love

This past weekend was composed of 5 of my favorite friends, my sweet husband, board games, celebrity sightings, 90's movies, good food, ice cream and the biggest day of the year for me, career-wise. I have been working on a 5K breast cancer charity walk for the last 6 months or so, and it was the first time directing all the details of the event so I was nervous. Thankfully I had a fun weekend to look forward to also, because my best friends from home came down for the weekend to go to the walk.

Friday night we had pizza from Grey Block and we got to introduce everyone to the wonders of Quelf. Quelf is fun because there are silly rules to follow and tasks you have to complete to win. For example, every time I drew a card I had to lick my teeth and say "Willy Wonka has arrived." It is a truly bizarre game but in all the best ways (izzle.)

Quelf makes you do interesting things, but really this is just Normal Kelli.

Saturday I had to do load-in for the event, but because my friends were incredible volunteers the whole process took less than an hour. Without their help it definitely would have taken all morning. So we had the entire rest of the day to hang out, so we went to Lemonade for lunch, where we ran into none other than Blake Griffin (and some other NBA players, who no one else recognized except Daniel.) Then we headed down to Venice where we hung out at Muscle Beach and walked the boardwalk. We rounded out the night at C&O's for garlic knots, chianti and a That's Amore serenade.

Every different kind of lemonade at Lemonade

A nice reminder on the Venice sidewalk

Venice canals

At 5 AM on Sunday, D and I rolled out of bed, got ready, drove to Starbucks where I got a peppermint tea to try and settle my nerves, and got to work on the walk. I can honestly say I could not have done any of it without D's constant support. I mean, really. When I feel crazy and stressed out, he's there with a kind word or a Diet Coke or a hug. The event went off without any major hitch, and I was so so grateful that everyone seemed to be having such a great time. That is the most gratifying thing about putting on events, I think--knowing that you provided people a fun time where they made great memories.

5 AM and feeling good!

Family at the photo booth

Thanks to the support of my sweet friends and family who came to the event (thanks Emma, Alyssa, Evan, Sarah, Kelli, Patrice and David!) and everyone who supported me along the way.

After the walk was over, we celebrated with frozen yogurt and I could finally breathe! Thanks D for putting up with me, thanks Vicks for making ZzzQuil, and thanks to Erin and the good people at the Starbucks on Wilshire & 26th for keeping me caffeinated day after day while planning the walk.

xo, S

Spring.

For the Easter weekend, D & I decided to travel up to Northern California to visit my family. I got to see so many friends from high school and my grandparents were able to host their annual Easter Saturday picnic. It is so much fun to have everyone in one place. There is endless barbecuing, drinking and telling stories. No matter what, it's loud and fun and you pretty much just eat yourself into oblivion.

Three things never change at these family functions:

1) Aunt Shirley's deviled eggs, which are divine.

2) Singing the Johnny Appleseed prayer (I had no idea this was not a common Easter prayer until I hit junior high.)

3) A late afternoon viewing of the great Disney cartoon, Mulan.

I like these consistencies. I'm so thankful and feel so blessed that so little has changed over the years. I also love that the fun continued at the "After-Party" at my grandparents house where we were able to stay late into the night playing cards. Truly there is nothing better than playing cards with my grandparents. (Shout-out to my mom who definitely sacrificed some sleep and drove through a rain/lightening storm so we could stay so late when she had to wake up at 5 AM to sing at our Easter sunrise service. Mom, thanks for being an example for putting relationships first in life.)

A reenactment, 8 months later

An absolutely stunning day at the ranch.

Easter Sunday is an early wake-up call but always worth it. The sunrise on Easter is a beautiful reminder of God's goodness. Those who know me know I am rarely awake for sunrises, so it's always especially beautiful to me. We also got to dye Easter eggs with Alyssa and eat a delicious dinner of steak and potatoes (which felt like a light meal compared to the all-day feast from Saturday.)

Artists at work

Masterpieces

After such a wonderful weekend, it's always hard to get back into the work routine, but thankfully I also had this weekend to look forward to. I met Sarah in Los Olivos for a day of food and wine, and it really was the best day.

If you haven't gone wine tasting in Santa Barbara, go. There are about a million fun wineries tucked away in the Santa Ynez valley. We started out our day at Sides Hardware & Shoes and had an amazing breakfast. I ordered eggs benedict with the thickest cut of bacon I've ever seen, dripping with maple smoke flavor. Then we stumbled into Saarloos & Sons tasting room, which quickly became our favorite place in the world. Everything else paled in comparison.

I mean, when you offer a cupcake flight to pair with your tastings... there's just really no way to compete with that. We decided to hold off on the cupcakes until later. After a couple more wineries (Fess Parker & Firestone) and a crazy chance encounter with my friend Laura from New York, we stumbled gracefully made our way back to get our cupcakes.

Clockwise from the top: Blackberry Chocolate Syrah, Strawberry Ginger Chardonnay (the favorite), S'mores, I Forgot (not my favorite), Peanut Butter Cup

After totally indulging ourselves and deciding this was what heaven will be like, we found ourselves accidentally back at Sides Hardware & Shoes for a light dinner. We ordered calamari and burrata with apricot compote, both of which were amazing. I didn't hate that we ended up there twice because everything was so, so good. The day was perfect--sunny, warm, full of great food, wine and tons of laughter. I think we'll be back soon.

Thank God for spring, for sunshine and perspective, for moments of joy and glimpses of the eternal. D & I are thankful for this season and for our amazing friends and family.

-S