SWEET FRIEND VISIT.

Our dear friend, Beth, came to visit us from Santa Cruz a couple of weekends ago.  It is always so nice to spend time with her, both here in Berkeley and when we get to make the trip to her place.  We got to celebrate her acceptance into a PhD program (and a fellowship!) at UC Davis--yay Beth!

We had a busy day: a walk and a visit to the local bakery and cheese shop for provisions for a really yummy picnic in Live Oak Park, a trip to check out the shop I work at, a mini adventure to Berkeley Horticulture, and finally to Monterey Market (my favorite grocer) to grab some fresh fruit and veg for dinner.  And what a dinner...brown rice fettuccine, vegan cashew cream alfredo (!!) with roasted tomatoes, mushrooms and seitan (which may have "challenged" Beth's palete :) and broccoli raab on the side.  So yum!  There is nothing better than sharing pretty walks and delicious food with good friends.

BIRTHDAY!

For my birthday (April Fools Day :) we went to Pescadero, CA for an overnight at a place called Costanoa. It is an eco/camping/resort-y type place right on the ocean.  The location was beautiful and the 1.5 hour drive down Highway 1 was incredible.  We stayed in a "tent bungalow", which was basically a tent with windows and a locking door (on a platform) with a four poster bed with down comforters, bathrooms, towels, eco toiletries, etc.  I said we were camping, Raf said we were basically staying in an outside hotel.  No heat though, and it was cold at night!  The resort had outdoor fireplaces and saunas at every "comfort station" (bathroom) and a big hot tub that you can access 24 hours that is outdoors (apparently great for star gazing).  We took a long hike on one of their trails that winds along the beach, came back for dinner (at their fancy lodge restaurant).  It was pretty chilly and we were looking forward to getting into the hot tub but it was occupied by a rowdy group of European dudes that brought some techno music and had no plans to evacuate.   Instead we ended up spending some time in the sauna, which was so relaxing.   We headed out pretty early the next morning, stopping for coffee and a quick peak at the quaint town of Pescadero.  Later that day I had a free haircut (a student at a local, fancy salon scouted my hair to be in need of a cut (it DID) and offered me a complimentary one-- it turned out great!) and then Mexican dinner with pals and back to our place for dessert.  Just a lovely, lovely birthday.  :)

Sea plants.

Sleepy face <3.

So high up, I definitely felt dizzy.

View!

Boardwalk on trail.

:)

Trail to the beach.

Trail through the dunes.

Beach walk!

Dinner at Comal in Berkeley with buddies.  Waiter took 3 pictures, this was the best of them...ha!

Our sweet waiter gave me just a plate with a candle on it (since we said we were having dessert at home).  :)

Birthday desserts!  Chocolate sweet potato torte and spelt carrot cake cupcakes.  So yum!