Three things to smile at

It's been awhile.

Some things I've come across recently that made me smile.

1. Fish-shaped Fish Bowl

Setting fish bowls to a higher standard.

orig $67.99 Amazon

2. Smash Journal

I have been wanting one of these since I saw a display in Michaels while purchasing Christmas craft supplies. Paper craft items are 30% off at Joann's this week. Score! (Still cheaper on Amazon, oh well.) Also picked one up for a friend that could use a pick-me up. I hope she likes it as much as I do.

Orig $12.99. Amazon.

3. The Welcoming Mat

Friendly. Welcoming. Practical.
Nice to meet you Mat.

Orig $24.98 Amazon

Bakesale betty

Have you been to Bakesale Betty?

Oh how I do enjoy their chicken sandwiches and baked goods.
Spicy slaw with jalapenos is unexpected, terribly addictive, and makes quite the mess.
(I suggest you go with people you don't mind getting a little messy in front of. It is fated.)

There is always a line so get there early!

A few shops down is Scream Sorbet!

I do love their pistachio sorbet.

Interesting flavors everyday. 

Also, interesting decorations.

(Is that a leopard tangled in seaweed behind you?)

You might also find them at your local Northern Californian farmers market. (Shop decor not included.)

Thanks Alli for our lunch date. =)

New Moon

Whoops. Yesterday was Lunar New Year and I made dumplings all weekend (I mean both days) and sticky rice cake but didn't say anything. Happy Year of the Dragon! Watch out for crazy happenings.

Back to the scheduled series...
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Last post of the Nevada City series.

The one thing we did seem to get right from the guidebook was eating dinner at New Moon. 

It was a cute restaurant in a small wooden building. A wine cellar tucked away in the corner. One of those unpretentious places with things written on boards, customers walking in with sandals, lively chatter throughout the dining area, and a menu that changes with the seasons.

Sorry my pictures are blurry. I should have changed my settings.

Alas, the food was delicious.

I approve. Eat here. 

Did you have fun on your first trip Sami girl?

Rainbow bridge

On the way to the Mushroom Hole, but honestly lost in the Tahoe National Forest, the trees parted to reveal a rainbow. We asked for directions in an interesting market next to some wildflowers and ended up going to Bridgeport instead. A shallow area of the river runs under a beautiful bridge, like something out of Bridges of Madison County. 

Beer Chicken

Who came up with the idea of beer chicken?

Alas, chicken is pretty darn delicious

{with a can of pilsner up its arse}. 

I unearthed some pictures of one poor, delicious chicken my housemate subjected to the procedure.

 

In other news, Monday is Chinese New Year. 

I'm partly in charge of food for church this Sunday so I'm thinking dumplings, sticky rice cake, lucky candy (if you eat enough you might get cavities!) and lettuce wraps to use up some romaine leftover from last week. But as always with these sorts of things, plans are bound to change. I am also coughing quite a bit today and it's causing my head to throb. I guess I'll be wearing a mask tomorrow, hope I don't scare anyone coming to help wrap dumplings.

Nevada City

For you, pictures of Nevada City, the sweetest little provincial town. I probably didn't use that word correctly. I've been listening to the Beauty and the Beast soundtrack so it's been on my mind. It also seems like a town full of interesting characters.

9/11 commemoration that weekend included a town decked out in American flags and a nice performance by the community band.

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Back on the topic of Beauty and the Beast, have you seen this video? Cracks me up every time. I might have been the oddball Belle that weekend. Who's that little Asian girl walking around in a dress with tennis shoes and a pitbull? She's so peculiar. 

Belle was always my favorite Disney princess.

Bonjour, Girl!

Best Crepes

In the middle of sorting through pictures to move to my external I came across these from my Nevada City trip. Remember the California Tripping I planned to do? I did manage to make it out to the Yuba River, but did not get to jump off Mushroom Rock. Our trip was not in vain, there were beautiful spots to splash around in the rivers and Nevada City was the cutest little town with many dogs and travelers.

One thing I did discover was the best crepes I had ever tasted. It was a makeshift tent around the corner from where we parked. They had just recently opened. 

Elevensies - I tried Mamas. Amazing!

Mamas