vacation

Sea Ranch: Twofish Baking

~ Jill ~ 1 Comment

A much needed getaway last weekend to Sea Ranch, north of San Francisco and right on the coast.  It was so quiet, you could hear the ocean and there was no TV.  And it was great.  Came back refreshed.  Both mornings we went to Twofish Baking at Stewart’s Point.  TripAdvisor said – Sticky Buns!  And so we did.  They were so good.  Warm and out of the oven.  Not the least bit dry.  We also had a bear claw and morning buns.  Mom and Dad really liked the Equator coffee.

We did lunch here as well – turkey and tuna sandwiches on their homemade bread.

Family Time at the Beach

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We spent the week in the Outer Banks with some good friends from way way back.   Great week to escape the city and enjoy some fresh ocean air.  One of our last nights was picture night for everyone.  Including some of my favorites, more to come.

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Corolla Doughnuts…and Desserts

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The last day of Labor Day weekend, so going to finish up the summer with a beach post.

Did you think I’d go a week without eating a doughnut?  It was vacation, and of course I was going to indulge.  I just followed it up with some Bran Buds for some semblance of a healthy breakfast.  Mark and I found the Northern Lights Bakery near the Currituck Lighthouse…the 2nd trip we brought back 18 for the crowd.

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And then we followed it up with Dunkin Donuts another day.  Chocolate Coconut…

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Brownies and sangria poolside one afternoon.  Boy, those went fast!  Our last bit of baking was making the cookie mix we brought.  The adults ate all of these.  Really, we didn’t share any with the kids.

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Corolla Surfing

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Before I want on vacation, my mom specifically said “No surfing, Jill.  And be careful of sharks”.   I couldn’t resist though.  Thanks to Rodney for holding the surf board for all the kids and Kate and I.  And thank you Kate for being photographer again!  And let’s not forget the observers from the beach.

As I was laying on the board, waiting for the wave, I’m thinking “How am I possibly going to get my upper buddy lifted off this board”.  Needless to say, I instantly thought that I needed to work on my arm muscles.  Even thinking about getting one foot back and both pointed out, and not forward?  Impossible.  It was all about just getting up.  And then falling right over into the water.

I am going to be honest, I’m quite proud of myself here!

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Corolla 2013

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IMG_2282You know it’s a great vacation when you lose track of days.  Really, I lost track of days. Tuesday, Wednesday…it didn’t matter.  It was another day with friends, the kids, the beach, the pool and a glass of wine.   This was the 4th year, and we had friends from Minnesota join us.  Lost of great shots from the week, so expect a few days of vacation pics.  You’ll want to come back for me surfing, the wild horses and the Brew Thru trip!  And don’t think I didn’t eat doughnuts, that will be coming as well.

We had a big crew:  8 adults and 6 kids.  This was our outing to the Christmas store, coffee shop and brewery on a rainy day.

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Sunrise, sunset, the moon…

And lots of coffee every morning.  I discovered Sweet Italian Cream this week.  Oh, so good.

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Picture Credit:  Thanks to Kate for the moon shot with her nice camera.  The group shot, too!

 

One Week Until Beach Time

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We’ll in the Outer Banks next week this time!  I had to do some swim suit shopping in preparation.  Since I wear a bathing suit SO infrequently (minus the one piece at the pool for triathlon training), I can’t bear to spend too much on these.  $100 for a bathing suit?  So I placed a few orders to Athleta.  I like to try these on in my apartment.  Eight bathing suits later, I found one.  And it was on sale and 20% off of that.  All of this meant a trip to return 7 bathing suits.  But they are always so nice there and I can’t be the only one.

Looking forward to getting away!

Napa: Sticky Buns, Wine, Sun and Oxbow Market

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So catching up from a week in California…I can’t help but look back and think what a great getaway it was.  I highly recommend a full week off every now and then.

So a quick spin through our day in Napa.  Of course we had to start the day with something yummy.  And I’m on vacation, so why not make that a sticky bun?

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Then off to some vineyards with a stop at the Yountville Deli in between.

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At the first (above) and then 2nd (below).  We chatted with a nice couple from Washington DC at Miner.

IMG_1336Then we headed back towards Napa and stopped at the Oxbow Market.  It reminds me of Chelsea Market and the Ferry Building.  Food stalls, places to eat…

IMG_5501 IMG_5498And there was an outpost of Kara’s cupcakes.  I told Mark the Magnolia Bakery Hummingbird Cake was really good, that the mini here was probably tasty. So he took my advice.  The set up looks a lot like Sprinkles.  I’ve sampled Kara’s in Walnut Creek on previous trips.  So cute, nice clean store.  Hard to resist, even if I can get tired of cupcakes.

IMG_5510 IMG_5509And did I mention how nice the weather was??

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Summer’s End

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How is it August 30th?  Wasn’t I supposed to get more post work rooftop drinks?  I only made it to the Kimberly Hotel once, and that was last night.  Alas, we are heading into fall and I just put in a J Crew online order for some sweaters and blazers…

But holding on to summer for just another day (or weekend).

 

OBX: Back!

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I have to admit, vacation this year seemed endless.  I wish it was 2 or 3 weeks, but I feel like I got solid vacation time in.  Isn’t that what you want out of vacation?  Just a quick pic to sum up the week.  We may have had a few afternoon glasses of wine on the deck.

Maybe another post as we wrap up August. Then I’ll be back on it this fall.  Maybe I just need a break from the online world for just a few more days….

 

OBX. Coming.

~ Jill ~ Leave a comment

Vacation is just around the corner.  And there is nothing better than felling everything is in order at work, files are prepped, people are aware.  And I have a dedicated back up so no checking email.

Here’s hoping to no hurricanes.  Just fun, sun (well, shade) and a little bit of wine.  It’s been a little quiet in August. You could say I’m taking a break from technology.  Magazines and books.  I’m going old school next week.

And if you want to be reminded how little vacation we have compared to other countries, here you go.  The one interesting thing they point out is that you get WEEKS of happiness just looking forward to vacation.  Yup!

Bloomberg TV Clip:  HERE!