tea time

It seems to be a tradition to have high tea with my mom sometime during the winter.

Oten we go with a group of ladies and sometimes it's just us two. There are almost always Kir Royals involved.

This year, for the first time ever, we went with our sweet heats. The four of us dressed up and lifted our pinkies while we sipped Earl Grey at the Biltmore in Montecito.

The Biltmore is so fancy that's it's definitely just for special occasions. But oh boy do they make tastey treats. This year they added macaroons to menu.

That's my dad asleep behind the strawberries. He's more of a coffee guy.

everyday is Valentine's Day with you, dude

Mr. C and I have no grand plans for this Valentine's day. He works. I work. Maybe we'll exchange hand made cards, as is our tradition. We really have so many great days together... any random Wednesday could lead to a lovers adventure. It's like everyday is Valentine's Day.

Also, today is my ma's birthday. So she gets our love and attention too.

Valentine Baby

Saturday we went to hight tea at the Montecito Biltmore for my mom's birthday.

It's becoming somewhat of a tradition to celebrate there (you might remember last year's post). Rather than birthday cake, we have divine little sandwiches, kir royals and, of course, tea.

I had the peach & ginger loose leaf. And for desert...

... a 3 tiered tray of the most beautiful sweet treats.

It seems fitting to celebrate the birth of a Valentine Baby with such an elegant affair. We always get dressed up in our fancies and valet park. It's such a luxury, but one that I know my mother really and truly enjoys.

long distance hug

On our way back from Wyoming, on our epic summer road trip, Mr. C and I got to spend some time with his wonderful mom. She is an amazing woman with a huge heart and a knack for making smoothies.

She told us some sad news yesterday. It makes me wish that I could give her a warm hug and tell her not to worry, that it will be all right. Hopefully she feels all the positive thoughts I am sending her way. And maybe some of the kisses I blow to the north will land on her cheeks.

Spaghetti Western

So, today's is a bit of a personal post. My mom is having complications from a surgery that should have been routine. I know she'll be OK, but it's always always stressful to have a mom in the hospital. I thought I'd take a moment to tell you all how impressive my dad is.

He's spent the last days in waiting rooms and next to sick beds, taking breaks only to nap and devour left over penne puttanesca. He's like on of those old timey heros, lookin' out for his lady, doin' what needs to be done.

{photo is of my pops at the Folk Art Museum of Santa Fe... he's posing in an exhibit on Carnival}

early mornings

Why is it that on mornings when I can sleep in I'm awake with the sunshine and on days when I have to be up early I never want to get out of bed?

Here's a photo of my mom sipping her coffee in Santa Fe on a much more leisurely morning.