Carmel-by-the-Sea

Every year my parents and I spend the weekend in Carmel for my Dad's birthday. It's hands down, one of my favorite places in the world!

 

 

Baked his birthday cake: chocolate almond flour cake with a layer of blackberry whipped cream covered with chocolate ganache.... He's a chocolate lover for sure!

Amazingly beautiful Point Lobos State Reserve in the Carmel Highlands

  

  

My favorite spot in Carmel! Romantic courtyard with an art studio inside.

late night cravings

 

craving to die for Swedish kanelbullar (cinnamon rolls),

and Archipelago sunrises!

add some green

...make a terrarium

Needle Felting

I conquered needle felting! I made these little guys out of some wool I dyed a few years ago. It's super fun... and now I'm hooked!

pasta party

 

Homemade pasta is amazing!

false spring

Mushroom Mayhem

 Today I went on a beautiful hike through Nisene Marks State Park in Aptos, CA. Its so lush, green and covered in mushrooms! Here's a glimpse of a few of the fungi I spotted. (When I identify all of them I'll post it)

Conocybe tenera, inedible.

Tremella mesenterica, inedible. Also know as "Witch's Butter."

Mycena epipterygia, edibility unknown.

 

Boutiquing

Bought these rad earrings at Ramona Lou in Downtown Auburn, CA. Super cute, new vintage store with lots of fun finds!

Cinna-nomm Rolls

Baked Cinnamon Rolls from a great Better Homes and Gardens: New Cook Book recipe. The only bad thing was this winter weather! Because my kitchen was too cold, the dough wouldn't rise. So I had to get really creative to make sure it proofed right. It turned out to be just right. Very yummy!