Pinterest, I've needed you for so long

some of my food pins

I've been on Pinterest for maybe a week and I'm on it constantly.

It's so very pinteresting!  (Somehow in my head, that's said with a pilipino accent)

"Pinterest is a virtual pinboard.  

Its a way to let you organize and share 
all the beautiful things you find on the web."

my Nature-inspired Design board

I'm sure we all come across things on the internet that we want to save and be able to return to.

Sometimes it's a picture, sometimes a recipe, 

something we want to buy, somewhere we want to go,
something we want to show someone else...

there are so many reasons to save things.

Well Pinterest is a way to save those things all in one place.

Instead of having files of web links, or loads of favorites and bookmarks,

you have them all in one place on Pinterest.

my Design for Littles board

When you come across something, you simply pin it (you will have a button on your menu bar) 

and save it to one of your pinterest boards.

You can create and name as many boards as you like.

Each time you pin something it not only saves the picture 

but also the link to the website you were on when you pinned it.

You can use this to keep recipes, create mood boards, plan parties or
 like a friend of mine, plan your wedding.

I'm even using it to eliminate some of the many recipes and magazines I have piled in my apartment.
I search them out online and pin them instead.

some of my individual pins

The best part is the sharing.

You can also create boards that let other people contribute.  

This would be perfect if you are all planning or creating something together.

You can connect with friends (or meet others with inspiring boards) and see what they are pinning.

You can view things from your friends, things from the staff or things from strangers.
You can search for something specific or by a category.

I could search cupcake or food and find a million pretty things that will make my mouth water.

The view when I look at another pin/ The view when I look at my own pin

When viewing a pin (the image added to Pinterest) you have the option to

repin it to one of your boards, to like it, to comment on it

 or to mention a friend that might be interested.

Some of the staff's favorite boards

I love being able to look at the things that inspire me, all in one place.

I love how easy it is to keep track of things.

I love seeing what everyone else is looking at.

It might sound like a lot.  I'm rambling because I'm excited.

I promise you that it is REALLY easy.
It's a lot less overwhelming then this post leads you to believe.
This page explains it very simply.

You just need to go to Pinterest and request an invitation
(or I can send you one, just leave me your email)
and get started!

If you'd like to follow me, I have a link on the right.
I'd love to see what you're interested in.

Have fun, get inspired!

Gina's shower and baby Ivy

You see, when you lag on your posting you end up with both the shower and the baby in the same post!

What is it about baby feet, baby toes and even that little bit of baby peely-ness that gets me every time?

Last month we all gathered together to celebrate the upcoming birth of her second baby girl.

The decorations were perfect with pink flowers and owl accents.

I took my owl home, you know how I love owls.

We had dinner outside and enjoyed the southern California night.

The food was all fantastic and I had more then I should have.  But I think I say that everytime.

I have to find out the recipe for that watermelon salad.  

It had feta and mint and it was so refreshing!

I love these cupcakes.  I love the papers, the owls and the decorated stand.

It's all those little details that really make everything stand out.

And this is the lovely Gina.
Do I not have the prettiest pregnant friends ever?

I know, she is totally adorable.

On Friday I went over to Gina's to meet little Miss Ivy who was born just 12 days earlier.

Oh baby fever.

Holding her made me feel like it's been forever since Peanut was this small.

Despite the fact that Ivy was actually 8 lbs 9 oz when she was born, which isn't that small at all.

I'm not sure how Gina, who is barely larger than that, gave birth to her.

Ivy's skin is so soft and her little froggy legs are pulled up tight.

That girl is a squeaker, making little noises as she sleeps.

She is just so sweet I wanted to take her home.

Congratulations mommy Gina, baby Ivy is gorgeous!

PS.  I love her name.  I have a thing for nature names.

Way up high!

We've had a busy couple of days and Peanut has been getting over his cold. He still has that lingering cough but he's a happy boy as usual.

I'm heading over to a friend's house today to meet her newborn baby girl. I can't wait.

Before then I'll drop Peanut off at my parents house.

Something about that picture just makes me laugh.

 I think it may represent the way he is treated over there :)

Peanut loves it when grandpa holds him waaaay up high!

OC Fish and Chips, Orange

If you know B or have read my posts about him, then you probably know that he loves anything fried.

He especially loves fried clams because it seems that hardly anybody sells them.

The fact that fried clams were on the menu was the reason that we went to OC Fish and Chips.

They have a simple menu of various fried seafood along with some chicken as well.

Now here are some cons... and I don't usually even do a blog post on restaurants with a list of cons...

Despite the amount of room in the place, there are only 4 1/2 tables.  

They did put some love seats out in front of the TV.  I have no idea why.

Perhaps because the service is a bit on the slow side?

I didn't understand the layout at all.

The restaurant has 1 highchair.

Yup.  ONE.  And it was taken, so Peanut was on our laps.

Have you tried eating a fish sandwich while holding an octopus of a child?

Oh and the kid in the highchair made an insane mess that never got cleaned off the floor b/c I'm pretty sure the couple people working were just in over their heads with the orders.

Why did I do a post on a restaurant with list of cons?

Because of this fish sandwich, that's why.

The toasted bun had a nice crunch on the outside and was light and soft on the inside.
The sandwich has both a tartar-like spread and cole slaw and the fish was fresh, with a perfect batter.

I inhaled this sandwich.

I want another one right now.

When B reached over to pick it up, he almost got his hand bitten.

The thing is, when we go out to eat we usually aren't in any kind of a rush.
Especially if we are trying some place new AND said place hasn't been open long.

Eventually we got a table and highchair and settled just as our food was ready.

The food is cheap and good.

We also got fried zucchini, hush puppies, clams and mushrooms.

B liked all of it.

Plus, they have a fair food dessert menu :)

We didn't try any but I know for a fact that fried snickers are delicious.

All in all, I'd go back just for the sandwich.

But I'd bring in the stroller and I wouldn't go in right at lunch time.

What is your favorite fried food?

107th Huntington Beach 4th of July Parade!

Yesterday was just another fantastic parade.  

I've been every year for as long as I can remember.

This year was a little bit different as we arrived later and 

we had both the Peanut and my great-aunt Mina with us.

We separated from my mom and Titi (as in tia, meaning aunt) so we could make our way further down the parade route.

Some very nice men lifted Titi's wheelchair up and onto the greenbelt where they had staked out a space to celebrate and watch the parade. 

You have no idea how much preparation it takes to get these spaces.

We were walking in the heat while Titi was getting spoiled with ice cold water and chocolate dipped strawberries!  I love it.

As usual the people watching was fantastic.

This guy was riding his bike around and pulling this stereo. 

He was so much fun!  Apparently, not everyone agrees.

It wasn't until I was sorting pics that I noticed the lady covering her ears. :)

The bottom left shows some kid's lemonade stand.  I'm dying to know how much money they made!

I had to take a picture of this dad with TWO bike seats on his bike!  In front is the WeeRide and in back is a traditional seat.

If we have another then this will be B because I can barely keep myself upright, let alone carrying kids.

This house always has people on the roof!  

Along with bikes, bikes and more bikes.

It's surprisingly hard to be patriotic without someone losing an eye.

I love the planes.  Every year I watch the planes and helicopters like a little kid.

Every year I wave to the veterans, swallow the lump in my throat, 

sniffle a little bit and clap like a mad woman.

Peanut likes to cheer too!

I totally want to drive that big wagon around town.  

Yes, it is street legal, the inside is a 57 chevy.

It's hard to see but that poodle is actually dyed.

Blue ears and a big red heart on it's back.  That is one patriotic pup.

Of course B loves to see the bikes, bikes and more bikes.

On the left:  Snoopy enthusiastically waving to the kids!

On the right: B's impersonation of what Snoopy looks like on the inside.

Man, it was hot out.

This would be so much sweeter without the giant boogie in his nostril.

Old school fire engine!

The whole thing was incredible, click on it for a closer look.

One of my favorite shots of the day.

This picture spans four generations.

This shot was pretty hard to beat too.

Happy Birthday USA!

Happy 4th of July!

Peanut wants everyone to have a very happy 4th of July!



We're heading off to the Huntington Beach parade to celebrate!

We'll keep it mellow tonight as Peanut is sick right now.

Fireworks are banned in our city.. how about yours?



We hope you eat lots, have tons of fun and be safe!!

What are you up to today?

A moose goes a bicyclin'

B has been looking forward to this moment for soooo long.

We received this bike seat at one of my baby showers last October and 

B has been looking at it ever since.

He made it a point to keep putting hats on Peanut regularly during these last 8 months so that when it came time for a helmet, it wouldn't be such a huge adjustment.

For some reason that really makes me laugh.  

It was that planned.

Make sure he wears a hat so he won't get too freaked out about the helmet!

I wasn't sure if Peanut would be nervous riding the bike. 

The seat is on the front so he wouldn't be able to see daddy behind him.

I love how the seat has that panel in front for him to lean on.

It was so odd seeing them ride away.

Peanut absolutely loved it!

  

He was smiling and looking around while they rode up and down the street.

I don't know who was more excited... Moose or B?!

When they stopped, there was lots and lots of talking.

I assume he was recapping the adventure for the rest of us to hear.

Happy 8 months baby boy, what a great way to celebrate!

UPDATE:  The bike seat is called the WeeRide LTD Kangaroo seat.
You can check it out here on Amazon.