Our Feet!

Our little sand covered wedding day toesies were published in December's issue of PDN.

Congratulations to Jon Canlas and his amazing image. I can't wait to get my hands on a copy so I can read Jon's interview. It's sure to inspire.

Holiday Feast

I know I haven't been posting about the holidays much. I feel bad about that. I've just been playing catch up with the blog BUT I have been enjoying the month of December and wanted to prove it...

Last night we had some friends over for a holiday feast and white elephant exchange.

For Bunker's white elephant he gave a book with his photo on the cover. It was amazing...and so was the two tampons in the toothbrush holder and the wanted photo of Tiffany. Really good stuff.

Jared' gift was a portrait drawing on the spot. Ronin won and posed on the bed.

Everyone was fascinated by the lone baby at the mostly "singles" party and we all gathered in our room to watch Ronin and Jared in action. Our room is super tiny, but when 15+ people file in for some reason is seemed a bit more spacious.

I have to apologize for the lame/non existent photos of the party. I was busy being host and have to admit was enjoying catching up with friends too much to worry about my camera.

Thanks to everyone for coming and pitching in delicious food. Our friends are the coolest and the best looking.

Kauai- Part 1- What We Ate

Every morning we ate a papaya (sometimes 2) with lime and apple bananas.

Lau lau is my favorite Hawaiian dish. Usually consists of fish or pork wrapped in taro leaves and steamed. Sadly I usually have a hard time finding this and when I do it is in short supply. I should move there and sell lau lau out of a truck.

Banana Joe's. My guilty pleasure. But not so guilty really.

They have what they call "frosties".

The only two ingredients in this magical treat are frozen pineapple and frozen banana.

Blend the two together and out comes a delicious, creamy, all natural delicacy.

I think we came here 4 or 5 times. I hear I can make this exact same thing in my blendtec blender. I must try.

We found amazing chocolate haupia pie at a bakery Hanalei.

This place was a new find for me. Pat's Taqueria. A taco truck parked in the parking lot by the Hanalei pier. It was out of this world. We tried the carne asada and fish tacos and both were excellent. Full of flavor and spice. Pat Grenz, who once cooked at Bar Acuda, opened this joint because he wanted to run a place that serves the food he loves....and for that I love him.

...and there were gold fish. Parmesan gold fish to be exact. A girl should never go kayaking without them.

Want to eat this stuff too? You should:

Lau lau- Pono Market
Banana Joe's
Haupia Pie- Village Snack and Bakery
Pat's Taqueria

Profile Picture

My profile pic was featured in an article from Digital Photography School on how to take a great photo for your social media site.

(I hope it was an example of the good and not the bad)

Read the article here.

Thanks Natalie for featuring my noggin.

Christmas Baby

Baby Ronin, playing baby Jesus. I believe it.

(He offered his modeling skills for a church Christmas project and I was ever so grateful especially since he was so pro. Love that little man).

Baby Ronin Copyright of J&J.

New Print

We are looking to frame a new print in our house and are deciding out of these four.

What's your vote?

PS. If you need more dets to make the decision, it will be printed 12x12 and matted and framed in a white 21.5in frame.

Thanksgiving 2009

Nothing I love more than food and family.

The meal was delicious. HUGE thanks to Nancy and Hugh for doing 99% of the work. We appreciate all the service and love you give to us and the whole family and only hope we can repay you someday.

I made a couple pumpkin pies and a chocolate haupia cake (in honor of Kauai). I didn't get any great photos of the results. All in all my baking was tasty, but I sure do struggle getting a flaky crust on my pies.

Tribe and Tani have always made me stare, but look at my niece and nephew! I was drooling all over them.

Until next year homemade rolls...I will miss you.

(photos featuring me, taken by my bro in law Darren. Thanks for proving I exist!)

Happy Thanksgiving

(photo taken by Russ Dixon at Christina & Ross's wedding)

Love, Grant & Rachel


ps. Super thankful for my sister Kate as today is her birthday. Only one month till you're married!

Nice People

found here.

I kind of love this. Happy Monday.

Wishbone

Weeks ago, when I was making my 20 quarts of chicken stock, I spyed this little wishbone. I cleaned it and set it on the window sill to dry....thinking I could use this for a romantic moment with Grant. Everybody thinks animal bones are romantic, right? Fearing Grant would catch on to the surprise, I dropped it in my bathrobe's pocket in a moment of concern....and forgot about it! I know. Gross. Animal bone was missing. Miraculously it turned up. After almost a month of waiting, the time was right and I whipped that baby out on the airplane on our way to Kauai. We made our wishes and crossed our fingers. I won, but I have a feeling we wished for the same thing. The end.

Are You Happy?

Bought this here a couple of weeks ago.

Seems like a good question. It never hurts to be reminded that if you aren't happy you have the choice to change something. I firmly believe true happiness is a choice, and now I can look at a pretty piece of art to remind myself.

Edible Gift

My cute friend and visiting teacher, Frances, MADE me this cake for my birthday! She knew I was going to be out of town today so she made it for me before I left.

She baked, frosted and decorated it. I was so impressed and so excited.

It was a thoughtful and amazing gift. Frances, thank you so much.

(It is my actual birthday today and me and the husband are spending it in Kauai. I can't wait to share all of the fun stories with you when we return. xo)

Good Morning Dance Party

Props to my 8yr old niece for getting this song stuck in our minds. Yesterday morning we had, had enough. We purchased it and then played it on repeat for about 30mins.

Who knew that Miley Cyrus would make it into my music collection? Sometimes I guess we all need a good addictive pop song to start our day. Just throw your hands up and dance 8yr old style! Trust us. It feels good.



Here is another happy song for you dance into your weekend with (Thank you Steph).

(Shooting a wedding in Salt Lake City today, tomorrow shooting a wedding in Newport/Huntington Beach...busy busy and happy happy. Leave for Kauai on Sunday but have pre blogged a lot of good stuff for you while I'm lazing around in mu mu's. xo)

Fan Club

I made this wee little book for my sister to take with her on her mission.

It is 5x5in (the perfect size to fit.. anywhere really. I wanted her to be able to keep it close). It has photos of all of the fan club members and words of encouragement.

Really I think the best part is the corner stripes on the front and back covers (Italian flag colors), which were Grant's idea. It pays to have a creative brainstormer in the next room.

Farmer's Market- Downtown Culver City

veggies, fruit and flowers.