Sunday, November 24, 2013

Life is what happens


Seal!

Jellyfish!

Turtle!

James and I celebrated our 5 year anniversary with a day out at the Aquarium of the Pacific. I think we looked at everything there was to see, including a tank of super-awesome nautiluses! (Yes, I like putting "!" after every kind of animal.) Our day out in Long Beach was really restful. On our actual anniversary we went out to dinner and both had kind of weird food combinations. I don't really think the restaurant got it right when they were coming up with their menu. Here's a hint: if you offer a "warm potato salad," most people will assume it's like a German potato salad with vinegar and bacon, NOT potato salad made with mayonaise served hot. (Gross.) At least we both had semi-questionable meals.


Chemers Gallery was honored this week at the Orange County National Philanthropy Day luncheon, which was super exciting! We were chosen as Outstanding Small Business, and were nominated by Chapman University and The Wooden Floor, both of whom have been beneficiaries for our annual children's book illustration show. There were 8 honorees altogether, and over 900 people attended. What an amazing day!

Speaking of the children's book illustration show, this year's happens in less than two weeks...OMG.

Friday, November 8, 2013

All You Need is Love

James and I attended a wedding over the weekend in Topanga Canyon for our friends Kayla and Chris. There is nothing like an outdoor southern California wedding - the weather was beautiful, the setting was restful, and looking at what everyone else was wearing was fantastic! Kayla's sister, Carly, got married earlier this year, and although they used a few of the same touches, this wedding definitely had Kayla's stamp on it.

The lovely couple, waaaay up there
Kayla and Chris were married in an oak grove at the Ribbit Plant & Tree Nursery. Chris looked happy and relaxed, and Kayla looked stunning. There were all sorts of great personal touches - Kayla was hidden from view until she reached the aisle by her dad's 4 closest friends, who were each wearing a piece of her dad's suit. His presence was definitely felt and missed by all, as it was at Carly's wedding. Kayla wore the flower crown that her mom wore at her wedding during the reception. One of the bridesmaids read this fabulous poem called I Like You by Sandol Stoddard Warburg - it was just so them.

And then, it was party time.

Ryan was the DJ, I was just there

Joe and James

Ain't no party like a west coast par-taaay!

It was a great day, full of fun, friendship, laughter, and Mason jars practically filled with wine. Plus, our taxi actually showed up to take us back to the hotel after the festivities, which did not happen at the last wedding in Topanga Canyon we attended. (We caught a ride from some of the guys who worked at the venue, I was convinced we were going to be abducted.) So, all in all, good times were had!

And, speaking of weddings, today is our 5 year wedding anniversary! This marriage thing is pretty great, and I've gotta say, I'm a fan.
Congratulations, Kayla & Chris!!


Wednesday, November 6, 2013

October Reading

I've gotten "behind" on my reading. I blame The Shipping News. I spent most of October trying to get through it, and I couldn't, I just couldn't. I'm sure it's a great book for someone, but not for me.

No.
Here's what I finished this month - apparently I'm really into crime novels right now.

In the Woods by Tana French
Afterwards by Rosamund Lupton
Dream with Little Angels by Michael Hiebert
And right now, I'm struggling through another crime novel that I'm sort of wondering why I'm reading. But, I need to know whodunit. I enjoy trying to figure it out before the characters in the books do, and I'm usually pretty good at it. I want to know if I'm right this time.