Renovations & Homemade Woodfire Pizza

We drove up to help my in-laws with a bit of renovations this weekend and created our own homemade pizzas for dinner. My brother-in-law had previously built a wood fire pizza oven and fireplace outdoors that I finally had a chance to enjoy.

I started my day with Bori licking my face and tapping me on the arm for a head rub hehe. Here she is watching the sunrise:

We dropped by Black Oak Coffee Roasters along the way. It's hipster cafe that reminded me of San Francisco. With the lower temperatures, we bundled up in beanies and jackets in their outdoor seating.

I love their lavender lattes!

Throughout the day, my husband and I worked on some kitchen plumbing and spent a few hours removing wallpaper. I found renovations in progress can look quite artistic too:

We took a break around sunset to enjoy the view, just as the sun began disappearing behind the hills.

By the time we started cooking, it was dark outside. Even though temperatures dropped to the low 40s and high 30s, we had fun sitting near the outdoor fireplace to stay warm.

Here is the roundest pizza of the night (by my husband). The oven ran very hot with a minimum of 400F and maximum hovering close to 600F. We learned through trial and error how to bake a nice crispy crust with a fully cooked center, but not burn the edges in the process.

I found a good trick was to periodically turn the pizza around. Let it bubble and sizzle a bit. Here’s my first mini pizza of the night:

By the time we came back, Bori was exhausted and curled up next to the fire. After a very productive day, we all called it an early night.

Exploring the Outdoors Together in Point Reyes

I whisked my husband away to Point Reyes where we spent two romantic days exploring the outdoors and taking photos. We’ve been married for almost a year, but every day feels like a mini honeymoon.

My Favorite Picnic Baskets

To celebrate the first day of summer tomorrow, I’m sharing some of my favorite picnic baskets. It’s the perfect time to head to the farmer’s market and enjoy a picnic outdoors in the company of good friends.

Glamping in Big Sur

A few weeks ago, we headed to Big Sur for what felt like the most luxurious camping we’ve ever done. We started the evening by setting up a picnic meal at our table and making grilled cheese. We breakfasted at Big Sur Bakery, followed by leisurely lounging at the beach and good company around a campfire when it got dark.

Mini Chocolate Stout Bundt Cakes

One of my favorite cakes fresh from the oven is this chocolate stout cake recipe. There’s something decadent & indulgent about eating these mini cakes in the kitchen with someone special on a rainy day.

Life Lately

Over the last several weeks, we’ve gone skydiving, celebrated my husband’s birthday, gone boating on Lake Sonoma with a full picnic in tow, and worked on crafts in the shop. It’s honestly been a bit of a blur.

Under the Walnut Grove

On our way to the lake house in Kelseyville, we saw these endless fields of white flowers under the walnut grove. We stopped by around golden hour to explore and take in the beautiful views.

Making Time for Family

I remember someone once told me that in some cultures, people tend to define themselves by their careers. We often ask someone, “What do you do?” the first time we meet. But in other parts of the world, we ask them who they are, about their family, and where they come from. So one day, as work continued getting busier, I decided I’d take a break and buy a ticket home to spend with my parents.