and they said "i do"

Pete and I just returned from a week in Vieques, Puerto Rico celebrating the union of two of the most wonderful people, our friends Mia and Ira. To say that it was an honor to be a part of their most special day is an understatement, and I can't think of two people more deserving of a lifetime of happiness. Cheers!

the full set of pictures can be found here.

i'm back

I can’t believe I’ve been away for over two months. Things got a little hectic for a while, with jobs, school, moving, family, life, but now that summer is here, I’m ready to relax, slow down and enjoy life.

As an offering of my sincerest apologies, I decided to bake you a cake. Back in March, Abby gifted me with the loveliest of books, Molly's A Homemade Life, and I've had the recipe for her Winning Hearts and Minds cake tagged ever since. This cake is so delicious and impressive, you would never guess how simple it is to make. I made a few modifications, such as using Trader Joe's chocolate instead of the recommended "good" chocolate, a 9 inch cake pan because that's all I had, and a tablespoon of unsweetened cocoa powder instead of regular flour (gluten free bonus!) and I don't think it hurt it one bit.

"it's basically like the moistest, richest, bestest brownie you've ever had" - pete

sweatin' to the oldies

Imagine my surprise when I woke up this morning to find an email from my mom containing this picture. Apparently old Richard likes to hang out at 30th Street Station wearing tank tops bedazzled with the word "SWEAT".

mantra

I've been seeing this around the interwebs, and really, it couldn't have come at a better time.

“I must learn to love the fool in me–the one who feels too much, talks too much, takes too many chances, wins sometimes and loses often, lacks self-control, loves and hates, hurts and gets hurt, promises and breaks promises, laughs and cries. It alone protects me against that utterly self-controlled, masterful tyrant whom I also harbor and who would rob me of human aliveness, humility, and dignity but for my fool.” — Theodore I. Rubin, MD

from a Cup of Jo

Prop 8

It’s not often that things turn political here, but woah nelly, is it a big day here in the Golden State. Today is the day that the California Supreme Court is hearing arguments on whether or not Proposition 8 should be upheld and if so, whether the 18,000 or so same-sex marriages performed should remain valid. While it will be 60 days before the decision is released, I think it’s important today to think about all of the wonderfully brave men and women who have fought for their right to be a part of something that so many of us take for granted. Having just gone through the excitement of an engagement myself, it saddens and angers me that there are so many people out there who are being deprived of the ability to experience that same joy and to build a life with the person they love. Fingers crossed that Prop 8 is soon just a bad memory.

good times

Just a little heads up to all you Food Network lovers out there. This Thursday, set your DVR’s, pop some popcorn and join us in playing “Spot the Ginger” as Pete makes his network debut on Ace of Cakes. It's going to be a rip roarin' good time had by all.

does this mean i have to get a subscription to The Knot?

Last weekend, on a regular Sunday afternoon, Pete and I went hiking at one of our favorite spots in LA and he got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. I always thought I would catch on that something was up, that I would sense a nervousness about him, but I was taken completely by surprise and true to form, cried like a baby. We’re very, very happy and thrilled by the fact that our friends and family are as excited as we are. Thanks for all the good wishes, it really makes us smile.