Baby Rajagopal: Boy or Girl

After months of guessing... hoping... praying... Ashley and Vik finally found out the gender of their growing little person.

And...

Date Night

I love date night. Even more so when it's couples date night... but just because I am single doesn't mean I have to sit at home!

Pre Dinner: Drinks @ Vik & Ashley's house on their new deck

April Family Dinner

Family dinner is easily my favorite night of the month... it even tops Dessert for Dinner! This month especially may have been my favorite yet because of the delicious (and EASY) food and the amazing group that joined.

And Baby Makes Four

I am so excited to finally announce that my wonderful sister and brother in law are expecting a child.

Vik and Ashley are guaranteed to have the most beautiful child the world has seen and he/she is scheduled to make an appearance end of October 2013.

Currently Ashley and baby are the epitome of health and craving ribs. We've got a little carnivore on our hands.

I hope you join me in congratulating them!

They've got 6 more months of pregnantdom but boy am I glad the cat is out of the bag. I couldn't hold this secret a minute longer and thankful for the handful of people who let me spill to them!

Baking Dawn

Jessika had the brilliant idea of Baking Dawn; an afternoon of baking and watching Twilight's Breaking Dawn finale. Let's be real here.... baking isn't really the Noah girls greatest strength so Ashley and I opted for a just add water mix while the other girls baked pies and mousses.

Have you seen the movie?

I have been tracking the series since the get go when my roommate at the time made me read the books and have since seen all the movies at midnight showings... except the finale.

Baking Dawn was my first viewing of Breaking Dawn finale and had I not been with a group of girls, I would have cried like a big baby when I thought they had completely changed the ending... I am a stickler for accuracy when it comes to movies changing the book. But let's be honest, was making the final book into two movies even necessary?

Wine Tasting & JM Cellars

Ashley, Jessika, and their husbands had ready-to-expire living social deals to try three wineries in Woodenville and since the weather was gorgeous (read: not raining) I joined.

I don't remember the names of the three wineries... I don't remember the wine.

BUT THEN we went to my favorite Washington winery, JM Cellars. Before I moved to Seattle, I came to town to visit/interview with my current company and, in the meantime, discovered this winery. After a our first tasting the J in JM Cellars started talking with us and eventually took us on a tour with some barrel tasting.

Returning over a year later and John was still out in his busy tasting room talking with all his guests and giving tours and additional pours. Their location is cozy, romantic, and warm. Also, their wine is outstanding, especially the Carmenere or Margaret's Vineyard Estate Red.

Tasting is $10 and open Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Be warned, you may be compelled to buy a bottle or two and they range in price from $38 - $48. You are welcome to use my excuse as, "it's a special occasion bottle!" when justifying a purchase.

Cheers.

Lunch at Lowell's Restaurant

January Community Dinner - Slippers Required

For January's Community Dinner I wanted to try something a little different and have a Saturday brunch instead. Inspired by Pinterest recipes, I made scones with jam from Mary's wedding in Bear Flagg Farms, baked eggs with a hashbrown crust, slow-cooked oatmeal, yogurt parfaits, Coava coffee, mimosas, and store bought donuts. Only one cheat from the whole menu!

I foolishly did not test a single recipe prior to serving, breaking a cardinal rule for having guests over for dinner, but I didn't have the time to try! Luckily, each piece turned out delicious and was made even better by the friends that joined.

We were especially treated this month as my mom made a surprise visit by rerouting a business trip flight to Seattle.

I have started planning and brainstorming February's Community Dinner and I am torn between a soup or pasta centered meal. I want to get a few comfort dinner's in while the winter vegetables are still in prime season. If you have better ideas, please share!

Until next dinner...

Young, Dumb & In Love

A year ago we started planning Ashley's wedding.

Big wedding. Small wedding.
Indoor. Outdoors.
Venue. Dress. Food. DJ. Photographer.

And I insisted on a videographer. Mostly, I insisted on James Polits.

I've seen some of James work and was always impressed. But I knew James. I knew how he would kill himself to make it perfect.

We finally received the video last night and it is perfect.


Ashley + Vik from James Polits on Vimeo.

What I love most about it is the intimate moments James caught. Between a stolen kiss or a quick wink, he recreated that special day in 11 minutes and reminded me what it was all about.

Love. <3

If you are looking for a videographer, there is no one else I would recommend. Between his demeanor the day of the wedding, his interactions pre and post wedding and the final product; he is phenomenal.