Month: July 2015

candy shop.

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On my last visit home, my sister took me to a candy shop in her ‘hood: Lolli & Pops! Despite it’s large size and being housed in a popular mall (the Glendale Gallery), it had a small town feel and it reminded me of a cute candy shop in my old Berkeley stomping grounds. They’ve got rooms full of local and imported candies, chocolates, and other sweet treats like butter beer and ice cream sandwiches. My favorite room was the chocolate room because chocolate. They had walls full of chocolate covered you-name-its and an assortment of chocolate bars and hot chocolate mixes. I especially liked the packaging on these bars. They’re like scrapbook paper! Hmm, yea, if I bought this chocolate I’d probably make something with the wrappers – a cute greeting card perhaps! Ok, maybe I had two favorite rooms because they also had a Japanese candy room where I discovered cheesecake KitKats! Heat them up in the oven for a warm treat. What will they come up with next? (Side note: There is …

fireworks!

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One of my favorite things in the world is watching fireworks. Sparkles… Lucky me, there happens to be a holiday for that. Since 2009 my fiancé and I have watched the fireworks display at the Berkeley Marina (Fun fact: This is also where we got engaged last year. Another fun fact: We just celebrated our one year engagement anniversary – Do normal people celebrate those?). Lots of people come out to sit on dirt and rocks to watch the show up close. There’s really no other way to do it. There are food vendors and rides and games for the littles. The first time we watched the show we were total noobs. We wore shorts and basically shivered all night; it is the Bay area after all, in the “summer.” We’ve since learned our lesson and have made some upgrades. We now dress in warm attire; we’re serious about wearing snow jackets, closed toe shoes (I prefer boots with fur), gloves, scarves, and beanies. We also come ready with our travel chairs, blankets, and neck …

garcia garden.

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My parents celebrated their 48th wedding anniversary this week! 🙂 Through the years their home has gained the reputation of the “party house” because there is always good food, welcoming arms, and this glorious garden full of blooms, fruits & veggies, and love. Here is a peek at the garden I grew up in. I had my 18th birthday bash here, my parents renewed their vows here on multiple anniversaries, we’ve spent many nights BBQing here or having weekend brunch. It’s all good times in the Garcia Garden. There are also guavas, avocados, oranges, persimmon, numerous herbs, succulents, lemons, limes, calamansi, peppers… Sometimes there’s squash, avocado, loquat. It’s always changing and ever growing. When I grow up, I want to have a garden like my parents. 😉 What grows in your garden? Share below!