Birthday Part Two

Let me just say...I have saved the best for last.

Saturday morning we woke up bright and early to get on the road headed for Marburger Farms to pick peaches.

I have to say that I have many favorite things...but peaches are something that I cherish and look forward to their summer arrival every year.  This, however, is the first time I had ever ventured out and picked them myself.  It was worth it in every way.

I was giddy, bouncing up and down in the seat of our car as we approached the farm.  I wasn't exactly sure what to expect.

When we arrived we all gathered under a large shed to get instructions and information about picking the peaches.  At this time, we also had to select the variety of peach we were going to pick.

It was actually more daunting than one can imagine.  Without being able to taste the variety, you were committed to an entire box.

We finally settled on Harvester, one that has a nice amount of acidity and with a very peachy flavour.

Then the picking ensued.  I was running from tree to tree looking and feeling for the most perfect, large, sun-blushed peaches that I could find while D and my family looked on laughing.

My mom dubbed this a very cheap thrill and she was right.  For $30, it was just about the perfect thing to do on a warm summer Saturday afternoon.

Finally, everyone got in on the action and in no time our box was filling up.  We did find a few tree-ripe peaches and couldn't help ourselves from being "peach bandits" and eating them right there on the spot.

The peach trees were actually much lower to the ground than I had imagined, so nearly all of the peaches were within reach.  Only a few times did I have to call D to get a peach near the top of the tree that I was too short for.

About an hour after we arrived, we had filled up our box to the brim with peaches.  I was sad to go but excited to bring so many perfect peaches home with me.

We went into Fredericksburg for lunch (Rather's Bakery) and walked around a bit, enjoying the nice day.

Talk focused mainly on how to use up all of the peaches we had just picked.  I'm not a psychic but I see many a peach cobbler, ice cream, salsa and fruit salad in my near future!

All I kept saying all day is how perfect it was.  It really is the simple and natural things that make me happy and the older I get, the more I realize and appreciate them.

We came home and counted our loot.  107 peaches.  Wow!  Better get cooking.

Birthday Part One

Ever since I can remember, my birthday has been quite a celebration.  Usually it drags on for about a week, starting at fathers day (where we go to San Antonio to celebrate fathers day/ my birthday) and ending when the last bit of cake has been eaten after my actual birthday (June 25).  

For the previous two birthdays, I was in Dallas.  It threw traditions for a loop.

Let me just say, I am glad to be back to normal.  It's not that I relish attention (I really don't like it at all) but it is that I can really spend quality time with friends and family that is the best gift of all.

Friday (my actual birthday) started off early.  This year is the year.... I get to have my drivers license renewed.  What a way to start the day!  Computer malfunctions turned a brief trip into an hour long wait (I was #002 in line)!  Good news is, that I don't have to go to the DPS to renew for another 12 years (I will be 36...yikes!)

A trip to Upper Crust Bakery for breakfast made me happy as I dove into a cheese brioche and cappuccino.  Definitely a great way to start the day.

Then it was back home to recoup and relax.  Shortly after I arrived the doorbell rang.  To my surprise, I was greeted with a gorgeous arrangement of hydrangeas from miss L!

So lovely!

My grandmother and uncle then came over to visit for a while.  It had been surprisingly long since I had seen them so I nice chat was overdue!

About the time that they left, my tummy started grumbling, hankering for a yummy lunch.  Fortunately, my lovely boyfriend took me to The Steeping Room for tea sandwiches and my favorite cookie in town, their salty toffee chocolate chip cookie.

Yes, please, I would love this recipe...on second thought it may be dangerous!

Some more relaxing, lounging and catching up on missed TV ensued while we waited for our dinner reservation at Fonda San Miguel.

Finally 8:30 had arrived and we were seated at FSM.  I had really eaten quite more than usual, so I was craving something fresh and light.  My tomato (little yellow ones), cucumber (picked fresh from their garden) and pine nut salad did the trick.

Then, the desert arrived.  

And I made a wish.

And filled up my tummy a little more with this fabulous peach tres leches cake.  Less soggy than the other tres leches I have had, this one really hit the spot.

10:04pm...exactly 24 years old.  Now I was off to cap off the night with a glass of wine with D and get some rest for the big Saturday we had planned.

Real Wedding, Spring 2010

Today, I had a wonderful surprise in my mailbox, one of my clients had sent over pictures from her wedding this past spring.   I always wonder what my clients weddings look like after spending so much time talking with them at length about the details that go into their event.  Alas, only a few actually have photographs of the calligraphy to share.

I remember as I was lettering this menu how incredibly hungry it made me.  The menu was designed my brides brother who is an acclaimed chef in New York City.  You know how much of a foodie I am...I was absolutely drooling!

The place cards and escort cards were done in walnut ink...one of my absolute favorite inks to use.  The slight variation of color that the natural ink has is so unlike anything else available.  It matched the brown shades that adorned her tables beautifully.  

If only I could peek into every one of my brides weddings.  It brings such a happy and rewarding feeling and is good to know that all of the hand lettering is still appreciated in these modern times.

Her wonderful photography was done by Lume Photography.

Succulents and Poetry

The yucca's in bloom.  Summer is here.

So far I have not been able to enjoy much that summer has to offer.  I have been to Barton, however, and spent time with friends.  Generally you can find me in my studio addressing envelopes.

More recently I did Sonnet 116 by William Shakespeare.  It is a beautiful piece of poetry and I thought I would share.

Welcome June.

Starting to really feel like summer here in Austin!

It makes me want lemonade, snow cones, pool parties and cook outs.  I can't wait.