just shuck it

i've been completely consumed with everything and anything other than this blog for the past few weeks unfortunately, but at least it hasn't all been work! the boyfriend's parents were in town recently and it just happened to be his dad's birthday, which gave us an excuse to indulge every night at a new restaurant. toward the end of their stay, we planned a surprise trip to hog island oyster in point reyes for one more chance to celebrate.  it was absolutely gorgeous that day, and we enjoyed shucking our own oysters (my first time! surprisingly, it's not as hard as it looks-but i was definitely skeptical going into it), sipping white wine, and savoring possibly the most delicious cupcakes i've ever made.  if you need to make a sweet treat for something coming up...maybe valentine's day, hmm?...i strongly suggest giving this recipe a try!

we're kind of cool...stamps we needed to shuck our own oysters.

the spread.

the finished cupcakes...seriously, make these now. you will not regret it!

speaking of valentine's day, i need to go pick up my gift for the boyfriend. he's surprising me on thursday and friday and i couldn't be more excited!!! yes, that's right, he's amazing. what will you be doing to celebrate? eating chocolate cupcakes, you say?? well i think that's just a grand idea!

christmas came early

last week, the boyfriend and i celebrated our christmas early since we were both leaving for home on friday.  i turned the lights on on the christmas tree, hung our mini-stockings, and wrapped all of his gifts before we made dinner and hid inside for the night to avoid the cold rain. it felt so right having our christmas celebration there...making dinner, watching Christmas movies, and opening gifts together really put me in the spirit of the season!

presents under the tree (and my favorite elephant ornament)

mmmm...cheese plate and wine before dinner

we had received the new food & wine magazine in the mail on wednesday, and both looked at the recipe on the cover and knew that we needed to try it immediately. it was for a spice-rubbed roast chicken with a wasakaka sauce (this was the first time i had even heard of this sauce, but it would be equally amazing on fish as well), which i decided to serve over black rice and roast tomatoes with olive oil and salt and pepper.  we both loved it and can't wait to make it again.  

the finished project...absolutely amazing!

unfortunately the recipe is not online yet, but you should definitely go out and pick up the newest issue to try it!  it's delicious, warm, comforting, and healthy...perfect to warm you up on a chilly night this winter.

merry christmas!