Two Years

Last year I didn't have a lot of time to reflect on our anniversary because we were moving into our new apartment in a new city and so much was going on.

This year, I've been thinking about how my life changed in such a good way when I met Cole.  I can hardly believe it's been two years since our ceremony.  I can't imagine life without her. 

Happy anniversary, Cole!

Valentine's Day Gift

This year we set a $10 limit for Valentine's Day gifts...which requires a person to be very resourceful.

Look at the beautiful headband that Cole made for me using a vintage necklace and a piece of ribbon (from one of our wedding gifts, I'm pretty sure)!  I wore it proudly on Saturday afternoon when we checked out the Inner Sunset and Irving Street, which might be our next neighborhood. 

Yep, I love it.

A Picnic and A Little Hula Hooping

On Sunday afternoon--since it was finally sunny and beautiful--we took a picnic up to Alamo Square.  It was sooooo nice.  After we'd eaten our fill of fancy cheese, herb bread, and stoneground mustard, Cole showed me her sweet moves from her hooping class.  She's so good!  She can do all sorts of tricks, send the hoop in different directions, bring it up to her hand and down to her ankles, and turn around with it still moving.

Shockingly, after a little tutorial from her, I was able to do some hooping myself.  It's probably the most fun abs workout you could ever do--especially when you're up at Alamo Square on a sunny day, looking out at the city.

Chocolate peanut butter cake

Months ago Cole started hinting around that she wanted me to make this cake for her birthday. Yesterday I tried my hand at it. It's a really, really good recipe and for the first time ever, I actually had frosting left over after covering the layers. Any ideas on what to do with a cup of peanut butter cream cheese frosting besides snitching a taste or two every time you visit the kitchen?

The cake itself is really moist, due to the cup of sour cream you add, I think. The peanut butter frosting has just the right amount of cream cheese in it to add a bit of tanginess. And the ganache is a chocolate/peanut butter mix.

I agree with the recipe in that this cake is best enjoyed in extremely thin slices. Our friends all liked it last night but there's so much left that we could have another party!