Santa Barbara

 

Olaf and I celebrated our three year wedding anniversary in Santa Barbara last week. Santa Barbara is the most special city for us because that is where we met, fell in love, and got married. 

We stayed at the Bacara Resort and Spa which is near UCSB and shares a similar natural-style coastline. The hotel was purchased by new owners last year, so we were nervous that the place had lost it's California/ Spanish style charm. In fact, the change looks like it will be a good thing because the new owners are investing a lot of money in improving and renovating the resort. The place had a lot more energy this visit, which we appreciated. 

On Saturday we met with Lois and her daughter Kristy, Olaf's first friends in America. When Olaf and Daniel arrived fresh from Germany, wearing their lederhosen and clutching packages of bratwurst, Lois and Kristy welcomed them into their Santa Barbara home with open arms. Lois's sister Alice was Olaf and Daniel's English teacher at university, and had arranged for the boys to stay with Lois until they could find housing near UCSB. 

The view from our balcony

Morning coffee

We were absolutely blessed with the weather! It was 75 degrees the entire time we were there. We enjoyed every moment of sunshine, albeit with protection, as I have now taken to wearing sunscreen all the time (shock horror).

The Bacara does Christmas Santa Barbara style, which is always a treat for Olaf and I when we visit after Thanksgiving. In years past we have enjoyed their remixed Christmas music in the lobby while sitting by a big roaring fireplace. 

This year's Christmas decorations were absolutely the best. The lobby was filled with fresh pine and oranges, with vibrant orange and black monarch butterflies fluttering everywhere. 

Magical Bacara Christmas decorations

Sitting happy by the fireplace

Our new favorite thing to do at the Bacara is to relax. We used to run all around and hit up our favorite Santa Barbara coffee houses and beaches, but since last year we have tried to stay at the Bacara and enjoy their beaches, pool and natural scrub coastline. We went on lots of walks and were constantly scanning the ocean for dolphins and seals. 

 

On our anniversary we sat on the beach and watched the sunset together with a bottle of champagne and a bag of green and red tortilla chips from Trader Joe's. 

 

Happy anniversary!

Thanksgiving with the Obregons

Thanksgiving is always a special holiday that brings our family together for two simple goals 1) eating lots of food, and 2) appreciating our blessings. 

We flew direct to San Francisco from London, on a too-small plane packed tight with American ex-pats anxious to get home for the holiday week. We were in good spirits though, because we were together.  

One of my favorite Thanksgiving traditions is the Sacramento Food Bank's Run to Feed the Hungry, a charity 10k run through some of the most gorgeous tree-lined streets in midtown Sacramento. I've done this run every Thanksgiving morning for the last 12 years (except 2008 when we got married and did the Santa Barbara version instead). The feeling of community is awesome. Everyone gathered for a common purpose (running) with a common mindset (thankfulness). Plus the turkey costumes are great. 

The Run to Feed the Hungry starts at Sacramento State University

We took off at 6:30am- we ate Chinese food the night before so I could hardly see

Thanksgiving dinner is the best. My favorite dishes this year were my mom's (Grandma Annie's recipe) cranberry fluff, and my cousin Angela's sweet potatoes. Olaf really enjoyed the Whole Food's turkey and the brussels sprouts. Actually, just the turkey. 

Serving up dinner

For the last few years our family has used Thanksgiving as a warm-up for Christmas. After dinner we decorates mini gingerbread houses with Skittles, candy canes, M&M's, and frosting. The houses were built by my dad, but judged by little Abigail who said "everyone is a winner" but nonetheless was very upset when Olaf's soccer-themed house was accidentally toppled.

Matt-O and Jamie getting started on their gingerbread houses

Dad mixing up some more frosting

Mom put on her pj's immediately after dinner, as usual. Oh the perks of being a hostess :)

Olaf hard at work

Olaf's fan house

My house, complete with fishing pond for Olaf

My mom does the seasons. The house gets completely transformed in commemoration of every major holiday. Everyone loves coming over because my mom makes the house so warm and welcoming with twinkle lights, extra throw pillows, cozy blankets, and glittering candles. It's a lot of work, but my mom has a talent and 164 Costello court always looks awesome and feels homey. 


For Thanksgiving my mom has a (couple) Autumn trees decked with special ornaments. 

Pumpkin pie ornament

Thanksgiving tree

The three sisters

London with Katie

Katie and I got to traipse around London together for a couple days before she had to head back home. The Frieze Art Fair was scheduled to open after Katie's departure, but we did catch the special Sculpture Park in Regent's Park, which was set up early.

 

Scandinavian drinks at the Scandinavian Kitchen

For Katie's last London dinner, we went to my absolute favorite restaurant in London, Wapping Food. The restaurant is inside of an old power station in a riverside neighborhood. In the back of the restaurant is space reserved for art installations. The shows change every few weeks and admission is free for diners. In the past Olaf and I have seen shows featuring photos, films and dancers. Always something unique. This time we sat in theater chairs and watched a film with a Polish woman telling stories while cooking.

Watching the show

The original power station features remain and make for a fun and eerie dining experience

Halifax and York with the Pelton Clan

Katie and I got back from Barcelona on a Friday night, got a couple hours of sleep, then shot out of London as soon as the sun rose the next morning. We were headed for the land of Katie's ancestors, northern England. 

We picked up our Zipcar in Marylebone and drove four hours north to Bronte county to meet Katie's aunt and cousin, who were kind enough to show us around. We went to a few cemeteries and churches, and finished off the day with a pub dinner.  

I really enjoyed hearing Katie's family stories, which were very similar to stories I've heard from my own family about the horrors of war, orphanages and poverty from only a few generations ago. It was also nice to connect to a personal side of England, which Olaf and I often miss. I must say that Katie's aunt and cousin are the nicest British people I've met so far. 

Haworth

Katie and I spent the night in Leeds, at the Queens Hotel. We watched the movie Win Win (excellent) and then went to bed early. It was so good to finally sleep :)

On Sunday we had breakfast in our hotel and then drove to York, about 45 minutes away. We wandered around for a couple hours and then drove back to London, where we enjoyed a wonderful dinner at the Providores in Marylebone. 

"Castle" in York

Looking over to the York Minster

York "Castle" in the middle of a parking lot

 

York Minster

Some Roman wall

Kitty

Descending from the "castle"