Part 1 of a much needed escape.

Oh my goodness. I'm sorry for my unintentional absence. Blogging can just be like a vicious cycle. I had lots to post and then it got overwhelming so I put it off. And the more I put it off the more overwhelming it got. Anyone know what I mean? When I finally went to catch up, Blogger was down. And then I started getting kind of mean emails.. about people unsubscribing because of me not posting enough. So I was just kind of over it.

BUT.

We just got back from a weekend in Santa Barbara (and other random parts of the central coast) and I feel refreshed. I'm not even going to bother filling you in on the past few weeks, I'm just starting fresh. So, Santa Barbara.

When we went to San Francisco in September, we also drove the PCH and there were a few key places we missed due to time constraints - Santa Barbara being one of them. I have been to Santa Barbara before, but Matt hasn't, and I knew it was worth a trip. We are obsessed with mountains and Santa Barbara is set against a ridiculously gorgeous backdrop of mountains. I basically just started at the mountains the whole time instead of what I was supposed to be looking at.... and I'm only partly joking.

We stayed at the Presidio Motel - an old style motel that the owners updated. The rooms were fun and clean, the location was good, and the price was right. And I loved the sun deck.

The first night we watched the Bruins game (yeaaah B's!) in the hotel and ate a late dinner at Los Agaves. I'm not an expert on authentic Mexican food, but this was probably the best Mexican food I've ever had. I had ridiculously delicious enchiladas. And Matt demolished his wet burrito before I could take a picture.

The next day we woke up and I found my dream house on the walk to breakfast. Yes, I pretty much find a new dream house in every city we visit. But seriously I want to live here. The second picture is the side of the house. Huuuuuuge house.

Then we went up to the old mission and they were having some sort of festival this weekend where they turn all the pavement surrounding the mission into a big canvas for chalk/pastel artists. We got there early and they were just starting, but how amazing is this? I wish we went back before we left to see the finish products.

The mission itself was pretty amazing - I mean, the Santa Barbara mission is supposed to be the mother of all missions. It did not disappoint.

It's still in use, which makes the sanctuary even more spiritual and enchanting.

Then we went to the Santa Barbara courthouse, which is also still in use. If I had to go to court, I wouldn't even be mad.

As you can see, if you like Spanish architecture, Santa Barbara is pretty much your mecca.

And the view from the clocktower of the courthouse. Breathtaking.

Finally, we walked the beach path and ate some seafood on the pier. This was our view. See the mountains? Well duh, you do. They're gorgeous.

And after watching some UFC (yes, again, we had to keep up with our sporting events while on vacation), we went for a late night In-N-Out run. We usually try to avoid chain places when on vacation - you gotta soak up the local flavor, ya know? But we're not technically Californians. So when in California, do like the Californians do and eat In-N-Out. Besides, we're only in California for three more years - gotta take advantage of In-N-Out while we can, right? Perfectly logical, I think.

My mama.

It's one of the hardest things in the world being a motherless woman. I feel a happy jealousy when I see my friends with their moms. I did not have a mom around to help me with girl stuff, to go shopping with, to watch me go off to prom, to send me away to college, to warn me about boys and watch me fall in love with my (one and only) boyfriend now husband, to fawn over my engagement ring, to help me pick out my wedding dress, or to watch me walk down the aisle. And she will not be there when I have my first child or when I need parenting advice at 2 o'clock in the morning. Truth be told, I do not remember what it feels like to be a daughter. And sadly, I do not remember much about my mother. But I do know this: I was loved.

This is my most favorite picture of my mother - pregnant with me. See, my mom HATED getting her picture taken, and she rarely ever smiled for the camera. Even in her wedding pictures, she mostly has a delighted, serene expression on her face. But I think here, with me in her belly, there's no disguising her joy.

My mom made a living crafting and creating things, and she instilled that creativity in me. She inspired my love of books and learning, reading to me nightly before tucking me in and taking me to the library weekly to check out as many books as I could possibly read. The way she advocated for my brother with autism before there were few resources available is what inspired me to work in social services. And although I miss what I do remember of her, I mostly feel sadness for the relationship I know we would have had if she lived longer. She was beautiful, giving, and exactly the kind of woman I aspire to be. Happy Mother's Day, mama. I hope you're proud of me. xoxoxo

I love you more than all the stars in the sky.

My friend Rachel, who I've posted about before, is making and selling the cooooooolest things ever. I want one.

It's a personalized view of the night sky from any location on any date. The one above is the view of the stars from the bed and breakfast she and her husband stayed at on their wedding night, May 24, 2008. I love the idea of commemorating something this way. I think it would be so sweet to have one for each of your kids the day they were born.

SO awesome, right? Go visit her Etsy shop!

Tidbits.

Saturday in iPhone pictures.

Poking out from his fort. A view from a stroll along the water. Love buildings on stilts, reminds me of home. My ridiculously handsome lunch date. My ridiculously delicious shrimp tacos. Lunch view of the Coronado bridge. My poor car. Lack of motivation to make dinner. Fight night.

We were in a four car accident on the way home from lunch yesterday. We were rear-ended and pushed into the car in front of us. My poor car is damaged on both ends and I'm not happy about it, but I'm so grateful we are both okay. Wear your seatbelts! Ours saved our lives.