Jewel of the Gaviota Coast

"The Arroyo Hondo Preserve is a magnificent canyon located west of Santa Barbara between Refugio State Beach and Gaviota State Park. The old ranch is rich in early California history and has an abundance of outstanding natural features. Purchased from the Hollister family in late 2001, Arroyo Hondo is now protected forever and managed by the Land Trust as a natural and historic preserve. Visitors are invited to come explore its beauty and diversity.”

This reserve offers several unique areas to hold your ceremony or reception. Ranging from barn to beach. The natural setting is priceless but requires extra work on the couples' part because everything must be brought in including generator and restrooms. The couple who runs the reserve (and were also married there) are friendly and want to make sure you enjoy your visit. Camping is not normally available within the reserve, but for an additional fee guests can be permitted to camp overnight.

http://www.sblandtrust.org/arroyohondo.html

The Story of Brian & Lisa | Save the Date!

There are so many ways to tell your friends and family about your big day, but why not do it in style. I have seen everything from magnets, wine bottles, and now even Youtube videos. I had to share this with my wedding community because I cannot believe how creative Brian and Lisa were with their wonderful announcement. Just imagine if they were this creative with their save the date what fabulous things are in store for their wedding guests. Enjoy!

Giving Back for Challenged Athletes in 2012

I want to give back to an organization that has truly touch my life. I hope to raise $10,000 for Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF) in 2012. The Challenged Athletes Foun
dation has raised more than $30 million to provide grants for prosthetic limbs and other specialized equipment to help deserving individuals pursue an active lifestyle.

In an effort to give back I will donate my fees to CAF, therefore making your 2012 wedding or event planning tax deductible. CAF is not just another cause to us. CAF has touched our lives and those we love.

In May 2010, Stacie and 22 others climbed to Mt. Everest base to support CAF, accompanying her aunt and uncle in their summit bid. Stacie's uncle Paul overcame brachial plexus palsy, a nerve condition that severely limits muscle strength and dexterity in his right hand, to complete the Seven Summits (a task completed by less than 200 people in the world). Paul & Denise Fejtek will be returning to Kilimanjaro on the 10th anniversary of their summit and the first of their "Seven Summits for CAF".

During Stacie's training and fundraising for Mt. Everest, fate introduced us to Danielle McLaughlin, who later became our roommate. Danielle lost her left foot to synovial sarcoma when she was in high school. Since then, Danielle has mentored young adults that face limb loss due to cancer and has become a beneficiary of CAF. Danielle received an athletic limb from CAF which she used to not only compete, but won the gold medal in the World Paratriathlon.

CAF exists because it is not a lack of desire, courage or ability that keeps many challenged athletes on the sidelines -- it is a lack of funding. Your donation will pay for hand cycles, sports chairs, and hi-tech prosthetic limbs that will go directly to assist challenged athletes, including among others American soldiers wounded in Iraq. This equipment will allow them to once again fully participate in life.

All members of the CAFrica Challenge are paying their own expedition expenses and travel costs. Your donation will go entirely to CAF, a registered 501©3 nonprofit organization. We would like to have your support as we pursue our quest to reach the summit and reach our $10,000 fundraising goal for CAF. Please share some of your good fortune through contributing on our personal fundraising site today: http://cafrica.kintera.org/colbyandstacie

Learn more about CAF at :http://www.challengedathletes.org

Paul and Denise Fejtek wrote a book about their amazing journey for CAF through the seven summits. 100% of the proceeds benefit CAF: http://StepsToTheSummit.com/

Flowering Love

Rachel and Dustin were married on September 10, 2011 (yep..9-10-11) at the Cal State Fullerton Alumni House. Rachel is an unbelievably creative individual and hand-crafted thousands of these beautiful paper flowers. The effect was amazing. She combined her striking paper flowers with an array of succulents. When I asked her about the time it took to make all of them she said, "These flowers are priceless and I will never make one again." The time put into these flowers is only a drop in the bucket when compared to the time Rachel and Dustin have been together. These two started dating in sixth grade and were together for 16 years before taking the plunge.

Bar Flare

This elaborate and ecological bar display was the brain child of Island View Catering. A full bar with several hand crafted local beers on tap. Not only were the beers handcrafted, but the father of the groom built the tap stand. Their signature cocktail the colorful habinero, basil gin conncoction they titled "Buddah's Delight". This wedding had almost 250 guests and to save on costs and be more eco friendly they posted a sign that said, "Save your glass and save the planet".

Tweet Tweet

Who doesn't love bird houses? A different little spin on packaging bridesmaids jewelry. Instead of a typical jewelry box why not personalize each gift. After all the ladies standing up for you are the most important in your life. Each house was painted to match the personality of the bridesmaid and then the jewelry was placed in a silk bag inside the opening. The bride shared a story about each bridesmaid when she handed out the gifts. To top it of the gift tag read, "Tweet tweet thanks for being so sweet".

Fried Green Tomatoes

This year my tomato plant went absolutely nuts. I am so happy to have a piece of earth to call my own in Los Angeles. My urban garden is 6X12' raised bed that my husband built for me. My tomato plants took over the garden then the eight foot wall and then the 12 foot lattice only to attempt to conquer my neighbors tree. So what to do with all the tomatoes? I have made sauces galore, bruschetta is a nightly occurrence and of course fried green tomatoes.

The most important aspect of making fried green tomatoes is after slicing them place them on a cooling rack with a paper towel to dry before frying.

Did I mention my 3 year old chocolate lab, Troubles, likes to pick tomatoes. She doesn't eat them, but instead very gingerly places them on the doorstep. My label for this years sauce is called "The Troubled Tomato" with her picture on it.

Did you know the average American eats 22lbs of tomatoes a year? To find out more tomato facts and how to prepare and buy the freshest tomato check out:

http://whatscookingamerica.net/tomato.htm