A Beautiful Day for Brunch

To celebrate an amazing woman who just turned 30 (thank you for joining me in the 30 somethings) and who has officially graduated from a life changing program at The Institute of Integrative Nutrition we went to brunch, kid free. A wonderful Cafe by the river, with a selection of food that forces you to plan your return trip so you can try more, but still without kids! Ali is an inspiration to me in so many ways, an amazing mother, friend and cook.

We feasted on Corn and Black Bean Fritters with eggs, avacado and homemade salsa on top, cod cakes with poached eggs and hollandaise sauce, and a burger with beautiful toppings. The wait for a table was an hour and a half so needless to say we were starving and ready to dive in. After we went next door to an amazing little shop that sold kayaks and gellato, a combo you don't see everyday. I had made Dark Goddess Cake from Karina's Kitchen and we all chose flavors to coordinate with the chocolate goodness. The man who ran the store, and who's son scooped the gellato, told us we could use a special spot upstairs with some tables and chairs. We carried our coconut and raspberry yumminess up and found a grown-up tree house waiting for us. We sat outside under the tree which came up through the floor and ate and laughed as the chocolate high set in. This is what a group of friends should do together. This is what we were meant to do, eat, laugh and enjoy eachother. We do not take enough time to laugh together and special occasions force us into remembering how to have fun and relax.

Here's to many more years of friendship and laughter with these ladies. Many more years of amazing pot-lucks and food inspired get-togethers. And best of all, laughter.

Ali, you are amazing!!!