would you still be in love baby?

I don't mention him nearly enough, but I have a fabulous boyfriend. Like, this kid is incredible for not only loving me to the extent that he does (and putting up with my schedule and not getting mad when I fall asleep in the middle of important conversations), but for just being an all around great guy too.

Yesterday we had a belated 9-month celebration (also because Daniel claims we haven't gone out "in years!") and saw The Prestige (which we happened to really like despite some mediocre reviews) and then went into Sacramento for dinner. The plan was to eat at Zocalo, but the wait was almost an hour, so I pointed across the street and we decided to eat at Paesano's instead. An excellent choice.

I was going to write more about the evening, but I think I'll end with this instead:

"Later that day I got to thinking about relationships. There are those that open you up to something new and exotic, those that are old and familiar, those that bring up lots of questions, those that bring you somewhere unexpected, those that bring you far from where you started, and those that bring you back. But the most exciting, challenging and significant relationship of all is the one you have with yourself. And if you can find someone to love the you that you love, well, that's just fabulous." -Sex in the City

hmmm edited for photo goodness:

where oh where can i find someone, anyone

For my birthday, my old boss Sarah gave me two potted plants - a trailing ivy and some tiny little flowers - which I promptly killed. I didn't think I was bad at plants, but I'd never really had plants, so I don't know why I thought I'd be good at them. Daniel was over as I was packing up my room the other day and he saw the empty ivy pot and asked what I was going to do with it.

"I dunno. You should buy me a plant at the nursery and I'll try to keep it alive. It will be like a love fern," I joked.
"That's a good idea. Maybe I will."

I then proceeded to pack the pot at the bottom of one of my boxes because, honestly, who buys a love fern?

Apparently, my boyfriend.

I came home from our work party today (catered by the Buckhorn!), to find this:


There was also a poem (because what's a gift from Daniel without a poem?):
I love a semi-sunny spot,
I love to show my color off.
I love to watered every day or two,
But most of all, I cannot help but love you!

(notice the subtle watering directions hidden in the poem!)

This means several things:
1) He unpacked my boxes to find the pot and then repacked them
2) I have a love fern
3) I have to keep it alive!

He told the lady at the nursery that I killed my last plant and she suggested a cactus, but he says he has more faith in me than that. I say he's full of wishful thinking. But I'll try. You know, cause it's a love fern.

(does anyone know what kind of flower this actually is?)

hey la la hey

A few photos from last weekend:

Clos du Val

Mmmm, grapes!

Excited to be in Napa!

Chimney Rock

Yay! Wine!

Patriotic vineyards

Diamond Creek Vineyards

The valley

Happy Birthday, Daniel!

That's a big princess cake!