Some beautiful Bay Area fun and my weekly workout recap
Hi, friends! I’ve got a lot of pictures from my weekend adventures and my weekly workout recap coming your way today …
On Sunday morning, I took my Mom to the airport so she could fly back to Southwest Florida after an incredibly wonderful 10-day visit. I will definitely be a little sad over the next few days, because 10 days just didn’t seem like long enough, and I get very upset when we have to end our time together. It just hasn’t gotten any easier to say goodbye, even though I’ve been living “Out West” for four years now. Nonetheless, my Mom’s last few days here were quite a bit of fun.
Friday …
On Friday afternoon, my beautiful cousin, Karen, and her husband came to Walnut Creek to go to lunch with my Mom and me. We chose Walnut Creek Yacht Club and had a nice spread (I had mahi mahi and veggies). After lunch, we caught up for a little while back at my place — then they went on their way, and my Mom and I popped out to get our eyebrows done and hit up Starbucks to caffeinate for the night’s line-up.
In the evening, my Mom and I went to Canvas and Cabernet in downtown Walnut Creek. Dave and I had been there one year ago, and ever since then, I’ve been wanting to go back. And let me tell you, we had such a fabulous time. And we love our pictures! I actually already hung them up. There’s nothing like sipping on wine, listening to music, chatting with your Mom and painting. Perfection!
After our paintings were complete and session was done, we walked over to Kanishka’s to have a late dinner with Dave.
Saturday …
On Saturday, Dave, Rudy, my Mom and I suited up and headed on a mini-road-trip about an hour away. We drove down the coast on scenic Highway 1 to Half Moon Bay, which a coastal area right on the Pacific Ocean. We went to Sam’s Chowder House for lunch and were set up at the most perfect table outside overlooking the beach. Our meals were fantastic (I had trout, and they both had the lobster roll), the weather was fantastic, and Rudy was fairly well-behaved too. My Mom was blown away by the beauty of the setting and Dave and I were reminded again why we love living in the Bay Area. It’s basically unbeatable when it comes to surroundings — no matter where you go.
Pretty nice view, right? Rudy was a little nervous near the cliff, but we held onto him tightly.
After making it back to the East Bay where we live in the late afternoon, my Mom and I went on a quick shopping trip for a few things. In the evening, the three of us went out to dinner at Il Fornaio in downtown Walnut Creek for some fine Italian fare. Dinner was excellent, and we had a seat near a fireplace. We especially loved the little dessert spread that we all three split. Bread pudding. Gelato. Chocolate cake. Yes.
Sunday …
Bright and early on Sunday, I took my Mom to the Oakland Airport. And boy it was rough to see her go. Luckily, I had Rudy in the car with me, and he was able to comfort me on the lonely and quiet drive back home to Walnut Creek.
Because I knew I needed to keep myself busy rather than mope around when I arrived home, I immediately got started on some chores, prepped all of my food for the week (here’s my meal plan), then decided to pop over to the gym to try out a U-Jam hip-hop dance class. The class was fun, but I was entirely out of my element (more on that below). Later, I met up with my gal Jill in downtown Walnut Creek for a chat/coffee date. Then I met Dave over at our friends’ house to watch the second half of the Warriors game. And they won. (And how cool are these delicious Warriors inspired Oreos below.) So good!
The late evening and afternoon included some chill time at home, with salmon on the grill for dinner. And that was the weekend! Come back, Mom!
My weekly fitness and workout recap
And into the fitness, let’s take a look at all of my workouts from last week …
(Photo credit to Leah Bentley Photography, 2015.)
Weekly Workouts
- Monday: Took a 45-minute FlyBarre class
- Tuesday: Taught a one-hour of BODYPUMP class
- Wednesday: Taught a one-hour BODYATTACK class
- Thursday: Did 30-minutes of weights
- Friday: Took a 45-minute FlyBarre class
- Saturday: Rest day
- Sunday: Took a 30-minute U-Jam Dance class
How did this past week of workouts go?
So do you notice something entirely new on my workout recap this week? Yes. A dance class. I have been wanting to try a U-Jam dance class for a long time and finally pushed myself to do it on Sunday. The class was super full, and it seemed like a lot of people knew what they were doing. I tried my best and had a lot of fun dancing, but ultimately about halfway through the class felt like I had had enough. Always good to get out there and try something new though, right? The rest of the week included a full rest day, two sessions of resistance, some cardio and two barre classes. Overall, great variety, but a little light on the weight training. I plan to fix that this week with a new addition to my workout routine.
That’s that! Have a great day!
Fun #BayArea adventures and #fitness... Click To TweetP.S. Thanks to Meghan for today’s “Week in Review” link-up.
Questions of the day
How was your weekend?
When was the last time you tried something new?
Sending you and your Mom LOTS of love today. I’m happy to hear you had a fun-filled 10 days, though!
And man does California look beautiful. I’m dying to visit that state.
Thank you, Courtney! We need it and appreciate it. And YES, you MUST visit this beautiful state one day — there’s so much to see. Have a great week, friend!
Gorgeous pics and delicious looking food this weekend! I have always wanted to try one of those wine and painting classes, but I am so not an artist, so I’m nervous it would turn out awful, hehe. I’m not sure how I would feel about a dance class either, I did zumba in college and realized it was so not for me. Oh and I’m grilling Salmon tonight because yours always looks so delicious and it’s finally sunny and warm on the east coast. Do you season it before you grill?!? Have a great week!
Hi Patricia! You don’t have to be an artist to go to a painting night, because they give you very specific instructions and next thing you know, you’ve made a masterpiece! And with Zumba– hahah– no help there. But if you enjoy dancing, don’t worry about what you look like. With salmon, Dave always cooks it for me. He doesn’t season at all, just puts a little bit of olive oil on each side and always cooks with the skin on. Good luck!
Goodbyes always suck–I’m so sorry! Sounds like a fantastic time though. What a beautiful setting for lunch! Sending you happy vibes from PA today and this week!
I did your meal prep idea yesterday too but i used asparagus instead of Brussels Sprouts. Thanks for the idea!! 🙂
Hi Heather! Thanks, lady! And yay for meal prep! I hope you enjoy the meals when you eat them. 🙂
Such a fantastic weekend, and I know the struggle of saying by to Mom–it never is easy. Sending hugs! I have to say that the lunch you had (looks like swordfish, beets, and pickled red onions) has me salivating! I certainly tried tons of new things (mostly food but also clothes) over the weekend! Have a great week, Ashley!
Ohhh yes! Glad you tried some new things in NYC!! Looking forward to reading about it, Susie. 🙂
I really love how you take time out to do artistic, fun, relaxing activities, and your creation looks so pretty. It’s always fun to put those things up on your walls. Those views of the bay are making me want to visit Cali again. 🙂
Hi Emily! I love to do things out of my normal (like dance and art). It’s good to express yourself haahha! Hope you had a nice weekend, lady!
The bay area is so beautiful, I need to visit sometime. Your painting turned out great. I’m not artistic at all but I’ve been to a paint night and they are a lot of fun.
You don’t have to be too artistic to do well at a painting night if you have the right teacher heheh. Hope your weekend was fabulous, Jen! 🙂
Can I say how cute Rudy looks with his bow tie? Such a gentleman! Half Moon looks insanely gorgeous, it’s on my list. Glad the rest of your Sunday was a slam-dunk (hehe)! xxx
You MUST get to Half Moon Bay, Jill! In fact, soon enough, you could be the one that drives there down the scenic highway hahaha! So good to see you, friend!!
Haha! You have too much faith in my highway skills Ashley!!! 😛 Have a great day
Ashley, the relationship you have with your mom is so wonderful!! You’re a very lucky lady! Looks like you had a fabulous weekend! Rudys bow tie.. I just can’t!! He was dressed to impress! Love it!! Il fornio is one of my favorite spots! Not sure if you and Dave have tried Salvatore in walnut creek but I highly recommend it also! It’s owned by a family from Italy, the food is wonderful. Have a great week!!!
Hi Jacquelyn, oh you are too sweet. Yes, I love that I can call my Mom my best friend. She’s the greatest. And she was the one who brought the bow-tie for Rudy heheh! YES, we went to Salvatore once and LOVED the food and atmosphere. In fact, we almost went this past weekend but went to IF instead. Hope you had a great weekend too, lady! 🙂 It was a beautiful one!
Your weather looks magical! I’ve spent a good amount of time in southern CA but that’s as far north as I’ve made it!
Southern California and Northern California are entirely different! You need to experience them both, Erin. Hope you had a nice weekend, lady! 🙂
Man what a weekend you had ! That weather looks amazing! We had a busy weekend filled with brunch and friends over for pizza and Settlers of Catan..have you ever played..man it’s pretty fun once you get going , but I’m not going to lie I like easy to follow games like crazy 8’s or monopoly! lol
It’s always soo hard to leave family, and makes it harder when it costs so darn much to make the trips because otherwise we;d be together all the time! So glad you had a nice time with your mom…but I know the feelings of having to say goodbye! Sending you hugs on this probably sadder then most Monday’s…:)
Hi Fiona! I’ve definitely never heard of that game. I tend to like easier ones though heheh. And if only airfare were free! Yes … a sad Monday. 🙁
Absolutely love those Warriors oreos, how cute! Did you make them/ where did you find them?
Hi Emma! No! They were made by a catering company through the Warriors. Pretty cool though, right?? 🙂
I never comment on blogs but knew I would have to when I saw the first picture today without even reading the post! I love that spot and get to look at it often! I too am from the east coast (West Virginia) and landed out here in Half Moon Bay! Isn’t our small town breathtaking? And to be so close to the city and the silicone valley yet feel miles away! I hoped you would venture this way! A visit to Sams on a sunny day 3 years ago is what sealed the deal for me to (agree 😉 ) to move West!
Hi Megan!! Thank you so much for saying hi! I love that. And wow — how cool that you live in Half Moon Bay. My Mom wants to move there! Me too! I need to come down that way more often. Thanks for reading, fellow transplant!
I’m glad you had such a wonderful time with your mom. It sounds fantastic, and I have to agree those views are phenomenal.
It’s possible the Warriors and the Cavs may meet up in these playoffs. That’d be interesting. 🙂
That WOULD be an interesting meet-up, Meghan! You know who I would be cheering for!
What a great weekend you had!! I am swooning over the trout cause I am a fish freak, FO SHO! hahaha! And I also adore your work out pants. I try and do something new and different at least once a week. The last thing I did was uh, er, eat coconut milk ice cream for dinner like an ADULT? lol! I Know, I know! SOMEONE LOCK ME UP IN A ROOM because I just CANT BE TAMED! LMFAO!
Hi GiGi! I like seafood a lot and have it almost every week! Ice cream for dinner? I don’t hate the sound of that at all …
LOVE those painting and wine classes!!! I should take my mom to one, what a fun girl’s date! My husband and I did one for our anniversary a couple years ago and it was hilarious!
Hi Sarah! It’s a totally fun night for sure. Hope you are having a great week, lady!
Looks fun! I’ve always wanted to try the wine + painting night. It could lead to a disastrous painting in my case though… 😉
Well I think the wine helps with painting confidence heheh! Hope you are having a great week, Amanda!
Looks/sounds like such a wonderful weekend! 10 days with my mom in town always sounds like it’s going to feel like a lifetime, but it flies by so quickly! Glad you got to show her around a bit. 🙂
Awesome that you got to head to a dance class, too. Those dance classes are always difficult the first ~3 classes – still getting used to the instructor’s style, getting used to the beat, etc. Completely understandable that it would be tough on the first go. (Can you tell I come from dance background, ha!) But awesome that you got out there to try it!
I actually went to a new class yesterday and it had been so long since I’ve been to a new gym that I had legitimate butterflies in my stomach! Always tough to take that first step, ha!
Chat soon!
Hi Jessica! Yes, I can tell! And yes, same thing with some group fitness classes — you really need to go three times before deciding if it’s right for you. I may go back to the dance class, just not this weekend hehehe. Congrats on the new blog design!!
Sounds like you had a GREAT time with your mom visiting! We were vacationing in Naples for the last 5 days and we didn’t want to leave—it was great weather every day……..wow! I’ve never been to this area and it was fun….I’d love to relocate there I think……or just visit annually:) We drove to Marco Island one afternoon, so pretty:)! One good thing is appreciating coming home—nothing like our own bed……..and the quiet!
Hi Amy! I did have a great time with my Mom! And I love Naples too. That’s an hour for my parent’s house or so. But yes, always good to be home. Welcome back!!