The Longest Day

With the summer solstice arriving on Thursday, we’re gearing up for the longest day of the year and debating the best backyard traditions to enjoy with family and friends!

CHIC (Pearl)

If you read our posts regularly, you know I love to entertain. So this summer, you’ll find me setting up the string lights, popping a bottle of sparkling wine, and calling some friends for a backyard soiree. It’s my way of celebrating this place we call home, where you can sit outside at night in late June and not get cold!

GEEK (Kevin)

I’ll bet you thought I was going to go with barbecue. Okay, so I’m going with barbecue. I mean, what else is there to do when the sun is out until 8:30pm and you have a few pounds of meat in the fridge that somebody (not saying who) brought home from Costco? Clean your grill, fire up the coals, and let the sizzling commence!

Dealbreakers

What are the must-have items you can’t live without when it comes to buying a new home?

CHIC (Pearl)

For me, it’s all about space. I need a big back yard for hosting BBQ parties and large gatherings. The house itself should have a spacious open floor plan to accommodate indoor celebrations and family events. And of course, I need enough closet and storage space to fit my wardrobe and accessories!

GEEK (Kevin)

I’m what you might call a “car guy” and a DIY tool man, so a big, wide, two-car garage is at the top of my wish list. A spacious kitchen is also a priority, for all those nights we spend experimenting with new recipes and breaking bread. And a well-insulated home can help save on heating and cooling costs.

Happy 4th of July!

Fire up the grill, crank up the homemade ice cream, and get out some lawn chairs to watch a big fireworks show with the whole family. It’s time to celebrate our Independence Day! What’s your favorite tradition for our national birthday party?

CHIC (Pearl)

After three years stuck inside hiding from the pandemic, I can’t wait to get out and cheer for a big patriotic parade, with floats and classic cars and VIPs you’ve never heard of waving to a bunch of people they’ve never met. We recommend the Rose, White & Blue Parade along the Alameda in San José!

GEEK (Kevin)

By now, if you’ve been reading these emails, you should know where to find me on the 4th: watching a pile of mouth-watering meat as it slowly sizzles and pops on my barbecue. You can keep the parades and the fireworks. They’re fun to watch, but I’d rather be eating! Who’s coming to dinner?

Hello Summer!

It’s hard to believe that the longest day of the year has already come and gone, but the solstice arrived like clockwork on Wednesday. So Bring on the parades and homemade ice cream and (legal) fireworks. It’s Summertime!

Love is in the air!

While we might agree to disagree on a few things – okay, a lot of things – we decided to create a meal together to kick off our Valentine’s Week.

CHIC (Pearl)

As usual, I skipped straight to dessert! But because baking is not my forte, I enlisted a friend to help craft these beautiful red velvet cupcakes. And we shared the love of eating the product to avoid a sugar high! Want to try at home? Here’s the recipe for the cupcakes and frosting.

GEEK (Kevin)

While Pearl got her bake on, I was busy prepping our main course: smoked pulled pork BBQ. There truly is nothing like this tender, juicy goodness, especially piled up on a platter and paired with homemade margaritas including limes from our yard. Learn to do your own smoking.