Hello, sunshine!

I’m from Florida. I miss the sunshine. Wah wah wah you live in California, land of plentiful sunshine, food and wine.
Were you here two months ago? Let me refresh your memory.

I don’t “do” cold. And, yes, it gets COLD here! However, that made today—the first day the temperature hit 80—all the sweeter.

All in all, it was the perfect day. But really, how can you go wrong when you start the day with an egg and cheese sandwich and church, progress with boating in the sunshine, and end with pulled pork and pinot noir. Y’all…I just don’t know.
We grabbed sandwiches from the general store on our way out to the lake. I had turkey, pepperjack and jalapeno….it was so spicy it almost made me cry…and we all know how I feel about spice.

I was perfectly in my element. Sunshine, sunscreen, nature, fast boat, splinters on my butt….

Just kidding. I sat on a life jacket just in case, don’t you worry.
And then just when it couldn’t get any better, we found Fern Gully!

(insert angelic choir)
Because I’m young and reckless, I didn’t drink enough water or wear enough sunscreen.

But I survived nevertheless.
We continued the “perfect Sunday trend” with good old fashioned barbecue for dinner.

And you know how I feel about my barbecue.

I do love me some pulled pork.
That’s a fact.
Angharad
April 25, 2010 at 9:40 pmErr. Yeah. Perfect day. BBQ sounds amazing. Come to think of it, so does 80 degrees!
miranda
April 25, 2010 at 9:49 pmah! yay to Sonoma County Sundays when the weather is getting warm! Just wait till summer comes π Glad you enjoyed a day on the lake!
Nora@LiveLifeEatRight
April 25, 2010 at 9:59 pma day of favorites= the BEST day. That pork looks AMAZING! I haven’t had pulled pork in such a long time. There is a place near me called Dinosaur BBQ and I SWEAR by it. Something about the slow cooked and smoke with a special sauce…flavorful comfort. I’m glad you had such an great day!
Jil
April 25, 2010 at 10:00 pmPulled pork = perfection. Looks like an amazing day!
Jenny
April 25, 2010 at 10:02 pmWow! What a great day- glad ya had a blast!
Adam
April 25, 2010 at 10:09 pmYou are livin’ the life! Don’t let anyone change you, or your views towards health, i think they are absolutely wonderful π Beautiful pictures btw!
Hillary [Nutrition Nut on the Run]
April 25, 2010 at 10:28 pmLivin’ the life in beautiful [sunny] NorCal. So bummed rain is coming this week. Glad you soaked up the sun while you could!
alicia
April 25, 2010 at 10:32 pmI’m so glad you’re having a good time! Your parents have done a great job with you. The world needs more Jennas.
Anne @ Food Loving Polar Bear
April 25, 2010 at 11:09 pmI’m green with envy! it looks like you had the best Sunday π
Camille
April 25, 2010 at 11:14 pmThose pictures are gorgeous.
I love Northern California π
Courtney (Pancakes & Postcards)
April 25, 2010 at 11:24 pmWhat a great day! this made me so happy just reading it. where is that BBQ place?? I am from norcal and have never been to a great BBQ place. Although I guess by NOT being from the South, I donΒ΄t really know the difference π
Freya @ Brit Chick Runs
April 25, 2010 at 11:38 pmAwh that day sounds lovely!! No doubt probably just what you needed after the last few days!??
The boat sounds fab, it’s been f-or-ev-er since I’ve been on a boat :s
Matt
April 26, 2010 at 1:04 amAwh that day sounds lovely!! No doubt probably just what you needed after the last few days!??
The boat sounds fab, it’s been f-or-ev-er since I’ve been on a boat :s
Julie
April 26, 2010 at 2:20 amWow that day sounds amazing! I want the sun out in Denmark as well, so that I can take my fiancΓ© on a daytrip π
To think that I never ever in my life have had pulled pork… I think I need to try and make some myself, with all the praises you give it!
Christie {Honoring Health}
April 26, 2010 at 2:24 amThat does sound like an awesome day! It has been ages since I have had pulled pork. Or laid in the sun.
Suzanne de Cornelia
April 26, 2010 at 2:29 amI’ve never had or even seen pulled-pork–don’t know where to even get it. How did I live in California entire life and miss this?! Now have to find some!
Looks like a FAB-U-LOUS day from start to finish!!
Jessica @ How Sweet It Is
April 26, 2010 at 3:22 amMmmm mmm I love pulled pork!
Chelsea (Chelsea's Chew and Run Fun)
April 26, 2010 at 3:34 amAh, that all sounds heavenly. Oh, how I miss California. I’ll be living walking distance from Rollin’s Lake (in Colfax, CA) this summer, and can’t wait for adventures such as the ones you embarked on today.
Rachel @ Suburban Yogini
April 26, 2010 at 3:37 amAh to live somewhere more consistently sunny than the UK π
Don’t get me wrong life’s good, but really? Clouds again? Sigh…
Simon
April 26, 2010 at 3:47 amI’ve never had or even seen pulled-pork–don’t know where to even get it. How did I live in California entire life and miss this?! Now have to find some!
Looks like a FAB-U-LOUS day from start to finish!!
Lisa C.
April 26, 2010 at 3:56 amThis post is awesome! The food looks amazing and the pictures are great π
Anna @ Newlywed, Newly Veg
April 26, 2010 at 4:18 amLooks like a perfect day!! Did y’all swim in that swimming hole? I hope so!! π
Erin (Travel, Eat, Repeat)
April 26, 2010 at 4:39 amGreat way to spend Sunday–sunshine, good food, good friends!
Deva (Voracious Vorilee)
April 26, 2010 at 4:48 amIt sounds like you had a lovely Sunday – just the right amount of adventure, greenery, and good BBQ.
Kristin (Cook, Bake and Nibble)
April 26, 2010 at 4:51 amSounds like the perfect Sunday!!
xo
K
Lauren @ Eater not a runner
April 26, 2010 at 4:52 amDoes look like the perfect day to me, pulled pork is the BEST!
eatmovelove
April 26, 2010 at 4:53 amLooks beautiful. BBQ’s rock -’nuff said. Whenever it gets either bit warm around here, I can smell people BBQ’ing in their backyards…I’m certain I’m going to jump the fence one day and crash their party…or at the very least “steal” the burgers and take off for safety…;)
Tracey @ I'm Not Superhuman
April 26, 2010 at 4:58 amThat place is so beautiful. I love random waterfalls. It looks like you had such a fun, relaxing Sunday. Those are the best. If only it weren’t followed by Monday!
theemptynutjar
April 26, 2010 at 5:02 amWould love love to be there. Love.
Sarah (Running to Slow Things Down)
April 26, 2010 at 5:11 amIt looks absolutely breathtakingly gorgeous there! So pretty!
And glad you had a blast! π
Lesley
April 26, 2010 at 5:15 amYay for sunshine!! Jenna, since summer is coming up and I know you love to read, would you ever do a post on your all-time favorite books? I think that would be fun! (And bring out the nerd in all of us).
Kelly @ Healthy Living With Kelly
April 26, 2010 at 5:21 amYou are the cutest thing ever!!!
Kelly (Local Foodie's Fight)
April 26, 2010 at 5:38 am“Because Iβm young and reckless, I didnβt drink enough water or wear enough sunscreen.”
samesies for me yesterday….
jen trinque
April 26, 2010 at 6:12 amI’m reading this on a Monday morning in a windowless office, and man oh man does it make me want to be outside in 80 degree weather, living it up!
maren
April 26, 2010 at 6:16 amim a southern girl in nyc, and the first day it got in the 80s here was marvelous! haha it looks like you had a great day! love me some good bbq~
Midgetkeeper
April 26, 2010 at 6:16 amPulled pork is pretty amazing.
Carolyn @ lovinlosing
April 26, 2010 at 6:22 amLooks like you had an AMAZING day!!!
Jessica, Haute Teapot
April 26, 2010 at 6:24 amI feel like I just spent your Sunday with you…thank you for sharing. It definitely looked perfect and actually, I had no idea there was a place like that in California and I’ve spent a lot of time there. Beautiful…
Kait
April 26, 2010 at 6:29 amI loved the movie Fern Gully growing up…that is such a gorgeous waterfall scene! Glad you had a great day!
Patrick
April 26, 2010 at 6:29 am“Because Iβm young and reckless, I didnβt drink enough water or wear enough sunscreen.”
samesies for me yesterday….
Jessica @ The Process of Healing
April 26, 2010 at 6:54 amThat sounds like a perfect day for a southern girl in Cali!
Lauren @ Running Examiner
April 26, 2010 at 7:05 amWow, what beautiful scenery! The water looks amazing.
I don’t “do” the cold either…and I’m originally from Syracuse! I live in Manhattan now, but that’s not alllll that warmer. Let’s just say, I’m desperately looking forward to my imminent move to Sarasota!
Heather (Heather's Dish)
April 26, 2010 at 7:12 amTOTALLY forgot about fern gully π sounds like the perfect sunday afternoon!
Anne P
April 26, 2010 at 7:28 amGahhhh that looks amazing!!! I want to go there next time I come play π
Tricia
April 26, 2010 at 7:46 ambeautiful!
Lauren @ louisianagrown
April 26, 2010 at 7:48 amDefinitely a perfect Sunday. You’re glowing. π
Jenna
April 26, 2010 at 7:50 amSimply beautiful!!
runnerforever
April 26, 2010 at 8:01 amThese pictures make me want to plan a vacation!
Julie
April 26, 2010 at 8:11 amOk, I’m not saying it doesn’t get cold (I live in the Bay Area) but It doesn’t get *that* cold. Sometimes, like once in every 50 years, there is a light dusting of snow and it ends up in the news because it’s unusual. We’re pretty lucky to live in one of the few mediterranean climates in the world. If the cold bugged you last winter, I’d recommend investing in a warm coat that you can layer sweaters under and things like heated blankets for your apartment. I not trying to be mean, I’m a cold sissy too, but having the right clothes can make our 55 degree winter completely bearable.
Lisa
April 26, 2010 at 8:27 amWhat a nice day! Looks like the perfect spot for a picnic.
FoodFitnessFreshair
April 26, 2010 at 8:28 amBeautiful pictures! I am more than ever ready for warm weather and summer!
Steph-exercise physiologist and artist
April 26, 2010 at 8:38 amIt is SOOOOOO beautiful there!!
Florida is sun shiny but Cali is so beautiful!! I am sure the winter is hard but just like you said it makes the warm weather that much sweeter.
Those sites are unbelievable. I hope to make it there someday π
Cynthia (It All Changes)
April 26, 2010 at 8:39 amPerfect Sundays are when you make memories with those you love.
I’m the opposite of a Florida girl. I can’t stand extreme heat and miss the snow when I lived in Louisiana. But I love to visit it.
Amanda Bowen
April 26, 2010 at 8:49 amIt sounds like a spectacular day! I haven’t kept up with the posts because yesterday I rode my first century! I think it’s so neat to hear about your training while I was training, too.
Don’t worry about yours at all! You are in great shape and you will totally finish strong. Make sure to enjoy the scenery and the ride!
Because I didn’t keep up well with the posts lately, I didn’t get a chance to say I was thinking of you with the anniversary of your loss. I was reading back then, and I cried for you.
Hang in there! Keep the fab posts commin’!
Katy ( The Balanced Foodie)
April 26, 2010 at 8:55 amSounds like you had a glorious day and wonderful weekend! π It’s been super hot here! Enjoy the sunshine and the 80’s because I’m already over 90 degrees!
lindsey
April 26, 2010 at 8:56 amI just love the way you’re posting these days!! Your writing style is adorable π I honestly can’t WAIT until your book comes outt!
Rebecca @ How the Cookies Crumble
April 26, 2010 at 9:05 amSounds like a perfect Sunday! I haven’t had BBQ in… I don’t know how long! I did grab some “chicken-less” pulled BBQ from Trader Joe’s the other day, but somehow I just don’t think it’s going to be the same… π
Paige @ Running Around Normal
April 26, 2010 at 9:37 amWhat a fabulous day. And LOL at butt splinters hehe.
diana@mymarblerye
April 26, 2010 at 9:40 amBeautiful post. You look so peaceful…and the best way to end a weekend is of course…pulled pork tastiness.
Kim
April 26, 2010 at 9:48 amOh my gosh, Jenna, you have no idea how much this makes me want to run out of my office, grab a cab, and have it take me to the nearest beach! I love NYC, but the constant go-go-go has me literally CRAVING a weekend like this!
Glad you had such a great Sunday. π
Lacey
April 26, 2010 at 10:39 amI miss Florida too. At least you are in CA and not in England like me were its cold and rains ALL THE TIME!!!
Paige
April 26, 2010 at 10:54 amYou need to print and frame that panoramic shot you got! So gorgeous. Looks like you had a glorrrrrious spring day. π
Corinne
April 26, 2010 at 11:03 amsunday FUNDAY
Becky
April 26, 2010 at 12:30 pmGlad you had such a great day but- Yikes! I hope you wear more sunscreen (and a hat!) next time. Sun exposure is scary (and creates lifelong damage). Making healthy choices means being smart & wearing sunscreen EVERY day!!