Gooooood morning!
We are about to head out to Sea Ranch but I wanted to give you a recap of last night’s birthday extravaganza! It was Mr.Slaughter’s big 22nd and we celebrated the right way: with good friends, great food and delicious wine.
Party people:





We went to Humble Pie for dinner, which is this little (but great!) restaurant in Penngrove, near Petaluma. The menu was really original and featured, obviously, PIES! π

We started off with a bunch of small plates to share:
Tomato fritters:

Honey milk bread with dill butter:

Proscuitto wrapped apples with brie:

Wine!

For my entree, I ordered the Chicken Jalapeno Pie (you heard me right):

This was like a chicken pot pie but with black beans, cheese and jalapenos all wrapped up in a flaky crust. It was delicious but needed a little more seasoning (in my opinion..). The crust was obviously the best part! I’m a HUGE crust girl. π
For dessert I had a few bites of the chocolate cream pie…and picked at the crust. Obviously.

After we ate we hung out at the bar next door but I didn’t drink anymore.

The bar was covered with cat stuff! It was like Dexter was there…times a million! Michaela and I are running the Bay to Breakers 12K in a few weeks in San Francisco and we are dressing up like cats so we discussed our costume ideas. I think I’m going to attach a tail to my camelbak. SO excited!


Don’t worry about the fact that there were bras hanging all over the ceiling…oh California.

Totallyyyy normal.
This morning I woke up around 7:30, ate about 75% of a glo bar and then headed out for a 5 mile run. The run went really well, surprisingly, since I thought I would be sore from my 36 mile bike ride yesterday. My tush is a bit sore but my legs were feeling strong and I paced about a 10 minute mile, which was my goal. I’m always telling myself to slow down!!
I ate a banana after my run and we are getting ready to go to brunch then head out to the Coast! Not sure if I will be able to blog tonight (there is ZERO service at Sea Ranch) but I will be taking lots of photos. Today would be my brother’s 20th birthday and I want to spend it in the most peaceful manner and place that I possibly can….obviously near the ocean!
Have a great weekend!
Brigid Bauer
April 10, 2010 at 9:56 amI hope being close to the ocean will help you feel close to your brother on his birthday. Prayers going out to you and your parents on this day.
Jessica @ How Sweet It Is
April 10, 2010 at 9:57 amI am a pie-crust nibbler too, especially if it is graham cracker! Have a great day, Jenna!
Adam
April 10, 2010 at 9:57 amLooks like you had a wonderful time. Enjoy your day and relax!
Heather @ Side of Sneakers
April 10, 2010 at 10:03 amJust wanted to send thoughts to you and your family, especially on this day- enjoy your time by the ocean π
Freya @ Brit Chick Runs
April 10, 2010 at 10:08 amI hate pie crusts – I’m all for the filling!! That honey milk bread sounds LOVELY! I’m very jealous π
Have a good time tonight!
Jenna
April 10, 2010 at 10:14 amwow jenna! looks amazing π
have a great day!
jenna
Meg
April 10, 2010 at 10:24 amHA! Love the bras! Hope you enjoy this beauuutiful day, I’m sure it’s just as gorgeous in California as it is over here on the east coast, and just know that your brother will be enjoying it right beside you.
Sally
April 10, 2010 at 10:28 amHave a great weekend, beautiful girl. I know today must be tough for you and the family — many prayers of peace and joy sent your way! Have a fabulous day enjoying life π
Midgetkeeper
April 10, 2010 at 10:32 amLooks like a really fun night. I hope you eenjoy the rest of your weekend. Sending prayers to you and your family on this day.
Sana
April 10, 2010 at 10:32 amI hope you have a great day by the ocean :)!
Babycakes
April 10, 2010 at 10:35 amJenna, you and your brother are in my thoughts today. He is definitely smiling down on you from above. Sending you lots of loving, peaceful vibes <3
Betsy
April 10, 2010 at 10:35 amMy thoughts and prayers are with you on this day. Hope it is peaceful…Enjoy!
Kelly @ Healthy Living With Kelly
April 10, 2010 at 10:36 amLooks like a fun night, Jenna! I hope you do enjoy your day and are able to remember your brother in a happy postive light! π
Carrie (Love Healthy Living)
April 10, 2010 at 10:36 amI’m sure your brother would be happy that you are enjoying life and inspiring others. On a lighter topic, bras on the ceiling in a bar in California? You’re right, totally normal. I love California!!!
Amanda (Two Boos Who Eat)
April 10, 2010 at 10:39 amYour hair looks great! You looked awesome as a brunette as well, so you are just lucky! I wish I could go blonde. I’m naturally dark (almost black) brown.
I think that’s a great way to celebrate your brother. I will be thinking of you and your family tomorrow.
P.S. Dressing up like cats? BEST IDEA EVER? haha
Kat
April 10, 2010 at 10:51 amHi Jenna,
I love your attitude about life. My Nonna died around the same time your brother passed away last year. It has been a rough year, but it’s absolutely inspiring to see the grace and resilience you show. Of course, some days are worse or better than others, but you have reminded me that it’s ok to remember, but also keep moving. Have a beautiful weekend.
ps. your hair is awesome π
Heather (Heather's Dish)
April 10, 2010 at 11:07 amyour hair is SO LONG now! i hope your day by the ocean is completely full of peace and joy, as it should be. you’re such an amazing woman, and i’m so proud to read your beautiful words π
Abbi
April 10, 2010 at 11:14 amYour hair is gorgeous!
Sending prayers to you and your family.
Rachel @ Suburban Yogini
April 10, 2010 at 11:14 amI love all the cat stuff on the bar!
I hope you have a peaceful weekend.
Emily L.
April 10, 2010 at 11:16 amQuestion, was one of those hunky party people, your hunky man!? California breeds ’em handsome.
Megan (The Runner's Kitchen)
April 10, 2010 at 11:16 amThat honey milk bread with butter looks amazing! I’m not a huge fan of pasta or rice, but I could eat bread all day long π
Enjoy your ocean-side weekend!
Lindsay
April 10, 2010 at 11:19 amI like the blonde hair back! Chicken jalapeno pie sounds tasty!
melissa
April 10, 2010 at 11:19 amHi Jenna – my thoughts are with you and your family today. What a nice weekend you have planned…enjoy every moment.
melissa
April 10, 2010 at 11:21 amP.S. you’re hair looks awesome right now!
Suzanne de Cornelia
April 10, 2010 at 11:38 amGreat photos.
Did you ever read Anne Morrow Lindbergh’s ‘Gifts Form The Sea’? There is an especially beautiful edition with a sand colored cover and shell, and each chapter headed by the shell that is the metaphor for the section. Once for a friend I bought the book and from a beautiful little shell place on (I think) the NE corner of California/Fillmore but may be further down)–the perfect shell representing every chapter. Loved that book and hadn’t thought of it for years until today when thought what would be a perfect book for Sea Ranch.
From Anne Morrow Lindbergh~
βRollers on the beach, wind in the pines, the slow flapping of herons across sand dunes, drown out the hectic rhythms of city and suburb, time tables and schedules. One falls under their spell, relaxes, stretches out prone. One becomes, in fact, like the element on which one lies, flattened by the sea; bare, open, empty as the beach, erased by todayβs tides of all yesterdayβs scribblingsβ¦
ββ¦By grace I mean an inner harmony, essentially spiritual, which can be translated into outward harmony. The shape of my life is, of course, determined by many other things; my background and childhood, my mind and its education, my conscience and its pressures, my heart and its desiresβ¦.But I want first of all β in fact, as an end to these other desires β to be at peace with myself. I want a singleness of eye, a purity of intention, a central core to my life that will enable me to carry out these obligations and activities as well as I can. I want, in fact β to borrow from the languages of the saints β to live “in grace” as much of the time as possible. I am not using this term in a strictly theological sense. By grace I mean an inner harmony, essentially spiritual, which can be translated into outward harmony. I am seeking perhaps what Socrates asked for in the prayer from Phaedrus when he said, “May the outward and the inward man be at one.” I would like to achieve a state of inner spiritual grace from which I could function and give as I was meant to in the eye of God.β
Blessings to you and your family today.
βHe who has gone, so we but cherish his memory, abides with us, more potent, nay, more present than the living man. β ~Antoine de Saint-Exupery
Kathleeen
April 10, 2010 at 11:38 amMay your ocean trip bring lots of love and peace to you this weekend, enjoy!
Run Sarah
April 10, 2010 at 11:42 amGreat portraits! I hope your day is peaceful and filled with good memories of your brother.
Erin (Travel, Eat, Repeat)
April 10, 2010 at 11:43 amSo much yummy food — I’m in food overload just seeing it through the screen. Love, love, love. What a way to kick off the weekend!
Krystina (Organically Me)
April 10, 2010 at 11:45 amYou are beautiful, and that bar sounds awesome.
Katie
April 10, 2010 at 11:46 amThere’s actually a bar relatively near me in New York that has bras hanging from the ceiling as well… if you hang up your bra, you get free drinks!
Allie (Live Laugh Eat)
April 10, 2010 at 11:53 amHappy Birthday to your brother. I know he is looking down on you, Jenna. I love your blonde hair too π
Jessica @ The Process of Healing
April 10, 2010 at 12:09 pmEnjoy your day Jenna, and remember happy times with your brother π
And happy 22nd bday to your friend! I’m turning 22 in 10 days ironically.
Allie
April 10, 2010 at 12:11 pmi hope you have a quiet and peaceful weekend jenna. you are a strong and inspiring woman.
skinnyrunner
April 10, 2010 at 12:17 pmthat little loaf of bread is adorable! and probably delish too.
hoping you have a wonderful relaxing weekend full of good memories and thoughts!
Hillary
April 10, 2010 at 12:29 pmYour hair looks so healthy & purdy! Could that possibly be the boyfriend in the pic above? Hehe ; )
Jil
April 10, 2010 at 12:44 pm<3 lots of love today. your night looks like it was a blast!!
Kelly
April 10, 2010 at 12:58 pmThat brie dish is calling my name!!! It just looks soo good. And I must say your hair looks fabulous as well! I love the style too. I never think something like that will look good on me even though it’s one I’m always saying I like because I have a cowlick.
Kristin (Cook, Bake and Nibble)
April 10, 2010 at 1:26 pmWhat a fun night! Have an awesome day =D
xo
K
Sarah (Running to Slow Things Down)
April 10, 2010 at 1:43 pmI have to say, as much as I loved your brunette hair, I’m really loving your natural blonde. π
Fun night and fun foods! π
LisaR
April 10, 2010 at 1:47 pmI love the lighter blonde!! You look great!
Kerry @ Running on Faith
April 10, 2010 at 1:55 pmYAY BAY TO BREAKERS!! I missed it last year for a graduation, but I totally registered and am sooo excited! I’ll keep an eye out for the cat costume π maybe a rendezvous beforehand to “hydrate”?
Jess @ MTL Veggie
April 10, 2010 at 1:56 pmLove the bras Jenna- reminds me of coyote ugly lol
I hope you have a peaceful and relaxing weekend, and that it gives you the chance to reflect on all the good things you have going for you in your life, as well as bring back the happy memories of your brother.
Helen
April 10, 2010 at 2:00 pmI hope you have a peaceful time tonight, thinking of you. Your meal looks lovely, especially the pie!! Also, your hair looks great, I know you were a bit down about it. it looks FAB!
Angela (Oh She Glows
April 10, 2010 at 2:02 pmLots of love and positive thoughts to you and your family today Jenna. Enjoy the ocean π xoxo
Chelsea (Chelsea's Chew and Run Fun)
April 10, 2010 at 2:18 pmYour eats from last night look spectacular. Especially that prosciutto wrapped apple slices. Holy moly! You really look terrific with your hair back to blonde.
My thoughts are with you on this day, I know it must be difficult. I hope you have a peaceful ocean-side experience, surrounded by warm and loving friends.
steph-exercise physiologist and artist!
April 10, 2010 at 2:27 pmI am so glad that you had such a great time last night. Ooohhh You should be knee deep in poetry and painting right now! Lucky girl!!
The food in Cali is sooooo good! I cant wait to get back out there. I will be in San Fran for work in June. I hope I get to enjoy it a little in between work stuff.
kirsten
April 10, 2010 at 2:28 pmyour hair looks really nice!! π
Staceyhttp://stacey-healthylife.blogspot.com/
April 10, 2010 at 3:00 pmBra’s from the ceiling is completely normal. California likes to be sexy that’s for sure.
Lisa (bakebikeblog)
April 10, 2010 at 3:00 pmWhat a great evening. I agree – good friends + good food + good wine = perfect evening!
Brittany
April 10, 2010 at 3:03 pmLooks like so much fun and great food!
zestycook
April 10, 2010 at 3:05 pmLooks like a great evening Jenna! Thoughts are with you on this day.
zest
Chaley
April 10, 2010 at 3:11 pmI hope you are able to enjoy your time by the ocean. What a wonderful way to celebrate your brother’s life. God Bless!
Alyssa
April 10, 2010 at 3:14 pmI hope you have such a great, relaxing weekend! My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family, your brother will definitely be at the ocean there with you π
p.s. Your hair was gorgeous brown, but I have to say it’s nice to see the blonde hair back π
Red
April 10, 2010 at 3:25 pmThose portrait photos are really nice. You did a good job there. The food looked really yummy too and that bar is definitley somewhere I’d love to go! I hope tomorrow goes okay for you.
eatmovelove
April 10, 2010 at 4:25 pmThe RIGHT way to party. I like that, well said. You look beautiful.
I love that your so go-with-the-flow and not picky with your eating…makes you so much more real and relatable.
Are there foods you don’t like or something you won’t try??
Christie {Honoring Health}
April 10, 2010 at 4:27 pmMy thoughts are with you and your family today. Enjoy your time by the ocean.
Nora@LiveLifeEatRight
April 10, 2010 at 4:47 pmYou are so beautiful! Looks like you guys had a fun time. Enjoy your day and celebrate thoughts of your brother in the most relaxing way possible! It sounds so serene!
Salah@myhealthiestlifestyle
April 10, 2010 at 5:07 pmlooks like you had a blast!!
Salah@myhealthiestlifestyle
April 10, 2010 at 5:07 pmlooks like you had a blast!!
Estela @ Weekly Bite
April 10, 2010 at 5:10 pmWhat a fun b-day party! That jalepeno pie looks incredible!!
Nancy in Naples
April 10, 2010 at 5:19 pmThinking of you, your Mom and Dad today . . .
John and Nancy Woodbury
Jeanna Basnett
April 10, 2010 at 5:32 pmPrayers for you and your family Jenna! He is watching you every step of the way!
maria
April 10, 2010 at 5:36 pmI’m sure today is a little tough, but hopefully being near the ocean will bring your heart some peace. I’ll be thinking of you and your family today.
casey
April 10, 2010 at 5:55 pmeverything looks sooo delicious, but the best is the restaurant name: humble pie? such a cool idea!
also can i just say that rocky is so cute? and my age? π
Cole
April 10, 2010 at 6:45 pmHave a peaceful and wonderful evening!
Corinne
April 10, 2010 at 6:53 pmjenna, thinking of you today and these next few days. what a year its been huh? you are so strong ; living life day by day and in the now, there is really no other way to live your life because in an instant it all can change. thank you for all of your inspiration and positive outlook on life. you are magical inside and out. keep on shining girl π
Melissa
April 10, 2010 at 7:53 pmGlad your blonde hair is back! π
M
April 10, 2010 at 8:45 pmMay the ocean breeze bring peace and comfort.
Namaste.
rachel
April 10, 2010 at 10:58 pmJenna, I LOVE your blond hair! And I just love hearing about your California adventures. Hope you have a peaceful weekend away!
Nicole
April 10, 2010 at 11:45 pmNot that ever think you do, but NEVER doubt yourself.You are a stunningly gorgeous girl who has been through so much and has an amazing head on your shoulders. As and east coaster in Cali, I can relate to your struggles, but I know you are going at it all with an amazing attitude. I am just a stranger, but as someone who has been following your blog for a while–you are an amazing human being and never forget that.
lola
April 10, 2010 at 11:52 pmHi Jenna!
I always read your blog but never commented because my other blog was in spanish. But i’ve got a new food-blog in english! Hope you check it out π
Kelly (Local Foodie's Fight)
April 11, 2010 at 1:08 amThey had bras hanging from a bar in Key West I was in a couple months back! Whats up with that?? A bar tradition maybe?! hah.
Cynthia (It All Changes)
April 11, 2010 at 5:42 amRunning in costume sounds fun. I had friends that ran as a hamburger and a milkshake for a 5K.
JessicaE
April 11, 2010 at 8:11 amMy Dad’s would-be birthday is coming up on the nineteenth and I’m Really struggling with it. Many prayers to you and your family and I hope the day is everything you need it to be.
lucie
April 11, 2010 at 8:54 amyou are gorgeous as a brunette but I LOVE the blondness!! π Enjoy the ocean.
Anne @ Food Loving Polar Beara
April 11, 2010 at 8:56 amIt seems that a lot of people in the blogworld went out last night and had something delicious to eat π great looking dishes here too!
Carolyn @ lovinlosing.com
April 11, 2010 at 10:40 amYour family is in my prayers. Enjoy your time to yourself!
foodandfarm
April 11, 2010 at 10:44 amgreat idea of ordering small plates for everyone… gotta love the wine.
hope you are enjoying sea ranch!
Gabriela
April 11, 2010 at 10:59 amWOW, Jenna!
YouΒ΄re blonde again!
You look amazing, anyway π
Lovely pics!
IΒ΄m a big crust girl, too… Gotta love pie crusts π
Have an amazing Sunday, girl!
Brazilian XOXOΒ΄s,
Gabriela
jaimegirl
April 11, 2010 at 11:01 amyou looked so sophisticated as a brunette, but the blond is cute. hope your weekend was peaceful. i remember you saying around this time last year that you were going to learn how to surf for your brother. still working on that?
Katherine
April 11, 2010 at 11:01 amDid you leave your bra there, too? haha just kidding! You take great portraits of people- do they know you’re taking them? they look candid
Katherine
kate
April 11, 2010 at 2:40 pmThat pie looks amazingly tasty! I wonder how easy it would be to recreate.
Tali
April 11, 2010 at 5:02 pmI wouldn’t accuse you of lying about not wearing any makeup in that photo, I’m just jealous that you still look great (really great!) without any makeup in that photo.
Whenever I try to go sans makeup people ask me if I’m sick. Or getting sick.
All the best to you and your family on this difficult day in your lives.
amanda
April 11, 2010 at 6:54 pmOhhh my…I want some of that chicken jalapeno pie. Sounds delicious!
Jaime
April 12, 2010 at 1:02 amLucky you! Enjoy the ocean! Love reading your blog – it’s really inspiring me to keep running!
Abbey
April 12, 2010 at 5:08 amhey jenna…hope you had a fun weekend. i don’t know about everyone else but i get kinda worried when you don’t post for a day lol. hope everything’s okay chica. have a nice start to the week π
~Abbey
RhodeyGirl
April 12, 2010 at 7:22 amThinking of you Jenna.
Also, I met Anne P. yesterday. She rocks.
Emilyeatsclean
April 12, 2010 at 8:58 amBeautiful pictures….thanks for sharing them all!! That bar is hilarious!
Judy (Fitness4Looks)
April 12, 2010 at 11:45 amThe food looks sooo delicious! Looks like a fun time!
jeannie
April 12, 2010 at 11:32 pmI am a crust girl as well!
Commenting late..and for the first time! But I’ve been following you for a few weeks now and been inspired you (I think I originally found your blog when I was looking for a tofu recipe…) and love reading your blog. I am also an east coaster (Maryland) on the west coast (Portland). I know how hard the birthdays can be but it gets easier (my brother passed away when he was 20, nine years ago). Glad you were able to spend it in a good way!
Najlepszy bukmacher
November 6, 2012 at 4:58 amI seldom write comments, but after looking at a great deal of comments on Party People. I actually do have a few questions for you if it’s okay. Is it just me or does it give the impression like some of these remarks appear like they are written by brain dead individuals? π And, if you are writing at additional places, I’d like to follow you. Could you list of every one of your social community sites like your Facebook page, twitter feed, or linkedin profile?