Cafe DoKa DoKa

This morning was absolutely amazing. It started super early, when the island is it's most beautiful. 

Cam was up and gone by his usual time before dawn and I got up at sunrise. It was breathtaking. 

I went with two of my girlfriends to Cafe Doka Doka just ten minutes up the road and we literally spent the entire morning there, talking and reading.. in awe. I honestly have never been to a more amazing coffee house in my life -- from the open-air terrace built on a mountainside -- to the delicious coffee served with a tiny pot of fresh flowers -- to the piano on the patio I got to play -- to the view that overlooks turquoise Moon Beach. Wow. 

It's owned by a sweet family that makes their own traditional Okinawan pottery, serves everything in it & sells it on site. And that rocking chair - be still my heart. If it weren't for the fact that coffee makes me bounce off the walls, I could have sat there all day.

{ash & stella}

{in Japanese culture, you remove your shoes before entering and slip on "house slippers" waiting at the front door}

{exactly why i love veronica}

Spring on the Island

SPRING!!!!
The newness of life is everywhere we look right now. From the constant rain turning into beautiful temperate weather perfect for laying out on our front yard.. to the bright flowers blooming throughout neighborhoods.. to the long GORGEOUS sunsets that have sincerely seemed unreal lately.. there is vibrant color and new life all over the island. And this week of pure SUNSHINE! Makes us so happy. I'm giddy even as I type this.

Sea Inspired

 Our guest room is almost done. {As is the awesome accent furniture Cam is building for me!!}

 Living right on the glorious beach, it's sea inspired. 

Like us this year. (: It's been a lot of fun getting it ready for you, R&B!

We're going for very simple and nautical.

I want to pick 1 or 2 from this little conglomeration of photos/quotes to frame.. thoughts?

{East China Sea}

{Ligurian Sea // Riomaggiore, Italia // Definitely framing this one, which will be the second photo by the lovely Mads in our home}

 {South Pacific // How I love this one}

Traditional Okinawan oar two fishermen gave me today that we may paint 

{they're also used in karate- which originated here on Oki}

and, how can I resist sharing tonight's sunset? It was utterly breathtaking.

Hope your weekend was wonderful!

How to Make Your Own Pesto + 3 Cheese Roasted Tomato Pesto Pizza

Growing up, my Mom taught me the importance of cooking with fresh, simple ingredients

and how to bring joy to those around you through delicious & special meals that she'd spend hours creating.

For us, anything with pesto is a joy.

There was a shop near my apartment in Padova {Northern Italy} that sold theee. best. pesto.

I would literally stop in there every time I walked to class on the other side of town to buy some. It had tons of parmigiano in it and was obviously very addicting.

{Good thing you walk everywhere in that country!}

You'll need:

about 2-3 cups of fresh basil leaves

pinch of salt

squeeze of lemon

about 4-5 cloves of garlic

1 cup of olive oil (depending on how thick you'd like it)

1-2 cups of Parmigiano

About 1/4 Pine Nuts {if you have them}

Blend all of the ingredients. Add more olive oil or cheese as it needs.

Use the pesto in lieu of tomato sauce. Add mozzarella, asiago, parm, and roasted cherry tomatoes.

I followed my usual pizza steps from here.

How to use your leftover pesto? On top of bbq grilled salmon

w/ lemon & white wine angel hair pasta.

It was incredible.

Happy Wednesday!

If I could bottle up that night...

{yes please}