brunch

Our 4 year wedding anniversary

July 07, 2018





Four years ago, I woke up after a night of Nerts with my best friends and walked down the hotel hallway to eat a complimentary continental breakfast with my beloved betrothed, Jon. WHAT DID WE EVEN KNOW ABOUT OURSELVES AND OUR LIFE AT THAT POINT?! I was thinking about bathroom signage! 

Jon and I celebrated our four year wedding anniversary and it was the best because every July 5th since that day at the hotel, I have been in Madison for work. So on this very special Sabbatical-Sarah occasion, I made plans for us to celebrate in the most Jon and Sarah way: breakfast burritos and bowling. We picked up our 'tos from Los Pericos- one with chorizo and one with bacon and headed to Neary Lagoon Park. What they don't tell ya is that it is NEARY A FREAKING WATER PLANT. Why would they put tennis courts and a playground literally along the fence of a nasty place like that?! Happy anniversary, Jon.

Next, we went to Boardwalk Bowl because they have half off games from 2-5 on weekdays! Despite the emptiness of the pictures, (and the emptiness of the rest of the bowling alley, really) our lane was squished between two other parties who got on our nerves and kept trying to use my bowling ball. We had so much fun though, and while we totally miss our Monday night bowling crew, it was amazing that we could take Kota with us for these $2 games.

The thing I treasure the most about being Jon's wife is the proximity. He can be a bearded mystery that skulks in the shadows sometimes (literally), so I treasure the daily opportunities I get to truly know him and understand the big things (Lebron signing with the Lakers) and small things ("that Lego Disney castle looks dope") that delight him. I am again convinced of what a wonderful decision it was to spend my life with this man. It isn't always easy, but it is the greatest gift. 

brunch

baguettes to welcome you home: the buttery

August 15, 2017







I have a sweet memory of one morning when Jon and I were on our honeymoon in Portugal. He woke up early and told me he'd pick up breakfast nearby. Waking up to him clutching pastries in a paper bag was one of the first moments post-wedding that I realized my new normal included a breakfast partner to eat with everyday.

AND THEN HE NEVER GOT ME BREAKFAST AGAIN. Just kidding. He did.

One of the other sweet memories that I have was the first morning we woke up in Santa Cruz. We hadn't unpacked anything except for our bed, and boxes lined the edge of every room. I was exhausted from the move and Jon decided to pick up some breakfast for us at The Buttery. He came home with a fresh baguette, pastries, and some cheese and fruit from Shopper's Corner. We unpacked two plates and a butter knife and sitting on a carpet that smelled like dog, we ate our first meal as a family in our new city.


I think a lot about that first breakfast because of how many daunting and thrilling unknowns we were anticipating. We had no real sense of our local geography, no weekly rhythms, and no friends, but our sweet breakfast moment on the floor was incredibly anchoring for me. 

So, it was wonderful to visit The Buttery together a year later. We ordered their biscuits and gravy with a side of charred corn salad. We've come a really long way this year and even though we're not completely situated yet, I think we have a lot to look forward to!

A few details:
  • There are two lines: the one is for the bakery where you are served by taking a ticket number, the other is for the cafe and restaurant.
  • Their Francese is our favorite baguette because it has a delicious crisp that lasts a few days. Their French bread is super chewy, so we usually get it to go with soups or stews.
  • The outdoor seating is way nicer than inside because the lines just get so crazy in there!