Allison Cafe

Special thanks to the talented nesters over at Domestic Nest for giving me a Liebster nomination. How exciting! I accept!

Now the Liebster Award works like this:

1. If you are tagged, and you want to accept, then create a post on your blog and add the Liebster Award pic shown above.

2. Link back to the person and say you accept.

3. Choose 3-5 of your favorite blogs to tag, link them in your post as well and tell the lucky ducks they have been chosen. The aim of this award is to bring unknown good blogs to light, (less then 50 followers is ideal), therefore, please don’t tag someone with 3000 followers!

We nominate…

Just Writing – the official blog of Megan Just, a talented writer and insightful book critic. Check out her latest adventures and good reads. You just might learn something new about the love of reading and writing!

Heather Ivy Designs – Heather is not only one of my favorite people, she just so happens to be a talented designer, entrepreneur and super-mom. She just launched her blog recently and within it you can find all kinds of visual and crafty inspiration. And even a link to her Etsy shop where you can buy here one of a kind designs!

The Rustic Rooster – the official blog for an adorable furniture shop in Encinitas, CA. The talented design team at Rustic Rooster Interiors shares their latest finds and showcases the before and after transformation of their shabby chic pieces. They also share little tidbits about life in North County San Diego. Get ready to get inspired!

This Week for Dinner– the visually delectable blog of Jane Maynard, a talented designer and food blogger. Jane’s weekly digest of what’s for dinner not only presents a weekly list of menu ideas, it gives you tasty photographer that will leave you wishing Jane were cooking in your kitchen each week!

We went to see the new musical, Little Miss Sunshine, for its opening weekend on February 19th. I could not have asked for a better birthday gift. Performing at the La Jolla Playhouse through the end of March, the musical is an inspiration of music and lyrics, set design, amazing performances and even a few unexpected surprises.

Having seen the movie a long time ago, I had forgotten just how many different life messages are in the story line. The musical does a fantastic job of reminding you of those messages. Like “Refuse to Lose”, the father’s overly optimistic business tagline. Or little Olive’s story of determination, and the self-confidence journey of a little girl and a teenage boy as they mature. But most of all the reminder that through it all, family is what is most important. Through their crazy road trip to California for the Little Miss Sunshine beauty pageant, they embark on a journey together that touches on their individual and joint struggles and triumphs. Incidentally, the little girl that played Olive did a phenomenal job. I’m no play critic but she got my 2 enthusiastic thumbs up!

Also worth noting was the set design. It was truly impressively simple, yet imaginative. I was really curious how they were going to portray a road trip. And don’t worry the bus is a big part of it. I loved that the Volkswagen bus was almost a character in the movie and the musical.

If you have a chance to catch this musical before it leaves town, I highly recommend it. The La Jolla Playhouse is a fantastic location, the venue is small enough that just about any seat in the house is a great seat. We were in the very last row, and it was great view. Who knows you just might leave there more inspired by their journey than before you got there. Or at least having laughed uncontrollably as Olive sings “shake my ba-donka-donk baby“!