Moving In

I've been busy settling us into our new place this past week. Our internet still hasn't been set up, so that is why my blog posts have been a bit delayed and why I've been a cranky pants this week. It's amazing how disconnected from life I feel without my internet!

The guesthouse came furnished, but I still had to pick up some basics like an ironing board and pillows.  And the kitchen only has one tiny pot and one skillet, so my cooking was not much to write about last week. We had chicken tacos one night, and then chicken quesadillas the next ... pretty exciting, I know! I brought a cookbook from home, but then realized that every recipe calls for a food processor and like 10 ingredients. So I'm going to focus on simpler recipes that require fewer ingredients and less kitchen appliances. I picked up the October copy of "Real Simple" which has a ton of recipes such as this so I will keep you readers posted as I give those meals a try! 

Here is a picture of the hot air balloons that we see each morning getting ready to take flight. Turns out they take off only a couple blocks from our new place! 

An Ode to Costco

Oh California Costco,

Where have you been my whole life?

Your rows of alcohol laden shelves,

Bring a twinkle to my eye.

Smirnoff, Captain Morgan, Crown Royal,

Your customer, I will be forever loyal.

Tanqueray, Bombay, Malibu,

Oh California Costco, I love you!

Fin.

Shopping, Swimming, Sandwiches

I discovered a new perk of being a travel wife today, which is being able hit the stores right after I drop Todd off at work in the morning (I'm sure he'll LOVE reading this). Today I arrived at Target just as they released their Missoni collection. I highly recommend you readers check it out! They have fashionable women's clothing, fun shoes, and adorable kids clothes in the famous colorful zig zag Missoni patterns. There's just something about Target that makes me happy. I think it's the smell - the pungent mix of plastic goods and popcorn. Mmm.. I can smell it now.


Aside from my shopping excursion, my masters swim class has been keeping me active. My coach, Karen, is awesome. I think she's done more to improve my strokes in the past 3 weeks than I ever had in the 4 years of high school swimming. Karen has a clear passion for teaching, which makes being her student really fun and interesting.


Someone else who really has a passion for their job also provides me with a daily laugh on my way home from swimming. There's a Subway at the corner by my pool, and everyday some dude is dressed as a Subway sandwich dancing on the corner to get business. I seriously need to find a way to take his pic while I'm driving because he is HILARIOUS. Not only are his dance moves pretty amazing, but he's doing them in a fully garbed sandwich costume in 90+ weather! ...You know that new SJP movie "I Don't Know How She Does It?" - well that's what I think of sandwich guy. I just really don't know how he does it. :)

Going Tapas

After a month of living out of our suitcases in a small hotel room, Todd and I have found a place to rent! We found a guesthouse in Winters, the small cowboy town mentioned in an earlier blog, and are so excited! (Kudos to Craigslist.) We celebrated by going to a local tapas restaurant called Ficelle just down the street, which features delicious small plates like the one shown here, along with a lengthy wine list and tasty homemade sangria.  Definitely a place we'll be bringing visitors.  


Some things I'm looking forward to: not having to pack a small bag of clothes each week, selecting which small liquids will be allowed on the plane, deciding where to lock up the laptop in our hotel room every time we leave, killing time between checking out of the hotel and picking up Todd from work, and planning where to get each meal every day.  Some things I'll miss: sitting by the hotel pool, free Starbucks coffee, and the free Wall Street Journal (a.k.a. my morning routine). But I am eager to start my experiments in cooking and blog about them... so stay tuned!

Say Cheese!

Here's a simple appetizer that Todd and I have enjoyed making a lot lately and you might too! - the caprese salad.  We've found some delicious heirloom tomatoes at our local grocery store. Simply slice these up with chunks of mozzarella cheese and basil leaves, drizzle with olive oil and vinegar, shake on some sea salt and pepper, et voila!   Easy for the beginner cook (me) and yet something nice to serve for friends and family.