Halloween Party

I totally lagged on getting these up, but the party rocked.








We had tacos, and beer and a bunch of other yummy stuff.



It was our best year yet.



I am already planning next year.

Dear June, I love you.

thanks to you,

the garden looks good, despite the insane rabbit problem we are experiencing.



there will be fun at home.



there will be sunday spins in the camaro.





there will be some delicious dinners.





there will be happy.

Current musings

this singer. this singer and this singer

these artists.

these cookies. must be made

the puppylovin' happening at my house:



my super awesome new Japanese Maple tree.


this blog is my new fave

adios.

weekend report

it was good.

Carbonnades a la Flamande

Last Sunday it was finally time to break open my new copy of Mastering the Art of French Cooking and enter the wonderful world of Julia Child. For our inaugural meal, I wanted to make something that was simple, hearty and of course, delicious.



Last weekend was really cold. And rainy. And while most everyone I know is ready for the clouds to pass, I really needed a few days of staying inside and doing not much of anything. I have been spring cleaning and trying to get some order back in my life. It has not been easy. Some days my brain is drained by the time I get home from work, and I am not prepared to think creatively in the kitchen. Thank goodness for cookbooks during those times.

I decided to go with Julia's recipe for beef and onions braised in beer, because those are three of my favorite things in the whole world.



I braised the beef and onions separately according to the recipe.



and then added everything into the pot along with some beer. I replaced the pilsner suggested by Julia with a bold Chimay Grand Reserve.



Left everything alone (as best as I could, it smelled delicious) for a few hours.



We left the stew a little soupy, because the broth was just as yummy as the meat. For a side dish, I roasted some fingerling potatoes and tossed them in a little butter and fresh parsley, as suggested in the recipe.



enjoyed with a good cab, and a good film.

ongoings

As usual, I'm up to my ears with tasks, but have only about 20 percent of the time needed to actually accomplish every lofty goal I have for myself. Instead of working off the task list I created last Saturday, I snuck off to the thrift store for a little hunting. A few weekends ago I was left empty handed, so I was eager to try to find some cool shit. After all, the thrift store gods would not let me strike out twice, right? Today I hit my downtown Goodwill, which always seems to be full of goodies, and it didn't disappoint. I found a cute little Hasko tray:



This enormous hobnail milk glass pitcher:


a cute little Fire-King spice bowl:


And some pretty glass trays. I think the long one will be great to serve olives on:



I finally made my way out to the garden to take care of the weeds and see how my winter crops were doing. The broccoli was out of control! I brought home two bags full, along with some kale, butter lettuce and a stalk of celery from one of my neighbors plots.




Now what am I gonna make?

Back to reality

I'm blogging again after a much needed break. We spent New Year's Eve weekend in Lake Arrowhead, just relaxing and enjoying friends. Although there was no snow, the scenery was quite spectacular.



The following week we set out for a trip to Maui. It was beautiful of course, and very relaxing. We drove all over the island and got to enjoy some amazing views and delicious food. After 10 days though, we missed our simple little life and our own ocean.











Click on any of the photos to see more from my flickr.

Coming back to not-so-sunny California was quite the contrast. Our little house received almost 5 inches of rain in one week, which for So-Cal is a whole lot. We had some flooding in the backyard, but no major leaks or damage. What a wild 2010 it has been so far!

no rest for the wicked.

So here is a photo summary of what's the happs round these parts. (Click on the photo for info).

everything looks better

through a fisheye lens.

morning sky

it was beautiful today.





that's all. you can go about your business now.