Farmer's Market Bounty

Incredible. That is the only way to describe the Farmer's Markets here. The couple of times we've been to Italy I was always amazed at the open air markets and the produce they had to offer. Why can't we get produce like that in the states? Well, we can. You just have to go to California to get it. The produce in the midwest sucks. Plain and simple. In Chicago we wait all year for July and August for the chance, and I do mean chance, to perhaps get a good tomato or ear of corn. And then nothing is guaranteed. If you are lucky enough to get a good tomato, don't worry, you won't next time. It is so hit or miss in Chicago. But in Cali it is a totally different story. The local Farmer's Market in Calabasas is every Saturday. There are about 100 booths with about 85% of them selling produce. The other booths sell everything from fresh cut flowers to nuts and spices to fresh fish. Unbelievable. They have produce that I've never heard of. These markets are every non-meat eater's fantasy. I'm not sure how much Rick appreciates all the veggies I've been cooking lately. But I'm taking care to make sure he gets lots of meat. Lauren too. She needs the protein for her bones to heal. This past week I made the most delicious Eggplant Gratin courtesy of Ina Garten. I just love her and her cookbooks. Always looking for new recipes. This week is zucchini fritters, sausage and peppers, plum salad, some kind of squash (the big orange thing in the photo), tomato bread, chicken Caesar salad and we'll see what else.

I may have to move here just for the produce. Hmmm.

Another Beach Day

My new routine is drop Lauren off at school and head to the beach. Yesterday it was Leo Carillo State Beach, the only dog friendly beach in Malibu. Simply gorgeous. I wanted to take more pictures but something happened to my camera after I took this one of Ozzy. My camera is completely fried. I think I bought the replacement policy for it but of course that would be back home in Illinois. DOH! Today I will head to Best Buy to see what they can do for me. How do you think that will turn out? I'm not holding out much hope either. Anyway, the beach was gorgeous but then again, I haven't seen a beach that isn't gorgeous. There were exactly 4 people and three dogs including me and Ozzy. So nice not to have to work and be able to go to the beach on a Tuesday afternoon. Ozzy didn't last long. After about 20 minutes he just laid down in the sand next to his water bowl. He did not want anything to do with those big waves. He was a scaredy cat. Every time a wave would come crashing in he would flinch and back away. Very different from the only other beach he has ever been to, the beach at Lake Barkley. No big waves there.

Lauren has started physical therapy for her foot. The first day she was able to move her foot up and down and rotate the ankle in both directions. Not very big moves but certainly a good sign. She said it wasn't really painful, it just felt tight, probably because there is still some swelling. This weekend she heads to San Francisco with the debate team. That means me and the big guy get a whole weekend to ourselves. That has not happened since the dreaded accident in mid July. Totally going to make the most of that. Perhaps a little beach action on Friday, sunset dinner on Malibu beach Friday night, and maybe a drive up to Santa Barbara on Saturday. The drive north on PCH is so breathtaking. I can't wait to show Rick. Hopefully I will have a new camera by then so I can post some pictures.

Our California Adventure

We're one week in and things are finally coming together. Lauren is all settled into her townhouse with her two roomies and their dog Kingston. We are almost settled into out tiny, tiny, 900 square foot apartment. Talk about a lifestyle change. The biggest adjustment would have to be watching people walk within 5 feet of our window. Certainly not something we're used to. I looked at this temporary move as a trial period to see if Rick and I could actually downsize to a smaller place and not kill each other. This past week we've spent a great deal of time asking one another to move out of the way. While I think we could live in a smaller place, not this one. Too, too small. Maybe 1500-2000 square feet. And definitely a better kitchen. The kitchen here is a one person kitchen. If you're standing in the kitchen, the fridge is on the left, the stove and microwave just in front of you, and the sink and dishwasher on the right. That's it, no room for anyone else. That being said, the appliances are all new, new vertical blinds throughout (my personal favorite), new carpet in the bedrooms (the cheapest carpet ever!) and new fake hardwood floors. I will not complain since I am only 15 minutes from beautiful Malibu Beach. Yesterday I dropped Lauren off at Pepperdine for class and headed to the beach. This beach. Cranked up the ipod and walked the beach for 90 minutes. The best 90 minutes I've had in about 2 months. Maybe I'll lose a few pounds while I'm here. That's a big maybe! The restaurants are amazing, seafood up the wazoo. My fav. I'm a little worried about the pizza but I haven't craved any yet so it's been a non-issue. I may have to make my own when the time comes.

Pros and cons of our new temporary life:

pro-all new kitchen appliances

con-kitchen is exactly 3 feet square

pro-pool and playground outside our balcony

con-all the kids are driving Ozzy crazy

pro-all new furniture

con (pro for Lauren)-Lauren gets it all next year

pro-cheap to live here

con-expensive to move

pro-Calabasas is incredible

con-I haven't run into the Kardashians yet ):

pro-don't have to take the trash to the street

con-the dumpster is kind of far away

pro-new carpet in bedrooms

con-cheapest carpet ever

pro-we live about 30 min. from Audrey and Henry

con-we can't see them every day

pro-the most incredible fruits and veggies at the local Farmer's Market

con-someday I will have to return to Chicago and the shitty produce at Jewel

pro-I get to be with my honey all day, every day

con-my honey still has to work. BOO

All in all, we're adjusting. There are worse things in life than wintering in Southern California.