Sunny ocean side portrait near Monterrey Bay, CA

We were lucky enough to combine work with pleasure for a week-end trip to California. I presented at a conference and James joined me to play golf, taste wine, with the aquarium, and generally take in the amazing scenery.

Somewhere on the Links at Spanish Bay

We had a terrible crop of tomatoes on our little patio garden this year. We planted late and may have over watered. In late September, we finally had dozens of green tomatoes growing, but very slowly and taking forever to turn red. Frost was coming in October, and we’d always head that if you wrap tomatoes in newspaper and leave them in  a dark room, such as the basement, they will ripen. So, we tried it this year and ….voila! Red tomatoes! Unfortunately, the flavor was not that great and I cant’ stomach much acid, so James only ate a few before giving them away. But, it was a fun experiment.

I returned to Harrisonburg for a week-end to celebrate Anna’s baby shower! She and Greg are expecting a boy in February. The shower was filled with great friends, thoughtful and useful gifts, and lots of fun for Anna. Can’t wait to meet baby Melton-Pelletier!

I came home with phyllo dough the other night, determined to make some version of spanikopita or pesto pizza. James took interest in the flaky dough and we each tried our hand. Can you guess which were mine and which ones James made?

I’m learning all the easy, delicious treats I can make in my food processor. I’ve made an amazing bean pesto, bean guacamole, fruit puree, and vegan cheese.

The yummy concoction featured here is carob nut clusters, raisins, and a dash of honey blended to a crunchier nutella-like spread. Lactose free and so sweet on cinnamon toast!

Is it supposed to look like this in the can? We don’t think so.

James caught me walking around the basement in my underwear trying to find a ceiling plug for the iron, and came down to iron for me. This is probably the best use of the basement yet, this and storing paper towels and box wine.

Friday was a wonderful dinner and party around the Cowboy Cauldron and Saturday found us biking, walking, sitting around, sleeping, and eating. We celebrated Kim’s 30th birthday with amazing vegan cupcakes and spent much too long out by the fire. Sunday, after a breakfast of egg-bacon bagel sandwiches, we slowly packed up and made our way home.

Cowboy Cauldron (it hadn't been lit yet)

We celebrated our tenth anniversary yesterday, and my dear husband created the most wonderful game for our dinner. He taped foil to the back of 50 playing cards and put five cards in each of ten envelopes, each labeled with a year. Each card had a phrase related to a memory we shared during that year of marriage.
We spent much more time reminiscing, and forgot to keep score, but the conversation and memories were a blast.
What an adventure we have had, and many more to come.