Perks of A New Job

I've had a lot of jobs in my life. I've done everything from shipping plastic pet products to multiple Petco DC's to selling granola at a farmer's market to owning my own sewing and craft business. Now, I get to add working for a florist to my massive resume.

And let me tell you, this so far is my favorite perk:

Yup, the occasional free, happy bouquet. Chad is off the hook for awhile. 

Post 150!

I wonder what the present is for THAT milestone! Bucky balls?! Moon Rocks!?

All I could think of to celebrate was to post the most wonderful picture I've taken recently: my husband on an early morning walk at the beach with me.

I'm gonna keep the posts coming! So I hope you keep checking in!

Smile! Retail

You know you've been working retail a while, when:

You open a new roll of quarters, and seeing that its completely full of brand new, shiny, White Mountain Monument, 2013 quarters, makes you smile.

Carlsbad Flower Fields - Bah

So, every year, the Armstrong Nursery in Carlsbad grows these fields of Giant Tecolote Ranunculus. I've seen them my whole life, driving by the nursery, the beautiful hills full of rows and rows of color.

I didn't really know much about them before, my family never really made any effort to go see them up close, and quite frankly, other than seeing them from the freeway, I never knew exactly what time of year to expect them. (The fields just closed for the season as I wrote this blog).

 I got this picture off the internet :)

This year, I had to go to the mall, that's located right in front of the flowers. When I pulled up to park - there they were! AND I wasn't on any time of time schedule, so FINALLY! I was gonna go see them up close!

Or so I thought. Walking up to the nursery, I started noticing these huge fences around the property... Not around the nursery, but in the back, around the flower fields. We're talking 10-12 feet of pure "you cant see though me" glory. Weird.... So, I walked around for about 10 minutes, looking for the enterance (apparently, I started on the wrong side) and when I finally found it I noticed gates and ticket takers. That's cool, ok, what like $5 to see the flowers, not totally unexpected, but I could handle that. NO! It was $11! Its not that $11 is all that much money in the grand scheme - but, I literally wanted to walk up, see the flowers, take a picture, and buy a bouquet of them. That's it, like 5 minutes of their time. Absolutely, not worth $11. Childhood dream, smashed.

On top of that, when I came home and looked up the fields online, I noticed that there was a Photography Rules page.... forms to fill out and usage agreements.

Bah. I was totally disappointed. Luckily, I took all these photos from not their property. So, I'm allowed to post them. The whole thing just seemed a little weird.... a little... sad. I'm starting to think all businesses are taking after the Disneyland model - only the financially well-off get to go. Oh well, I'll get to see them from afar for the rest of forever - honestly, I think their prettier that way anyway :)

Smile! Strawberry

As, I wrote earlier in the blog, I planted a small container garden on my patio. Well, I got my first harvest!

A little tangy, but super delicious!

Tanzanian Peaberry Obsession

This morning, like every other morning, after getting out of bed, I headed straight to the coffee pot.

Today, though, I realized something funny about our small collection of coffee - we had two different Tanzanian Peaberry coffees, from two different roasters in our cupboard. I knew we liked it, but I didn't realize we gravitated towards it! We always try to taste peaberry coffees - they are special in the fact that only 5% of coffee beans are peaberries. The difference is, normally two coffee beans grow within a single coffee fruit, with a peaberry only one grows. These beans are rounder because there is no other bean to share the room in the fruit with, and the most common type found on the market is the Tanzanian variety.

Normal beans in front.

So, I figured I would give this coffee tasting thing a try. Side by side, a Tanzanian Peaberry tasting. I mean, how hard could it be? I've read descriptions of coffee before "smooth acidity, with notes of citrus and cherry." Who couldn't do that?! Me. That's who. But whatever, I tried! So, I made them in my French Press. Each exactly the same way. I drank each black.

So, here are my notes. I didn't cheat and copy the bags or websites:

The Roasting House, Virginia City, NV, $12.00/lb - This is a lighter coffee, acidic, not heavy on the tongue. It is slightly bitter (which I attribute to the acid). To me it tastes like coffee - there aren't many underlying flavors. While it was brewing it smelled like caramel - but not so much after it was poured.

World Market, Tanzanian Peaberry, $9.99/12oz - This is a darker roast than the other one. It has a sweet smell, but again doesn't transfer to the taste. It has a forward acidity, but its not overwhelming or unpleasing. Also, very coffee tasting, without many underlying flavors.

Both coffees are wonderful morning coffees. I've noticed breakfast blends are usually more acidic than others, and I'm thinking this is because breakfasts are usually sweet (doughnuts, muffins, syrups, etc.). It was nice to taste both coffees, and be able to actually taste that they both started out the same - similar flavor profiles, similar acid, etc. By the way, this 'acid' that I keep describing, is a hard thing to describe. Its the word I am using to explain the flavorless tang that both coffees have. The coffees both have flavor! Duh, but each has a tang that can't be described by the coffee taste.

The actual roaster The Roasting House uses

Now, re-reading the review, I don't think I made either one sound very good... But they really are. If you like coffee flavor, and aren't looking for something sweet - these would be perfect for you. The World Market version is my favorite of all the World Market brand coffees. The Roasting House is this awesome little micro-roaster in the historic Virginia City, NV. Look them up here - its an awesome, super friendly, little mom and pop shop.

Cheers!

No Squandering Today!

In my last post, I was griping about squandering my last day of freedom! Well, today, I took full advantage of my first real day off from work!

First, I woke up, made coffee, watched a little TV... you know the usual.

Then around 10am, I went and returned the stuff I've needed to return. Then, I went skirt shopping, which I failed miserably at. So, to sooth my soul, I hung out in BevMo for a while and decided to do everything in my power to like Gin & Tonic. I bought some premium tonic water and 4 different kinds of gin to try (tiny, little bottles, don't worry).

While the gin and tonic were cooling, I made some lunch, then strolled down to the beach. Moonlight Beach is exactly 1 mile from my house. Its amazing. Downtown Encinitas is right there. There are volleyball nets and nice white sand. Plus, today was a perfect beach day. Super warm, clear blue skies, light breeze. Perfect. Reading a book and listening to music while sprawled out on a towel next to the ocean... yeah... a little slice of heaven.

After peeling myself from the sand, I returned home and made myself a Gin & Tonic. Which, by the way - was pretty darn GOOD! Who knew?! I usually find myself hating gin (mostly because it tastes like pine tree) but a splash of it in combination with this premium Fever Tree Indian Tonic! - the drink sang of causal summer days.

While sipping my new found drink, I made use of some old tomatoes and started a new blog in the process (feel free to check it out here). This ended up taking MUCH longer than expected (as canning usually does).

So, now, I find myself sitting here, comfortable and happy. Feeling like the day was darn good and my butt now belongs square on my comfy couch.

Last Day of Total Freedom

I have all but pissed away my last day of total freedom! Tomorrow, I start my new job! So, I was thinking that today I would do something grand! But instead, I've relaxed... Apparently, my brain (and body) were telling me Grand could wait for a day off.

I didn't even take any pictures of my not grand day... Hmmm....

3 Years Down - A Million to Go!

April 10th 2013 - Chad and I celebrated our 3 year anniversary!

The best day of my life

We had the most wonderful day! Nothing had been planned - mostly because we weren't sure if Chad was gonna get the day off work. And, I am not big on anniversaries actually... I always ask my husband if we can just stay in or not buy each other presents. Its not that I'm not excited to be married another year, its more that we go out to nice dinners often and generally have a wonderful time when we're together...

This year was no different - I had asked Chad to stay mellow - and that's exactly what we did.

We started off going to Ikea and buying furniture for our new place together. This was important to us, because Chad wasn't going to be able to help move into our new place and I wanted him to have some input on what the place looked like. We spent a long time picking out a new bed, nightstand, and dinning room table.

Our super cool new table! Its a gate leaf that folds down to just 18 inches

Walking around the city that is Ikea would make any person tired - so it was time for a beer! We stopped by Oggi's Pizza and Brewery. Its a chain down here, but a pretty darn good one. We had ourselves a few flights, with which we toasted to our wonderful lives thus far.

During pizza and beer we remembered that we had some passes to Sea World! So, we went. Spent a few hours, walking around, seeing some cool animals, enjoying the beautiful day.

There was a baby orca! Born on my birthday!

After watching the Shamu show, it was like 7pm and we were hungry again. Which was good cause apparently Chad HAD planned something for our anniversary. He wanted to take me to Hunter Steakhouse. It was the most delicious dinner, in a fancy, yet rustic space. 

Over beer and steak, we did one of my favorite things to do on an anniversary. I love to recount all the amazing things we've done so far in our marriage. Chad and I have done a lot. We've seen amazing things, been to amazing places.

We're some of the lucky ones. That couple that makes other couples just a little jealous. I love my husband with all that I am - and I can't wait to be married forever!

Another Chapter for Us Begins!

Another chapter for Pinky and I that is! Pinky is my Jeep Wrangler - my awesome, 2001 silver Jeep. My dream car when I was little. My faithful steed!

She is 12 years old this August and this just happened about a week ago-

*Sniff Sniff*

My baby is growing up! Cheers! To another 12 years!

Patio Garden - Deck 2!

I love plants. I love gardens. But unfortunately, I've been stuck in townhouses, with no yards... So, I've been forced to learn to love container gardens. Chad and I had a pretty successful patio/container garden in Washington - and that was with a super short growing season. When we moved back to SD, I started dreaming of multiple season growing seasons and super red tomatoes.... happy sigh. So - today was the day I set up our NEW patio garden! It was such a beautiful day, I couldn't stand being inside unpacking and arranging junk all day.

The best part - right near my house is the coolest plant store! We didn't get much (Milli and me, that is, not the Royal We) because I walked there, and I wasn't sure how much I could carry. But, I took my time, deciding on the few things we did get! Ended up with, 1 big pot, 1 plum tomato, 1 bbq rosemary, 1 strawberry and a lavender plant for Chad. Luckily, a friend of mine had given me a bunch of little pots (for the herbs) a few days ago, so I didn't have to get more heavy pots!

So, I went up to the cashier to pay and AWK! SOIL! I needed soil! Ok, Simple. I'll buy these things, carry them home, then come back and buy soil. No problem. But NO! Instead, how about I just borrow one of the plant stores' carts! That's right, the lady behind the counter totally laughed at the fact that I was walking, and very simply said "Why don't you just use one of our carts, then bring it back later?"

 
AWESOME! More time for playing in the dirt!!

Wheels are awesome. Cool plant stores are even more awesome. Have I mentioned how much I love our new place?

So Much Packing Paper! I'm Drowning!!

Hello Blog! Oh, how I've missed you!

This has been the busiest week ever! In a good way!

Chad and I finally found the perfect new place! Its only a mile from the beach, walkable to a bunch of businesses (everything BUT a bar, which made me just the teentiest bit sad) and AWESOME! But anywho, moving in has been taking up my entire brain and body! I'm so tired! It's all because JUST as we signed the lease - Chad had to go back to work, and has been there pretty much non-stop since then! ARG!

I've just now started getting the place looking less like a hoarder abode and more like a home.

Hoarder Abode

Home-ish

And Ikea has been our friend - but just a little bit... only a bed frame... a night stand... and a dinner table...

More to come!!

Is it a Dragon Egg or a Fruit!?

Its a fruit! A cherimoya to be specific.

I had my first cherimoya in college in Santa Barbara. I was walking the local farmers market and saw a basket of these weird fruits. Who could say no to a fruit that has dragon scales?! Once I got it home, I had to look up how to eat it on the internet. There really wasn't much information other than don't eat the big black seeds.

The other day I was driving with my brother and his wife and we stopped at one of our local farm stands. Their everywhere down here - the best ones are in Valley Center. The fruit is cheap, usually ripe and super tasty. Plus, they usually have the slightly weirder fruits like blood oranges, guavas and cherimoya.

I was excited to see the cherimoya there because I had a feeling Chad hadn't ever had one. Who doesn't like surprising their husbands with weird fruits?! The next day, I cut it up and brought it out on a cutting board - I just asked Chad if he wanted a snack - and when he saw it... well we can say there was confusion on his face.

Even though, at this point I was a cherimoya pro, Chad still went straight to the internet to look up this odd fruit. No trust.

If your looking to try a cherimoya here are a few tips. First, when they are BRIGHT green like the one at the front of the above picture, they are usually just about ripe. I like them when they are just a tinge tanner, maybe one day after bright green (like the one in the background), and they should be soft to the touch, but not mushy - like a ripe avocado. When you cut it, the flesh will be whitish and avoid cutting through the seeds. You can eat ALL of the white part - the best part is found right around the seeds. The fruit has a over-ripe apple or custardy texture (appropriate cause they are also called custard apples) and the flavor or an light apple/pear/guava. Its really nice and refreshing.

I'm a fan :) Enjoy!

Smile! My First In-N-Out Burger

I'm not crazy. Though, I know I sound that way. A born and raised southern Californian who has never had an In-N-Out burger?! What is wrong with you!? To be fair - I've been to and eaten at In-N-Out a bunch of times. I had just never had one of their burgers - and for good reason! I didn't eat burgers of ANY KIND from 1996-2012. So, until this past Monday, I had always ordered the grilled cheese animal style (which by the way, is made like the cheese burger, just without the meat).

 
Honestly, it was pretty good. Nothing that I'm gonna go crazy over or ever crave... but it was good. However, it tasted EXACTLY LIKE the grilled cheese.... so I think I'll probably just stick with those :)

Eating with my Sister-In-Law

Before moving in with her, I never really knew much about my brother's wife. I knew she was super sweet, pretty, and loved my brother, but not much more than that.

Well. Boy! do I know her now. And boy, do I love her and we laugh all the time!

Come to find out she's part Filipino (part a few other things), doesn't like germs much and loves her two tiny dogs. She's a lot more than just these three traits, but these are the three that specifically make me laugh - constantly.

The other day, the part Filipino really came out. She came tearing out of her room late in the evening "oh!! I forgot! I have to make my friend lunch for tomorrow!" I looked at the clock, saw the late hour, and thought she was crazy. What could she possibly cook in a few minutes that would be worth all this hoopla.... oh... oh what a silly question. She opened the cupboard and took out this:

Yes. Spam.... Apparently its a somewhat common Filipino ingredient.
This is what proceeded to come out of that can...

I was fascinated, obviously. And laughing hysterically.
She then cut it up thin, and fried it. See, her friend had never tried it either.

I wouldn't say it looked appetizing (it did smell pretty good) - and I'm not sure what her friend thought the next day, but apparently Chad thought it looked delicious. There was a bit of uncooked Spam leftover - and Chad decided he wanted it for breakfast the next morning.

So being the the dutiful wife that I am - I made him a dish I remembered seeing on our last trip to Hawaii:

Spam and eggs over rice. There wasn't enough for me, but I had a bite. Its not bad by any means, but nothing I am going to go out of my way (or even on my way for that matter) to buy it.

Fun though, and damn funny. You gotta love my family. Cause I certainly do.

Smile! Local Drink

Only in southern California would there be a market for Rice Dream to make a Horchata drink - I just about fell over laughing in the store when I saw it.

Its actually pretty good.

Smile! Mountain Lilac

One of my fondest memories growing up was of my step-mom proclaiming that the Mountain Lilac was in bloom. She did it every year - when this hills of Valley Center turned a grey-ish, purple color. I had never seen one up close until my brother came home for a visit and on his way there, he had stopped on the side of the road to pick a branch off for her.

I was the first one to notice they were blooming this year. And I was able to find one close enough to a road for me to snap this picture. Spring is almost here :)

Hike! Leo Carrillo Ranch

So, I've been here in San Diego for 4 weeks now, and though I'd joined a gym, I felt like I was missing something.... Like - THE SUN!

Well, the other day I met my dad for lunch at a place described as a "cool and nice outdoors area" by an old friend. The place was Leo Carrillo Ranch. According to the google map, it just looked like another housing community, with just a little extra space around it... It looked like that driving up to it too...

The park ended up being closed on Mondays... so we had lunch at a picnic table we found, by a day care just off to the right of the picture above. Afterwards, I was going to go to the gym, but on our way back to our cars we noticed a sign for a trail - saying 2-mile loop. Exercise AND SUN! Perfect! So, I said goodbye and changed my clothes in the car!

At first, I was really confused... You start down this very steep hill, and there are a few forks in the road - but there are no signs telling you which way to go. I took all rights, just to be consistent, which led me to a main road. Again, there were no signs to where to go, so I just headed up the hill to the left, thinking I could loop around eventually. After following the road to the left again (so as not to cross the road), eventually I found another entrance to the trail. At this point the trail was nice, partially paved, partially packed sand/rock. Again though, there were more forks... and not many signs... I actually popped out onto roads many more times, but these times, I just turned around and went the other way on the previous fork.

After 40 minutes, 2.4 miles, and a bit of help from my smartphone's google map app, I found my way back to the entrance. The hills were STEEP, and frequent. There isn't much shade. But its pretty, and though according to the map, you are surrounded by houses and business, you stay blissfully unaware.

I will definitely go back. Its a very nice, varied, workout, with lots of pretty all around. Also, the trail is awesomely dog friendly. Though there were no directional signs, there were TONS of poop bag/disposal stations. Also, parking is super easy. I recommend not going on a Monday, so you can explore the whole area. 

Here's the address:

6200 Flying Leo Carrillo Lane

Carlsbad, CA 92009

Have fun!

Uninspired, but Busy

I've been finding myself 'drafting' a bunch of blog posts, but never loving them enough to post... I feel uninspired at best...

Here's a quick, what's been going on:

• Staying with the brother & sister-in-law, which is going great!! 

 

• Took a quick flight to Boise, ID to visit with my mom and step-dad, pick up my dog, and drive back down to San Diego with our other car. Milli and I had a great trip back down, stopping by the Ely, NV, Train Museum and staying in Las Vegas for a night.

 Milli hated Las Vegas, obviously.

• Joined a gym
• Spent 1.5 hours in our wonderful CA DMV... ugh....
• Chad promoted to Staff Sergeant 

• I turned 29

My super cool present from Chad!

•  Chad was awarded Navy Commendation Medal - his highest honor to date.

• Put our first offer in on a condo... weird to think someone thinks we have a couple hundred grand to spend on something...

And that's our life to date :) Not bad, if I do say so myself.

Welcome to Granite SW!

Today marks the last day of Granite NW... Chad and I have officially relocated to San Diego... the definition of SW...

Here's a quick recap:

During the Fall of 2012 Chad went to San Diego for Drill Instructor Training. Come December 19th he graduated with flying colors (of course). Which meant, we were moving to San Diego 45 days later.

Instead of taking a bunch of time to prepare for our move, we decided to postpone thinking about it till the very end... I worked for another three weeks... we took a week long vacation in Florida... THEN we started to pack. Knowing we couldn't do this move on our own, we called on my family for help - a BUNCH of my family! We flew my Dad up from San Diego to help us drive the big ole moving truck down. We flew my Mom over from Idaho to watch the cat and dog and take them and the other car back to ID until we were settled enough to pick them up. We were lucky enough to have my Aunt Leanne and Uncle David come over to help with the heavy lifting and pack up our moving truck! We even had our friend Melodie and Leo come over to help with that part! With all this help, we were able to pack, load and relocate an entire 3 bedroom house in just 4 days. 

 My Aunt Leanne!

To get to southern California we took the 5 the whole way down. Luckily, we never hit any snow. It did however rain and fog on us all the way until we hit California...

Our second sunrise.

Chad's first time driving the Jeep with the trailer

The awesome fog we hit on the Oregon pass... this picture makes it seem clearer than it actually was...

 While I was driving there was lots of singing going on!!

After a long... long drive. We made it! We are now living in an apartment in north county. Its hot here - up in the 50s! And there is a lot of traffic - like a lot. But there is also a lot of family here, a lot of good Mexican food and a lot of sun.

So this will be good. This blog will still be here, it will just be written from a different place in the US.