Wednesday, September 15, 2010

I want to move to Los Angeles

Oh, hey there.

In case you hadn't noticed, it's been a little quiet around here recently. Part of the reason is that we were gone all last week, living in the 'burbs at my mom's place while the windows in our flat were replaced. Although both the husband and I worked the whole time, I took a bit of a cooking and blogging vacation.

Then, last Friday I went to Los Angeles. I think you know of my affinity for L.A. It has not subsided. In fact, I think I'd like to move there. So, if you know of anyone down there looking to hire someone with very few talents but a winning personality, send them my way. While I may lack actual marketable "skills," I have a strong affinity for animals (and they for me), I am surprisingly good at crossword puzzles, and I do possess a college degree, if that means anything these days.

While in L.A., I spent my time in beautiful, beachy Venice with my lovely friends Claire and John. You know how there are friends that you enjoy seeing, but you don't mind if you only see them once in a long while. And then there are friends--and it always works like this--that you are pretty sure you could see all the time, but they live far away. These are that kind of friends. I wish we lived next door to each other. Although, Claire and I would get nothing done but talk about and eat food all day long. She's from Texas and a very good cook. I credit her for introducing me to creamy grits and cheese pennies.

Anyway, I'm back in San Francisco where it's cold and people are peevish about it, including me. In addition to being fussy, I've had a whole pile of work to get to. So, I haven't cooked or baked anything of note since I returned. When I'm busy, I rely on old faithful recipes--roast chicken and pasta with broccoli rabe--to get me through the week.

I was starting to wonder if I was ever going to post again, or if by the time I did, anyone would even be checking this old thing. So, in a last ditch effort to retain my readership, I've got a cute salad to post about that I made a couple of weeks ago.

I know, salad is boring--sometimes to eat, nearly always to read about. I can't guarantee that this is any different in regard to the latter. But what is indisputable is that this was a very delicious salad.

One thing I've decided is that often I prefer lettuceless salads, and this is one such salad. It was thrown together right around when we were leaving for our week away, and I wanted to use up a few things. This included cherry tomatoes, some roasted asparagus, raw fennel, and an avocado. Would you believe me if I told you this was a heavenly combination when tossed with a light vinaigrette? Well, it's true.


Anyway, please come back again soon. I promise to post something much more bloggy--a good cake or something with porchetta--next.

24 comments:

  1. I was wondering where you were. Plus, you last few posts didn't seem to move you up in my reader? Maybe I just missed those days you posted. Glad you had a good time in LA!

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  2. Missed you!
    I've never been to L.A. but I do hope to visit one day. Its a long way away from England.
    *kisses* HH

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  3. I will always come back for you Hungry Dog. Glad to hear you had a good time away. And I'm sure you have loads of incredible skills. I'd count writing as one of them :)

    Oh, lovely sounding salad by the way, I love fennel, and avocado and cherry tomatoes, all good.

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  4. If only crossword puzzling could be used to earn a living!

    But I'm sure you have lots of skills: You can cook, you can write, and who says animal compatibility isn't a skill? Where would our zoos be without such people?

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  5. When you have San Francisco?? No, don't move. Although Venice Beach is entertaining.

    Peevish is SUCH a good word. Velly British for one thing, but it describes that feeling perfectly. I know it well. I also love peckish. A feeling I'm having right now.
    I'm with you, Samantha, I much prefer lettuce-less salads. Not overly fond of fennel raw, (but I do love it roasted) so that would be changed to perhaps endive....

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  6. tamilyn: It's nice to know my absence was noticed! Thanks :)

    HH: Thank you! Missed you too! You should get to LA. It's great. And I need to get to England some day.

    shaz: Thanks, you are sweet. Glad you like the sound of this salad, too!

    camille: true. I do hope one day to translate all my loves/hobbies into one spectacular job!

    Barbara: Oooh, peckish is good. And I know what you mean about raw fennel. I don't mind it (although I do prefer it roasted). Lazy dog=raw though.

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  7. You were missed! I confess that I checked the site multiple times each day, looking for my HD fix. I probably should have just emailed you :) You can always come to Sac for warmth - it's still in the 80s here and brilliantly sunny. And you have so many skills! LA needs them.

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  8. Is that red onion I see in your salad? ;-)

    I totally understand about taking a break. I've been tempted at times, and I also rely on old standbys when I'm busy so don't always come up with new recipes.

    Not sure what you see in LA. I don't mind visiting there, but it's so spread out and generic. And there's only so much muscle gawking you can do at Venice before you get bored. ;-)

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  9. avocado. that's all you had to say to get me interested. good to see you back!

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  10. Ash: Aren't you a sweet friend! We do need to make up to Sac to see you & E soon. October I guess,seeing as Sept is nearly gone!

    Ben: No red onion, although that would be a good addition. I guess I see a lot of personality in LA. Not sure I would have felt that if I hadn't lived there though. It is spread out. But to me, it has a good vibe.

    grace: Avocado makes most things better, yes?

    Sophie: Thank you! I have never been to Brussels...hopefully someday each of us will get to see where the other one lives! :)

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  11. ooh, a move to LA would be so exciting! Keep us updated if you find your Los Angeleno dream job!

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  12. I was missing you! You are one of my favorite bloggers. At just about right now, I will gladly exchange places with you. You can come live in Tallahassee, Florida and I will live in San Francisco ( I love that place). I have never been to Los Angeles but that is on my list too.

    btw, I am liking your salad w/o lettuce.

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  13. I actually like salad posts! I never know what to make and thus always eat very boring greens.

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  14. Whether its salad or cake, I enjoy reading your posts and writing!

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  15. wasabi: I will indeed!

    Velva: Oh, thank you. What a nice thing to read! I've never been to Florida but would love to check it out!

    Jessica: Oh good! :)

    Connie: Thank you so much. I always enjoy your blog as well!

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  16. How funny, I lived there for five years and couldn't wait to get back to the fog and untanned and unmuscled bay area!! Auburn well to each her own... I'vs been very remiss both in posting and commenting and sometimes you need to live in the moment and enjoy life eh?

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  17. You know I used to live in SF and remember how cold it was. Then I went last weekend and got a sunburn?? Your salad looks anything but boring.

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  18. foodhoe: I like the bay area too...I grew up here after all. But I'm a sunshine lover at heart.

    agrigirl: that's the thing I always forget too--just because you can't see/feel the sun doesn't mean it's not coming through the clouds...

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  19. I get what you mean about feeling like you've got nothing to post. I'm glad you got your kitchen mojo back. : ) I always enjoy your posts!!!

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  20. oneordinaryday: Thanks! And everyone needs a break sometimes,right? Gotta find some new inspiration...

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  21. Would be sad to see you guys move south -- but I know what you mean about the fog and a change of scenery. Glad you took a break. Sometimes it's nice to eat like a regular person without having to think about it too much. Lunch soon!!

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  22. I was just in Los Angeles, too. How funny! It's always great to visit, but would you really want to put up with the horrendous traffic there on a daily basis? I dunno......

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  23. alittleyum: Yes, lunch soon. Week after next maybe?

    CJ: The traffic is bad there...but at least that city is built for driving. SF is not.

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