[] Favorite Things []

Ahhh, is that time of year again for me when California welcomes me with breezy, open arms...this trip is especially great for many reasons...I left the week of record high temperatures where I live (think 100+ degrees) only to be living among the 85 degree digits and lower, and getting to wear my white, zippered hoodie at night...it is blissful...


Another great aspect is having 6+ hours during each day to explore on foot and bike...Anna, my friend that I visit, works 20-30 minutes away from her home, so instead of staying at her house the entire day while she is gone, I catch a ride with her and then head out from there...how often do you get to explore, out on your own, venturing out into the unknown? Make a plan soon to do this, it's the absolute, necessary fun you should be having...

I've made a photo block of my favorite things from yesterday...I was on foot in the city of Orange, and anytime I saw something I really loved looking at, I took a photo.  I choose my favs and make a block out of them, kinda like a visual summary of the day.  But obviously, I cannot fit everything that I love...Anna is so great to me out here, it would impossible to show you everything.  I've met two of her "new" friends, David and Ann.   They are two wonderful, insanely special people to Anna, so now they are a part of my heart as well...

And just to be totally clear, I do work when I am out here, honestly! I spend hours and hours in coffee shops, parks, and the beach editing client work, culling images, answering emails, booking new online clients, and all other behind the scenes things good business owners do...it just happens that I love business and its easier for me to keep up with it on a daily basis, even while on vaca...

So, what are you going to explore today? a new website, a walking trail, a relationship, a conversation?

[] the Make-up Quiche []

Ok, so I'm not going to spend much time apologizing about my absence. I've been busy. Very busy. So there. I'm sorry...

I was really inspired to use up the eggs in my fridge tonight, so I made veggie quiche.  I debated on what to call it, but since I just couldn't leave it at a "6 ingredient quiche" (too boring), I went with something more Martha-Stewarty: the Garden Quiche

• a bunch of eggs
• 2 orange, sweet bell peppers
• 1 red onion, sauteed in coconut oil
• a handful of broccoli
• two leafs of kale from my neighbors garden
• 2 pie crusts thawed

 I threw the onion in a food processor then cooked them down in coconut oil. It still smells so delicious in my house. While that was cooking, I threw both the bell peppers and kale into the processor.  If you don't own one, you should.  The uniform sizes that it slices and shreds everything into makes cooking a bit more predictable.  Apple pies are amazing, carrot jello salad is a breeze, and well, quiches are a cinch.  The broccoli was steamed in the microwave and then just chopped up a bit. 
 
I beat the eggs into oblivion and added everything into the mix.  Eyeballing the amounts is the only way I know how to cook.  Come to think of it, my sister Grace and I are self taught chefs.  Ok, chef on the level of we can make something out of almost nothing. (Wow, I just stopped to cut a piece off and try as I blog tonight, it is so goood)

The last steps were the easiest, I just poured the mix into some pie crusts, threw it into a 360 degree oven for about 30-40 minutes.  Anytime you cook something, always let them sit for a good five minutes before cutting into.  I cracked some sea salt over the top right before eating and this really brings the flavors together...

You might be thinking to yourself "where the f is the cheese, butter, Crisco, the tongue of my favorite sneakers" and all of the other unnecessary crap people put into quiches.  YOU DON'T NEED THEM...the sweetness of the bell peppers, coconut oil, and the caramelized onions is simply heaven next to the flaky crusts. Yum...