Hello, Bridge.

On our way back from exploring the beach with Ariel on her first morning in the Bay Area, we stopped at one of the parking area on the Marin Headlands to get a good view of our bridge. Cam relaxed.

I got a quick shot of Ariel and Sam together then the rain started again. We'd made good use of the sunshine and decided to take cover in the car for now.












Sam, the budding photographer, took some interesting close-up shots of us while we were driving.
























And introducing Ariel to Joe's.

Yum.

Beaches on the way home.

After our hike to Pfeiffer Falls, Cam and I were ready for breakfast.



Who knew brunch at the Ripplewood restaurant it would be such a treat?

Cam had the Big Sur omelet.

I was thinking of having a breakfast burrito until Cam mentioned hash browns.

Hash browns do not come with the breakfast burrito. So the Little Sur it was.

We were both so happy with our food. It was delicious. The hash browns were perfect. I couldn't have asked for a better breakfast.

Afterwards, I had to take some pictures of the beautiful flowers out front. I love that they were this gorgeous in late November.




We thought about exploring the Big Sur area more but knew we had a fairly decent drive ahead.

With so many new beaches to explore we were excited to be on our way. So, we hit the road.


On the way down, we'd been racing the sun. We hadn't stopped at the turnouts to admire the view.












On the way back, we stopped at several just to stare in awe and wonder.

The sun was brilliant but it was windy and cooler Cam lent me his sweatshirt.








At this beach, we decided to hike south to see what we could see.






Cam tried to hike out onto this rock peninsula.




















But the water wasn't cooperating.

This is as close as I got.

We drove awhile farther then pulled off at another stop which promised beach access.

We hiked about a mile through tall grass to this beach. Then we hiked about a half mile along the beach to these benches. The wind here was impressive. We didn't sit for too long.











Thanks for taking me on a spontaneous trip for Thanksgiving, Love.

I am thankful for you.

Thanksgiving Dinner - Pfeiffer St. Beach

After exploring the giant rock formations at Pfeiffer State Beach, we walked over to this flat rock plateau.












It made the perfect table for our Thanksgiving dinner.














While I'd been getting ready that morning, Cam packed everything we needed for the trip.

He's awesome. We had a wonderful dinner with things you'd never expect to find in our backpacks.

We enjoyed breath taking views.









And had tide pools to explore for after-dinner entertainment.














It was a wonderful day.

Thanksgiving Decisions

We've had a lot on our minds lately. There have been a whole range of decisions made around this Thanksgiving.

Decisions have included everything from: What to do with Sam? He was scheduled to be off school for five days around Thanksgiving and hadn't seen his dad in six months. We probably need to help make this happen. Should we drive halfway? If we do, can we see my brother? Not really. His in-laws are visiting and he is working every day we are off. I don't want to spend my holiday driving w/o some enjoyment.

Then, we found out my friend, Melissa might be in southern California visiting her dad and step mom for Thanksgiving. If so, we are invited there which would mean I'd have time with a friend and Sam and his dad could also have some time together. But when we talked with Sam's dad about this plan, he wanted to split a plane ticket instead. And since Melissa wasn't sure she was coming, we decided to go for the plane ticket. At least we had decided about Sam's visitation plans.

Then, we wondered, "What should Cam & I do?" His friend, Malia generously invited us to join in her lavish Thanksgiving celebration - complete with wine, caviar and interesting conversation. It sounded decadent but they were ordering the turkey when we were still deciding whether we would be here or not. And if we were here without Sam, we might want some time for the two of us to be alone and the freedom to have an adventure if the mood strikes. So we declined.

Awhile ago, I spoke with my cousin, Ariel about the plans she and her girlfriend, Ash were making to move from Ohio to the Bay area at the end of November/first part of December. She asked if they would be able to stay with us for awhile until they got on our feet. They were supposed to have other options too. I know how hard it is trying to get here from the Midwest and wasn't able to do it without help. I wanted to help them and would love to have my family here but when we asked, "Do we have room for two people to live with us for awhile?" We decided we didn't.

Last weekend, Ariel called back. She said she was still coming out at the beginning of December but that Ash wasn't coming until after Christmas. She wondered, if she was alone, if we might have room. What if it is just one? We talked about it and agreed that while it would be crowded and undoubtedly stressful, we'd love to have her and she is welcome here. She leaves Columbus on the 30th and will arrive here sometime during the first week of December after stopping to visit people and see places along the way.

Then, Melissa called. She decided to come to southern California for Thanksgiving after all. By then, Cam and I were looking forward to not having to be anywhere and doing what we wanted to do for the holiday weekend. However, she is staying for awhile. So, I might drive down to see her this coming weekend. The thing is that we only have one car so if I go; whoever stays will be without one. And we are all a bit tired from traveling over the holiday. The decision about the coming weekend is still on the table. "Will Mary make get to see her friend?"

Also, I've been trying to decide what to do next professionally. While I like my current job and working part-time has its benefits, I'm not growing or learning. I know I want to help people but don't seem to have the qualifications to get a higher-level social services job. So, Does that mean grad school? Probably, but, Which school? Which program? What do I have to do to be accepted? "How will we pay for it? Will it be worth it?"

But the biggest decision we've been considering lately revolves around Cameron's daughter, Adelyn.

Some of you may not even know that Cameron has a daughter. She's not a baby anymore. Click here and here for more recent pictures.

Sam & I have never met Adelyn. There is a long, complicated story behind why but it is too personal to share on the web.

As the holidays approached this year, I spent a lot of time thinking about Adelyn. Our family was stable, secure and well on our way to being settled in our new home. What to do for the holidays was a big decision. We didn't really have the money to travel to see anyone but I could justify spending money on travel if it meant we would get to see Adelyn.

Cameron contacted her mom. She agreed to a visit. We finalized a date, purchased tickets and had a plan that was supposed to allow us to meet Adelyn, visit Cam's father's family in his hometown, attend Cam's friend's son's baptism and see my family too. I was elated.

Then, in the past week, we have been unable to agree on some major issues with Adelyn's mother and it looks like we may not get to meet Adelyn after all. "Will we ever get to know Adelyn?"

On Thanksgiving morning, Cam wanted to know what I wanted to do. I was preoccupied about the situation with Adelyn. We talked and I spent awhile crying over the heartbreak and disappointment I feel about the change in direction our plans are taking. He is disappointed too but thinks he is doing what is best for Adelyn. I absolutely want to support him but we don't completely agree about what is best.

The only thing I could say I wanted, aside from things to be different, was an egg casserole. Cam has made a couple of wonderful ones lately. I had an idea for one but wanted to make it together. He agreed that sounded like a good idea.

After talking, sharing a yummy breakfast and a shower, I felt better. I knew we needed something big, something different to throw ourselves into and save the day. We talked about a few local options and agreed that since Sam was gone, it would be a good time for a drive down a long, windy road.

Usually, we go north on Hwy 1, but since we had time for a really big drive, I tossed out the idea of going south to Big Sur. Cam enthusiastically agreed. We were talking about watching the sun set there then driving back but I threw a toothbrush and my contact solution into my bag in case we decided to spend the night.


Like Sam, my stomach gets upset when I am a passenger on winding roads too. Cam generously offered to let me drive. He took pictures along the way.


Neither of us had seen the stretch from San Francisco to Santa Cruz. The sunlight sparkled on the deep blue green water. The prairie grass shown in the sun. It was gorgeous.

After about four hours of driving, we arrived. We decided to spend the night so we would have the next day to explore on our way back. We found a room and decided to set out to investigate this area and soak up the sun.

My five things to eat before you die

Cameron just posted his recommendation of five things to eat before you die. He tagged me and said it was my turn to write about my recommendations.

But I'm so fickle. A phrase an old boss of mine used once about some clients we didn't really respect comes to mind when I think about my food preferences. He said they were like crows excited about the last shinny thing they saw.

Maybe I can name five categories of food to eat before you die?

Salty and Fried
Right now, I'm quite happy with the fried potatoes, onions and pepper topped with parmesan cheese Cam and I had a couple of hours ago. Cameron mentioned squash for some reason around that time and the homemade fried squash I've eaten in the past came to mind. Any fried mushrooms... As a child, we'd sometimes go to Mike's Fine Foods in Scammon, Kansas. Mike was so large he literally sat on two bar stools at the bar but I loved his fried ravioli. Garlic fries (I think I remember garlic cheese fries) from Jake's and those we had at the Giants Game. In Chicago's Greektown we had flaming fried cheese complete with an "O-Pa!" from the server.

Spicy and Exotic
This past week, I've been cooking with these tiny hot peppers. One of the women I work with at the school is Indian. She let me tag along on a trip she made to a Milan Imports, an Indian grocery store in Berkeley. She kept putting things in my basket and assuring me she would give me a recipe for using the ingredients.

The fried potatoes were made to quell a craving I was having for these awesome eggplants she taught me how to make. They were stuffed with cilantro, salt and these tiny hot peppers, and then sauteed in oil. Yum. We had it with Sombar, a vegetable stew made with tomatoes, onion and squash with Indian seasoning. These have been my favorites of late.

Dinner at the Ethiopian restaurant at Clark & Addison in Chicago where we sat on the floor and didn't have utensils but used that spongy bread to sop up the food is up there too.

Maybe BBQ isn't exotic but since I worked for America's Pork Producers for two years, I'd better not forget to mention BBQ pork. The dry rub ribs I had to the World Pork Expo and another time in Kansas City were excellent but my favorite was the BBQ Pork Sundae my friend, Brooke made on the Today Show. Thanks for the recipe and picture Carma, courtesy of otherwhitemeat.com.

Seafood
This week gets to be "All About Me" in one of the classrooms where I work (ala student of the week). On the bulletin board where I am featured, I had to list a food I like to eat. For that, I chose pineapple curry shrimp. I hate to burn us out on it but it is yummy. (Els sent a recipe for mango shrimp I'm excited to try too.) So favorite foods of late? If so, the list would definitely include fish tacos from Joe's Taco Lounge.

Dinner at Sushi Ran in Sausalito, the scallop dumpling at Kaze on Roscoe in Chicago. The softshell crabs we made in the tiny apartment in Lincoln Park. Barbecued oysters at Sam's in Tiburon. The fish stew from Whole Foods. It is better than the one I made from scratch.

Chocolate/Nearly All Desserts
Got to keep those eyes brown. Favorite foods in general, usually the most chocolate dessert on any menu. Although the tiramisu we had at Milano's over Labor Day weekend was extraordinary. Thanks, Deanette for introducing me to this delicacy. Do you remember having it at the Cafe Phoenix in Grinnell, Iowa?

I did burn Cam out on homemade chocolate chip pecan pie made with the pecans my grandmother gave us which were grown on the trees my grandfather grafted in their yard.

From childhood? I loved making those Nestle Toll House Chocolate Chip Cookies (still do). I also used to dump random sweet toppings into a bowl (whipped cream topped with powdered Quick and sprinkles) and when my little brother would ask what I was eating, I'd say, medicine. Growing up, when my friend Sherry and I would walk around town talking for hours, we loved to stop at the Tropical Snow (shaved ice stand). I would always get half Passion Fruit and half Guava. We didn't drink but were sure these drinks made us drunk. We'd get so giggly and silly. And what about cherry limeades or vanilla dr. pepper's from Sonic?

Pizza
Friends of my parents owned Turner's Dairy Bell in Columbus, Kansas. Greg Turner used to let my brother and I come into the kitchen and make our own pizza. We loved running the dough through the roller and tossing it a few times. Then at some point, it was personal pan pizzas from Pizza Hut. We used to earn certificates for free ones through their Book It promotion. It worked; my brother and I would read. And my mom would take us out to eat. Sometime, I discovered Calzones...

Then, I was burnt out on pizza for awhile after working at Godfather's Pizza in Newton my senior year of high school. In college it was Great Plains. Papa Johns in Des Moines. Ranalli's then Carreno's in Chicago. We just tried Stefano's in Mill Valley last Friday and thought it was good not to die for but Cam said they are entirely solar-powered which is cool and though it wasn't to die for it was tasty. And what about lasagna? Can I put it under this category? Spinach lasagna.

Fruits & Veggies
Today, on the way home from Muir Woods, I stopped at a fruit stand and picked up a couple of more avocados, tomatoes and red onion to make guacamole. We've been eating homemade guac nearly every week too. Oh, and berries of all kinds, I love them.

Eating Out
Favorite food experience of all time (because isn't so much of it about the experience?) I never made it to Spiaggia in Chicago. If I had, I imagine it would be on my list. I can't believe it isn't on Cam's list since it was one of the places I've heard him talk most about.

When we lived in Lincoln Park, I loved walking to John's Place on Webster. Their house salad with cherries, walnuts and gorgonzola and a glass of raspberry lemonade while sitting on the table outside or having brunch, juevos rancheros or banana nut pancakes. Brunch in Chicago, so many good memories, Toast, Orange, that place Eric and Sarah took us on Mother's Day when they announced their engagement. Kitsch'n, the place on Roscoe we started going near the end. I enjoyed gumbo and red beans and rice while celebrating Cam's birthday at Heaven on Seven and at Schuba's on Fat Tuesday before Melissa's show. And sizzling rice soup from the local Asian restaurant. And who can forget Treats? Or the salad bar or bbq, blue cheese chicken sliders at R.J. Grunts? And Flat Top Grill where you pick your own ingredients and they stir fry it for you?

I know there are many, many more memorable food experiences and foods in general I'd like to recommend. Apparently, I can't name just five. I've decided it is impossible and instead have taken stroll down my memory food lane. Thanks for joining me. And since I'm big on letting people make their own choices, I'll just say, pick five from this list that sound good and enjoy at your leisure.

And since this all started with the Traveler's Lunchbox's Tag Event, you are it. What things do you think people should eat before they die?