In Southern Cali!!

crystal cove beach in California

We are in California for a few days, on little Balboa Island, visiting my brother and sister-in-law, getting a little R & R and will do some business in Beverly Hills on Tuesday before heading back east. It is so darn pretty here, I have to pinch myself. We arrived last Thursday and every day is more gorgeous than the last. We reached 80 degrees yesterday, over 80 today. The lyric – “It never rains in Southern California…” keeps on going through my head. This warm sunshine is a very, very welcome relief, after the constant wearing of long underwear, rubber boots and two sweaters with at least one being a turtleneck every single day, back in NYC.

hiking in crystal cove state parkWe’ve gone for local walks visiting friends, long bike rides, and hiking in a state park.

man lounging on a park bench

Here’s my husband “hiking”

They’ve cooked fantastic meals and we had a wonderful dinner out last night. Just to share with you, here’s our lunch from yesterday. seared sesame crusted tuna on a bed of lettuce with raw beets and sugar snap peasSeared sesame crusted tuna on a salad with raw beets and sugar snap peas. sunny side up eggs on a bed of frisee with crispy bacon topped with a tomatillo sauceAnd our breakfast from this morning – sunny side up eggs on a bed of frisee with bacon, finished with a tomatillo sauce. But tonight I will cook. So we went to the farmers market yesterday morning. California lettuces at a farmers marketYou know you’re in California when you see the most gorgeous heads of lettuce all lined up, all perfect and Succulent plants at a farmers marketso green and fresh along with the largest array of succulents I’ve ever seen. Just look at how pretty they are! We got some great local corn chips and homemade tomatillo salsa to start our evening. I also bought some burrata and buffalo mozzarella from the nicest Italian man, to serve with beautiful tomatoes and basil.mini squash at the farmers market in California

Take a look at this squash. I’ve never seen anything like them before. I’m going to make a mustard coated chicken and I’m going to grill these little babies with some radishes tossed with some olive oil and salt and pepper. Aren’t they just too cute?!! Some fingerling potatoes will be roasted and we’re going to have a rockin’ good time tonight as my brother Steve has, as usual, picked out some stellar wines to serve with all. Stop in to his wine pairing blog to know what you should serve with your meals.

Newport beach

Newport Beach

May warm weather shine upon you soon, wherever you are!!