The ugly cookie saga

The challenge: A prize for the ugliest cookie.
The answer: A creation reminiscent of an undesirable lawn ornament.
The winner (out of many entries): The champion Kyle.

Brewing Bro's

This past weekend brought another opportunity for culinary creativity. With the help of a friend, Kyle cooked up some brew. When questioned about what he enjoys most about the process, Kyle responded, "Sampling the product, of course. Need you ask?" Thankfully, the concoction will not be ready for tasting for quite some time.

Anniversary trip part 2...

Our first major stop in Monterey was at the Aquarium. We were amazed by the variety of creatures that dwell there, ranging from the California Sunfish (1000 lbs) to the vibrant jellyfish. The otters captured our attention for quite some time, though we especially delighted in the quiet observation of the Outer Bay inhabitants. On our way back to the car, we were shocked to see a reindeer on Cannery Row. Tis the season it seems.




























Other Monterey area highlights included strolling along beaches, reliving childhood fancies by consuming hot fudge sundaes, and discovering great little cafes. Our favorite find was the Red House Cafe in Pacific Grove. True to its name, the cafe serves gourmet foods in the cozy ambiance of the 103 year old red house. We also searched for monarchs in the Pacific Grove preserve, though unfortunately, the masses have yet to arrive for their winter rendezvous.

























On the way home, we stopped at a few more California Missions. Slowly, but surely we are getting a better grasp on the history of this state. And on that note, we'd like to conclude this condensed overview of our relaxing weekend getaway. Stay tuned for more adventures from the K-deux.

A weekend celebration part 1...

K-deux celebrated our one-year anniversary this past weekend, with a trip to the Big Sur and Monterey. After a lengthy, though productive stop in SLO for brewing supplies, we continued up the coast to the Hearst Castle pier, the Elephant Seal viewpoint, and finally Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park. We spent two nights camped on a cliff, high above the crashing surf. To get to the campsite, we had to hike down a rather primitive fire road. Kyle, a detail-oriented individual, had the foresight to arrange for the use of a dolly to haul our "necessities". Loaded with proper coffee making supplies, camp chairs, and extra fleece blankets, Kyle smiled as he maneuvered the dolly down the trail. The actual usefulness of the dolly could be debatable, though it did add to the memory of the whole affair.

Part two of the brewing adventure...

After a week of hanging out in the carboy, the brew was ready for the next phase. Here you can see Kyle transferring the liquid to the mixing bucket, moving it into the bottles, and finally adding caps. In three weeks the brew should be fully carbonated and ready for consumption.

An olive oil experience...

Yesterday I had the pleasure of participating in a tour of a small family-run olive oil company in Ojai. It was quite educational, though the highlight was sampling the rosemary and lemon oils.

Stilllife with persimmons...

Recently I have discovered that persimmon trees are quite popular in my area, and that free boxes with this unusual fruit are also prevalent. Consequently, I spent the weekend scavenging for and cooking up a variety of persimmon creations, including pancakes, salad, and crisp.

The brewing adventure begins...

What to do on a rainy, gray day in California? Kyle's response was to make some homebrew. Now our place smells very hoppy!

The makings of a pie...

A fun Saturday morning project, that resulted in an incredibly delicious pie. Each precious step was documented for your viewing pleasure. Enjoy!

Brilliant blossoms...

Here's a sample of some of the colors we are seeing this fall.

A watery connection...

We toured the Ventura Mission this afternoon, and were intrigued to discover two fountains, connected by a long waterway. The purpose appears to be rather mysterious, though it is artsy!

Another festival...

How do you define fresh? At the Harbor and Seafood Fest, living creatures were purchased and prepared right before our eyes. We particularly enjoyed the lobster and sea urchins.

Something to contemplate...

Almost every time I walk to the library I pass this mural. It is always a sobering reminder of some of the freedoms I take for granted.

Avocado Fest...

Yesterday we had our first Avocado Festival experience. We enjoyed seeing all the different varieties of avocados, sampling creative green concoctions, and being surrounded by fellow avocado aficionados.

Grapes galore...

Here's a glimpse of fall in Santa Barbara County. Though the seasons here are subtle, we do get opportunities to mark the passing of time by celebrating the various harvests.