Los Angeles Fashion District

I was a lucky girl to visit the Fashion District of LA and even more lucky to have a wonderful hostess named Barbara.  We had a wonderful time and I enjoyed the fact that it was sprinkling all day.  My favorite place to visit there I have decided is Michael Levine Fabrics.  They have two buildings which are across the street from eachother.  I was in sensory overload that day and was still euphoric from our trip when I returned home.

I am looking forward to another visit and highly recommend that if you haven't been, take a trip.  There is parking next door to Michael Levine where you can get your parking validated when you purchase from them.  The day we visited was also TAX FREE DAY!  How lucky can a couple girls get?

Here is the link to check it out before you go:  http://www.fashiondistrict.org/

Until next time...
Crystal

L.A. County Station Fire

This photo was taken from our backyard and shows the accumulation of smoke in the atmosphere, which was traveling north west from the fires. On this day, there was an eerie orange hue on the sidewalks and anything else reflective. Later this day, the Sun was literally red and nothing like I have ever seen before.

This is a view of the L.A. County Station fire from the car when we were traveling North on the 14 Freeway. As you can see, the fires are on the other side of this mountain. In person, the illumination of orange is more apparent. It is reported that there are 60 year old trees burning and attributing to the enormous height of the flames.






Below is a map showing the relationship of the fires on the other side of the mountain in this photo and Freeway 14 from where the photo was taken.





View Station IC in a larger map

Dick Rutan at Mojave Spaceport

Both Everett and Mr. Dick Rutan could care less about the camera. They had airplanes to see! What a wonderful experience we had at Mojave today. Thank you Mr. Rutan for your willingness to meet us and take this photo with our 2 year old son.

We also met Wen Painter, an incredible story teller to say the least.

We were definitely in the company of great innovators, beautiful airplanes, and kind folks.

http://www.mojaveairport.com/index.html
http://www.dickrutan.com/

Impromptu Trip to Santa Monica "got" us Ziggy Marley

We decided to drive to Santa Monica to see the ocean. We saw the ocean and enjoyed an awesome performance by Ziggy Marley.

Thank you Fred for taking this photo!

June Recipe

Banana Soy Milk Smoothie

8 oz Vanilla Soy Milk
6 oz Carrot Juice
1 Whole Banana
1/2 Cup Ice
Add 1 packet Splenda if the banana is not ripened enough for sweetness.
Blend and pour!

Enjoy!

Fred's Trip to El Centro

There is definitely beauty in the desert. On one of Fred's trips to El Centro, where it reaches 115 degrees on any given day and where his boots melt into the asphalt of the flight line, he took these beautiful photos along his commute. Take a look...

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Until next time...

Desert Tripping

This is a wild peacock we saw on our trip "to" the desert...we witnessed this beautiful creature jump onto a 6 foot fence. We were quite surprised to say the least. Did you know they could do that?

There are Joshua Trees everywhere here...


There is indeed drifting sand and sand tornadoes here in the desert...did I mention I believe we experienced an earthquake two days ago. Not sure because it was so quick, but pretty sure...

Trip to see Atlantis return to Edwards

A few weeks ago, we took a trip up to the Northern edge of Edwards AFB to see the space shuttle return from its historic mission to repair the Hubble space telescope for the second time. After three days in a row with the weather in Florida not being favorable to welcome back Atlantis, we were lucky enough to be here to see the astronauts come home. It was incredible to see and exciting to hear the sonic booms when the shuttle re-entered. Afterward, we had breakfast at the Mojave Airport in a little restaurant called The Voyager. The Mojave Airport (Space Port) is the home of both Voyager and SpaceShip One. Voyager being the first airplane to fly around the world on a single tank of gas. SpaceShip One being the winner of the X prize for going into space twice in the same week. It was definitely an aviation bonanza for the boys that day.

The maroon arrows mark where Atlantis is located in the picture I took above.

Everett and kids playing with a soccer ball in the Mojave desert while waiting for Atlantis.

Mojave Air and Space Port where we ate breakfast at The Voyager.

I couldn't help but take this picture of a cool sign on the side of the road. We estimate that it is from the 60s. See the pretty mountains in the background?

See ya next time...

May Recipe

I have decided to post a recipe each month either developed by Fred or myself. Hope you enjoy!

I came up with this recipe as an alternative to the tuna fish sandwich. It is robust with flavors and instead of being mixed together like a salad, they are layered so each ingredient is showcased on its own. They are more fun to eat than a sandwich and very filling.

Tuna Tostadas

2 Corn tostadas
1 can tuna in olive oil (NOT water!!!) Genova or even Sunkist will have it in olive oil.
Diced Tomato - use as much or as little as you desire
2 or 3 Diced Green Olives per tostada
Diced white or yellow onion
Chiffenade some spinach
Freshly ground black pepper
Pinch of kosher salt rolled between your fingers to break it up a bit

Notes: Don't drain the tuna until it is bone dry, leave some of the olive oil to add flavor and keep the moisture. There is no mayo in this recipe so keep some of the olive oil. Look at the calorie count on the tuna can. Sunkist tuna in plain olive oil (not flavored) is 110 calories per serving. Use the whole can, which is two servings or 220 calories.

The tostadas I use are 50 calories per tostada. There are different sizes out there so take a look at the label if you are watching calories.

I split the can of tuna between the two tostadas and use the tuna as the first layer. Then I add the rest of the ingredients one layer at a time...that's it! I have also squeezed fresh lime onto these tostadas, yum.

The next time I make these, I will take a picture to add to this post.

Enjoy!

Gem Hill

This morning, Fred hiked 1000 feet to the top of Gem Hill, which sits at 3100 feet above sea level. This is also the mountain we see through the back windows of the house and the silhouette of this mountain at twilight is so beautiful. Along the way, Fred saw lizards, an abandoned mine shaft, and the beautiful views of Rosamond. He also saw jackrabbits, but they were too fast for the camera.

On the way to Gem Hill

View from atop Gem Hill facing North

Hiya lizard friend...

Besides the heat of the Sun, there is no doubt that we live in the desert from the pictures Fred took on his hike. Oh, by the way, 100 degrees is the projected high for today. Yesterday, we surpassed the projected high by 4 degrees, leaving us shy of 100 by only one degree.

See you next time...and a bit tanner.

What a Ride!

We visited Fred at Fox Field after going to Apollo Park down the road to take care of some major swing time. Our visit to see Fred was so cool! Everett loved seeing his Daddy lift off in his helicopter. Everett, the lucky little boy he is, got to sit inside the helicopter, too!

That is one cooool Daddy!

Hiya Coyote

On a recent drive to check out some hiking trails, we saw this guy darting across the road. He was only somewhat shy of the paparazzi. If you are wondering, we took this picture from our car.

See you next time...

We Made it!

We finally made it to our new home in the high desert and so far have handled the 90 degree days very well. We will without a doubt hit the triple digits this summer and I say bring it on! We love the house we are renting and it could not be more perfect. The neighborhood is family friendly and we have our very own cactus in the front yard!

Tumbleweeds can be seen often and roses are abundant here. I am told by a local that roses here require low maintenance and are pruned every November. Other than steer manure, yep, steer manure, no other food is required for them.

We plan to plant a garden in the backyard and are told that anything and everything will grown well in the soil here. It is very different from Midwest soil in that it is comprised of mostly sand.

Until next time...

Beautiful Northern California

Today, we experienced Easter brunch at a horse farm and vineyard belonging to the parents of one of Fred's co-workers. There was an Easter egg hunt, mimosas, and the backdrop of the beautiful valley of Napa .


Yesterday, Fred took us for a drive up and down the beautiful coast. Cows were grazing in the mountains to the right and with the ocean to the left, it was truly a moving yet peaceful experience. After the drive, we took our little guy to an aviation museum and both boys had a great time.

The night before, we had an awesome meal at Willis Seafood & Raw Bar in Healdsburg. Here is the line up:
Flash Fried Fresh Calamari with Orange Chili Gremolata
BBQ Oysters
Sauteed Spinach with Meyer Lemon Marmalade
Rosemary Ricotta Fritters with a Simple Lemon Glaze

More of their selections can be found at www.willisseafood.net

Until next time...

The Tickets are Booked!

Wow! I thought the day would never come. We officially are joining Fred in Northern California on April 9! The U haul has been reserved and most all of the packing here in the apartment is complete. I am very excited and so happy to finally join Fred.

Until next time...

Crystal

House Hunting Take One

Fred awoke early today to drive to the furthest eastern point in Lancaster to view a rental home. How far East you ask? A chicken coop in the backyard, goats and roosters in the neighbor's, and little Taco Bell dogs running after Fred's Jeep East.

The home was beautiful inside and out and sitting on its own acre in the desert made for a take your breath away setting. A Joshua tree in the front yard and the vast Mojave desert for miles that the eye could see offered just enough wind to tickle your ears to tempt you to stay. Between the charming noises of roosters, goats, and dogs, nothing but a peaceful silence uncommon to anyone living in a metropolitan area.

This is how I describe this place. Fred was there, sent a picture to me on my cell, and described what he saw, felt, and heard. We are not renting this house, thus the title "Take One".

See you next time.

Crystal

Fred's in Arizona

I heard from Fred today and he and Lynette finally made it to Arizona. They will be in Bakersfield, CA tonight. Today is day three of their travels and after the snow storm they encountered yesterday in New Mexico, the equally beautiful landscape of Arizona has welcomed them with open arms.

This is the first post of Hiya California. I decided to start a blog for friends and family to keep up with the happenings of our new journey. I intend for this to be a great way to share pictures, recommend wines from the area, and of course, being the foodies that we are, share in our food adventures, too!

Thanks for visiting and see you again soon!

Crystal