POSTCARD: Greetings from Cabo San Lucas

Dear Mi Amigos:

I've been a busy little bee lately.  Last weekend I was learning how to make soba and completing my very first triathlon.  Now I'm back from Cabo San Lucas, a very welcome reprieve from my oh-so-difficult-life [especially before my Griswald Family Adventure].  I haven't been here since 2004.  Boy, has it changed a lot. The streets are so much wider than what I rememberd.

People have been asking me if I was afraid to travel to Mexico.  Seriously?? Have you seen my neighborhood [ok, probably (hopefully) not for most of you, but I live in Los Angeles. Enough said.]?  I'm more afraid of walking around after dark in my 'hood than walking buck nekkid down the beaches in Mexico [which seriously, is a scarier sight for everyone else involved].

Plus the people here were so friendly [and really, how can you be afraid of these guys]!  They all seemed to be waiting for me with a drink in hand...

Besides, how can you beat THESE views.  It's absolutely amazing.  

And the food.  I love Mexican food.   Of course, I sampled some taquitos [small tacos, not the rolled up deep fried cigar shaped things we eat here in 'Merica] from Gardenia's:

and some wonderful twist on shrimp cocktail with a Beer Foam:

 ...and dessert...you know, my favorite part of the meal.  My favorite by far was the green ones on the right  - pistachio chocolate.  Yummm.

My favorite view was from Sunset da Mona Lisa Restaurant...It gives you a breathtaking view of famed Los Arcos.  They also have a dish that uses a lava rock to cook your meat on.  It was fantastic!

One new thing that I learned while I was in Cabo was that Mexico provides about 30% of all organic produce sold in the United States! I had no idea but I decided to go down and take a look at one of the organic farms while I was there. 

Flora Farms was amazing.  It was a haven in the midst of the dusty desert for the road weary travelers that we were.  It was so refreshingly green with shade trees and herbs everywhere, despite the fact that it was not growing season!  Not only was it a haven for me, but it was also a haven for stray dogs, the very first Humane Society in Los Cabos [see below. i love that crazy dog]. One feature of this farm that I was not able to partake in was the cooking classes that were offered. I need to make another trip down there soon so I can correct that!

All in all - a very wonderful getaway!

POSTCARD: Greetings from Sedona, AZ

Dear [whatever the heck your name is]:

June. In Arizona. What was I thinking? I was lucky that it was early June so while the weather was warm it was actually very comfortable! I had the opportunity to enjoy a wonderful dinner out on the patio served by Hilton's Chef Stephen Crossett: a trio of Bison over Sweet Potatoes with a splash of molasses, Lobster Tamales, and Seared Ahi Tuna with Chili Quinoa. I really wish I had some more right now.

I had a lot of preconceived ideas of what Sedona would be like: red rocks, fire-like sunsets,  new age-y stores, and a wealth of artistic talents.  I was right on all counts but what I didn't expect was the stunning views.  To get a better vantage point of Sedona, I joined the Pink Jeep Tours based in Uptown Sedona.  Pink Jeep Tours is celebrating their 50th year in business.  With a fleet of 65 jeeps, their business was certainly brisk!

On our tour, I tried so desperately to capture the stunning views but I'm just a craptastic photographer.  Well, that and the fact that the ride was crazy! We climbed up hills, rode down declines that I thought would cause us to tip over.  It was explained to me that each jeep was retrofitted with $15,000 worth of upgraded suspension [that did not preventing me from screaming or calling out for my mommy at one point].

During one of our 2 stop offs, I did manage to get some photos of the flora/fauna in Sedona...

It's amazing how the desert flora/fauna just pops against the color of the red rock. Incidentally, in case you were wondering the redness in the rock is caused by iron deposits [iron turns to rust].  What was really interesting was seeing petrified rain:

See the lighter color/white dots on the red rock? That's the petrified rain.  Still scratching my head over how they actually KNOW that its rain but I'll just take their word for it.

Wish you were here to enjoy this view!

Love,

Jen


Hilton Sedona Resort & Spa
90 Ridge Trail Drive
Sedona, AZ 86351
928.284.4040

Pink Jeep Tours
204 N State Route 89A
Sedona, AZ 86336
800.873.3662

POSTCARD: Maui, wowie!

Dear [fill in your name]:

It's been 5 years since I was last in Maui.  So far, everyone has been so friendly!  I'm hardly ever on the receiving end of fabulous trips since I'm usually planning them so it's been great not having to do anything!

It seems like I've been eating every couple of hours. Which is good because we've been on the move since I landed.  One of my friends even arranged for me to try my hand on the stand up paddle board.  Except I kept falling off the paddle board [so the "stand up" part may not have been accurate in my case.  It's hard work - for every 3 strokes forward I felt like the wind was blowing me 2 strokes back.  

As you guys know, I'm into experiencing and learning new things.  I was hoping that I'd get a chance to learn how to do the fire dance but they didn't think it'd be a good idea.  I guess I'll have to be satisfied that I know how to paddle board now.

The great news is that I've fallen in lust love! It really doesn't matter with which one of the guys above.  They were all equally hot.  

Well, it's been a long day and I need some sleep. Tomorrow's going to be a another long day and I'm going to see if I have some time to make it over to Kahului to get some guri-guri.  More later!

Wish you were here!

Jen

POSTCARD: Oklahoma City [Edmond, OK] - Steak & Catfish Barn

Dear Friends:

I'm excited to be writing to you from Oklahoma City [ok, not really...it is work and all].   There are so many dining options and opportunities out here [if you like a lot of fried fattening foods, otherwise you're S.O.L. for the purposes of this particular postcard.].  Take for instance, the Steak and Catfish Barn.  

When I was here last October, I made a trip up to Edmond to visit my friend, Carrie.  As I was driving around Edmond, lo and behold what do I see but this sign for a Steak and Catfish Barn.  BARN.  Where they serve both STEAKS and CATFISH.  I've been wanting to visit this place ever since [no, really.  It's all I've talked about].

My first glance into the restaurant lived up to my expectations, a little dark with linoleum floors.  I was so thrilled by this sight that I nearly bounced to my table, which was in the next room - brighter and better lit...They had all these really funny plaques around the place but I'll save that for another post.

Our server was wonderful and friendly and even helped me with my selections [even if she didn't actually bring me those selections, but she corrected right away]. I have to say, they had the best french fries I've ever eaten.  I ate half of Carrie's.  It was awesome.  

It was definitely a lot more fried food than I've ever had in one sitting.  My stomach was in turmoil after but the fried catfish was so moist, tender and perfectly fried that I'd go back and eat it again!

As a matter of fact, I even bought a t-shirt because it's just so awesome...[a catfish riding a bull...].  I've been wearing that shirt with pride.  I can't wait to go back again!!

Steak and Catfish Barn

5175 E Waterloo Rd
Edmond, OK 73034

405.341.7300

Postcards from vacation...

I am compulsive about printing out labels with addresses of my friends and family.  That's usually one of the first things I print out and it's the 2nd thing I take care of on my vacation. So you can imagine how horrified I was when I realized that I totally forgot to print out and bring my labels.  I decided to send postcards via my blog, generic though it may have to be. Please fill in the blanks where instructed...

Dear [fill in your name]:

Greetings from [Lisbon or Barcelona]! I hope you're having as great a time in Los Angeles as I am in [Lisbon or Barcelona].  I've been having a fantastic time here - eating, walking, shooting photos, cooking, and shopping. 

I really wish you could be here [unless you're someone I'd rather not be around] with me sharing [well, having your own] cup of chocolat & churros.  I never knew a cup of chocolate could be so thick.

You would have loved the cooking class Carrie & I took at Cook & Taste [unless you hate to cook].  In spite of my squeamishness from the monkfish that really, really grossed me out, I feel pretty confident that I can make paella [I was the one who made the fish stock...i KNOW i can make THAT]!  I'll tell you more about this class later. 

Tonight is my last night in Barcelona, so I'd better get packed and ready to go out.  I know I'll never be able to pack after a night of food & drinks.  I look forward to seeing you when I get home [unless I don't normally see you, in which case I won't]!

With Much Love [unless I hate you...]

Jen