Nor Cal Peeps

Well, Jake and I were driving over the weekend and we were reminded of the crazy time we drove up to "tour" the area before Jake's big job interview. We joked about how we thought, "I'm sure this city could be fun..."

It is approaching two years since Jake moved up here. February 15, 2008 is when he made the fateful trip. I followed him a few months later (in June) and our lives have never been the same.

What can I say about this place? Well, I have been approached by a middle-aged Indian man in the supermarket asking me if I like to "boogie down" on the weekends; I have heard people talking about living in trees; I have been almost run off the road by numerous Priuses? (Whatever the plural of Prius is); I park next to a car with a ridiculous license plate (see below), Jake and I were asked if we were "gamers" and if we were interested in the newest video games...

But, I think the most telling thing that happened was when an old Israeli lady approached me at Costco. Apparently, I look very approachable sitting and eating my pizza while waiting for Jake to bring some napkins. The lady plops down next to me and begins a conversation. When I explained that I was new to the ares she asked if I liked living here. I explained that it was quite different (ie more boring) than LA and she agreed saying: "The only things to do here are food and sex... food and sex..." Jake and I were very creeped out and left and vowed never to return again.

The Most Amazing Scones Ever!

I try to bake on Sundays so that Jake and I have some tasty breakfasts for the week. These scones are delicious and I highly recommend them to anyone. I made a few changes to a recipe I found in a Williams-Sonoma cookbook I had.

Cranberry-Orange Scones

2 cups flour
3 tbsp sugar
2 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
grated orange zest of one orange
8 tbsp chilled butter, cut in pieces
1 cup buttermilk
3/4 dried cranberries

Basically add first six ingredients and then cut in the butter. Add buttermilk. You'll have a sticky dough. Stir in cranberries and then put on floured board. Gently knead with floured hands until you have a soft dough. Pat out dough into a rectangle. Fold the rectangle like a letter overlapping the dough so you've made three layers. Then pat down again. I cut in half and then make each half a circle. Each circle can be cut in six wedges. Bake about 2 inches apart on a cookie sheet @ 425 for about 15 minutes.

So darn good every time I make them...

"Tasty," says Jake.