Butcher, Baker... Where's the Candlestick Maker?

More stores need fresh butcher shops! I'll put my request in now! Something about them that  I find so fresh, yet so old-school. I think I've spoken of this place : el Salchichero in Santa Cruz? It's a small but finely stocked charcuterie. I adore the owner and his fellow-choppers - they're dynamic, informative, and tattooed! Tiny place, big + for a perfect food field trip with the Organic Chef!
{Cousin Rick}

Hubby kissing the ceramic pork

Meat was bought! Cousin was happy. Butcher ... then Baker... in the same courtyard is Kelly's French Bakery! Yuuuummmmy  decadence...

this little starling had his "sweet" spot staked-out

 Next?  other California scenery - especially while in the Santa Cruz area. One must visit the beach - of course !!

Pleasure seeking, food indulging, and completely seizing the day - we truly DID!!

Darlings of Fast Food ? Our Family Chef Would Perish the Thought..

Taco trucks seem to be the hamburger stand de rigeuer. At least that's how I've come to see them. A hip way to get authentic food quickly. While our cousin hasn't lived in the U.S. in years, his craving for this simple dining experience had not wavered. Rick requested we hit a taco truck on his first day here.

Scrumptious street-style tacos!! soooo yummy...

The interior (^ where we did not eat) was wildly colorful and displayed vintage posters that I found oh so photographable!


No pictures of the food - but I did get the cousins sitting together ~

Did I mention that our days revolved around where to take Rick to eat?

 No, we didn't eat the chickens!

Again - no capturing of the organic food take-out excursion, just a glimpse into where we dined....
our BACKYARD...

Here's the part where there was no way in hell I was going to have a professional chef try to slice&dice with my unsharpened cutlery, nor try to find a pan that would suit his needs. Let alone attempt a meal prep in a kitchen the size of some closets......  uh uh

lamb was a fave pick

We happily chose our own customized pleasure cartons of edibles from Whole Foods. Then, I did supplement and served a homemade galette from plums off of our trees. (the least I could do)
And, believe me - I don't think I impressed the cousin!

We listened to stories of Japan...

and opted for ~ a la mode~  just to top off the evening with more goodness ! ....

Feathered Friend

You know you've got a smart, kind, inquisitive bird when he is sweet enough to ask -
"What?" and chortle at me...

When all I was doing was talking out loud - to MYSELF! hhhaa
Surefire way to make me start laughing (out loud to self, again)....

You oughta hear him chuckle - funniest thing ever!


Great way to start the day!! xoxoxoxox Greystoke - you're a fine feathered friend!!

Organic Man Visiting from Japan ~ AKA Rick was in Cali

We know an organic chef, he cooks Italian, he's American, and he lives in Japan. Pretty wild, huh? Rick is Hubby's cousin {by marriage}... we hadn't seen him in three years, or so. Wouldn't one think that having a chef visit your home means instant dinner party without all the work? WRONG!! My tiny cottage kitchen is not - repeat NOT an equipped spot for a pro! Instead, we shopped with the man-from-Japan.  We spent a sunny Sunday at an organic farmer's market. We bought take-out at Whole Foods (organic) hot deli-smorgy and then we felt comfortable hosting cousin in our back yard garden for dinner.

Take in the color and magnificence of the market....

This is Chef Rick ~

 

 

 

Yeah, alright.... we ate, and ate, and shopped for food, and ate some more  - seems the story of my life! hhhaaa


Cousin Chef asked for a taco truck visit! We indulged him - see that on the next post...