Nesting with Chester

"His house was perfect, whether you liked food, or sleep, or work, or story-telling, or singing, or just sitting and thinking, best, or a pleasant mixture of them all."

J.R.R. Tolkien  The Hobbit

We are trying to achieve this type of perfection - turning the proverbial boards and beams into our home. Making lovely spaces for all the food, sleep, work and singing we can handle. 

It officially began on Friday (dun, dun, DUN) that blackest of days when everyone collectively decides to descend on the shopping world in a frenzy of panicked spending. A modern day freakish example of how hunting and gathering has evolved. Matt and I joined ranks with the other crazies to try and take advantage of the deals to get things for the apartment. We didn’t have the most exciting items on our list but thought that 20% off made it worth the hassle. Our day started at Bed, Bath and Beyond, moved on to Target, and culminated in Crate & Barrel. 

Have to tell you that it was at least a very warm and sunny day with pretty scenery.

We are now the proud owners of bleach, paper towels, an air mattress, sheets, tons of Mrs. Meyer’s cleaning products, pillows, new dishes and a little green glass bird who I’ve named Chester the Chickadee.

This took up most of the morning and afternoon. We had a quick bite to eat to refuel and then headed to Santa Monica to put our supplies to good use scrubbing the place down. It seemed clean enough except for a bit of sawdust from the new vanity they installed in the bathroom, but there is something about your own dirt vs. the dirt of others that made Matt and I want to do a little more washing up. 

We drove from the Valley where we are staying currently, into Santa Monica and as we approached it got foggier and foggier. Like driving into a dream. Kind of a neat way to go to our apartment for the first official time.

A little white wine, Pandora playing on the radio, and elbow grease . . .

The final touch of the evening before we locked up and headed out was putting our doormat on our stoop. Why 'Hello' fishes - I've missed you.

Saturday was yet another day of shopping. Matt had NEVER been to an Ikea before - isn’t that unAmerican or something?? - so we had to go. Most importantly because we were in search of the perfect kitchen cart. There was this rather large gap in the kitchen between the fridge and the stove which needed to be utilized. Looking online with measurements I’d taken the night before we saw something that looked like it might work. Off we went to the Glendale Ikea. 

Amongst yet another loud crush of humanity we found what is perhaps the most perfect thing ever. A kitchen cart to end all kitchen carts. The crowning glory to our new “Cucina”. Am I exaggerating? Maybe, but it is really great. Makes me want to chop something. Or stick some utensils in it’s lovely little drawer. Go nuts, basically.

We got a few other little items - kitchen towels, bedside lamps - and drove back to our temporary place in the Valley. Traffic was too bad to bother going to Santa Monica once we’d finished, would have been at least an hour there and back. Instead we got up Sunday morning, loaded some of our Rubbermaid bins of belongings back into the bed of the truck and drove to the apartment.

Now the fun of setting up and making it into something even Bilbo would be jealous of can begin. (If you don’t get my LOTR + Hobbit references, you’ll just have to read the fabulous stories yourself). 

Isn’t it great?!?! It is the first actual piece of furniture we’ve bought together - I don’t think an air mattress counts - and we had fun assembling it, too. We also lined some of the cupboards and put our new dishes on them. Can’t wait til we get everything arranged and away and can start using it.

Right now we can’t be in the apartment because there isn’t any gas hooked up so we are without heat, hot water, or a working stove. The company screwed up and shut it off when the last tenant moved out. They were supposed to transfer it to the property management company and then to us but they didn’t get the memo apparently. With the holiday they were then closed for a few days and now tell us they won’t be able to get it done til Friday!!! That totally sucks because we signed the lease starting Saturday and are paying for it but can’t move in yet. 

Yes, this is SoCal, but it gets really chilly at night and I do like to cook and take showers. At least we have the temporary apartment til the 29th. Not ideal, but we don’t have to stay in a hotel or anything like that. Matt just left actually to head to one of the gas offices. He is hoping that if he shows up in person and lays it out to them they might be able to move up our turn on date. I’ve got my fingers crossed but I’m not holding my breath (to use a couple cliches) because I have little faith in the efficiency of public services.

Whenever it happens, we are looking forward to moving in. It is such a cute space. I took a few photos of the walkway and courtyard so you can see the cuteness for yourself.

Now, because it’s only fair, I’m going to post a picture Matt took of me last night. You remember the one I took of him taking up all the bed a few posts ago? Well, he insists I do it too, but I didn’t believe him. Here is proof. I guess now we’re even!

When Matt gets back from warring with utility providers we’re going to go to Santa Monica again and unpack more stuff. We’ve got a whole kitchen to organize and closets of clothes to hang. It might also not be a bad idea to pick up a few things at the grocery store - we now live a block away from Whole Foods, yay - because our fridge contains only one thing right now.

Vital, yes, but not very filling.

Most importantly we bought plastic film to cover the front windows. Once we actually get the gas turned on we want to keep it in the house and not be heating the courtyard. Let the good work begin.

"He is happiest, be he king or peasant, who finds peace in his home."

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Glorious Gluttony

How was your Thanksgiving? 

Full of warmth, love and food I hope.

Ours was a nice low-key day. We picked up a few things that we had been craving since leaving Rhode Island and headed over to Matt's Dad's house. 

I think I do a really great impersonation of a turkey :)

On the menu Matt and I contributed:

Roasted artichokes
Quinoa with roasted zucchini
Mashed carrots and turnips (just like my Grandmother used to make)
Yamamoto oysters with mignonette
P.E.I. mussels in a white wine, shallot, thyme and lemon broth with grilled bread
Pan seared Barramundi

 

Matt's Dad had:

Wine, sake (flippin' sweet!) and beer
Tuna tartare with vegetable crisps
St. Andre cheese and crackers
Bacon chocolate (Matt is now obsessed)
Coconut soy ice cream

It was a completely wonderful feast. Matt and I had especially missed artichokes - one of our favorite foods. We do disagree on how they should be cooked but we went with my way this time and his way with the mussels. It all came out great :)

And just like that the holiday season has begun!

Turkey Freedom Day

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! I hope you all have a wonderful holiday. 

Matt and I are going to be feasting on oysters, artichokes, mussels, carrots and turnips, olives and Californian wine. Can't wait - we'll be heading to his Dad's apartment shortly. 

Just wanted to leave you with something funny and adorable. Keep watching - it ends up fine and it's super cute.

Cord Cows Say 'Moo'

On Wednesday Matt and I sign the lease for our new Santa Monica apartment. We are very excited and relieved and all things good. It took us longer than we thought to find exactly what we wanted, where we wanted it, in a place we also could afford. When we move in there on Saturday I will take pictures so you can see the gloriousness that is now OURS!!!

We looked at so many spaces to find one that was right and I have to tell you that even though I pride myself on being organized I have forgotten the exact number. Suffice it to say we visited and vetoed at least 15. Probably more that I am not remembering right now. Talk about depressing. Creepy property managers, disgruntled fellow renters, weird smells, old carpeting, barred windows, etc. Not to mention all the time stuck in traffic to get to each one. Yet if we had settled for anything we'd seen previously we wouldn't be moving into what is really good for us. And it was a close call there. We had a moment of desperation and actually called to say we wanted to rent a place in West Hollywood. We were supposed to go in the next day to sign the lease, but Matt had the brilliant idea to drive by it one more time the night before. It wasn't good. Did not look safe and seemed truly sad. He said no and I'm so glad because it freaked me out. And then 2 days later we found home!

In the meantime, while we weren't out hunting for a humble abode we've had to find ways to entertain ourselves. Here are a few things we've been up to:

1. Visiting Sprinkles Cupcakes. As you probably know, I don't eat an awful lot of things. However, Sprinkles is an institution with lines out their door at all hours. They even have a cupcake ATM! Tell me how I was supposed to resist trying the world's most perfect cupcake??? Clearly, I wasn't.

We tried their season special Salty Caramel and each had to have one of their most popular Red Velvet (which I now know they make a vegan version of). Our verdict: Flippin' delicious. Plus they looked like mini boobs - haha. The red velvet really took the cake :)

2. Changing the screen saver. With all the time Matt and I spend on here researching everything from jobs to apartments to cars I thought I needed to liven things up/occupy my time so I've been doing an animal series. This one makes me particularly happy:

3. Making dinner at the questionable apartment we're in now. I do the veggies and Matt handles the proteins. It's a good system. This is quinoa with crispy mushrooms, oven roasted Brussels sprouts, pan seared salmon and cheap red wine ($7.99 at wholefoods people!!).

4. Noticing things. With all this extra time on my hands as I sadly remain unemployed (those idiots don't know what they're missing) I've had the time to notice things I might otherwise have missed. For instance I am a morning person and am usually always awake before Matt. I get up, grab some juice or water or my phone and come back to lay down and this is what I see without fail:

He does love to take his half out of the middle. I'd be annoyed if it wasn't so darn cute. There is no bed big enough for that boy. I think we need to get a California king when we can afford it so maybe he can sleep with his toes on the bed for once. I still think he'll end up in the middle but that's ok.

I also noticed this the other day when I was sitting at the super classy glass kitchen table using the computer and happened to look down:

The computer cord totally looked like a cow!!! And you know how I love cows. This made my whole morning.

5. Develop a juice obsession. Being in LA we have access to some of the most fresh and health conscious things I've ever seen. I've read about so much stuff in Elle magazine or online, but now we live down the street from awesomeness. The Pressed Juicery is one of the many places you can get raw, unpasteurized, super fresh juices. Greens #1 is my favorite; kale, parsley, spinach, celery, romaine and cucumber. Matt likes Roots #4; carrot, apple and ginger. And we both love the vanilla almond milk. It tastes like dessert.

They offer cleanses for 3 to 5 days which Matt and I are thinking about doing when we have the funds. It sounds amazing to be getting only good fresh nutrients for a few days to reset your body.

6. Surf - finally! For the first time since we got here Matt was able to get out and surf today. It wasn't perfect, the wind had changed and the surf wasn't super high but he got out in the water for over an hour. Other days there hadn't been any waves, or we had appointments to keep so he couldn't go, but with the apartment stuff handled we had time to drive to Huntington Beach today. It was lovely. I wore a sweater and read a magazine on a park bench while he did his thing.

Have to say I don't see why any sane person/people would put oil rigs so close to shore on such a beautiful beach. Otherwise was so lovely. It's nice to be by the ocean.



Those are some of the things we've been up to.

Thanksgiving is coming up. We aren't planning anything much but it will be nice just to be together. We both are craving artichokes so they are on the menu for sure. Other than that I have no details which is rather amazing. A holiday with absolutely NO stress for the first time probably ever! Of course there are people I miss who I love and would like to see, but this is going to be great. I hope all of you have lovely holidays free of the evil stress monster as well :)

One last thing - Matt and I are going to get wireless internet at our new place and we've been debating what to name our network (I think that's what it's called). So far almost everything we've come up with is totally inappropriate but really funny. We might just go with it and our new neighbors can think we're weirdos. Or maybe not. If you have any fabulous ideas let us know. Food For Duckers is on the table, too.

Now what?

As you can see it's been a while since my last post. I keep waiting for awesome stuff to happen so I have something great to write, but I think maybe I'm being impatient. We'll have been here only two weeks tomorrow so maybe we should calm down a bit. It's just that Matt and I are so ready to be settled.

First on the agenda is an apartment. We have to find a place we both like and can afford in a safe area with parking and both a stove and refrigerator. This is apparently a REALLY tall order. As it stands so far we both love Santa Monica and only want to be there. However, there isn't much to rent there if you aren't independently wealthy so it's taking a while to find something. West Hollywood (WeHo to the locals who think they're so cool) is our other choice. This is not as good because it is far away from the beach, traffic is more of a pain, and we just don't like it as much. We have seen a bunch of places here but again there isn't anything that meets all our criteria. We are both getting stressed about this because we need to have a home by the 30th. We do still have 2 weeks so fingers crossed!

Next is the ever important job hunt. Matt has certain places in his sights. He was offered a position at one place. That is all Matt is allowing me to say on the subject for PR reasons. Hopefully I can give you all more details in a few weeks.

As for me I'm rather stuck at the moment. Until the apartment thing is handled I don't know where I'll be living so I don't know where I should apply. Needing to be able to walk to work (or take a bus) makes location essential for me. I have sent my resume to the few good things that have popped up on Craigslist, but so far no response (grrrrr). There are so many applicants for jobs that I think I'm getting lost in the mix. I'm looking forward to walking into the places I'm interested in, in person. I think that makes a world of difference.

Also we've discovered that a stick shift truck is a horrible vehicle in LA. Great for driving across country but really bad for tiny parking spaces, stop and go traffic, gas mileage, and Matt's stress level. We went out of LA the other day to Santa Clarita to test drive a few things that make more sense for us in the city. Right now he is torn between a Prius or a Jetta. I prefer the Jetta because it is larger and more comfortable. Also I don't feel like if someone hits us I'll be smushed in it. Matt likes both but does point out the obvious gas savings with a Prius. Also if you own a hybrid you can park in Santa Monica without paying in metered spaces. Sigh. One more thing to handle - selling the truck and getting something else.

So these things have been keeping us occupied for the last two weeks. Not the most fun stuff and it has been really taking its toll. I don't know if either of us has slept well since we got to LA. But this is what we've got to do to get what we want. And it's not for much longer.

Here is what I think of LA so far:

Traffic - what everyone says is true. There are cars everywhere, it is always rush hour. At least most of them are really nice cars.

Food - we haven't been going out much to save money but the places we have been are great. Anything you want, they probably have and we want to try it all. We have a list of places we want to go once we have jobs.

Weather - beautiful and sunny everyday so far except one. Cold at night, down to 47 last night, but warm during the day. Anywhere from 60 to 80. Not the Caribbean, but pretty damn lovely. I doubt people here get SAD with all the wonderful light.

People - everyone seems nice. Fellow walkers on streets smile or say hello. Everybody from gas station attendants to shoppers in stores are friendly. We've only met one bad apple so far in 2 weeks. I like this a lot. I realize I'm a snarky and cynical person, but I love to talk also so the friendliness appeals to me.

And for a general impression:

I think LA is wild, and large, and unique. You have to know what you want, but if you do and you look for it, it's here.

Plus, limes grow here on the side of the road. There must be something inherently good about a place like that.

Last night Matt and I went to Glendale to see the new James Bond movie, Skyfall, then grab a drink and talk about it. We've never done that before. It was like a real date! It was much needed stress relief and quite fun. I think thats the trick. We have to mix fun little things into the panicky stuff to keep ourselves sane and working as a team, instead of two crazy people worrying separately. To that end I have some ideas to throw into the mix:

Hollywood Walk of Fame - it's free, touristy and awesome.
Grauman's Chinese Theater - also touristy, awesome and involves marilyn monroe's handprints!!!
Griffith Park Observatory - hiking, minigolf, pretty views, exercise
Beach - why we moved here, pretty, surfing

I'm sure there are many more things, but those are a fun few.

WE LIVE HERE and it's WONDERFUL:

Now come on apartment, jobs and car!!!

We Have Arrived

Matt and I woke up on Tuesday the 30th feeling so refreshed. By why stop there? We headed off to the Spa at Sycamore Springs to really get into the spirit of things. First they have you soak in their special, extra deep mineral hot tubs that are kept at the perfect temperature, to relax your muscles. This was kind of cool because we had woken up early - we still aren't sure what time it is so our bodies have been waking us up around 8 - and there was an enormous fog cloud hugging the trees. We got to float around in our steaming hot tub, and look up to see the green tree leaves covered in wisps of thick fog. Kind of magical actually. After a half hour it was time for massages so we were off to be pampered. Both of our backs hurt from so much car time that this was just what we needed.

Then we had a quick lunch at the resort's rather nice restaurant before Matt headed off to the beach. He was hoping to get to surf for an hour or two now that we had actually made it to the coast. Pismo Beach is supposed to have good waves usually, so he headed there. I decided to hang out in the room and write a blog post (I wrote the 'Sedona, I Love You' there) and read my magazine. I hadn't been able to just sit someplace comfortable for SO long!

Sadly - for him, not for me - Matt was back in less than an hour. He had gone to the beach but it was too flat to go out. He sat on the pier and watched the water for a little and then headed back to me. It's too bad that there haven't been waves for him yet, but I'm sure there will be soon. Next on the agenda was wine tasting, though, so he wasn't too disappointed. We were off to our very first California wineries! As we drove out to see them, the road took a turn and here is my first look at the Pacific!

First we headed to the Independence Schoolhouse Tasting Room. At this one location they pour wines from 5 different labels. They are all made by the same family, but each has a distinctively different style and they let you try a bunch. Brit was so sweet and let us try some of her favorites. She agreed to be in my blog which was lovely.

The wines we tried here were from the labels of Baileyana, Zocker, Tangent, Cadre and Trenza. We both liked the reserve chardonnay we tried so grabbed a bottle of that.

Next we drove to Saucelito Canyon Vineyard where we tried the most perfect zinfandel I've ever had. I'm not kidding. Matt and I both wanted to try some good reds and this place only was serving one white and four reds so even before we tasted anything we figured they would be good. We were blown away. We both loved their Estate 2010 so we got a bottle of that for us and one for Matt's dad as a Thank you for the lovely mini-vacation.

I have to tell you, it is really beautiful in this part of the world. There are hill and valleys and the ocean is close. Everything outside smells so wonderful, too. As we drove to the next vineyard on our list Matt pulled to the side of the road to take a few pictures. I had to ham it up, as usual :)

Our destination was Claiborne & Churchill which was simply great. The guy doing our tasting was very funny and personable. He was interested in talking to us about RI and the wines were great, too. He told us that we should come back the next day because he was going to be dressed up as Han Solo for Halloween. As much as I'm sure that would have been hilarious, Matt and I had to drive on the 31st. We left here with a delicious bottle of Dry Riesling.

Last we went to the utterly disappointing Chamisal Vineyards. The wines were kind of blah, and the guy doing the tasting reminded me of all the jerks in high school I can't stand who thought they were real hot shit. We didn't buy anything here. I will say they had a lovely bathroom though, so if you're in the area and have to pee I highly recommend their ladies room.

Now it was 5 o'clock and the tasting rooms were closing so we drove back to Sycamore Springs. We were both real exhausted so we had a quick appetizer at their bar for happy hour and then retired to our room. I promptly fell asleep because I'm a hundred years old. Matt caught up on his TV watching and later ordered room service for dinner. Not a bad day.

In the morning we made the final drive of the trip. Our destination was the Pasadena Hilton where Matt's dad, Kerry, was kindly putting us up for the final night and taking us to dinner. By now Matt and I were so sick of being in the car we couldn't wait to get there so we didn't make any stops along the way. We did take the historic and very scenic route 1 for part of the drive so there's that. I will never get tired of looking at the ocean.

Here is our crazy journey - at least as far as Pasadena:

The Hilton was perfect. We checked in and rested for a few hours then met Kerry in the lobby at 6 to go out for dinner. We were going to get sushi so I was Very excited. It was a fun night. Being Halloween we did spot some cute kids in costume on the sidewalks and in the restaurant but we didn't dress up. There just wasn't time or desire with all the driving. Instead we had delicious food at Z Sushi, good conversation, drinks at the Yard House, and a nightcap in the Hilton lobby. This was a lovely arrival to LA.

In the morning we checked out of the Hilton and had a few hours to kill before we could go to our apartment. We had rented a furnished place in Valley Village for just a month so we could get organized but couldn't get the keys till 4. Matt and I figured we should take a look around Santa Monica as thats where we want to be so we drove to the pier.

Oh my it is beautiful.

I have at last dipped my toes in another ocean!

We had sushi for lunch - I know, I know, I have a problem. Matt's getting a little sick of it, but I was stuck in the middle of the country without fish for so long!!! And he loved what we had. We were at Sugarfish and both agree they made the best sushi rice that either of us have ever tasted.

Now was time to head to the apartment.

I'm not sure what to say except I'm real glad it's only for a month. Not even a month - I'm writing this on the 3rd so 3 days less than a month. Don't get me wrong, I don't think its unsafe - Matt would never have us in a place that wasn't secure. And there aren't bugs or anything - that I know of. It is just not good.

It hadn't been cleaned well/at all. All the dust has been making Matt sneeze. There aren't any trash cans in the whole place (??). There are only 3 towels - 1 wash cloth, 1 hand towel, 1 bath sheet. There must be 5 air fresheners in about 400 square feet to cover up what, I wonder? And I swear to you, no one washed the sheets. Instead it smelled like a heavy coating of Febreeze was sprayed onto them. Lightbulbs are broken in 3 rooms so it gets dark as hell in here, too. The shower head is so low that I can't even fit under it - I can only imagine Matt in there. And the stupid toilet runs.

Basically a nightmare. I do NOT like camping and this is about that good.

Here is what greeted us when we got in:

Creepy photos, a fake tree, and the world's smallest fridge!!!

Needless to say Matt and I had some work to do. Clean the kitchen and the bathroom and do laundry. We also grocery shopped for some essentials. It is much better now, but we are looking forward to being in our own place for sure, even though we don't own any furniture. We just want our own space in a different area of LA.

To that end we've been calling and looking at apartments. Yesterday, Friday, we drove around a bunch of places and actually found one that was really great. It's in West Hollywood though which is a nice neighborhood, but not Santa Monica, which we want. We have some time though so we'll keep looking. Matt has a stage (that's restaurant speak for an interview) at a restaurant he is very excited about on Tuesday - also a very good thing.

And for those who wonder, here is our car sticker update, in honor of the coast:

Today we're doing more research on finding an apartment or perhaps a realtor to find one for us and then meeting Kerry later for dinner. Must go attempt to shower :)