Food For Ducks: Head out on the highway, looking for adventure . . .

So the most exciting thing that's happened lately is Matt got a bike! And I don't mean a pedal pushing bicycle but a "have to shift this thing with my foot" crotch rocket. Tres amusant. All I keep thinking about when I look at it are the lyrics to Steppenwolf's Born to be Wild.

But before I get to that fun stuff, here's what's also been going down:

More June gloom pictures. I really wanted you all to see what we're dealing with here. I took these at 4 in the afternoon.

Talk about miserable. I'll tell you all now that "Sunny California" doesn't really apply to Santa Monica. We have what is called a marine affect where the fog off of the ocean is pulled a bit inland which cools us way down to the lower 70s or high 60s, but heats up the rest of LA to the 80s and 90s. It is kind of bizarre. We live on 5th street, but if you drive up Wilshire to about 26th on any given foggy day it will be gloriously sunny and hot there. This is not my favorite thing - you all know I live for hot weather - but I still don't think I could be convinced to go East for the sun as it means being farther from the water.

Most importantly, when it is sunny and nice here, it can't be beat. I took this picture 2 days after the gloomy ones:

I've caught the cooking bug again. Didn't have any time for so long with the 2 jobs and just life in general, but I've had some time lately (or I've made the time, whichever) so I've been having some fun experimenting. While at work at Penzeys a week ago I stumbled across a recipe for homemade BBQ sauce that looked flippin' delicious. I also had all the ingredients already. Anytime I can make something that doesn't involve a run to the grocery store I'm a happy girl.

I mixed all of the above ingredients with some sauteed garlic and onion and let it simmer away.

Then I thought, BBQ sauce is awesome, but what am I going to do with it? So I covered some chicken thighs in one of Penzeys BBQ rubs and tossed them in with half of the sauce. I saved the other half for whatever else I think will taste good barbequed. And of course I added some beer because beer makes meat delicious and I wanted Matt to love it. Then it went into a slow oven for a few hours and when my boy got home from work there was BBQed yumminess waiting.

He made himself a sandwich and said it was awesome so I was very happy I made the effort. Now I still have the rest of the sauce in the fridge, so I need to think of what to do with it . . .

Getting the bike took a few steps, but the one I was a part of is when Matt had to go and sign paperwork. We drove to Hollywood and Matt picked out which color he wanted (I was rooting for lime green but I was vetoed) and signed the paperwork. So exciting. I don't think he was in the mood to pose for pictures but I took a couple anyway.

On the drive back home afterwards we passed this contraption parked on the side of the road. Not the best pic, but we were moving so I did my best. I have no idea what its used for but I like to think a troupe of clowns emerge at random.

Sometimes, things aren't what they seem . . .

Fourth of July was a very nice day. Matt and I both ended up having it off which was a rare treat. I started us off with portobella mushroom sandwiches so we would be good and full.

The plan was to go to the beach because it was sunny and 75 but this turned into Matt-and-Sarah-sit-in-traffic-for-an-hour which kind of blew chunks. So we never made it to the beach - we barely got half way before we called it quits and turned around. We had to come up with another plan so we took a moment to refresh ourselves first . . .

Then we decided to do what we had done last 4th of July, which was go out together and get oysters. I love a new tradition! Yes, I think I can officially now call this a tradition as we've done it 2 years in a row. We headed to Blue Plate Oysterette on Ocean Ave and got oysters and steamers. It was lovely!

To finish off our night we stopped for a drink at Tar & Roses which we hadn't been to since Christmas Eve. It was dark in there so the picture isn't the best but it is my favorite from the day because it's the only one of us together.

Some genius actually posed their cat for this. They might be my hero.

Last week the bike was delivered. Matt was sooooo happy and I can't blame him. He has wanted a motorcycle since we got to LA. Honestly, he wanted one way before LA, but now he could finally get one. He had to sell the truck to get the money for it, take motorcycle classes, pick it out, get his license, get it insured, get a helmet and all the gear . . . Definitely a process.

Finally, it is all done and his new "toy" is here!

He was thrilled when he got the call that it was waiting outside:

Doesn't he look happy? I love that smile. I do think the bike needs a name now . . .

He pushed her into the alley behind the house and then went to try on his gear.

I am glad he got all good and safe equipment because otherwise I'd worry (ok, who am I kidding, I'm still going to worry). Doesn't he look kind of like a cartoon, or a power ranger, all dressed up??