Thursday, December 5, 2013

Welcome Home.



For those of you wondering where I've been this past month, yes, the rumors are true- we've moved to Napa and have fallen deeply in love with our surroundings.

I'm also finding out that living in such a gorgeous, bountiful area makes getting day-to-day stuff done... super... extra... difficult.  It is much too tempting to go out and "play" these days than it is to sit inside and stare at my computer screen.  Can you blame me?  I think a huge part of it is strictly being overwhelmed with writing opportunities here because I just don't know where to start.  There's too much food! *Insert maniacal cackle*

I'll be the first to admit, I've been slacking.  Never fear kind readers, it is only a temporary lapse which I presume will last through the holiday season.  Ok, that's a lie, I am totally giving myself December off.

I just unpacked our last remaining box from our move yesterday, so our new place finally feels complete enough to relax in.  The anxious "so much more to do" feeling has left my body, we've found a groove in our schedules and I can cook comfortably in my kitchen without slamming a shin into a box full of dishes.  We've been enjoying our evenings out on our patio, glass of wine in hand, pug at our feet gnawing on a mint chewy bone.  The hubbs usually arrives home around six, which isn't bad considering his commute.  By the time he gets home, we've already decided to dine in or out- the nice thing about our location is that we have an impressive radius of options within walking distance or a short car trip away.  Dinner has become a bonding time for us as opposed to our previous rushed, overly-casual meal.  We no longer feel the urge to "hurry up and eat" so we can do other stuff, but instead we find ourselves lingering over our food and enjoying conversation (whether between ourselves at home or a new friend we've made chatting between tables).  It's been a lovely change that really hits home the idea of unwinding after a long day.

In fact, it was over a meal that we came to this eye-opening conclusion:
We've never lived directly in an area or town where we were absolutely surrounded by our passions.

Being here is a revelation for us.  With the hubbs main interest in wine, and my own obsession with food, it's a match made in heaven.  I wake up every morning and have to pinch myself that and keep in mind that I'm not on vacation or staying with my in-laws.  This is my home now.  It is incredible to me just how much living here has awakened our spirits.  We laugh more, we spend more time outdoors, we find new things to check out each and every day.  We are surrounded by some of the most influential, acclaimed and highly-touted food, wine & hospitality institutions, all of which are a stones throw away.  It's mind-blowing!

I find myself more and more giddy everyday and I cannot wait to explore even more than we already have.  I've got an entire valley to get to know and I'm completely over the moon to do so.

So sit tight friends, because it's going to be a fascinating ride.  I'll make sure to jump back on the blog wagon as soon as I find my bearings and hunker down.  Perhaps if it starts raining I'll be forced to stay inside and get some writing done, but for now, I'm out-and-about.

Happy Home, Happy Hearts.

Love,
B







    

Sunday, December 1, 2013

Food of Murcia: A Photo Journal.

Gazpacho on a warm day, perfect for sipping.

A VERY fresh seafood sampler.

Drunken Goat cheese.

Masters of the Drunken Goat Cheese and some fabulous wine, Bodegas Carchelo.

I ate way too much of this creamy, delicious cheese.

The beautiful Loreto restaurant.

Stunning courtyard at Loreto.





Head chef at Loreto.

Baby eel salad.

Deep fried cheese with tomato sauce.

Mushroom en croute.

Hearty paella.

Beef tenderloin.

Meat cabinet!

Such a lovely setting, with unbelievably fresh ingredients.

Fresh seafood.


Fruits, desserts.

Loved these homemade jams, made from Hacienda del Carche grapes.

More fried cheese.

Calamari with aioli.

Garlic-y gaspacho with croutons.

The dessert plate that caused a fork-fight amongst peers.

Fresh cheese with piquillo peppers and anchovies.

Vegetable terrine.

Why yes, that is a rabbit skull in my paella- and it tasted delicious.

Hand-churned sweet cream ice cream with cherries, pineapple and melon.

Warm smoked-cod spread with crostini.

Paella for everyone!