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??

Off to ride it for the first time:

"Get your motor running . . . ."

SaMo Summer

Now it is Summer here in lovely Southern California. Even though we work work work so much (yet still can't afford furniture . . . haha) Matt and I have done some fun things, made some new friends, eaten tasty food, and have plans for more of the same. 

Brief rundown: 

Trying out new restaurants on our days off have led us to a bunch of yummy places. These were taken at Hostaria del Piccolo in Venice. My champagne cocktail was delightful.

Mondays being our day off, we were able to go to a Memorial Day house party near downtown LA to hang out with a bunch of people Matt works with. It was nice to finally put faces with the names I've been hearing for months. Everyone was very sweet and the views/sunset were perfect.

I walked out the door to go to work one morning and met this fine fellow. Glad I didn't step on him. His name is Wilhelm. He is the Archduke of Snails. 

On second street - which isn't far, we live by 5th - the Huntley Hotel stands and has a restaurant called the Penthouse. I've mentioned it before. Matt and I've been a couple times. As one would expect, the restaurant is on the top floor and has really beautiful views of the coastline up towards Malibu. Right now we are experiencing what is referred to here as "June Gloom" which unfortunately means that it is overcast almost every morning and usually again in the evening. I had just left working a lunch shift at the Misfit one day and the damn fog had already set in so I was a little bummed. The only sun had come and gone while I waited tables inside. So to perk myself up I went into the Huntley and took the glass elevator up to the restaurant and back down again. Honestly, where I live is gorgeous, even when it's gloomy . . .

Even in gloomy June, some days are perfect!

My friend Katie and I, along with some of the other girls we work with, headed to the Shangri La hotel bar 2 weeks ago. It is on the roof, like the Huntley's Penthouse, but it is open air, which was chilly but fun.

Here is the view (yes I realize this is a kind of mediocre picture but I didn't feel like getting off my ottoman to take a better one) once the sun set:

As you probably know, Matt and I drove to LA in a wonderful blue truck. We packed it full of everything we found essential, and then had an epic road trip across the country. It was the perfect vehicle for that adventure and I will always think fondly of it.

Here in LA, however, the truck is really impractical. It gets bad gas mileage, is too big to fit in most parking spots, and is a stick shift which blows in the terrible traffic here. So after much thought and consideration, Matt decided to sell the truck and get a car.

He got it detailed, took pictures and listed it for sale on Craigslist. Then he found a car he wanted and had the dealership bring it up from Long Beach for him to test drive. And in one of the longest and most tedious days ever, we test drove the new car, sold the truck and then bought the car.

Bye, truck. You were awesome.

Waiting, and waiting, and WAITING to get the paperwork finished for the new car . . .

Finally all done!!!!

Hello Grey Lady!!!

This is random but I'm sharing. Here is the beautiful art deco post office that is a block away from our apartment. We have our PO Box here and I love walking in to get the mail. Sadly its last day is Saturday. With the postal service not making any money they are closing branches that they think aren't performing well. We will still have the same PO Box but they are moving the boxes to an ugly industrial building 7 blocks away. Stuff like this pisses me off - especially when I'm reading in the news about all the RIDICULOUS stuff the IRS has been spending money on . . .

Isn't it pretty?

This glorious beast was parked out side of Penzeys while I was working one day. I had to share it with all of you. Notice what I think is a cello case strapped to the roof, the badass skull, and the license plates!

Without the violent drawing, I wouldn't have taken the warning seriously.

Just this past monday Matt and I were both off work together and exploring Santa Monica. This is yet another rooftop spot. I reserved a couch for us during happy hour at the Sonoma Wine Garden.

They so fancy, we even got a fake candle!

This is the view from there - we timed it just right to be out while the sun was, too!

Then we walked over to the Santa Monica branch of Hostaria del Piccolo to see if they were as tasty as the one in Venice. 

The answer is: YES! Matt got and enjoyed their quail.

I changed my work schedule around so I'm not always gone in the mornings. Matt and I weren't getting to see each other enough and it wasn't fun. Now I work at night on Wednesday, just like he does, which means that we can go to the famous farmers market together. So, this is the first week of the new schedule and today was our first market day together. 

We got many many lovely things. There were so many stalls and such a horde of people I was a little overwhelmed (in a good way) so I didn't take many pictures, but I couldn't resist this:

So nice! We bought two. They are as big as three of my fists at least!

We also got strawberries, peaches, leeks, squash, baby potatoes, haricot vert and the following:

It was a good day. It's been a nice month.

I'll update you all again in July :)