Vegas, Baby!

I've not had a proper road trip in a long time. This won't be epic like Kerouac but it won't be as psychedelic as "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas".

This trip will be my annual visit to see my Mega-Bestie. The drive I will make is going to be exciting and fun! :D

xoxo

Emma

Once upon a time....

Two little girls named Lizzie and Emma had a dream. One dreamed of Shakespeare, Austen and Big Ben. The other picnicked under the shadow of the Eiffel Tower, rode a Vespa and spoke French.

These little girls had never met each other, yet had adventures in their lives that were parallel. Each little girl had a little bother.. oh er.. a little brother. ;) Both little girls enjoyed Disney. Each little girl had their own awesome hamburger birthday cake with angel food cake french fries and red frosting "ketchup".

The little girls got older and went to high school. Both artsy in music and theatre, but in different ways. The little girl dreams of long ago never died for each of them.

These girls were destined to meet and befriend each other through a quick talking, stalkerish ambush. Enter Emma. The stalker. Fresh off the information sheet for Lizzie, she ambushes her word vomit about her love of Disney, her name and random gobbly goo. Emma runs off and Lizzie is scared. One of the best Hetero-Life-Mate pairings is about to go down..... Emma and Lizzie discover that they are a fun pair of friends!

Lizzie, thank you for being an awesome friend. You are truly my Hetero Life Mate. Thank you for being there for me. I raise my coffee mug to you! Cheers to new adventures, near and far.

xoxo

Emma

KOGI!!!!!

When Scout and I recently visited Southern California, my personal goal was stalk the Kogi Truck. What is this Koh-Gih? It is Korean BBQ. I was excited to hear that our friends T and K were also interested in finding the truck too!

Delicious... magnificent BBQ from a taco truck. People follow tweets and/or use their site

Both Bon Appetit and Gourmet magazines had celebrated the nummies on the Kogi BBQ bus. People were waiting in a long arse line when we pulled up. We waited over 1 hour to get up to the truck and order!

I enjoyed a Short Rib Taco and a Kogi Dog. Scout noshed on the Blackjack Quesadilla! My friends also had the tacos and quesadilla! If sound is any indication of yummy... all 4 of us ate in complete silence!

I thank my boss for showing me the articles and opening my culinary education. She challenges me with her knowledge and excitement about food and is always willing to share tips and information. This is for you, Boss!!

Scouting the City

Scout and I went into the City a couple weeks ago. It was Super Bowl Sunday. I'm not the biggest fan of football, so this was an ideal time to traverse San Francisco. Sundays are my favorite day to visit.

Scout is at an age where she appreciates the trips we take together. No matter how small, the spirit of adventure is strong in every excursion. We started our day at the Ferry Building. It was her first time there. It's my ultimate Sunday spot. The building awakes sleepily while shops and restaurants push out their displays for the day. Coffee is brewing, bread is baking and the sun shines out over the Bay. We enter through the doors closest to Taylor's Refresher. There is already a line at Blue Bottle, but I'm too excited to show Scout the look down the Ferry sleeve to think about my own need for caffeine . Upon turning right, one can see all the way down the Building. By now, the shops have pushed their carts out beyond the confines of their gates. There is a quiet murmur of people from beyond the midsection of the corridor and we go on our way towards the opposite end.

The first place I take her is to Miette . If there's anything I know, it's this: French pastries are my downfall. The best pastries I've ever had were in Paris. The prettiest macarons I've ever seen... were in Paris. The first place I've ever enjoyed one was Miette. I get us macarons to share: one chocolate and the other hazelnut. They are soft and chewy. I love the mealy texture of the almond flour. They are a perfect way to start Scout's culinary adventure.

After 3 minutes of devouring the macarons, our journey takes us past Acme Breads and Cowgirl Creamery. I've made a tragic mistake. My previous solo trips to the Building normally yield a small loaf of bread and some good cheese to enjoy outside while enjoying the view of the Bay. I've sullied it by indulging in the macarons. It's not the right time. Maybe we'll cheese and bread it up later.

We take a detour to the right so we can walk outside. The air is crisp as we step out onto the outdoor patio. The view is memorable. There are a few boats lazily floating out into the bay and people have already claimed benches overlooking the water. Scout and I continue towards the South end of the building. I point out Boulette's Larder and explain that this is a place I'd love to have breakfast at sometime. Again... my indulgence in early morning sweets has bested me.

We've arrived at Sur la Table. My non-food heaven in the Building. Like a child running around a candy shop, I excitedly look at the new Le Creuset colors. It's really not the new colors I care about... it's only one I truly adore...the red 6 3/4 Oval French Oven . The enamel is cool and smooth under my fingertips. I imagine all the braising I would do in this pan. *sigh* Serving braised beef in a Burgundy sauce would be lovely. Oh... to go from oven to stove. Pouring the wine in the pan to pick up remnant bits from the meat...

Oh sorry, foodgasm... I assure you this won't happen again...

So Scout and I ended up purchasing a Brownie Cup Pan. If anything, it will make awesome desserts for my Saturday night get togethers! We walk back towards our starting point. This time passing all the lovely things we skipped by walking outside. Far West Funghi is a small store, but full of mushroom goodness. They sell starter "bricks" to grow mushrooms. They scare me. We pass it quickly with me pointing out the alarming funghi sprouting from a white "brick".

Stonehouse Olive Oil... out to get presents for a few people. It's the stuff I love to give because I love to use it. Also, when people use it, they think of me in NorCal! 3 bottles of dipping oil later, I pass Scout round Cowgirl. A striking pungent odor hits us as we near the shop. It's my ambrosia. I point out the cheeses and the animal pictures that show the milk origin. I look for the drunk goat picture (ok... really it's a glass of wine near a goat) but I can't find it. I explain to Scout that they'll let you try anything they have with no regard to price. A cheesemonger asks if we need help, but I decline politely and she moves onto another customer who wants to try the goodness.

Acme bread isn't much to look at. It's bread. Oh... but it's delicious bread. Again... my cheese and bread repast isn't happening today.

I finally stand in line at Blue Bottle and order a drip coffee. It takes a good 10 minutes... but it's worth it. Black and strong, it passes through my lips and my soul sighs. It's THAT good. I take my nectar to Taylor's so Scout and I can enjoy some lunch.

We order our chili dog, burger and garlic fries and make our way outside. It's gorgeous. The sky is blue and the sun is shining warmly on us. The Ferry Clock tolls Noon. Perfect.
Our food arrives not too long later, so we begin our chow down. Scout's burger is perfect. My chili dog is alright. I have buyers remorse when I see somebody's shrimp tacos. No complaints, the hot dog was hearty.










For all intents and purposes, the rest of the day went swimmingly. We shopped heartily at the Paul Frank store, I bought myself a Valentine's Day present of perfume and we met Kate and her boyfriend for Super Bowl fun!


Posh, if you're reading this. I saw this and was angered. This is just... wrong.

Out with the old... in with the new (year)

2009 is coming to a close. This year has given me so many firsts. This year has been one of the best.

This blog has been going on for a little over a year. It was originally intended to document the planning and eventual execution of mine and Lizzie's trip to Europe. So much more has happened and it's more than I would have ever imagined. Lizzie is really the sister I never had and I just want to thank her for being an amazing friend. You're the best hetero-life-mate a girl could ever have. You're aces, pickle!

Scout and I are now in a home. We're out of the awesome apartment we were in and now equally awesome homeowners.

I fulfilled one of my lifelong dreams and went to Europe. While I didn't stuff my face with madelines, I was under the Eiffel Tower... with Scout. Well, not with Scout, but on the phone with her so she could share the moment with me. The only thing that would have made the trip perfect was with her, but I know that she will be with me in Paris when she's 18, so this was a trial run. ;)

Here's an end to a well lived year. I can't wait to see what the new year has in store. The year goes out the same way it came in: with good friends, Scout, good food, and happiness.

May your 2010 be just as excellent. Thank you all for your readership and please continue to read to share in all of mine and Lizzie's adventures!

xoxo
Emma

Special Shout Out

To our friends from the Miller Tree Inn, thank you for helping us to embrace girlie road trips!

Amy and Brandi, you are a testament to a long lasting friendship!

:) Thank you for keeping me laughing after breakfast!

xoxo
Emma

Blogging from the Goon Docks

I realize that the Pacific Northwest is known for being rainy. But, c'mon! Enough already!! Everyone said that the drive to Astoria is just beautiful, but all we saw were clouds, fog, clouds and rain. I haven't seen the sky in 5 days. There is a light rain falling outside the hotel room right now, but the weather forecast for today calls for "mostly cloudy" after about noon. *Fingers crossed*

We are staying at the Red Lion Inn in Astoria, which is not the lap of luxury, but at least it has a history. This motel used to be called the Thunderbird Motel, and it is where the cast and crew of The Goonies stayed when they were filming here. Emma and I have decided that we are staying in Sean Astin's room. Hey, it could happen!

Today we're going on a kind of Generation Xer's movie location dream hunt. Movies filmed in and around Astoria include: The Goonies (yeah!), Kindergarten Cop, Short Circuit, and (I think) WarGames.

Our hotel is located at the docks, and has a great view of the Astoria Bridge

After today, we head for home.


Lizzie