Date Night - A Blog by Mari: Amazing Bike Paths, Ventura

I went for a bike ride because I’m on Spring Break and I felt like going out and doing something under the beautiful sunlight.

I pedaled over the 101 freeway via the pedestrian bridge and then down Harbor, crossing over the estuary bridge into Oxnard.

After the Oxnard sign, I saw the sign for McGrath State Beach.

I have lived in Ventura for over 1 year yet I’ve never been to McGrath; it’s always been a sign along Harbor and I assumed just a wee patch of beach for surfers–probably nothing much to it, I thought. Just fenced off and lonely.

No time like the present. I turned my handles into McGrath and followed the curved road to a ranger booth (the ranger and I exchanged waves hello), and then to a little wooden gazebo with plaques warning about Poison Ivy and teaching about endangered species. It was so well preserved and reminding me of a story I had read by Ray Bradbury called A Sound of Thunder. Don’t step off the beaten path when you go anywhere in the wilderness because there’s always the chance that you’ll affect something in the future.

If you haven’t read A Sound of Thunder, you should.

I came to a designated path, stepped off my bike and down the path–I was in awe and amazement at what I was greeted with.

I walked. This space reminded me of Virginia Beach and brought to the surface those sweet-tea memories of traipsing over those wooden boardwalks that lead to the Atlantic shore; except this time I was wandering away from the beach and over protected patches of ecosystem. I rolled my bike slowly and softly, plucking one ear bud from my ear so I could hear–nothing in particular, just wanted to become aware of the cars rushing on Harbor, communication between birds, maybe a little bit of a rustle of leaves as the wind sighed.

The wood turned to dirt and I walked, and I came to a little square, courted by a couple of wooden benches that were spray painted with graffiti. Yet it could not ruin this space.

It’s like Rome.

If you’ve ever been to Rome, maybe you understand that regardless of the overlay of graffiti in that city, there’s this allure and delicacy. With eyes closed and a little imagination, I see the world that existed well before you and I split skin lips to enter this world.

It was an amazing April 12th in Southern California. (Speaking of splitting skin lips, Happy Birthday, Sonnie Rajsombath!)

McGrath

Starting point

Those Boardwalks...

Published by permission. Visit Mari's blog at http://www.mari-go-round.com/

Hop Head Said - A Blog by Curtis: The Perfect Pint: Goblet

In an effort to expand on the “education” part of my “Beer reviews, etiquette and education” motto, I am continuing my series of posts that will focus on beer glassware. Specifically, I will be talking about the glass’s shape and why that particular glass is an appropriate vessel for a specific beer style.

This week I will be discussing my very first “specialty” glass the goblet, an Orval goblet to be more precise. This is a well made sturdy glass with the Orval Monastery logo of a fish and ring on it. Ten years ago, I had to special order Orval and have it shipped to me directly from Belgium if I wanted to taste its special blend of sweet, sour and spice. Nowadays you will be able to find Orval and its matching glass in any self-respecting beer store. If you were going to purchase a goblet, I would recommend this particular glass simply because I have had it for at least ten years and except for the fading logo (I recommend hand washing this glass) it still looks new.

Goblet

Belgian ales (specifically Abbey or Trappist) are commonly served in goblets because their smaller size, usually 10 or 11 oz, moderates consumption of these bigger or higher ABV beers. Belgian ales are brewed to be consumed warmer than most other styles so don’t worry about that cold beer warming up in your hand while you drink it. The goblet has a nice bowl shape that fits comfortably into the palm of your hand for a reason, to warm it up. So feel free to cup your goblet in your hands while you enjoy your next Abbey or Trappist ale and note how the flavors and aromas change as your beer warms.

I don’t recommend goblets for many other beers simply because of their wide mouth which may be second only to the nonic pint glass in terms of surface area. Only a highly carbonated, full flavored beer will be able to hold any kind of head in that glass.

Published by permission. Visit Curtis' blog at http://hopheadsaid.wordpress.com/

Hop Head Said - A Blog by Curtis: Mid-week Beer - Duchesse de Bourgogne

The Duchesse is a delicious beer and in my opinion is the epitome of the Flanders Red style. The “sourness” and acidity is balanced by a sweet maltieness before it can become overwhelming. Because of this balance, the Duchesse is a good starter beer for those who are looking to venture into “sour” beers. Its wine-like flavor and acidity also makes this a good beer for those “non-beer drinking friends”.

As you can see from the card there is very little bitterness (10 IBU) in this beer which is common for many sour beers. Instead of hops the brewers balance the malty sweetness by using special yeast and bacteria strains that will sour the beer just enough to balance the sweetness.

In my opinion, this beer is sweet enough to be enjoyed AS desert but could also be paired with earthy flavored cheeses such a camembert and brie or sharp cheeses like blue and cheddar. The elevated carbonation level and acidity of this beer will cleanse and refresh your palate between each cheese sample.

Published by permission. Visit Curtis' blog at http://hopheadsaid.wordpress.com/

Food in Life - A Blog by Jen: Success Story

Forty years ago today my parents were married. It was a Tuesday and they did it in the Catholic church with my Grandma and Grandpa Kenton as their only witnesses. Mom's dress was a brown and white mini dress (very mini) and Dad wore a blue shirt, and tie with a brown coat. There was a small family party at my Grandparents house, no one remembers what they ate and my Aunt Joanie made a wedding cake.

Forty years later they have one (fabulous) kid, awesome friends and family and an amazing life together. Not bad for a couple who met on a blind date in the 70's.

They aren't much for celebrating this date, preferring to celebrate the date of their first date which surprisingly enough they both remember with better clarity than their wedding day. But I am not one to let an event like this pass without at least a little bit of celebration,

I only went overboard a little bit. Like the custom printed menus that I thought of today. Or the toast in the glass their best friends gave them as a wedding gift.

I told them they had a date tonight and that was it. Then as the week progressed, I finalized my menu and details and had way too much fun planning tonight's dinner.

Oysters on the Halfshell
Tomato, Meyer Lemon, Horseradish Sorbet

Nicholas Feuillate Brut Champagne

Seared Bay Scallops
Pea Puree, Pea Tendrils, Caviar

Baby Greens
Duck Confit, Gala Apples, Goat Cheese
Balsamic Vinegar & EVOO

Foley Winery Bar S Ranch Chardonnay

Rack of Lamb
Wild Mushroom Demi
Roasted Garlic Risotto Cake

Foxen "Toasted Rope" Syrah

For dessert I enlisted the help of a dear friend, lovely lady and talented pastry chef who, in her spare time, whipped up a gorgeous cake that my Dad couldn't get enough of.

Wedding/Anniversary Cake

Chocolate Cake with Hazelnut Crunch Cake

Made with love by La Starr Heiliger from La Starr & Co

Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad!

Printed by permission. Visit Jen's blog @ http://foodinlife.blogspot.com/

Hop Head Said - A Blog by Curtis: The Perfect Pint: Tulip Glass

In an effort to expand on the “education” part of my “Beer reviews, etiquette and education” motto, I am continuing my series of posts that will focus on beer glassware. Specifically, I will be talking about the glass’s shape and why that particular glass is an appropriate vessel for a specific beer style.

This week I will be discussing my favorite glass style the tulip. Its elegant yet functional shape will enhance almost any beer and in my opinion, it is as close to the perfect glass as you can get. I have several of them in my cupboard now and they are used almost exclusively. The only time I stray from using this glass is if I am enjoying a weissbier (not big enough to hold that enormous wheat head) or a lager (the thin walls allow this beer to warm a too quickly).

Tulip Glass

Tulip glasses can come in a variety of sizes and have either a wide or narrow “bowl” that sits on top of a stemmed foot. The defining characteristic of a tulip glass is in the top third where the glass gently tapers in and then flares out at the opening. Without the flare the glass would be called a snifter. The taper helps create a dense head and the flared opening fits the lips nicely. Some tulip glasses even have a small laser etching at the bottom of the bowl which causes a constant stream of bubbles to cascade to the surface.

Any beer looks beautiful in a tulip but be careful when pouring a bottle conditioned beer into one of these glasses. The yeast sediment at the bottom of these bottles is easily agitated and will cloud up the beer quickly preventing you from enjoying the crystal clear presentation your beer deserves.

Published by permission. Visit Curtis' blog at http://hopheadsaid.wordpress.com/

Date Night - A Blog by Mari: John Cleese at UCSB, 2 years ago

I went to speak to my adviser about graduation, and when I left Anne’s office I noticed a poster with John Cleese.

What’s this? Here? When?

I traced over the date and time:

TONIGHT!?

After I purchased the ticket, my fantastical mind began to play the rest of our lives together. I’d arrive at Campbell Hall and sit in the front row. Then, after the screening of A Fish Called Wanda, I’d say something to him like, “I loved you in Notting Hill.”

He would frown and sparks would ignite, and he would say he needed to eat and I’d tell him I knew where he could get excellent Taco.

We’d laugh.

We would find real tacos, eat, chat it up, and he would pause. Through his enormous British teeth, he would say, “There’s something lovely about the way the light hits your eyes.”

I’d say there was something lovely about every bit of him.

We would walk along the “American Riviera” and talk about Mickey Roarke and Rutger Hauer and contemplate when the two men would merge and finally become one person. We would avoid conversation about Monty Python because that’s like asking Willie Nelson to sing On The Road Again. But we’d throw a few breaths over his new role as Q in Bond.

Then, under a busted out boardwalk lamp, he’d kiss my cheek. In silence, we’d ride home in his private car and he would ramble to me about his marriage, talking about leaving his wife. And I, desirous of a drama-free life, would say: Nay. It can’t ever be, love.

He would walk me home, all the way to the front door. And as he was staring down at me, he would glance at the bathroom window and whisper into my ear: “only an angel could shit in a bathroom with stained glass.”

I would have to give it back. That kiss. I would push up on tippy-toes while he lowered himself a few feet, and my lips would brand the line of his jaw, just beneath his ear-lobe.

And he would see me inside–I mean, he would see me into my house–or maybe he would see me inside. It’s only the most kindred who can see the essence of us and still fall madly in love anyway. I’d close the door and peek through the blinds and watch as he pushed his hands into the warmth of his pockets and walked to his car and disappeared.

But, of course, ya know, never. Also, have you seen him lately? He’s getting up there…But I thought of this on my way to the library and giggled, so I had to share.

Published by permission. Visit Mari's blog at http://www.mari-go-round.com/