Baking (not really) in Yuma, Vol 4

In answer to Melissa's question, the strawberry chia jam is really tasty, after some tweeks! I'm finding my belly really is responding better to as natural food as I can get, and this is pretty great. Next time I'll put the strawberries in first, as the ground chia got a little stuck under the blades of my new tiny (perfect for the tiny apartment) food processor.

 First I grind about 1/4 C chia seeds in my coffee/spice grinder

This is Herman, my new tiny friend.

A packet of True Lemon (dehydrated lemon juice) and about 1C-1 1/4C thawed frozen strawberries

 Go Herman, go!

The chia will gel up more overnight in the fridge, making the perfect jam consistency.  The original recipe didn't grind the chia and instead had you soak them for 20 minutes.  This also makes them gel, but the seeds themselves stay whole, and I'm not a fan of really seedy jam.  Try it!  Totally tasty and fresh.  I orginally put a bit of stevia in, but don't really think it needs the sweetness.  Enjoy!

San Diego is Beautiful!

And I don't know how anyone moves away from the West Coast.  I'm just sayin'.

I got into San Diego Saturday evening in time to have a delicious dinner at The Pampered Moose, complete with little piggie cookies at the end!  Great suggestion, Amanda and CK!  I stayed the night right on the beach.  I can definitely see myself trying the beach next rotation, as this was the view out of my balcony.

  Ate a few more delicious meals...

Met feathered friends that reminded me of certain people I know and love...

(I think she looks like Emmy-beautiful with slender legs!)

 And generally loved the ocean and the beautiful flowers everywhere. Looking forward to seeing if I can live near the ocean next!

 Torrey Pines-another great CK/Amanda suggestion. Breath taking

 My beloved Beverly always encourages me to "be where my feet are" and "be where my hands are" to avoid fretting about the past and worrying about the future. I feel like I had a full weekend of being with my feet and hands.  Perfect!

Ahhh....days off....

After working 7 10hour days in a row, I was really looking forward to some time off.  Saturday I slept in and then went up to Telegraph.

Things are starting to bloom that have looked dead until now.

My new friend Bob

 My never-ending quest to impress how steep the Pass really is...and how blue the sky is here!

Took a new way down. More "rocky scrambling" than "paved steepness". Very fun.

Baking in Yuma Vol. 3

Brown rice flour = Dry, yucky banana bars

Will have to experiment with added moisture.  Perhaps coconut milk?

 They didn't even make it to work. Such a disappointment!

Going Home

My Grandma Rosie passed away Saturday.  I am so sad: she was a sweet lady and a wonderful grandma.  I am thankful, though, that my great bosses are letting me take a few days off to go home. 

Flowering trees!

This tree is my lunch companion on the patio!

The pretty patio at work

I really like these ones because their pink petals are everywhere!

Congratulations, Brent!

A quick note of congratulations to Brent, one of my dearest and oldest friends....he was promoted to Gunnery Sargent of the Marine Corps recently!  You go, B!  We're so proud and really appreciate your service.

God Is Good!!!

I had wonderful news today--a couple with 3month old twins is going to buy my house!  It went on the market on Wednesday and all of the paperwork has been signed!  According to my realtor, we are 70% done!  Thank you all so much for your prayers and to everyone who helped, I could not have done this without you.  I can't believe it went so quickly! A few farewell pictures (though none with Dad, Uncle Tim, Mark, or Lynne)

 The amazing painting party!

King of the construction mountain....

An amazingly handsome and quick painter!

The kitchen...gutted!

Peeling 150 years of paint is hard work!

A front view in nicer times :-)