Life update, and... peppers!

I realize i've been MIA for a while.  I've been so busy enjoying summer that i've neglected my little spot in cyberspace- my blog.  A few weeks ago, Zephyr and I took a little road trip down to California.  We stopped in Stockton to stay with a friend, then headed to Lake Tahoe.  Zephyr has been frequenting Tahoe since he was a baby (he says he's visited between 50-100 times!), and brought me there for the first time a few years ago.  I've been obsessed with the lake since, and we try to go back often. We had an amazing time kayaking in the crystal clear water, capsizing our kayak, and swimming to shore (embarrassing). We had a picture perfect dinner at the Loan Eagle Grill at Incline Village, where I devoured filet mignon with LOBSTER BÉARNAISE!!! Heaven.

After Tahoe we stopped in Chico, home to our alma mater, and I got to see some of my closest girlfriends from college, the beautiful Ana and Frances! We also visited our favorite brewery, Sierra Nevada.  That place never lets me down.

After returning from our trip, I received the unfortunate news that my grandma had passed away.  I just returned from the funeral in Washington DC yesterday.  It was a beautiful celebration of the joyous woman that she was.  My grandma was the epitome of a classy lady!  It was great to have all the family in one place, despite the sad occasion.

My grandma loved to cook.  I guess it skipped a generation, as my mom can barely work the stove (I still love you!), but I like to think I inherited my love for cooking from Grandma.
Speaking of cooking, I discovered a new addiction- padron peppers!  I found them at my farmers market and am obsessed with these little green gems. They're mild, but once in a while you get a really spicy one.  To cook them all you have to do is sautee them in a little olive oil until they start to blacken, and then sprinkle generously in sea salt and gobble them up.  I know, it sounds weird.  I wouldn't crave a green pepper or jalapeno prepared in this fashion, but trust me, this veggie's cult following is well deserved.

Stay tuned for summer recipes!