A Perfect Day for a Wild Goat Chase

Mermaid Rachel

In late-September, my friend Rachel and I planned a leisurely hike to Three Pools Beyond Seven Falls in Santa Barbara.  Rachel is an exceptional adventure partner.  She encourages my crazy ideas.  She doesn't freak out when I lead her down an unbeaten path and tell her we may not end up anywhere.  She appreciates the little things, like leaves changing colors and the unusual texture of tree bark.  She doesn't think it's weird when I stick my nose in the air and fill my lungs with the smell of ancient eucalyptus trees.  She also makes these delicious hummus lettuce wraps that I really enjoy. 

Big Sur Jade Hunt: Beginner's Luck or Fool's Gold?

Beginner's luck or fool's gold?

For my Aunt Jojo.  One day, I hope we can take this trip together.
...

I've known my cousin Taylor since she was born. When she was in 2nd grade, my Aunt Jojo let me trim Taylor's bangs the day before class photos.  In this famous portrait, Taylor is wearing a mustard-colored turtleneck, and her bangs are cut straight across her forehead, about two inches above her eyebrows.  She looks more like a child actor in an episode of Star Trek than a second grader.  Fortunately, Taylor has forgiven me for destroying her 2nd grade image... or so I thought.

Taylor is now a grown up, living in Monterey, California.  When she told me she wanted to go jade hunting in Big Sur, I planned a road trip for the following weekend.  Before I arrived, she met an expert jade hunter at a Gangnam Style party.  She traded him surfing lessons for some insider tips on finding the precious green stone.

Do Some Good: Get in the Kitchen

I had to crop my hairnet out of this photo.

I invented at least three new dance moves during the writing of this blog post.  OK, so maybe I didn’t actually invent the “Stanky Leg,” but these moves look pretty sweet when I do them in front of the mirror and no one is looking.  But before I reveal too much, let me tell you how I ended up at this dance party for one.

Do Some Good: Do Some Bad

This is what my insides look like.

Last week I went to the doctor because my left arm and my right leg felt like they had fallen asleep and wouldn't wake up.  My right leg is familiar with this feeling, since I suffered from a bulging disc in my lower back for 15 months before finally having back surgery.  Chronic pain sucks.  But I've been pain free for over a year now, so when I started feeling that tingling last week, I panicked.  I was having a relapse.

Do Some Good: Go Back to 5th Grade

Being the middle child has one major advantage: You get to have a big sister and a little sister all at once!  I like it here in the middle.  I couldn't imagine my life without both of my sisters.  And now that I am a Big Sister for Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, I can't imagine my life without all three of my sisters.

Do Some Good: It's Hammer Time

Good wood

When was the last time you asked your best friend to carpool to Compton?  For me, it was when Carmen and I decided to put on our work gloves and volunteer for Habitat for Humanity.

In case you haven't guessed it, I've decided to devote the next few posts to adventures in "doing good".  Sometimes those adventures can be the most rewarding, and I'm here to give you a few ideas, starting with building a house.

Desert Fever: Road Trip to Salvation

Last Friday, my little sister and I headed down to Palm Springs for the weekend.  When I told her I'd be waking her up early Saturday morning to get "saved", her only question was "What should I wear?"

Ever since I made the New Year's Resolution to get into more trouble, my little sister has been my biggest supporter in kicking off my goody two-shoes.  She is my good bad influence.  Even if she's been out partying until 4 am, she will show up at my door by 8am, ready for whatever I have in store.

Desert Fever: A Look Inside My Time Machine

The Integratron

I used to view the desert as the kind of place where you don’t stray far from the swimming pool.  I should know better.  One of my favorite childhood memories is camping in Death Valley in 132 degree heat, where the only swimming pool within 50 miles was 95 degrees and standing-room only.

The desert is anything but a barren landscape.  It’s a blank canvas that has inspired rocks musicians, UFO hunters, and artists alike... Oh, and little old me.  So far, my work of art includes a time machine, a secret waterfall, and some painted mountains.  All set before the bluest sky you can imagine.  Now let me paint you a better picture, starting with the time machine.

Announcement

Shoestring Kitchen has outgrown itself.  I finally decided it no longer makes sense to have a food blog with only the occasional recipe post.  So without further ado, welcome to Shoestring Adventures, a budget-friendly blog about all of life’s adventures, in and out of the kitchen.  Please stay tuned for more stories and, of course, the occasional recipe post.

Anaconda Part V: Journey to the Secret Waterfalls

My brave little sister jumping off the secret waterfalls... for the 2nd time.

For months, my brother-in-law has been telling me tales about some secret waterfalls near Los Angeles.  Not just any secret waterfalls.  These waterfalls are guarded by killer bees and giant snakes.  If you are lucky enough to make it to the waterfalls alive, the reward is well worth the risk.  Not only can you jump off of one waterfall, but you can jump off of three... in a row!

Zucchini Bread

This zucchini is bigger than my cat.

My garden gnome Gustoff has been working overtime.  Last night I went to water my garden and discovered my baby zucchinis had grown into giants over the weekend.  The only words I could manage to get out before I fell into a fit of laughter were “OH MY GOD”!  I suspect someone has been adding steroids to the hose water!

The Last Poppy

The Last Poppy

I have this fantasy.  I am running through a field of golden poppies.  No shoes.  Just soft velvety flowers underneath my feet.  The skirt of my dress dancing in the breeze.  The sun hitting my face and the wind tossing my hair in every direction.

Reality check.  Running barefoot in a field is not pleasant.  There are rocks.  And snakes.  And last I checked, stepping on a California poppy is a punishable offense.

Three Tickets to NASCAR

Classy folks

By now, I’ve told you stories about a Christmas tree bonfire, a magical fairy, a blue-bellied lizard and a house with eyes.  Now I’m going to tell you the story of how I ended up at NASCAR.

In March, I persuaded my roommate and my little sister to come with me to the Integratron near Joshua Tree National Park.  The Integratron is sound chamber in the middle of the desert built in 1954 by George van Tassel, who claims to have received the plans from aliens.  Today, the public can attend 30-minute sound baths at the Integratron, in which quartz crystal singing bowls are played to deliver healing and rejuvenation to the energy centers of the body.  Don’t knock it until you’ve tried it.  It’s a trip.

Once Upon a Time in the Desert

If only this house could talk.

As promised in my previous post, I'd like to tell you another story.  This one is about a magical fairy, a blue-bellied lizard, and house with eyes.

In February, I called my friend Stacey and told her I wanted to go on an adventure.  I met Stacey in preschool before I could count to ten.  She is a magical fairy, a yoga teacher, a vegan chef, a raw chocolatier, and a world traveler.

Stacey told me she was going to take me to a special place called Liberty Advance, a yoga retreat center near San Diego.  On that weekend, we would join a dozen teachers who had volunteered to do some maintenance on the retreat property.

When we arrived on a Friday night, I felt a little disoriented.  The light from my hi-beams led us down a dirt road for several miles.  When we reached the end of the road, the house greeted us with two glowing eyes that had been painted on the second story windows.

Little Man, Lady Killer

My Nephew Rowan

To my nephew Rowan,

I met you once before you were born.  I'm not gonna lie.  You looked like an alien.  But don’t worry, your mommy once told me that I was from Mars, so you're not alone.  I remember seeing your little webbed toes on the ultrasound machine and looking forward to the day when I'd get to introduce you to This Little Piggy.  And that one.

Goodbye 2011. Hello Adventure.

This is me getting into trouble.

It's been four months since my last post, and I'm feeling a little overwhelmed because I have so many stories to tell you.  Right now, you may be asking yourself, “Wait, isn't this a food blog?!”  I’ve been asking myself the same question for the past few days.  The only answer I’ve come up with is that sometimes in life you have to get out of the kitchen and into the world.  Cheesy, I know.  But more like a spicy jalapeno jack than a mild cheddar.

My recent adventures beyond the kitchen began on New Years Day.  I woke up in the morning and said to my roommate, "Today we are going to get into trouble".  Since she's a good sport, she helped me drag our Christmas tree out of the apartment and tie it to the roof of my car.   After a quick supply run, we drove to the beach...  The one with the fire pits.