Raking leaves...

Did you know that raking leaves burns 240 calories an hour?

Good Morning Ojai!

Thanksgiving 2010

I love my family!

Mom, Duke and Nanny

Brother, James and Dad.

Stylish sister, Jennifer.

Mingling.

Nanny, Cousin Allison, Uncle Charles and Aunt Carolyn

Table for 24

Aunt Tricia and Aunt Carolyn

Melissa Good Taste and John, bro-in-law.

Cousin Robert and Aunt Kathy

Jennifer and John

Cousins: Allison and Heather

Reading food blogs...

www.closetcooking.blogspot.com

Read this now! So many good soup recipes! The cold weather has me chilled to the bone and I am so excited!

Enjoy Cupcakes - Los Olivos, CA

Don't they all look so beautiful? I couldn't just pick one. So, I got mini versions of them all! Oh my. I will pay for this one. Terrific frosting, it pretty much tasted like butter - one of my favorite things ever.

Shop 'til you drop...

Back At The Ranch in Santa Ynez and Tin Roof Boutique in Los Olivos are dangerous! Too many cute things. I came, I saw and dropped some dough. There was a sale! What was a girl to do?!

Dos Carlitos - Santa Ynez, CA

Welcome to a totally chic Mexican joint in downtown Santa Ynez. When seated at your table you are greeted with tasty salsa with plenty of fresh cilantro (my personal favorite) a black bean and corn relish next to a basket of fresh chips. Perfect start.

It had been a chilly, rainy day weekend so a nice hot bowl of Pork Pozole really hit the spot. Of course I garnished it with more cilantro to encourage a fresh flavor. The broth was soothing and warmed me up from the inside out. The pork cook have been a bit more tender but that is my only critique. Would have loved a fresh fruit margarita but I was on the road! Maybe next time when I can stay awhile.

Seafresh - Ojai, CA

Looking for a mean bowl of soup? The Carrot-Ginger Soup served at Seafresh is out of this world! So delicious and totally unique. I cannot wait to try the rest of their creations, they are made in house! Yum!

Caramel Brulée Latte

It was very tasty but $4.45 for a grande coffee is insanity. I think I will be taking a break from Starbucks. I cannot keep contributing to the madness. Goodbye for now.

Marty's Catering - Ojai, CA

Go here when you have time! Lots of time... I ordered a ham, egg and cheese toasted sandwich to go and the poor girl behind the counter tried her best to get served up. Her helper left her all by herself so I feel bad. Maybe I will go back for a bagel ...

Don't these Jalapeno and Cheese bagels look great? Toasted with cream cheese would just be heaven. I have a heart, I will be back.

Maravilla - Ojai, CA

Looks beautiful right? Located at the Ojai Valley Inn and one of the premier restaurants in the Ojai Valley. Table for two - in a corner of a lively restaurant. It was supposed to quiet and dimly lit but it was loud and hopping. That is just how it was going to be that night! Fine, with me. Great pinot was poured, crab cakes with a kick, a perfect medium filet, pan seared sea bass and an apple crumble all were put away. Perfectly full.

What a wonderful evening. Never to be forgotten! This will be Mr. Melissa Good Taste to you! Cheers! Hip hop hooray...

Another day in the 93023...

Go Melissa Good Taste go!

La Cabana - Santa Paula, CA

Santa Paula, The Citrus Capital of the World, also has a Mexican restaurant on almost every corner and side street. This time, we tried La Cabana because the new, Tia Babes decided that Monday was not a good day to be open - mistake!

Chips and salsa - very refreshing. Salsa, not too spicy and chips perfectly salted due to a few extra shakes from the salter. Good stuff - two baskets please!

Melissa Good Taste said, "Yes, please" to a margarita on the rocks. Tasty. I don't know the last time I had a margarita...

I ordered a shredded beef enchilada with rice and beans I asked for the the meal to have an extra shot under the broiler - I like things really hot and they did not disappoint.

First off, I apologize for the quality of the photos. My little Flip Video doesn't seem to like indoor lighting. Anyhow, I loved this little dive. yes, I said dive. From the outside you would probably worry about the safety of your car while during your stay. But, once welcomed by the staff, you feel perfectly at home. Would I return? You betcha!

Kauai in December!

I am so excited about traveling to Hawaii in EXACTLY one month from today. No, I am not in shape and I am totally white but who cares?! I am going to paradise! I have researched local eats and hiking trails but I am feeling a bit overwhelmed. Loyal readers: What do you recommend? What are your "must do's" while in Kauai? I appreciate any feedback. Ok, off to the treadmill - I have a bikini to look good in...

Anacapa Brewing Company - Ventura, CA

In the middle of Main Street, 472 in fact, you can find the Anacapa Brewing Company. I have been in the past and have had a killer Ahi tuna appetizer. Although this time it was all about the brews...

The Seaward Golden Ale was just perfect. Not too heavy and went down easy. Melissa Good Taste says, "Yes, please." Now, get down there and try it! Pronto!

Spencer Makenzie's Fish Co. - Ventura, CA

After an appointment at the salon today I found myself on East Thompson and quite hungry. I had heard that they serve us some quality eats so I made my way down there and tried it for myself.

They have a handful of different sauces, all made in house, some are really spicy and some are just right... My personal favorite was the Caribbean Blaze. Yum.

I ordered the Ceviche, I was feeling like something light. They had clam chowder on the menu and it took all of me not to order it. I assume I will be back to try it, you know me. The ceviche tostada was delish, the Spencer Sauce was basically mayo and it was creamy and delicious. Besides the sauce it was perfectly healthy. Good job Melissa Good Taste, good job.

Until tomorrow...

Sakana Sushi Bar - Montecito, CA

This is not the first time I tried to eat at this restaurant, last September we pulled in on a Sunday and it was closed. That forced us to eat at Cava, down the road, and drop $80 on appetizers and drinks! Oh my! This time, we ate chowder and sipped a brewskie down the road and then sushi was just what the doctor ordered.

Not feeling like filling up on a delicious Japanese beer, we selected a mini bottle of Steele Pinot Noir. Not bad, it was doable. Something to remember.

How does a Crunchy Lobster Roll sound? I think this is one of the better rolls I have had. I know I just reviewed a sushi joint last week but this far surpasses it. The lobster was tender, the tempura light but the sauces - oh my. So spicy yet flavorful. One roll was enough to share. $40 and we were out the door. What a lovely experience the menu is huge and I cannot wait to return and try another specialty roll.

Longboards Grill - Santa Barabara - CA

Longboards Grill is located on the Santa Barbara Pier. It has always been intriguing to me that you can actually drive on the pier. Doesn't it just amaze you that wooden beams can support so much weight? Anyhow 90 minutes of free time awaited us. We walked into Longboards expecting some excitement - and all we got was a beautiful view of the harbor.

After a view Longboard Blonde's and a bowl of chowder we were ready to blow this popsicles stand. The chowder was decent almost stew like. And, you know how I like my soup served hot - well it was almost luke warm. It wasn't bad, at least the potatoes were cooked that has been an issue with soup ordering these days. All in all, maybe try Moby Dick - they are located at the end of the wharf.

KCCHA done for 2010!

The Kern County Cutting Horse Association had its last show of the year today. The wind was blowing and it gave me a free microdermabrasion treatment. Nice! Mr. Chunk and I ended up 4th in the 35,000 Non Pro, not bad for missing the first few shows of the year! I ended up winning this snappy sheet for Chunk to stay warm and take much deserved siestas.

Crockpot Carnitas

Pork, sauteed onions and green chile salsa in the Crockpot is pretty much the easiest thing ever. Set it and forget it! Leave it for hours and it just gets better. Fill taco shells or make a plate of nachos like I did!

Everything green...

All the cows are fresh and the fields are green... Hello November!

Surf and Sushi

So here's the deal, I am have been living like a queen. I get up, I drink coffee, slowly. And then drink another cup, very slowly. I savor this quiet time. Then wander to the beach, and either swim or walk along the coastline. Drooling? Yes, I know it is pretty fabulous.

Ready for some food? Yes, I imagine so. Drive directly to 1437 S. Victoria Avenue and park yourself at the sushi bar at Sushi Ozekii and ask for Don. You will have fun, order a $1.99 Kirin.

The "Monkey Brain" is what caught my eye on the appetizer menu. It was the perfect start to our meal. Half of an avocado stuffed with crab, spicy tuna and then deep fried. Oh my heaven. And to top it all off, it is topped with spicy mayo (love!) and a sweet unagi sauce. Very tasty.

What is this little treasure? Why it is the Jalapeno Popper, another delicious deep fried treat. Stuffed with cream cheese, jalapeno, crab and topped with both savory sauces.

What a perfect day. Ventura was hot and the water was a sweet relief. The sushi was on point and we will be back. Also, we test drove a few trucks. What are your favorites?

Hello Tuesday...

80 degrees in Ventura and Melissa Good Taste went West to the ocean - Hobson's to be exact. With a rash guard and some board shorts I took to the water. A little splashing around felt great, it is amazing what a little salt water can do for you.

Melissa Good Taste could really get used to this!