Will Work For Cacti...

Don't be mad at me, I have been a very bad blogger. I have neglected my beloved readers and just basically took a break from the pressures of creating the daily post. My life has changed a lot from my last post as I have taken a very large project on. I have been landscaping and decorating acres and acres of our Ojai ranch. I had a blank canvas to work with and worked night and day to create a space that completely screams "MELISSA"- Take a look!

I have worked myself to the bone, day in and day out! I have moved heavy pots and spiky cacti to create the coolest space possible. I am partial to the color pink of course, but I use so much color that it probably looks like a rainbow tornado upon first visit. My love for cacti and succulents is quite extreme, most of my day is spending dreaming up new combinations. I also have a love for tropical plants and decor so my esthetic is quite eclectic. 

I know my style does not suit everyone but it brings me great joy. I can't believe I became the crazy lady who leaves her Christmas lights up all year long!

A day in the life...

A day in the life of Melissa Good Taste has been full steam ahead with short bursts of horses, work, researching American War history (my new favorite subject since watching American Sniper) and squeezing in family and friend time. This is what I have been up to lately...

I was fortunate enough to be able to make it to my girlfriend, Nichole's Birthday celebration last week at the Old Creek Winery in Ojai. Our usual group, plus a few new gals joined in for the fun and it was a blast getting caught up on all the details in everyone's lives.

We made it a kind of potluck setting, with each of us contributing a little something to the group. I of course made the Broccoli Salad. I love my version so much mostly because it contains mayonnaise, bacon, cheese and sunflower seeds. It really should not even called a salad with all those fun ingredients!

I mostly love this location because of the tree I shot in this photo. I hope it stands there forever. 

 Back at the ranch...

 Meanwhile at the ranch, Scott and I have been preparing the horses for a quick show this Friday in Paso Robles. We will bring a full load for Cowboy Ron, Scott and I to show. We just recently got magnets for the doors of our big truck proudly wearing the colors of Performance Equine, a company we are endorsing for our equine supplement needs. Scott will be packing the rig up again this Sunday and headed to Texas to the Bonanza NCHA Cutting in Glen Rose, Texas.

If not on a horse, Scott has been on a tractor - discing, planting and covering up seed. He has dreams of our pastures knee deep in green grass for our horses and cattle to enjoy. I give him a lot of props because it has been a time consuming task.

Last night I had the opportunity to try something I had never done before, I made Blackened Ahi. The Ahi Tuna was screaming at me from the seafood counter and I decided to give it a try. I usually am not a "blackened" anything fan, because my past experience with it always left me with just a "burnt" taste in my mouth. I decided to roll the dice and created my own blackening seasoning with a combination of paprika, garlic salt, onion powder, cayenne and sugar. I pressed the mixture into the flesh until it coated the filet completely. With a thin layer of oil in a pan, I quickly seared the fish, maybe a minute if that. It doesn't require much. I was amazed at the ease and most importantly the taste! It was perfect. This will be a go to option for warm summer nights when you dread any heat from the kitchen. 

I hope all of you out there are doing well and just as busy as I am. Days roll into weeks, and weeks rolled into a month that just blew by without the blink of an eye. Hello February!

Ranch House - Ojai, CA

"Where has Melissa Good Taste been? She hasn't been posting much..."

I am have been spending most of my time at the new Ojai Ranch House. The restaurant has a long history in the Ojai Valley and I have been thrilled to be teamed up with such an incredible staff. Take a look at a few shots of the updated restaurant. The evening is the most magical time at the restaurant, it is like a magical garden. The lighting and lush garden setting makes for a truly romantic evening.

The Ranch House has been a favorite of visiting celebrities. A Paul Newman quote praising its cuisine still appears on the website nearly six years after the actor’s death. Chef Cat Cora featured the restaurant’s grilled diver scallops with bok choy and curried corn sauce on the Food Network show “The Best Thing I Ever Ate.

The chef at the Ranch House is Sean Kingsbury, young and totally entergetic. He creates seasonal menus that focus on what is in season and pairs side dishes that will compliment them nicely. He has kept old favorites like the Ranch House Chicken Liver Pate and Mushroom Strudel on the menu because not only are they fabulous but they have been proved customer favorites.

The Ranch House is committed to providing the best experience possible to their customers. The beautiful setting, quality food and friendly service will make for an experience of a lifetime. I am proud to be involved in such a legendary establishment.

Busy! Busy! Busy!

Omg. Where have I been? What have I been doing?! I cannot believe I have left my nice little blog alone for an entire week! I woke up everyday convincing myself I would create a post and by the end of the day I have been to tired to even attempt turning on the computer. Sheesh, time really does fly...

 Let me catch you up on what has been going on. Scott took a load of the show horses to show at a cutting in Paso Robles last week and did extremely well. Skipper, Ruben and Scotty all picked up checks in their respective classes. Unfortunately, we did not get to dine at one the many fine restaurants in the area because the horse show ran really late at night. It was a Taco Bell kind of night, I even treated myself to dessert! I love the Cinnamon Twists.

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Back at home, we have just been riding and working on the ranch. Cassie my three year old is coming along nicely and has the sweetest personality. I like that her look is original with grey coat that has black and white dapples.

Elvis is down in Southern California with me and he too is quite enjoyable.  He has packed on the pounds and is really handsome. I am having fun playing around with him.

And holy smokes I have been quite the Pintrester. It is mostly with all things home decor because I recently did my own home makeover. Nothing serious but I did rearrange a lot of rooms with furniture from different places in the house. I switched up paintings on the wall, picked up a few trinkets and had fun. I worked my magic while Scott was gone so he could be surprised when he got home. I think he liked it but I am sure he was glad I didn't re-create the rooms from my inspiration board. 

Tonight is date night! Chat later...