will do just fine
Flying east from San Diego to Chicago on Sunday afternoon, it became clear that the brilliant blue skies and gentle breezes of southern California were not yet upon us back home in the midwest. I had a window seat, and as my little porthole window became crowded with angry streaks of rain and my view became marred by wet, cottony clouds, my lovely weekend in La Jolla came to a screaching halt. I tried to distract myself by diving into the stack of work reading I had tucked into my carry-on, but my mind kept wandering back to the same question: why, again, do I live in Chicago—a land devoid of palm trees and notorious for its howling wind? I’ve since reminded myself of the many good answers to this question (the recent warm-up has helped tremendously), but ensconsed in the slim cabin of that airplane, they were difficult to conjure up.
My return wasn’t made any easier by the fact that San Diego had experienced an unseasonably warm weekend—one that I spent with my closest childhood friend, Molly, and her soon-to-be-husband (only a few weeks!) and their ridiculously lovable dogs. Add to that the fact that they live in an idyllic little beach town (La Jolla) in a breezy bungalow mere blocks for the Pacific Ocean and that the weekend featured (a) dinner at a local restaurant that made liberal use of Chino Farms produce and served me a black pepper-spiked hibiscus margarita, (b) a backyard fiesta and (c) a trip to the farmers’ market, and you’ll have no trouble seeing why I was so smitten.
About the backyard fiesta—this was no slapdash affair. Thrown by Molly’s dad and stepmom, the fiesta involved icy tubs of Mexican beer, sombreros, strings of colorful paper laterns and, best of all, an incredible spread of Mexican food handmade (in the case of the tortillas, right before our very eyes) by a woman named Belinda, who’s apparently something of a La Jolla legend. Molly and Trevor’s friends filled their backyard and we all ate and laughed long after the afternoon had faded into night.
The next morning, already feeling thoroughly spoiled, we strolled over to the La Jolla Farmers’ Market where I felt quite sure I’d died and gone to produce heaven. I prowled around in search of ramps (there were none), hurrahed the presence of favas and green garlic and spring onions, and chomped happily on a cup full of cucumber, melon and jicama, all sliced into long fingers.
In those sundrenched moments I couldn’t help but thinking: this will do. In the meantime, I’ll patiently wait as the mercury rises here in Chicago. This weekend promises 70s and 80s and, while there will be no palm trees and my neighborhood farmers’ market is still a ways off, I do love my Chicago. It too will do just fine.
No new recipes, today, but, with a nod to Molly and Trevor’s fiesta, hop over to a long-ago post for my guacamole and fresh salsa recipes.
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I can easily see how you’d like to enjoy the San Diego weather a bit longer. It looks so wonderful. Seeing as we’re moving to MN soon, I can sympathize with you! I do really love the change of seasons though. I think I’d get bored with being warm all the time. Is that crazy or what?
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oh, San Diego (and La Jolla in particular) is such a beautiful place to visit! I’ve been there once and the weather was glorious, I don’t blame you for not wanting to go back!
You have convinced me I want to move to San Diego. Sounds like you had a wonderful time.
Yes, sadly, there are never ramps in Southern California. We do get a lot of local artichokes to make up for it though. And strawberries. And sunshine.
I love La Jolla. Sigh.
There are parts of La Jolla that are really just pure paradise. It is so expensive to live there, but the weather and hidden gems always entice me to think working two jobs is possible!
Ah – you’re making us a little jealous!
Black pepper-spiked hibiscus margarita?
You have to recreate this and post it as soon as humanly possible.
Sounds like a wonderful trip!
I miss cali so much…
wonderful photos, I so enjoyed this
Backyard fiesta!! Sounds so wonderful.
Haven’t been to La Jolla in years, but I have fond memories of a wonderful trip there with my mom and sis, just after my college graduation. It is a lovely place.
In 20 years of No. Cal. living, I have never seen ramps at any of the various farmer’s markets in S.F. and Sacramento. Not sure if they are hard to come by on the West Coast, or if they are so popular I am just not quick enough!
*Sigh* I love living in southern California. Glad you were here on a beautiful weekend and that you had a good time.
Chicago is one of the only really big cities in America I haven’t been to. And while it’s no SoCal to me, I can’t wait to discover that city for all its worth. It must be pretty amazing.
I second the hibiscus margarita request! Though I suppose I am lucky enough that I can always jump in the car and head south to find the original on my own….glad you had a great time in La Jolla.
I so wish I lived somewhere like that – farmers markets in April? Currently in Calgary….and it’s freaking snowing. Sure the Rockies are pretty, but come on..it’s almost May!
Glad you had a great time while here in Southern California! I love living here, but have very close ties to Chicago also. My husbands’ entire family, including my three stepchildren and my three grandsons live in Chicago so we are there alot.
Needless to say, they also come visit us here in CA quite often!
Ah, you were in my fair city! I probably walked right by you at the LJ Farmer’s Market. It’s my favorite place to go on Sundays
We Southern Californians have these Mexican fiestas all the time lol! So glad you got to experience the good food and the unseasonably warm weather. We’re back to gray days at the moment. I’m headed to Chicago in a couple of weeks to check out your city!
Farmer Gal: I couldn’t agree more about the seasons. You’ll get plenty of those in MN! : )
Tabitha: It was almost too good, you know?
Risa: Ha!
Kate: We had ramps at dinner on Friday and I guess I assumed they were local. Oh, well, the hunt was still fun.
Half Assed Kitchen: My thoughts exactly.
Phoo-D: You know, it’s funny you mention that, because it seemed like there was a near constant refrain about that.
EBPitcher: It’s an armchair vacation for all of us!
Ronni: Twist my arm …
Whitney: It was! Good to get away from Chicago for a couple days.
dawn: I’m so glad. Thanks!
Megan: It was!
Dawn in CA: Even here in the midwest you have to get to the market *first thing* to score ramps. They’re hot commodities (and rightly so).
Melissa: You have to visit!
Polly: True! Lucky you!
LilSis: I bet. My friend Molly gets a lot of visitors too.
Lori: I hope you enjoy my city as much as I enjoyed yours! Let me know if you have q’s/need recommendations.
One of the great things I’ve heard about this very topic is that people in Chicago put up with bad weather to live in a great city. People in San Diego put up with a bad city to live in great weather.
What a great post! I wish you were back here. We had so much fun, huh? Thank you for making me appreciate this place again! I always feel homesick for family and friends and I take for granted this beautiful place I live in. Not today! But for the record: take the weather out of the equation and Chicago beats the pants off San Diego, all day long.
See you there this summer (the best time to visit)! Love ya!
We are about to head to Whisknladle tonight! Can’t wait!!
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