California eats

Cub and I returned mid-day Tuesday from another quick trip to California. This time we flew to San Diego to visit friends for a few days, and then drove up to Riverside for the wedding of a long-time family friend on Sunday afternoon. (It’s been a long wedding season for the Tipon Family but it’s finally over. Hallelujah. Five weddings since late March: one in Maryland, the other four in California.)

But back to our trip. Ahhh, California - what other superlatives can I throw on you, my birthplace! Friends, family, fun, and good food – you have them all. I grew up in CA and have traveled a fair bit, and I just don’t get the food in Hawaii sometimes. It doesn’t hold a candle to some of what the Golden State has to offer. And I’m not even speaking of restaurants. All of these dishes pictured here were whipped up in an impressive evening of culinary mastery by my beloved friend Di in her home kitchen. Yum! She wasn’t done Friday, either. I crashed at her home upon my return from Riverside on Monday night (displacing her sister-in-law from her own bedroom), and she continued to whip up the treats. She made cookies, but I was in such awe I forgot to snap a picture.

I love this picture! It looks like she's daring me to tackle this one at home. You bet I will! I want the recipe.