Marin Headlands

Every time I return home I am reminded of the feelings I first had when my parents moved to California. Just an overwhelming pleasure and feeling of satisfaction from the sight of the tree-covered mountains, the smell of wild herbs, the intense sun and dry heat. There's no place like home, but I didn't even grow up here, it's just my adopted home. Munich is great as well in its own way, and I love it there as well, it's just not....the natural beauty of California. The Alps are gorgeous too, just in a different way. Anyway, if there is something I have learned over the years, it's that comparisons are not really fair, not with places, not with people, jobs, things, etc. Everything is unique.

So minute philosophies aside, I had a great day with my mom yesterday. We started out with a workout in the gym (of 7 days of vacation thus far, I have been in the gym for 6 of them, feels great), then a trip over to her favorite cafe in Larkspur for a quick coffee, then a drive down to Sausalito for a walk around and then lunch at Sushi Ran, and then on to the Marin Headlands, for a hike I had never done before. Really beautiful and a good chance to enjoy California for a bit before I head back to Germany. Despite the typical summer fog hanging over the bay, the short hike was incredibly refreshing. Will try to do the same today.

Max, the irresistable cat

He likes to chirp at you. Chirp chirp chirp...

The Opening

Visiting home is always great, but today was especially nice. My Mom had her 65th birthday (Happy Birthday again, Mom!) and my Dad arranged a surprise party for her at a favorite Mexican restaurant. She was surprised. :-) I didn't get any really good snaps, though (maybe someone else did....will have to check). :-( I kept the iphone in the purse most of the time.

But before that, we went to Amy's art opening at a local gallery. Of the five artists who showed, she was the only one who sold anything at the opening (the one with the red dot on the label). Nice way to start a show. Hope that continues and she sells all five in the next three weeks.

There are all different ways to sleep

Gosh, I wouldn't want to be this guy when he wakes up with a stiff neck. I ended up watching 3 movies and a couple tv shows ...better than sleeping like that. oh the joys of cross atlantic flights in economy class....:-)

Travelin' Cat

Sammy was not liking the packing this morning...but I promised I would take him on the next trip...

When Life Gives You Watermelons...

...make watermelon ice cream.

Ok, so the blog pause didn't last that long.

In honor of July 4th, it seemed to be a good idea to celebrate with watermelon, if not fireworks. Decided to try something new.

Step 1: remove watermelon "meat" from shell. De-seed.
Step 2) simmer cream and eggs on stove for 4 minutes, pour over watermelon. Let cool.
Step 3) blend watermelon and custard mixture with hand blender
Step 4) chop chocolate and put in fridge so it doesn't melt
Step 5) freeze ice cream in ice cream machine of choice (mine is not doing that well these days! :-( )
Step 6) Put chocolate chips into icecream before it fully freezes and then spoon it into hollowed out watermelon shell.
Step 7) Eat and Enjoy.