Changing Views!

The Irey's are changing their view of the world.  We have decided to leave Los Angeles (which has been home for 21 years) and return to San Diego (where St. James was born and I grew up).  The big move takes place in July.  And let me tell you...it's a big move!

First things first...why are we doing this you might ask?  After my mom died last year, I have had continued hankerings to be closer to my siblings and nieces and nephews.  Every time we visit San Diego, as we drive away I would say...wouldn't it be nice if we lived here.  Both my sisters live in Coronado and my brother lives in Lemon Grove.  The last time we drove away (Easter)...I thought about living here for real...seriously.  By Mother's Day, we'd decided to take the jump...that's right...off another cliff we go!

The time is right to do this, since Ethan is going into 7th grade.  A move any later would be really hard on him (this one is going to be hard enough...he and his best friend have been friends since they were three...leaving him and all his other friends is going to be difficult).  The business is in a good place for me to be able to manage the stores from anywhere and James is looking for a career change too (he's got something very exciting in the works...which I'll be able to share a little later this summer).  All in all, it feels like now or never (or at least not for the next 6 years until Ethan graduates).

So after much discussion, hair pulling and tarot card consulting...we decided to move to Coronado.  We've found a beautiful home, right on the bay (that's right...at high tide, the bay is up to our deck, at low tide there's about 20 feet of beach) that's about a mile from one sister and 5 miles from the other.  Everything on Coronado is within bike riding distance.  Ethan will be surrounded by all of his cousins, will have the opportunity to attend one of the best schools in the country (for free) and has decided to learn how to surf.  He will also be learning how to sail, as we can have a small sail boat and kayaks tied right up to our deck.

View from our living room

James will be starting on his new venture and I'll be running my company from the deck off my master bedroom, looking at this all day.

I'm not sure life could be any sweeter...except if all our friends would move to Coronado too!  But, for now, we have a guest room and if you'd like to come visit, just let me know! (But hurry, reservations are booking quickly!!)

PS...blog posts will still be sporadic until we move.  There are only so many hours in the day and they seem to all be dedicated to packing...yuck!!

Taking a little hiatus!

Hi all,
Have you missed me?  I've missed you!  I am taking a little hiatus from my blog posting (and cooking).  Big changes are coming and I don't have any time right now.  I'll share our changes at the beginning of June.  Until then...cook something great for me!

PS...if you know about our changes...don't post anything yet...I've still got a group of folks to tell.  Thanks!

French Fridays with Dorie - tourteau de chevre

It's time for something a little sweet and completely delectable.  Thank goodness, Dorie has got the goods for us this week.  Her tourteau de chevre is simple to make (if you're ok with making a tart dough), quick to bake and oh so easy to eat.  A lovely, rustic cheesecake style dessert, but not quite as heavy.  I whipped this puppy up and left it covered to photograph it the next day.  As I unwrapped it, I noticed a rather large nibble taken out of it...hard to say if it was Ethan, St. James or perhaps a cat.  No one is talking, so your guess is as good as mine.  Whoever it was, I know they were happy to get a nibble of this yummy cake.  We really enjoyed it...not too sweet, fairly light and a fabulous flavor from the goat cheese.  I can see this becoming one of my go to desserts (especially if I whip up several tart doughs and have them handy in the freezer.)  Wondering how my fellow Doristas did this week, take a look here.

See that little bite?  Who did that!!!

A few macerated strawberries were perfect with this cake!