Salinas CA... The Salad Bowl of the World...

So my ever-glamorous work travels took me up to Salinas last week... when I left the bay area and headed into the hills I was slightly amused by the sign which read "Entering Salinas, Salad Bowl of the World" later in the week I was disgusted with the constantly overwhelming smell of lettuce growing all around me.

I stayed in the somewhat underwhelming Courtyard Salinas. It was your typical Marriott, just the 1990s version... Though clean, the decor was a little outdated... I got upgraded to a 2 room suite which was nice.

I worked super hard at the store and was pretty exhausted by the time I headed home. Lots of travel coming up. I am on a plane just about every week till Christmas.

Disney on a wednesday...

After work yesterday I met up with Maria, Sheri and the kids at Disneyland. When I arrived the gang was eating dinner at California Adventure so I joined them for a taco. We road Soaring Over California then hopped across to Disneyland. The park was so empty we got to walk on tons of rides with absolutely no wait - it was awesome! For Christmas they re-did the Haunted Mansion to be Nightmare Before Christmas themed... it was amazing what they were able to do....

I haven't been on Splash Mountain in well over 10 years but since we were able to walk right on; we went twice... it was so much fun!

Its so nice that Bryce and Paige are getting tall enough to ride big kid attractions now... Sheri took Paige on Splash Mountain this time... slowly getting her used to the scarier rides...

Good times...

Egg Sandwich...

I love eggs... especially fried eggs on toast. I made this beauty with salt and pepper, toasted bread with mayo... it was a delight. Soon after taking the picture I gobbled it down over the sink... so good...

Blue... daba di daba die...

The sky was so blue and beautiful today... God has an amazing way of blessing us with the simplest things to prove he is the creator...

Yummy Pho...

After church today we all went for Pho... I got the vegetable soup this time... big mushrooms, mini corn, bock choy, carrots and big chunks of tofu... it was delightful...

Halloween at Work...

Due to budget cuts the Halloween celebration we usually have was pretty subdued this year. I didn't put much effort into my costume... I wore my bathrobe and walked around with my flask all day... Barb was a cool hippie chick... I think that's what she wears on the weekends anyway... Once a flower child always a flower child...

Crispy Chicken Strips With Mustard Sauce...

Before bowling the other night I decided that rather than eat the deep fried chicken strips at the bowling alley I should make a"lower fat" version at home to take with me...

I started with a hot pan of olive oil and butter spray...

I dredged the chicken in a light coat of flour, salt and pepper then violently tossed them into the pan so they would sizzle... (it was a Pioneer Woman moment)

They browned nicely....

Rather than a fat-laden ranch dip I mixed up a tangy mustard soy sauce... it was smooth and flavorful...

The chicken had a nice little crunch and a tender, moist center... wonderful with my mustard dip...