noodle house with a view

My view while sitting inside the Ojai Noodle House. I forgot to mention that Mrs. just received a vaccine so this trip to the noodle house was intended to help offset any possible side effects.

Ojai Noodle House inside

First time eating inside and it was a different experience. It was pleasant, but in a different way. The Hibiscus & Star Anise (above) was as delicious as it was beautiful. The Bun noodles however seemed different - maybe a touch less substantial? But the added crispy tofu roll made up for that. Otherwise we were left to ponder the meaning of the word NHAU ("noodle house alternative universe"??)

toaster

Sometimes you keep the toaster but get rid of the box. But you photograph the box before getting rid of it. I must say it's a decent toaster.

a fine cup

Or, if you prefer, a fine mug.

crosswords old and new

Above, the old crosswords books, two of which are completed. I was told at Barnes & Noble that there are no more available in that series (maybe they're wrong?). Below, the ones I bought to fill the vacancy. New territory but am willing to give them a chance.

strawberry and banana

Apparently I kicked off the new month with strawberry yogurt and a banana, eaten while unloading the dishwasher.

post birthday month

To lessen the shock of birthday month ending, Mr. brought Mrs. some flowers.

b.m. beach walk

In the morning of the last day of birthday month we went for a walk at the beach. It was a nice alternative to our usual constitutional.

Cajé fancy drink

I forget what the occasion was, or if there even needs to be an occasion. Cajé does fancy drinks well, but they also do plain drinks well as well.

Carp Dart

 

This side nook was a pleasant enough place to enjoy a capp and cookie.

Third Window

Third Window Brewing Co. in Carpinteria, first time. The smoked mushroom and grilled halloumi sandwich was memorable.

Mount Hood

 

Mount Hood, the highest point in Oregon, the way it looked in 1991.

cholesterol cookbook

My late aunt's old cholesterol cookbook. Published in 1961 so it's beat up and possibly out of date. But it does photograph well so here it is...

Clover details

My cappuccino was very distinctive - I have no idea why, but it was delicious. There was also an interesting matcha cookie. Not sure what Mrs. had. Believe it or not the final and 200th crossword puzzle, over five years in the making - was completed here.

Clover Coffee

After lunch at Moons Thai, we strolled down to the newly-opened Clover Coffee & Boba (operated by the same people). I must say it's an absolutely gorgeous space - clean, comfortable and well-lit with full-length wraparound windows, plus a well-designed patio along the side of the building. A great addition the Ventura coffee situation!

wild fennel

Somewhere we dined recently served something with fennel. Here it is growing in its wild state, on the fringes of the botanical garden. Wish I could remember where we ate it!

birthday month VBG

Hadn't been here in a while. It didn't necessarily feel like spring. On this particular walk the clouds were mostly onshore whereas offshore was clear and sunny.

Model Citizen revisited

Model Citizen revisited, in five parts: salad, shrubs, agnolotti, mushrooms and cremaux s'more. A meal fit for a birthday month queen, and another step in our agnolotti education.

sweet and savory

Part 1, above; part 2, below.

paneer tikka masala

A classic, even in its frozen form, due to the curry. Ideally best not to have frozen food that may come from India, but due to the curry, everything changes. As the saying goes, curry changes everything.

pre-farmers market brekkie

At our usual table at Cajun Kitchen.

Magic Hour Tea

It would be correct to say we spent a magic hour at Magic Hour Tea in Ojai. This pleasant space gets overlooked, and shockingly so on a Friday when half of Los Angeles filled up the rest of the arcade plaza. Oh well, that just meant a more peaceful interlude of well-crafted tea for us.

sea of green

 

A sea of green, interspersed with a sea of halloumi, seen at Highly Likely.

Cajé corner

The corner in Cajé where I sat for the first time, waiting for my drink. The design here is mostly good, except for a few narrow areas by the busy entrance.

rhymes with lollipop

birthday month Singing Sun