News: Jen from Use Real ButterNOT an axe murderer!

Got that? I said she's NOT. And should know. I just had lunch with her and her lovely husband, who is also NOT an axe murderer. You never know though. This was my first blog meet-up, and I was a little nervous. Really, I was more nervous about what they would think of me, because—really, you know—I am quite an idiot sometimes.

Jen and I have been reading each other's blogs for a while. We discovered we have things in common: good things (we cook, we eat, we ski) and not so good things (we're both breast cancer survivors). What a turn though when someone whose blog you admire and who think you'd actually like to know shows up in your email inbox. And then on your phone. And your then town.

She did, as she and husband Jeremy were on their way from backpacking in the eastern Sierras to visiting family in San Jose, and I got the chance to share with her one of my favorite eats in Berkeley, Tacubaya. (The other tacqueria I was planning on taking Jen to would have required she drive farther from the freeway and—perish the thought—find parking in downtown Berkeley.)

If you want to see what Jen had you'll have to visit her blog (I forgot to take a picture—remember, I was nervous).

Here's the chicken taco I had:

and my salad:


But, really, although the food was great, it paled in comparison to the company.


Smiles, smiles. Jen looks better than anyone who has been backpacking for four days should. And who knew Jeremy could take such a good picture?

Hugs to you, Jen. Until we meet again . . .

p.s.—Sophie says hi. She's glad you liked one of her favorite restaurants, and she's excited to come to your house to ski.