From Soup to Nuts...

Sunday was moving day. We didn't have far to go, just down the road and around the corner. It seems December is a big month here at the Chula Vista RV Resort. Lots of big groups come from all over the US and Canada to enjoy our lovely weather and the cultural flavor of the area. These BFF's from parts unknown like to park together, so we went to an empty spot in the back corner. Our new view is spectacular. We are parked on the marina facing southwest.

Moving didn't take as long as I expected. With the push of a button, we brought in all three slides (slides create rooms in RV lingo), then disconnected various hoses, cords, and cables.

With the help of a backup camera on the truck, Larry connected the fifth wheel to the hitch in the bed of the truck and we were ready to travel. I walked the short distance to our new spot while Larry drove around the long way, avoiding tight turns. Once he got to the spot, the idea was to have me "help" guide him as he backed up the trailer. If you are married, you can skip the next part, because you know how it went.

RV étiquette says that if a couple is moving in, you don't go say your hellos until the deed is done. Apparently, a couple here didn't follow that sage advice. First, they corralled me into a conversation, then when Larry got out of the truck and made a dramatic show of doing MY job and HIS job, the talking man said, "that's a piece of cake. I'm a retired truck driver. I could do that for you easy." He then proceeded to stand in front of the truck hollering directions about which way to turn the wheel. In the meantime, something shiny caught my eye and I lost track of the task at hand. Poor Larry. Anyway, we're in, we're hooked up, and we're staying put.

Last Sunday was much more fun. We took our bikes on the trolley and went north to the City College stop. We rode our bikes up Park Blvd. into Balboa Park, where the roses are in bloom, then on to Hillcrest. Just our luck, the Hillcrest Farmer's Market was in full swing. Lunch for me was a tamale. For Larry, a sausage sandwich. We also picked up various fruit and veggies and a bag of organic split peas which I made into soup yesterday.

Here's the soup recipe, made in a crockpot. With crusty bread and a crisp chardonnay, it was the perfect meal for moving day!

Slow cooker Split Pea Soup (from the Hillcrest Farmer's Market)

16 oz. dried green split peas, rinsed

1 meaty hambone or 2 ham hocks

3 carrots, peeled and sliced

1/2 chopped onion

2 ribs celery, chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 bay leaf

1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped

1 T. salt

1/2 t. pepper

1 1/2 qts. hot water

Layer ingredients in slow cooker in the order given; pour in water. Do not stir ingredients. Cover and cook on HIGH 4 to 5 hours or on low 8 to 10 hours until peas are soft and ham falls off bone. Remove bones and bay leaf. Mash or process peas to thicken more, if desired. Freezes well.