Stepping into a new life in California has been an exhilarating journey, a tapestry woven with fresh experiences and delightful discoveries. For weeks, I’ve aimed to share these updates in a dedicated Monday morning post, yet the gentle pull of sleep often wins, leaving my mornings too packed for reflection. Waking later than intended has become a recurring theme, pushing my writing aspirations to the backburner of an already busy day. It seems sleep, for all its restorative powers, can sometimes be a mischievous saboteur of plans.
This particular morning, however, I was determined to break the cycle. Despite another late start, I committed to sitting down and pouring out these thoughts, holding steadfast to my goal of establishing “pen speaking” posts on Monday mornings. It’s a tradition I’ve longed to solidify, and today, it finally comes to fruition.
Embracing California Life: A Fresh Start and New Beginnings
Our relocation to California has truly painted our lives with a myriad of new shades. Every day brings a different experience, a new perspective, and an undeniable sense of change. We are in the process of deeply settling in, navigating the nuances of a new state, and finding our rhythm in this vibrant environment. It’s a phase of profound transition, filled with both unexpected challenges and heartwarming joys.
Finding Community and Connection in the Golden State
One of the most significant and truly cherished changes has been finding our new church home. It’s been nothing short of amazing! From our very first Sunday, we’ve been enveloped by an incredible warmth and an outpouring of love from so many wonderful people. Each week, we’ve had the privilege of meeting new, Jesus-loving families, engaging in conversations, and forging genuine connections. This has been particularly striking given that it’s a larger church, a “megachurch” as some might call it. Historically, I’ve harbored reservations about megachurches, fearing that it’s easy to get lost in the crowd, to feel like an anonymous face without a true church family. Yet, this community has defied all expectations, proving to be refreshingly different. The intentional effort people make to connect with newcomers is truly remarkable, and for that, I am incredibly thankful.
Beyond the spiritual community, we’ve also been blessed to connect with several homeschooling families. This has opened up a whole new world of support and shared experiences. The prospect of tomorrow night, when I’ll be joining other homeschool moms for a much-anticipated mom’s night out, fills me with immense excitement! Building this network of like-minded parents is invaluable, providing both camaraderie and practical insights as we navigate the homeschooling journey together.
Escaping Winter’s Chill: The Joy of California Seasons
Another profound joy we’ve discovered in California is the complete absence of the looming dread of impending winter. Gone are the days of endless inches of snow – or at least, that’s how the incessant snowfalls in Minnesota always felt. Winter there often cast a long, dark shadow over our lives, a season we couldn’t escape and frankly, never looked forward to. Perhaps our winter coping mechanisms weren’t robust enough, but the daily reality of driving through blizzards and trudging through deep snow was never quite enjoyable. The thought of leaving that behind is a constant source of relief and gratitude. Here, the mild climate and sunshine are a refreshing change, offering a freedom from seasonal anxieties that we deeply appreciate.
The Unwanted Roommates: My Lizard Dilemma
Now, for something I’m still learning to “love” about California: the prevalence of lizards. It’s truly peculiar how much these small reptiles unnerve me, especially considering I grew up in an environment where large lizards routinely strutted around buildings. Yet, after years in Minnesota where the closest I came to a reptile was a pet lizard at a friend’s house, I had completely forgotten what it was like to share my pathway with such creatures. My initial surprise quickly turned into an ongoing challenge. It’s a humbling reminder that I need to re-learn how to coexist with and accept all of God’s creatures. It’s a work in progress, and I admit, it’s harder than it sounds!
Culinary Comforts: Nurturing Our California Home with Delicious Food
One of my favorite ways to infuse warmth and familiarity into our new house and truly make it a home has been through cooking. There’s something inherently grounding about preparing meals, filling the kitchen with aromas, and gathering around the table. It’s an act of love and creation, especially in a new environment. I’ve been experimenting and revisiting many beloved recipes, some of which I’ve proudly shared on my Instagram page. Food, for us, is more than just sustenance; it’s a cornerstone of comfort and connection.
West African Delights: Savoring One-Pot Wonders
My current culinary cravings are intensely focused on anything that can be cooked in a single pot, especially those enriched with the rich, vibrant flavor of palm oil. This particular desire has propelled Plantain Porridge and Yam Porridge right to the very top of my list of favorite meals. It’s important to note that West African “porridge” dishes are quite distinct from what might be typically understood as porridge in other parts of the world. Far from being a uniform mush, these hearty meals usually involve a starchy carbohydrate cooked in one pot, often retaining delightful textures. As you can clearly see from the image, my plantain porridge features substantial, chewy pieces of plantain, offering a satisfying bite that is simply delicious! The depth of flavor and ease of preparation make these one-pot wonders a true lifesaver in our busy California household.
The Omelette Obsession: Versatile and Flavorful Combinations
Another recurring star in my kitchen lately has been the omelette. It’s incredibly versatile and always delivers on flavor. One combination that has truly captivated our taste buds is omelette paired with some perfectly sweet fried plantains. The contrast of the savory omelette with the caramelized sweetness of the plantains is an absolute delight – a match made in culinary heaven that truly lives up to its hype!
Equally satisfying is an omelette served with fried African sweet potatoes. And, as a consistent addition, I always include a side of avocado. Its creamy texture and subtle flavor enhance the entire dish, making every bite even more enjoyable. The avocado truly has a magical way of elevating the meal.
I managed to find these fantastic African sweet potatoes at an Asian store here in California. They present a slight visual difference from the ones I remember back home – these are purple on the outside, whereas the ones I grew up with were typically yellow. However, despite this minor aesthetic variation, their taste is absolutely, unequivocally the same! I believe they are often labeled as “Thai sweet potatoes” in stores here. An African-style omelette, with its rich spices and hearty ingredients, is undeniably one of the most flavorful and comforting things you can prepare. For those eager to learn my method, I encourage you to check out this video where I demonstrate how I make it.
Beans, Stews, and Savory Sustenance
Beyond omelettes, stewed pinto beans have become an unexpected staple in our California diet (a new recipe is in the works, so stay tuned!). I genuinely believe I’ve consumed more pinto beans in my short time here than I have in my entire life living in the US. They are incredibly versatile and deeply satisfying. One particular combination that consistently brings comfort and energy is stewed pinto beans paired with fried plantains – truly a life-giving combination!
And speaking of hearty meals, I simply must give a shout-out to the epicness of this potato hotpot. It’s such a robust and deeply satisfying dish! If you’re looking for a meal that warms you from the inside out, grab some russet potatoes and make this – consider it a delicious order!
Can we just take a moment to applaud the brilliance of one-pot 30-minute pasta meals? They have been absolute lifesavers, rescuing countless evenings since, well, forever! A recent family favorite has been macaroni, simply boiled and then sautéed in a rich, simple tomato sauce, enhanced with canned sardines in oil. The kids absolutely adored it; their plates were cleared in record time, which is always a sign of a winning meal in our household.
For those curious about how I created this quick and flavorful dish, I shared a very similar recipe on my Facebook page a while back, which provides a great guide.
And yes, more stewed pinto beans, just as I mentioned earlier! This time, they were served alongside Garri, those wonderful granules made from yucca root, also known as cassava. This combination is a staple comfort food.
The Garri is prepared by soaking it with water, preferably cold, then sweetened with a touch of sugar and eaten as a side to the savory stewed beans. It’s a wonderfully informal and casual meal, yet its taste is insanely delicious and deeply satisfying! I have countless fond memories of eating this growing up, and my love for it remains as strong as ever.
Embracing a New Chapter: The Pregnancy Journey
Finally, I have a very special update to share: someone in this household is very pregnant! This new chapter brings with it a unique set of experiences and feelings, both challenging and profoundly beautiful. I’m currently enjoying all the “benefits” that come with it, from the intense sleepiness that can strike in the middle of important tasks to the amusing moments of forgetting what year it is. But amidst these quirky changes, there’s the indescribable joy of feeling the baby kick, a gentle, yet powerful reminder of the miracle within. It’s an incredibly special time, feeling new life growing inside me, a profound connection to the future. Each little flutter and movement fills me with a sense of wonder and immense gratitude.
As we continue to navigate these exciting new beginnings in California, filled with community, culinary adventures, and the anticipation of new life, I wish you all a week abundant with love, joy, and plenty of good food. Thank you for taking the time to read about our journey. Your support and connection mean the world.