We're switching coasts

We're moving to California! After 4 months of searching--which really isn't that long, but boy did it feel that way--J was offered a job at a San Francisco-based company. I'm incredibly excited.

J is moving in about 3 weeks, but I'll be here until mid-July to finish up class. Incidentally, I found out last week that someone I met at a Massachusetts detectives luncheon was interested in hiring me! I was sorry to have to pass on it, but it made me feel hopeful for my future prospects. The director of the program knows some SF-based PIs, too.

I sound excited in this post but to be honest I've lately been wound as tight as a drum, as a top, as a trip-wire--pick your cliche. We got the written offer yesterday after days of nail-biting suspense.

The first thing I've done to prepare for a move is start a pantry challenge. I'm cooking and freezing all of the beans in my pantry--thanks to Frugal Upstate, I only recently discovered one can freeze cooked beans. Now, it'll be easier to pull them out in the morning and have them for dinner when I get home. I also plan on cooking and freezing many of the grains I have stocked up.

Tonight I made one of my favorite dishes, Pasta and Beans, with some Great Northern beans. I cooked spiral pasta and made a sauce out of garlic sauteed in olive oil, the beans, their juice, a little chicken soup base (the mushy stuff) to flavor the juice, some kale, and several sliced grape tomatoes. Delicious, healthy and frugal.