Goodbye Marine Corps; Moving to New York // Also, Olive Oil Toast
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So, the funny thing about blogging for what now feels like a long time is that I feel I have to tell you everything. I can’t just say, “Hey, I’ve moved to Schenectady! And I have a kitchen with a teensy strip of pegboard and cabinets with awesome blue knobs. And in my corner cupboard I have a lazy Susan on top of which sits ANOTHER lazy Susan. And I have a pear and an apple tree bearing fruit in my backyard. And I have a landlord that advises me to get a cat because the mice and squirrels sometimes take over the house. I love her.”
I can’t just mention these things without offering any explanation. If you don’t want to listen, just scroll down to the olive oil toast. It’s a particularly handy thing to know how to make if, say, you’ve misplaced your toaster or are considering downsizing. It’s also about my favorite thing to eat these days.
OK, so, when I was a freshman in college, there was a boy, Ewan, who lived on the first floor of my entryway. Several times a week when I passed his room, I would spot him on the floor of his room in his dark green sweats and t-shirt doing push-ups and sit-ups. The scene always struck me as odd but I never gave it much thought. “Ewan’s intense,” I would think, as I, without a worry in the world, would skip up my steps heading to my room, hoping perhaps to find my roommates and maybe convince them it was time to go get some fro-yo.
It pains me to admit how clueless I was in the fall of 1999. The dark green getup should have been a giveaway. I would later learn that Ewan was in training to be a Marine Corps Officer, and even later learn that shortly after college Ewan would lead a platoon of Marines to Iraq.
The truth is that I couldn’t have told you a thing about the military until the fall of 2006, when Ben decided to withdraw from medical school and join the Marines himself. In January 2007, I drove Ben from Philadelphia to Quantico, where we said the first of many goodbyes and where Ben began Officer Candidate School, the first phase of a year-long training regimen to becoming an infantry officer.
During that year while Ben moved from OCS to TBS to IOC, in addition to learning a lot of acronyms, I continued working in Philadelphia, I started blogging, I stayed busy. It wasn’t so bad. I so looked forward to jumping on that Chinatown bus every few weekends to meet Ben in DC, to eat at 2Amys, to visit my grandmother in McLean, and to eventually return to Philadelphia.
And then things got really exciting. An assignment to Camp Pendleton meant a cross-country drive. We bought Roadfood and planned our itinerary accordingly. Some of you might remember this 10-day drive, highlights being Mahnomin porridge at Hell’s Kitchen in Minneapolis and everything we ordered at Cafe Pasqual’s in Santa Fe. And some of you might remember the day we arrived in southern California and ultimately San Clemente, where we lived for three years.
It has been a wonderful journey. The Marine Corps has taken us to the land of avocados, lemons, fish tacos and breakfast burritos, where we bought wetsuits and booties and pretended to surf, where Ben deployed and returned twice, where Ella was born. The Marine Corps then brought us back to the east coast, closer to family, closer to what felt like home.
And it’s now time to move on. I’m sad my children will never remember Ben as a Marine, but we are happy with all of the decisions we have made these past few years and feel particularly at home, though it has only been one week, being back in the northeast. Now, before I get too sappy on you, I just want to share a few phrases I have learned over the years. I don’t know that they are specific to the Marine Corps, but I think about them often and think you might enjoy them, too.
One is none, two is one. This is my favorite. I like to use it on Ben when he questions why we have a dozen bottles of dishwasher detergent stashed under the sink and 16 rolls of paper towels in the hallway closet.
Adapt and overcome. Self explanatory.
Slow is smooth, smooth is fast. Ella likes to use this one on me when I’m having a freakout while strapping her into her carseat.
As fast as you can, as slow as you must. I think about this while I’m chopping onions.
Go big. I love this one, too. It means “be bold,” but not in the sense that you should do daring things. For example, say you’re going to be late. Instead of just telling your friend you’ll be there in 15 minutes when you know realistically it will be 30 minutes, just go big: Tell your friend you need at least 30 to 45 minutes. It will be better for both of you.
Time spent on reconnaissance is never wasted. Raise your hand if you’ve ever found yourself experiencing extreme buyer’s remorse while dining in a tourist trap. It takes no time to do a little research, and the upshot is almost always worth it.
Last Friday, my mother and I found ourselves famished at 10pm. It had been a long day of driving (for me), greeting the movers (for my mother), and unpacking (for both of us), and about 10 seconds after we threw the children in their rooms, we decided it was time for some beer and food. We soon discovered we could find neither the bottle opener nor the toaster and would thus have to, wait for it, “adapt and overcome.” We jammed the bottles into a latch plate to pry them open and fried the bread in olive oil in a cast iron skillet stovetop. Beer and bread have never tasted so good. We made several batches of the olive oil toast that evening, and I have continued to make it every day since even after locating my toaster. I have been using a jalapeño oil from the Temecula Olive Oil Company, which offers a nice kick, so feel free to season with some crushed red pepper flakes if you like that sort of thing.
Olive Oil Toast
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: as many as you like
Ingredients
- a few slices of stale bread
- olive oil
- nice salt, such as Maldon or Fleur de Sel
- crushed red pepper flakes, optional
Note: If you want to doll this toast up a bit, spread it with a soft cheese (goat is nice) and top with arugula. No need to dress the arugula.
Instructions
- Coat a cast iron skillet with a nice layer (go big) of oil. Place bread slices in a single layer over top. Heat over medium heat until bread is golden, about five to eight minutes. Flip. Season with nice salt (and chili flakes if using). Heat until second side is golden.
- Remove from heat. Eat.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.
125 Comments on “Goodbye Marine Corps; Moving to New York // Also, Olive Oil Toast”
Thank you for sharing this wonderful piece. Welcome back to the northeast! Here’s hoping for many sweet and savory memories in your new home.
Thank you so much, Wendy! We are loving being back here.
Thank you for sharing your news. I look forward to your new blog each time. I can’t tell you how many times you’ve influenced our evening meals, that week’s dinner dessert or just a craving. I always tell my friends look, I read it on alexandracooks and thus the conversation ends because they know I’m going to do what I want anyways. I’ve lived in Afghanistan, The Congo, Laos, Dominican Republic and now Haiti during your blog so sometimes recipes are adjusted because ingredients aren’t available and that is the fun of it all. Thank you and keep them coming!
Elizabeth, wow! I am envious of all of your travel. What do you do may I ask? I am intrigued. Thank you so much for your kind words. So happy to hear this.
I am a Water, Sanitation, Hygiene Specialist and often focus on emergency work (Haiti does not lack any!), but now focusing more on development. I like to build toilets. More then half the world’s population does not have access to clean water or toilets. I’m taking care of this one family at a time. But throughout the years, regardless of where I’ve worked, I’m also known as the chef on the teams. Gotta make everyone happy and food is the key.
Wow, amazing, thanks so much for sharing. What you are doing is so admirable. I am sure it is tough work but also fulfilling. Your team is lucky to have you.
My Grandmother used to call this fried bread. Haven’t had it in years!!!! and since I hate my toaster, (planning a blog post about it, soon), this just might be the answer!!!
I used to live…. a bit south Pendleton, in Vista and I still MISS fish tacos!!!
I say get a cat!!! I’ve never had mice when I’ve had a cat… although I have had them when I didn’t have a cat. Don’t know which is more accurate… so try at your own risk!
Beth, you are funny! I think we are going to get a cat…saw a mouse just this morning. I totally know Vista. Not too far from Carlsbad, right? Oh the fish tacos! Now I’m hungry 🙂
I am sitting at my desk crying right now because of you dork girl….ever thought about writing a book? I have your picture of Ben and Ella as my wallpaper…hope that’s okay….beautiful family, beautiful kitchen, beautiful fruit trees….amazing and accomplished woman….Semper Fi…..love, Laurie
Oh Laurie, you are too much. Thank you for your kind words. I love that you have Ben and Ella as your wallpaper…it’s mine, too 🙂 And yes, I definitely want to write a cookbook…one day. Sending lots of love. xoxo!!
What a lovely story. I first found your blog when someone came in the shop I manage and asked for a bottle of citrus olive oil (Temecula Olive Oil) because they read about it on your blog! That was when you were not far from me in San Clemente. I hope you are very happy in your new home and I look forward to hearing about what you’ve got going in the kitchen!
Janie, I never knew this! Too funny. That Temecula Olive Oil is just gold. I miss having access to it. And I miss San Clemente. What a gem of a little town. THank you for your kind wishes.
welcome back to one of my favorite parts of the country (i grew up in rochester, ny and lately have been having some dreams of moving to the hudson valley…).
Thank you, Ruth. It really is beautiful here. I am loving the weather and the land and the houses…everything! It is so much fun to be here.
Welcome back to the East Coast Alexandra! If you ever make it down to the big city, let me know and we can grab coffee! xo
Phoebe, I would absolutely love that. I am dying to get down to the big city! Will be in touch soon. Am loving all of your stuff!
Thanks for being open with your life. In the current world, it is the internet that can keep us living a small town life in the midst of cities. Thanks – and welcome back to New York.
Thank you, Beth!
Thanks for your post, I love reading glimpses into the real lives behind the blog writers. Good luck to your entire family, New York welcomes you back! 🙂
Thank you, Pamela!
thank you for sharing this wonderful story! please enjoy your new home and keep writing!!!! We too are a military family with a son in the Army….feel your pain, adventure and happiness to have your soldier safe!!!
Oh Suzy, thank you! We are already enjoying our new home so much! Thank you for your kind words, and of course, I am wishing your son is safe as well! Thank you for writing in.
Enjoyed your story-have wondered when looking at your recipe blog for a few years, how you got from east coast to west coast to back to your home on the east coast. Thank you for sharing.
So glad, Tonie. I know, I didn’t always go into detail about moving these past few years, so I think I was due to offer some explanation. Thank you for writing in!
Wishing you a wonderful new life! We met when you were pregnant with Ella at Art4Healing. I have loved your blog and have passed it on to my children. I was an Army Brat and do understand the travels and changes. I hope your transition gies easily.
I think your new kitchen resembles Julia Child’s Cambridge one, with the peg board!
warmly, Colleen
Colleen, hi! Of course I remember you! I remember that day fondly. So glad you like the kitchen. We actually added more pegboard today…will definitely be blogging about it. I love it. I hope you are well! Tell Andy I say hi. xoxo
My favorite blog. Enjoyed your story, thanks for sharing.
Bob, thank you so much. Means a lot to hear that. You are kind. Thank you for writing in.
I love your story! Thank you so much for sharing 🙂 Fantastic photos as well. Dreaming of eating that olive toast – looks divine.
Thank you, Crystal.
What an awesome post. Congrats on your awesome new place and have enjoyed following along on all your adventures over the years – and now, more permanent roots it sounds like. And that bread looks pretty fabulous!
Thank you, Averie, you are kind.
We are so happy that you are enjoying your new home, but miss you like crazy. Claire asked me if we can rent a plane to fly Ella here for her birthday party. We are possibly thinking about doing a NYC trip next summer. If so, maybe we could meet up? Love you bunches!
Oh Nadine, I miss you! And Claire is too funny. I so wish we could make it to Claire’s birthday. And I cannot believe she is going to be 4. That is impossible. Would love love love to meet up in NYC next summer. Sending lots of love. Give Claire a hug from Ella and me 🙂
Hey – are you really in Schenectady? If so, shoot me an email and I’ll share all sorts of good places to purchase food (Green Market on Sundays, Thursday’s Farmers’ Market outside of City Hall, etc.) and dine out in. Lived there for a long time before moving to New Hampshire and Maryland!
Teri, hi and yes! I am going to email you! I want to hear everything. I went to one farmers’ market in Schenectady on a Sunday when I came up to look for a place to live, and it was fantastic, but I want to hear more. Thanks so much in advance. Will email soon.
Great read – thanks for sharing!
Thank you, Megan.
That’s a Julia Child pegboard! And those are gorgeous kids! And I love this toast. And, I’m going big here-I love your blog. So glad I found you!
Abbe, you are funny. I love it. Thanks so much for writing in. We just put up some more pegboard…will be blogging about it soon. Thanks for going big 🙂
I have been reading your blog for a short time, but thoroughly enjoy it! Love your writing and recipes, too (though have only tried the ricotta loaf (so far)–delicious!). My husband is retired Army. Loved the military phrases–short and sweet but so very to the point. Congratulations on your new house and new adventures.
PS Will try the bread–with the goat cheese. Yum!
Melody, hi, and thank you for writing in. Yes, the phrases are so catchy…I don’t think I’ll ever forget them. And the bread with the goat cheese is so good…almost cheating. Goat cheese makes everything better, right?
I absolutely loved your message. May the Lord bless you and your family.
Thank you
Judith
Oh Judith, thank you so much.
Alexandra, thank you so much for your writing here 🙂 I make so many of your recipes and I’m sure will continue to be inspired with every new one here. I often send family members or coworkers to your site for recipes of something they’ve enjoyed eating! You’re incredibly good at life!
Thank you also for this sweet peek into your life, family and those beautiful fruit trees. I hope your new adventure is the best thus far! I can’t believe you recently had a baby, moved house AND manage to keep blogging AND feeding and caring for a family…. I am just amazed 🙂
Sophie, you are too too kind to say so many nice things. Thank you. I absolutely adore your blog as well. I am going to have to make those Vietnamese salad rolls immediately. They look so refreshing. Thank you again for reading and writing in.
What a beautiful post. Thank you so much for sharing! I hope you enjoy being closer to home, family, and friends 🙂
Thank you, Rachel, we are already enjoying it so much.
I thank Ben for his service for me and mine, and you for your sacrifice to make it possible.
The new place looks utterly delightful – enjoy every moment. Welcome back to NY!
Oh Cherie, thank you. You are kind. We are loving New York! The weather couldn’t be more perfect right now. Heading to the farmers’ market tomorrow to see what the locals are up to 🙂
I came for the bread recipe post a while back and have enjoyed it (the blog and the bread) ever since.
Congrats on the move! I came to Texas this summer from Montana. Still finding things in strange places.
Oh Maggie, thank you. And I am so happy the bread is working out for you! THanks for writing in.
It looks like the beginning of a new chapter, kids climbing trees and playing in the yard. We look forward to more recipes and tales.
Thanks, Val!
All the best for the future…………..
Sometimes I feel sad that the internet has short circuited my bookish tendencies, then I read a post like the one above, and delight in the images of loved ones bloggers like you send out to the world and I feel blessed … thanks.
Thank you, Sandy, you are sweet.
Ali! What a beautiful post and lovely pictures to go with. I’m especially loving the one of all three in the kitchen. Ella and her beloved backpack. *cracking up* Please believe me when I say you and your gorgeous family will be missed! Best wishes on your new beginning. XO!
Carrie, we miss you! Thank you for your wishes. And, I know, Ella and her hoarding tendencies. We have resisted getting Graham a backpack lest he turn into a little hoarder himself 🙂 Give your kiddos hugs and kisses for me. I might need your guidance re curtains…there isn’t a single shade or curtain in the house!
Hi Alexandra,
It is always so nice to read your blog posts. I look forward to trying this toast recipe. We are big bread eaters. Welcome to New York.
Thank you, Sana!