This was our bathtub in our Palm Springs home of 28 years. To the left, behind the mirrored door, was the shower. I loved the bathtub faucet because the water flowed like a waterfall. Also, I could lay back and stare out the window at trees against a blue sky. When we lived in Palm Springs, I did take mostly showers, but also indulged in baths.
The other day, I used our bathtub in our new home for the first time in four years! It felt so luxurious and decadent to soak and take my time. I bought epsom salts to help my poor foot, hands and knee that are hurting lately. I wondered why I never pampered myself like this since moving? After my soak in the hot tub, I fell asleep for an afternoon nap. I never can nap, so I think I found the secret.
My normal routine is speeding through a shower and getting dressed and ready for the day early in the morning. Mother’s Day weekend was the perfect time to change it up and indulge myself.
Another view of our bathtub in the Master Bedroom of Casa de Wickham.
Friday, I went with a few friends to our local culinary cooking school. We signed up for “Lunch and Learn” where we watch the meal being prepared and then enjoy a delicious lunch.
The menu was Balsamic-Glazed Steak, Roasted Vegetable Orzo Salad, and Individual Lemon Cheesecakes (topped with Lemon Curd.)
Everything was delicious and nothing looked too time consuming or difficult.
Balsamic-Glazed Steak and Roasted Vegetable Orzo Salad prepared by the chefs at our cooking school.
Here’s the recipe for Roasted Vegetable Orzo Salad:
12 oz eggplant, cut into 3/4-inch pieces
8 oz cherry tomatoes, halved
1 red bell pepper, stemmed, seeded and cut into 3/4-inch pieces
1 small red onion, cut into 3/4-inch pieces
5 TBSP extra-virgin olive oil, divided
3 TBSP balsamic vinegar
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 cup orzo
2 TBSP chopped fresh chives (you can use basil, mint, etc.)
- Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 450 degrees.
- On a rimmed baking sheet, toss eggplant, tomatoes, bell pepper, onion, 1/4 oil, vinegar, teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper together and spread into even layer. Roast until vegetables are slightly softened and charred in sports, about 25 minutes, stirring halfway through roasting.
- Meanwhile, bring 2 quarts of water to boil in a large saucepan. Add orzo and 1 tablespoon salt and cook, stirring often, until al dente. Drain orzo and transfer to large bowl. Stir in remaining tablespoon oil, and more vinegar if desired, chives and roasted vegetables and any accumulated juices. Serve warm, at room temperature or cold.
I made this during the weekend. I added a dash more balsamic vinegar to the orzo and veggies and topped it with Feta cheese crumbles. I thought about adding Kalmata Olives or chicken.
Are you a bath or a shower person and why?
What would you add to the Orzo Salad?
I find your Palm Springs bathroom just a little too opulent for our tastes (WAY too much to clean), so I will jump into your two questions. Shower or bath? Shower. The idea of soaking in my own dirt just doesn’t work. Our guest bath is a tub with a rain head, but our master is a two-headed rain setup in an oversized shower. We just love to stand in the middle and feel the droplets. Second question? Add to your salad? Garlic portabella ‘shrooms and MAYBE pan-fried cucumber bits.
Our old house was built in the 1930s in Mexican Colonial style. It was redone by previous owners in the 1970s or 80s. It had wood beam ceilings through the rest of the house and was rustic — except for the master bedroom. I like your salad suggestions. I could add those today to my left overs!
Your old bedroom and bath look like something from a five star resort! No wonder you never wanted to get out of the tub. 😉
But I’m a shower girl, in and out. Don’t think I’ve taken an actual bath since I was a child.
Our old home was so unique that I didn’t want to move. When we looked at homes in Arizona I cried that they were so boring. Plus, we had a gorgeous view of the mountain. Oh well, life goes on and the house we have now is much easier and comfortable to live in. Growing up we took baths. I wonder if that was true for most people?
I remember having to reach a certain age before my mother would trust me to shower. Not sure what it was though…
Isn’t that something? They must have worried about us slipping. I assume you had a shower in your tub like they all were those days and not a separate shower only unit.
We had both. And as a child I couldn’t wait to use the stand alone shower.
Wow. I can only imagine how that would make you feel like a big kid or a grown up!
Wow – that bathtub is spectacular! How amazing! I love how you changed it up this weekend. I think it’s hard for me to take the time for a bath now but you are right that it’s a lovely indulgence. And that food looks great!
Thanks, I liked our old bedroom and tub. It was a very unique home to raise our kids in and hard to leave behind. But, it wasn’t very practical. The closets and storage were tiny. The garage flooded when it rained. And the kitchen was big enough for one person! The food was so delicious that I made the meal for my husband Saturday.
You’re killing me Elizabeth. Ha, ha. I’m kidding. But I have to remind myself to eat first before I check out other WP blogs. The Balsamic-Glazed Steak and Roasted Vegetable Orzo Salad look amazing. My mouth is watering. Of course, what’s for dinner tonight? My night to cook. I was planning leftovers, but might have to rethink that now. Ha. ha.
I took the cooking class Friday and made that meal for my husband Saturday. There wasn’t much different about the steak except putting a few tablespoon of balsamic in the fry pan and letting it get hot and bubble up and then finish the steak in it turning it over a few times. It’s so good! Such a small thing that added so much flavor. The orzo salad makes a great leftover, too!
Looks amazing. I’m not always a big vegetable person, but even the orzo looks great. Ha, ha.
It’s good!
Your bathroom looks amazing!
For times when I want to really relax or have sore muscles I would love to soak in a whirlpool tub. But for bathing I prefer a shower.
We went away for my husband’s birthday last weekend and I enjoyed a lavender epson salt soak. It was wonderful!
Reading your post earlier inspired me when writing my post today. 🙂
That’s the bathroom we moved away from. I was devastated when I saw the new owners gutted the bathroom (really the entire house), put in one of those ultra modern white tubs, tore out the tile floors and the wood-beamed ceilings. Ugh! Sign me up for a lavender epson salt soak! I could add some lavender oil to my next bath!
I love tile floors! Would have been upset, too. I remember now you sharing that in a post.
Yes, do, you will love it!
My husband keeps telling me we don’t own the house, so don’t worry about it. Our kids were born and raised in that house and left it for college and adulthood. Actually they were born three blocks away at the hospital, but still.
Understand!
👍🏼
I never liked a bath in a tub. Showers are my thing.
My husband thinks sitting in your own dirt isn’t clean just as earth spins said. I’m a shower person, but a hot tub or long bath on occasion is a treat.
With my joints issues I would not dare sit in a bath tub full of soapy water 😂😅
On the other hand, the epsom salts felt good on my achy joints. 😉
Thanks great. 👍🏼
😊
I’m totally a shower fan. I used to have a hot tub and for almost 15 years did soak almost every day. My showers are long and hot!
The food looks scrumptious!
It did feel good to take a long soak after years of not having a bath. But I haven’t made time to do it again! Showers work better on a daily basis. The food was so good!
I usually shower but sometimes I’ll indulge myself with a bath. Your Palm Springs bathroom is impressive but I don’t think I’d want to bathe in the open like that. Give me complete privacy in a small room so there is lots of warm steam and I’m happy.
I’d like to try that orzo salad but I’m not a fan of eggplant. Maybe I’ll substitute zucchini. Feel free to share the other recipes too. 🙂
Showers, please. Not a fan of tubs, I get seasick.
I’d add chick peas or pepitas to the salad. It looks delicious.
I haven’t heard of anyone getting seasick in a tub before, but I can see it happening. Good ideas for the salad.
That is quite the bathroom! I used to love taking baths, but I’ve not had one in so long…not sure why. I love that you might’ve found the secret to having a good nap. I’ll try to remember that. We have a giant tub in the new house, but I’ve not used it yet—I’m such a weirdo. I don’t have anything against baths, but I just don’t think about it.
That meal looks amazing. I would not add olives as you thought to do because they are disgusting. (why yes, I loathe them-ha!)
That was a fun house to live in and raise our kids. Loved the bathtub at the end of the master bedroom. I hadn’t used our tub in four years in our new house. You’re right, I didn’t think about it.