Month: May 2017

Food: A New Take on Antipasto

A while back, a group of us would meet up in North Beach San Francisco and order 2 antipasto Salads, and an extra large pizza to share with some wine and lots of laughter. I don’t know why this recipe reminded me of those days, but it did. I do like the creativity of the foodie who put the recipe together. Which by the way is a sure CHECK on my list for summer picnic lunches 🙂  

Lifestyle: Things I’ve Learned – Still Learning About Marriage

Over the weekend I went shopping, more like browsing by myself. I think subconsciously I needed to people watch more than anything so I can validate the human behaviors I’ve written about for a creative writing assignment. While in Michael’s (the craft store for those unfamiliar) I noticed number of couples, the man helping his wife or partner find something – the right color of a project, one woman shared a photograph on her cellphone for him as reference to help her find JUST THE RIGHT RED-ORANGE. I chuckled at the way he was pointing to every red paint color and her getting irritated or annoyed with him. Then another husband was given the task to find a spool of thread, which I realized how nervous he was, gathering a dozen samples for the wife to choose from. Another one was in charge of helping pick out imitation flowers for his wife. He stood there patiently holding the bunch and occasionally suggesting this and that only to get her disapproval. I left the store and …

What Are You up To This Weekend?

Every Thursday I thumb through articles and event announcements for something to do over the weekend, and when nothing sparks an interest, I create my own fun. Meaning to say, I pray for good weather in the city and then go for long walks across town. Seven plus miles and then ride the Muni back to my neighborhood. After stopping somewhere downtown for lunch – of course. This weekend in and around the city we have some things going on which is cool to consider, especially those of you visiting from out of town: Livermore Wine Country Downtown Street Fest has wine and beer tasting, outdoor dining, arts & crafts vendors, live entertainment, and a family fun zone. Free.  May 6-7 Sustainable design festival – May 7, 2017: Shop for sustainably made apparel, accessories, home goods, and art at the Urban Air Market, with street food and local musicians on Patricia’s Green (at Octavia & Fell Streets). Repeats in Sept. Free. Wine tasting in Palo Alto – May 7, 2017: Taste 100 wines from 30 wineries …

Skillet Chicken Enchiladas

We dined in a fusion Mexican restaurant yesterday, where I ordered a skillet beef, and chorizo dish. The idea of melted cheese, beans in a skillet with a side of tortillas made me feel warm and fuzzy even in the 93degree temperature outside. So, I rushed back home and searched online for a recipe I could copy for the next time around. I found this wonderful recipe and although the tortillas are mixed into the dish, I prefer to leave them on the side,  using the chips to scoop out the perfectly flavored goop. (I mean that lovingly).   The crunchy chips give the meal the perfect consistency if you ask me. But either way, here is the recipe just in case you want to experiment at home, and the link to the restaurant just in you want to make a pit stop on your way to Tahoe.      

Boutique Hotel Pick – Le Roch Hotel and Spa – Paris, France

In my opinion all hotels in Paris are boutique, no matter the grandness or the uniqueness or even the simple 2-star rated tucked away in some alleyway unfamiliar to tourists and frequent visitors of the city. I decided this to be the case when I first arrived in the beautiful city over a decade ago and stayed between the Moulin Rouge and Montematre, a street here and there, and then again a year later, each property I chose then had a unique style of their own, charming to say the least, and memorable to say the most. This past March while I returned to Paris, I did a little bit of hotel touring. I guess I was tapping into my travel agent days 🙂 and I discovered this wonderful place, beautifully designed in every detail if you ask me, keeping in line with a Bohemian theme. I simply adore this place.  

Decor: All About the Bathroom

Bathroom renovations are just as important as anywhere else in a home. I realized this when I walked into my cousin’s house several years ago, to see her proud bathroom renovation. A couple of years later, a friend also shared her updating a bathroom with me as well. And then another. I guess bathrooms and kitchens set the tone for renovating the entire house. See what I mean here, and here: