I downsized a while ago, from a 2 story five-bedroom home in the suburbs to a studio flat in San Francisco. I wanted to be back in my city and didn’t want the chores that come with owning a big house. So, the hubs and I decided to downsize and live in a smaller space, which I have managed to make very functional. Yet sometimes I still search for topics about making a small space the happiest of homes. Best Memorial Day Weekend Sales in Home Goods are here
Salmon is the only fish I’ll eat, when it comes to seafood. My recipe is simple, salt, pepper, sliced lemon, a touch of grass-fed butter, and ginger, bake in oven for until its done to your liking and serve with grilled asparagus. But tonight I am tempted to try this recipe – and see how the family takes to it. Minus the cumin – which in my household is used only for middle eastern or Mediterranean cooking. INGREDIENTS 1 (2 pounds) wild caught salmon (skin on) 2 tablespoons + 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil 2 teaspoons smoked paprika 2 teaspoons cumin 4 cloves garlic, minced or grated zest and juice of 1 lemon 1 pinch crushed red pepper flakes kosher salt and black pepper 1/4 cup dijon mustard 1/4 cup honey 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper AVOCADO BASIL SAUCE 1 avocado, halved 1/2 cup fresh basil, plus more for serving 1 jalapeño, halved and seeded juice from 1 lime BASIL TOMATOES 2 cups cherry tomatoes 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil {more} On another note – have you tried these? I’ve been addicted for a while now – and although try my damndest to walk past it at …
This weekend, since we were destined for a storm, with heavy rains and thunder, I decided to tackle closet Spring cleaning, where I pulled everything out and created piles of toss, keep, maybe and what I call – keepsakes for another five years until I am ready to let go of those pieces. I stayed away from social media, just rolled up my sleeves and dove in. Part of the chore felt like Christmas, where I found myself looking forward to opening plastic bins and boxes and discovering all of the contents – particularly perfume samples, and a collection of postcards from all of the places I’ve been. Even tickets to a play in London, and dinner at the Eiffel Tower – everything taking me back to wonderful memories. As you might imagine, those things went into the keepsake pile. What I did different this year, is order bins from here to help create a sense of uniformity in the closets and easy access for those things when needed are seldom found. But what I failed …
Lately I’ve had some strange dreams and by the time I woke up I could not for the life of me, recollect what it was about. But last night I dreamt that I missed my stop while commuting into work, because I couldn’t put my shoes back on in time to bolt out of the sliding doors to the train, and when the train pulled up to the next stop, I stepped out of the ‘hover train’ onto a pool of water covering the tracks and most of the platform. This made sense, I figured even within my dream I tend to rationalize. You see we’ve been having a weird storm in San Francisco, between downpours and light sprinkles and clouds and sun and cold and even colder winds blowing in all directions, I suppose my subconscious went to bed thinking about global warming and all the worst of the scenarios. So when I stood there in a foot of water on the platform, trying to figure out where the water had come from, I …
I have Banh Me – a Vietnamese take on a chicken sandwich – at least once a week from my favorite spot in San Francisco. So I figured I would try a recipe for Banh Me at home tonight – and see if I can get the family’s approval on a variation for the same old. INGREDIENTS 2 teaspoon garlic chili sauce (sambal oelek) 2 tablespoons fish sauce (or soy sauce) *** if you are allergic to soy or fish sauce, try Worcestershire Sauce– I found it to taste almost the same without the adverse affect. 2 tablespoons maple syrup – I am not going to use maple syrup. 2 cloves garlic, minced or grated 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into strips 1 pinch black pepper 2 tablespoons sesame oil 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped 1 mango, thinly sliced 1 jalapeño, thinly sliced 1/2 cup fresh basil and cilantro leaves juice from 1 lime 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds 1 baguette, cut into 4 pieces and toasted *** or buy special buns for the Banh Me – check your local specialty grocers. pickled vegetables, for serving 4 fried eggs, for serving (optional) {more} {recipe and featured image …
Here’s what I normally do – when someone offers up information about something. I Google to read all about it – or even more about it. This is also when I am watching a film, I feel the need to know everything about the actors, why they chose the part, to the project itself and budget and why certain studios considered it a smart investment; not to mention where the film took place – especially destination filming. History is even more fascinating to me and although my educators brushed up on some things back when I was in school, I find myself needing to expand on their fundamental teachings. We are fortunate today, that there is so much factual or fabricated ‘trivia’ available online to tap into, not only to expand on the knowledge, but also to engage the ol’ brain, which could potentially help improve with memory and cognition. That’s what I woke up this morning focused on and the need to share. Let’s start shall we?
…they were referring to me daydreaming even while trying my best to listen to what it was they were telling me – work stuff – things I rather not be dwelling on and instead {featured image source – and also read my novel where the hotel is mentioned}
Considering I live in bear country (California), I stay away from camping – in a tent or in locations where those furry beasts could easily tear down walls and doors to get to the jar of honey I felt necessary to bring to a campground. Gruesome I know – sorry. But I have a vivid imagination and believe everything I see in the movies – about bears that is. 😉 But I do love the outdoors, and often wish I could overcome my fears and experience ‘camp-likeness’ at least once in my lifetime. And maybe with this list, I may consider a few options – like…
This past week was a bit all-beef and not much veggies – due to some unexpected lunch and dinner invites. Also, I was actually only craving beef so it all worked out. But today I’m aiming for a veggie dish – Indian Coconut butter cauliflower over rice less the butter? according to the recipe below. Either way it seems so delicious and I can’t wait to make it – after running to the grocers to get the curry powder or simply do without. Since I do believe skipping a few ingredients is perfectly fine. INGREDIENTS 1 large head cauliflower, cut into florets 2 1/3 cups canned full fat coconut milk 4 cloves garlic, minced or grated 2 inches fresh ginger, grated kosher salt and black pepper 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 1/2 yellow onion, chopped 1 tablespoon garam masala 2 teaspoons yellow curry powder 1/2 teaspoon turmeric 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper ,more or less to taste 1 can (6 ounce) tomato paste 2 tablespoons coconut oil 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, roughly chopped steamed rice and naan, for serving {more} I love naan bread – don’t you? I normally either order for pick up from my favorite neighborhood Indian cuisine …
Let’s start the week off slow shall we? I mean yesterday, being Mother’s day here in the US was a very busy day, full of happy visits with Mums, and the hustle and bustle of flower deliveries across the country, boxes of chocolate, or perhaps a gift card, and then there were FaceTime calls, I am certain of it. As for me, I asked my mother on Thursday what it is she liked to do on Mother’s Day – and she told me that she wanted to go to church. Since she has slowed down a great deal and is unable to go without my help. So, on Saturday I treated her to a salon – with a hair trim and color and on Sunday helped her get dressed and we left for church. She was pretty chatty during the car-ride, but only because she was excited to be going somewhere she loves. After church – we discovered the ladies committee had a surprise brunch prepared for Mother’s day, so we stayed, and while my …
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