Year: 2019

Thoughts About the Underworld

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As I mentioned before, our company decided to move office locations in the city to combat the unreasonable increase in our lease renewal in San Francisco.  At the moment the demand is high here in tech-city extension, I call it – after Silicon Valley.  So, we had no choice but to move to a new office space – in the underground. Which I am still having trouble getting used to. But you know what happened to me as a result of being eight hours in the deep darkened space with no natural light or air?  I have changed my mind about…the underworld places around the world I wanted to see.  I am no longer interested, now that I realize I do not like the idea of not having a quick escape, but nevertheless here they are for your consideration. {featured image source}

Food: Dinner Tonight – Oven Fried Chicken

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There are two things I love – Korean BBQ short ribs, and fried or battered chicken of sorts. These are my weaknesses among a million other gastronomical weaknesses. 🙂  Now, although San Francisco has some of the best cuisines or restaurants in the world, I sometimes prefer to try out my favorites at home – in my own kitchen and naturally with a twist to recipes I find here and there. INGREDIENTS 2 pounds boneless chicken breasts or thighs (you can use skin on or off, but I used skin off) 1 cup buttermilk 2 teaspoons kosher salt 3 cups finely crushed corn flakes  {or Panko, which is what I am going to use} 3 tablespoons whole wheat flour 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme extra virgin olive oil, for brushing HOT HONEY 6 tablespoons butter 2 tablespoons honey   {I am going to mix in BBQ sauce, what? Haven’t you heard of honey-BBQ} 2-3 teaspoons cayenne pepper 1/2 teaspoon chili powder 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder kosher salt  {more} Side dish – homemade coleslaw – cabbage, Extra-virgin olive oil, lemon juice, a dash of salt  Just in case you are planning a trip to San Francisco, and of …

Monday Morning Beautiful Things

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It was very difficult for me this morning, to get up and get ready for work. Especially after having a week to simply explore my city – San Francisco, for those just joining in the fun here.  I realized while commuting in, that my mind is blank, even though I have a list of to-do’s a mile long, which I’ve written down, I feel completely numb this morning, and can only focus on beautiful things I found online: {source}

Much Needed Time Off

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I did not realize just how much time away from a computer was needed until I decided Monday morning last, to simply not get online, or check work emails, or blog or write. There was a feeling of calm, even while running errands, and doing chores, the idea of not being plugged in made a world of difference in how I felt overall. So, I vowed to myself that – this sort of unplugging will be done several times throughout the year. Where I simply leave my phone on Do Not Disturb mode and my computer logged off and find joy in the simpler things in life. Like walking six miles across the city. Sitting by the ocean and taking in the views. Reading in a park. Lunch in a new farm-to-table eatery I’ve wanted to try out forever. Reconnecting with a solid friend and be completely entertained by her Schnauzer. Taking photographs of everything . Walking across town again, buying a new lipstick or gloss. Enjoy watching a herd of grazing goats for hire …

Travel: Where To Go In May

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I am taking next week off from work. A much-needed break, I’ve avoided for four years. Meaning, even while on vacation over the past four years, I tend to check my work emails and respond and or get asked for guidance on various matters from the team – thinking that nothing can get done with me. Well, I am here to say that even if nothing can get done without me at work, my brain needs some time away from the norm –  to play tourist, even if it’s just in my town, or a few towns over, I am going to make a point to experience things I have not-yet and things I haven’t for over a decade or more… so stay tuned for some interesting hopefully interesting travel topics. On another travel note – May is my favorite travel time of the year – and I love the idea of this list offering up places I haven’t been yet and are longing to explore, just not this May: {featured image source}

Friday Breakfast For A Family Plus one Doggy Visit

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I love spontaneous visits – as my home is always open to family and a handful of friends visiting from out-of-town. In this case, family + her beautiful German Sheppard I cannot wait to hang out with over the weekend. He’s adorable, but not at all interesting to my 15-year old Yokie, who although will have a tough time having T around, I am sure deep down he will be a great host. Here’s the thing about these visits – full on breakfasts and long conversations over coffee, while both of us are curled up on the sofas with our loyal companions at our feet. Best feeling ever, I can assure you. So I looked up  breakfast options to prepare – and this recipe popped up for me to alter a bit to fit our dietary needs: INGREDIENTS MAPLE CANDIED BACON    {I will be using Uncurred Turkey bacon from trader Joe – best I’ve had so far and bypassing the added ingredients} 1/2 pound thick cut bacon use peppered bacon if possible 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup 1/4 cup brown sugar …

Things You Should Never Say…

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I normally don’t shock easily – about the goings on around me or even around the world. But recently I’ve raised an eyebrow or twitched an eye at a few strange comments –  which I felt the need to share – to either put a smile on your face, or have your jaw drop. Never tell a middle-aged woman you see daily, ‘oh I see you are wearing makeup today,’ when she wears makeup everyday. ♦ At a retail store – while consulting with a makeup artist about a facial primer – he says ‘this one is used on dead people, so it is lasting and oil-free.  ♦ ‘This product will help your dull hair look alive, not like a young person, but you know, for your age, you should try it.’ ♦ Ordering a salad with no mention of fat-free in the ingredients, the gal behind the counter asks if I would like fat-free dressing?  ♦ Walking in through the front door,  you pre-warn you’ve had a bad day,  and he decides that moment …

Food: Dinner Tonight – Pesto Pasta Is All I’ve Been Craving

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I have a weakness for pasta – so, here we are, with me thinking pasta for dinner tonight. I mean, I have a wonderful bottle of organic cab sitting in my kitchen, ready to be consumed. So, here we go – this is the recipe I am  going for – even the ricotta cheese, or maybe I’ll go for Halloumi  cheese, seared in a pan – yes I think I will Halloumi this pasta: INGREDIENTS 1 large head of broccoli, roughly chopped 1/2 cup fresh basil 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil kosher salt 1 pinch crushed red pepper flakes 3/4 pound of your favorite pasta 1 tablespoon salted butter 1 medium shallot, thinly sliced zest and juice of 1 lemon black pepper 1 cup whole milk ricotta cheese, whipped in the food processor, if desired {more} My go-to wine these days –