The most calming of colors for me is the lighter shade of blues, which is the dominant color through my studio, including the bathroom walls painted a powder blue. But yesterday while revising my first novel, I was searching online for the right shade of blue to describe being the color of my protagonist’s dress, and here’s what I found and beyond: Here’s what psychologists are saying about the color of blue Featured image source and full credit
I use this space to keep a positive outlook no matter how difficult and challenging at time life can be. I chose this way because we all seem to have enough of bad news every else, where the same awful topics are stretched in so many ways that we have a terrible time accepting what the truth is or are so consumed we don’t see the truth. This week, a few of my co-worker friends, who I’ve known for ten years, were laid off and it was reading their gut-wrenching farewell emails that got me to feel the need to express my sadness for the awful timing of it all and for their lives which matter past the health concerns rampaging our planet. To these wonderful human beings, I wish you much luck, patience, and positive thinking in that your futures will once again be bright. I am here if you need me, and I will always be thinking about you. featured image source
I’m not a fan of cooking a batch of something and then freezing a portion for another day. But I do know folks that brag about the technique. So if you are curious, here’s some options to consider stocking up in your freezer for a ready meal. Maybe I’ll test it out the next time or when I can solo travel, with my family meals prepped and ready for their dining pleasure 🙂 Featured image full credit. For the complete list of meals go here
I love the end of May in the city. Because it is the only week before the actual summer we get sun, warm temperatures, and no wind or very minimal. Everyone is out this week, walking naturally this year, or sitting six feet apart at the beach or the parks. So with that mood, I feel the need to share a few lovely things on this Wednesday. Featured image source, 1 – 2 – 3 – 4 – 5
Although this recipe calls for beef short ribs, I am going to go with grass-fed organic beef stew chunks I’ve purchased from the grocers and was wondering which direction to take our dinner tonight. For the stew: 1/2 pound boneless beef short ribs, cut into 1-inch cubes 1 pinch each kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, plus more to taste 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided 1 large shallot, thinly sliced 4 garlic cloves, crushed 1 tablespoon tomato paste 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes 1 teaspoon herbes de Provence 1 dried or fresh bay leaf 1 cup red wine (I used a Côtes de Bordeaux) 1 cup water 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce 4 ounces cremini mushrooms, thinly sliced 2 small carrots, thickly cut on the bias (about 4 ounces) Mashed potatoes, pasta, or rice, for serving For the gremolata: 2 tablespoons panko bread crumbs 1/2 garlic clove, grated 1/2 lemon, zested 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley 1 teaspoon olive oil 1 pinch each kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, plus more to taste {more} Featured image and full recipe credit here On another note – what films have you seen lately? If you’ve run out ideas, may I suggest…
Hello again! Hope you had a wonderful weekend with family or friends. But took time to honor those in the military/veterans as we do in the U.S. over Memorial weekend. While we wait for news about how and when we can travel, I figured I’d share with you something we did when I worked in a travel agency: Learn about interesting facts from around the world to share with our clients. Although, my days at a brick-and-mortar travel service is long gone; my desire to keep on learning has stayed on. Featured image and article full credit here
Here’s what I am going to say about today – we need a moment to scroll through some lovely things. photo source: 1,2,3,4,5,featured
I have to tell you – it’s been a bit confusing for me living in San Francisco, and watching the news unfold around the world on how everyone is handling or defining the ‘going back to normal.’ While we remain in masks in California, other’s seem to be removing them, social distancing – based on photographs – is not standard either. Among other differences, I don’t need to list here. So, where do we stand if parts of the world are abiding by the new lifestyle, and others aren’t? Who is handling anything the right way anymore? That’s been on my mind recently. How about you? How one scientist suggested a questionable cure for COVID-19 – read here The malaria drug that is being tested around the globe – read here Why are more forests still being chopped down – read here Do you believe air pollution exacerbated COVID-19 – read here What’s on your list of interesting topics to read?
I woke up in the middle of the night craving creamy mushroom of sorts and with that in mind wondered what I can create for dinner tonight, since it’s been unusually cold/rain/windy in San Francisco. Also the fact, my mother told me – no more cooking with beef. So, here we go – we are having this creamy, wild rice, chicken, mushroom soup for dinner, with sliced toasted Italian bread and a glass of wine for me naturally. INGREDIENTS 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts 1 1/2 cups dry wild rice blend 6 carrots, chopped 3 stalks celery, chopped 2 medium shallots, chopped 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth 2 tablespoons chopped fresh thyme or 2 teaspoons dried 1 tablespoon chopped fresh sage or 1 teaspoon dried 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes 2 cups fresh baby spinach or kale 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley 1 cup heavy cream or whole milk 1/2 cup grated parmesan, plus more for serving kosher salt and black pepper 6 tablespoons salted butter, melted 2 pounds mixed mushrooms, roughly torn 2 sprigs fresh rosemary 4 cloves garlic, smashed zest from 1 lemon {continued} {Featured image and recipe full credit} What films have you seen lately that you recommend?
Hello everyone! Welcome back to Monday. Hope you had a lovely-enough weekend. I did nothing the entire weekend, except nurse a few really serious mosquito bites inflicted upon my body at the battle of my backyard on Wednesday last week. Even through repellent, those annoying beasts feasted on me as if they’ve suffered a famine of sorts during COVID. So, as always, I am easing into Monday – with some beautiful decor style from a high-rise apartment in New York – which by the way, if I were to live in a glass-house such as this one in San Francisco, this is what it would look like. What style of home do you prefer?
rawsilkandsaffron.com 