Author: MS

The Need To Distract The Mind

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Someone asked me the other day if I watched the news, and I said not as much as everyone else perhaps since, I’d like to keep my sanity intact while in isolation.  Mental health is very important right now, and in between all the bad news, we need to take a mental break and allow our minds to wander off to these beautiful places – at the very least for 20 minutes a day. and if all else fails – watch Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist on Hulu or NBC in the states Hang in there, be safe, and be mindful

Decor: How Streamlined Is Your Living Space

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Now that we are all adjusting to live-work-play-eat-live-eat-work from home, I know we are all imaging all sorts of ways of making small or even big changes to our space.  For example – the laundry piled in the laundry room is probably making your eye twitch, and that cluttered living room needs a good sorting out. But the question I have is – how streamlined do you see your home now more than ever? {featured image source and inspiration}

Travel: Cotswolds On My Mind

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Two years ago, I was fortunate enough to be driven around in England – you know – on the other side of the road, which I would never attempt – to travel through some of the most beautiful backroads to see  not only parts of the country that are frequented by tourists, but also the side not many travelers explore – unless of course they drive. The Cotswold became my favorite that year, and I knew it would be a destination I would include in my 2020 June travel plans – until of course… But you know what – even though we can’t travel right now, I still want to share this article which lists the prettiest Cotswolds Villages – wish I could locate a set of illustrations of the same villages  I bought 20 years ago at a street art fair, but sadly I think I may have sold them at a garage sale when I moved a few years later.

Food: Craving Tacos Again and So It Is

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I left my house early this morning with the intend to replenish some of the grocery items I could not get my hands on last week, particularly toilet paper, rice of sorts, and bottled water. Even the almond milk in the refrigerator section has dwindled. At times like these, I cannot help but reflect on just  how much granted we take everything. So due to the limited supply on some things and alternatives of others, I am continuously shifting my plans for dinner. Also, I haven’t had a solid appetite either, I guess not getting out much and burning any energy.  But today, after my hunt for necessities, I craved food, in particular Tacos, so here’s a cool recipe I am going to try tonight. I’ve never considered pineapple in Tacos.  Also, I won’t use a crock pot. Just my thing. Enjoy! INGREDIENTS start something like this 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breast, thighs, or a pork shoulder/butt 1/2 cup pineapple juice 1/2 cup low sodium soy sauce 1/3 cup honey   {more} Featured image and recipe full credit On another note – I …

Decor: Paris Apartment For Sale

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While unable to put this novel down, I cannot help but try to imagine how lovely the house where the story takes place is. Which then takes me back to my childhood days, where I’d visit aunts and uncles who lived in similar settings – which is best expressed with this beautiful Paris apartment currently on the market. Or these lovely ones – click on photo to take a tour {featured images full credit}

A Few Observations and Updates

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As the shelter in place order was announced in California, I wanted to believe more humans were beginning to take the COVID-19 pandemic seriously, but it seems from the news and photographs all around, there are so many exhibiting otherwise. But what do I know, except that my family and I did our part in following the directive and stayed home – naturally FaceTiming the rest of the clan who live in far away places. Through the doom, I am trying my best to maintain a positive attitude – I mean, don’t get me wrong, by Friday I felt the worst version of myself, and could not snap out of it. I guess I was completely coming to terms with how things are going to be for a while and even afterwards.  This is how I usually am with most traumatic events in my life: Shock, denial, overly analyzing the situation, much brain-storming with family members and friends, and then calming down to rationally handle whatever life had thrown or in this case, is throwing …

Culture: I Watched A French Film and It Helped

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In my efforts to remain calm and positive as the captain of my ship here in San Francisco, I decided to open a bottle of red and watch a film that would,for a few hours, take me far away –  like Europe,  and in particular the French wine region. Now, if you are not familiar with French films, they tend to run long – sometimes over two hours, to include every detail and then some. Which I love about – film makers outside of the U.S. – They do away with too much editing, to keep true to the story. The other aspect of French films, is the English translation – which is the only thing I can relate to – of their beautiful language, metaphors  and to some extend wisdom. If you listen to the narrative throughout a film carefully, you might just pick up on it. This aspect keeps me nostalgic because I’d like to think I was a Frenchwoman in some former life, and therefore able to relate. Er…perhaps it could be …

Let’s Share What We Are Doing to Keep Distracted

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Besides writing more now than ever, working from home, and baking in abundance, I set aside a few hours a day for the following: Visiting one virtual museum a day from Google Arts and Culture and escaping into another world   Watch virtual tours exploring national parks and aquarium and  the zoo  Today’s advise – don’t stay in your pajamas the entire day while social distancing  

Food: Dinner Tonight – Easy Chicken Recipe and Oh Don’t forget the side dish

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My mother, who I care for, asked what was for dinner tonight and I told her it was surprise, but had to do something with chicken. She made a face ‘chicken!’ and I walked away telling her to trust me 😉  and went searching for that fun recipe because she has grown tired of chicken or maybe it’s her cute senior attitude. So here we go – I have everything in the cupboard except fish sauce, hate the damn thing from my childhood days.  And we are going to omit the chili – or any super spiciness – since she also can’t stomach that. Otherwise, chicken it is! INGREDIENTS 1 pound skinless boneless chicken tights cut in 1-inch pieces 1 tablespoon canola oil, divided kosher salt 1/2 cup dark brown sugar 1/4 cup fish sauce 1/4 cup water 3 tablespoon rice vinegar 1 shallot thinly sliced 1 teaspoon fresh ginger 1 teaspoon minced garlic fresh Thai chili, halved, or dried red chili 1 teaspoon coarse ground black pepper 4 cilantro sprigs (optional) Steamed rice  {more} …