Author: MS

Television Series: Catch 22 and Traitors

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Films or television series based on Post World War II is something that has always fascinated me – and I love the fact, private media companies are doing much investing in the best of period shows in my opinion. For example – The Crown, The Amazing Mrs Maisel, and now Catch-22 and Traitors, among some I am certain, that I haven’t yet discovered (feel free to make your recommendations here). Anyhow, as I stated a week or so ago, I started watching season 1 of Catch-22 on Hulu and although the first two episodes had a slow start, somehow, someway, I got hooked and by the end of the season I was sad to see it end. Well done George Clooney – your investment is well worth every million.  In case you haven’t seen Catch-22 – the story filmed mostly in Italy was already one I had to see, even if it entailed blood and gore, the fact it was in Italy, had something to do with post WWII, I was going to endure. But …

Decor: A Paris Apartment Reminder of A Past Life

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I once had an aunt, well not really a biological one, but her sister was married to my uncle – and so she was an aunt by marriage. My parents were close to them, I suppose they were able to develop a solid friendship over the years, and so we would visit them often. Which happened to be my favorite of things to do when I was a child. Visit the ‘aunt who lived across the street from a central park’ in a far far away land. And her house was a museum, a French one, I did not realize until I frequented Paris and got a glimpse into past all the tourist stuff. This decor is a replica of all things their mansion, perched across the street from a central park.  

Food: Dinner Tonight – Feta and Honey and Cauliflower Salad

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I’ve had the weirdest cravings lately – not pregnant – just that I think my body is telling me what nutrients I am lacking. Which right now, or early this morning, I had a taste for feta, and cauliflower and sweet and sour – which I probably could consider combining into one big happy salad. But then I saw this recipe for pan fried feta, and my dinner plans got a whole lot better. Now the trouble is, I also LOVE pan-fried Halloumi cheese – maybe I’ll do both.  Anyway, here are the recipes: INGREDIENTS for Pan-Fried Feta PEPPERED HONEY 1/4 cup honey 1/2-1 teaspoon black pepper, plus more for serving 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves, plus more for serving FRIED FETA 1 (10-12 ounce) block feta cheese 1 large egg, beaten 1/3 cup Panko bread crumbs 5 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 2 thinly sliced lemon zest (from about 1 lemon) 1 cup cherry tomatoes 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped pita chips or pita bread, for serving {more}   INGREDIENTS for Roasted Cauliflower Salad 1 large head of cauliflower, cut into florets 1 can (14 ounce) chickpeas, drained 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil 1 tablespoon chipotle chili powder 2 teaspoons smoked paprika …

Travel: Travel West, You Might Just Love It

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When travelling through Europe, I often strike up a conversation with others either on the trains, or in restaurants, I want to know where people are from and where it is they have traveled. The interesting part of all this, is that the moment someone finds out I am from San Francisco, they tend to say just how much they love America – New York, Miami – which isn’t all of America, but a part of the country considered most ideal for tourists coming from Europe and beyond.  But I am here to tell you there is more – much more to see west of the Mississippi – Louisiana, Montana, Arizona and naturally the west coast.

Weekend Recap and A Few Interesting Topics

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Well, as usual or expected the heavy or dense fog is back in San Francisco and the kick off to the normal summer has begun, where the locals dress in winter clothes and the tourists show up in shorts and summer attire and hardly a jacket. So, while vegging out on Sunday at home, reading, then preparing meals for the week, I naturally thumbed through my phone here and there and found these topics interesting enough to share. But first a question: Do any of you dabble in photography? If so, how do you save your pictures? {featured image source}

Food: For the 4th of July Picnic Or Just Because

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San Francisco doesn’t have the best weather for July 4th – Independence Day, where the highlight of the holiday is the fireworks celebrating our independence. So you can imagine most city folk travel hours to get away from the foggy cost and set up camp or a picnic somewhere to watch the fireworks.  Food is a big part of July 4th – come to think of it – food is a big part of anything we do in the states 🙂 But that doesn’t mean you cannot organize a picnic between now and then – and most anywhere in the world. Grab your loved ones or dear friends, a blanket, your pets and head out to a sprawling greenery or lakeside view location and just enjoy a day of eating and solid interaction. For recipes go here {For more recipes go here} {featured image source} where are you spending July 4th? And what is your favorite dish?   

Decor: Office Envy

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Not sure if anyone remembers, but back in January the management decided it was time to relocate our San Francisco office from SOMA down to Market street in an effort to ditch the high cost of office space rental in the city. SOMA is an up and coming and high in demand neighborhood for techy start up companies and the landlords around the neighborhood are simply kicking out old tenants in hopes of increasing their profits. Which has this local girl laughing – one because SOMA was not the most ideal neighborhood a couple of decades ago. In fact, it was the most abandoned until a dozen city planners, investors and engineers had the same vision to revamp and create the metropolitan city San Francisco was destined to become at one point or another. It was smart planning to say the least. The second, with the real estate crash in early 2000, most of the buildings in downtown San Francisco were vacant and tenants would do anything to fill the floors – low leasing options, …

Travel: Things You Might Want To Know Vol 17

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There is ample information about a destination when planning a trip – whether first time or the fifteenth, the volume of articles is extensive. However, on occasion, I prefer to focus and share on background travel details to, hopefully, help bring the world closer, and more relatable. On another note – have you seen this Hulu television series from George Clooney – based on Joseph Heller’s classic novel. Gotta admit, it start out slow, but I am hooked.