Author: MS

Decor: With Happiness In Mind

Published by

I never appreciated my home as much as I have since January, after our company’s office move, where we are cooped up for 8+ hours each day without natural light, or air. I apologize for playing this broken record, but I swear I don’t know how people do it. The environment has taken a toll on me. In light of this anxiety I am faced with daily, I realize there are others who feel the same way and would probably appreciate the idea of decorating with happiness  in mind.

Lifestyle: In Touch With Reality

Published by

Some days I step off cloud nine to focus more on the realities of life – you know – to help adjust my being to accept the things I cannot change, and to change those that will help me become a better version of myself. And although with age, comes wisdom, there are times, the opinion of others are needed to add  reassurance in whatever it is that is paralyzing: One of the things I realize more each day, is just how much we’ve all become a ticking bomb – ready to go off on the smallest of mishaps, unfortunate change of events, and other things that is not in the plan. Just the other day, two men were screaming from their car at an elderly woman trying to pull into a parking spot. They wouldn’t let up, causing her more confusion and difficulty in parking.  How to be a more patient person is the topic of this article.    A sanity checklist is helpful of course – especially when dealing with the worst case …

Easter Eggs Are Sometimes Luxurious

Published by

…According to this article I found yesterday, and although I haven’t really painted eggs for quite some time, I have the urge to embark on the project come the week before – you know adding my own take on the luxurious eggs below: On another note – have you ever watched a show that makes you laugh throughout? Well, this show has me in stitches with every scene. Would you ever consider taking an art class online? I am thinking about sketchbook Illustration…and I think it’s going to happen very soon.  What are you reading lately? If you’ve just finished a story or two, and are looking for a new read, consider this list of must-reads I recently took an online quiz to test my IQ or rather for the internet to guess my education level. I have to say I was dubbed as having PhD level knowledge but for the life of me, cannot seem to locate the quiz again.  So, here’s one similar that you might want to try – oh go on …

Food: Dinner Tonight – White Bean Soup

Published by

I love white beans – and normally eat them with a touch of olive oil, and Parmesan cheese and  a dash of cilantro. But today I am craving a soup – and this one is perfect, minus the Crockpot, but for sure with a few slice of rustic baguette and a bottle of cab. INGREDIENTS 6 cups low-sodium chicken or veggie stock 1/2 cup uncooked quinoa 1 small sweet onion, chopped 2 carrots, chopped 1/4 cup basil pesto 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes 4 sage leaves kosher salt and pepper 1 parmesan rind 3 tablespoons lemons juice + 1 tablespoon lemon zest 2 cups roughly torn Tuscan kale 2 cans (14 ounces) cans cannelloni beans, drained grated parmesan, for serving  {more} 

Lifestyle: Less Is More

Published by

Over the weekend, I scanned the house again to make a mental note of all things I need to get rid of – more purging or downsizing I feel is warranted the wiser (older) I get. Clutter is out, and streamline and less is more. Believe it or not, a simpler decor tends to fool the eye into seeing the space clean at all times. It also helps ease off the daily stress – when you walk into a home that is minimal. {source} {source}

Decor: The Formal In Living Rooms

Published by

Formal living Rooms may be a thing of the past as more homeowners opt for a comfortable open space family room, an extension of the kitchen space, where everyone can be together, without the worry of keeping everything in order. But if you happen to entertain often, or love the idea of a formal living room – as part of your home, I have to say these decor ideas are pretty simple to recreate on any budget.

Food: Dinner Tonight – Craving BBQ Chicken added to a Salad of Choice

Published by

We’ve had more rain then I remember in a lifetime here in San Francisco, and I couldn’t be happier. We needed it, wish it would be the norm every year – but we know how it goes. Ten years of drought, one year of some rain. This year of course its an exception – or – wait I think we had this much rain back in 2009?  So, yup every ten years. 🙂 Anyway, with this much rain, we’ve had to postpone the idea of BBQ outdoors. But, since I am craving BBQ, and some sort of salad today, it is happening – either in a non-stick skillet, or my indoor grill – which is an older model and a pain to clean – I have a few more hours to decide which way to BBQ – either way, this is the salad I am aiming for tonight. And…I am not changing a thing in the recipe. INGREDIENTS 1 1/2 pounds boneless chicken breasts or tenders 1/3 cup barbecue sauce, store-bought or homemade 2 cups fresh grilled or frozen thawed corn …

Thoughts About the Underworld

Published by

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

Published by

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 …