Author: MS

Food: Dinner Tonight – Quinoa Salad

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I cooked quinoa last night – but it was too warm to make a salad out of it just yet. So I switched gears and went with sliders for dinner with a side of home-made coleslaw. But tonight, we are having quinoa salad with a side dish – open-faced grilled cheese baguette. Since this is my first attempt at quinoa salad, I found a recipe here to try. Except I realize, I should not have boiled the spinach leaves. May have to go to the grocers and pick up a fresh bag of spinach leaves. Ingredients For the Dressing: 1/4 cup olive oil 1 clove minced garlic 2 tablespoons lemon juice 1 large lemon 1 tablespoon golden balsamic vinegar or champagne vinegar 1 teaspoon pure maple syrup or honey Kosher salt and black pepper to taste For the Salad: 2 cups cold cooked quinoa 2 cups fresh spinach leaves chopped 1 cup chopped cucumber 1 cup halved grape or cherry tomatoes 1 large avocado pitted, peeled, and chopped 2 green onions sliced Kosher salt and black pepper to taste  {more} {recipe and image source}

Decor: Trends in Color for 2019

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Is it too early in the morning to discuss decor? I mean it could be – considering the time change and our efforts to adjust. Decor is secondary, unless you happen to be on a commuter train, scrolling through your phone to stay awake. In terms of decor, I always feel the need to refresh a room in the house – give it a new coat of paint, change the curtains, or move the furniture around and add a plant or two, even go as far as changing the light fixtures – anything to welcome Spring. And here’s what I am thinking: {source}  

Travel: Where To Go In April Past Paris

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You know, in January I always tell myself – to take a break from travel and simply enjoy the finer things at home. After all I live in an amazing city and there is much to see and do here – errr, within 100 miles or so. But February rolls around, and I get that itch to travel, so I opt for a weekend getaway and as soon as its March, I am full on planning – and wishing – and planning a trip. Disclaimer: If your passport is about to expire, like mine, be sure to check the rules of travel here, so you don’t get turned away at customs for not having the proper passport expiry requirements for that specific country. Now, although I pretty much know where it is I want to go for a week or two before the madness of  high-season travel begins, I still refer to a list of suggestions here – you know, in case I’ve missed something. Where would you go in the Spring?  {source}  

Food: Dinner Tonight – Szechuan Noodles with Chicken

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This recipe is perfect and I plan to change nothing – for dinner tonight, on this rainy cold Wednesday – while I contemplate refreshing or enhancing my blog. INGREDIENTS 1/3 cup peanut oil 6 cloves garlic, thinly sliced or smashed 1-2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes 1 inch fresh ginger, grated 1/4 cup raw sesame seeds 8 ounces Chinese egg noodles 1/2 cup low sodium soy sauce 1/4 cup rice vinegar 2 tablespoons honey 1-2 tablespoons chili paste (sambal oelek) 1/2 pound ground chicken or pork (optional) 1 red onion thinly, sliced 4 green onions, chopped, plus more for serving 4 baby bok choy or green cabbage, chopped {more} On another note, I was sad to have watched the last episode of Victoria Season 3 on Sunday, but the commercials for Beecham House after the finale got me feeling hopeful – will you watch it once a premiere date is set for the US? And if elsewhere offering up this show – have you seen it?   

Travel: Some Things You Might Want to Know Before You Go

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I was renewing my driver’s license online last night and froze up when the option to renew was detailed past the normal of click here and pay and move forward. We now, in the states, have to choose between the regular or the Federal Compliant card, which is the only form of ID that will be accepted to enter federal buildings, and boarding domestic flights by October 2020.  What? So, naturally this led to research – about changes we need to be aware of when considering travel.  For instance…

All The Questions In The World

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Yes, it is happening again, where on a gloomy rainy day, I start to questions too many things. I think mostly on day two of a work week, while still trying to get adjusted to  sitting in the basement of a building not so retrofitted for a city built on sand and destined for earthquakes. I do cringe with every step I descent to the underground, and sometimes even hold my breath until I leave work. There are worst things in the world and I’m sure someone reading this is saying, how selfish of her to be thinking otherwise.  But in talking to the group of employees, who got the shorter end of the stick, about our placement, I realize that although no one is happy in the basement, they are not willing to complain about it. Which got me thinking about the topic of complaining. Is complaining really that bad?  Or is complaining a waste of your valuable time and something that should be avoided at all cost?   How to Complain Less is the …

Dessert: Cream Tart, You Bring The Fresh Fruit

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This simple recipe grabbed my attention the other day, only because I was craving sweets, but not heavy in sugar or endless ingredients making the baking a chore instead of a wonderful project, especially on a rainy day. The only negative for me is citrus for the fruits used. I mean I do love lemon flavored most anything, but orange for some reason, I prefer to eat fresh. So, for this recipe, I am suggesting you add your favorite fruit – blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, canned apricots, infused pairs, thinly sliced apples…well,  you get the point. INGREDIENTS 1 sheet frozen puff pasty, thawed 1 egg, beaten raw coarse sugar, for sprinkling (optional).   {I prefer a sprinkle of cinnamon over sugar} 6 ounces creme fraiche, mascarpone, or cream cheese {mascarpone over creme fraiche}  1/2 cup plain greek yogurt 1 tablespoon Meyer lemon juice + 1-2 teaspoons zest, to your taste 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1-2 tablespoons honey, plus more for serving 6-8 mixed color oranges, thinly sliced (I used all blood oranges) 1/2 cup fresh raspberries …

Boutique Hotel Pick – L’Hotel Particulier – Arles, France

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Mondays are a great day to start with daydreaming – about places you wish you could go or ones you hope someone would whisk you away to – for a bit of rest and relaxation, and romance – kind of like this place in Arles, France. Details are everything   

In Love with the Idea of …

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This morning I woke up reflective, and the best way to explain the dozen or so views going through my mind after Saturday Bruch with much girl-talk, is that, I have come to the realization that perhaps humanity  is merely in love with the idea of…whatever they think might revive their otherwise neutral existence. Do you agree, or I am off my rocker? Feel free to offer up your take on the topic {image(s) source}