Here Comes The Sun

 

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"A day without sunshine is like, you know, night." -   Steve Martin

The Five things that made my weekend:
ONE - Tanning ... well sort of. L'oreal Sublime Bronze towelettes available at ULTA
TWO - Grilled Cheese Sandwich at The American Grilled Cheese Kitchen
THREE - Jeremy's Department Store
FOUR -  The Fighter (trying to watch all the movies nominated for Oscars)
FIVE  - My favorite walk with Stella   

Despite the fun activities, a weekend is never the same without your significant other. Nick and I are at the 6 month mark with 6 more months to go. Oh vey!
Hopefully the next 6 months will go by fast.

Dangerous Dynamo

Place: Dynamo Donut & Coffee
Neighborhood: Mission
Price: $2 - 3 per donut
Outstanding Flavor: Maple Glazed Bacon Apple (need I say more!)
Fun Factor:  The sitting area is comfy and cute and has plenty of story books to read about donuts!
Future Concern: The donuts are tasty and are as light as air.  I could have easily ate a dozen myself !  At least my morning walk canceled out the calories I consumed.

 Today's flavors

Pretty glass stands waiting to be filled 

Fresh donuts

Breakfast of champions (me eating a donut after my walk!)

Two Words: Brass Band

Photo Credit

Venue: The Independent
Band: Rebirth Brass Band and the New Orleans Klezmer Allstars
Drinks: Tasty and Cheap
Seats: Standing room only = not a bad view in the house (except if you're 5'2 and under).
Cool fact: Sustainability; The Independent promotes positive change by proactively reducing the our venue’s environmental footprint. By making their internal operations more sustainable, they seek to educate and inspire our employees, patrons and bands to become more environmentally conscious. Our environmental objectives are focused on three key areas: waste diversion, conservation, education and outreach. source

Thanks guys for a fun evening.  Can't wait for the next concert.

Behind The Scenes: Sharp Park

Our 2010 Christmas card photo wasn't planned (clearly you can tell by my hooded sweatshirt and ponytail.)  Our family picture was taken the day after Thanksgiving during a walk on Mori Point trail in Sharp Park, Pacifica. 

Photo Credit

After climbing these stairs.....

We discovered this amazing view!  How could I deny this background for our family picture?  Even though hair wasn't combed and outfits weren't anything fancy, I had to go with the moment.

Thanks Steph for being patient as I try and position Stella.

After a couple of attempts we got this picture!

Although this picture isn't very traditional, it's one of my favorite shots of the day.  

Stay tune for this years Christmas card.  I was really happy with how it came out and hope you are too!

Dim Sum + Art History

A perfect date for Nick and I usually consist of the following things: pretty views, a long walk and most importantly... FOOD.  Yesterday our Saturdate adventure took us to the Richmond district of San Francisco where we enjoyed food from the Shanghai Dumpling King and saw the Japanesque exhibit at the Legion of Honor.   

The Dumpling King located on Balboa between 34th & 35th 

The #8 special hot and spicy

A complimentary fried donut with sugar



The Legion of Honor with pretty orange flowers

A view at dusk

Both were unique experiences.  It was my first time going to the Legion of Honor and I was taken back by the beautiful views of the Golden Gate bridge and the city skyline. 

The dim sum however takes the cake on our favorite part of the day.  This tiny restaurant has a major following and has a mega menu to look at.  

I guess they call them the Dumpling King for a reason.........

Saturdate in the City

What happens when you have to plan a date encompassing the words: batter, north, red and new adventure? 

First  you go to Stable Cafe and eat scones made by Batter Bakery.  Second you drive north to that big RED landmark.  Third instead of driving over it, your adventure is to walk it!  Although walking the Golden Gate bridge is a tourist thing to do, as a Bay Area resident everyone should try this once. Views are breathtaking and even though we started the walk in fog, before we knew it the sun was out and it felt like summer (for like a minute).  Here is our Saturdate in pictures.

Stable Cafe located in the Mission 

The Golden Gate bridge with fog

Street light on the Golden Gate Bridge with the fog

 The north tower of the golden gate bridge looking up to the sky

An up close photo of the top of the Golden Gate Bridge north tower looking up

The texture of the Golden Gate bridge

I think this is postcard worthy...

Caffe DeLucchi

Breakfast Pizza

Ever go to a restaurant and they run out of the dish you were about to order? Well that happened to me today.  When I saw Caffe DeLucchi was serving buttermilk biscuits and gravy my mind and tummy was made up.  As I gave my order to the waitress, she told me the table next to me just got the last one. Darn it!  As I skimmed over the menu one last time, I decided to try something different and ordered a breakfast pizza.  Not really sure how the flavors would work for breakfast, I was overwhelmed by the tasty goodness this breakfast gave me.  My only complaint.... It was HUGE.  Next time I go back this is something I would definitely split with someone.

After breakfast, I went for a nice walk with Stella and took a few pictures of Sts. Peter and Paul Church before my battery ran out.

Name: Caffe DeLucchi
Where: North Beach, located on the corner of Columbus and Stockton
What I had: Black Forest Ham pizza with cheddar cheese, green onion and two sunny side eggs.
Did You Know: Caffe Delucchi has won SF Weekly "Best of 2pm Breakfast"

The front window of Caffe DeLucchi over looking the corner of Columbus and Stockton

My pizza with black forest ham and cheddar cheese

The "here goes nothing" taste test

Stella giving me "the look" wanting a piece of my crust

Sts. Peter and Paul Church (Nick and I got married there)

Candles at Sts. Peter and Paul Church

Real Flavor. Real History.

Boudin

In 1849, the Boudin family struck culinary gold. Wild yeasts in the San Francisco air had imparted a unique tang to their traditional French bread, giving rise to “San Francisco sourdough French bread.” Today, the Boudin family's initial recipe lives on in the hands and hearts of our expert bakers, with a portion of the original mother dough still starting each and every sourdough loaf we make. Boudin history since 1849. (credit)

Boudin for breakfast has been my parents weekend "go to" spot since they became empty Nester's.  This morning I decided to crash their party and joined them for a lovely (but long) walk along the Embarcadero.  When we reached Pier 39, the fresh breakfast croissant sandwich melted in my mouth and my french roast coffee was a perfect compliment to my meal.

Name: Boudin
Where: Pier 39 Location
Price: $4.95
What I had: Egg scramble on a croissant with Cheddar cheese and ham.
Secret Surprise: Not all Boudin's serve breakfast, so check with your local Boudin before you get your heart set on a breakfast sandwich or their famous French toast.

A view from the pier bench

Hot cup of Joe

Dad with his sandwich

Yum Yum.... egg, cheddar cheese on a fresh croissant

'wichcraft

After living in Long beach for almost 11 years, I'm having to reacquaint myself with the Bay Area. A lot has changed since I last lived here and the next few months will be about first time experiences and rediscovering a place I love. This week I discovered a gourmet sandwich shop. Although I usually gravitate to ma &  pa sandwich shops this gourmet sandwich shop is worth trying out.  Besides there are only 3 locations total; San Francisco, New York and Las Vegas.

Name: 'witchcraft (cute name for a sandWich shop)

Where: 868 Mission & 5th, San Francisco (by Westfield Centre)

Price: $5.95 - $9.50

Fun Fact: Tom Colicchio head judge of Bravo's Top Chef,  founded ’wichcraft with partners Sisha Ortuzar and Jeffrey Zurofsky in 2003.

Favorite Sandwich: Roasted turkey, avocado, bacon, onion relish & aioli on ciabatta roll. See picture below.

Photo Credit

Feeling adventurist, try making your own sandwich with this cookbook available on amazon.com

Change is inevitable...

except from vending machines - author unknown

After living in the LBC for almost 11 years, it's time to go home.  

This Sunday I'm moving back to the Bay.  I remember the day I left home and cried hysterically from San Bruno to Bakersfield, convinced I made a lethal mistake.  

All I thought was "what if I hate it?"

Nothing prepared me for the opposite "what if I fall in love?"

It's been a decade full of great memories, good friends, love, laughter and cheer.  

To new beginnings........

Elmo is Getting Married!!

Although May is all about mom's and proms, today has officially kicked of wedding season for Nick and I.  This summer we have 3 to go to.   Today we showered  my cousin Erica with LOVE and cheer at her bridal shower in San Francisco.

Pretty shower invitation with Erica's wedding colors navy & orange

View from the Butterfly Restaurant

Beautiful girls (all related!)

She's a pro!  Erica brought her own razor blade to the shower. 

No one is going to mess up this brides manicure.

Steph, Tina & Dana
 

Erica opening my present

My "oh Martha" handmade (by me) flowers

Me and the bride to be with the ribbon bouquet I made
(what a stressful job!)

Tasty cupcakes made by Travis!!  Yum Yum

I Left My Mom in San Francisco

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"It's a funny thing about comin' home. Looks the same, smells the same, feels the same. You'll realize what's changed is you."
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Every time I think about this quote I get chills... Tomorrow I'm leaving my man and my puppy behind and am going home for the weekend. To say this trip is long overdue is an understatement   (I haven't been home since November!).  Although the weekend is jammed packed, words can't describe how good it will be to eat a "mom" made meal and sleep in my old bed.  Since I can't be with my mom on Mother's Day, I'm planning to do something special for her over the weekend.  I already know Sunday is going to come way to fast.  I just hope saying good bye on Sunday won't be too painful.  Wish me luck!

Mom & Me

Giant Steps

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There is nothing in the WORLD like a good cup of Joe on a Saturday morning. 
Meet Blue Bottle Coffee, my new favorite coffee. 

Have you ever heard of Artisan Micro roasting???
At Blue Bottle Coffee, Artisan Micro roasting simply means that Blue Bottle takes a hands-on approach to every step possible to discover and preserve the true nature of excellent coffee -- no matter how inconvenient or time-consuming. Blue Bottle Coffee take freshness and small-batch roasting to an extreme not considered practical anywhere else in the coffee business. Blue Bottle use only the best certified organic coffees, occasionally using beautiful coffees that are farmed traditionally without pesticides. Blue Bottle never pre-blends their coffees thus assuring the ideal roast profile for each bean used in a blend. All varietals are roasted individually, then mixed into Blue Bottle Coffee blends.

For more information visit:  http://www.bluebottlecoffee.net/