January walks

After breakfast today with the ladies, I met John for a walk.  I love these sunny days in the 69's when we get out and walk for an hour.  We love to walk the Coyote Creek trail near my house or the Los gatos Creek Trail near John's near downtown San Jose.

I have been exploring other areas.  I went to Alum Rock park with Joe and Penny in 83, oh my, 30 years ago in July.  It was HOT!  This is the time to go.  I love it in March and April when it's still lush green but the temps are still low, the rain has stopped.

Micaela, my former neighbor, who is in the process of divorcing  my pre existing and current neighbor, creepy D, and I used to take walks with her daughter Rosemary around the neighborhood.  Good conversation, good friend.  Now that they and Vinnie have moved, the wanted to explore Grant Park. There was a wildflower hike there yesterday. Lots of great new spots to explore.

It was nice to see everyone this morning.  There is a lot to catch up on when you only see one another 4x a year.  We all used to work together. I've been lazy and blew off Dec. so this is a catch up with my choice of place.  Most of the others use a standard place, I like to explore.  I scope the place out on yelp, read the reviews, check the menu and am ready to go, order and have my selection and the calories scoped out on My Fitness Pal program, and visit.  This month we combined Lisa's with mine. 3 of us are still working.  3 are librarians including me.  None are married.  Two used to be.  Only one has children.  Two are in relationships with Lisa recently reclaiming her house after  years upon her retirement. One is over 60, I may be the youngest, but not by that much.  They are a very nice group of women.  Peggy climbed half dome for her birthday last year at Yosemite!  Her daughter just got married.  She took in a foster kid too.  Her's aged out of the system and she helps him get organized, manage his money and stay on the right path.

Breakfast club

There are four of us that meet to celebrate our birthday's every year.  Since I put mine off in Dec. we are meeting in the morning to celebrate mine at the Los Gatos cafe.  We get to select the restaurant of our choice and indulge in breakfast and time to catch up. There are stories of families, pictures, health issues, questions on finance, retirement, friends, gossip, and just a wonderful chance to share and catch up.  The others see and speak to one another more often.

The chuck roast I made is sensational.  I roasted baby carrots and red potatoes in the broth.  They are delicious.  I made some beets too. I like to eat them plain or use them as a garnish to butternut squash soup.  The color difference is startling and scrumptious. Ironically, the next one I made was horrible. I topped it with tomatoes too wanting to make an extra rich broth to nurture that plagues me, but it was so bad I fed it to the outside 'patio' cats and other visitors that come in the night. They get things about to turn.  No wonder they want to live under my house!  I didn't feed them anything for ages, just put out water.  Only if I have foot I won't eat, do I put it out before it goes in the garbage.
I swear I have the best garbage there is!

Humus

Sesame seeds soaked for a day then skimmed off the top crushed  or buy tahini, with garbanzo beans avocado or roasted red pepper, garlic is delicious, filled with protein low fat, just a tad of olive oil.

I went to the farmer's market on this beautiful, sunny Sunday. Then I went to the store and yet forgot onions!
I've a roast in the oven, cube steak cooking in mushroom sauce and turkey meatballs to make.

I'll slice fennel on top. Roasted fennel on a roast, I've discovered in wonderful!  I put it in because I had no onions, it came out delicious and so tender.  Fennel is not just for spaghetti sauce any more!

I saw Jack on Thursday, but haven't heard from him since. Breaks are good. Absence and all that....

Short ribs

Pure comfort food for rainy weather and cold winter nights coupled with garlic mashed potatoes.  Add some carrots and a green veggie or even roasted root veggies and you have bliss.  My one complaint is the sheer amount of fat short ribs have.  After making a miracoix, I cooked the ribs and strained off the liquid.  Once the fat congealed and was removed, the ramaining wine, herb, veggie, stock essence was awesome. Reduce it to add to the meat and potatoes.

Oddly or perhaps ironically, I will get no fat. The meat without is delicious. With a tiny piece ingrained, I won't touch it.

After the fat is removed, short ribs don't have a lot of meat. What is there costs a lot.
I tried a smaller kohlrabi today.  They taste the same as the larger ones.

I am going to try a skinny version of oatmeal cookies.  It uses applesauce and less butter.  It also has less flour and raisins so the yield will be less. They were just not the same! Well Dunn! No fat, little sugar, less raisins!?

I've done so well tracking my exercise and Frits and veggies aiming to 5 each a day for the entire mo. Oh Jan. and I made it.  No weigh in, but the pants are loose! Yea!  I need to clean out the freezer to preserve the stew, butternut squash, carrot, apple, ginger soup with celery, garlic and coconut milk, the lentil sausage soup was fair. The split pea with ham was better, especially with homemade broth.  Low sodium too.  Great on calories, includes the miracoix, the holy trinity, garlic, onion, celery and carrot.

I tried to extract Vinnie from David for Micaela.  That's a loop I am better left out of.  He is too close geographically to me and too unpredictable. After I called requesting the dog and he declined, I hung up.  That was followed by a phone call. Then another call I didn't answer and a knock on my door. He is too volatile.  I knew better than to be involved.  Someone like Jack that he doesn't know accompanied by the police would be a better approach for the exchange.

Poor Lacy was out on a rainy night till 3.

I've been enjoying artichokes again lately. It's the season! Yum!

Today I may try the noodle less lasagna with strips of cooked eggplant, zucchini, portabero mushrooms and perhaps spinach among the cheese.

Walking in the rain

walk was called off due to rain.

Yummy blueberries, raspberries, blackberries in the dead of winter 3 for ten not bad!
Great fresh or for smoothies.
I' still experimenting with a green one, spinach, celery, apple...

Math

It must have started in fourth grade, this math failure. Today I realized, not for the first time that certainly by 6th grade I didn't know how to determine part of the whole or which number to divide into the other.
I'm going to try a skinny oatmeal cookie recipe with applesauce to lessen the fat.
Also a noodle less lasagna with zucchini, eggplant and spinach. It should be interesting.  I like these skinny recipes.
I made a trip to the farmers market for some more sole, shrimp, scallops and veggies.
I have short ribs going along with an artichoke and I'm starting the noodle less, veggie lazagne soon.

Innaguration x 2

I read a book called Witness by Nora Roberts, or finished it today.  John and I went for a great hr. long walk in the park.  Everything was green again. The hills are beautiful, lush and emerald.d
He tells me the ravens will play the miners in the Superbowl.

Niner's won!

I watched the football game with John and his cousin today over Rosalita's breakfast burritos. I haven't watched a football game in over 30 years and never remember sitting down to watch one on t.v., even the Superbowl.  Michael tells be they are now going to the Superbowl again.

Gunther's

Today I met John for a pre-walk lunch at this great German deli/cafeteria/diner/cafe.  The food is so good! We both got a corned beef sandwich on rye with a super Kosher spear and I got a piece of outstanding apple strudel and a roasted turkey sandwich with cranberry on wheat to go.  Then we explored the shopping center across the street and found a new cafe for breakfast.

We moved over to the Los Gatos Trail for a lovely hr. walk in 68 degree sunshine.  We've both felt the unaccustomed muscles yesterday.  Today was our third sojourn.  It feels so good to work, be outdoors, exercise and visit.

I went in to have my r arm x-rayed. It's sore and weak.  Next I'll go in for the results of my TB test. looks neg.  I'll have  new report to turn in to school.

Tablets, my iPad

There are just some things you can't do on a tablet. I can't save documents, view adobe files, attach files or photos; but other than that I really love it and use it constantly.

TB

While the vaccine runs in my body to either boost my immunity or see if I've been exposed I remember in HI when I tested pos. I had them so often between CA and there that my reaction led me to a chest xray. They had a whole isolation trailer camp set up at Pearl.

My r arm is to have two view X-rays.  It really hurts.

Think I'll make potato leek soup today. I got my first weigh in yesterday, it was sobering.

Ppd

I finally updated my TB test for school today. I talked to a friend who has shingles, so I'll ask for the vaccine too in Feb.

 John and I took our first walk of the year.  It was such a beautiful crisp day.  It felt so good to get out and exercise. The hills are so green and gorgeous. We started off with gloves and I wanted an ear cover but the gloves came off a half hr. into our walk and the fleece jacket was unzipped 45 minutes into the hour trek.
His daughter got married in BC over Christmas to her long time partner.

It was good to talk to my dear friends Kim and Caro.  I must take the time to see them. Those women and long friendships are so dear to me and special. I feel so lucky to have them in my life.

Spanikopetia

I made spanikopetia while the filo dough was out for Sunday lunch.  Boy was it delicious. I was exhausted after the assembly and was hoping for some help cleaning up up I didn't ask and it wasn't offered.  I used fresh spinach, next time I'll use frozen, especially during the winter. I never used the stems before, but this time even with 3 bunches steamed did, I couldn't tell the difference once it was steamed, squeezed mixed with feta, eggs, dill, onion and incorporated. Spread that mix over layers of filo, then top it with some more, delicious!
We have to do a joint moussaka project, cleanup included.  Perfect for a cold winter's night.
It actually was a beautiful, crisp day, perfect for a walk.

We had a lovely Sunday afternoon and evening. I totally forgot the Golden Globes were on.   I did however make Downton Abbey.  I've also been watching "Dirty Little Liars".

Ironically, this evening I found a sheet had fallen on the floor.  Once dried it broke in shards, not exactly like glass, but brittle.  There is no picking it up.  The dust pan is the only way.

A seven sister's Inn

We'v e been looking into some time away either in Santa Cruz or Monteret/Pacific Grove.  Here during the winter, Jan- April there are sometimes two for one deals, or even half price at Ventana or Post Ranch in Big Sur.  There it's the only time it might be affordable. we like to go on a Sunday and Monday and enjoy the room upgrades and wine.  We like several places in Pacific Grove.  The Martine Inn is across from the ocean, the rooms have fireplaces, claw foot tubs and comfortable beds.  The food is delicious for tea, and breakfast and there is a hot tub indoors.  It's rather marvelous having a moonlit view of the ocean and the sound of the waves all night.
The Gosby house is a beautiful Victorian, near the ocean too with views.it' in Pacific Grove on Lighthouse so it's a distance away.
By far the faves are The Green Gables in, a huge Victorian, near the ocean too.  Many rooms have fireplaces.
In Santa Cruz, West Cliff Dr. Is another Four sisters property, across from the cliffs, an outdoor hot tub and views too.

Another sunny, crisp day perfect for a walk.

My farmer's market got a new vendor selling desserts, whoppy pies, cupcakes, cookies, cream puffs. Mmmmmm, delicious and my weakness.  I said no on the way in.  Panera offered me a heart for my birthday treat last Thursday.  That was good, but this one, smaller with pink and white spots was delicious, the icing was more complex, a kitty lemon.  They are very time consuming all hand piped too. I am usually exhausted. Breaking them down to three steps, one making the sugar cookie dough, then chilling, second rolling the hearts out then baking and the third, decorating, makes it manageable.  I really wanted the cream puff with strawberries, but continued to find the willpower to avoid it!

So far so good through day 14, two weeks on this food program.  Well done!

Martha Stewart

She makes some delicious but complicated recipes. I swear they are to exhaust the home cook and use ever pan in the house.  Without the clean up crew, I protest!
Tonight I made a chicken pot pie with barley, mushrooms, carrots, peas I white wine with a chicken stock roux in filo dough.  The crust as you would expect anything in filo to be was great as was the filling.  This was the first time I've had barley, I think.  I certainly am getting my grains in.

This morning I made eggs florenteen.  It was great from the Enchanted broccoli cookbook.  I haven't made it in a long time.  Now, I want someone to come and clean up my kitchen.

It was a beautiful day out today. Needed that long walk between meals.  Being out revives the spirit and clears my mind alone.  I usually have a walking partner which is nice too, but the 49ers won the choice for him. Pizza and BBQ combined with football isn't the top of my list for fun.

I caught up on some netfix series, and snuggled with Lacy.

Legumes

Legumes take longer to digest.

Why when I've been blogging since 2004 can't I find them?

New year, healthy eating, fruits and veggies

I discovered a rutabaga at the farmers market. Yum!  Crispy, a cross between jicama, cabbage and broccoli.  So far I've only had it raw, but I mat try and steam some too.

I need to get a new TB test for work.  My r arm already is sore and aching.

Magic Castle L.A at the foot of the Hollywood hills

Was a lovely surprise for my birthday. perhaps the most exclusive of the private clubs in LA., the magic performed after dinner in this old mansion in it's 3 show rooms was delightful. It was more special to be a guest of one of the magic practioners and have him as a dinner guest too.
He tried to teach me ballroom dancing to wonderful music. I need more lessons.  I love those Gershwin tunes.
You need formal dress, rarely pants for women, a password to get in and features a wonderful elaborate old bar, a piano played by a ghost and the legend you can talk to the dead!  Cards and magic tricks abound. Easily a full night 5-1. A lovely evening and experience and I got the sweatshirt!

Big Sur

One of my favorite places is Kirk Creek. The mountains swoop down to meet the beautiful Pacific. To camp on the cliffs and wake up to the quiet, beauty, sound of the waves, beauty of the sunset is a reafirmment of God's plan.  What a gift.

Food trucks

We discovered food trucks last year like everyone else.  Actually 11/11/11 was our first one. We sent to Palo Alto for clam chowder and my first lobster roll. Yum!  We had come from soaking in a hot tub at Watercourse Way, a zen, peaceful oasis relaxed, back out into the cold, rainy evening to the oasis of Jack's car.  We got our takeout, dug out the wine and wineglasses, plugged in the iPhone , started the music and let the rain come down atmospherically creating this intimate cocoon to watch the rain come down around us as we were cozily seconded inside.  It was the best! Good food, wine company, music and atmosphere. 5 stars!
The next week it was delicious Thai with my favorites satay w peanut sauce, Thai tacos and yellow curry over basmati rice.

Since then there have been many trips.  Now every Mon. And Fri. Moveable Feast amass about 12 trucks, set out heaters and buckets to sit on for the cupcake, Thai, seafood, Chairman, Bao,. silos, , Phillipino, Indian, Korean, roast chick and potatoes, Shrimp and Cajun, at Loisianna Territory, sweets, fresh produce, meatloaf, grilled cheese, tacos, and new ideas and trucks every week.
Sometimes we eat there on chairs we bring, often we bring it home, light a fire and dig in to an ethnic feast.  A nice treat and change.

Presents

Have you ever had someone in your life so special that they take note of the little things you may need and just get them?  I am constantly in receipt if things like a dustpan and brush, non stick pans, a soup pot, dish cleaners, a spatula, BBQ starter, things he notices, and makes note of that he thinks I need and just brings them, copper cleane...maybe in addition to thoughtfulness it's an indication of the state of my house and housekeeping skills.  Yikes!  
  They just appear.  It's nice but I want iris's, roses, or sunflowers too!
These things last longer and mark a very thoughtful person.

I always avoided RSP classes for I thought the students would be more unruly. Instead the class sizes have been smaller and there is an aide to help me through math. These classes are for slower students.

The two boys I tutor and I went over essays and vocab.  Mostly we talked tonight, an unusual thing of meat production, the war in Vietnam and Iran.
Then they told me they thought I was in high school in the 1930's and I clobbered them! We talked about Kennedy and the 1960's, King and Pope John, assignations and the stupid Taliban and destruction of the ancient Buddah's in Afghanistan.  From an exhausted, knackered state that was energizing.

Petrale sole in lemon

With mushrooms, tender steamed baby bok choc on brown rice.  It's a good thing.  I had delicious dolmas, lemon with chips with red pepper humus for lunch and a tad of artichoke humas to top it. A sweet kiwi for dessert and I am replete.

I feel so lucky to live in this land of plenty and varied bounty.  Food so simple and delicious. It feeds the body and spirit.

Be in the moment.

Happy birthday Joe and Lacy!

He is 59, she is 13. 60 in cat years.  She had been running up and down the halls jumping up and off furniture, hiding under tables watching my feet.  She gets cat treats and tuna water to celebrate.
She is currently curled up at my hip keeping me warm.

It's been foggy all day.

The lawn is cut.  Time to pick some paper whites.  All the bulbs have sprouted. it' time to pull all the weeds, start seedlings and put the compost on the flower and garden beds.

I need to get a walk in once it clears up.  My jeans are fitting easier after 10 days.

Farmers market and shopping

I hit the farmers market again today, got some sole, baby bock choi, carrots, cauliflower, lemon pita chips to go with dolmas, artichoke and red pepper humus.  I got a kohlrabi to try.  I hope it's like a jicama.  I stopped at the supermarket for FILO, barly, bannanas and a ham hock for the lentil soup I will make.
The FILO will be for a potpie with barley, mushrooms, chicken and whatever else carrots, the Martha Stewart recipe calls for. I wanted whole wheat Filo, but that I need to get at Whoe Foods or New Leaf.

Cooking for me is therapeutic and a very good sign that I'm happy.

I looked at Valentine's today.  Many times are special but there is something about sharing the day with your love, especially when you have been alone for awhile that makes you appreciate it more.
Last year Jack spent all day making me chocolate covered strawberries.

I finished reading J.d. Robb's book Decision in Death and now I'm on to J.K Rowling's new book  Casual Vacancy.
I really liked the first one she usually writes under Nora Roberts.

Back to school this morning and tutoring tomorrow for 2 hrs.

 Then I'll hit Whole Foods again for some of Tandoor Chef's cumin infused basmati rice and chicken tikka masala.

Ritz Carleton Half Moon Bay

For father's Day I took Jack to breakfast at the airport at Half Moon Bay.  Then passes Sam's chowder House we know well from the food trucks.

I headed down Main St., cruised down Hy 1 s to Pescadero, to the country market for herb artichoke bread. Jack stocked up on local honey and goat cheese.  Then we went to the goat farm.  We went into the store to try samples of all varieties of goat cheese, then pased back by the dairy. It's fun to watch them scamper but the smell almost knocks me out!

We went to Phipps ranch for herbs and stock up on 100 different kinds of beans.  As we headed out passing Duarte's famous for it's artichoke soup, we got burritos and picnic stuff to use as we went to Davenport.

There we walked out to the cliff overlooking the ocean to nosh.

An all day but very nice day.

Once Jack took me to lunch, Vietnamese food before we headed to Gilroy for an outlet return then wine tasting at 2 wineries.  The 2nd was my favorite.  A little buzzd, at 6 mo.  We went out on the patio surrounded by lunch flowers and lawn to enjoy a flight.  

We headed home stopping in Morgan Hill for BBQ as a lovely top to a perfect day. I was enchanted in May.

Big sur

I want to make a utube video with music to post here with a recap of 2012 highlights.
Big sur
Half moon may
Santa Cruz
Ventana
Cooking
BBQ
Walks
Jack
Friends

The farmers market

I'm helping my local farmers with my twice weekly visits to fill up with celery, strawberries, beets, blueberries, raspberries, broccoli, cilantro, tomatoes, romaine, mushrooms, dikon, lemon grass, butternut squash, carrots, cauliflower, dolmas, blackberries, spinach, kiwi and flowers.

I hate to go to the supermarket to augment the bounty.  But cranberries are a must along with avocado and bannanas.

I have a really good butternut squash soup with coconut milk, carrot, celery, onion, cinnamon, curry powder, ginger and pured. Top with yogurt or sour crime and pieces of red beets to garnish.  The contrast is so pretty and delicious. In addition to the 4 c stock, heavy cream can be added for further richness.

There is nothing like a warm bowl of delicious soup on a cold, rainy day.

I had these hor d' ouvers of FILO blue cheese and cranberry crescents.  I augmented the mouthfuls with sautéed mushrooms and spinach and a few more cranberries.  Delicious treat from Darfour.

Dinner by firelight

Warm the cockles for your heart with dinner by candlelight near the fire.  Jack made a great salad to go with our trial recipe of chicken in coconut milk, with lime juice, zest, cilantro over rice. Yummy!

Time to relax and reconnect.

Happy New Year!

It's been a quiet holiday.  Some good resolutions began.  I'm 8 days into a veggie and fruit 1200 cal. Life change.  Beyond time for a lifetime adjustment of conscious eating and exercise.
I go to the farmer's market once or twice a week too

The paper whites are in bloom and weeds are being pulled. The lawn had it's first mow ant the weather is beautiful once the fog burns off.
John and I are resuming our walks.  It is so good for us both.  I just need to get Jack out there with me.
Jack came over for dinner last night to brown rice, salad, broccoli, coconut chicken with lime and cilantro.  We lit our first fire of the New Year and had a very present evening.

Sonoma mission Inn

We sent for a long weekend the end of Oct.  This time there was a tub for two in the  suite.  Besides almost falling trying to get in and out, I forgot my bubbles!  Once I became accustomed to the drain and stopped slopping water on the floor it was delightful to have a candlelight bath.
The sheets are so soft on the bed and the down comforter light as a feather.

We took wine, a cheese and cracker and fruit plate to sit on the lawn in chairs made of wine casks, looking like  chairs from the Catskills.  Then we went up to the diner/ shop for a wine tasting flight before dinner.
We sent to dinner at this streak house adjacent to an old historic hotel.  The fireplaces helped cozy up the huge barn Room with open trusses. Jack took pictures.  Once an architect always...
The last game of the World Series was playing, so he had to get up and run into the bar for the last play. I ate my heirloom tomato, mozzarella appetizer, so delicious.  Maybe feta would be good.  Then risotto, filet so tender and the best cream brûlée!
We wandered the historic Sonoma square.  It's changed a lot since I was here with Joe in 77.
Nice not to have to return to Vallejo.
The next day after a scrumptious breakfast of potatoes, eggs Benedict , fresh berries, we wandered into Napa to a new Medieval castle for a tour and wine tasting. It was so cool. The castle was still dressed for their Halloween banquet with Gould, witches, skeletons, cobwebs and pumpkins around every corner.  In addition to that, the harvest was coming in.  It's been a stellar year, one of the best in 20 yrs.
We tottered out and waved back to the car to get some food to sop up the wine in our bellies and meandered back to the Fairmont replete.
The weather was perfect too.