see.we.new.beginnings

The time has come... we are taking the big step. On Monday Aug. 31st we are moving to...

In case you didn't get it... that's:

!!!! C-H-I-C-A-G-O !!!!

see.tofu

It's been a long few weeks and when you are from the South (like I am) and you have had a hard day you crave southern food aka comfort food. Being vegetarian, I would say this can sometimes be a challenge. But not all Southern food is slathered with meat. When I first moved out to San Francisco my sister was so afraid that I wouldn't have grits available she would mail them to me. Just so I would have a little taste of home always available. The truth is, you can find grits in San Francisco, but they aren't as good (unless they are from my kitchen!) Thursday night I was in the mood for the taste of the South. So I made vegetarians southern dinner. This is truly my inspiration. A Vegan Soul Food tent from the Oakland Farmer's Market. The food is amazing and imagine... NO BUTTER!!! Well, my will power is not that strong, butter is and always will be a critical ingredient. But this is where I started thinking that just because I don't eat meat, doesn't mean I can't eat Southern!

So this posting should really be titled: "my adventures with tofu". Here it is, I used 'extra firm' tofu, drained it and stuck it in the freezer for a night. This changes the consistency of the tofu to have more texture. When you take it out let it thaw or run warm water over it. Then before you use it get as much water out as possible.

I sliced it and smothered it with barbecue sauce. Tofu (for me) is not a meat replacement, it is just tofu. I don't think of it as meat so I don't get all emotional when the texture is not the same. The best thing about Tofu is that it is the ultimate mimic. Tofu can be sweet or salty or savory it just depends on what you want it to do!

Green Beans! I sauteed up some onions, soy sauce, and garlic, then added the green beans.

And what southern meal wouldn't be complete without corn bread. Yum!

Here it is... well here it was.

see. visit

This past Sunday we visited Amanda, Nick, Lola and Henry at their house on Travis Air Force Base. Lola is always so happy to have people come to visit. Henry likes visitors too! Especially when they are as cool as we. I played on (and off) the slide with Lola while Henry watched in amusement from the sidelines. He is amazed by his sister and his whole face lights up when she is around. Mel took pictures of the whole scene.

Me snatching up Lola in my arms after a competitive game of chase!

Lola loves to go down the slide in all kinds of different ways. Whether on her bottom or her tummy she is always ready for a laugh on the slide.

Showing off some more sliding skills!!

Miles loves Lola too! She loves his kisses!

Henry enjoyed all this fun outdoor activity from the comfort of his daddy's lap. He watched and laughed as I chased Lola around the backyard, as she played on the slide and as Miles and Allie played their own games in their own dog ways. All in all, it was a really nice way to spend a Sunday afternoon as we spent the rest of it grilling veggie burgers and lounging around out back.

see.she

favorite.things

I don't spend too much time on the Internet. Perhaps it is my limited attention span, or the fact that I work on a computer for 8+ hours a day, or my overwhelming desire to craft... or read about crafting, or just daydream about crafting... Le sigh. I digress, I do have a few favorite web pages I love to peruse and excite my little rods and cones (in my eyes that is) with the merriment of color and overall creative skill- here are just a few!

http://jennarose.ca/2009_spring/about.html


http://3fishstudios.com/

http://www.simplywoodrings.com/index.html

http://www.kara-line.com/index.html

see.russian.hill

Sunday = lazy day. After a late night out in the Mission District, Mike and I followed our tummies and meandered to the car for a drive to Russian Hill. I hadn't fully explored this area of town until my pal Marissa of marissaandmichael.com from L.A. sent me a really sweet article of 'Things to do in SF' from Domino Mag. Inside I discovered the Candy Shop. Yes! A little Candy Shop devoted to all things sweet. We made our selections, and merrily went on our way to wander around Russian Hill. It was a beautiful day! It takes a few days of real sunshine for our bones to warm up and dry out from the cold and fog.

In case you are in town and looking for the shop...

They have jawbreakers the size of softballs! $10 each!
Candy river stones.

Who doesn't enjoy a little fluff from time to time?

Chocolate olives... not to be mistaken with chocolate covered olives (Im not sure there is even such a thing) however, the candy shop does carry chocolate covered gummie bears!

JARS AND JARS of delicious candy! And if you ask nicely you and sample anything you want!


Candy Legos!

Salt Water Taffy and an amazing view!

Rice pudding shop! We didnt try any... yet!

It is inevitable for Mike and I to end up at a Bookstore. We are nerds... what can I say. San Francisco, like most cities has many many bookstores and this one is full of great books both new and used. Plus they are all discounted. I even found a few to take home!

see.seafood

Ah the Bay Area! While living right on the sea there is nothing better than fresh seafood!! There is also nothing better than being able to find really fresh seafood! While Michael's step-dad, Mitch was in town and we took him to Swan's Seafood Depot. Located in the TenderNob. The place is made up of no more than a long seafood bar, some stools and plenty of seafood. It is rare to see this place without a line of people down the street. The specialty is their seafood salad. I know, Salad? But it really is a huge pile of fresh seafood over a hand-full of iceberg lettuce. Mike and I split the Combination Seafood Salad, and Mitch got some chowder and a cup of fresh crab meat. Yum!

see.brunch

Ladies who Brunch, that is what we called ourselves this morning. Sarah, Beth, Michelle, Laura (who just flew in from Spain) and myself all met for a delicious brunch. There were bowls of coffee, yummy bagels, some sausage, and plenty of laughing! Much needed laughing!

That is Michelle's egg- thank you for pointing it out Michelle...

Sarah's sausage... hmmm you had to be there


Michelle and Sarah- aww so loving!

My pal Beth-

We ate in this really cute cafe that looked like a cabin. So cozy! It was in the low 60's this morning... San Francisco summers!

Sarah and Laura-