random thoughts from my life as a childfree feminist, public employee, student, volunteer, advocate, home cook, karaoke singer, amateur photographer and all around busy bee.
Monday, July 30, 2012
Project 365: 40 | Tour | 07.29.12
Project 365: 40 | Tour | 07.29.12
Yesterday was a Sunday Funday. We attended a Yelp Elite Event that consisting of hopping between two wineries and a brewery for tasting and food. At the brewery we got a nice tour from one of their brewers. (see guy talking with his hands on right) The tour was made even better by the fact that we could drink their beer while learning about their beer. (see guy on left)
Camera: iPhone
Project 365: 39 | Blood | 07.28.12
Project 365: 39 | Blood | 07.28.12
I donate blood on a regular basis. Wait. No. Correction. My honey donates and I TRY to donate on a regular basis. On Saturday, I had the Red Cross people check twice but my iron was too low. I left with two pricked fingers and almost all of my blood still inside. Fortunately, the improved from there. We had a relaxing day and then a great drinks-dinner-karaoke date night. I got carded at our drinks location and my honey did not. I win!
Camera: iPhone
Saturday, July 28, 2012
Project 365: 38 | Monkey | 07.27.12
Project 365: 38 | Monkey | 07.27.12
When I was moving home from my college town, and leaving my job with an after school program for girls, one of the children gave me this monkey. That was 10+ years ago and the monkey still lives on the dash in the my car. It has faded over the years, and one of the hands is dangerously close to falling off, but it is a constant reminder to me that I am just one "monkey" and that connecting with others in my "barrel" makes life a lot more meaningful and fun.
Camera: iPhone
Friday, July 27, 2012
Project 365: 36 | Pandora | 07.25.12
Project 365: 36 | Pandora | 07.25.12
QuickMix was just what I needed while working on annual reports this week.
Camera: iPhone (screenshot)
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Project 365: 35 | Grill | 07.24.12
Project 365: 35 | Grill | 07.24.12
We bought this gas grill for my honey's birthday. We already had a small charcoal grill but wanted something for our weeknight, last minute grilling needs. We used it last night for chicken jalapeƱo sausages and veggies. I suppose it is also a gift for me.
Camera: iPhone
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Project 365: 34 | Memorial | 07.23.12
Project 365: 34 | Memorial | 07.23.12
RIP Aurora victims, prayers for their family and friends, and fast healing thoughts for those injured physically and/or emotionally.
Camera: iPhone
Monday, July 23, 2012
Project 365: 33 | Reading | 07.22.12
Project 365: 33 | Reading | 07.22.12
Perfect way to wind down a fun and busy weekend.
Camera: iPhone
Project 365: 32 | Pub | 07.21.12
Project 365: 32 | Pub | 07.21.12
We had friends in town visiting this past weekend and we spent Saturday pub hopping in San Francisco. This turned out to be a great idea for multiple reasons, one being that it was over a hundred degrees where we live and we don't have air conditioning. This is a photo of our friend's guide dog at pub #2, perfectly well behaved under the table.
Camera: iPhone
Project 365: 31 | Baking | 07.20.12
Project 365: 31 | Baking | 07.20.12
Although I do not consider myself a baker, I did whip up a batch of these whole wheat zucchini chocolate chip muffins in preparation for friends visiting over the weekend. They turned out quite tasty and I was happy to be able to use some of the frozen zucchini leftover from the surplus in our garden last season.
Camera: iPhone
Friday, July 20, 2012
Project 365: 30 | Morning | 07.19.12
Project 365: 30 | Morning | 07.19.12
This is my super cute view when I wake up most mornings.
Camera: iPhone
Thursday, July 19, 2012
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
Project 365: 28 | Rural | 07.17.12
Project 365: 28 | Rural | 07.17.12
We live in a county that is quite diverse. Much of the county would be classified as suburban, but we also have some urban areas and other communities that are rather isolated, with teeny populations. I am lucky to have a career where I get to work countywide and yesterday I was in one of our most rural communities -- complete with an abundance of roadside farm stands selling fresh, locally grown produce.
Camera: iPhone
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
Project 365: 27 | Cocktail | 07.16.12
Project 365: 27 | Cocktail | 07.16.12
While at my parents' house for dinner on Sunday, my mom asked us if we wanted their shrimp cocktail glasses.
First thought: "You have shrimp cocktail glasses?!"
Second thought: "Yes!"
This was before even seeing the actual glasses but once she got one out to show us, I was still all in. How cute is that glass?! There are two pieces -- the bottom one to hold ice and the top cup is just begging to be filled up with delicious seafood. I plan to put them to good use soon.
Camera: iPhone
Monday, July 16, 2012
Recipe: Portobello Chipotle Tacos with Avocado Sauce and Toasted Pepitas
These tacos can be prepared in less than 30 minutes and make for a perfect Meatless Monday (or any other day) dinner.
'Pepitas' is the Spanish culinary term for the pumpkin seed. They are a nice addition to a vegetarian dish as they are a good source of protein. I found pepitas with the other nuts at our local Trader Joe's.
Portobello Chipotle Tacos with Avocado Sauce and Toasted Pepitas
Serves: 4 (Serving size - 2 tacos)
Adapted from: There's a Newf In My Soup
Ingredients:
1 pound portobello mushroom caps, gills removed and thickly sliced
2 tablespoons butter
4 cloves garlic minced
1 chipotle chile in adobo sauce, finely chopped
1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
Salt and pepper
1 avocado
2 tablespoons low fat or fat free sour cream
Juice of 1 lime
8 corn tortillas, warmed
1/2 cup pepitas, toasted (optional)
Favorite salsa, homemade or prepared (optional)
Directions:
Heat 1 tablespoon butter over medium heat in a large skillet. Add half of the portobellos and cook, stirring often, until tender and browned and very little moisture remains, approximately 8-10 minutes. Remove mushrooms to a plate or bowl. Add remaining 1 tablespoon of butter to the pan and repeat the cooking process with the remaining mushrooms. Return first half of mushrooms to the skillet and add the garlic and chipotle chile. Cook, stirring constantly, for another minute. Turn off heat and stir in the cilantro. Salt and pepper to taste.
While mushrooms are cooking, make the avocado sauce. In a food processor or blender combine the avocado, sour cream and lime juice. Blend until smooth. Pour into a small bowl, cover and refrigerate until ready to use.
To serve, top each tortilla with 1/8 of the mushroom mixture. Top with avocado sauce, toasted pepitas and salsa.
Project 365: 26 | Sandwich | 07.15.12
Project 365: 26 | Sandwich | 07.15.12
A must stop when in the San Luis Obispo area is at Firestone Grill for tri tip sandwiches. I stuffed this in my face and it was delicious.
Camera: iPhone
Project 365: 25 | Wedding | 07.14.12
Project 365: 25 | Wedding | 07.14.12
We had the privilege of attending our friends Dave and Angie's wedding on Saturday. It was a beautiful afternoon and evening and a wonderful time with friends. Some of those friends, including the groom, I have known since high school.
Camera: iPhone
Project 365: 24 | Paso | 07.13.12
Project 365: 24 | Paso | 07.13.12
On our weekend road trip down the coast to attend a wedding, we took a quick detour through Paso Robles for wine tasting. Neither my honey nor I have ever tasted there and it was a thoroughly enjoyable experience. This was my favorite view of the day.
Camera: iPhone
Project 365: 23 | Dumbledore | 07.12.12
Project 365: 23 | Dumbledore | 07.12.12
Sometimes the "Spot the Harry Potter Character" game goes beyond TV and movies. I heard original Dumbledore on the radio driving back to my office after a late lunch.
Camera: iPhone
Thursday, July 12, 2012
Project 365: 22 | Cake | 07.11.12
Project 365: 22 | Cake | 07.11.12
A June/July birthdays celebration was held at work. I didn't eat the cake because I don't really like cake all that much and I am trying to avoid eating such things. I did bring this piece back home for my honey. He enjoyed it.
Camera: iPhone
Project 365: 21 | Whoops | 07.10.12
Project 365: 21 | Whoops | 07.10.12
On Wednesday morning, I woke up at 4:19 (see photo) and realized that I didn't take ANY photos on Tuesday. So I took a photo of the clock (see photo) before going back to sleep.
Whoops.
Camera: iPhone
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
Project 365: 20 | Office | 07.09.12
Project 365: 20 | Office | 07.09.12
I arrived at work yesterday morning to an e-mail letting me know that I needed to move into a different office, due to some building work that was going to disrupt my current space. Lucky for me, my new space (seen here) is bigger and better than the old. I think my favorite part is all of the storage -- there is another large file cabinet just outside of what I could capture in a photo. Also, see that whole wall of windows? Much better than the half window I had prior...or the window that looked out to a hallway and copy machine that I had at my previous job.
Camera: iPhone
Monday, July 9, 2012
Project 365: 19 | Spell | 07.08.12
Project 365: 19 | Spell | 07.08.12
This is one my favorite parts of one of my favorite movies.
Camera: iPhone
Sunday, July 8, 2012
Project 365: 18 | Art | 07.07.12
Project 365: 18 | Art | 07.07.12
The bottom left painting in this photo usually lives above our fireplace but our amazingly talented friend who painted it borrowed it back for an art show. For more information on our artist friend, and to see more of her work, visit her Facebook page. For more information on the painting she did for us, check out Day 172 from my first Project 365.
Camera: iPhone
Saturday, July 7, 2012
Project 365: 17 | Tilapia | 07.06.12
Project 365: 17 | Tilapia | 07.06.12
Yesterday, I made a homemade blackened seasoning for fish/chicken. I then used it on tilapia fillets that I served on top of quinoa and topped with a radish and cucumber salsa. It was spicy, healthy and delicious and we are having the leftovers for dinner tonight. My honey is picky about fish -- he loves it raw but cooked is questionable. He enjoyed this as much as I did so I consider that a kitchen success! (Regardless of if he liked it, I would still make this again because it is so yummy.)
Recipes:
Blackened Seasoning for Fish/Chicken (I used half the salt.)
Blackened Tilapia with Radish and Cucumber Salsa (I used extra radish and a whole red pepper.)
Camera: Canon Rebel T1i
Friday, July 6, 2012
Project 365: 16 | Facial | 07.05.12
Project 365: 16 | Facial | 07.05.12
I had my first ever facial yesterday. It was wonderful and my skin is so nice and smooth. I definitely won't be waiting another 32 years for my next one.
Camera: iPhone
Thursday, July 5, 2012
Project 365: 15 | Parade | 07.04.12
Project 365: 15 | Parade | 07.04.12
Yesterday was full of my favorite Fourth of July traditions. A good friend came over for a champagne toast and then we walked to our downtown plaza for the local parade. We got a table on the patio of a favorite brewery and enjoyed mimosas while we watched the parade pass by. In this photo are some of the many parade spectators and, in the parade, people on dancing horses. I wait ALL YEAR for the dancing horses. They are my favorite. Here is a video of the horses two years ago. After the parade, we walked back home and then joined 25+ family friends (aka "framily") at my parents' house for their annual BBQ. It was a wonderful day.
Camera: iPhone
Project 365: 14 | Packed | 07.03.12
Project 365: 14 | Packed | 07.03.12
I took this photo bright and early on Tuesday morning, as I was leaving for work. For the past few months, I have been trying to eat healthier and drink lots of water. These are two of the tools that are helping me with my goal. I generally drink 2-3 liters of water each day, mostly from this water bottle. My honey and I also usually pack up lunches and snacks to take with us to work. The result is healthier eating and less money spent on eating out.
Camera: iPhone
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
Project 365: 13 | Taco | 07.02.12
Project 365: 13 | Taco | 07.02.12
For dinner last night we made portobello chipotle tacos with avocado cream and toasted pepitas. They were quite delicious. Here is the recipe.
Camera: Canon Rebel T1i
Monday, July 2, 2012
Project 365: 12 | Pie | 07.01.12
Project 365: 12 | Pie | 07.01.12
Years ago I worked with a middle school student who, during an inclusion activity, was asked the question, "If honesty is the best policy, what's the second best?"
Her answer without any hesitation?
"Pie."
Perfect.
I have been trying to make good life decisions when it comes to food but I couldn't resist a skinny slice of this lemon ice box pie that was served at our good friend's birthday party yesterday.
It was completely worth the time needed on the elliptical to work it back off.
Camera: iPhone
PS: I've told this pie story before but it was worth repeating.
Sunday, July 1, 2012
Project 365: 11 | MoMA | 06.30.12
Project 365: 11 | MoMA | 06.30.12
Yesterday we had a fantastic private tour at the Museum of Modern Art. This is a photo of our friend, in front of one of his favorite pieces, being all knowledgable and charming and stuff. I don't know who that woman is -- a few random people joined our tour along the way. I can't blame them. If I were there and heard someone sharing lots of interesting information, I might hop on the tour too.
Camera: iPhone