A Pretty Star

Here's a little photo I took many months ago. I absolutely fell in love with it.

It was a bergamont meringue from Incanto. I'm looking at this star and thinking of my mom on her birthday and wishing she was here.

An Anniversary

Today would have been my mom and dad's 35th anniversary. Here's to my mom and dad...two people that have influenced me in so many ways.

I'm dedicating one of the most romantic and beautiful images I have ever seen to them:

This is completely made out of chocolate--such a masterpiece! The creation of French chocolate maker and artist Mark, friend to San Francisco's extraordinary Michael Recchiuti.

Strawberries!

I recently became the proud owner of a small strawberry plant. Strawberries are one of my favorite fruits, so I'm especially excited to see if I could keep it alive and eventually, taste my own home grown strawberry!

Below you'll see two pictures. The one on the left? My humble little plant. Sitting on my window sill, with a teeny tiny berry popping out!

The photo on the right? Umm. Yea. That's how the professionals do it. Taken recently from a trip to Blue House Farm, check out how great their strawberry looks!

So yea. Let's see how my little plant does. I would be so happy if in a few more weeks I had a ripe red sweet berry growing in my home!

Flowers for Mom

Thinking of my mom on this Mother's Day. Wishing every single day that I could talk to her again and that I could just see her and hug her. Tulips were my mom's favorite flowers, and each and every time I see some, I can't help but to snap a photo of them, and to pause. And to take a moment to think about my mom. Hoping you're all sending love to your moms on this Mother's Day.

Takin' My Time

I have been a bad blogger. And I know I've said it before and in the past, this type of post has been my recommitment to my blog. Promising lots and lots of posts.

But this time, it's a little different. There's been a lot going on in my life. A great deal of soul searching. A lot of time with good friends. And a lot of realizing what makes me happy. And what doesn't. A lot of good things have been happening. And on top of that? Lots of sun. And lots less computer time. So what does this all mean?

I am going to try and get back to my little blog. But I'm also going to take a little bit of a different spin on it. And try to write about some different things. There'll still be some of my usual posts--hopefully continuing to post a Friday Favorite picture, and yes, don't worry. The ever popular Meal of the Month 'column' will stay.

So, stay tuned. Just give me a little bit of time.

Happy Picnic Day!

It's Picnic Day! One of my favorite days of the year. This beautiful chocolate 'painting' of cows that I saw back in February made me think of Picnic Day.

Such happy little cows. Happy cows come from Davis! To me, Picnic Day is all about the alumni pancake breakfast, the parade, the wiener dog races, and of course...Battle of the Bands!

Here's one of my favorite photos of my two brothers and I at Picnic Day two years ago:

Go Ags!

One Year Ago...Pebble Beach

It's hard to believe that it was a year ago this weekend that I made the trek down to the Pebble Beach Food & Wine Festival...it was such an amazing experience. The best part of it? It was a last minute, spur of the moment trip. Here's to taking last minute chances and to having a sense of adventure!

That seems so long ago...I wonder where I'll be next year at this time.

Range of Emotions

I've recently been spending a few nights staging in a restaurant kitchen. I've only been in a few times, but I am hoping to go back. I'm still processing all of my feelings and digesting everything. And there's definitely been an adjustment period. This kitchen and this experience has been very different from my experience in the Postrio kitchen. Amazing and unique in it's own ways, but just different.

After my last shift? Some words came to my mind:

Adrenaline rush
Worn out
Stressed
Happy
Jealousy
Awe
Regret
Amazement
Sadness
Envy
Shame
Excitement
Rigid
Trust
Harsh
Opportunity

But the word I'm holding on to? Determination. I'm determined. Determined to do a good job. Determined to learn. Determined to contribute to the kitchen team and to the restaurant. Determined to be allowed back. And determined to take advantage of this unique experience.

Needing To Go Back...

I don't know what took me so long. Maybe I was scared? Maybe I wasn't sure if what I had was a fluke? A one time thing? That it was something so special, I shouldn't even try to recreate it.

What am I talking about? I'm talking about cooking. In a restaurant kitchen.

Although I often think about those days (and long nights) that I had been staging at Postrio, I didn't realize that it had almost been 18 months since I'd worked there. Many of you have read on this blog about my adventures in the kitchen. The trials and errors. The ups and the downs. The rushes. The highs.

I'd been thinking a lot about cooking again recently. And thanks to a friend, I even had the chance to enroll in some classes through the local culinary school. It took about an hour for me to realize. I needed to learn on the job. Not in the classroom. I'd been lucky enough to have spent time in a restaurant kitchen before, and this wasn't going to cut it anymore. I'm not looking to make a career change here, so the classroom stuff? While it was great fundamentals, I missed the adrenaline rush of the kitchen. I missed the energy. The team work. I missed working with, and learning from, serious cooks. It kicked me into high gear.

Now? Now, I'm searching. For a restaurant that will let me come and work. That will welcome the free help, that will be patient with me. Who has cooks that want to, and are able to, teach someone. I'm looking for a kitchen that recognizes that I have something to give. And that I will be dedicated to their kitchen. And continue to give my time, for as long as I'm learning. And having fun.

Pen Pals

I still remember the days of pen pals. From when we were young, and you'd have that friend that maybe lived in another country, or another state, or at that time, even just the next town over. I had a few different pen pals after our first sleep over camp in elementary school. There was no email back then. And sure, there was the phone, but it wasn't the same. There was something special about taking out that 'special' stationary, sitting down and writing.

Well. In this day and age, even despite email, IM, GChat, Twitter, Facebook, and my blog, I've managed to get myself a pen pal. Ok, so it's not exactly the same. We're not mailing each other letters. We do it over email. But the emails we share with each other are long and thoughtful. They're reminiscent of the letters I use to receive from my childhood pen pals.

Each and every time I receive an email from my pen pal, I drop everything. I have to read it right away. I'm always excited to see what story the email will bring. To hear what's going on in my dear friend's life. And to search for the pearls of wisdom that are always shared. I know I can always share my honest thoughts, and that there is no self editing. We're ourselves. And not trying to be anyone else with each other.

I feel lucky. My pen pal and I have only met in person a handful of times. And I really think we became friends via phone and email even before our first meeting. There was an instant connection. I felt 'good energy' and knew that there was a special bond.

In this day of technology, where I fall asleep to tweets and wake up to Facebook status updates, my pen pal provides me with a breath of fresh air.

Head to Tail!

Tonight is the annual Incanto Head to Tail dinner. And I absolutely can't wait to see what my friend Chris Cosentino and his team have whipped up for us. I'll be sure to post full details of the meal and photos (and I'm sure will be Tweeting live from the dinner! Check it out here.) But until then. Here's a fun picture to get you all ready.

My friend Tatiana's slippers--SO CUTE! Oink oink!

Balancing Happiness and Sadness

Today's a special day for my friend Adam. He's getting married. And while I am so excited for him and thrilled to be a part of his special day, I'm also feeling a little down. Today is the day, three years ago, that my mom passed away.

I think about my mom all the time. Literally every day. And there are times still, when even just getting up in the morning is difficult. But today, Mother's Day, my birthday, her birthday, and around the holidays (especially Thanksgiving), I get especially sad. And today, what's on my mind? The fact that my mom will never see me get married.

But, I balance that out with being happy for my friend. Who's found a partner to share his life with. I guess the lesson for today is to cherish the loved ones in your life. And spend as much time with them as you can. Here's to new beginnings and many fond memories.

A High

I'm coming off one of the most exhilarating, stressful, intense, and fun experiences from this weekend. I'm still processing all of it and can't wait for a bit of free time to get it all down on 'paper' and to share my experience with all of you. I think it's a combination of my experiences this weekend and Day Light Savings time--but I have been one happy girl all day.

Porky Goodness

Food porn at it's best. Some Chinese style roasted pork. One of my favorite things to eat when I was young, and it's still one of my favorites. I mean really. Who could pass this up? My mouth is watering thinking about the tender meat and crispy skin. Delicious

Age Appropriate

Dear AARP,

Ahem. How old do you think I am? A membership card? Don't you think I'm a little young? I think you can take me off the mailing list for now. Thanks.

Sincerely,
Jamie

My Pops

Today is a special day. My dad's birthday! Happy Birthday to my dear dad. As life hits us with ups and downs, my relationship with my dad has changed and evolved. While we're still figuring it all out but through it all, one thing's been clear. We both love each other.

Thank you dad for everything you've done for me, taught me, and continue to teach me.

Slowing Down...

Dear Readers,

I still love my little blog. I still love you all. And I still love blogging. But why haven't I been doing it you ask? Time. Energy. Other projects. But I'm thinking about you all lots and lots. I promise.

And in the meantime, a few things.

This piece on Yahoo! about the decline of blogging with the younger generation caught my eye. So interesting. I promise I don't completely fall into that category. I DO still love blogging.

You want to hear what's on my mind? Follow my Tweets! I do have to admit, those short, succinct, 140 character bursts are a lot easier to keep up with. Find me there. All the same random thoughts. And many more thoughts about food, friends, life...and did I mention food?

You want to read about some of my recent eating escapades? Here's a review I wrote about Out the Door Bush Street...AND here's a review about the new wine bar, Heart, that's in my neighborhood. Hopefully I'll be channeling the reviewer in me to write a few more reviews online. We'll see.

Ok. So before I leave you. Here's a photo to keep you drooling for more!

From a recent dinner out with my good friends Wendy and Mark. Fried chicken and ramen--can someone say comfort food?

Hang in there readers. I'll be back. I hope you will be too!

The Comfort of Food...and a Sister

It must be the weather. Or the time of year. Or just the mood I'm in. But I've been down. And in some serious need for comfort.

My sister and I have both been busy at work. And now that we don't have the luxury of living blocks from each other, seeing each other can be a bit more difficult. On a recent Sat when neither of us had plans, we decided to get together and to make the trek to the inner Sunset for some noodles and dumplings. It was just what I needed.

It ended up not being a horribly rainy day, but there was still enough of a chill in the air that we were both excited for some noodles, soup, and dumplings. We ended up at San Tung where in addition to all of that, we ate a plate of their famous dried fried chicken. So good!

As we sat there slurping up noodles, piercing the skins of the steamy dumplings and licking our fingers of the sweet sauce from the chicken, we talked and caught up. We talked about our recent work stresses and unhappiness. Upcoming trips we had planned. Our friends. Our dad. For a few hours that day, my sister and I were brought back to the comforting foods of our childhood and it almost felt like time stood still while we caught up.

After lunch, we ended up walking around some of the Chinese shops and grocery stores. And I was reminded that there is NO ONE out there that knows me like my sister. So many things that just come as second nature to us, things that are familiar to just the two of us from our childhoods, things that she knows I like, and things I know she likes.

It was a much needed afternoon outing. The good food was what my stomach needed and the good company what my heart needed.

Picture Perfect

At a recent dinner, as always, I was trying to capture pictures of everything we ate. I realized as we were scarfing down our desserts, that I hadn't taken a picture yet! So I quickly grabbed my camera to try and at least snap a picture of the empty plates. Something like this...

Simple right? Not so fast. Thanks to the fast fingers of my friend Evan, this picture was much harder than it should have been. It took a few tries to get the perfect picture...

The good news? We had lots and lots of laughs through it all. And in the end? A special and memorable (and delicious!) meal.

My Turkish Coffee

One look into my empty coffee cup, and even the manager of my new favorite local restaurant, Tuba, could tell. My heart hurt. Those were his exact words. Ouch.

As he, with insane accuracy, told me what the coffee grounds said, I couldn't help but wonder. Will my luck turn around this year? Will there be new love interests? Maybe the next time I get my coffee grounds read, the outcome won't be so gloomy.