Aloha!

*sigh* I just spent a week on the beautiful Big Island, Hawaii. Do I really have to go home? The weather, the beaches, the smells, the people... all so gorgeous and habit-forming. Maybe I could swing another week here if I say I need to go to rehab for my addiction. Or is that like attending AA meetings in a bar?

Our favorite spot was Hapuna Beach where we spent nearly every day swimming. We also hiked the crater of the Kilauea Volcano. And then there was the shopping, where I bought these...my new favorite shoe.



Here's Anthony taking a sip from the Akaka Falls:



Here I am hiking in the crater:



I loved the unfolding ferns:



And a little colorful gecko:



It was a lovely trip, but back to reality I go. Aloha...

Hard Core Cupcakes

You know I love all things digestive...so I found this shirt that marries my love of food and my love of the GI system (is that weird?). And this website marries the cupcake trend with the skull and crossbones.

Hard core, yet domestic and gentle...

Biscotti Bliss

This is one of my very favorite cook books. I go back to this one time and time again. The Triple Ginger Lovers is my favorite, but today I tweaked the Biscotti Aloha and made it into Orange Almond Coconut. Darren was disappointed that there was no chocolate, but who's to say we can't dip these bad boys in some bittersweet?

Wouldn't a couple dozen biscotti and this book together make a great gift for someone?

Psst...

You want a good cup of coffee? Blue Bottle Coffee Co. Kiosk in Hayes Valley might be one of SF's best kept coffee secrets. Ok, not really a secret (judging by the line), but definitely a treat. The literal hole-in-the-wall kiosk is worth the drive and the wait.

Resolution

Like many, I made a resolution to "exercise more." I know that the intgible resolution is worthless, so I time-activated. I signed up for a swim class at CCSF. I pay the $40 (yes, insn't that ridiculous for 5 months of instruction?), suit up, show up, do what the coach tells me, and in one hour, resolution met! It's amazing the motivational transformation of 1 hour of swimming. I recommend it.



Here's a photo of me swimming the 200 breast in 2004 finals when I was on the CSM swim team (it's not what you think). I cropped the part where the swimmers from the next event are already on the starting blocks waiting for me to finish.... I have to say, however, that I did not finish last in any event that year.

See Sara Run...Again

Here is the table runner I brought to our Twitty Holiday Party gift exchange. I almost didn't give it up, I loved it so much.

I made it with Amy Butler fabrics and linen from PeaPod Fabrics.

My mom and sister got similar runners for Christmas, but with technical difficulties and a new house, respectively, I have not managed to coax them into sending me photos of their runners. I got wise and snapped the shot before letting it go this time.

I just love that fabric!!!


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Update: Monica sent me a photo of her runner. Slightly different, see?

Happiness is...

...Having all your ladies (and Darren) in one room.

I should be so lucky.

Peasant Pies

Ok, here we go with the food again...But, I just have to say, I love peasant pies. That's all there is to it! They're inexpensive, delicious, convenient, healthy, tidy, they keep for days in the fridge, and they're good hot or cold (of course, I prefer my food hot & toasty). Perfect airplane and picnic food...or housewarming or on-the-go...or rainy day or dropped-in-guests. Ok, essentially, they're good any time, any place.

My favorites are: Basque Beef & Potato, Spinach Feta, Black Bean Tofu, Spicy Eggplant & my new favorite, Orzo Primavera. You can buy them at the Peasant Pie shop, or at many health food stores around the City.

You should try one.

Woman About Town

It took me a while, but I really love living in the City. Here's one reason why: Dine About Town. You can indulge in a 4-star lunch for $22 (without bevvy).

My friend, Sarah, and I had a delicious lunch at Asia de Cuba at the Clift. I felt like an imposter (it was so chic), but maaaan was it fabulous! Ok, we didn't get out of there for $22, but it was a delightful, delicious afternoon.

Other Dine About Town dinners I've tasted: XYZ, First Crush, Tablespoon, and tonight Le Colonial.

Update: We ended up going to Roy's instead. The macadamia nut Ahi was delish - but next time, I'm getting the shrimp. And the molten chocolate cake was enough to bring me back. Now that I think about it, I could just have a cocktail and that cake for dinner. Date, anyone?

Wooly Bag for Robyn

You were probably starting to think this was a "What's Sara Eating Now?" Blog...but no. My inspiration to re-start blogging was to showcase my latest creations (I suppose food could be included.... I do have a lasagna in the oven if you're interested...)

This is a herringbone wool tote I made for my nursing friend, Robyn. It has a red interior and I am in love with it! I think Robyn loved it too...

I bought the fabric from this cute little neighborhood quilt store, Peapod fabrics, around the corner from my house (Most of the website is in Japanese, but come see for yourself next time you're in the neighborhood).

"Did you see my doormat?"

See my new 10-minute doormat? I think I'm the only one who actually steps on it. I made everyone take note of it before entering or exiting our house this weekend.

See Sara Run!

Look at my new table runner! I was inspired by this runner from Pink Chalk Studio (a favorite blog to visit). I went a little more crazy with the machine quilting, but I'm still happy with the results.

It wasn't meant to be Christmassy, and I think in any other season it might not seem so, but it does fit quite well with this holiday decor. I made it with fabrics I already had lying around, so it was essentially a free project....well, not really. My favorite projects are those that seem to come from nothing.

Anyhow, I love it and am excited to keep it locked up in a closet so that nobody spills spaghetti or red wine on it. Just kidding...

Pa-rum-pum-pum-pum

My nephew, Makaio, the little drummer boy. He can thank his uncle Anthony for teaching him everything he knows.

Steve Bunnies

Don't tell Malia and Makaio, but they're getting bunnies for Christmas (among other things)! This is a bunny version of "Steve" the cat pattern from Denyse Schmidt's Quilts book.

I guess I made them into bunnies instead because Makaio sucks his right index and middle fingers, and then with his left hand rubs his right palm with soft blankies, stuffed animals, or even socks (he is too cute, we can hardly stand him). So, I gave him bunny ears to hold onto. Plus, I really wanted to use the goldfish on Makaio's, and if it was a cat, it would look like the cat ate the goldfish... and that wouldn't be good. Malia deserves a little cupcake bunny for herself too...it will match her new room!

They're made of super-soft corduroy with little felt noses. Aren't they such silly little bunnies?

Stone Soup

So, I really intended this to be a craft blog, but it's turning out to be a food blog... or, a "what food is Sara obsessed with now?" blog. In any case, I know I gave my mom a "shout-out" in my last blog entry, but I gotta give her another "Holla!" (she would never Holla back, FYI)

I almost stopped at the grocery store on my way home from school tonight, but then I thought, "Nah, I'll scrounge something up". And scrounge I did. Tonight, we have stone soup for dinner. Ok, not exactly, but I just love it when I put together dinner with things I've already got around the house. A little onion, garlic, celery, potato, yam, and chicken broth...cook it down, blend it up & Voila! Dinner. Always gotta trow a little parm on there for good measure.

I built dinner in the spirit of my mother...She made me resourceful, and for that I am grateful (and well-fed).

Good night, y'alls... it's been a long day.

Hungarian Breakfast Cheesecake

When I was little, my mom was fabulously resourceful (well, she still is). I remember she would make a "breakfast cheesecake" with things we already had in the fridge (that were also probably expired or on their way out). I recreated the cheesecake with fresh ingredients (sorry, Mom) and it is as delicious as I remember...

Anyhow, I was searching the web for a similar recipe because I was just going off my memory, and I actually found something called a "Hungarian Cheesecake" - who knew? My mom, who has Hungarian roots, said her mom used to make it too. So, maybe there is such a thing!

Hungarian Breakfast Cheesecake:

For the crust, take 1 can of biscuits (the kind that poof) and into a pie plate, manipulate & spread the biscuits to make one continuous crust.

For the filling, mix together 2 cups cottage cheese, 1 small can crushed pineapple (drained), 4 eggs, 1/4 cup sugar, about 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, and a dash of nutmeg.

Pour the filling into the crust, bake at 450 for 10 minutes, and then at 350 for an additional 35-45 minutes. Peek in on it - cover the crust with foil if it gets too dark. It's done when the center barely jiggles - it's OK if it cracks a little. Cool & serve chilled.

* You can puree your cottage cheese to make a smoother consistency. And I threw about 1/4 cup pumpkin puree in there as well. Maybe next time, I will add a little flour (maybe 2-3 T) to make it more solid.

Anyhow, it's delicious, pretty healthy, fast, and apparently traditional!

Got Scurvy?

[Insert Pachelbel's Canon here] My name is Sara, and I'm a grapefruitaholic.

The time comes once a year, when I buy grapefruit by the boxfuls. The other months of the year, I'm a hater. Don't worry, like all the others, this food phase will probably come to an end. But for now, I'm exceeding my vitamin C requirement.... and yours.

"Gentle garden, I have little more grown up..."

See my little patio flower & herb garden? It is so gentle.

(And I haven't had to water it once with all the rain! Bonus!)

p.s. The title is atop some Engrish stationery I have... so silly.

Turkey Reincarnation

Turkeys become enchiladas after thanksgiving 'round theses parts.  This is my very favorite enchilada recipe, from my Chevy's cookbook.  Sometimes I call them "The 10-Hour Enchiladas," but that's not really true... Use a Costco roasted chicken and save yourself some time.

No Need to Knead

They say, "Man cannot live on bread alone" (I think even Shakira says it in La Tortura) ...but, BOY, I sure could! Just slap a little butter on there and I am a happy girl.

I found this no-knead recipe that produces this AWESOME, easy specimen of a loaf. Crispy on the outside, scrumptiously spongy on the inside. This is just the beginning for me - I see olive loaves, baguettes, and rolls in my future! I'm telling you, anyone can make this bread - and everyone should.

If you need the recipe, just give a holler.