Motivational Monday…LEAP!
Leap and the net will appear! Whatever you’re thinking or dreaming of doing….go for it!
You cannot direct the wind, but you can adjust the sails!
Foodie Friday…two restaurants, three countries
Back in 2010 when Taylor was studying abroad in Forence, Italy we got several restaurant recommendations…one being Acqua Al 2…and “you have to try the trio steak sampler”
So, when I was planning the trip, I made reservations here and that started a chain of dining adventures that was so much fun! We did indeed have the “Assaggio di Secondi A trio of house steaks” which consisted of steak, separated in three servings with three different sauces…blueberry reduction, balsamic reduction and green peppercorn/brandy cream sauce. OMG…so good. It was back in 2010, so I don’t remember what everyone had, but I know we loved everything!
Then we found out there were two more…one in Washington DC and one in Old Town, San Diego. So Taylor and I drove her car back to NY for her senior year of college and stopped in DC on the way. Let’s go to Acqua Al 2! We did, got the steak sampler again, among other things and it didn’t disappoint.
Of course I live in California, so we went to the one in San Diego too…just not sure when. Unfortunately that one has closed now. I just thought it was cool that we went to the only three restaurants in the world opened by the same group. It wasn’t like going to McDonald’s…or some other restaurant chain, all over the world, if you know what I mean! Unfortunately I don’t have any personal pics from these restaurants, since my computer died long before I saved those pics….so these “stock” photos off the internet will have to do.
When I was in NYC in July of 2015, I finally went to a restaurant I’d been yearning to go to, Buvette. Such an adorable little bistro, with really good food and I knew there was one in Paris, which I assumed was the original. I loved it and went back with A&K when I was there in December 2015 and yearned for the day I could visit the original in Paris.
Well, last month I was able to visit Buvette in the Montmarte area of Paris and, although it is cute, I think the one in NYC is cuter and more charming….and I found out that the original is actually the one in NYC…not Paris. I’d recommend going if you’re ever in NYC….or Paris too for that matter.
So, there you have it….two restaurants, three countries! Now I have to find another restaurant with locations in far-off lands. Do you know of any? I’m always looking for that next adventure…and good food!
Have a great weekend!
You cannot direct the wind, but you can adjust the sails!
Motivational Monday…Possibilities
“Without leaps of imagination or dreaming, we lose the excitement of possibilities. Dreaming, after all is a form of planning.”….Gloria Steinem
You cannot direct the wind, but you can adjust the sails!
Foodie Friday…Cool & Green Fruit Salad
I don’t eat much fruit, I think because I’m lazy and don’t want to cut it up….and I’m not a fan of those fruit salads that have cool whip or marshmallow stuff…but I love this green fruit salad. My friend, Melissa, brought it to book club and it was a hit. It’s the perfect refreshing summer salad and I’ve made it several times! Reprinted with her permission….enjoy!
Cool & Green Fruit Salad
- 1/2 honeydew, cut into chunks (or use one of those little melon-baller gadgets)
- 1-1/3 cups whole green grapes
- 2 kiwi, peeled and sliced
- 2 TBS frozen limeade concentrate (thawed)
- 2 TBS minced fresh mint
- 1/3 cup blackberries, raspberries or both
Combine all the ingredients, except berries. Add the berries and mix gently. Serve slightly chilled.
That’s it…Bon Apetit!
…and meet the newest addition to my home…Zoey!
You cannot direct the wind, but you can adjust the sails!
Motivational Monday…decide
Every accomplishment starts with a decision to try!
So proud of my team for winning three gold medals this past weekend…with some close seconds & thirds….and great overall effort by everyone! It all started with their decision to try and the hard work that followed.
You cannot direct the wind, but you can adjust the sails!
Foodie Friday…Corn Flake Salmon
This recipe courtesy of my sister, Mariellen, who shared it with me when I couldn’t figure out what to serve when my book club came over. It was pretty yummy!
- Whole salmon
- Corn Flakes, crushed
- Butter, 3 or 4 pats
- Milk (whole), approx 1/2 cup
- Garlic Powder
- S&P
- Fresh dill sprigs
- Place the salmon in an oven proof dish. Pour a little bit of milk over the whole salmon)—enough to wet it all, but don’t drown. Sprinkle garlic powder lightly over the salmon.
- Crush Corn Flakes over whole salmon. Add pats of butter—depending on how big the salmon is, but it’s usually 3-4 pats (Okay, I may have added more butter…but that never ruined a dish) Salt & Pepper.
Place dill sprigs on top.
- Cook for 20/25 mins at 350 degrees.
- Slice & serve with salad or green veggie and yummy bread or another starch.
Bon Appetit!
You cannot direct the wind, but you can adjust the sails!
No Strangers Here…Solo Travel…Kind of?
There are no strangers here;
only friends you haven’t yet met….William Butler Yeats
When I was in Paris recently I was often asked if I liked to travel alone. Actually I get asked that quite a bit everywhere I go and here at home. The answer is a little complicated. I love traveling with people who are as adventurous and outgoing as I am, spontaneous or just love hanging out and enjoying some quiet time. I have lots of friends who are married, though, and sometimes they can’t join me on my travels and therefore I do travel alone….kind of!
When I was first faced with the question of “travel or don’t travel” due to my new single-dom the answer was a resounding “TRAVEL!” “Don’t travel” was never part of the conversation. It was a little weird and a bit of an adjustment, but I made the most of it and have been to some awesome places by myself….but it’s always more fun to share the experiences with someone. That’s where the “kind of” comes in.
Since I’ve been doing home exchanges, and traveling alone, I’ve met some really great people and it’s opened up my world in a way I never imagined. Case in point, this last trip to Paris.
Sure, I traveled over to Paris by myself, but…
- I stayed with my new friend, Caroline…who had stayed with me back in November, so I never came back to an empty place. There was someone to share my adventures with….and hear about her day.
- Monday night, one of my neighbor’s, Ted, and his daughter, Dory, happened to be visiting Paris at the same time so we had dinner in the shadow of the Eiffel Tower. (check out Dory’s youtube channel…she’s got an amazing voice!)
- Tuesday I booked a dinner in a Haussmann apartment with Bon Appetour, (the Parisian equivalent of EatWith here in the U.S.), so I met some new friends and didn’t dine alone.
how cool is this building..and apartment below that I had the privilege of dining in?
- Wednesday was dinner with some friends, Dominique, Alain & Thomas, that I had met back in 2012 through my friend here, Renee. Again, didn’t dine alone.
- Thursday I was in Chartres most of the day and had a big lunch, so didn’t even have dinner.
- Friday Caroline and I dined at her home out on her lovely patio, before heading over to St. Chappelle for a violin concert of Pachelbel’s Cannon & Vivaldi’s Four Seasons. Afterwards, she walked home and I went over to my favorite little corner bistro, St Regis, on the ├Äle Saint-Louis, and because you’re so close to each other on those bistro chairs I met a lovely couple next to me, who, believe it or not, the woman was from Tustin originally…and they live in Alameda up in the bay area where my best friend Mary Kay lives….what are the chances!!
- Saturday Caroline got some last minute comp tickets for Saturday Night Fever, the musical, at a local theater, so we grabbed a quick bite with her friend at Dupont Versailles Brasserie across from the venue….where I finally had my escargot..yummy! Another fun night…even if the show was in French, the music was English and you can pretty much follow the story of Saturday Night Fever.
So, that’s my complicated answer about traveling alone….by meeting people and arranging dinners along the way you get the best of both worlds…wandering alone by day, having dinner and catching up with friends, old and new by night.
Of course the icing on the cake of this trip was stopping in NY to see my favorite son and daughter-in-law….pizza Monday in Brooklyn with their fun friends!
You cannot direct the wind, but you can adjust the sails!
Funny Monday…Caterpillars
I want to be like a caterpillar.
Eat a lot.
Sleep for awhile.
Wake up beautiful!
Now, that’s not too much to ask, right? Thanks to Gina for this one!
You cannot direct the wind, but you can adjust the sails!
Foodie Friday…Trevor’s at the Tracks
As promised, here’s a quick review of Trevor’s at the Tracks in San Juan Capistrano. It’s a really good restaurant that I’d recommend….take the train and make it a real adventure!
We started out with some good guac and chips…and cocktails…
….moved on to dinner…
We were all too full for dessert, so I can’t tell you much, except that when Val was here the first time she and her mom had the peach cobbler, served in a little cast iron pan and said it was soooo good! They also have a warm cookie with ice cream, also served in cast iron that I’ll have to save room for next time I go. All in all a great meal, great ambiance, great people watching and lovely atmosphere…all of it amplified by the adventure of taking the train to dinner! Can’t wait to go again!
