A few days before my first child was born I was frantically planting flowers in the garden. This is California, and I was still trying to get the winter flowers into the ground before my first child was born. My nesting instincts had clicked in full gear and had extended to the yard as well …
Planning a Friday Night Dinner Party
Having a dinner party on a Friday night, after working all week, having kids, and sticking to a training schedule, takes a bit of planning and lots of organization. First off, I am all about getting together with friends on Friday nights – but it’s usually order a pizza, toss a salad, and open a …
The Importance of Keeping a Training Journal
My stepson looked at me the other day with his wide eyes and big smile and told me that he had a crazy scary thought run through his head. “What’s that?” I inquired. “In three months we will be swimming the San Francisco Bay, and that, that is crazy! We need to start training.” I assured …
How to Cut a Mango
I love mango in my morning green smoothies. It is also one of the ingredients in my Cinco de Mayo menu; it is a main ingredient in the salsa as well as the mini tostados. Mango is delicious! Cutting a mango can be a bit challenging. I learned this easy trick years ago, and it makes cutting …
It’s a Cinco de Mayo Menu
Celebrating Cinco de Mayo is a common event in California no matter what your heritage. So even though I am Irish-Scott and French, I have always partaken in the Mexican celebration. Now that I am the step-mother to a son born of Mexican heritage, I have all the more reason to celebrate and honor Mexican …
An Easy Mother’s Day Picnic
Mother’s Day is right around the corner, and my husband has been asking me what I might want to do. I can tell you I don’t like heading to restaurants on Mother’s Day – they are way too busy. Crazy busy. I have a few stories of Mother’s Day restaurant brunch fails. I never feel …
Huevos Rancheros – A Cinco de Mayo Breakfast
Huevos Rancheros, or “Rancher’s Eggs” has been a breakfast tradition since I was a young girl. Most often we enjoyed this Mexican dish on Easter Sunday. My dad was in charge of the production, and I would stand by his side in the kitchen acting as sous chef. While Huevos Rancheros are very easy to …
Artichoke Nibbles – a Make-Ahead Appetizer
As you can tell from the recipe card below, this is one of my recipes that I have been making since high school. I love this recipe and have been making it for years because it is delicious, and because you can make it ahead. When I entertain I am all about making as much …
Fort Funston – A FUN Beach to Take Your Dog
The sun was low and the tide was high when we finally trekked over the towering dunes and laid our eyes on the shore. Before us laid doggy Disneyland! Dogs were everywhere darting and dashing in and out of the waves, tumbling and rolling in the sand, running and chasing up and down the shore. …
Building a Front Yard Vegetable Garden
It has been many years since I have had a vegetable garden. Mostly that has been due to a lack of time, and the busy summer traveling schedule I always had when my eldest two were playing competitive sports. For years, every weekend we were off to a tournament in another city.My husband and I …