Studying

Battling a cold and studying makes it hard to focus.  Not like it's really easy for me to focus anyway.  If I'm not that into the material, like math, it's difficult for me.  I have read up on how to focus better but the bottom line is always "Just do it!"  So, just doing it!  After my mom called today of course.  You have to talk to your mom, it's a law really and I am also bad at calling.  So with all that and going to the bathroom out of the way, here we go!

Happy New Year's Post

Another brand New Year stretched out in front of me!  Fantastic!  So many things have been going on this year and was not able or am too lazy to blog!  I'm bad.  To start out, we finally purchased a home!  I am still pinching myself!!  This has been such a long time coming, been trying to be frugal while saving for a down payment, still being frugal because the mortgage is more than rent, and fixing up some things.  Then, ten days after we closed escrow, I lost my job. Besides being sad and trying to think if Unemployment would cover a mortgage, I was happy I could be home to organize the new place and do contact paper in the kitchen.   Got lots of projects going on so far.  Been job hunting too bleh, but getting some good feedback and have had some good responses so far.

Lots of interesting new things are happening here!  So funny that when I'm not working there is so much stuff to do, friends and people to see and projects to accomplish, but when I'm working, not so much.  Think it has to do with having better time management when there's a set schedule.  Onward and upwards we go!!!

Wedding pic 2010

Balboa Island, December 30, 2013

Gluten Free Friday!

Happy Friday!  Yay made it one more time to the weekend.  I can't wait to sleep in tomorrow, oh joy!  Hope you all can enjoy your weekend to the fullest whether its not doing anything, or doing lots of interesting things.  

Today is gluten free Friday at Sidecar in Costa Mesa.  And I mean gluten free donuts!  I stopped by to get one for my best co-worker friend as she is doing the gluten free thing.  

I got her the cinnamon crumb, it's just too good.  Lighter weight than most gluten free options and very tasty!

As you can see I started in on the lemongrass donut in the car and no, I have no patients to wait while there are yummy donuts so close to me in a small space.  

See the little bits of lemongrass?  Super awesome!  And they have Stumptown coffee which was not bitter so that is love to me!  Check them out at: www.sidecardoughnuts.com.  

It's Thursday!

It has been a crazy couple of weeks here at Tasty Fashion Land!  Work has been nuts for three months!  We are in the process of some huge changes.  My back has also been not well for 4 weeks now.  But, thanks to my Rock Star husband, most of the major pain is gone.  It was one of those things where I had him massage and push in my sacrum, it was super helpful, most of the pain is gone!  It's just sore now, which is probably normal, I see the doctor on Monday for it.  A week and a half after I call but its all good.  Some good things some interesting things, but just life.  What do I do when I'm a cranky mess?  I look at pics of my cat:

Isn't he cute!  His name is Louis and he makes me smile.  So do the Cheezeburger cats, but you can't pet those.  

My guy likes to sleep all day, on my bed .  I love it!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Today of all days reminds me to be grateful for everything from my job to the wonderful people in my family and my rock star Hubbs! Wishing you a beautiful day!

It has been such beautifully chilly weather here in So Cal, by mean chilly I mean 50 degrees or so.  That means it's in the 50-60's at night and in the early morning.  The afternoon could be 70 or 80 depending on factors of Santa Ana winds and fog etc..  But who cares, It's getting to be soup weather!!  One of my favorite soups is the traditional French Onion, I discovered it by working in a restaurant in my 20's hostessing for Hamburger Hamlet.  It seemed so exotic at the time....  I never thought of floating bread with broiled swiss on top of a rich beef and onion broth, but it is oh so good!!

I actually broke out my mandolin to chop up all the onions required!

and the 6 quart pot!  This is serious business!

See those onions simmer away!! Smells so good!

Oh my gosh yes!!!  

I could eat this all the time, even in the summer it's soooo good!!

Like a hug in a bowl!

I got my recipe here.  In the future, I am going to make my own beef stock.  I have some time off this week so am going to make marinara and beef stock.  So lovely to just grab from the freezer and use and to know it was made in advance. This recipe called for Duck Rillette, since I did not intend on using this in the first place I omitted this item but you can make it if you wish.  I did not have a lot of time to put this together and the Rillette has many steps to it.  

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 4 cups yellow, julienned
• Salt
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 1 tablespoon chopped garlic
• Dash of dry sherry
• Dash of Worcestershire sauce
• 8 cups beef stock
• 8 slices of toasted French bread (about 1-inch thick)
• 8 slices of Gruyere cheese
• 2 teaspoons chopped fresh parsley leaves

Directions

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. In a large saucepan, over medium-heat, melt the butter. Add the onions. Season with salt and pepper. Saute the onions until slightly caramelized, about 8 to 10 minutes. Add the garlic, sherry, Worcestershire sauce and stock. Season with salt and pepper. Bring the liquid to a boil and reduce to a simmer. Cook the soup for 15 minutes. Ladle the soup into oven-proof deep bowls. Float the croutons on top of the soup. Cover each crouton with a piece of cheese. Sprinkle the cheese with parsley. Place the bowls on a sheet pan and place in the oven. Bake until the cheese is bubbly and golden, about 6 to 8 minutes. Remove from the oven and serve.

With love from the kitchen!!

Saturday Night Festivities!

It's the first Saturday of the month and since its November that means Dia de Los Muertos here in Santa Ana! It is a real interesting part of OC culture that you don't get to see much of at all. Bit I'm here with my Hubbs and friends