I’d say I cannot believe it’s 2017, but I can. I’m hoping holidays were good for everyone and this New 2017 is starting off well. I’m not making any resolutions but rather committing to things I know better myself and my family. I refuse to restrict myself to a diet, unattainable exercise regime, restrictions and other forms of personal torture. I think it’s far more reasonable to get back on track by gently getting back into a routine and a happy way of life. Sure, I could lose a few pounds, exercise, spend less money, and the list goes on and on… but, rather than setting this all up to fail, my mindset is that I am going to live each day as best as I am able and be able to look back with gratitude and fulfillment. I know I’ll make mistakes, and better to allow some little ones than build up to big ones that are damaging and impactful for my family and god knows who else.
The one thing that comes to mind that I have been asserting, particularly as of late, and speaking up for myself and not letting other people run my life nor accepting the unacceptable. Historically, I have retreated from others, people pleased and basically acted as a doormat because I never felt it worth the fight. Sadly, a lot of us who grew up in alcoholic households are like this. I’ve propetuated this even further in my own family because of my own addiction history in that I rarely speak up because I haven’t felt I could. The truth is so long as I am a sober, contributing, involved, loving member of my world I have every reason to be afforded the respect and opportunities that are mine in the first place. So, that is something I see already as an area of growth in my life/world.
So, on to much more fun things! I’ve been on fire in the kitchen, trying LOTS of new things which I will share along the way. I made a really yummy chicken cattiatore. I’m big on food blogs and found this at Cafe Delights.
It can be found at http://cafedelites.com/2016/05/09/chicken-cacciatore/.
I substituted a couple things in my dish. I used frozen artichoke hearts – I used one 8 oz frozen package of artichoke hearts – in lieu of the olives, and I used non-alcoholic red wine in this case, I seasoned the entire pan when all ingredients were incorporated with salt and pepper as I found it needed it. I also threw in a couple chicken breasts as my husband doesn’t care for bone-in chicken. I served it over fusilli pasta and it was really good, particularly in this rainy and cold Southern California weather. It was a total hit!
We did have a great holiday, my kids were off school for three weeks – which is a bit too long! We certainly made the most of it! John and I took the kids to San Francisco after Christmas for a few days. It was their first trip and he and I had not been in far too long, and the city did not disappoint!!! We stayed at the Four Seasons Hotel on Market Street, and it was just amazing. Their holiday decor was beautiful and the staff were so accommodating.
This is us in their lobby.
We ate at Bobos our first night. It’s known for their crab and steak. It was really good! Our waiter was so spot on, great personality and great with my kids. John and I shared a Dungeness crab and it was awesome. It’s crab season right now in San Francisco, so when in Rome!!! Their steak was really awesome as well. It’s a funky place and has tons of character. I do recommend it highly. Bobos is at 1450 Lombard Street, San Francisco. I always make reservations so I don’t have to wait – and that is everywhere permitting.
Our second day we shopped a bit around Union Square. The boys,of course, hit the Nike Store and Avery and I hit Saks, Macy’s and SF has the only Goyard store in the Eastern United States (there’s one in New York on the East Coast). The food at the Four Seasons was really quite good as well. We did not eat dinner there, but did have breakfasts, a lunch, snacks and dessert there. Our second night we ate dinner at Alfred’s Steakhouse – which has been there since 1928. My dad even ate there when he went to Berkeley in 50’s. Aside from tired kiddos, it was great. Their food was good. John had crab cakes, I had a steak, and everything was really good. The service was acceptable – not wonderful, not bad. The room itself was painted a deep red, with leather booths – a very old school feel. Alfred’s is located at 659 Merchant Street, San Francisco.
Our third day we toured the city, I got a car to drive us around and show the kids the sights. One thing I will say, it was so crowded. In hindsight, I would do this exact trip another time, as San Francisco is a destination for New Years and the holidays in general. Nonetheless, we made the most of it. We drove all over: Golden Gate Park – went in the California Academy of Science (it was amazing but too crowded to see much), Lombard Street (I recommend doing this one at night as not to get caught in the traffic of it), across the Golden Gate Bridge into Sausalito, Twin Peaks, around the Wharf and Embarcadero, to AT&T Park, etc, etc. We ate lunch at the Franciscan Crab. It’s right in Fishermans Wharf on Pier 43. It’s a bit touristy, but the crab was really good and the view even better. We had a beautiful view of the bay and Alcatraz. I very much recommend it for lunch so you can see it all. We were supposed to have dinner at Perbacco, but after our late lunch and busy day we postponed that for another time. We ended up shopping and attempting to go ice skating at Union Square – which come to find out is quite the thing (duh!) – and requires advance ticket purchasing. So, if you’re wanting to do that – you can buy tickets online before going on your trip (I’d recommend a few days out). We ended up having a late dinner at Scala’s Bistro on Powell Street right off Union Square. It is – to me – very San Francisco in its ambience. We had a fabulous waiter. The food was phenomenal, I had a pork chop with butternut squash, figs, and all kinds of winter yumminess. Their pasta is fresh and it was just awesome. I have been there before on a few occasions, and it has been really good every time. Definitely worth your dime and your time, it’s at 432 Powell Street, San Francisco.
We missed Tadich Grill, Boulevard and the Rotunda Room at Neiman Marcus – which are some of my all time favorites, we didn’t get the kids on the cable car, would have loved to caught a game too — there’s always next trip!!!
Well, there’s more to share from our holiday break, but I’ll save that for later. Have a great Saturday!!!
Jack, Avery, Makenna and I over the holiday break
Between you and me... 