Case of the (Anti) Mondays

Yesterday was a good day. I've got to tell you ladies and gents, May has been a good month so far.

My baby turned a month older. (I know, but it's like the equivalent of a year for a dog! It's a big deal...)

Bunny Love

And I got a new position/promotion at work. I'm extremely happy about this (duh). And while I will probably be working a considerable amount more, I'll do so happily.

So when things are going swimmingly, it's nice to top off with a cocktail. Especially when work is within walking distance of one of my favorite restaurant/bars EVA.

Some may call it hipster heaven, but I don't care.  The food and drinks are amazing. The service, although slow at times (I'm looking at you - lunch!), is personable and above par. And the people watching? Priceless. 

Anything with mustard cannot be bad.

Mini-corn dogs? Don't mind if I do! There were lots of other bites, but I wasn't in picture mode. If you do go, you MUST order the mussels. They are heaven. Habanero-infused heaven. I'm dying just thinking of them. Also, if you order them you MUST allow the accompanying fries to soak up all the brothy buttery goodness in the bowl. I'm serious.

Here are a few snapshots of the interior. Seriously guys, this place is tragically hip. The inside is reminiscent of a cabin. With lots of books. Books everywhere, in fact.

A bibliophile's dream.

 I especially love the brick walls.

Demand (less)!

For a place that gets pretty crowded, it's amazing how intimate the atmosphere remains. I think it's one of those places that is equally appropriate for a romantic night out OR a large group. I'll take both :)

It Was a Dark and Stormy Day....Part 2

Just to really get my point across, I decided to take a few pictures of the gloominess outside.

View from my office (Little Italy)

View pt. 2 (This is the San Diego Bay)

I just walked out to the main room, snapped a few pictures, and walked back to my office. My co-workers think I'm crazy.

I guess it's not soooo gloomy, but it is getting darker by the moment. And the sun is definitely nowhere to be seen. Sighhhhhh.

P.S. I am working, I'm on a conference call that I'm minimally involved in (just have to be present). Thank goodness for bluetooth!

It Was a Dark and Stormy Day....

Lest you think I'm joking when I say I like a lot of mustard in my vinaigrettes...

Mustardy

Yesterday's concoction was a variation on a theme. Instead of using regular dijon mustard, I opted for dijon with horseradish. I also added some sliced green onions. It was "kicky." I LOVED it.

All mixed up, it went perfectly with my mixed veggie salad. (Still not digging the dark green leafy stuff...so weird) I also had some spaghetti and garlic bread that Adam slaved away making. Yum.

Eat your veggies!

I know I'm not the first to notice this, but how much does cut cauliflower resemble a brain?

Cauliflower braaaaaain

Anyone? Anyone at all? Am I crazy? That's cool....

And lastly, because I'm trying to "pull myself together" (thanks Dianne), I've committed to wearing makeup and wearing semi-nice clothes to work from now on.

Awkward Bathroom Shot

Extreme Close Up!

It's raining today in San Diego. Not loving that. But I am enjoying the way the water looks so dark gray and choppy. It's very dramatic. And I love dramatic ;)

It's supposed to rain through Saturday. I had hoped to make it a beach weekend. We'll see. Keep your fingers crossed! In the meantime, I'm going to cozy up with my coffee and hunker down and get some work done. Although I really wish I was at home, bundled up on the couch watching girly movies. Oh well...

First Day of the Week

I never really know what signifies as the first day of the week. Sunday? Monday? I guess I lean towards Monday, since I've always associate Sunday with the Sabbath (day of rest). But then I look at my work calender and the darn thing starts on Sunday. Oh well... Whatever this Sunday signifies - a start or an end of the week, I've felt particularly reflective. I can't believe it's been 3 years since I graduated Law School. Where does the time go??? I started thinking of how I've changed since I graduated, and even since I first moved to San Diego.

Most of the change is very positive - moving to San Diego not knowing anyone was ultimately one of the best decisions I ever made. I made wonderful friends and totally fell in love with this city. San Diego is a beautiful town full of beautiful people. Very beautiful people. And as I started reflecting today, I realize one change I've made since Law School is over is to take less time for myself. This is kind of counterintutitve. Law school is a demanding and busy time. But it was still a student's schedule. One that allowed for plenty of gym time, long running sessions and leisurely cooked dinners. Now that I'm working my life varies very little- work, eat, clean, squeeze some more work in, tv, sleep. Those 2PM gym sessions are no longer viable. And those leisurely dinners have given way to takeout.

It took me three years to realize this. Three years. It seems a little silly, but those small little changes start out so innocently. And then they snowball. A few pounds here, some added stress lines there. But that okay.No permanent damage.

So starting today, this last (or first) day of the week, things are changing. I'm going to the gym more often, watching more movies that I want to watch (no more action movies!), taking Tino for the occasional Sunday cappucino in the village, finding time to play, and cooking those nice leisurely dinners - for myself. It's kind of invigorating. Nothing radical, just a few things to make the week more tolerable.

I think Tino will be on board.

Tino finds a pile of sticks fun. I can learn from this guy.

San Diego is the Bee's Knees

While the East Coast was bracing for another storm, icy weather, and general coldness, I was at the beach, in a swimsuit, basking in the sun. I'm not bragging, I'm just saying - San Diego, you rock.

Apart from my visit to the beach, it was a lovely weekend. Nothing too crazy, just a relaxing weekend. (There was an adventure on Saturday night trying to find a bar to play some pool. 4 bars later we gave up. But not without a few beers...) The weekend was capped off with a delicious dinner: Roasted Chicken. Adam had been craving it for a while, and I felt like cooking dinner instead of picking something up so chicken it was. If you don't know how to do this, you are missing out. It's economical, delicious and most of all - EASY. Add some cut up vegetables, and it's a one dish meal.

I was able to pick up this beauty at Trader Joes late Sunday afternoon.

5 lb free range organic chicken

Yah, it might not look like much, but with a few ingredients and an hour in the oven this sucker will look and smell unbelievable.

Ready for a date with some 450 degree weather ;)

Roasted Chicken

Ingredients:

• 3-4 lb roaster chicken
• 3 sprigs of fresh rosemary
• 1 large lemon
• 1 head of garlic with the top cut off (as if you were going to roast the garlic)
  
• sea salt, pepper

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees.
   
2. Wash and pat completely dry (inside the cavity too) the chicken. Make sure it's as dry as possible so that it won't steam when you cook it. When dry, "truss" the chicken by tying the legs together up over the chicken breast. (Youtube is awesome for learning these things).
3. Take about a palm-full of Sea Salt (or about a Tablespoon + a little) and generously sprinkle over the entire chicken. Add a little to the inside of the cavity. Seriously, be generous here. You want to be able to see the layer of salt on the chicken,
4. Stuff the chicken cavity with the rosemary, garlic and the lemon (cut into quarters).
5. Put in the oven and let sit for about 50-60 minutes.
6. Remove the chicken from the oven and lit sit for about 10-15 minutes before serving.
   

That's it. It's so simple, no-fuss and it smells and tastes out of this world. You will never buy a precooked rotisserie chicken after this.

Yes Please!

I was feeling extra lazy so I cut up some carrots and red onion and added some fingerling potatoes and put them in the pan to cook with the chicken. The juice from the chicken seasons it all very nicely, and the potatoes come out moist and flavorful. Also, since I had a 5lb chicken I left it in the oven for an extra 30 minutes.

Gus, one of Adam's roommates staring longingly at the chicken.

After the Rain

I live in San Diego. In the winter, much like the summer, that means I enjoy mostly sunny days.

Not this year. It has been rain, rain, rain and more rain. Thank goodness the Sun peaked out yesterday.

San Diego in the Wintertime.

It's hard to justify staying indoors when it's like this out. Unfortunately, it is winter and the Sun sets around 5PM. I can't remember the last time I left work at 5pm. Bummer! Luckily, just a few more months and we'll be back in business. See? Even when living in Paradise you can always find something to complain about ;)

Inspired by the lovely day and relatively warm, sunny weather, I decided to keep dinner light and healthy. I always keep frozen turkey patties in my freezer for those nights where I don't feel like making a big production out of dinner. I added a little salt, pepper and dried basil to the patty before putting it on my grill pan (high heat!) for a few minutes. While the turkey patty was cooking I put together a quick dinner salad and vinaigrette.

Spinach Salad with Turkey Patty. Yum!

The best part? This whole dinner came together in 15 minutes. Not too shabby.

What's your go-to dinner when time and inspiration is low?