Weekend Update: Birthdays and Horses

The Hub and I had a great, relaxing weekend filled with music and great friends!  And horses.  We had 1 show and 3 birthday parties to attend and I'm happy to say that we made it to 3 out of the 4 events!  We also spent a lot of time working on an exciting announcement that I am hoping to share with you all later this week.  For now, you'll just have to stay in suspense, but hopefully these fun weekend photos...

Poodle Foot & Bed Beard

When Figgy's hair starts getting really long, he develops something I call, Poodle Foot.  You see, Fig is a Poodle/Shih Tzu mix, but most of the time you can't tell he's part Poodle.  But when he starts getting shaggy, his hair starts getting curly, the Poodle in him comes out. Isn't it darling?  Poor Figgy really needs a haircut.  He's getting quite shaggy these days.  So shaggy in fact that I had to...

Pretty Parchment Packets: Salmon en Papillote

A lot of times when friends come into town, they want to take advantage of being by the ocean and go to a "seafood restaurant" for dinner.  I'm always a little perplexed by that request because in San Francisco, you can get fish at almost every restaurant, not just seafood restaurants.  However, I do have a go-to spot to satisfy that craving:  Hyde Street Seafood House. My favorite thing to get is the Salmon...

Crunchy & Colorful Winter Salad with Red Onion Vinaigrette

I try to eat a salad for lunch everyday but, let's face it, salads get boring.  A typical lunchtime salad for me includes romaine or spinach leaves with cucumbers, tomatoes, red peppers, carrots and lowfat feta.  Simple, easy to make the night before, and light on the calories.  This week I decided to mix it up by making a Crunchy and Colorful Winter Salad with Red Onion Vinaigrette.  I swapped out the boring...

Hub Specialty: Jamaican Jerk Chicken

In April 2008, The Hub and I took a trip to Jamaica to attend our friend's wedding in her hometown of Montego Bay.  We had a really fun time chilling on the Caribbean, experiencing the local culture and eating some amazing homemade island food!  We stopped at roadstand after roadstand for some spicy, authentic Jerk Chicken - one of our favorite parts of the trip! Ever since that trip, The Hub...

Recent Loves, Recent Bed Beard

Part of my practice in living each day to the fullest is appreciating the little things in life.  These last few weeks have been go-go-go so I thought I'd take a moment to tell you about some products that, lately, I've been so happy to have. 1.  Peet's Major Dickason's Blend Part of my Housewife Cost Savings Initiative is to bring my coffee to work everyday instead of buying a latte.  This is saving...

Hump Day: Round Up Your Nickels!

People, I went a little bonkers at the BevMo 5¢ Wine Sale this weekend, but really, how am I supposed to pass up a deal like this??  ClubBev members can buy one bottle of select wines at full price and get a second bottle, for 5¢!! We're talking everything from $6.99 bottles to $44.99 bottles.   It's the kind of bargain that makes you come home with this: This deal is the perfect time to stock up and try...

Orange and Dark Chocolate Cookies, FTW!

This past weekend, I really wanted to make some kind of baked good using an Orange and Dark Chocolate combination.  It's becoming a popular flavor combo, but it's never been too appealing to me.  So why was I feeling the urge to make it?  I have no idea.  But I'm glad I did! These cookies were saved from EPIC FAIL by one simple kitchen gadget - a melon baller. Yep, that's right.  My lack of cookie dough...

Allergy Beard, Bed Beard

Allergies have attacked the Haute Housewife Household this week and no one is left unaffected.  I blame the erratic change in weather and the mysterious cherry blossom/black plum tree in our backyard. The Hub, Fig and I have all been sneezing all week.  Usually when a dog suddenly begins sneezing violently and constantly, it's either from allergies or having something stuck up their nose, but since his...

Thai Cooking School: Crispy Spring Rolls

Last year at this time The Hub and I were on our belated 3 week honeymoon trip to Thailand.   It was the most memorable trip  of our lives and best vacation we've ever taken.  It changed us for the better and was the catalyst for jump-starting Step 2 of our Life Plan, which I hope to tell you all about very soon. We had so many amazing adventures in Thailand, but our fondest memory is the day long class we...