Basil

IMG_4430I bought this basil plant from Trader Joe’s for $2.99.  It had grown so big and bushy that I was able to harvest some basil to make caprese salad and pesto a month ago.  I took such good care of it that it kept growing to a point where I could harvest more leaves a second time.  This is what the plant looked like AFTER I had harvested the leaves.  Woot.  I’m definitely getting my money’s worth (and more) out of this plant.

IMG_4431Look at how much I got from a second harvest!

IMG_4432So, I made some pesto.  Notice the baby food processor?  It’s great for more than just baby food!  This is what it looked like when I put the leaves, garlic cloves, and some pine nuts in the machine.

IMG_4433Then I added some shredded parmigiano reggiano and olive oil to make it nice and smooth.  Once I seasoned it with salt and pepper, it was ready to go!  IMG_4434

We made pasta with chicken tonight for dinner.  The bowl is all wrong for this photo but you get the point.  So, we had enough pesto for dinner tonight and a little bit reserved for Kumquat to eat later this week with her pasta wheels.  Yippee!

Hard Water

DSC_2976On Saturday morning, we walked down to America’s Cup Park to check out Team Oracle USA’s practice race.  DSC_2978We got a good view of the Bay Bridge and I could even see the new eastern span to the left of Treasure Island.

DSC_2987We got there early enough to have a wide open view of the two catamarans racing on the bay.  DSC_3012

Here they are coming in to the finish line.  They ride so close to the spectator’s area.DSC_3017 DSC_3022This is a mural that people can color if they write down one thing they can do to help the environment.  I wrote “compost” and then colored the yellow and blue fish on the left closest to the surface of the water.  It’s a color-by-number sort of thing.  Pretty cool.

DSC_3026For lunch, we went to a new place called Hard Water, which is a whiskey bar that serves southern food.  It’s such a pretty space.

IMG_4400We ordered the Roffignac Cocktail made with Redemption rye, lemon, grapefruit, red hembarig syrup, and soda water.  Yum.

DSC_3030After a half-dozen raw oysters, we had the fried chicken sandwich and mac&cheese.  The chicken sandwich had slices of mortadella and jalapeno that added lots of flavor and texture.  The mac&cheese had hot sauce and tasty bread crumbs on top.  Both were delicious and we brought home the leftover mac for baby to eat for dinner the next day.  Can’t let all that tasty stuff go to waste!

Oakland

IMG_4326I had the day off today to take care of my pre-op paperwork and to get my medical clearance and blood work done with my doc.  For lunch, I picked up a pumpkin croquette with Japanese curry from the lunch truck down the street from the doctor’s office.

IMG_4371I was done by the afternoon so I let Mirian go home early and Kumquat and I headed out to Oakland before the Friday evening commute.  It was so nice and warm outside in the East Bay!

IMG_4347To kill some time, we stopped at my work.  It worked out well since I had to pick up a few things and Kumquat needed to eat.

IMG_4341She also had a really good time playing in the office and everyone was happy to see her.  Here she is messing with Teresa’s desk.

IMG_4359Afterward, we walked over to Marc 49 for Happy Hour.  Stephanie was brave enough to come out tonight so we got to see Vivian and Nathan too!

IMG_4350Kumquat was surprisingly tolerant of the cramped corner and just sat with us.  She snacked, played with her toys, sat on different people’s laps, and just hung out like a Happy Hour pro.

IMG_4367I was so proud of her.

IMG_4368Teresa and Aaron also made it tonight and I got her their first Baby Bump photo.  I’m amazed at how far Aaron can pooch out his belly!  He looked more preggo than T!

Ah…good times…

Alameda Afternoon

DSC_2921On Sunday we met up with the Agustins.  For lunch we went to Hang Ten, which is a Hawaiian place that is more like a crab boil complete with bibs and butcher paper on the tables.

IMG_4298 DSC_2919We had quite the feast that day including whole crab, fried catfish, seasoned fries, garlic noodles, mac salad, rice, kalbi, and spam musubi.

IMG_4280DSC_2923 It was all delicious and the two little girls thoroughly enjoyed themselves.

IMG_4285After lunch, we went wine tasting at Rock Wall.

IMG_4292We didn’t buy any bottles that day but I had fun hanging out with little Zoe.

DSC_2949It’s on an old naval base with a great view of the city and Bay Bridge.  It’s oddly cool to be in such a unique location.

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After the tasting, Jimmy bought us a round of wine and we sat outside for the rest of the afternoon.IMG_4294We had a good time enjoying the sun, sipping wine, and letting the kids hang out and share snacks with each other.

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They also had some cute games and some sidewalk chalk out there for your enjoyment.DSC_2962 DSC_2966

It was a fun afternoon with some good friends.  Thanks for taking us around, Agustins!

Members again!

DSC_2881When the California Academy of Sciences re-opened with their new and improved building in 2008, we got an annual membership.  After it expired, we never renewed.  With Kumquat around, we thought it would be worth it to renew my individual membership.  It allows me to take any guest for free for the next 12 months.  Kumquat is free until she turns 4 so it’s perfect!  Adult admission is already $34 so it’s totally worth it.  Does Sophie want another playdate soon?!  *wink wink*

DSC_2865We arrived just a little after it opened this morning and it wasn’t crowded at all.  I guess we have a lot of late risers in SF.  We got there at 10 and were on our way home by noon for Kumquat’s nap.  It’s nice to have the wide open halls for Kumquat to roam freely on foot without having to be in fear of her getting trampled or lost.

IMG_4273To celebrate the America’s Cup Series, they also had a special exhibit called “Built for Speed”.  It featured the fastest fish in the ocean and also had one of Oracle Team USA’s 45-foot catamarans on display.  Cool!

Egg Bites

IMG_7886I had some chicken and spinach in the fridge so I made some egg bites for Kumquat.  I got inspiration from Pintrest but kinda winged it.  It started out with the following ingredients:

  • 7 eggs
  • chopped baby spinach (about two handfuls)
  • chopped cooked chicken from two nights ago (about two handfuls)
  • 1/2 cup of shredded cheese I found in the fridge
  • 1/2 cup of whole milk

IMG_7887They all went in a bowl together.  I mixed the wet ingredients together first and then dumped all the dry ingredients afterward.

I used a little baking spray on the bottom of each of the muffin wells and wiped it up with a paper towel to spread it evenly.  Then I used a ladle to get them into the muffin tins and I had just the right amount to fill all 12 wells.

IMG_7888They went into the oven at 350 degrees until they were puffed up and golden around the edges.

IMG_7890Here’s the final product!  They went into the freezer in ziploc bags for future meals.  Let’s hope Kumquat eats them up!