Charred Sugar Snap Peas with Shallot Garlic Dip | Friday Night Bites

I had not been summoned to jury duty since I was 19 years old.  The system finally caught up to me.  I had to call the night before and was hoping they would just say – thank you for your service.  However, that was not the case – I was to show up at 8:30am to the courthouse.  I came early to find parking and get through the security process.  I walked down the long hallway to the jury assembly room where I was greeted with a lady who said to scan my summons and fill out a questionnaire.  Once I completed it, I sat down with the other 150 people whose fateful turn for jury duty happened to be the same day.

Tomato and Pesto Bruschetta | Friday Night Bites

A morning at the farmer’s market can be an inspiring event.  As I stroll through the isles of produce and artesian items, I am intrigued by where the produce came from and the story behind it.  Whether it is the handmade artesian cheese, hand extracted honey or pickled vegetables - the story is fascinating. When hubby and I walk to the farmer’s market on a Saturday morning, we get our exercise in along with an assortment of market delights.  Typically hubby goes to the coffee vendor and I rush to the bakery to get the last few cheese puffs.  Hubby gets me a hibiscus tea to carry with me through our journey. A bit of ritual and tradition is nice thing to have in your life.

Grilled Scallion and Sour Cream Toasts | Friday Night Bites

I love how toast is trendy now.  You can top is with just about anything and it becomes a hip appetizer.  It has to be one of the easiest appetizers to make and it will certainly WOW your friends and family.  The combinations are endless.

Watermelon Bites with Jalapeno Lime Vinaigrette | Friday Night Bites

Summer and watermelon are one of those perfect combinations.  The warm air along with a crisp and cool bite of sweet watermelon is the ultimate in refreshment.  It just screams SUMMER.  Since we are in the midst of summer, I thought that I needed to create a Friday Night Bite to celebrate the season.

Apricots and Stilton Bites | Friday Night Bites

Several weeks ago I attended a performance for Broadway Under the Stars from the Transcendence Theatre Company in Sonoma.  My company sponsored half of the performance while Moss Adams took care of the other half.  It was a great way to end an all day meeting in Sonoma.  The weather was simply perfect for an evening of great wine, food and entertainment. What a great way to spend a Thursday evening.

Soft Funfetti Cookies

Life has gotten super busy lately and I have neglected my little space on this vast space we call the internet.  I have thought it about many times over the last month, I need to post something and then life continues to happen.  We are now in the middle of remodeling our kitchen.  Not a full remodel but a face lift of sorts. 

Beet and Lemon Crostini | Friday Night Bites

Hubby and I have a new weekend ritual – we walk to the farmers market almost every Saturday morning.  As we say, it is a “two-fer”. We get our exercise in with a round trip walk of 3 miles and some farm or baked fresh goodies make their way home with us.  Last weekend, we picked up some gorgeous beets from a magnificent farmer who is one of our favorites.

English Pea, Mint, Parmesan and Radish Crostini | Friday Night Bites

We just experienced day light savings time this last weekend.  I know it is only one hour lost, but some years it certainly feels like more than one hour was swept away from us.  There is a lot of chatter about abolishing this archaic tradition.  I say let’s put it in the trash can and never look back.  Mother Nature will compensate for us and it may just take a few more weeks.

Jalapeno Cheddar Biscuits | Blogger C.L.U.E. Society

El Nino hit the Bay Area with a vengeance over the weekend.  The storms are predicted to continue off and on through the end of the week.  I heard on the news that we had over 4 to 5 inches over the entire weekend.  Sure hope this puts a big dent in our drought.  Despite having big storms and spring is around the corner, I am sure we are in store for more. Bring it on!

Perfect Guacamole | Friday Night Bites

The weather in the Bay Area this week feels more like spring than winter.  Considering we are in an El Nino year, the last two weeks have yielded no rain. I heard on the radio today during my drive back from a client appointment that in the next week or so we should have some more rain. Keep your fingers crossed – we really need here in the Bay Area.

Parmesan and Thyme Wonton Crackers | Friday Night Bites

It is Friday Night Bite time already!  This week is extra special since we have a holiday weekend ahead.  Gosh I love a three day weekend.  No worries about having to get up early on Monday and your Sunday evening feels more like a Saturday.  One extra day makes all the difference in the world.

Classic French Onion Soup | Blogger C.L.U.E. Society

This week the days have been a bit warmer in the Bay Area, yet the evenings are crisp.  I crave a brilliant bowl of piping hot soup when there is a chill in the air and the sky is dark.  It brings a sense of comfort and warmth.  Our fireplace has gone non-stop this winter and it brings us much joy. 

Spicy Oyster Crackers | Friday Night Bites

I am not a real sports fan BUT I am excited that the iconic Super Bowl 50 is being played in the San Francisco Bay Area.  The hype around the Bay Area for this historic event is epic.  San Francisco is buzzing, the embarcadero is shut down except for Super Bowl City and the south bay is gearing up for the crowds to descend on Sunday. 

Cranberry Rotisserie Chicken Cups | Friday Night Bites

You know when you have a winning recipe and you want to make it over and over again.  Well I created such a recipe over the holidays.  I brought it to a party.  I made it for a party at my house.  I even enjoyed it for a Friday Night Bite appetizer.  You are probably wondering – what the heck is this grand recipe.

Blue Cheese and Walnut Endive Bites | Friday Night Bites

It is hard to believe it is already Friday!  Frankly I am thrilled to simply chill this weekend.  Or as like to say “chillax” – chill + relax. My work week was full of many miles on the car, a crammed BART ride to San Francisco for an all day meeting and never a dull moment during the work week.  All good - but so happy it is FRIDAY!

Cherry Crostini | Friday Night Bites

I love a great appetizer! I think it is the small bite that is packed with flavor that gets me each time.  Appetizers make me happy.  I love eating them.  I love making them.  I love creating new recipes for them. I love enjoying them on a Friday night.  Speaking of Friday Night – my weekly series "Friday Night Bites" is BACK. Yes I said it is back!

White Bean Chili | Blogger C.L.U.E. Society

Happy New Year!  I can’t seem to say it enough.  I am looking forward to a great year ahead.  A lot of folks vow to eat healthier and exercise more.  That is a motto I always like to follow even if it is a not new year.  Do I always practice?  I wish the answer was yes, but I do pretty well, not perfect. 

Warm Brussels Sprouts Salad

At the beginning of December, we had our 4^th annual Food Blogger Cookie Exchange and Gourmet Pot Luck.  How lucky am I to have met such wonderful ladies from all over the Bay Area.  I love that we met from a non-traditional method and all from writing food blogs. Everyone was able to join the festivities and Jean held the event at her warm and inviting house.

Favorite Recipes of 2015

As they say, out with the old and in with the new!  It is time to say goodbye to 2015 and hello to 2016. (Okay I can't seem to get the Adele "Hello" song out of my head - you too?)   I am ready for 2016. May it be a year filled with much happiness, fabulous health, much time with family and friends, divine food and wine and lots of laughs.

"The Bridgett Cocktail" | Cocktail Hour

Milestones are epic moments in life that are unforgettable. Whether it is the birth of a baby, high school graduation, college graduation, first real job, marriage or buying your first house – they are all milestones. Milestones are locked in your memory forever and pave the way through this journey we call life.

Orange Pecan Cookies | Great Food Blogger Cookie Swap

One of my favorite holiday traditions is to make festive cookies and share them with friends and family.  I love the reactions and looks I get when I know that I am sharing a bit of myself and putting a smile on the person’s face.  It is a priceless gift.

Almond Shortbread Cookies (Mantecaditos) | Blogger C.L.U.E. Society

Tis the season to celebrate!  We wait all year long for this time of year and then it is over in a blink of the eye.  I try to relish every moment and not rush any day.  When I think of the holidays many things come to mind – sparkling lights, holiday decorations, parties, festive cocktails, spending time with family and friends and cookies.  Yes, the last one I mentioned is cookies.

Banana and Berry Smoothie

The Bay Area weather is quite dreary today.  Not quite a steady stream of rain, which we need, but the slow and consistent drizzle.  There is nothing like a vivid berry and banana smoothie to brighten a Sunday morning. I happen to have all ingredients on hand to make hubby and me a nutritional glass of fruit wonderfulness to start our Sunday.

The Modern Wedge Salad + "Dole Fresh Fest" Highlights

I am enjoying the distinct honor of being chosen as one of eleven DOLE Brand Ambassadors for 2015 and being part of their campaign – Get Up and Grow.  DOLE is one of those iconic brands that I am proud to represent amd believe in their products and company mission and values.  One of the many perks to being an Ambassador was being invited to the “Dole Fresh Fest” which was held in North Carolina. 

Cast Iron Apple Pie | Blogger C.L.U.E. Society

Fall is in the air. One day it was almost 80 degrees and then practically overnight, the weather turned to be very chilly for San Francisco Bay Area standards.  The evening temps were in the low 30’s.  Along with the chill, we have been getting rain over the last couple weeks on a Sunday and Monday.  The weather man predicts it will be that way for this coming Sunday.  With a four year drought, this is a welcome site.  I am actually pretty excited to have a real winter.

Dude Bars

Hubby and I got back a week ago today from Arkansas.  You might be asking, what in the heck are you two doing there.  Glad you asked.  We went to spend a long weekend with our long time dear friends Dean and Mark who shared their love for each other by exchanging vows and getting married. It had to be one of the BEST weddings, besides ours, that I have attended. 

Pumpkin Palmiers | Blogger C.L.U.E. Society

The autumn season has arrived on the calendar.  In the Bay Area, we don’t have any indication that it is really here from a weather standpoint.  We are experiencing a warm October although the weather folks keep telling us that El Nino is around the corner and to brace for a very stormy season.  With our unprecedented four year drought here in California we are welcoming the deluge of water.  We keep praying it will arrive soon.

Drunken Man Noodles | Friday Night Bites

Sometimes you just have to mix things up. It would be really boring if we did the same things all the time. Don’t you agree?  For this week’s Friday Night Bites I am doing just that.  Not saying that my Friday Night Bites are boring, since I think they are pretty exciting.  Instead of having bite sized delights, this week I am sharing a recipe for a bowl of delicious bites.

Fig and Caramelized Onion Crostini | Friday Night Bites

A few weeks ago I attended a CaBi Party to preview the new fall collection.  If you are not familiar with CaBi, check out the link here.  I am not typically a person who loves those in home parties that sell things, but CaBi is the one that I do go to year after year. They have a spring and fall collection. I was catching up with my friends at the party and one lovely friend said to me – “I have not seen a post for Friday Night Bites for such a long time.” 

Pumpkin Molasses Tea Bread | Blogger C.L.U.E. Society

The San Francisco Bay Area is made up of micro climates.  You could drive one hour in any direction from San Francisco and experience on average a 25+ degree difference.  According to the weather authorities here, we are in for a very warm week ahead and averaging in the low to mid 90’s.  Living in the Bay Area, we are known for our Indian Summers where despite the calendar stating it is fall; we have summer like weather through the end of October many years. 

Mango Jicama Salsa | Blogger C.L.U.E. Society

Summer is simply flying by.  Here in the San Francisco Bay Area, we have had a relatively mild summer.  The weather report is predicting a rather toasty weekend ahead – around a 100 degrees where I live. It is time to plan for preparing foods that are easy and that don’t require a lot of oven time to heat up the house.

Speaking of foods that “beat the heat” that is our theme for this months Blogger C.L.U.E. Society.  This secret society of sorts is a group of really wonderful food bloggers who are assigned a fellow member and need to seek out a recipe on their blog that matches the monthly theme.  Kind of like playing the clue game that we all grew up with and/or still play today.

Bulgur and Herbs with Semi-Dried Tomatoes

Have you ever had an unexpected gift land on your lap?  It could have been a tangible or non-tangible gift.  Regardless, it brings you joy, happiness and a puts a huge smile on your face.  Several months ago, I received an email from the publishing company – Penguin Random House asking if I would like to review a new cookbook “What Katie Ate on the Weekend” from Katie Quinn Davies.  The first thing I thought, this is a gift.

Brie, Bacon and Fig Jam Tarts | Secret Recipe Club

If you have been following my foodie adventures for a while now, you know I absolutely love appetizers.  I take pleasure in a one to two bite delight that is packed with flavor and is full of various textures.  Even when we are at home regardless of the day of the week, enjoying appetizers makes us feel like we are celebrating.

Hubby and I are hooked on a show that airs on the Hallmark Channel called Cedar Cove.  Saturday night was the 2 hour season premier and we could hardly wait to view it.  We actually don’t call it Cedar Cove but rather "the feel good show” since overall it is a happy show with some twists and turns along the way.  We felt the premier deserved an appetizer dinner along with a great bottle of wine. 

Crinkle Sugar Cookies | Blogger C.L.U.E. Society

Summer is in full force!  Tis the season for grilling, BBQ’s, vacations, flip flops, longer days and warm summer evenings. I love this time of year with all of the fresh fruits and vegetables that are full of flavor, especially the corn, tomatoes and stone fruits are among my favorites.  It is hard to believe that we over halfway done with 2015 and before you know it, the holiday season will be around the corner.

Before we start celebrating the holiday season, I want to fully embrace the summer season and all that it has to offer.  My grill has been busy with chicken and vegetables lately along with fresh salads.  Speaking of grilling, it is time for Blogger C.L.U.E. Society and our theme this month was “Summer Barbecue/Grilling – grilled vegetables or meats, main courses or side dishes or desserts or drinks that would be great at a barbecue”.  What a fun theme and the possibilities were endless.

Pecan-Cheddar Coins | Friday Night Bites

Today is my Friday.  I am taking a few extra days off to enjoy the upcoming 4^th of July holiday weekend. It is a time to: de-stress, relax, eat great food, exercise, drink wonderful wine, and spend time with hubby, friends and family.  I know it has been several weeks since the last Friday Night Bites post but I am happy to announce that the series is back.