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.

Spicy and Salty Peanut Brittle | Secret Recipe Club

I know I say this all the time …… time just flies way too fast.  The weekends go by way too fast and then the work week, depending on my schedule seems to whisk on by.  I just said to my hubby the other day, we are going to be pulling out the Christmas decorations before you know it.  At the end of the day, I have learned to savor each and everyday and appreciate each day for what it is.  I have learned that life is a gift and you need to make the most of it.

Spinach, Cherries and Smoked Almond Salad with Honey Lime Vinaigrette + Dole Get Up and Grow Tour

There is nothing better than a fresh, flavorful and nutrition packed salad on a warm almost summer day.  I take that back, this fresh and flavorful salad can actually be enjoyed year round. Just use dried cherries instead of fresh if out of season. Oh and add a bit of crunch on top of the salad, now you have hit salad nirvana.  This nirvana is achieved when you have the freshest of ingredients on hand in your kitchen.

I have the distinct privilege of being one of eleven food bloggers around the country to be bestowed the honor of being an official ambassador for Dole Fresh Fruits and Vegetables for 2015.  Dole had provided me compensation for my time. As always, all opinions expressed in this post are mine.

Olive Sables | Blogger C.L.U.E. Society

I am thrilled to put my super sleuthing hat on again for this month’s edition of Blogger C.L.U.E. Society.  We are a group of enthusiastic food bloggers who belong to this secret society of sorts where we are assigned another blog in the group and must hunt for a wonderful recipe of our choice that fits the theme for the month.  It is a fun journey that we get to experience each month. 

Roasted Pepper and Chevre Tartine | Friday Night Bites

Yesterday was a special day in our house.  It was the 1^st birthday for Marty and Stewart who are our fluffy baby Havanese. I adore Martha Stewart and originally wanted a boy and girl, but we were blessed with two brothers, so they became "Marty and Stewart". It is still hard to fathom that we picked them up from SFO back in early August.  How time flies!  I made a special photo of them to celebrate their milestone and wanted to share with all of you.

Almond Crescent Cookies | Secret Recipe Club

My weekend was filled with both hard labor and relaxation.  The hard labor part came first in the way of repairing our backyard fence to prevent our little fur babies, Marty and Stewart from escaping.  After 14 years, the fence has taken a beating with the sun, rain and sprinklers.  The bottom portion on some of the sections of fence had sustained damage which made the boards easy to move.  Our little havanese, as smart as they are figured out how to move them and explore in the neighbors backyards.

Raspberry Oat Bars | Blogger C.L.U.E. Society

I am excited about three things at this exact moment.  First that it time again for Blogger C.L.U.E. Society.  Second is that the theme for May is berries. Third but the most exciting is that I was paired with Kim from Liv Life.  I belong to this secret society of sorts where each month we are paired with another food blogger, given a theme and set off to explore our assigned bloggers blog and hunt down a recipe that matches the theme and we are excited about making.

Baby Kale and Shaved Brussels Sprout Salad with Creamy Meyer Lemon Vinaigrette + Dole Ambassador Spotlight

Did you know that May is National Salad Month?  If you are like me, then you are simply elated.  I probably eat salad 5 times per week and sometime twice a day – for lunch and dinner.  I love a salad with the freshest vegetables, a bit of crunch, grilled chicken and packed with flavor.  It is like love in a bowl – you get all of the right nutrition all in one convenient handy vessel.

I am an official ambassador for Dole Fresh Fruits and Vegetables.  Dole provided me with compensation for my time.  As always, all opinions expressed in this post are mine.