Showing posts with label friends. Show all posts
Showing posts with label friends. Show all posts

Public Bicycles

For Christmas this past year, I bought myself a new bicycle...and I am in love!! I had forgotten how much fun riding bikes could be. If you are looking for a good way to get around town, go to the store etc...get on your two wheels!

After a lot of research (I should say John's research), I decided on a local SF brand, Public Bikes. I now ride my back to and from work everyday and have a whole new respect for the bicycling community.

As a total coincidence, my friend Amy ordered the same bike as me for Christmas...we went out riding after work on Friday....what a perfect SF day...check out picture below:



If you are looking for something new and fun in your life...hop on your bike!!

Covet Stile

I am so excited to share with you all my fashionista dear friend, Kate's, new blog: Covet Stile...I have known Kate since 6th grade and she even made our school uniform look stylish!!

Move over Anna Wintour.




Seattle Spaghetti and Meatballs

I spent last weekend in Seattle and was reminded just how much I love that city! Courtney lives really close to Cafe Lago and raves about the meatball recipe from the restaurant...so good that it was even in Bon Appetit! With all this recipe talk lately...need to get myself in the kitchen!!

Here's the recipe from the magazine.

Bersatu Designs

Had to share with you a company that my friend just started...Bersatu Designs

Not only is the jewelry absolutely adorable, but I love the story behind this company...Bersatu seeks to provide income generating activities for Indonesians through the creation of simple, chic, Bali-inspired jewelry and accessories. All the jewelry is handmade by local Indonesians....so not only are you going to look cute with this jewelry, but you are also helping a community....win, win.


Congrats Cissy!! Loving this line...

Sterling's Shower

My mom and I hosted a wedding shower for Sterling yesterday...the crown was a hit! Can't wait to head up to Napa tomorrow to celebrate some more!!





Every Girl Needs a Crown...

Sterl gets home from London this weekend and my mom & I want to do something special for her to kick off her wedding week...throwing her a royal wedding shower...with a pink and green theme...I found this crown for our bride to be...Etsy saves the day once again!

kate middleton has nothing on you sterl.

Lindsey Stafford

Had to share this fabulous idea from my incredibly talented friend Lindsey of Lindsey Stafford Photography...a great play on words...perfect for a birthday gift, moving gift, get well gift...the options really are endless...

check out lindsey's work...one of the best bay area photographers around!!

totes + flowers

My sweet friend, Courtney, sent me this adorable party idea...combining two of my favorite things- totes and flowers!

I may just need to plan a labor day party to get this idea into action!!

Beer Can Chicken

I hosted my girl's cooking dinner last night and was so behind with getting things done...that I embarrassingly had to buy dinner...so much for  me attempting to cook a meal! I found this recipe and want to make this for our next girl's cooking night- I've always heard about Beer-Can chicken and this recipe looks so yummy and easy! Perfect for summer too.
Ingredients

Directions

  1. In a blender, food processor, or spice grinder, combine the chilies, sugar, salt, and spices.
  2. Remove the neck and giblets from the chicken and discard. Rub the chicken inside and out with the spice rub. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 4 hours or overnight.
  3. Light a charcoal grill and allow the coals to burn until covered with gray ash or heat a gas grill to medium.
  4. Drink half the beer; leave the other half in the can. Slide the chicken over the can and place in the center of the cooking grate, balancing the chicken on its two legs and the can, like a tripod. Cover grill.
  5. Grill about 1 1/4 hours or until an instant-read thermometer registers 170° F inserted in the breast and 180° F in the thigh, or until the juices run clear. Carefully remove the chicken and hot can from grill. Let the chicken rest 10 minutes before lifting it from the can.
Thanks Real Simple for the recipe

Sweetie Pie!

This past weekend Chucks, Petey and I took a Pie in a Jar class at Workshop SF...it was a total hoot...and we came away with a great recipe and an adorable idea...pie in a jar...who would have known?!

Making a Pie in a Jar is incredible simply and incredibly yummy...and the options are endless- apple pie, blueberry pie, chicken pot pie...

Here's how you do it:

What You Need:
- Sterilized pint bell/mason jars- get the one where the jar opening is as wide as the jar
- 4 ounces of dough (3 oz for jar and 1 oz for topping)...although this was a bit much in class- may decrease portion when making at home
- pie filling (1/2 cup per pie jar)
- topper (basic crust, crumb topping)

Steps:
1. Place your 3 oz dough ball in jar. Manipulate with your fingers as fast as possible to spread the dough evenly as possible around the jar, fill to the tip top of the jar...using flour makes this process a bit easier
2. Put 1/2 cop of your desired filling in the jar
3. Choose your topping- cut out shapes with your dough, make a lattice, only use crumb topping
4. To ensure the best taste, chill your pie before baking. Once chilled brush the top with an egg wash and bake pie (on cookie sheet to catch droppings) at 350 degrees for one hour or until golden brown

Side note: You can also freeze your pie in a jar...then bake for later...screw on your lid and toss it in the freezer. When ready to bake, place in a cold oven and set temp to 350 degrees. This will ensure the glass doesn't break

Pie Dough Recipe:
Perfect recipe for sweet or savory pies in a jar...Yields 9 balls of dough
3 cups of flour
1/2 tbsp baking powder
1/2 tbsp salt
12 ounces of butter (cold, diced)
1 1/2 cups sour cream
Put all dries in the bowl of a kitchen aid- add butter on speed one and mix until butter becomes pea size. Add sourcream all at once. Do not overmix. Mix until just incorporated. Divide into 4 ounce balls.

Filling Ideas:
Strawberry Rhubarb:
pint of strawberries cut in half
1 1/2 pounds rhubarb
1 1/2 tbsp flour
1/3 cup sugar
1/2 tsp cinnamon

Crumb Topping:
1 1/2 cups flour
3/4 cup light brown sugar
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1 1/2 sticks chilled, unsalted butter- cut into pieces



oops eating not making the pie....
we like to call him petey pie

White Chicken Enchiladas

I went up to Inverness this past weekend for my dear friend Sterling's bachelorette party...a fabulous group of girls, lots of wine and cheese, and old stories really made for the perfect evening. I have known Sterling my entire life and was so excited to spend the evening celebrating her.

august 26th can't come soon enough!
Here's a great recipe that I made for dinner- Pioneer Woman White Chicken Enchiladas...perfect to make ahead of time and oh so yummy! You really can't go wrong with these enchiladas...we drank lots of white wine as our classy pairing...couldn't have asked for a better night!
definitely making this again.

Momofuko Cookies

I got home yesterday from the most amazing girl's weekend in New York City. Sunshine, long days of strolling, the best of friends and tons of food & bevys...I was in heaven. I truly think that NYC has some of the most incredible and inventive food (must try: amazing s'mores dessert Ditch Plains and out of this world tasting menu at 10 Downing).


One of the many highlights of the weekend was our visit to Momofuko Milk Bar. I have heard a lot of this spot- but I must admit- it exceeded all of my expectations. I ordered the candy bar pie soft serve and Ginny got the cereal milk soft serve...it was insane- Ginny's soft serve seriously tasted like the milk at the end of the bowl of cereal!!


As you all know- I am a cookie fanatic and had to give their compost cookie a try...wowow...amazing! I did some internet stalking and have found the recipe for their signature compost cookie. I am going to bake some this week and will let you know if it's as good as the real deal.


Follow this link to the recipe...let me know how it goes. I am going to put reeses butter cup, pretzels, milk chocolate and butterscotch in my batch!


Shillers Brunch

love love love these bagels

Hummus

One of my favorite things that I received this Christmas is a food processor. I have always had one of the mini processors which is fabulous for little projects, but can't handle the big daddy menu items. Further to my attempt to become more domestic and a better chef in 2011, I am trying to get as much use out of this Cuisinart as possible.


My favorite appetizer is veggies and hummus...so instead of continuing to purchase the hummus...going to embrace domestic me and make it myself.


My adorable and very talented friend Courtney just finished culinary school and definitely has a leg up on me when it comes to cooking...she's amazing! I turned to Court for some of her favorite hummus recipes and wanted to share them with you:


CAC Hummus:

2 cups canned chickpeas (garbanzo beans) liquid reserved
⅔ cup tahini paste*
¼ cup extra virgin olive oil (plus a drizzle for topping)
Juice of 2 lemons and the zest of one
3 cloves of garlic (more if you love garlic)
Salt and pepper to taste
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon toasted cumin seeds
1 tablespoon fresh parsley or cilantro, chopped
Warm water if needed

In a food processor, puree the chickpeas, tahini, 3 tablespoons olive oil, lemon juice and garlic until smooth, adding a little of the reserved liquid if the mixture seems too thick; it will be slightly grainy. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer to a shallow bowl or plate. Combine the paprika and the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil, drizzle the mixture over the top, and garnish with chopped parsley, if desired. Serve with pita bread triangles.

¾ cup dried chickpeas, soaked overnight in water to cover generously
2 large cloves garlic, peeled and smashed
1 bay leaf
Kosher salt
1½ cups plain yogurt, preferably Greek whole milk
¼ cup chopped fresh mint, plus a few whole leaves for garnish
¼ cup chopped Italian parsley
2 to 3 cloves garlic minced to a paste with a pinch of salt
Freshly ground black pepper
2 rounds of whole wheat pita (gyro style thick pita)
1 tablespoon butter
¼ cup pine nuts
Aleppo red pepper, cayenne pepper or hot red pepper flakes to taste

Drain the chickpeas and place in a saucepan with 3 cups cold water. Bring to a simmer over moderate heat, skimming any foam. Add the smashed garlic and bay leaf, over and adjust heat to maintain a gentle simmer. Cook until chickpeas are tender, 1 hour or more, depending on age. Remove the garlic and bay leaf, season with salt, and keep hot.
Preheat oven to 450°.
In a bowl, whisk together the yogurt, chopped mint and minced garlic. Season with salt and pepper.
Brush the pita bread with a bit of olive oil and lay on cookie sheets and bake until lightly browned and beginning to crisp. Set aside to cool.
Melt the butter in a small skillet over moderately low heat. Add the pine nuts and toast them, stirring them often, until golden brown. Keep warm.
Bread the toasted pita into smaller pieces and arrange in the bottom of a large, shallow serving bowl. Spoon the hot chickpeas over the pita along with enough of the broth to moisten the pita. If the yogurt sauce is stiff, whisk in a little of the broth to thin. Spoon the yogurt sauce over all, then top with the warm, buttery pine nuts. Sprinkle the surface with mint leaves and parsley torn into smaller pieces, and with red pepper. Serve immediately.
thanks court! ina garten has NOTHING on you!

Dipsea Hike

What do you do when you eat one too many cookies?  Hike, hike...and then hike some more.

I am embarrassed to report that, even as a fourth generation Californian, last Thursday was the first time I hiked the Dipsea trail. Although this is a very popular hike and am sure you have already done it...have to pass on my two thumbs up. If you haven't done it yet, pack some Sweet Jennies in your backpack, and get your buns to the trail...amazing. 

Our friend organized a "sunrise hike" on Thanksgiving morning. Hearing the alarm go off at 5:15am on my first day of vacation was the only bad part of the day (oh and scraping the ice off the windshield wasn't too pleasant either)...but it was all worth it. We hiked to Stinson Beach and had a spectacular morning hike. Definitely something to put on your bucket list.

 




mile seven and still able to strike a pose. go gina go!

Girl's Dinner Party

I am very fortunate to be surrounded by so many old friends. Last week I threw a dinner party for my favorite grade school (go panthers!) ladies. I ended up making a casserole (don't judge...my first casserole ever...gasp.) from the Pioneer Woman Cooks...loved it and the recipe couldn't have been easier. I was able to get everything done in the morning and pop it in the oven when my guests arrived. 


Here's the Chicken Spaghetti Casserole recipe (thanks Whitney from Sweet Winstons in Nashville) for recommending this perfect recipe.


I made sure to have lots of candles on the table and spice things up with some Carrot & Stick Press placemats...
wine note: buttery chardonnary pairs perfectly with chicken spaghetti casserole.

Custom Silhouettes

I can't get enough of this gift idea- unique and so personal. My adorable friend, Erin, passed on the Nella Designs etsy shop to me and I already have a long list of gifts that I want to purchase.

I just made my first order with Nella Designs for sweet Charlie's first birthday. Here's the photo and here's the print...love it:


Announcing...

I am very happy to share with you one of my dearest friend's blog...Girl by Gibson is here! Katie and I have known each other since first grade and she has always been the perfect source of fashion and style that I need. I have no problem baking up some cookies, but when it comes to picking an outfit or knowing what's "in"...I always turn to Katie (aka: Girl by Gibson).


This blog is perfect for me to follow- can stay on top of everything that's going on without always having to constantly borrow sweet Katie for ideas. Come to think of it...Katie, did you only start this blog so that I would finally hold off on all my questions?!!


Here's a recent post from voting day this past Tuesday. I absolutely adore J.Crew and love the pieces she featured here...was thrilled to know that I can still wear nautical in fall...phew!

NYC Cookies

I was busy this weekend baking up a storm for sweet Brook & Tim who just moved to NYC. Here's the final package before heading off to the post office. 

I know...the apples are a bit much...but trying to spice up the Sweet Jennies photo shoots.

Seattle or Bust


I am heading up to Seattle today for a quick trip to raise a glass to the newly engaged couple, Ira & Courtney! I am so excited to be up in Seattle for the beginning of fall and to be part of the beginning of celebrations for their wedding. Tomorrow is going to be a fun filled day with sweet little Josie and Julia. Thank you girls for letting me stay with you. I think there's no better house warming gift than...you guessed it...cookies!


wahoo court & ira!


the cookie is the perfect housewarming gift!

Do you have any gifts that you need to send soon? Let me know and we can do a custom order for you!

Birthday Cookies

This past weekend was full of birthdays...first Katie and then Derek...and there's no better way to celebrate a birthday than with...cookies!!

Here are some pictures from Derek's day...we hiked out to Bass Lake in Marin...it was the perfect birthday celebration.

Do you have any birthday celebrations coming up? Send me a note and let's get some cookies at the party!

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