how does your garden grow?

Around this time of year since 2011, we've devoted our garden to growing fruits and veggies.  I've posted about corn and string beans that we've harvested from our garden.  

I'm afraid to say that this year we've been a little lazy.  A lot lazy.  Instead of veggies, we've chosen to plant flowers.  We just put a "few" bulbs into containers and waited.  And, waited for the climate to warm up into spring.  The last few weeks have brought a lot of color into our garden.  Starting from these calla lilies.

We also planted a bunch of asian lilies and I have to say that our garden is bright this season.  Lots of oranges, yellows and deep reds!

Not a bad sight as I take my afternoon breaks in our backyard.    As you will see below, our roses are also in full spring bloom!  

Hope this adds a splash of sunshine to your day,

Lease

not so little things: breakfast dates

The hubs and I have a standing commitment to go out on a date every week.  We have a spending limit that we try to keep.  However, due to both time and budget constraints, we have had limited options as of late.  We did, however, realize that there was a block of time on Sunday mornings that we could spend together while the kids were at bible study (CCD).

So, instead of our fancy dinner dates (which are now few and far between), we drop the kids of at church for their Sunday lessons, and we get to spend a few hours to ourselves.  A whole new world has opened to us!  Starbucks is one of regular go-to places, where we order our drinks, and just sit back and talk about life in general.  

We have also tried out several local diners that serve traditional breakfasts.  I'd say our dates now cost less than $20, including tax and tips. 

And, since we recently joined our local gym, we head out for an hour of exercise after a quick Starbucks run.  Or do  quick coffee run on our way to pick up the kids.

Here's to Starbucks and breakfast dates!

Lease

traveler's journal: Yelping it in Vegas

Several weekends ago, the hubs was scheduled to fly to Vegas for a conference.  It was the perfect chance for us to get a mini-vacation so we jumped at the opportunity when Southwest published discounted fares.  Using our points, we were also able to score a free room for the weekend!

Because we were on a limited budget and wanted to make sure we got the most for our money, we decided to Yelp possible foodie haunts.  We were tired of the usual hotel/casino buffet and wanted to try different restaurants.  Yelp helped us find our way.

On last day in Vegas, we headed out to DW Bistro.  We were bright and early, and arrived well before the restaurant opened.  True to reviews, there already was a nice gathering of patrons in front of the restaurant.  I think the following pictures will illustrate why.

The food was delicious and the portions were huge.  Good thing we decided to split an entree (pulled pork jerk) instead of ordering one for each of us.  We considered the french toast a "side dish."  LOL!

It was a nice brunch for a mini-vacation - and I will make sure to try out other items on the menu next time we are in the city of lost wages.

Something to consider on your next Vegas adventure!

Lease

clean home: organizing scarves

I have a ton of scarves.  For the longest time now, I've placed these babies in several different locations throughout our house.  There are a few in our coat closet, my closet and a basket near our front door.  

While scanning through a home improvement magazine at my doctor's office, I chanced upon a scarf display using towel rods.  I liked the idea and thought of replicating the same in our house.  Problem was I did not want to permanently attach several towel rods into our closet wall.  Something about not being able to find the correct location of the studs.  That, and just sheer laziness.

So, as I began to collect all my scarves from different locations throughout our house, I figured I could use several wood hangers instead of towel rods.  This way I could sort by season and/or color, and have the mobility of storing the winter scarves in our smaller closet while having my spring/summer weight scarves nearby.  

Ta-da!

There was no additional cost to me for this project because I used existing unused hangers.  In case you're interested, these hanger are from Ikea and retail for $4 for a set of 8.

One more project off my list!  

Lease

foodie find: bourbon steak san francisco

Once in a while, my husband and I decide to try out new restaurants.  We usually go for a "fixed price menu" so that our final bill would not surprise us.  I also prefer the fixed menu, because sometimes, especially when one is ravenous, i.e., "hangry" (hungry, and angry because I'm hungry) picking from just 3 entree`s is so much easier.

On a recent trip to San Francisco, we decided to avail of a fixed price menu created specially by Bourbon Steak (a Michael Mina restaurant) for guests of the hotel where we were staying (Westin Union Square).

We selected from a $65 per person menu that included appetizers, an entree and dessert.  Instead of house bread, they served us a selection of french fries.  Hey, I'm OK with that.  Different spices for the fries together with a selection of dipping sauces.  

For our appetizers, we selected a salad and tuna tartare from the menu.  This was a welcome shift from the french fries.  

Here's the deal, the hubs almost always orders the fish, and yours truly, the steak.  Unless they made a note of who ordered which entree, the service staff will almost always deliver the steak to the hubs and the fish to me.  

Let me say this, I would not have complained if they served me the fish - I tried it and actually loved it! The steak was heavenly as well.

The servings look "smaller" than usual, but I felt pretty full even before we were considering dessert, which of course did not disappoint.  Hubs settled on the beignets and I had the profiteroles.  

This dinner was pricier than most of our prix fixe menu dates, but was a welcome change.  Definitely a date place in case you're ever looking at venues in San Francisco.

Lease