Today on weekend meanderings, a couple of Bay Area outings with friends, my pantry essentials to survive flu season, plus three favorite cookbooks that make great gifts.
Happy Saturday, friends!
It’s time for the weekend post with Kim and Elizabeth. Our weekly roundup of inspirations and goings on.
I missed last weekend … sorry. I was down and out with the flu for nearly two weeks. TWO weeks. Jeez. On Thursday I finally began feeling ‘normal’ again … if normal is ever a category in which I find myself.
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All and all it’s been a slow start to the year. I laid low most of January and early February recovering from basal cell carcinoma surgeries which turned out to be a bigger deal to bounce back from than anticipated. I finally got back to full-speed, and bam … the flu. And yesterday I spent three hours in the dentist chair beginning what will be a three week process to deal with an issue that’s been causing distress for over a year.
So far 2025 has not been my favorite year ever. But let’s not dwell on the negative. Anyone else fall under the spell of the NHL Four Nations tournament?! The final game didn’t turn out as hoped, but Team USA did us proud and kudos to Team Canada.
White Denim in the Winter
It feels like forever ago, but last week – or the week before – I joined up with friends to share ideas for rocking white denim in the winter.
Cashmere Turtleneck | White Denim | Ugg Ultra Mini’s
Of all the white denim options I shared, this pair are far and away the most popular.
Out & About To Down & Out
If I’d been healthy last week I would have shared a couple of out-of-the-house adventures. BFF Jane’s birthday lunch in the City and a Lunar New Year luncheon – plus shopping – with Kim. Both fun outings feel like they happened another lifetime ago, I’ll recap.
I joined Jane and her daughter Tess for birthday lunch at the new Little Original Joe’s in the Marina. Original Joe’s in North Beach is a San Francisco institution with several offshoots around the Bay Area and one coming soon to Walnut Creek (near me!!!). The Walnut Creek location has been in a ‘coming soon’ mode for what feels like forever but it does appear the grand opening is imminent. In the meantime, I was really excited to try out the Marina location and see what we have to look forward to.
When we walked in and put our name in for a table (they don’t take reservations) we saw towers of truffle fries flying around the restaurant and knew there’d be one destined for our table.
The restaurant has an welcoming, old-school feel with black leather booths and red leather chairs. I love the black and white checkerboard floor and open kitchen.
Once the truffle fries were placed in front of us I completely forgot about my phone (camera), but trust me when I say everything looked and tasted amazing. It was Jane’s birthday so dessert was de rigueur … as was a celebratory firecracker. So fun!
After lunch we stopped by Tess’ new Marina apartment. Since graduating college Tess has lived in the City with roommates, and recently moved into her own place. Her apartment is all charm … with the most beautiful moldings, built-ins, and big bay windows (with windows seats) along both exterior walls. Congrats, Tess!
I’d barely recovered from the truffle fry tower when it was time to get gussied up again and head to Bloomingdale’s to meet Kim. She was invited to Bloomies Lantern Festival Luncheon – in honor of Lunar New Year – and to celebrate their top clients. I was honored to be her plus one.
The luncheon was held at AnQi Shaken & Stirred, a restaurant just inside Bloomingdale’s entrance. We were greeted by Mark Thomas, Bloomingdale’s General Manager, and settled in with some other lovely ladies – and gentlemen – for a delicious lunch.
Kim and I both had Orange Chicken which was served with a platter of garlic noodles – yum. Dessert was a fried banana a la mode. Delish!
After lunch Mark sent us out to shop … and we were happy to oblige. Kim took me up to her favorite department … BA$SH. And introduced me to Leslie, the BA$SH manager who expertly guided me around the brand’s beautiful pieces (how did I get no pictures?!). I wasted no time filling a dressing room and trying on all their lovely cropped jackets and sweaters. With Kim and Leslie’s encouragement I brought home a beautiful jacket in camel … as well as a navy dress from Frame.
Here’s Kim in her element (she’s wearing a BA$SH sweater jacket).
Seasonal Cold & Flu Essentials to Have on Hand
Even though Jim and I don’t get sick very often, there are a few things I keep stocked in the cupboard just in case. Because once something hits, going to the store can feel like an impossible task.
It goes without saying that Canada Dry Ginger Ale (in mini cans) and saltines are pantry staples. Soft Kleenex and Aquafor keep runny noses from turning red and irritated. Cough drops are gross, but Ricola Lemon Mint lozenges are tolerable. Comfy clothes – this Barefoot Dreams blanket wrap is the best – and good books round out my essentials to survive the latest plague.
Speaking of books, while I was convelescing I read a very good novel, How to End a Love Story, and reread Emma. When all else fails I reread my favorite Jane Austen novels because they always bring enjoyment and comfort.
I’m curious, what are your pantry essentials when you or a family member is under the weather?
Currently Obsessed with These Cookbooks
I’ve been making a point to stop into our local book store and our new-ish Barnes & Noble more frequently. Recently I picked up a few cookbooks that were marvelous company while I was sick. They’re also great books for gifting.
There’s Always Room at the Table
Do you follow Kaleb Wyse? He’s one of my Instagram favorites and I’ve been excitedly awaiting his first cookbook, There’s Always Room at the Table. His hearty, midwestern recipes are right up my alley … the kind of food my grandmother made and my favorite to make and eat. Comfort food.
In addition to a deep appreciation for his food style, I’m an admirer of his home style too. He lives in his grandparents 1800’s farmhouse recently updated and renovated for a modern lifestyle. Oh and his gardening adventurers on the farm … I wish I had his energy.
The Model Bakery Cookbook
The famed Napa Valley bakery recently opened a location nearby and I couldn’t wait to give it a try. It’s now a favorite spot to stop in for breakfast, lunch or just to pick up some yummy pastries and famous English muffins. Of course I had to buy their popular 2013 cookbook. And I bought one for Jane too, for her birthday. I visited the bakery for the first time with her after talking about its opening for what felt like forever.
Lemon
The Gourmand’s Lemon. I know nothing about this book other than I love lemons and it caught my eye at Barnes & Noble. Turns out it’s a beautiful collection of photos, stories, and recipes centered around … lemons. It’s total eye candy and I can’t stop flipping through it.
Don’t tell, but I bought a copy for Kim which I intended to give her at our Bloomingdale’s meetup. Because I failed to follow her meticulously outlined directions, we ended up parking in different parking garages and I wasn’t able to pass it along. It’s been sitting on my kitchen counter ever since and I finally made it to the post office to mail it to her … it should arrive in her mailbox this week. But, again, shhhh ….
I know I’m meant to be decluttering in preparation for our move, but books and cookbooks are rarely in my discard pile. Our new house may be small in size but it will be generous in bookshelves.
There’s Always Room at the Table | The Model Bakery Cookbook | Lemon
Current Favorites ~
And that’s what I have for you today. Except … for a little news. I’m pressing pause on the blog for a couple of months while I focus on prepping Snowberry for sale, finding a temporary home, and shepherding plans for the new house through the approval process. I may pop in from time to time with an update and I’ll definitely share news of our moving sale.
I’m really going to miss meeting up with Elizabeth and Kim – and YOU – on Saturday mornings. But I’ll be back before you know it.
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