Me and My Java

Morning coffee at Tartine.

Perfect timing, usually this place is swarming with people--- people lined up out the door.

We came in just right on time...

It was nice just to talk and 'relax'.

And listening to Willie Nelson =) Most of the time they have cool tracks playing in the background.

I heart their scone---perfect texture and scrumptious.

Butter croissant is so-so... I think what's putting me off is its huge size.

Tartine's mini bar.

*i promise next time, that hideous hair will be chopped off.

My new hat.

OK so yeah I have this faiblesse for vintage hats which
we already knew about didn't we but the things is that
even old cats like me can learn new tricks.
So in order to prove that I learned how to use this fun
program on my computer that makes mini films.
What do we think?
Hear hear or shaaame?
J thinks this is complete shame.
He might have to sleep on the couch tonight.

Love,
E

These times of work and finding quiet.

This is where I sometimes work in the wine district.

Except that not much is done during the day and I just mostly
sit there drinking delicious coffee while reading gourmet magazines.

It is so pretty though with lots of roses, old wine barrels and horses.

I was trying to be a teeny weeny pretty but that is close to impossible
in this crazy heat that has surrounded us for the last three weeks.



After all that hard working (not really) I just wanted
to stay at home and take care of some important things
such as washing of my favorite new cardigans,
watering of my lovely red chillies and reading Donna Hay
food magazines. Yeah all I wanted was a little bit of peace and
quiet.

Love,
E

What's for Lunch...?

It's been difficult lately...

Little treats, like having lunch at our favorite coffee shop helps a bit.

For lunch, we went to Blue Bottle.

We had, of course, a cup latte.

Mikey-Ike had a mortadella sandwich (not pictured).

And I had this simple but delicious cheese sandwich.

And... We tried their mediocre cookies (but hey, as my Dad would say, "it's better than nothing").

The snickerdoodle tasted like artificial vanilla.

However, the chocolate cookie was a hit; perfect with our latte =)

i hope things are well with you.

Hearts, A

Perhaps I/we should be eating more of these...

Dr. Bowden, author of "The 150 Healthiest Foods on Earth," healthy recommendations and advice.

Beets: Think of beets as red spinach, Dr. Bowden said, because they are a rich source of folate as well as natural red pigments that may be cancer fighters.
How to eat: Fresh, raw and grated to make a salad. Heating decreases the antioxidant power.

Cabbage: Loaded with nutrients like sulforaphane, a chemical said to boost cancer-fighting enzymes.
How to eat: Asian-style slaw or as a crunchy topping on burgers and sandwiches.

Swiss chard: A leafy green vegetable packed with carotenoids that protect aging eyes.
How to eat it: Chop and saute in olive oil.

Cinnamon: May help control blood sugar and cholesterol.
How to eat it: Sprinkle on coffee or oatmeal.

Pomegranate juice: Appears to lower blood pressure and loaded with antioxidants.
How to eat: Just drink it.

Dried plums: Okay, so they are really prunes, but they are packed with antioxidants.
How to eat: Wrapped in prosciutto and baked.

Pumpkin seeds: The most nutritious part of the pumpkin and packed with magnesium; high levels of the mineral are associated with lower risk for early death.

How to eat: Roasted as a snack, or sprinkled on salad.

Sardines: Dr. Bowden calls them “health food in a can.” They are high in omega-3’s, contain virtually no mercury and are loaded with calcium. They also contain iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, copper and manganese as well as a full complement of B vitamins.
How to eat: Choose sardines packed in olive or sardine oil. Eat plain, mixed with salad, on toast, or mashed with dijon mustard and onions as a spread.

Turmeric: The “superstar of spices,” it may have anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties.
How to eat: Mix with scrambled eggs or in any vegetable dish.

Frozen blueberries: Even though freezing can degrade some of the nutrients in fruits and vegetables, frozen blueberries are available year-round and don’t spoil; associated with better memory in animal studies.
How to eat: Blended with yogurt or chocolate soy milk and sprinkled with crushed almonds.

Canned pumpkin: A low-calorie vegetable that is high in fiber and immune-stimulating vitamin A; fills you up on very few calories.

How to eat: Mix with a little butter, cinnamon and nutmeg.

(Source: http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/06/30/the-11-best-foods-you-arent-eating/?em)

*Thought you might find this interesting.

Coffee Pot

We used to have this French Press (pictured below). But I lost one of nuts and bolts that holds the filter, mesh, and spiral together. =/ Had to chuck it.

Since it was worth having a French Press--- we decided to get another one. This time, we purchased this one (picture below). It's sturdy and reliable; we've had it for quite some time now.

Also, I don't have to worry about losing the nuts and bolts =)

But you know what I would love to find... is this...

Cheers!

A party.

After the quiet holiday weeks it was time to take the bull by its
horns and get back on the horse and all that. At least to shake
off that fake turkey as according to some 'love does not need handles'.
(Horrid.) So on Friday night we jumped in a bus, squeezed in there
with our pretty dresses and headed over to the Yacht Club for some
good ol' boogie.



Sitting in the bus felt like being back in school. Except that everyone
was way way hotter! No more braces, ugly hair or weird shoes a la mom.

And the Yach Club was beautiful in the evening sun.



So we drank some, danced some, threw away painful shoes, had
some gossips in the stairs and loved all night long. Until next day.

Love,
E

Me and my Java

We brew coffee using a French Press.

We get a pound of coffee beans from our local coffee shop to ensure freshness in our morning cup o' joe. We've tried several special kinds of coffee beans, but eventually we would go back to Peet's (local coffee shop). Decent price per/lbs and always fresh. We do not mess around =); pretty picky about our coffee.

------------

*** I've been so preoccupied with planning my Philippines Trip --- trying to get it in order. Pretty sick and tired organizing it now. I just want it over and done (organizing).

My apologies... things are not working well for me right now. Kinda struggling really.

Anyway, until next time... Tc!

Me and my java.

I thought we could start this little thing called 'Me and my java'. It could be a little section with a photo of that specific roast followed by a tiny teeny story of what we were possibly thinking or eating or agonizing or oozing or whatever while drinking it.
What do you think?
I'll go first.

I like to drink my coffee, if having it at home, quite early in the morning. This one I had just before the sun had set and the air was still cool. It was just a normal blend with some soy milk and nothing else. I can't remember thinking anything much. Just feeling like it was going to be a good day. Maybe that was because I was using my favorite mug.

Love,
E

"An American In Paris"

Must see movie for fans who love dancing, superb picture, Gene Kelly and Leslie Caron.

The clip above is just the last few minutes of the 18 minutes of dancing, which featured Gene Kelly [and Caron] amazing ballet performance extravaganza.

Check it out!

Lookie lookie...

so Excited to use this =)))

now I need Polaroid Films and tons of it!

*i hope it works

What's for lunch...?

roasted Brussel Sprouts and Garlic Brown Rice =)

Not fond of sauteed brussel sprouts, I heart it roasted.

Nutty and crunchy.

Beginning at Bouchon

This was how my January 1st started...

Dinner with mi familia at Bouchon in Yountville --- up North.

Bouchon is listed on my Restaurant Must-To-Go list.

Started by famed French chef, Thomas Keller

So I was super excited to go...

I like the ambience of the restaurant.

It is an upscale-casual joint. Good thing we didn't have to dress up b/c we are not that sort of family; unless we have to, that is =)

Anyway, about the food...

For appetizer: we had variety of Oysters. Oh, I heart oysters =)

And poached salmon with salad.

I had the Croque Madame w/ Black Truffle Pomme Frites.

The Croque Madame was oozing with goodness. And the Truffle Pomme Frites, to die for.

Dad had the Truite aux Topinambours [pan-roasted trout with roasted sunchokes, marinated mushrooms, toasted almond & beurre noisette]

This was delicious.

Mother had the poached Salmon w/ beets.

And Rej had the (pictured above the Salmon) Poulet Roti [roasted chicken with crispy spatzle, winter squash, chestnuts & white wine poached pears with whole grain mustard jus].

I liked it, but he wasn't into it =/ Oh well...

This is Rej's Mousse au Chocolat Noir.

It was rich, creamy, and chocolaty.

Divine...

I opted for a cup of coffee.

it was a lovely way to spend the first day of 2010.

That Little Mexican Place.

After a crazy party Friday we needed something that would guide us towards a gentle recovery so to say. We headed to That Little Mexican Place in North Perth and let them take care of it for us. And I must say that it was the completely right decision to make as they showered us with two plates full of joy and hot Mexican coffee. Yum yum we then said, wiped our greasy fingers and left to spend the rest of the weekend on the beach surfing. In a bikini! A triple yey for summer.

Love, E