Kristine's Birthday Cake

Martin's cousin Kristine had a birthday!! And I was lucky enough to be asked to make the cake. Isn't it pretty?

have you seen...Wicked!!??

If you have not, you definitely need to!! I'm not sure how long the company will be staying in San Francisco, but it is one of the best shows I've ever seen!! They have two prices for tickets, so obviously try for the cheap, but they sell out fast, so even if you have to pay the full price, just do it!! I was lucky enough to go for my birthday, and we had really good seats (thanks to the love of my life who surprised me with the tickets). Check out the schedule and go soon!!!
http://www.shnsf.com/shows/wicked


We also went to one of my all time favorite restaurants, Scomas. It's right around the fisherman's wharf area, kind of hidden off the back of a pier. My whole family loves it, and even with the prices being a little high, still worth it to go once and a while, for special occasions and what not.

Try the lobster bisque!!

We also spent a little time at the Conservatory of Flowers in Golden Gate Park in SF. It boggled my mind that I have never bothered to go. Orchids are my favorite flower and they are the most abundant! A lot of exotic plants and flowers you really can not see anywhere else! It's only a few dollars and worth the trip, especially with all that's available around Golden Gate Park.

Just down the street from the Conservatory of Flowers is Stow lake, where you can rent paddle boats, bikes, and lots of other fun things!! It was a lot of fun, and really beautiful.

I had a wonderful birthday, thanks to all those who sent birthday wishes, family, and my amazing boyfriend who planned the whole day for us.

I love a good burger!

Have you ever stumbled upon www.foodnetwork.com ? because you should!!! Not only do they have amazing recipes, suggestions, and entertaining ideas, but you can search any recipe or ingredient, and they have so many good ones! It is one of my favorite cooking tools, and something I use every time I try something new in the kitchen.

I stumbled upon some burger recipes today...

www.foodnetwork.com/burgers/package/index.html

here was my favorite...

Directions
Bobby's Perfect Patty
Shape 6 ounces of 80 percent lean ground beef chuck into a uniform patty, no more than 3/4 inch thick (don't overwork the meat). Make a depression in the center with your thumb so the burger won't bulge; the indent will rise as the patty cooks. Preheat a grill or cast-iron grill pan to high. Brush the burger with canola oil and season with salt and pepper. Grill until golden brown and slightly charred, turning once (7 minutes for medium-rare). Avoid pressing with a spatula! Add cheese for the last minute of cooking.
Cheese
Your pick: Monterey Jack is a California favorite, but Bobby loves this burger with cheddar, too.
Avocado Relish
Avocado is one of Bobby's favorite ingredients. He mixes 2 chopped Hass avocados with 1/2 diced small onion, 1 minced jalapeno, the juice of 1 lime, 3 tablespoons chopped cilantro, and salt and pepper.
Watercress
L.A. doesn't do iceberg lettuce, so Bobby tops off the burger with this peppery green instead.
Tomato
One thick, juicy slice takes the place of ketchup.

hummus

2 cans chickpeas or garbonzo beans
½ c. tahini (sesame seed paste)
1 lemon juiced
¼ c. olive oil
1 t. salt
Dash of onion salt
Pepper

Combine chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice, and salt in the food processor. Gradually add the olive oil. If you prefer your hummus thick, keep as is, if not, add a few tablespoons of water, or the juice from the canned chickpeas.
Add more salt if needed, pepper, and onion salt to taste.

*If you don’t have tahini on hand, which I didn’t, splash some sesame seed oil in the mixture, or just don’t worry about. But you can buy it at any grocery store.

spend a week over in... new york!

last summer I took a trip to New York
I went with a group of friends
there we met up with Martin and Daniel
(they were on tour)
Martin told me he loved me the second he saw me
(for the first time)
the group went as a surprise
and it was a surprise
the next morning we watched the sunrise
(Martin and I)
under the trees in central park
from that moment on,
we have been inseparable
and in love :)

here are some photos...
If you ever go, make sure you take the double decker tour bus around town, that was the best way to see everything you could possibly want to see; also the hudson river boat tour, where you go around the statue of liberty, pretty awesome.


the night we flew in...I have some great friends by the way


the natural museum of science (or something like that)


the view from central park was amazing, we stayed at a hostel just across the street



times square in new york at night is amazing, so many lights, and still so much to do, it really is the city that never sleeps


where John Lennon was killed (I love the beatles by the way)


St. Patrick's Cathedral (the biggest in the U.S.) and the museum of modern art


coffee shop show in the heart of greenwich village and my good friend donna



carnegie hall (carnegie deli was one of my favorite stops) and of course broadway! Martin and I went to Marry Poppins, the whole group saw Stomp!, and I went by myself to see Chicago!!


have you ever seen a more majestic skyline



scenic view from the hudson river tour, and of course the statue of liberty


4th of july fireworks!!

I couldn't have asked for a better week :)