Cooking Single in the City

So many questions after our most recent rolling earthquake. I hear things like "Why would you want to live in California?" "Aren't you afraid of earthquakes?" "I'd rather live somewhere where we at least have tornado-warnings, unlike where you live and it just starts to shake." Well, truth be told, we live where we want to live. Some of us live where we do because of comfort. Others because of cost. Some live where they do because they want to be close to family. Others? For work. Me? I'm here because I'm called to live here...at least for now. So until I hear different, Southern California'll just have to the good times roll! On this particular Thursday where at least two earthquakes hit us (though I only felt one), I should have known there was something in the air when I woke up craving a shake! Not an ordinary shake--but one made up of a splash of apple juice, a banana, frozen strawberries and other assorted berries. I did manage to...

Ever just have one of those days where although you had "other" things planned, every thing turned out exactly the way you know they were meant to turn out? W-o-w. Well today that was my day and the only thing I can say is...amazing. In all my 40 years of living I can honestly say that there have been days, weeks, years even where I have toiled and spun my wheels only with NOTHING (of importance) to show for it. LoL. Sad, but oh so true. Lately, my life has been anything BUT that, and for that, I'm grateful. My hands are to the right plow and not building in vain--who has time for to labor for that which profits nothing? Not me. At least, not any more. :) Today was incredible, and as I made my way through Fullerton's chaos of today's heartbreaking news, I wound up home right when I was supposed to be. With fifteen minutes to eat, I quickly pulled out the extra-firm tofu, a carrot-broccoli mix a lemon and some evo. Much to my delight, an avocado was not too far aw...

There's nothing I dislike more than biting into a potato that is still somewhat hard at the core of the bite. Well, there may be things I dislike even slightly more than that in the eating arena, but tonight, this was the case. After a long week of writing, phone calls, emails, meetings, casting calls and more meetings, I finally plunged into the sofa this evening realizing that it was Friday night and that Ms. Thing had no plans! Much to my joy, I decided to get all dressed up with nowhere to go. Well, nowhere to go, anyways. Managing to scrunch my long-fro into a frenzy with the only mousse I believe in (Schwarzkopf), I threw on some dressy jeans, boots, a vintage sweater, topped off with a scarf, sweet fragrance and huge earrings before darting out the door and down the street bouncing to Fred Hammond! After my one-stop in preparation for tomorrow's night's post-Iglesia event, I was actually looking forward to the $1 salad from El Pollo Loco, when much to my delight...Pa...

Leading a very busy life has it's disadvantages, but let's face it--it has some perks, too! The last month has been extremely busy. We'll just leave it at that. Attending meetings for everything from curriculum to songwriting, production and worship, about the only thing I had extra time to do was to catch a cold--not once but twice. :) What perks? You ask. Well, in the middle of all the business is just the wonderful sense of peace. A quiet that can only come from being in the presence of One. And this is what keeps me going, keeps me creative, keeps me whole. One of these days, in particular, I had fifteen minutes to rush home, make dinner, eat and head back out. Thank God for good and faithful--Trader Joe's. I managed to grab a four bags--one from the freezer and three from the fridge--and voila, dinner was served! A huge fan of frozen and plastic-bagged items due to cooking for one, I had Tofurkey Italian Sausage, shredded carrots, melange trois and a bag of ready-m...

Moving, moving and more moving--so busy I haven't HAD time to cook, play, visit with friends...or much of anything else, let alone BLOG. Well hmmm...I actually did squeeze in some time for a trip to Atlanta, GA where my mom, sis and I were treated to authentic Cuban Food ala my Aunt Sonia! Her food filled me to my inner most belly. THAT, in itself, is a whole other entry. Since the last posting however, I think I've moved, not once, but twice. Now that the move has been completed, I just need the motivation to unpack, yet again. Until that happens, boxes will remain to be the first thing I see in the morning. Needless to say, cooking has become quite an art when sharing a cocina chiquita with the "lady of the house" (who I'm beyond blessed to share with). With my finances becoming a tighter by the week, I realized that I just around the corner from a sweet little place that had been music to my ears since the day I'd heard of it--Fresh & Easy! One should ...

So yesterday proved to be the perfect day for two friends to depart from O.C. into historic Pasadena. Granted it's only 30 minutes away or so, it was sad to think I rarely visit the home to the Bruins' cleats due to my newly fitted O.C. leash. Although we rarely visit, it was the perfect day, indeed. There was my sweet friend, Francesca, our English Tea treats and rain that sang for the couple of hours we caught up over Peach-Apricot and Ginger Peach teas. Interestingly enough, we realized that the last time we had tea together was at a four-star hotel in Paris, France almost five years ago...yikes! Regardless of where we last had tea, we were having tea yesterday, where every table of friends seemed to be enjoying conversations with sounds of a flowing fountain and elegant piano melodies echoing behind. It seems like only recently I've heard quite a few ladies inquire about the afternoon-teas I've attended, as they've never been. (At least it's not someone as...

I have been moving. This is the main reason it has taken me over a month to post what, three entries? Four, at best. Although I still remain living in the same beautiful city within Orange County's parameters, this last move has taken me about three weeks to just feel like I'm somewhat back to normal again. I know they say that moving is one of the most stressful events in a human life, so why I've felt the need to move six times within the last two-and-a-half years is beyond me! One thing I've noticed, however, during this last move that consisted of all two miles, is that I haven't had the time to cook. That being said, I've had to get creative with food that is tasty, cheap and quick! This particular morning's choice was none other than Lox and Bagles. Although I'm a bigger fan of it enjoying this tasty little dish while dining out, I have to say that the dish I made at home was not too far off! (I still think one of the yummiest lox and bagel experie...