Goodbye 2014. Hello 2015.

2014 you have been good to me. It wasn't all ups for sure, some heartaches, some moments when life felt like at a stall. But nevertheless thank you for the great year. Just last year I was still going to school, and working at my first real job at my dream place. I *finally* graduated. Relationships changed. I moved 3 times in the last 18 months- up to the Bay Area and even got my first own place in Oakland and then I am now settled again in downtown Oakland. Met new friends. Strengthened old friendships. While 2013 had a lot of momentum, 2014 felt more right. I finally had an opportunity to work a "normal" schedule. And then finally getting a a great opportunity to work where I can see myself growing. 2015 will be good. 

Happy New Ya'll! 

(I obviously picked that up somewhere)

Embarcadero

I've ended up at Embarcadero more times than I care to admit. Nothing is wrong with the place of course. The view is nice. It is accessible by BART. There is a lot going on both for the tourists and locals.  The Saturday farmers market is there. So is the ferry building which has a lot of FOOD in it including Slanted Door, Blue Bottle Coffee, Boccolone Salami, 4505 meats, Dandelion Chocolates, and Humphrey Slocombe Ice Cream. But start walking towards Pierd 39 from the Ferry Building and there is Coquetta for Spanish Food, tapas, and cocktails. Hard water for cocktails. Buena Vista for Irish Coffees.

Gin and paella from Coqueta

Frangelico and Coffee

Wrecking Ball at Hard Water

You can be touristy too. I won't tell.

Sometimes I am crazy enough to walk over to Polk St and up the hills to get some Loving Cup too!

As promised. . .Wine County

California is full of wine counties. Even in between San Diego and Los Angeles, there is Temecula. And then just a couple hours north of Los Angeles is Santa Barbara, and you head up the 101 and it's wine wine wine. Up here there is Sonoma and Napa just to name of a few. October is the best time to go. It is harvest time and then after October it just gets cold. About 2 years ago, my boss got me a limo to wine county but I could not go because I had other obligations in October, and he would not send me after the good weather was gone. This year we made it right at harvest. So there were harvest festivals. One of the wineries I visited, the employees were having their last harvest party. So much wining and good food. Kunde Estates was our first stop, thier annual harvest fest was going on, Beringer for their tram tour and then we went to their sister winery. Fig cafe for lunch. We then headed to their downtown area for Sigh, a bubble bar. El Dorado for early dinner. You would have thought we were done, But no. We headed to Marin to cap the night at Picco's. We were def done by then.

yes. I'm the only one taking a selfies during the tour.

wine cave. mm,

 fries and wine

bubbles

el dorado kitchen

 picco

Holiday Party

I threw a small but tasteful Holiday Party recently. On the menu, was baby lamp chops with bechamel and mushroom and shallot white wine sauce, prime rib roast, potatoes au gratin, blanched green beans in goat cheese and vinergerette, roasted brussels with cranberry and almonds. Cheese plate with boccoloni's orange and fennel salami and cranberry raspberry jam. I wanted us to drink wine. Red wine, bubbly wine, and whites, but in the end we still ended up having gin too. Bees Knees to be specific (rosemary, lavender, honey, lemon, gin). I don't have much pictures, because well, I dug in before I got photos. We had a Charlie Brown theme. My sister arrived with a charlie brown tree, which I don't have pics of and more Charlie Brown decor. My prime rib ended up perfect. We seared it, with perfect grill marks I might add. It was in my oven at 500 degrees for about 45 mins and I let it rest in the dutch over for a good 15 minutes. Night would not be a success without my helpful elves.
We even made my brown butter gingersnap crust pumpkin pie. Will do again. Fun to keep building on my holiday menu. As usual, I ended up past out before everyone else. Aiy. No more gin. But I love you gin.

My lamb chops.

Too good to not to share

So sorry,
That recently. It's only been music I have been sharing. I guess I lurve music than I care to admit. This one is by Odesza. So good. It's kind of eveel, and I not a bit this evil. I din't even realize how evil it was until I looked up the lyrics.

I heard the news today
That you're not mine to keep.
I struggle too much now while I keel you in my sleep.
What is lust if its not being by yourself.
It's only water. It's only fire. It's only love.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wPqTCrm61-I

Song of the moment: SomeKindaWonderful's Reverse

I love SomeKindaWonderful's Reverse. Someone also put together a great mix on YouTube. Listen to it. Find it. I don't think I can share the link for the mix. Unless these are it. 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=crxcyRIFB8U&list=RDcrxcyRIFB8U

I tell my story in reverse because it hurts
But if I could do it again
I would do it again
If I could do it again
I would do it again!
If I could do it again
Probably do it again
Could I get a do-over?


After listening to the song for a millionth time. I realize, that he may be singing his telling the story in reverse. As in, the girl is the one cheating? Craziness! 

I love the 2nd song the mix. Vanjoy's Riptide. The video is great. I love the word riptide, Because well I grew up around the ocean. And Riptides are the type of waves that come in from underneath and pulls you into the ocean. I've been fortunate enough to not ever feel one pull me into the ocean.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJ_1HMAGb4k&list=RDcrxcyRIFB8U&index=2

3rd song: 

Hoziers: take me to Church
I love Hozier's latest album. Take me Church is a good place to start.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYSVMgRr6pw&list=RDcrxcyRIFB8U&index=3

Milky Chance's stolen Dance
Even the name of the song is fun huh?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iX-QaNzd-0Y&list=RDcrxcyRIFB8U&index=6

Love is in the Air by Shivers!

Love doesn't know that there's a pretty good chance you're going to leave. Love doesn't see that you're not in love with me anymore. Love doesn't care if you prance around In your underwear. Love has no bounds. Love wonders from time to time. If you don't love me. Somebody else will. Darling if you won't somebody else will love me.  By The Shivers. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HcPHkCuZrsU