Hardly Strictly

Hope everyone in SF found some time to enjoy the sun, music, food, and most importantly, people watching(!), at the Hardly Strictly Blue Grass Festival this weekend! I am fortunate to live directly across from the festival, which I must say, is pretty awesome. I never had to use a porta-pottie and didn't have to worry about parking. In fact, after seeing the long bathroom lines I was toying with the idea of charging to let people use my bathroom. But I decided against my "get rich quick scheme," for obvious reasons...

Lily!

I went out for two solid days. We got some blankets together, bought some cold beer and took in the festivities. It was lovely. I also had my cheat day! How could I not? This festival is known for having some delicious grub - I couldn't pass on the gastronomy.

The highlight was Robert Plant and the Band of Joy! People packed in to see them, and for good reason; they are amazing. My cousin and I also saw Broken Social Scene and even though I wasn't familiar with their music I was impressed. They had something like 11-12 instruments on stage, good vocals, and a great sound all around.

Contemplating plum.

Eating Plum.

Another highlight is of course, the people watching...such a diverse crowd at this particular festival. There are the hippies (who are always fun to watch) families, older folks enjoying the blue grass, indie/pop people (like my description?) crowding the stage to see Bright Eyes perform, and those who just love a good festival! The beautiful sunny weather added to everyone's good mood as well. Hope the sun sticks around for October....looking forward to the next festival season!

Just because I'm a "vegan" doesn't mean I can't make Sangria!!

Day 3 of being a Vegan and I am having no problems at all. Seriously, and I'm feeling good! I got out to the Civic Center Farmer's market today and picked up a few tasty items. I'm really into mint these days - in salad, smoothies, perhaps a mojito to celebrate the beautiful sunny weather that has finally hit SF!

I threw some into a smoothie today. I highly recommend this recipe, it was so yummy:

frozen mango (about 2 cups)
1/2 of a banana
1/2 cup soy milk
a few mint leaves
a touch of raw agave syrup

Being a Vegan seems like it may be limiting, but hey, at least I can make sangria, which I will be enjoying momentarily up on the roof....

This batch was especially fantastic! I discovered a new recipe you see...

1 bottle white wine (I used sauvignon blanc)
1 bottle red (cab for me!)
1 orange sliced
1/2 apple chopped
1 pear
1 kiwi
a bunch of grapes (halved)
1 mango sliced
1 lemon squeezed
about a 1/3 cup of rum, gin, or brandy (I used rum)
1/3 cup sugar
top off with some juice - orange, tangerine, pineapple...whatever you've got!

Let it all marinate for a couple of hours (or until you just can't wait any longer!)

Although my current situation is temporary, I'm trying to enjoy it, and really can't complain. Today was hot and glorious so I joined the other "odd-hour" workers at the beach. Ahhhhhh, I haven't been to the beach in my bikini in probably over a year, which is a huge crime in my book, so I was a very happy girl today : )

3 day weekends would make the world a much better place.

.....That is my theory and I'm sticking to it!

Day 1 to run errands, day 2 to just relax/take it easy/be lazy/do nothing/RECOVER from the shenanigans of the night before, and day 3 to get out and play!

This weekend was lovely and relaxing and I discovered a few new places around the city. And when I say "discover" I mean, for god's sake, where have I been all this time whilst all these great little gems were just sitting there being enjoyed by everyone but me!??

I finally tried Philz Coffee and was not disappointed. I had the "Philharmonic" - it is not an understatement to say that upon first sip I had a symphony in my mouth. Yes. I went there. It was the most amazing coffee I've ever had. They brew each cup individually and stir it into frothy, creamy perfection. Yum.

Other highlights of the weekend include happy hour at the Burritt Room in the Crescent Hotel, Shanghai King for gastronomical deliciousness, going to The Old Clam House with my nor-cal family, seeing Rise of the Planet of the Apes, the Bali exhibit at the Asian Art Museum, Civic Center farmers market, and a little exploring in Pacific Heights (love that neighborhood).

What am I looking forward to in the coming months? Well for starters, how about a summer? I feel as if I was robbed of that this year - maybe it's because I literally got to enjoy 3 summers last year (due to traveling around the world), so now Mother Nature is going, "Hah! This year you'll get no summer at all!"- hmmm. So I am looking forward to an Indian Summer in SF, which I've heard so much about and am anxiously for (if it doesn't come I may want to kill myself) (jk) (but seriously). 

Happy week! Hope it's a sunny one.