Beautiful San Francisco

I just can't seem to get over the beauty of San Francisco! It is such a small little city, at only 7x7 square miles, but the charm and character it possesses is quite amazing. From the diversity of the neighborhoods to the eclectic restaurants, there is always something new and exciting going on. I don't think it's really possible to be bored in San Francisco. It seems that every week something will happen and I think, I love this city!!

This week it was Angel Island, even though it was my third trip there. Saturday was a perfectly sunny, unseasonably warm day in February. Dan and I couldn't pass up the opportunity to spend the day outside, and took the ferry from the Embarcadero to Angel Island State Park where my love for San Francisco was once again renewed. The views from both the ferry and Angel Island are just stunning, and include the Golden Gate Bridge, the Bay Bridge, the San Francisco skyline, Alcatraz, Sausalito, Tiburon, Oakland, and of course, the Bay. We hiked through tall canopies of trees and native plants to the top of Mt. Livermore. There we made ourselves comfortable on the grass and enjoyed the views, the quietness of nature, and the short getaway we allowed ourselves. As much I love the city, it's nice to be able to so quickly get away and enjoy the city from a different angle.

View from Angel Island: Bay Bridge, San Francisco Skyline, Alcatraz Island


On our hike back down to the cove, we found a quiet little area with a bench. It was, by no accident, situated perfectly in view of the Golden Gate Bridge, of which I am always in awe. Most mornings, unless the fog is too thick, I wake up to see the bridge out of my bedroom window. I frequently run down on Crissy Field and stare at the bridge the whole time, thinking, I am so lucky to live here!

On the most gorgeous days, I usually find myself at Baker Beach (pictured above), where I sit mesmerized by the unparallelled views of the Golden Gate Bridge in the not-too-far distance and think, this is most definitely the greatest of all beach views. 

The Golden Gate Bridge from Baker Beach



People travel around the world to see these backdrops, yet I just ride my bike for 20 minutes and there I am...staring at one of the world's most dramatic landscapes of brilliant architecture contrasted with the rugged nature of the Pacific Ocean.

Ahhh isn't life (in San Francisco) grand? :)

Happy Valentine's Day!

In the name of charity and Valentine's Day, I baked sugar cookies all night. We're having a bake sale at work tomorrow to benefit La Casa de las Madres. It's such a smart idea because people always bring in holiday treats, so now we can eat for a good cause! It lessens the guilt of snacking on sweets all day...kind of...lol.

My kitchen smells heavenly right now-- of sugar and vanilla -- and my belly is so full! I may have eaten a cookie, or two, or five (thank goodness for that 8-mile run today!), while I was waiting for the cookies to cool enough to frost. These little sugar cookies are delicious, and incredibly easy to make.

I hate to admit that these come from a box, but I can't deny it. Sad to some, but very true. I even won a bake-off with this recipe! How did I discover them? Well, after hopping around from party to party during one St. Patrick's Day in Boston (Southie to be exact), I stumbled upon these fluffy, light, sugar cookies with green (very festive) frosting. The cookies were so moist, with each and every scrumptious bite. They tasted like the top of the cupcake, which everyone knows is the best part. I ate one after another and couldn't figure out how they came out so cake-like. I asked the host and she gave me the recipe, and years later, I still remember it.

The reason they taste like cake is that they are made from the Pillsbury Funfetti cake mix! The only difference between the cake and these cookies is that you don't add water. It's just the cake mix, two eggs and 1/3 cup of oil. Other people have discovered these too - exact baking instructions can now be found on the side of the Funfetti box. After baking, they come out firm enough to be cookies but moist and fluffy enough to be the most fantastic sugar cookies, with a little bit of crunch from the Funfetti. Add some pink frosting and conversation hearts, and you have yourself the most perfect, effortless little Valentine's Day treats.

I've made them for many other holidays too - all you need is a different color frosting and sprinkles or candy - and they can be adapted to just about anything.

Happy Baking and Happy Valentine's Day!!!

Why I'm Smiling Today :)

This week started out rough!! But luckily Monday is over and done with, and things are looking up.

Top ten reasons I'm smiling today, in no particular order:

1. It's sunny and warm out! I didn't even need my trusty Northface fleece today. So while the rest of the country is buried in feet upon feet of snow, I'm happy I left the Northeast for San Francisco!

2.  I finished my Dubai/Istanbul paper last night. It was the bain of my existence last weekend. Woohoo!!!

3. I get to see everyone from my Dubai/Istanbul trip this Friday. Can't wait!

4. I haven't seen my parents since Thanksgiving and just bought my plane tickets to go home to San Diego in March.

5. I haven't been snowboarding all season, or seen my sister since Thanksgiving, and just made plans to stay with her in South Lake Tahoe next month.

6. After a nice 3-mile run, I found an unoccupied room at the gym this morning and decided to shadow box/kickbox for a half hour, since no one could see me if I looked retarded. Haha. I forgot how much I love kickboxing!

7. Dan and I just decided that we're going to spend a day in Boston before we go to his friend's wedding in Narragansett this August. I haven't been to Boston since I moved in 8/2009. There are only two things I want to do there, aside from seeing old friends: go for a run on the Charles River and eat in the North End (my old 'hood!) at La Dolce Vita. The best Italian food I ever had was at that restaurant, and it was also coincidentally the first and last place I ever ate at in the North End. And then after the east coast weekend, we're flying 12 hours to Maui!!!! Crazy trip, I know. Funny how things work out sometimes.

8. I'm treating my team to lunch at work today, and we're getting Deli Board! Best sandwiches in SF...that I've had. Yum!

9. I don't have class tonight.

10. The MUNI train was on time this morning and did not make any unexpected, long stops. And I got a seat!

 :)