Rainy Days

We had a rather dry winter in the bay area this year. Like... hardly any rain at all. And this is our "rainy season". It was both exciting and annoying when the rain finally picked up this month. We had another nice, sunny week last week, but it looks like we're in for more rain for the next week or so.

I love this ring from etsy, and it was perfect for the weather. I got a sunshiney one, too, but I'm a cloudy weather girl,
so I think I'll be getting more use out of this one.

The downside to the rain: riding my bike to and from work is terrible. I ended up taking Muni more.
This was one of the worst days, during the above-ground leg of my ride home.

My sunny yellow JoTotes bag, happily repelling rain from my things!

It seems like the east coast started getting spring just as our weather went downhill... How are things where you are?

Modest Workwear

If I worked at a job that required me to dress professionally and modestly, this is what I imagine I would wear. It doesn't show off skin or curves, but I still get to wear fun shoes and bright tights. It was fun to dress a bit fancier than my usual casual A-line dress and boots or flats. Fancy Friday is the new Casual Friday!

dress: Gap (3 years ago); tights: We Love Colors; shoes: ModCloth (pre-employment)

What do you think? Do you work at a 'business casual' job? Could you get away with an outfit like this at the office?

Rainy Day | Pi Day

I've been feeling sick and tired for ages now (like... two months), but things are finally looking up, so let's just jump back in to real life, shall we? Today was nasty and rainy out, while the rest of the country is finally getting warm, sunny weather. But honestly I don't mind a bit of weather (we've had an awfully mild and dry winter). I did attempt to bike in to work this morning, though, and it was no good. Next time, muni instead!

I tried to look on the bright side. I just got a new, lovely bike pannier bag (from Po Campo - I'm in love with their company now!). While I don't have a rack to hang it on yet, it fit nicely on the front of the bike, and it kept all of my stuff completely dry. It's a bit small, so I'll probably get a second one once I get the whole rack thing figured out.

Muddy leg - long pants would have been a good idea.

rainy view from the office.

Once I changed clothes and dried off, I was rewarded with pie! Today was pie day (3/14), and ModCloth celebrated with not one but three rounds of pies at work! I managed to get some pictures of the ones at breakfast.

The covered pies are variations on egg/veggie/vegan savory pies, and I tried the frontmost pie, pineapple blueberry. Tasty! Apparently I missed Moroccan lentil pie at lunch, and I did get a little slice of vanilla flan pie in the mid-afternoon. Oh my!

(Apparently we got these at Peasant Pies in SF, if you're in the area and want some delicious pie!)

Chilaquiles!

Ok, ok. While I sure am good at wasting passing a lot of time browsing online, making (and eating!) food is still my true passion. Life has been feeling a little incomplete lately, and I think a huge part of it is a lack of time spent in the kitchen (seriously, wouldn't I just make the best 50s housewife??). So, here is a food post I've been putting off for far too long - chilaquiles!

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Mmmm, one of my favorite breakfasts, and Tim's favorite by far! It's a little different every time, but the key ingredients are tortillas (or chips), salsa, and eggs, often with ground turkey or sausage, black beans, onions, fresh bell or jalapeno peppers, and other delicious bits thrown in - whatever you happen to have around. Here is how I made these recently. Try your own version and let me know how it goes! (scroll down for recipe)

Tim-approved! ✓

Ingredients - by the way, this is the BEST salsa!

chop or tear your tortillas

Add tortillas and combine

Create a space and add eggs

Ready to serve - doesn't look like much, but yum!

Sometimes I add all three. Don't judge.

Chilaquiles

serves 2-3 as listed, but super easy to double or triple!

1 tablespoon neutral oil - I use light olive oil or canola

1/4 of a medium-sized red onion, finely chopped

about 1/2 cup ground meat or sausage (I like using chicken or turkey)

1 15-oz can black beans, drained and rinsed

salsa to taste - I use about 1/2 cup

4 taco-sized corn tortillas, chopped or torn into bite-sized pieces

1 tablespoon cumin

1-2 teaspoons chili powder

salt and pepper to taste

4 eggs

for serving:

monterey jack or pepper jack cheese, grated

extra salsa and various hot sauces

chopped cilantro (optional)

1. Heat the oil in a large, flat skillet over medium heat.
2. Add the onion and cook until just softened. Add the sausage or ground meat and brown for several minutes, stirring and breaking up large pieces.
3. When the sausage is no longer pink, add the black beans and stir to combine. Add salsa and cook until heated through.
4. Add tortillas and spices and increase the heat to medium-high. Stir to coat the tortillas in salsa and mix in the spices.
5. Push everything off to one side so there is an empty space, and crack your eggs into that spot. When they start to get opaque, scramble the eggs with your spoon. When they are about half done (still a bit shiny), stir the eggs into the rest of your chilaquiles.
6. If you want a bit of a crispy texture, let this cook, untouched, for 3 to 4 minutes, then stir and repeat.
7. Remove from the heat and serve hot with grated cheese, salsa, hot sauce, and cilantro.

sadly lacking cilantro :( otherwise delicious!