Year: 2020

Learning to Make Fresco de Tamarindo

Today I made fresco de tamarindo for the first time ever. As someone who grew up drinking fruit juices (frescos, as we call them in Costa Rica), this is a bit embarrassing. In Costa Rica, you can find frescos in almost every color of the rainbow: limón, cas, guanábana (white); carambola, maracuyá, piña (yellow); melón, papaya, naranja (orange); fresa, sandía, frutas mixtas (pink); mora (red), and tamarindo (brown). * Almost any fruit can be transformed into a refreshing drink by adding a little water, sugar, and ice. Growing up, I liked frescos that were a little tart, and tamarindo was one of my favorites. Tamarindo is super refreshing and a perfect drink to enjoy in the summertime. It’s finally warm again in Marin, so I decided it was about time I learned how to make this. I was able to find tamarindo pods at the local supermarket in downtown Fairfax. In Costa Rica, tamarindo is sold in little compact blocks, just the fruit without the shells, and I believe you can find it packaged in …

french toast

French Toast « New Orleans Style »

I went on a hike up the hill this morning. Two kilometers, 3,000+ steps, 28 floors. Not bad. All I could think of on my way down the hill was the almost complete loaf of challah bread laying on our kitchen counter. It has been there for a few days, and by now, nobody wants to eat it. So… what to do with challah bread? Of course, you know the answer to that! At our house, only Patrick and I like French toast. The kids have never really wanted to try it. (I know! I don’t get it either.🤷🏼‍♀️ ) So, I’ve learned to make just enough for two. It’s super easy to make. But ever since I visited New Orleans when I was a teenager, I’ve liked to serve mine « New Orleans style. » I don’t know if there’s such a thing. I just remember that when I ordered French toast for breakfast at the inn my mom and I were staying at, what they brought to our table was the definition of …

dusting off the sewing machine to make masks

With the new order to wear face covers due to the coronavirus, I was motivated to try making my own. I found a pretty photo that led me to a very easy DIY pattern and I gave it a go — by hand, that is. I don’t know what it is about the sewing machine. Just the thought of threading it exhausts me. So, I figured sewing with thread and needle would be easier – and it was. It took me about two days to finish my first mask, with a little work here and there and it turned out all right. But then, I wanted to make a few more for everyone in the house, and I knew that if I kept sewing them by hand I would soon be sick of the project and my hands would be very achy. I couldn’t remember how long it had been since I had plugged in my sewing machine. I’ve had this machine since before Sarah was born, so I guess it’s at least 16 years …

ingredients to make iced tea

iced tea on the deck and shortie’s birthday

It’s been much warmer in Fairfax, the last two days. It’s nice to be able to sit on the deck in the afternoon and work outside. I decided to make some of my favorite iced tea to have something refreshing by my side, and I’m indulging in a few cookies. Yesterday was Sarah’s birthday. She turned 16, which is hard to believe. To me, she’s still my little baby girl, even if now she’s driving me back and forth from the store all the time. Her friends stopped by to wish her a happy birthday with handmade posters and small gifts. It got me all teary-eyed. This COVID-19-life is so strange… I am so glad they came. It was supposed to be a big birthday! A little after her friends drove away, we had a second group of cars parked in front of the house for a while. This time grandparents, cousins, aunts, and uncles. I was so touched by all of this. I think Sarah had a good birthday, even if it wasn’t what …