Stonehenge was the number one destination during our first visit to the United Kingdom. And how could it not? Shrouded in mystery, popularized in literature and movies, it’s like the Holy Grail forged in Stone. However, our friends in the UK proclaimed our visit to Stonehenge to be “the last time they take anybody there again.” Why, might you wonder? Well, let’s start with this tidbit of information on transportation options and what to expect when you visit this 5,000-year-old mystical site. DISCLAIMER: We visited Stonehenge before Covid-19. Check their website for opening times and tours. Transportation We piled into our friends’ car in Twickenham, a charming suburban town southwest of London…
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100 Things We Want to Do in 2021
As many of you know, a few years ago we created our first list of “100 Things We Want to Do This Year”. It’s become a family tradition to sit down together on New Year’s Eve and cross off all the items we accomplished in the past year. Then, on New Year’s Day, we compose a new list of goals and activities for the next twelve months. Usually, this is a lot of fun, except for reviewing the 2020 list. 😊 But guess what? We are SO looking forward to creating a new one for 2021, and, hope you do too! This year we are gifting you FOUR templates. There…
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Quick and Easy Baby Bok Choy Recipe
This quick and easy baby bok choy recipe makes a great side dish with virtually any main protein, especially when the main dish requires a longer time and more effort to cook. Ready in 10 minutes, this sauteed baby bok choy is easy to prep and impossible to mess up (trust us — we tried 😊). By the way, bok choy is a cruciferous vegetable (like cabbage, cauliflower, or broccoli), tracing its origins to China. Low in calories, it packs a TON of good stuff in a small package: vitamin A, C, K, B6, E, calcium, folate, and beta-carotene. Bok choy is at the top of multiple lists of ‘healthiest…
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Barnyard Cutlets
A few years ago, we traveled to Kyiv, Ukraine, and thoroughly enjoyed exploring the City history, culture, and of course, the food scene! One of the dishes we tried there was called курячі котлети (or kuryachi kotlety). When translated, it means ‘chicken cutlets’ — tender, juicy, flavor-packed mini meatloaves! But for now, let’s just call them cutlets. In the San Francisco Bay Area, California, there are a few stores that carry ingredients and food (including home-made) from Eastern Europe and former Soviet Union Republics, including Ukrainian and Russian. One of the stores we frequent offers borscht, caviar, and these round chicken cutlets, just like the ones we had in Ukraine.…
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Agnews Museum: Memories of Great Asylum for The Insane
We discovered the Agnews Historic Cemetery and Museum, purely by chance! In a quiet residential area of Santa Clara, hidden amongst townhouses and condos, stands an unassuming one-story house with a small grassy field adjacent to it. Blink and you’ll miss it. Driving to lunch one fine Friday afternoon, we happened to catch a glimpse of it, looked at each other, and said “What’s that?”. So, we spun the car around, found a spot to park, and got out for a closer look. Agnews Museum To our delight, Agnews Museum was open (every Friday from 10 am to 2 pm). The admission is free, but donations are welcome. The museum’s…
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USS Hornet Museum Ship: “The Grey Ghost” of the Pacific
How many people can boast that they have a historic WWII-built aircraft carrier in their backyard? That is also responsible for the successful recovery of Apollo astronauts’ on their return to Earth, AND known as the most haunted ship in the United States? Guess what? We can! 😊 We were granted permission to board the famous USS Hornet, and have awesome stories to share! The USS Hornet is anchored at the pier in Alameda, just a short drive across the Bay Bridge from San Francisco. This is your chance to explore this US Navy’s lovingly restored ship, take a peek into the life of the sailors who lived within her…
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Spanish Tapas: Chorizo Al Vino
One of the perks of living in the San Francisco Bay Area is the exposure to so many different cultures and cuisine. In our particular area, we have some phenomenal Spanish restaurants that serve great authentic tapas. (Shoutout to our all-time favorite spot, La Catalana in San Jose – you’re awesome!) Even before traveling to Spain, Chorizo Al Vino (also known as Chorizo Al Tinto) was always our first choice when it came to tapas. On our trip to Barcelona, we literally ate this dish on a daily basis, and from every place that had it on their menu. Though each restaurant had its own take on the recipe, they…
